Why I create...

Why I create...
This post will probably be a little more talky than usual, so if you are here for the card, just scroll down a bit.  I also want to apologize in advance for possible run on sentences and bad grammar.  Its hard to write clearly when its coming from a personal place, for me that is.  So, here I go...
Why do I create?  Lets go back in time a bit.
I was very lucky to have a Mother who would sit and color with me for hours.  We didn't have a lot of money, so my Mom would make a lot of gifts.  One year she made the coolest fuzzy pillows for all of my cousins, along with myself and siblings.  Then when I got a little older she started to make jewelry, really beautiful jewelry.  Both my Mother and Father (whom are now divorced) are musicians, they both love to sing and my Dad has a love affair with playing the guitar.  Being creative was just engraved in me at a very young age.  I was able to take piano lessons and was also able to learn to play the viola and cello.  Weekends consisted of Saturday morning cartoons on the USA network channel, followed up with American Bandstand and Soul Train.  I thought my Mom was so cool, who had the best dance moves.  Don't get me wrong, getting a good education was very important to me and my parents.  However, call it being a product of the 1970's, my parents wanted me to be happy and to do what I love, plus I'm from Northern California, full of free thinkers.
Okay, we are going to fast forward a little now.  Its 2007, I have dabbled in scrap booking and have made a few cards.  Both of my children are in school all day, and my husband just made a career change in the Navy from being on Nuclear Submarines to become a Helicopter pilot.  Not to mention we just moved (again) and I knew no-one.  Needless to say I was wondering what I was going to do to fill my days.  Let me back track, after we had our second child Jacob, we decided, as long as Jess (my husband) was in the military, our children deserved one full time parent (me).  Also, I had just been diagnosed with Crohn's Disease a few years earlier, and being a stay at home Mother, really was the ideal job.  So, with everyone starting new ventures, my role was changing, I no longer had a baby to keep me busy and I really couldn't volunteer everyday at my children's school.  Let me clarify, I have volunteered a lot in my children's schools, I think for the last 9 years, I have always been the room Mom.  With all of these changes going on in my family unit, I now had time to focus on a few hobbies.
I love to take pictures...LOVE it, so scrap booking is/was a creative outlet that just happened out of a need to do something with all of my pictures.  Creating a page can sometimes take a long time, so I started looking for some craft that could fill my need for immediate gratification.
Hello Splitcoaststampers!  When I found SCS, I felt like I had won the lottery.  My mind was opened to this new craft of card making and stamping, I was in awe!  For the last few years, I have been engrossed in learning techniques, new card folds, experimenting with my style, and now I'm sure my house is a mini Michael's (or whatever your favorite scrap book store is lol).  
I am a military spouse, I have an unusual life.  I do not have the luxury of having family and old dear friends live near me.  When I get sick or have a doctors appointment, there is no back up plan, the buck stops with me.  I have had to adapt to being very, very, independent.  We have been stationed on the east coast the last 11 years (well we were in San Diego for about one year), my entire family lives in California, so no one can just drive over when I have needed help.  Being a Navy wife means, lots of lonely nights, being strong when you don't know where the strength is going to come from, smiling when you want to be crying, & understanding that your husbands duty to his country will always come first.  But with the hardship comes the pride that fills my heart, knowing how much my husband loves his country, and the job satisfaction he has, not to mention I am married to a MAN, an manly man, and I love that!
Back to the question.  Why I create?  Whether I am making a card, a scrap book page, an necklace or baking cupcakes for my children, it takes me to a place where I have no stress.  I'm able to be creative, not be a mom, wife, or Navy wife, I am able to be Latisha.  In that moment, making something pretty makes me happy.  I'm not worried about what my blog readers will think or if its good enough.  Creating is my release, my safe place, my passion and it frees my mind to let go of things I have no control over.  I don't create to get on design teams, or for it to end up in a magazine, those are just the cherry on top, an added bonus.  I create for me, its the one constant in my life, besides my faith.  Well, I'm not too sure why I wrote this LONG blog post, maybe to give you an insight on me?  Not too sure, but it sure feels good just to write from my heart every once in a while.
Now the card lol...
just because
paper and stamps are from American Crafts
ribbon & card stock are from Papertrey Ink
I used Marvy markers for acrylic stamps for my ink

Comments

I enjoyed reading this post. :) Also, I love the card! It's very bright and cheery.. Just what I need on such a rainy day here in Florida!!
Scrapacat said…
Thank you for writing this, Latisha. I really enjoy getting to 'know' people through their motivation. I am an Air Force brat, so I know your life all too well. It was so good to meet you at CHA! Keep creating!
~ky
Ann said…
TFS...I always love to hear from others about their creative passion! Gorgeous card, too!
Sparkplug17 said…
What a lovely card and thanks for sharing about yourself.
Beautiful post thanks for sharing a little about you!!And of course another beautiful card!!
Carol Southern said…
Your blog is your little bit of personal internet space and you use it wonderfully. You let us into the person behind the creations and gives us the feeling that we are visiting a friend every time we open your blog.
I love visiting and thanks for sharing your time and talent.
Cheers
Latisha,
I appreciate that you took the time to pour your heart out for us! It's good to know more about you! I was an Air Force "brat" growing up - my Mom was the independent woman, holding down the fort, handling life. She is my hero - truly.

It's not an easy life - but it's rewarding (or at least she said so).
I'm glad you love crafting - I, too, fine an amazing release in just creating something in my "place".

Hugs!
Tiff said…
I loved reading your story... Our stories are very similar, but you're like ten times stronger than I am! You're so right about life without close friends or family nearby...sigh*

Your card is perfect!
styathm said…
I love this card, so bright & cheery! Ijust started reading your blog last week & love looking at all you've created! As a SAHM I know that we all need to be able to do something for ourselves when the children are asleep (in my case)so that those brain neurons keep working! I'm beginning to make cards and absolutely have fallen in love with all the aspects of it, but am trying to soak up all the knowledge from people such as yourself who enjoy being creative! Thanks for sharing!
Dana Joy said…
Beautiful card sweetie. I love your bow. I'm so challenged when I try to make a nice one.
Anonymous said…
Hi Latisha! Thanks for sharing a bit of your life with us, it is great to "get to know you" a little better! You should be so proud of yourself for learning to be so independent and strong! I wish I was more independent myself. Thank you for the creative inspiration that you share with others too! Your card is so lovely!
smiles,Deena
Lisa Hetrick said…
Hey YOU! Thanks for sharing your story. I got weepy. Sounds like your mom and my mom were weaved from the same cloth. You're the best!
Unknown said…
Latisha, you are such a wonderful person. Thanks for sharing a bit of you with us. Your passion shows in every card you make. Wonderful card too! See ya!
Alex said…
Hey girl!!!! I surely understood EXACTLY where you are coming from im this post!!! You are doing it right - you have found the balance needed as a military spouse but still being YOU!!! Love ya!!! *STAMPIN HUGS* Alex
Unknown said…
Hi Latisha
I wish u a very bright future in field of designing and art of preparing Military Jewelry with your siblings. i pray to god that you will get everything in your that you deserved..u
Courtney Baker said…
Great post girl and I do adore that card.
Stacy Morgan said…
Latisha this was such a sweet post and so moving. I wish I lived closer... I would help out and be your close friend. :0) You are an amazing mom, wife, stamper and we greatly APPRECIATE all your husband does for our country. And what your family sacrifices in return for that. Hugs girlie...
Sue C said…
Beautiful post, Latisha... You are serving your country every bit as much as your husband is by being so supportive of his service. I, too, had parents that encouraged creativity and exploring what you're about, etc., and have blessed them daily for that! I also found it refreshing that you create for yourself - I sometimes wonder if there's something 'wrong' with me because I don't even submit my stuff for publication or design team calls or anything, I just create to challenge myself, learn new things, and 'take a vacation' without actually going anywhere... Bless you for opening a little window that lets me know there are kindred apirits out there in the world, even if they're not in my neighborhood!
Lisa H. said…
what a fabulous post and insight into YOU! I love your work and think that you hit the nail on the head as to why many of us create and are part of this crazy, wild, and full of talent, papercrafting world!!! Hugs!
Anonymous said…
Latisha, from the heart just the best from a WAVE daughter, an electonics radio WW II engineer, and Navy airdale Sailor of the year wife to creative you, yeah! Good to read in print what many of us think and do preserving sacred marriage and sanity ... deliciously woven independent creativity...dependent on Creator! Thanks for sharing.
mt23stamper
Leslie Miller said…
Wow, Latisha! Look what I've been missing while buried in one thing or another. I hung on every word of your heartfelt post. I think you reflected what many of us feel when it comes to creating. I wish every mom could be a SAHM, regardless of the reason, but the most important reason is so the kids can grow up with all the love and attention they need. A mom's place in the world is vital to all our futures. Your card is beautiful. I simply love it. "Just because" is my favorite reason to make a card.

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