Welcome

create-(1) to bring into being, cause to exist....and when we describe people who are creative we often use terms like artistic, clever, gifted, imaginitive, inspired, resourceful, talented, unique...but do we always think of ourselves that way? I'm sure we've offered those compliments to others, but probably rarely voice those opinions about ourselves. Why not? I don't really know. I do know that as far back as I can remember I have always loved making things-paper dolls, snowflake cut-outs, calendars to decorate my bedroom, doll clothes, shoebox dollhouses, costumes, puppets, handmade cards, and on and on and on. It was who I was, and what I loved to do. I didn't think of myself as doing anything different or unique. I was just playing like any other kid my age.

When I married and we set up house I continued doing the things that I loved in a grown up version--reupholstering an old armchair, sewing clothes for my daughters, making drapes, creating a wreath for the front door. But then life just seemed to get in the way. Without realizing it, the further I moved away from my childhood, the more I allowed the things I loved to do fade into the background. We've all been there; in the midst of jobs, raising families, taking evening courses for our jobs, keeping up with cooking and cleaning. It was a rare treat to make time for doing anything creative. Maybe that's why I got so excited about our renovating projects. It seemed like the only creative outlet in my busy life.

Fast forward to November of 2010 when I found myself in Joann Fabric & Crafts shopping with my daughter. She pointed out a magazine that she thought I might be interested in--"Where Women Create". I was in awe, but put it back on the shelf denying that I was at all interested. I wandered around a bit longer, but was drawn back to the magazine. I knew I couldn't leave without it. The next day I poured over every page, reading about all of the clever, gifted, inspired women who had their own studios and businesses. My passion to create came flooding back and I made up my mind that this was the life I wanted and was going to create for myself.

I've been busy setting up a studio, gathering supplies, doing small projects, experimenting with new mediums, taking some online creative e-courses, dabbling with some photography...doing the things I love again. Maybe the fact that I didn't recognize or appreciate my imagination, resourcefulness & uniqueness made it too easy to shove aside my creativity. Gifts that I will remember to honour and cherish this time around. Starting this blog is another step in my journey and a committment I've made to myself to stay the course in living a creative life and achieving my dream of starting my own creative business.

The Complete Works of Marian Long will give me the opportunity to share bits and pieces of all the things I love and enjoy doing. I look forward to sharing this journey with you--the experiments, successes, fears, failures and fun with a lot of life and its adventures thrown into the mix. Thanks for taking time to stop by!

Take.....Marian  xo