A New Beginning ...

Hi, my name is Pam and I’m a design fanatic ...

Yes, I am saying it out loud, I am addicted to design. (I am sure there are many more of you out there … I’ve seen your blogs!) I am in a continual state of observing and assessing the elements of design that I encounter in my everyday life … Space, Line, Shape, Texture, Color … and, the principles of design such as Balance, Rhythm, Repetition, Transition, Scale, Harmony, Contrast, and my favorite: Functionality. (I’m sure I missed a few). All of you design fanatics assess these in your daily life too, even if you didn’t sit through design 101 & can’t name the elements & principles of design. It doesn’t matter whether I am observing the exterior of a house, a garden, a vase, an outfit, piece of furniture, a billboard or even a school project.

I am envious of you who can just pick one area and be really good at it such as creating jewelry, invitations, clothing, a garden, etc. It’s too difficult for me to choose just one thing. I am constantly designing & re-designing the multitude of things I see all around me -in my head. The only way to calm those thoughts in my head is to be involved in an actual creative project … doesn’t matter what it is. Sounds like a mental disease to me!

I can remember designing things when I was very young. What do I remember from kindergarten? I remember painting these ginormous ball gowns on princesses. When I was a few years older I remember sitting in my bedroom creating dresses for my Barbie from scraps of fabric that I had. What do you remember from your childhood? Could be the key of what you should be doing as an adult! I think I read that in a book somewhere.

Being a Christian, I used to wish that I had some really important talent such as singing or teaching and felt bad that my career up until I had kids was in the fashion industry was so secular. I mentioned this to a friend as we were having dinner at one of our favorite pizza places. I can’t remember all that she said, but she basically said it was the first thing written in the bible in Genesis 1:1 which says: In the beginning God created …. If being creative is one of His attributes, then it’s a good one for me to have too. I have never forgotten that, thanks Melissa!

We are often told to find the thing that we have a passion for in life, do it, and that will make you happy. I always thought of this one thing as a paying job, but it doesn’t have to be. I have found that my one thing that makes me happy (other than being with my family) is very general, and that one thing is to create … anything … as long as it is helps to make the world around me a more beautiful place.

Thanks for stopping by,

Pam

P.S.The photos in the mosaic are pictures of some of my work. Starting from the top left & going clockwise: 1. A kitchen I designed in Rosehill … 2. My backyard … 3. Another kitchen I designed in Rosehill …4. Tablescape from my youngest daughter’s 15th Birthday party … 5. Fall wreath on my front door … 6. Metal Art in my master bathroom … 7. Close up of the design on the comforter on my bed … 8. The kitchen I designed for my brother.