on leaving a trail of my own...
Experts from the letter I wrote to a dear friend, only a day ago…
‘…there's a [storm] of ideas and thoughts brewing in my mind. I'm planning a couple of projects...
which can allow me to work on what I love most and convert that hard work into a reliable source
of income. I've come to realize that I'm not really at my best while working according to an office's
rules and limitations. So, now I'm dreaming of taking this big leap, it’s big because I've never
which can allow me to work on what I love most and convert that hard work into a reliable source
of income. I've come to realize that I'm not really at my best while working according to an office's
rules and limitations. So, now I'm dreaming of taking this big leap, it’s big because I've never
attempted anything like this. I'm filled with fear, nervousness, and countless amount of doubt
mixed with excitement as I'm preparing for it. I'm not sure if it’s the right way forward.
What if I fail? It’s very scary, still I think I want to try and take this step. Nothing is decided for
sure, yet. And only god knows how sensible or foolish this wish is going to prove.
What do you think Neel? Am I treading in the right direction? Or is it too idealistic a dream to
pursue? Please share your thoughts on this with me. In the meanwhile, I'm letting the ideas
branch out in my head and mull over all the possibilities before I make the [move].’
through a maze of interesting yet formidable notions for the future. There’s still so much left to
research and dissect. If all does not go as desired, maybe I’ll even have to give-up the whole affair.
On the other hand, I’ve been nurturing this dear dream for so long and with so much hope to
merely consider giving-up.
Isn’t life so unpredictable with all its windings? But I suppose in the very soul of that mysteriousresearch and dissect. If all does not go as desired, maybe I’ll even have to give-up the whole affair.
On the other hand, I’ve been nurturing this dear dream for so long and with so much hope to
merely consider giving-up.
ingredient, lies it’s beauty too and thereof, our infinite hopes, dreams and wishes.
As we live each day, a minuscule of our destiny unfurls; letting us take a teasing glimpse of what
is to come while the rest of its enigma is securely tucked away inviting our curious mind onto a
road of discovery. And along with the many things that greet and daunt us on this wayfaring
road, meeting with a dark Mr. fear, a tall Mr. anxiety and a fat Mr. doubt along with a handsome
Mr. excitement is inevitable, especially when we aspire to take the untrodden path.
is to come while the rest of its enigma is securely tucked away inviting our curious mind onto a
road of discovery. And along with the many things that greet and daunt us on this wayfaring
road, meeting with a dark Mr. fear, a tall Mr. anxiety and a fat Mr. doubt along with a handsome
Mr. excitement is inevitable, especially when we aspire to take the untrodden path.
This is where I find a quote I came across recently persuading and strengthening me from deep
within.
‘Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail’
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ralph Waldo Emerson
and I welcome it’s inspiring embrace wholeheartedly.
Will share more on this dream, as and when it will begin to take shape, hopefully of a form my
heart’s yearning after. Until, then please wish me luck.
heart’s yearning after. Until, then please wish me luck.
glimpses from my handmade journal
A big thumbs up for your creativity Nirmala ! I haven't seen such a beautiful self made journal ever ! I remember when I was young, I made a big card and pasted pressed leaves and flowers on them - but that I did only once. Later on, when I went for holidays, I used to collect leaves and grass and flower petals and used to keep them inside old diaries and books .
ReplyDeleteI am amazed by the design and conceptualisation and the idea behind your journal- the two little birds and the bird nest is so sweet ( what are those eggs made of , some seeds ? ) I also love the three orange flower petals after the leaf - such a lyrical image ! The rose (is it made of bougainvillea petal? ) is so amazing ! And next to it , the three rose leaves inside a white circle - is looking so delicate. Also, the pressed blade of grass in the first picture and plastic button ( again, perhaps ? ), sweet short notes pasted all over, the black background in some pages, clipping from some pages of a book, white circles created from a punching machine ( again my assumption ) and the jar that you made with threads and seeds ( perhaps ? ) shows that your ideas are unique and original. The button in the centre and leaves surrounding it in the last picture- gives the impression of a sun .
What is that circular shaped white paper in the 5th picture ? I am curious to know!
Nirmala, thank you for sharing the intimate pages from your journal .
You know, these acts of your creativity inspire me infinitely ! Life is beautiful , they say and I know it is true when I look at your photographs and random acts of creativity.
Simple, everyday things from nature or around the house can give us so much joy when collected and treasured in a beautiful way.
All the best for the big leap you are taking !
(And the quote is wonderful, I am truly inspired )
Thank you Sanghamitra, your so abundant with your generous words of praise for me always. It fills my heart to the brim with pure joy :) I'm glad to know even you love pressed flowers and leaves; they are among my favorites.
Delete...those bird eggs are dried green peas and the nest is made of dried onion roots.
...yes, that's a bright pink pressed bougainvillea flower along with its natural stem and leaves on the black page.
...the plastic button [if I'm not mistaken, you're referring to the big see-through one with a white flower on my journal cover?], is actually a little glass adornment I'd bought in Mysore at my supply store.
...those white circles come from a ready sheet I have, given many years ago by a friend, who knew my fascination for all sorts of crazy stuff.
...its chilli flakes inside the hand-sewn jar, on paper.
...a bird print clipping is what lies beneath that strip of butter sheet in the fifth picture. You can probably see the bird head with a little hole for an eye, where its fused [giving it a strange effect] with the sheet above.
Hope I've been able to encompass them all :)
Please know that your words tug at my heart strings... and thank you for the wishes, I need them ever-so-more!
Wow, that is one beautiful journal. How often do you put time into it? Can you share a bit of your process? I am intrigued! So amazing.
ReplyDeleteRonnie xo
Thank you Ronnie for finding my journal beautiful.
DeleteIts a year old and counting... I'm not sure if I'll be able to describe my creative sprinklings within these pages as a process, but I'll try :)
To start with, I'm an habitual collector... of a LOT of beauty. What might seem mundane on the surface, has a way of becoming a piece of treasure for me. I'm not sure myself how many boxes and packages are filled with it. They nestle even amidst book pages. And it aches me to part with them, which I'm forced to once in a while due to sheer lack of space. Most of these pages are unplanned, random, spontaneous creations that reflect me and my style. Its a canvas where I heartily express my love for spices, handmade paper, words, laces, vintage book pages, pressed flowers and leaves and whites with a few dollop of happy colors in between. I also love to keep all my creations simple with a little of handmade rusticity intact.
At times, I'm continuously creating for days, and at others, I tend to take long breaks from it; due to my work and my mood. There are days when I'm lost in it for several hours together and only manage to create a little bit. That's another thing about me; I'm extremely slow in making and creating. The collage in the third picture and the filigreed bird art in the eighth picture have taken more than a couple of days, even a week or so, to finish. But I'm grateful for these immersing interludes. I'm also inspired tremendously from the work of other artists I come across on the internet. Simply feel blessed to have an access to their creations and stories. Its contributed to what I am and what I do today.
Hope these details I've shared are satisfying!
its awesome!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Pragati. I'm glad to hear from you!
DeleteYou are an artist! Your journal is so beautiful, and I love picturing you making it, pressing leaves and flowers, putting glue to paper, using your delicate fingers and letting your imagination run free.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to hearing more about your dream for the future.
xo
Aww... thank you so much Dawn. It's pure delight to hear such lovely things from you. Beyond pleased to hear you call me an 'artist'. I'm snugly hugging this word gift! Love!
ReplyDeleteI think you should follow your dreams. You are so talented and I believe that you could do anything you set your mind (and heart) to!
ReplyDeleteYour journal is absolutely gorgeous.
Thank you Helena for fostering my dreams with your belief in me. Its wonderful to have such words of praise coming from someone as creative as yourself!
DeleteLove your Journal... there is beauty everywhere!! in words, in pictures.... Thanks for inspiring us!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to my blog Rachel and thank you for your exalting words. It pleases me to know you could find beauty through my words and captures!!!
Delete