I've dabbled in marbling. I've flirted with ombre. I've had a torrid love affair with low water immersion. I'm giving my best "come hither" stare to solar dyeing. I'm a forever student in batik. And that's okay. Because as long as I create something, anything at all, every day, I'll keep learning and growing.

My "creation story" starts like many others - seeing something that gave me pause and made me say, "I wonder how I could make that?". If I remember correctly, I think I used candle wax and Rit dye for my first batik. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Except that they're all wrong for batik.

I've moved on to improved waxes (oh my, the many uses of soy these days!) and much, much better dyes. Gorgeously blank natural and sustainable fabrics make magnificent canvases. Each wax drip, dye dip, stitch and snip make me a little bit better at my craft.

One of my favorite quotes comes from Alice Walker through her character Shug, "Helped are those who create anything at all, for they shall relive the thrill of their own conception, and realize a partnership in the creation of the Universe that keeps them responsible and cheerful."

Indeed.

So dye a piece of fabric with tea leaves. Draw a picture in the sand. Prepare a new soup from scratch. Make up a story for a kid. Be inspired to create something.