I Declare ICAD 2015 Open!

The beginning of ICAD is like the opening of the Olympics for me. There has been a group of people on Flickr who participate on a regular basis and during the challenge there is lots of positive energy, encouragement and companionship.  And then when it is over everyone goes back to their individual worlds but look forward to reunite the following year.

I think this is the 4th year for ICAD for me.  Last year was the first time I complete all 61 days and that in itsself is enough to be proud of.  But, I am also proud when I flip through my cards from last year to see how I challenged myself and found some hidden talent.  I'm also proud that on the days that I "wasn't feeling it" creatively, still managed to put out a decent card.  I don't see any cards where it looked like I "phoned it in".

So, ICAD starts tomorrow, but in a burst of anticipation I got my cards done today.  I decided to try structuring the experiencce so that I don't have to think so much about what to do each day.  But, I'm not one to follow the rules..even my own!  So if on Monday I have a brainstorm for a watercolor, I'll skip lettering and do watercoloring instead.

The other rule I am going to break this year is to used mixed media paper when I'm painting or watercoloring.  I know the purpose of ICAD is to create quickly without worrying about "spoiling" good supplies, but I am trying to learn technique at the same time and index cards just don't cut it for that.  They only contribute to my sense of artistic frustration. Mixed media paper is not expensive at all so I think I will have the same sense of just letting my creativity fly as I do with index cards. So sorry Tammy...breaking away on that one!

Finding Doreen

Oh my! August 29th!  That was the last post I made on my supposed journey to "Discover Doreen".  I was rolling right along, having completed all days of Index Card a Day and then continuing on to explore further creative endeavors. But, I don't know what happened in my life after August 29th. Wait...I do remember.  Some gnarly problems involving my mom and my sister sucked the creative life blood right out of me. 

I have had some very tough moments in the last 9 months and although I abandoned updating my blog with any creative work I can say that in some of my darkest moments I have been able to "lose myself" by getting into my craft room and creating even the most simple items.  It makes me focus on something else and even if it's just for 1 - 2 hours I am lost in another world. 

As an example, in January, as the relief of having the holidays over took hold, I decided to choose a Christmas card design each month and make 5 cards of that design.  I figure by next December  60 cards will be done.  So far I have stuck to that.  In fact, at the end of April I made 15 handmade cards to give to my tennis teammates (my other salvation from real life!).  I haven't technically made May's cards yet....but there is still today! However, the 15 cards I made in April will keep my on track for my 60 card goal. 

So, what made me even look at my blog again was my considering if I should join the Index Card a Day project again.  And, having seen that I fell of the cliff creatively last August, my decision is yes! I must jump start my discovery once again.  So tomorrow...day one of ICAD 2015.  See you back on the road to Discovering Doreen