I have a confession to make!
For many years Christmas has been "not fun"(well, at least the decorations weren't)!
Why?
Every year I have decorated so many trees for my customers that by the time it came to my own tree I was just plain out of Christmas. For the last three years we haven't had ornaments on our tree. Always lit (and beautifully at that), but lacking in the ornament department. My sons , who are now all grown, decided they were perfectly happy with a tree with lights and nothing else, so no ornaments! That's ok. For me, the saddest part was that I didn't really care. Been there done that!
This year Christmas was different! I recently wrote a book about making paper ornaments for your Christmas tree and as a part of the process I made a large number of ornaments…all white paper. Everyone in my family was anxious to help me decorate the tree using all of the ornaments! It was fun. There is nothing better for me than being with my family, that is for sure.
But the other thing that made it so fun for me was doing something that is so a part of my nature.
I must make things.
I can't help myself. When I am producing something like the ornaments, or a drawing, or a flower arrangement or any of the other things I have made over my creative life I feel most like myself. The self I really need to be. The self that is always waiting patiently (and sometimes not so patiently) while I do all of the other stuff that needs to be gotten to.
What in your life makes you feel connected to your real self? What makes you sing inside?
That is the reason for my blog…I have been trying to help YOU find that part of you in your life. In the process of helping you, I found a lost part of myself.
So let's do ourselves a favor. Let's honor the parts of ourselves that get put on hold so we can do all of the other things that need doing. Not everyone feels like they must make things, but everyone has a true self that needs to be recognized and nurtured.
So while everything I talk about and do might not be the exact formula for you, I'll bet doing a little of what you see here will help steer you to that exact place for you to honor your creative self.
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A Happy and Healthy New Year to All of you and we'll talk again in 2012!
Oh yes, make today your best day ever!
Michele
For the last 30 years Michele has been designing flowers for all kinds of people, from brides to prom goers, from dining rooms to boardrooms. Starting out as a fine artist (painter) and moving into the flower world gave Michele a vision that set her work apart from other floral designers. Designing flowers in a more relaxed,"unfloristy" way was always the goal when working for private clients.
Still doing artwork and designing various products from table linens to greeting cards to holiday decorations, Michele continues to have a unique and diverse style she brings to her work.
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Great blog, Michele. Your ornaments are SO pretty…. and You my friend are so creative.. I love your posts… Looking forward to growing together in both business and our personal lives in 2012… So glad we are friends!!
My tree was up for 3 weeks this year with only lights & I almost didn't decorate it, so it was kind of fun to read that you hadn't decorated your tree for a few years! But I love the look of the paper ornaments! And I can relate to the need to make things… I used to do craft projects all of the time but in the last years really haven't done anything because there was always too much I "had" to do. I did a couple of projects before Christmas, including taking a wreath making class & I loved it! It feels so good to be creating things again! I'm so glad you found that lost part of yourself!
What a great reminder to all us all…to refocus on ourselves so that we too can see what we have "lost" amongst the busyness of life! There is no doubt that you have a gift in this area and I'm so happy that you are sharing it with the world!
Sue,
So happy we have met and become friends here too. I look forward, as you do, to a Happy and prosperous New Year!
Michele, Loved this post. I saw 2011 elevate my dormant creativity massively in writing, not so much in creating ornaments. I have expanded my creative photography talents that I never knew existed and having fun taking pictures of the sky, clouds, trees, flowers, fruits and vegetables I can't wait to see what 2012 has for me. Maybe one day you will see my photos on walls worldwide. Dreaming big. Thanks for sharing.
Jandi,
Sounds like you did get ornaments on your tree as well. Not the most important thing in life for sure, but it can add a layer of joy to an already happy season. A Happy New Year to you and your loved ones!
Jennifer,
Thanks for visiting my blog. I am so delighted to share my goodies with the world!
Carol,
Congratulations on your discoveries. Looking forward to what you will share with all of us in the future!
The Happiest of New Year's to you!
The best part of coming to your site is knowing that I will ALWAYS take away something of value and this is no exception…what makes me sing inside is connecting with and helping parents but what I love most is when we share with each other what makes us feel connected to ourselves and others sing along with us! BTW we made some paper ornaments too and my granddaughter made some beautiful bows this year! Thanks for you inspiration!
Hi Michele…thank you for sharing this article! Your articles on 'paper ornaments' inspired to re-visit the great days of doing this…construction paper put to use again this year…thank you for sharing your passion, warmth and talent! …HAPPY NEW YEAR…Hughie
This is such a fabulous and beautiful way to decorate. I'm always looking for ways to get the family to do things together during the holidays. This is something I will incorporate into our traditions. Thanks so Much for your great ideas to make Christmas even more special.
MIchelle, those ornaments are so wonderful! I absolutely love to decorate the Christmas tree and leave it as long as possible. Thanks for giving us so many ideas!
Your ornaments looked great and it was fun for you to make them. It makes me feel good when I find something that will help someone else and I let them know about it. I love helping other people with their struggling health situations because it is so rewarding watching them have energy and life again. Happy New Year Michelle. Can't wait to see what you create.
Michele,
I haven't received all of your newsletters.
And, what about your book? I read the run up to it and was waiting for the announcemnet for it.
Happy New Year!
Annamae
Annamae,
I will drop off a copy of the book. Stopped the newsletter. A few technical issues, but back on track!