The 31 in 31 list

[meli_mello]

This year's big challenge: To use what I have.

I was tempted to put this on my list but this is so much more than part of a to-do list and most of my list reflects this challenge. I often talk about how overwhelmed I feel by the amount of stuff I have, especially when it comes to fabric, yarn, craft supplies in general, books, clothes - even food.

Comments

[tusenoch]

oh! do i ever love this post!
i am so inspired... from the first bit of using what you {i} have on down the list!

i have a list in my head... perhaps i should put it to paper. something about putting it in writing, yes? there are a couple of items {1, 7, 13, 14 for example} are on my mental list, as well!

as for 12 -- do you make up these exercises? have someone dictate them to you? while i am not a writer {what i write is strictly for me}, i miss the idea of assignments... homework, if you will. i am visual artist + while i get plenty of dictates + must-haves on the job, i miss assignments that i would get, say, at uni: enough parameters to give it structure, but open-ended enough to be creative.

anyway, miss... thank you for posting this! it is a cold, snowy day here + easy enough to go shack-wacky or do nothing. now i am motivated!

have a happy new year!

[meli_mello]

Thanks for the encouragement. As for #12, I got this idea from a book whose name escapes me right now. I cut up strips of paper and wrote a topic on each one like "My first bike" or "heat" or "last summer" (although, these are lame examples and I don't think I wrote those on any of the strips) - anyway, you fold up the strips and put them in something then pull one out at a time and try and write about that topic. The point is just to write non-stop and let your mind take you where it will even if you don't totally stick to the topic you are given, they are more like starting points. The trick is also not to judge yourself while you are writing (very hard). I haven't done very many but I think once I get into it they will be very useful. If you are looking for writing exercise guidance I bet your library will have lots of books on the subject.

[tusenoch]

excellent! thanks for the explanation {+ the library* guidance tip}... i think i will try something like that, though i may illustrate the exercise or i may write it. thanks!

* i must admit that i usually head to the book shop first -- i love owning my own books... but if i attempt to use what i have {!} i maybe could cull from books around here {by, say, illustrating a sentence or paragraph. using my own books would really only work for illus exercises} ...though i have image books, perhaps i could write about an image!

* we have many library branches around my city; there is a new + quite wonderful library perhaps 12 blocks away from me. downtown, next to coffee shops -- in fact, it has it's own coffee shop. i love i... but it is too cold + i will stay home. today. but you are a source of inspiration, miss! thanks you!

you are brilliant!

again, happy new year + happy days!

[meli_mello]

Ha! Brilliant? No. Just poor, or at least very cheap. I try not to buy books unless I know I am going to read them two or three times. Also, I think people really need to re-discover their libraries before it is too late and funding is cut back so much that there are no libraries left. So I am a real advocate of the library - it gives me the opportunity to explore a multitude of subjects I could never afford to explore otherwise. And then, if the subject doesn't appeal to me I don't have to feel guitly for not finishing the book

Yay! It's up - Congrats!

[anonymous]

I love your list. You'll do well.

Regarding #12, cursed, ain't it? I try to write every day. Julia Cameron's "Morning Pages" were a great way for me to sift through my frazzled attention deficit mind. It helps having a slow job where I can sit and write for 15 minutes without drawing attention to myself.

See you soon!

Jocelyn

[anonymous]

The baby bug quilt sounds intriguing! Good luck with your list... Now I'm totally thinking about making my own numbered to-do list as well! Most of the items that will be on it have already been floating around my head for some time, but they say that you're more likely to accomplish something if you write it down. I wonder if you're more likely to accomplish things if you not only write them down, but publish them on-line? I think you're right about the accountability and "pressure" aspect of that, but I also think that completing 18 out of 30 things is pretty good too.

You got me

[anonymous]

All right, I am going to do it too! - Jen

your comment on my blog

[anonymous]

Hi Melanie
Thanks for your comment on my blog- yes narrow feet can be frustrating. I agree it's hard to find things that are young and stylish- I basically try on anything that appeals to me (that they have in a long size) in the hope that they might fit. I tend to go for styles that have some kind of ankle strap because they stay on so much better, or styles that have more toe length (so I can fit in a smaller size, which tend to be narrower).
I have tried making shoes too- for the same reason you mentioned- and discovered it's really quite hard! The shoes I made still didn't fit me, and the styles that you can make with simple tools and no experience are a bit limited. I do want to have another go one day though.
Take care and happy blogging- good luck with your 31 list (I had to laugh- I need to do something about organising our wedding photos too...)
Di
http://clementineshoes.blogspot.com