Better late then never

My cousin got married about 9 months ago and I wasn't able to attend, but I did tell him that I was making his wedding gift and would send it to him the moment I finished it.  Flash forward 9 months and I still haven't sent it, although I've recently completed it.  What I've discovered is creating things is like working a muscle, if you don't use it, you'll lose it.  At the time I told him I was making the gift, 15 other things were going on and I didn't get a chance to work on anything, let alone his gift.  The disastrous result; I didn't create ANYTHING for weeks and weeks and weeks (OK, more like months). 


Life totally got in the way of my muse and I couldn't even sit down at my work table to complete anything.  I'm pleased that the "crafter's block" that I had dissipated and I'm back to my old self, but I have to prepare for the next drought by creating something everyday.  Noah Scalin (who just happens to be from Richmond, Va) had a brilliant idea on how to accomplish that very thing and explains it in detail in his book "365: A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life".  So many nuggets of truth in this book, too many to name.  Sage and sound advice for anyone who struggles with the creative process (thanks Noah).  So, I've finished the wedding present, but now it'll be a "One Year Anniversary" present instead.  Here's some pictures of the finished product.

Front Cover: Woodburned, stained, picture art added painted and varnished



Back cover: woodburned, stained, picture added, painted and varnished.



Inside cover: woodburned, stained and painted.