Lil' Miss Crafty Pants

I love to create! Period. If you know me, you know determination is a big part of my personality and in general, when i get the notion to do something, I'll make it happen. If I don't know how to do it, I'll learn how. I may only try it once, but by gosh, i'll have done it. The reason I explain this is because I'm including in this post a "portfolio" of crafty/creative things I've done in my lifetime. Random. Crafty. Creative things. :-)

I recently dug through boxes of old stuff that my mom & dad pulled out of their attic in Birmingham. Treasure chests full of 20 plus years worth of creativity, achievements, milestones & experiments. I found artwork, grade school journals, published poetry (yes, I am actually published) :-), stories, certificates, diplomas, letters, old t-shirts, etc. Super fun thing to do, I highly recommend it. When I came across my very first kindergarten journal entry, it gave me the idea for this post. A sort of reflection for me, of things I've created.  So....... below is a collection of creative"ness" that begins with a journal entry 23 years ago. Enjoy!

Kindergarten Journal- August 1989

Gingerbread

Ginger church complete with stained glass (melted jolly rancher) windows

Snow

Some people build snowmen. I build snow stuffed animals.

Food

A cake I made for my friend's birthday. First (and only) attempt with fondant.

Decor

A beaded chandelier who lived its
first life as a brass dining room fixture.
Add an aged pewter paint finish and
$40 worth of acrylic beads and you have
a masterpiece. :-)

Pumpkins (yep, I'm a nerd)


I carve peoples faces into pumpkins. Only once a year though 'cause it takes a really stinkin' long time.

Artwork
 
First one is a personal piece I did in 2011, second is a wax painting I did in 2001, third is a pencil drawing I did at some point?
Graphic Design (I heart photoshop)

Brochures, logos, postcards, websites, t shirts, ads..... lions and tigers and bears.

One day I will take a real class on how to do some of this stuff. In the meantime, I'll keep trying my hand at random things!  -M

Welcome to the Private Sector...

So I just witnessed my first act of random cost-cutting job elimination at the new (well, a few months new) workplace. A client cut back some business, and the company in-turn had to cut back on overhead. My boss, the woman who hired me, was let go without warning. Had to pack up her office and head out today after being here about 2 years. My heart was broken for her as she was putting her belongings into boxes. I've always been told that when companies cut back, they usually start with middle management positions, so I guess it isn't surprising. But her situation just makes my heart heavy because I was reminded of being in the same position nearly 2 years ago. I learned on a Thursday that I would be losing my job, but could give a two-week notice. I came in the next day to find out I had to leave that day (after 3 1/2 years). I vividly remember packing up my office, in tears, while my boss sat in the next room silently...while my world was completely uprooted and his wouldn't change at all. The scene here today was a little like that, all of the girls in the office sitting in silence after the news was shared, while she was putting things in boxes. I can't imagine what it's like to have to walk out with your boxes of stuff in front of people you hired and managed. I am hurt and sad for her. 

I spoke with her privately before she left the office and told her God has something so much better for her. It's a very odd feeling to tell the person who hired you that you're sorry for her job loss and that God has a plan for her. But.... it is certainly the truth.  I explained to her that God had to allow some cuh-razy stuff to happen at my old job to get me out of there or I would've never left. I was too comfortable. But He has already begun to show me the "better" He had in mind for me when I definitely couldn't see it.

I am grateful to her for giving this church/non-prof-experienced girl a chance in the private sector and a foot in the door, when other people wouldn't. She certainly played a part in God's plan for my life, even if it was just to help me move into the next chapter...

Whew. Heavy-hearted today.

-M

I got a Music Degree once...

Aaaand now I work in project management for a marketing company in Atlanta....... 

I may spend my days doing magic in Excel and pulling reports, but I can also direct your choir rehearsal, sight read, transcribe choral parts by ear, teach a voice lesson & lead a few thousand people in worship on any given day.  : )  

It's been about 6 months since I stood on a church stage with a mic in my hand. It's a weird thing for me too because I spent the last 10 years of my life singing/working in church services nearly every Sunday morning. Standing on a stage, communicating a message as powerful as that of God's love and salvation is one of my greatest passions and was at one point, part of my identity.  Now, life has changed so much in the last year & a half that I'm not sure God wants it to be part of my identity. (At least not for now) I think He's got me in a season of exploring other gifts and parts of who I am and as long as it's God-ordained, I'm okay with it. Anyway, I digress... Decided to post some video links of "what I do" (or did, i guess).  Enjoy!  -M

Grateful

Sitting here on New Year's Eve 2011, waiting to go out for the night. It's the eve of what I anticipate will be the best year of my life, simply because it is the year 2012. My birthday is 2/12, and I'm convinced 2012 is my year. :-) Over the last couple of days I've been reflecting, and I started a list of amazing opportunities and experiences I've had in my life. Experiences that most people will never have, especially not all before the age of 28. I am grateful. Here's the list... in no particular order:

I have danced with Warrick Dunn at a bar

I have walked the entire length of Charlotte Motor Speedway in my pajamas at 2am

I have eaten gelato in Venice

I have thrown a coin into the Trevi Fountain

I have performed Brahms Requiem at the Berlin Philharmonie

I have eaten a steak in Sydney Harbor

I have enjoyed a pale of “voodoo juice” in St. Thomas

I have snorkeled in Cane Garden Bay

I have eaten lunch on St. Peter Island

I have sailed on a 40 ft catamaran yacht from Tortolla to go snorkeling at The Baths

I have laid in a beachfront hammock in Fiji

I have performed solos in front of NFL players, CNN News anchors & Grammy-winning Christian Artists

I have hiked on an active volcano in Hawaii

I have walked along the cliffs of St John's Bay, Canada

I have been to the top of Mt Ranier, Washington

I have been a part of a Gaither Homecoming choir

I have walked an entire day around New York City in 4 inch heels

I have shopped on Rodeo drive

I have enjoyed a beer in the gaslight district of San Diego

I have bought tequila in Tijuana

I have had a coffee on Grafton Street in Dublin

I have toured Old San Juan

I have experienced 110 degree heat in Fresno, CA

I have seen how beautiful the view is flying into Salt Lake City

I have eaten a Beniet in the French Quarter

I have stood at the site of the Tea Party in Boston Harbor

I have eaten a crab cake in Baltimore Harbor

I have visited Niagara Falls in the rain

I have stood on the beautiful Atlantic coast of Ireland

I have ski'd on fresh powder in upstate New York

I have laid on Gulf of Mexico beaches from dawn to dusk

I have fished trout streams in the Carolinas

I have eaten Skyline chili in Cincinnati

I have met Bobby Bowden on two occasions

I have taken a picture with Justin Timberlake

I have experienced the physical presence of the Holy Spirit 

I have performed the National Anthem in Philips Arena

I have floated down the Chattahoochee on an air mattress

I have tailgated at 6 Jimmy Buffett concerts

I have helped rebuild roofs for hurricane victims in Mississippi

I have shopped along the Riverwalk in San Antonio

I have eaten incredible seafood in Vancouver

I have seen nights when the gulf was nearly still as glass

I have had amazing seats at a Braves game

I have watched the sun rise over the ocean

I have watched the sun set over the ocean

I have been spit on by Steven Tyler

I have made multi-millionaires nervous

And there's still so much to be done.  :-)

Cheers & Happy New Year! 

M