I made this collage in the Summer of 2007, when I tore a disc in my back. The doctor gave me Prednisone, which turned me into a crazy person. I barely slept for almost 2 weeks, and kept all my friends and family members on the phone for hours at a time talking nonsense.
Luckily there was a Hobby Lobby (the greatest craft/fabric store EVER, and I mean, seriously) less than a mile away. I could barely walk, yet I was so freaking bored out of my mind I dragged myself over there (in a car, yes) at least once a day and hobbled around finding random crafts. And this store is as big as WalMart.
For this piece I printed out quotes and images that inspired me during this trying time, and some reminders to embrace the moment so I could relax and heal.
My soldering work is a bit shoddy, but I chock that up to the drugs, as they made me restless and impatient.
It now hangs at my desk as a reminder to take care of my back, and my body. And to sit up straight.
I should hurry up and make a lot of money so I can buy a franchise of Hobby Lobby for New York City. If you live near one of these wondrous establishments, please frequent the store so they stay in business!
It's interesting how we find things when life takes stuff away. When I was 15 I was diagnosed with spondylolysis which is a fracture in the region of the pars interarticularis or L5. I wore a back brace and was out of gym class for six months. A friend of the family taught me how to do counted cross stitch. I took to it quickly and became a cross-stiching fiend. It was also during this time that I started to write and ended up with a BA in Creative Writing.
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