Hello Friend, how are you? Happy Martin Luther King Day, that is if you’re in the United States. Since it is a federal holiday, what are you doing today? Many of you are out of school and out of work to celebrate this important holiday, which honors the legacy and achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. For me, it is a catch-up day. I have quite a bit of organizing to do, including sorting through old papers, decluttering my living space, and maybe even planning out my upcoming week to ensure I make the most of my time. It’s a great opportunity to reflect on the values of equality and justice that Dr. King stood for while also using the day to recommit to my personal goals.

On Saturday, I created. It has been a minute since I allowed myself to paint, cut, and glue, making a collage. I used to make collages all the time, so I decided it would be fun to carve out some time to listen to an audiobook and create, blending the enjoyment of storytelling with the tactile process of crafting. The book was a thriller in which I needed to know the end, but there was some trash in the middle, so I cannot recommend it. I am not sure why authors do that; they suck you in and then muck up their work with yucky stuff that isn’t pleasant to read. Any way do you want to see my collages? I thought so…

The yellow-toned paper is the cover from old piano music, giving it a nostalgic charm that speaks to the past. There are some pages from another small piano book that was falling apart, probably because it is from the early 1900s. Among these items, there is also an eight-cent stamp that I found among some papers I purchased from an estate sale. Do you remember when postage was only eight cents? I don’t, not in my lifetime, but the thought of it brings a certain warmth. The flowers and leaves are cut from small pieces of paper that I water colored and then glued together. I think these will be fun framed and hung up in a person’s house that likes whimsical things. What do you think?

As always, I’m glad you’re here.

Best,

Amy

7FrecklesbyAmy.ETSY.com