Insights

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Julie Boyles | 2 Comments

Insight...

Last week my oldest son turned 17.

My other son will turn 16 later this year.

Today my baby girl turns 12.

By the end of this decade my husband and I will be empty nesters.

(it's been quite a month...)

June 2011…..

A relaxing weekend getaway last summer was in danger of turning into a mild panic attack. How could the time be moving so fast? I remember so well the day I took this picture. We were working on the outside of our house. The kids had found that old skateboard and all decided to sit on it together. Eddie rarely went anywhere without a dinosaur in his hands, Ricky was always up for an adventure, and all Abby wanted to do was tag along with her brothers. How did we get from that time to now? High School, driving lessons, concerts, and Middle School angst. They’re changing right in front of me, and I have so much more I want to say to them and do with them. So much more wisdom (such as it is) to give them before they fly away….

It became as clear as the diamond sparkles on the nearby lake, I needed to make some adjustments. At the time I didn’t know quite what those changes would look like, but now I do.

January 2012…..

The world of electronic devices moves at breakneck speed. New devices and different sizes are released often. A slight change in the form factor of the iPad, and all the cases need to be re-designed and fresh patterns need to be made. Amazon comes out with 3 (yes, three!) new Kindle devices in one day. I enjoy making leather cases for these devices and the design challenges they present have been so exhilarating. But now is the right time to stop. To step off this fast moving train and go back to making the things I’ve loved all along…Journals.

If you could peer through my workshop window now, you just might see me dancing. Or at least grinning from ear to ear. I’ve got so many ideas chasing each other through my head, I’m not sure I’ll ever get them all made. I’m giving it my best shot though, and am a much happier maker these days.

As you saw in my last post, this is the year I’m tying all my favorite things together. Making journals, and writing in them has led me down a path I never dreamed I would go. New projects include a monthly or quarterly magazine, and a self published book or two. I hope you’ll join me on this new ride. It's a little slower paced, but there's time to enjoy all the people and things around us.

*I have a few of the iPad and Kindle cases left in my shop. I’ll never say never, but will be taking an extended break from making any more.

Posted in Family, Journals

Leather Experiment →

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