I am a Tortoise

I spend a lot of time looking at things online.  Being a wedding photographer and lover of pretty things I love, love, love, sites like dwellinggawker or pinterest which lets me look at those pretty things in an easy space.  I also love looking at other wedding photographers blogs and this morning I found a Nashville wedding photographer that not only has amazing images, but also wrote something personal on her blog that really rang true.

The photographers name is Alex Bee, please check out her site if you haven't it's awesome, and she wrote something about being a tortoise instead of a firecracker.

When I read this I immediately thought to myself, this is me!

To me, being a tortoise means that accomplishing things is never easy.  Not only do I second guess myself, but there also seems to be so many roadblocks in the way.  I know a lot of people go through ups and downs, but have you ever looked at someone and just thought that even though they had to work to get what they wanted you bet you would have to work twice as hard for the same thing?

I honestly am not trying to be negative, but I have always been one of those people that things just never seem to fall into my lap.

To make a point to this post:  There are a lot of things in my life that feel hard right now.  I'm in pain from my surgery, I can only work a few hours a week, I'm questioning if my art is good enough to sell or if people will even like it, Meridyth is still looking for a job (she was let go from her company in August).  Things are hard and kind of suck.

Then I remember...I'm A Tortoise!  I go slow but will eventually find my way.  Remembering that not only gives me hope, but makes me smile.

So here's to all the tortoises out there!  May each of you find your way as slowly as you must!

love,

Jess

(Source: Demetri Martin)

LoveUPaperly

Hello all!

I am very excited to announce the beginning of my etsy shop and the start of this blog. I have always loved crafting and like many artists have tried multiple venues for selling my wares. Some successful and unfortunately some not!

Well, I have been busy this past year with many ups and downs in my life. Perhaps the major down and up is that a few weeks ago I had to have neurosurgery and because of that had to slow my life way down. Basically, by slowing down I had to stop everything I was doing which included working full time, taking classes, and photographing events.

While I have been healing I picked up a craft that I have done on and off for a few years, but had fallen to the wayside because of everything else that has to be done.

That craft is quilling. For those that don't know, quilling is the art of taking strips of paper and rolling them into different shapes to eventually form objects, letters, animals, and anything else imaginable!

Not only has quilling kept me sane these past few weeks and helped me through pain and a few crying fits, but I forgot not only how much I enjoyed doing it but how much other people enjoyed it too!

So this blog will be an adventure. Of trying to open my own etsy shop, healing, sharing inspiration and beautiful things I find and hopefully a little home away from home for everyone that reads it. This is a crazy life and I plan on making the most of it!

Love,

Jessica