Step Fifty Two: Seriously, the last one?

Dear Fi,

It took me quite long (like: forever) to decide what to do for my last post. I really liked your idea about creating something for each other, to exchange the gifts when we meet. I actually loved that idea, because it makes our meeting look more tangible than ever ;) However, the process of deciding on my fifty second step was agonizing. I knew that I won't have much time on Tuesday so I started to work on this project on Sunday. I wasn't sure what I wanted exactly, but I knew a few things.

1. mixed media piece
2. something to hang up but not a painting
3. using red and gold
4. incorporate a "special" button - the same one I used in my first post (I had only two of them, and somehow using this button for the last post seemed to me like my personal sort of closure)
5. the phrase "follow your dreams" popped up in my mind and even though it sounds like such a cliche, I couldn't help not to using it

It was really enough information to get excited and start the "last" (at least in this format) journey.
The idea of trying something I have always wanted to do, but never did came up and I thought that it would be really great for this particular project. Instead of using a frame I wanted to use a cardboard as background for this piece and later attach a wire with some additional "cute things" so you could easily hang it wherever you want.

At this point I got really excited. I searched through my art supplies and started gluing stuff to that cardboard only to find out about five minutes later that everything I glued shrank, wilted and looked really ugly. So, I was very disappointed by my first attempt - the poor effect almost made me cry. I had already spent a few hours on thinking, preparing, and working on the project and it seemed like I wouldn't be able to use it after all.

So, I decided to start a new project, and to do something on paper first and then find a way to incorporate it to the cardboard or piece of wood or something. Since I had used some materials I really liked and I didn't have more them (the Chinese paper with cute red flowers) I changed the palette. However, after working on this new piece for a quite a bit, I found out that the wilting effect was temporary!!! so now I had two pieces in the early stages of development, Sunday was gone and I didn't take any pictures of my work.

So, today my Dear Fi I came from work and started to work on the first project. Since it was already late, and dark outside, I decided not to worry about the fact that I will take some ugly pictures later. Instead I decided that during the weekend I will take some decent pictures with decent lighting and then I will repost them. But for today this is what I have.

I don't know what to say now, except it really feels weird and kind of unbelievable that I am posting the last step today. When we started this project I actually never thought about the end ha, ha. There are so many things  I would like to thank you for my Dear Fi!!! I will try to downsize it to a few "main" things - otherwise I wouldn't have a chance to sleep tonight ;) he, he.

First of all I would like to thank you for agreeing to do this project with me, it was one of my dreams and you've helped me to realise it. That is huge!.

Second, thank you for showing up every week and for being so patient with me. I really have no idea how you managed with me being late so many times, with not having time to comment on your post properly (by the way this is what I'm planning to do on Tuesdays now ha, ha). Most of all, I really don't know how you could stand my whining and complaining for the entire year!!! You must be a saint! I really appreciate that you were so understanding of my weekly failures... and being here on time - you have no idea how much it motivated me to keep going despite of all the time when I felt guilty and bad about not managing to post. Thank you.

Third, I had so much fun and excitement every week with you Dear Fi! You've inspired me and surprised so many times with your projects, innovations and creativity!!! and you know that I loved reading all the stories you've shared here.

I am really glad and grateful that we did it together, Dear Fi. I am also proud of us ha, ha.

I have learned a lot about myself during this year, about the way I create, about some of my limitations, and the things that excite me the most. I also did some exploring and some "deepening" in using various media. The one thing I confirmed for myself is the fact that I cannot live without creating - the quality of my life is not the same without art in it. I might not post my paintings anymore but I will still paint, experiment, search, try, explore and create - that I am sure of. I've noticed that I feel more brave and confident now, than I felt when we started this blog. After all, it feels good to have completed this project (and who knows what is waiting for us around the corner?!).

So, thank you again Dear Fi for journeying with me for the past year, it had been an extraordinary experience!!!

Love :***

Sylvia

P.S.
Do not forget to FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS!!!

UPDATE!

Dear Fi,

It's Sunday February 6th... and instead of reposting the pictures I decided to add a few of hopefully better quality. Last Tuesday felt weird...I still cannot come around to the fact that we are done. It will probably take me a while to adjust ;) During this week I found another gift of our 52 steps. It was my hope that our project would help me to develop the habit of finding the time to create at least on a weekly basis and I already did a small project yesterday. I really had the need to create, hopefully it won't change ;)

Love :*

Sylvia