i always think that april brings such promise

april 1. an excellent time to start something new.

remember, a few weeks back, when tracy and erin traded words? erin gave one word to tracy, and tracy gave a different word to erin, and they used those words as jumping off points for their own creative projects? they called it "outside inspiration." (in case you missed it, you can read about it here, here, here, and here.)

well starting today, i'll be joining erin and tracy in building off the notion of "outside inspiration" - with a twist. the new project is called wordplay. and here's how it will work.

every six weeks, from the beginning of april until the end of october, we'€™ll all three be receiving a single word from an artist or a writer or a friend. and then we'€™ll have six weeks to interpret that word creatively using any media we choose. one word, three interpretations, every six weeks.

we'€™ll be relying on our friends to deliver our inspiration, in the form of the words they choose for us. we'€™ll be relying on our own creative impulses for the interpretation -€“ the "€œplay"€ part. and we'€™ll be relying on each other for the collaboration, the momentum, the reinforcement, and the partnership along the way.

to say that i'm excited about this project is an understatement. i am crazy about the idea of creative process. i love the notion of outside inspiration. i am fascinated by the prospect of a variety of interpretations of a single word. and i am overjoyed (really!) to be working with two such creative and talented friends. really, i'm thrilled. i can't wait to word play.

this first word was sent by shari. (thank you, shari!) it arrived in an actual letter, in a real envelope, in my mailbox on saturday. and it's been hard not opening it until this morning. but boy-oh-boy, was it fun to open this morning. and find shari's note. and her word.

gossamer. i don't know where to begin. but i can't wait to see where the gossamer road might go. let's play!

(oh! and we'll be posting bits of progress on our blogs. or you can take a peek at the wordplay flickr group.)

Comments

[cloth.paper.string]

emily, i had a hunch you were the third one!! i love this idea, and too that you'll be adding the outside element of words from others. so good!!!

[erin]

it is so good, isn't it?

[Alicia A.]

How fun~ I'm so excited to see this project unfold and to see where this particular word leads you!

[Rachel]

Soo excited to see where this leads Emily! And what a great first word!

[molly]

this sounds so wonderfully fun. I can't wait to see what you do with it. And i love the button in your sidebar. What a fantastic way to find new inspiration.

[Mama Urchin]

I asked Erin if you all got the same word but I see now that you do. I'm looking forward to seeing what you all create.

[Sarah Jackson]

very excited! You'll all come up with such great ideas that are uniquely your own. Looking forward to the results of your inspiration.

[shari]

i was SO excited to be asked. thank you. and, i am looking forward to seeing what you all create. xo

[miss chris]

This is just too stinking cool. And gossamer? One of the best words, ever. It only makes me think pretty things.

[leslie]

my guess was correct. that you are the third wordplay member. and i am super excited!

[amisha]

what a fantastic project!
can't wait to see what you all do with this. and such a good word to start!
xo

[Grace]

Ooooh, can I give the next word? Please?

[hrsj]

hmmm gossamer, definately a shari word.
i can hear the wheels turning in your head already!

[julia]

amazing. can't wait to see what you all come up with for this project. and what better person to start you off than shari!

also- i love that dishtowel. have fun!

[Kristen]

The change of seasons can be likened to a mania for me-the possibilities, the lists, the grand plans. Looking forward to your creative process!

[Vanessa]

lovely idea. This just got me inspired to use my angel cards to do a similar project. perhaps, just what I need to get the camera out and also to get into my craft room again.
thanks!

[charlotte]

yay!
i can't wait to see what gossamer reveals...
:)