fabric: The Flying Circus | pretty paper. true stories. {and scrapbooking classes with cupcakes.}

This week, Ali has been talking about the entire concept of doing something creative every day. It’s certainly something some people have to do. I remember being told all sorts of stories about the crazy things that creative types—writer, musicians, actors, artists—will do when they are not getting what they want from their art. I mostly remember because I would be told such stories when I had just done something royally stupid and dramatic, or when one of my creative-type friends had done similar and I was pouting about it. You know, like when people stop by your drive-thru window to tell you they just put a guitar and a sleeping bag in their car and they are just going to drive until they figure life out. Oh, and could they borrow five bucks? Apparently, lack of artistic outlet can make you think that rationally, you can drive from Kansas to Oregon on $5 and a guitar. That’s some artistic thinking, even back in 1995.

So maybe the reason I am more sane now is a little bit linked to the fact that I do get to do creative stuff pretty much every day. I would say it was just maturity, but I am the crankiest girl on the street if I don’t make stuff for more than three days. So yeah, there is definitely a link. Now if only I could have the same reaction to housework. Oh sorry I was moody. It’s just that there’s this one coffee cup that needs washing. I’ll be right back.

Although I never wanted to drive to Oregon on a borrowed five bucks, I did want to run away and join the circus. Obviously. They got to wear cool make-up and sequins and fly through the air with the greatest of ease. They got to see the world! They didn’t have to go to normal school. (I was so obsessed with learning but not so much with traditional school, at times. A personal tutor with the perspective of a circus performer was a fabulous idea!) They lived in happy, pastel shades like Busted Wonder. Everything was always pretty and happy and they ate cotton candy for breakfast, lunch and dinner. (No, at that point I had not read this. And a million other things. Clearly. I read Jill Krementz books, watched things like this and imagined lots of sparkles and cotton candy. I mean seriously, how could you be unhappy if you could do a triple-and-a-half somersault way up in the air, just because?)

{A total aside: that whole series of children’s books are gorgeous. They are both child biography and photo essay and I would sink into them for hours, years after I could read things much more difficult. I only learned this week that she was married to Kurt Vonnegut. And that has explained so much to me.}

Anyway, I never joined the circus. But I do seem to be travelling a bit more and I won’t be going to a traditional school this September. So I need a circus skirt, right? Hence my creative thing for Thursday. With circus colours and polka dots and ruffles. Cotton candy and trapeze flying skills not included. One thing at a time.

Speaking of one thing at a time, check out the Banana Frog blog today. I’ve posted a little tutorial and there’s a contest over there this weekend.

That’s way easier than joining the circus, and with fewer scary people.

xlovesx

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10 August 2007

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