A

happy playground

of mixed media art creations

made to turn the ordinary

into extraordinary in everyday life.

October 23rd, 2025, Issue # 98



Everything is Calling My Name!

What comes next?


Howdie!


Happy Thursday!


It is time to celebrate. Chatterleaf Sage is complete. Her eyes gaze appreciatively from her perch. Her certificate of authenticity rests inside the clam shell box. Done.


With every finished project a door opens with the same overwhelming question: Which path do I take next?


I scan the studio.



Books await to be bound on the counter. 



A holiday runner—still missing its final border lays on the worktable.







Tote bag fabrics remain stacked like silent accusations. 



Two giant boxes overflowing with greeting card making materials hog the counter.

Then there are the haunters: such as rolls of belt straps whispering "baskets," hand-dyed fabric begging to reveal its purpose.

Here's the framework I am going to use to cut through the noise:

The Itch Test

Closing my eyes I will envision each project and notice the volume of itch my fingers feel. The body knows before the brain does.


The Energy Match

I will evaluate my energy level and match the project to my current creative energy. Right now, my energy level is low cause by a combination of life events. It is wise not start a complicated project at this time. Soon, this too will change.


The Deadline Reality

I will assess each project based on a completion deadline. The holiday runner may have a deadline, but then again, I know it does not. Time sensitive projects will earn priority—or get abandoned with intention.

 

The "What If I Don't?" Question

I will ask myself, “Will I grieve if I never get to that project" and give some materials permission to leave the studio. Others will be allowed to continue to scream for transformation.

 

The winner will emerge—not because it's perfect, but because it's right for me right now.


Something deserves my hands next. When I walk into the studio my collective senses make the call.


For now, I am content in knowing that the basket I started on our road trip (that was supposed to take a couple of hours to complete) is now done. Belted beauty is made from Martin Digman Italian woven rayon elastic cording which was most difficult to weave because the fibers did not want to stay in place and the ends were very susceptible to unraveling.

Feel free to adapt my content on how to choose what one should work on next based on your creative dilemmas, and tune in next week. Together we will discover which project made it to the worktable. Can’t wait to find out and share!

Bye for now,


Nora