K.MAC Creations: {diligence}

diligence¹|ˈdiləjəns|

noun

careful and persistent work or effort.

My hands have been steady and streamlined this month. My heart had to beef up its typical artsy/creative/feely status to a more structured "task mastery"mode. Being left handed, this was a bit of a challenge for the ole ticker. Getting things done. Every day accomplishments do happen in my camp, but not without intermissions of bliss of getting lost in creativity. My husband will be the first to shout from the mountain tops about my love to be into a little bit of everything all at once. He loves this about me. I know he does.

For those just joining me here in this space, I feel you need the 11th month formal introduction to catch up. My word for 2012 is rhythm. I have been seeking it in myself and around me. Read here to know just a little more behind the scenes if you will. Each month I have given myself goals and attempted to creatively report on my status using my passion for good deal finding. Feel free to take a gander back if you want:

March

May

To be diligent, one can't really dilly dally {insert my sad face here}. So, let's get right to it, peeps.

Ensemble statistics:

Blouse:

$1.99
1/2 off Goodwill
Bought in 2012.
Wore it in this post.
It's sleeveless. This is perfect as it allows for spring/summer wear, but then gives you the option to "sweater up" in the fall/winter months without the bulky sleeve excess underneath.
I am totally digging this rose "Hi, I just may or may not have a ceramic duck with a country blue bow around its neck sitting in my curio cabinet from the late 1980's" look.
It has a tiered ruffled neckline! See below.

The fabric is this weird silky/cotton combo.
If I think about its texture too much, I get a metal-like taste in my mouth.
For the sake of the ruffle, I choose to rise above this issue.

Sweater:

$1.99
1/2 off Goodwill
Bought in 2009.
Banana Republic brand
This sweater makes me crazy happy.
It is this muddled gray hue. It's place on the color wheel makes it super great to wear with so many colors. It can sometimes even pose for an ivory shade if you look at it long enough.
The tiny cable knit details in this sweater are divine. So divine, they make my mouth water.
The weight of this sweater is heaven. It is so snuggly soft. It kinda makes me feel like one of the Victoria Secret models when they wear their angel wings.
I really should do stand up.
I am putting this next sentence in cap locks. IT HAS GRAY RHINESTONES FOR BUTTONS. These buttons look like they belong in some Mamaw's jewelry box. They look sophisticated. No Claire's Boutique BOGO with these CZ's.

Belt:

$.25
1/2 off Goodwill
Bought in 2010
Please take the time to read here to find out about how she came to be mine.
Heck, the videos may even inspire you to go find your own cheap thrills.
This belt is so.freakin.awesome.
It has tiny multi-colored paint drops all over it.
I feel a little more connected with my inner hippy each time I wear it.
That's a very good thing considering I came home from my Colorado hospital birth in a VW bus wearing my turquoise baby bracelet. Not.kidding.

Pants:

Gap brand
$2.99
Goodwill 1/2 off weekend
These pants are light weight and real smooth like rayon, but they're not rayon at all.
They have a flair to the bottom.
They're kinda like a tweed with multi-colored oatmeal specs throughout.
They fit perfectly. You know those pants you own that have that great fit every time you put them on? That's these for me.

Shoes:

$3.25
Goodwill 1/2 off weekend
Bought in 2010.
You can go here to read more about the day I met them and asked them to be mine forever.
I actually almost came to blows with a lady over these bad daddys.
Ahem, I found them first.
They look like they are Coach, but they're totally not.
People think they are though.
These boots are just "out there" enough that I either get lots of compliments when I wear them or crazy stares like "Just what the hell does she have on her feet?"
Either way, I'm good.

Hair:

2 days dirty
I slept with it in a clip the night before.
That morning I wet my bangs in attempts to tame their "individuality" shall we call it?
The raspy waves are the end result of the clip from the night's slumber.
7 cow licks can work to your advantage in many ways when it comes to volume.

Bracelets:

I'm wearing my signature piece on one hand. I talked about this decision here.
On the other hand, I'm wearing the bracelet you see above.
This bracelet was a gift from my mother-in-law, Carlene.
For the past 2 years, we have started a tradition of going to Mountain Makins', a local craft festival, together.
This bracelet is a great memory of my time with her there.
It's made by a local artist.
Carmalitta Freeman Dixson has an Etsy store for anyone interested in her designs.

Earrings:

I heart these earrings so very much.
I bought them in 2009 from Raquel Castillo, a fabulous designer.
She has an Etsy store as well.
I am the proud owner of not 1, but 3 pair of earrings crafted by her.
I have given away here designs as gifts 3 times as well.
I think that's what I love best about being an artist. I love the way creating original pieces makes me feel. That feeling transcends into the purchasing of original pieces as well. I feel beautiful when I wear things I connect with.
This is so very true when I wear Raquel's pieces.

Total outfit investment: $10.47

November 2012

My personal word of growth for November was {diligence}.

My mission:

just do it
dive in & forget
placement & priorities
define your space

My status:

* * * *

4 out of 5 stars

My memories:

just do it--I did. I stayed focused on the tasks to be completed. I did not freak out at the overall timeline of what had to be completed with k.Mac in addition to the holidays that hits us all in a melodious cluster {Halloween-Thanksgiving-Christmas} in addition to teaching the boys at home. I made a plan and stuck to it. I did my best to let go of the "aww, that would be nice" or "I should do that with them". I faced November with lots on my plate. I took the crafty extras out, and got jiggy with my jobs. It was hard at times. I felt like I wasn't being the Mom or teacher I wanted to be, but I reminded myself of that it was just for a time and not for forever. Putting time in is what hand making is all about. I am quite certain I pulled well over 60 hour work weeks for this month's entirety.

dive in & forget--When it was time to unwind and celebrate, I did just that. I cannot tell you the complexity of how much I struggle with this. For some reason, I am hard wired to work. Work. And work all the time. I equate relaxation with laziness. THIS IS STUPIDLY WRONG. I know this, and am working like a mad dog to overcome this ridiculous internal preset. Our family celebrated our 10th anniversary of the Cobble Gobble this year. I did a stellar job of forgetting the work on my plate for k.Mac and chose to immensely enjoy my people in my home. I found times in the early evenings to just stop and sit. Sometimes doing nothing but that. Although these times weren't often, I did practice them. I also unwound and got lost in the joy of decorating our home as a family for Christmas. I wrote about it here. The concept of forgetting, for a time, your checklist of getdones is something I will always struggle with. But, being cognizant of the need to just enjoy is critical to my health and happiness.

placement & priorities--My life on this Earth has purpose. Every one's does. I decided this month to remember this. Some tough things transpired in November. Things that shake you. Things that abruptly adjust your plans and move you into action. I learned that love is genuine. I also learned that love can be blind sided and altered by selfishness and insecurity. I ache to have been taught this lesson. But, I have learned it for my final time. My purpose in this life is not to be blanketed by other people's insufficiencies. That my place does not have to reside where love and comfort is at risk. I can love from afar and learn to live with this decision as best for all involved. Love endures all. Love doesn't fix all.

define your space--While I work, I think. I think a lot. I spent a lot of time thinking about the space that God has given me in this life. I want to work to honor it more in what I say and what I do. I began to formulate little snippets of energy in ways that I can do this for myself and my family. Things like better ways of prayer time in the mornings, my thoughts in my head, my mouth to my boys and my movements for God's gain. No mountainous snow balls of action just yet, but I'm gathering snowflakes for sure. It feels good to begin a better map out of my space. On a completlely materialistic mission regarding my space, I have a 2 new pieces of art to hang in our home. One was purchased from a local artist, Dan Gibson. I fell in love with his work at the Mountain Makins' craft festival. His art is astounding. And, he is color blind which makes his pieces even more a testament to God's amazing wonder. The 2nd piece is by my boys. It is a aerial mixed media depiction of their community. I plan to post about this project very soon. They never cease to amaze me with their creativity and commitment to finishing a project together, side by side.

November was diligence. It was that careful and persistent work or effort for my mind, for my body and for my heart. I am thankful for the busyness of the month and the goodness of keeping track of it all. I thank God for forcing me to kick the ass of some stupid preconceived plagues. I honor Him in my hard learned lessons too.

Onto my last month in my year of rhythm,

.mac :)