It’s been almost two weeks since my eye surgery, and I’m happy to say that my eye looks and feels almost normal again! I feel like I made it over a big hurdle, and I’m told the rest of the process will be much better. Maybe not quite a piece of cake…but much better!
I signed up for some online mixed-media art classes through The Maker Beehive, and I’ve been having the best time playing with paint, scissors, and glue! One of the most wonderful things about art is that it puts me into a state of flow where I lose track of time, push aside my worries, and enjoy the present moment. The best thing about mixed-media art is it’s impossible to strive for perfection – you embrace the wonky and go with it!
One wheel of our 20-year-old suitcase shattered during our trip to San Francisco, so we got a new, beautiful suitcase with four spinner wheels from Costco. It’s such an improvement over a two-wheeled suitcase!
One of the nicest things that happened this week was getting notified that I’d won a Founder’s Choice Honorable Mention Award from Greeting Card Universe for one of the “hottest holiday sellers” of 2023! (See their blog post here.) It was totally unexpected – I didn’t realize such an award existed. It made me very happy!
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you have a wonderful week!
I am happy to hear your eye surgery went well and you are on your way to recovery. Hope all is a piece of cake from now on. I know eye surgery is really tough. My husband lost an eye a decade ago.
I love that you signed up for that art class. How wonderful. Those pieces / photos you showed are really fun and cute. I totally get your description of getting into the flow. It is the best, no?
I am going to start an art challenge on Sunday – the 100 day project – and I am hoping to accumulate a couple hours of flow. such. good self care practice.
Thank you so much, Tobia, for all your good wishes! I followed you on Instagram – is that where you’ll do the 100 day project? That’s very cool! I’m interested to know more about your husband’s eye. Did you ever write about it on your blog? I’d love a link to the post if you did.
Yes, that is where I will share my progress. Will you join too? That would be so much fun.
I never really wrote about the husband’s eye as it is not my story to tell. Only once mentioned it in very shadowy way https://www.craftaliciousme.com/10-things-dont-know/.
I read your post, and it was great and interesting to learn all these things about you! I understand that you wouldn’t write about your husband – I wouldn’t either. I’m not doing a 100 day project, but I’ll definitely follow along with yours!
Oh Michelle this was such a great post full of good things and I am so glad you shared it! It must be such a relief to have your eye back to normal, and that will certainly fuel your hope for the next step!
I just love your happy art style and couldn’t agree more that it is food for the soul. When we are struggling with life’s challenges we often don’t allow ourselves frivolity because somewhere deep in our minds we are holding vigil for the problems. I find when I am in that situation the mantra “Don’t think. Do.” is just the balm my soul needs. Cutting, gluing – it matters not. Soon a sense of creative gratitude washes over me and I remember that my life is so much more than the latest challenge.
Gratitude seems to be the most effective weapon in my arsenal and you have demonstrated perfectly how we can find it in our lives every day. Even for suitcase wheels.
Congratulations on receiving your greeting card award! It is such a beautiful greeting card and the sentiments inside are so apropos!
Thank you so much, Jodi! I appreciate all of your kind words! Yes to gratitude and working on little projects! ❤️
The four wheeler sounds really nice. We bought a three wheeler cart to bring in groceries. We use the old two wheeler to move salt. 20 years is a long life for a suit case. Your message about your eye sounded encouraging. We have high hopes that you get all good news. Thanks for telling us about the big truck wreck that closed the Highway. I have appointments in Bozeman next month and hope the hill is not covered with ice. The doctors always wants to send me a confirmation text. So I will have to learn how to use some sort of a smart phone before spring. Thinking about Cost Co, we got of those open air pizza cookers that spins the pizza round & round. So the end of my rambling now.
A cart to bring in groceries is an excellent idea! I was happy to learn that no one was injured in that accident. So scary. Your pizza oven sounds wonderful – I’m sure you’ll be inviting us over for pizza one of these days! ❤️😊
Hi Michelle! I am so glad to hear your eye surgery went well! (I am terribly squeamish…. so will just leave it at that and send you hopes for magical healing!) I am so glad you got an award for your card! Those things can really have a lasting impact on the inner joy! And yes, the creative flow is a wonderful thing… I get there with some of my projects and just relish the time disappearing and the world becoming just all in the moment. Blessings to you for the joy you give to so many with your lovely drawings! 🙂
Thank you so much for your kind words, Betsy! You brightened my day! ❤️
I’m glad your eye is healing and that you have new better piece of luggage [yay Costco] and that you’re enjoying making your art and that you got an award. You do pack a lot of goodness in one blog post here.
Thank you, Ally! 😊 It was nice to have good things to write about!
Congrats! What happy news.
Your art is just such a happy, good thing. If I ever get around to writing that children’s book I have bouncing around in my head, I want you to be the illustrator <3
Awww, thank you, Elisabeth! That makes me so happy! I’d love to illustrate your book!
This is all such great news!! This whole post just made me beam. Yay for the eye healing, and also – congrats on the award. How exciting is that? Also, I love your mixed-media art. It’s just so fun and joyful.
New suitcase! Sometimes things like that are just life-changing. xoxoxo
Thank you so much, Nicole! ❤️ Your sweet comments always make me smile! It’s funny how a simple suitcase can make a difference!
Congrats on your eye improving and may it continue. Also congrats on being applauded on your card. Yes, a four spinning wheel suitcase is always better than the old two ones. 🙂
Thank you so much, Judy! I appreciate your kindness! I’m very excited to go rolling through the airport with my four-wheeled suitcase!
So many happy things!! Yay!!!
I am so glad that you are feeling better. 😘
Thank you so much, Kari! I appreciate it! 😊
We still have two-wheeled suitcases, but I’ve heard such good things about the four wheels. Congrats on the eye feeling better and having fun making art!
Thank you so much, NGS! ❤️ It’s impossible for me to get rid of a suitcase unless it’s broken. Our two-wheeled one was well-made and lasted through 20 years of fun traveling! I felt a bit nostalgic about letting it go, but my goodness, this new one is lovely!