WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS…
Newly graduated from Fashion Design at Massey University and working as an assistant to the designers in a New Zealand company life took an unexpected turn for my husband and Me.
We had to move countries, my father passed away, and we became my teenage nephew’s guardians.
I looked up from this lemon-sucking year to find I had lost myself completely. I was working in the fashion industry but not doing anything creative. My life was stuck. I existed on a steady diet of Netflix, Lindt dark chocolate with sea salt, and feeling sorry for what I had lost. My creativity was hiding in a corner far from the grumpy, stressed woman I had become.
MAKING LEMONADE…..
Last February I finally asked myself, “What do I want?” Besides being a guardian, aunt, eldest sibling, and stressed out working two jobs I started to wonder, what I really want to do with my life. Years earlier I had planned on writing a blog, but when things got lemony, I shelved the idea. When I thought about blogging again earlier this year I thought, “Yes, THAT is what I want. I want, no need to be creative.
I worked with very talented ladies at the time, and they gave me lots of good advice on everything from sewing, pattern making, and other ground shaking tidbits on life matters like raising a teenager. They had been sewing for 30 years both at work and at home and mentioned it did not hold the joy it once did. I knew if I finally plucked up the courage to start my blog there would be a wide range of creative activities for me to do every day. Trend research, graphic design, fashion design, pattern making, were all things I loved studying in school. I knew less about social media, photography, and video editing, but I was thrilled at the prospect of learning more. So I quit my day job to see if I could make this blog work. The difference in my life between last February and now is astounding. I am rejuvenated and cannot wait to see what each new challenge will have me learning next!
LIFE EXPERIENCE
I have had a really amazing life with many great experiences for education and travel. It seems I have been slowly amassing the skills needed to write this blog over the years without even knowing it. My writing and research skill were honed by getting my Bachelor of Arts in history. Information technology was picked up everywhere. I do love a good techie gadget. The graphic design certificate will be useful. The Bachelor of Education could be of some use when making future tutorials. And my fashion design studies at Massey University will be instrumental in fashion illustration, pattern making, CAD work, and sewing. As for the travelling I have done, well that serves as a fabulous inspiration. I think more will be needed, though.
THANK YOU
I would not be where in a position to work on this blog nor have the technical expertise needed if it was not for my husband. He is my Chief Financial Officer, Chief Technical Officer, photographer teacher and my largest supporter. Thank you.
Thanks to all my friends and family for being so supportive of this new endeavor of mine. Bryce, Jesse, Becky, Sheldon, Krista, Fran, Ruth, Graeme, Jeanette, Lacreice, Jen, Deb, Donna, Jana, Michelle, Katrina, Jen and everyone else at the gym thank you!
My logo design was made simple with the expertise of Mary. She is an Amazon Princess with untold creative powers. Thank you.
I met Cathy from cathythinkingoutloud at the Ottawa Bconnected blogging conference and was entirely fortunate to find among all of the fabulous bloggers a great friend and mentor. Thank you, Cathy.
And to all the amazing teachers and ridiculously creative students at Massey University’s School of Design thank you for the fantastic education and inspiration.
Dedicated to living life creatively and to the fullest when one is newly tethered to one spot.