Wednesday, April 29, 2015

My Art Therapy: Spring Laser Wood Craft with Chalk Paint

Spring is a tricky time for me.  I’ve written about how difficult it is for me to go from winter to spring. I wrote a post about trying to create a ritual for that officially marks spring.  During this time, I realized that I don’t have any spring decorations to help me embrace spring.  Well, I take that back.  I have some super tacky fake flowers from my first apartment about 15 years ago, but decided it was time to freshen up the spring décor.

I really needed something for the mantle.  I didn’t see anything at my regular places, but when I was at Michaels, I saw a display of laser cut wood art with chalk paint.  Inspiration struck!

I had never really crafted with anything other than paper and glue, so this was a bit out of my comfort zone.

I practiced on this little bird first since I had no idea how the paint would go on to the wood.



Erin Janda Rawlings Mommy on the Spot Art Therapy Spring Laser Wood Craft with Chalk Paint

I learned that a little goes a long way, and the wood just soaked up the paint.  I experimented with sanding it with steel wool, but it turned the bird gray.

Here is what the piece looks like without paint.

Erin Janda Rawlings Mommy on the Spot Art Therapy Spring Laser Wood Craft with Chalk Paint




I painted the inside of the filigree frame with 2 coats of white paint, waiting for it to dry in between coats.  I then took 320 grit sandpaper and sanded it.  I didn’t think the sanding would make a difference, but it totally did. 

Erin Janda Rawlings Mommy on the Spot Art Therapy Spring Laser Wood Craft with Chalk Paint
I felt like a bad ass going into Home Depot and getting
sandpaper for the craft.  Like woah.

I was then going to start painting the filigree blue, but when I showed my parents, my dad suggested that I paint the inside of the curly cues  a different color.  Making something that should be fun and easy more tedious and difficult is one of my dad’s superpowers. 

And at first, I was super pissed that I listened to him.  Ironically though, this is where the most art therapy happened.  I became so focused on the task at hand that I became calm and thoughts just floated through my mind instead of getting stuck and replayed and replayed and replayed.  I didn’t feel itchy to check my phone or do the laundry.  It’s what I always hope happens when I meditate or practice yoga (but rarely does).

Caught in this tedious, detail-orientated work, I felt refreshed . . .  and a little guilty for being mad at my dad for suggesting doing it the hard way.

Erin Janda Rawlings Mommy on the Spot Art Therapy Spring Laser Wood Craft with Chalk Paint
Pro tip: Use a stiff brush so paint doesn't slosh to the outside.


Once I did the two coats of lavender on the inside, I was ready to do two coats of blue on the outside.  Again, be sure to use a stiff, small, straight edge brush.  I waited for the paint to dry between the 2 coats and then sanded the next day.  Here’s how the bird turned out with two coats of blue and sanding it, too.

Erin Janda Rawlings Mommy on the Spot Art Therapy Spring Laser Wood Craft with Chalk Paint


I struggled with the next part.  I knew I wanted to use this pretty blue scrapbook paper and the wooden bird.  I kind of played around with the size until I got this:

Erin Janda Rawlings Mommy on the Spot Art Therapy Spring Laser Wood Craft with Chalk Paint


I printed “happy spring” on white card stock and using the Special Elite font from PicMonkey.  I hot glued the wooden bird, card stock, and scrapbook paper on the frame.

Erin Janda Rawlings Mommy on the Spot Art Therapy Spring Laser Wood Craft with Chalk Paint


Then I put on two coats of matte Mod Podge on the paper.  It started to wrinkle, and I began to freak out that all of this work was going to be ruined.  But I gently smoothed out the paper in between coats, and there are just a few tiny bumps which give it character.  And, as a recovering perfectionist, I will remind myself this as many time as I need to. 

Erin Janda Rawlings Mommy on the Spot Art Therapy Spring Laser Wood Craft with Chalk Paint




And here’s the thing about perfectionism and art therapy – it really has helped me embrace imperfection and enjoy the journey.  Sure, it doesn’t look professional.  But making it makes me happy.  That’s what I remember when I look at this piece.  Not all the little bumps in the paper.

Erin Janda Rawlings Mommy on the Spot Art Therapy Spring Laser Wood Craft with Chalk Paint



Erin Janda Rawlings Mommy on the Spot Art Therapy Spring Laser Wood Craft with Chalk Paint



Have you gone out of your comfort zone lately? 

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Why I am Going to the Listen to Your Mother Metro Detroit 2015 Show


I am so excited for the Listen to Your Mother show in Detroit this Sunday, April 26 at 2pm!  I bought my ticket  and cannot wait for an afternoon of storytelling.


In case you don’t know what the Listen to Your Mother show is all about, it’s a live event in which the storytellers talk about any aspect of motherhood – whether you are a mother, want to be a mother, or about a mother.  I wrote more about it here last year, or this check out this YouTube clip.



I read in the 2014 show, and it really was a life changing moment.  How could baring your soul for all to see and then having it live forever on YouTube not change your life?

But it was more than that – it was listening to others share their truths.  It was finding myself in some of their stories and being touched by honest, raw moments.

My life hasn’t been the same since this show. See, we are conditioned to bury our truths and ignore the ugly, difficult parts of our lives.  This show brought light into those dark places. Reading my story gave me courage not only to stand in front of an audience and share my fears of being a mom; it gave me strength to live my life more honestly and not be afraid of any truth.

And to know that there are other people out there willing to speak their truths was comforting to me, kind of like we are on the same team of truthsayers.

I mean, take a look at the quotes by last year’s cast members in this video created by Angela Youngblood, one of the producers of Listen to Your Mother Detroit.


I am looking so forward to this year’s show produced by The Angelas (Angela Youngblood and Angela Amman).  I can’t wait to laugh and cry and think, “Me too!”

Also, I am super excited to hear my Aunt Diane read her story this year!





Erin Janda Rawlings Mommy on the Spot There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you. Maya Angelou
Thank you, Listen to Your Mother, for giving people a space to bear their stories!

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Spring Celebration 2015

Generally, I have a hard time with transitions. I talked about it here and noted how difficult the transition from winter to spring is for me. 

Logically, it shouldn't. After a long winter, I should be happy when March begins. 

Except March is not really spring here. It might feel like spring one day, and then winter the next. 

Erin Janda Rawlings Mommy on the Spot Spring Celebration 2015
Snow. On March 31.



I think the trickery of early spring is the hardest on me mentally. I set up expectations (even low expectations like it can be cold, just no more snow), and then feel frustrated it is still winter. 

Transitioning to all of the other seasons never seems so difficult. In fall, school starts to mark the transition from summer to fall. We put up the Christmas tree after Thanksgiving to announce not only the Christmas season, but the transition from fall to winter. Spring to summer is celebrated by the end of school. 

Spring just sort of happens when I am busy hoping that there is no more snow. 

That is no way to live.  

So I decided to start a tradition that will signify the beginning of spring. First, we went to the park and played outside.

Erin Janda Rawlings Mommy on the Spot Spring Celebration 2015
We had been to the park before, but this was the first time we weren't bunlded up.
I forgot how nice warm sunshine feels!

Erin Janda Rawlings Mommy on the Spot Spring Celebration 2015
Sidewalk chalk is a sure sign of spring.



Later, I made a special dinner and took to Pinterest for some inspiration.  I wanted to make a meal that was all things spring. I wanted fresh asparagus and mint and peas. Nothing frozen. 


Erin Janda Rawlings Mommy on the Spot Spring Celebration 2015
All of the fresh spring food!


But there were no fresh peas so I improvised with roasted asparagus.

Erin Janda Rawlings Mommy on the Spot Spring Celebration 2015
Yasss! Asparagus! 


I made crostini inspired by Fork Knife Swoon  and Bitz and Giggles. I didn't have any peas or herbed cream cheese so I just rubbed a pieces of baguette with a cut piece of garlic, spread some ricotta cheese and seasoned with olive oil, salt, and pepper and topped with roasted asparagus or a cucumber slice and chopped parsley. 

Erin Janda Rawlings Mommy on the Spot Spring Celebration 2015
There is something about ricotta cheese that always makes a meal feel like a holiday.



I made a pasta dish with roasted asparagus and sautéed mushrooms that was inspired by Giada's pasta dish and this Gratitude Bowl by Gratitude and Greens


I also made a green bean salad by The Kitchen is My Playground. The dressing called for white wine vinegar, mint, and olive oil. I took the liberty of adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and honey.  It was divine!

Erin Janda Rawlings Mommy on the Spot Spring Celebration 2015
I also grilled chicken.  I forgot how delicious chicken can be.

 I even made infused water with lemon and mint.

Erin Janda Rawlings Mommy on the Spot Spring Celebration 2015
So delicious!


Afterwards, we went to Orange Leaf and celebrated with the first frozen yogurt of the season.  All of my favorite flavors were there – coconut, pistachio, and chocolate brownie!

Erin Janda Rawlings Mommy on the Spot Spring Celebration 2015
First Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt of the season!


I really liked doing something small, yet special to celebrate spring.  My mood has lightened.  I feel hopeful when I see the crocuses peeking their way through the dirt.  For the first time ever, I feel excited for spring!

Do you transition well from winter to spring?  Do you do anything special to start the spring season?