Art debut: monthly art experiment

A few months ago, I was staring at Pinterest looking at clever DIY projects people had completed. String art. Reupholstered chairs. Mosaic planters. Painted picture frames. It made me envious. "I'm crafty. I could do that too." I didn't though. I instead took the easy route and hit that silly 're-pin' button.

Weeks passed and again I was staring at Pinterest--both admiring people's handiwork and lamenting about the free time they must have. "They must do this full time or something because there is no way they work 9 hours, cook dinner, go to the gym and still make time to create a 'cigar-box guitar.'"

I decided I didn't care how these crafty-cool people made time to create fun items I envied. I was going to figure out a method that worked for me. One project a month sounded doable--almost too easy--but a good way to start. One project a month allowed me to pick maybe a more challenging craft project and take my time with it. This made sense.  

Who else though could I enlist in this art project that would hold me accountable? The first obvious choice was my sister. She couldn't say no... a) she was way more crafty then me and actually good at this stuff; and b) she was related to me so automatically I could swindle her to say 'yes.' 

Then I wanted to take it a step further. I wanted to open this 12-month project up to any friends or family that wanted to create gizmos. I emailed 14 friends that I thought would enjoy this concept. And I received some great responses.

May 2013 starts this whole endeavor. Each month participants can create whatever they want. If there is a recipe that they've been dying to create--totally acceptable. If they've always wanted to embroider a pillowcase--power to them. And if someone wants to create a three-legged side table with rose inlay--then they win, I go home and bury myself in grief. 

All jokes aside, this will be where I post our updates. Our successes. Our mistakes. Our journey. Feel free to join in.