If Dreaming Was Practicing . . .

. . . I'd be an Expert. "At what?" you ask. Well, everything I dream about doing expertly, of course! Oh and do I ever dream!

When I was in 4th grade I dreamed of being a great violinist. I took lessons for maybe a month. I quit. I hated practicing. I want to just know. To pick up the instrument and play beautifully and perfectly.

When I was in -- oh I don't know, 2nd or 3rd grade? -- I dreamed of being an amazing calligrapher. My older brother gave me a set of felt tip calligraphy pens that came with a little practicing guide. I tried it for a while. I did ok. But I got bored with it. It required too much patience and too much practice. And I had better things to do. Like play outside or read or "play Barbies" with my sisters.

Here I am. All grown up. I still have dreams. I'll even list them for you.

• To write beautifully in calligraphy like this.
• To illuminate letters like this.
• To be able to hand letter like this .
• To draw and paint faces that actually look like humans. And maybe even do full figures. Whimsical people would be great, too. :-)
• To be a world-famous author like George R. R. Martin.

All of these take lots and lots and LOTS of practice. In fact, that is probably an understatement. I am not good at practicing. I am great at being hard on myself.  This is what I hear (a lot): "It's not ok to make mistakes. It has to be perfect the first time. Every time. That really sucks, so don't let anyone see it." On and on.  And, frankly, that is a giant pile of steaming *%&#.

I am trying to learn that what I create doesn't have to be perfect. It's ok to make mistakes. Practice is good. It can even be -- dare I say it? -- FUN! Besides, it's not like what I do is brain surgery. It's ink-and-paper. I can always start over.

Anyway, this post has been on my mind for a while, and now it's done. Sorry there were no pictures this time. But I promise I'll take and post some tomorrow. I have to show you the book I made at the craft party at the Scrapbook Nook Friday night, the one I finished this evening, and my first attempt at practicing lettering.

Thanks for giving me some of your time! I hope you have a lovely Sunday full of "happy accidents." (I love Bob Ross.)