I was NOT planning on doing a big birthday project this year. I spent the past few months thinking about it and just couldn't settle on something that was inspiring to me. The last thing I wanted to do was launch "27 projects" and start the whole thing over again just like 26.
But obviously, I kept mulling it over because starting a new year off without some sort of craft adventure wasn't going to work either. (What the hell would I blog about?) And then when I started writing all my wrap up posts for 26, I realized just how rad the 26 projects plan turned out to be. Last year was my most creative year yet and I think it's thanks to setting a self-challenge.
It needed an extra kick though if I was going to do it again for 27. I thought back to my own idea of "getting in a box to get think outside the box" and realized I could make it more exciting and inspiring if I narrowed my options and committed to using 27 different materials.
The Rules : the 27 materials will result in 27 different projects. While each project will have a "main" material some will appear more than once. (Like paint might appear in the glass and paper project plus it's own project.) I have to have all 27 projects finished and all materials used at least once by my 28th birthday on 02.22.2013.
I spent a few days coming up with the materials. Some, like yarn, fabric and photos will be too easy. But stuff like clay and tile should be more challenging and fun. The plan is to really stretch my creativity and work with stuff I wouldn't normally. I want to go all out and take workshops for some. Like pottery! Where can I take a pottery class? And painting! I'd love to take an abstract painting class...
You might be wondering what I am going to do with another year of handmade stuff. I was wondering that myself until I looked around the room (I was downstairs on the couch) and counted 19 handmade projects in plain view. Nineteen. I still have a bedroom, two bathrooms and a loft space to decorate so I think it will work out. Plus I am hoping to throw Paul a 30th birthday party and host Christmas this year, so that will mean lots of reasons for creating too.
So hooray! I am so excited. I have been writing down project after project in a little notebook I carry around everywhere. Using the material as a jumping off point is easier than trying to pull these ideas out of thin air.
Twenty seven, I love you. Let's get crafty.
