#creative outlets

Megatron likes to write.

I draw and paint!

I am trying to learn to sketch. I am not very good at it.

Grimlock is learning pottery with air-drying clay.

You mentioned that before.

I learnt to crochet.

Really?

Yeah! It's really relaxing.

I want to learn needle felting. It looks like a good way to manage anger and frustration.

That sounds interesting.

I use sport for anger and frustration.

I race.

That explains a lot.

Since we completely reorganized the playroom last week, the desk that had been used as a dumping grounds was clear. Today, I moved the "kids' machine" from under my sewing desk up their playroom.

Showed Meadow how to thread it, how to raise/lower the foot, how to sew in reverse, and how to "steer" the fabric through.

She's been sewing lines in paper the whole afternoon - making pictures with the thread. Pretty cool.

(As I keep getting reminded, with e-mail notifications from Talkingbass! 🙄)

With that, I fully expect to need to do more backtracking to find a good point to start again. Besides needing to physically build up finger strength, etc. again.

But, that prospect hasn't felt mentally daunting in the same ways? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Anyway, I should ask Mr. C to bring me the headphone and bigger practice amps out of the bedroom. Wouldn't be surprised if the strings on the instrument are flat so that I need to restring it by now, but that's totally doable.

Appreciation (and Growth!) Post

My very first GIFs --------> My current GIFs

Around the start of quarantine, @s-k-y-w-a-l-k-e-r posted THIS AMAZING GIF TUTORIAL. I was so excited to try out something new and never could have done it without her tutorial. I know she’s busy as hell with work, but I thought this would be something nice for her to log in and see.

So, THANK YOU, sweet friend; here’s the progress I’ve made (selective color, brightening = YAS).

I am trying to give positive reinforcement where I can. Favourite foods, Cybertronian milkshakes... trouble is, I can't reward bad behaviour. I'm hoping Rung can help with that. If he can be calm and behave himself, I can give ample rewards.

You do try to curb his behaviour... you... you gave him sketchbooks...

Are you OK? Sure? OK then.

Yes, I have tried to encourage him to let his feelings out... creatively. I've tried getting him into sports, too, but that seems to bring out his vindictive streak. Maybe I should try getting him into more creative things. Grimlock has started using air-drying clay...