Jack of All Trades...

Full Moon Greeting > gouache and paper cuttings

I was recently reunited with an old portfolio of mine. Looking through all of its contents (dating from a time when I flirted with being some kind of a design major) has been bittersweet. You may understand this situation well-- you are intrigued by your old self, but there's a hint of embarrassment on your own behalf. Perhaps the fact that I have not finished any kind of a degree yet ( I have about one more year to go) stems from my particular dilemma (as the title of this post addresses)-- the fact that I continue to acquire and hone a variety of skills coupled with an impossible desire to somehow smoosh all of these skills + passions onto one document (said unearned degree). I love that my life is creatively rich and varried, but at the same time-- in a world where there is so much emphasis on credentials, expertise, and only certain kinds of achievement, I definitely feel like a misfit. So I'd like to share some of the old misfit me with you, along with a list of recent online excitement:

Polluted > ink

1) I've been dreaming (literally) of making this nectarine and marscapone tart from Je Mange la Ville. Unfortunately, it will have to wait for at least another week as I've cut out sugar from my diet. It's probably because I'm breastfeeding, but I started going drug-addict-crazy for the stuff-- getting generally irritable due the lack of ice cream and chocolate in the house, searching the cupboards over and over again just in case I may have missed something-- you get the idea.

From Diamonds to Dirt > paper collage/assemblage

2) Speaking of sweets, I came across this excellent blog if you are into 60s French pop and girl groups like we are in this household. Visit Spiked Candy for some delightful musical treats.

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Resistante > pen and ink

Untitled sketch > watercolor and pen

3) I've been having a lovely time perusing Elegant Musing's flickr favorites. She has quite an inspiring group of pics.

Red is for Mistakes Well Made > paper collage/assemblage

4) Perhaps my new/old sewing machine will not be as mysterious, and maybe we can become closer friends, now that I've located and ordered a .pdf version of the owner's mannual. If you are in need of this sort of literature, I suggest taking a look here. The prices are extremely reasonable and they give you the option to have it sent via post or email.

Quilt Series 1 & 2 & close-up > gouache and collage