I will not have my life narrowed down. I will not bow down to somebody else’s whim or to someone else’s ignorance.
Bell Hooks
An abecedarium (or abecedary) is an inscription consisting of the letters of an alphabet, almost always listed in order. Typically, abecedaria (or abecedaries) are an explanation of something in a way that is easy to remember. I thought perhaps one way to introduce myself, iHanna, to new visitors (and hopefully reveal a thing or two to current friends) would be to do an abecedarium about myself. Plus I always love to make lists, alphabetical or otherwise.
So let’s start from the beginning…
A is for Art
A is for art, of course. After all always on my mind. The more I dive into art, both via painting and collage, the more I fall in love with it. I don’t have an artistic education or a degree, but I love making art, and I love how art makes me feel. How it makes me love the world more.
♥ A bit about why painting makes me happy
B is for Books
I love all things books and text. I read novels all the time, I love to visit the library, order books from Amazon and I also review creative books on my blog. But the book form is also part of my art practice, as in filling notebooks, journaling, and binding my own books. I love the feeling of a overflowing Art Journal.
♥ Here are a few of the books I made
C is for Creativity
Creativity is the feeling, action and process that encompasses almost all of the things I enjoy most. Creativity is almost a religion to me, my gospel of love. Creativity fills me up with happiness, in whatever form I find it. I wish to spread it to all corners of the world, and this blog is one of my vehicles. :-)
♥ I hope there will always be time for creativity
D is for Doodles
I love to doodle. I did it back in school. Then at office meetings, while talking on the phone or listening to music. Now I do it with a bit more purpose, to create patterns, meditate on a page or draw a mandala to find a center inside. I doodle all over the place. It helps me concentrate and listen better – and these doodles fill me, as well as my notebooks, with mindfulness and joy.
♥ Check out the Category Draw and Doodle
E is for Embroidery
Embroidery is another of my art forms. Textile art, free-form embroidery, hand stitching… I love to hold fabric between my fingers and I enjoy the slow process of taking one stitch at a time. I never follow patterns, I just sew my own way.
♥ Stitching adventures file under Embroidery
F is for Flow
I love flow. Flow is the positive psychology concept often talked about in sports and creative actions. Flow is the mental state in which a person is fully immersed in a activity that results in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity. In essence, flow is characterized by complete absorption in what one does… It’s the best feeling ever.
♥ Let’s strive to find more creative flow
G is for Girl Power
I’m a Feminist. To me girl power is simply a need, because we know that women have been, and still are, treated like lesser versions of men: in families, companies, politics and through history. This misogynistic treatment must stop, because more equality will benefit everyone, yes both sexes. I don’t get people who says: Why me, I could never be a feminist. Are you blind? How can you not be a feminist when the world is like it is?
♥ That’s why I wish for more girl power in the world
H is for Happiness
Everything that I share on my blog, and all letters of this abecedarium, is about what makes me happy. I think it’s important to think about what makes you happy, and seek it out. Because Happiness is important. And fleeting, big and difficult as life sometimes can be, when happiness strikes it’s worth crawling through the hard times.
♥ Make your own Happiness Collage
I is for Inspiration
Inspiration is very important to me. Creativity comes from within, but to find it there, I believe that you need to browse a lot of inspiration. You need to fill the well constantly – with music, art, photography, exhibitions, other’s creativity, conversations, nature, culture, books and all that yummy stuff that is called a good life. I’m pro all of it. Plus spreading inspiration to everyone. That’s why I often will share blog links and found inspiration on my blog…
♥ Found Inspiration and Other’s Creativity
J is for Journaling
I’ve kept a notebook as my personal diary my entire life. It’s full of secret rants, adventures, thoughts, ideas, daily life (up and downs) and page after page of wonky hand writing. I think of it as one of my best habits, because writing always clears my mind and helps me move forward my goals. I love journaling and would recommend the practice to everyone.
♥ Morning or evening, I do some journaling
K is for knitting
Occasionally I knit or crochet, buy new yarn, visit a knitting café or yarn shop. Generally when it’s winter I just jump feet first into home knitted (striped) socks made from super wash wool while burning tea-lights, and avoiding the cold Swedish snow. Sometimes I log into Ravelry even. I’d call myself a periodic yarn addict. WIP to say the least!
♥ Most of all I enjoy simple knitting (and crochet too)
To be continued… Get part II here: [K to Z about iHanna]
Super fun to compile this list. Did you like it? Let me know if you make a alphabetical list of your own, I’d love to read it.
PS:
A while back Deborah Weber posted her own ABC of who she is and why she blogs, and that’s where I got the idea for this post. Thanks for the inspiration Deborah!
I have always loved alphabet lists! Ever since I was a little girl!
Like it? I love this post Hanna! It’s ABCDeelicious!! I am bookmarking it because there is SO much information and inspiration with all the links to so many of your previous posts! (I’ve clicked on a handful of them just now, and feel inspired/motivated all over again-even from one’s I’ve read before! Your creative sharing NEVER expires Hanna! It is timeless) This had to have taken a lot of time and thought-and it is MUCH appreciated :) I just pulled out my little quotes journal and wrote down your quote from the first of the year-it’s going in my art journal as soon as i send this comment! “You do not know what will come out on the page, until you sit down and put your tools to work…” iHanna (how did i miss that in January!-lol) hugs, jenny ps-will you be selling a planner or pages for a planner for 2015???
Love this idea! Can’t wait to get started on mine.
Inspiring – I am going to think about doing this as well :-)
Spännande lista, jag väntar pĺ fortsättningen. Ska nog prova att göra en egen lista. Tack för tipset. Hugs from mom
Great idea!!!
I want to write a list like this.
Last year I make an abecedarium by drawing (letters + imagese) on my moleskine, but I haven’t shared it yet. Probably it cuold be interesting for someone :)
Hanna, this is so YOU! Thank you for sharing. I’m only sorry I have to wait for the rest of the list. I think I will try to do one of these, if only for myself.
PS regarding the letter “G”, I’ve been recently inspired by The Life of Elizabeth I by Alison Weir. Talk about girl power!
Love the power of Elizabeth I! I read a book about her too many years ago, a novel by someone else (can’t remember who right now), and I agree with you – that’s historic girl power indeed!
What an amazing list! And, I learned a new word…..didn’t know there was a word for alphabetic lists – love that. You’re always an inspiration and this post is no different. I found myself nodding in agreement and loving how articulately you explained your position/thoughts. Can’t wait for the next installment!
I have followed you for years and have save many, many of your posts. But I’ve never left a comment until now – I must have gotten a sense of “time’s a-wasting!” I love this idea and your responses and illustrations for each letter. And, as with your other fans, I am inspired. Thanks so much – looking forward to the rest. -Sandy in North Carolina
Thanks for leaving me a comment! When “a lurker” comes out of the shadows my heart sings. It’s always so nice to say hi to my dear readers, so Hello there from me to you! I’m very pleased to inspire you! :-)
I love this! I’ve never heard this word before!
I had never heard of an Abecedarium!! You have inspired me to fill a notebook with one 😊
Also want to say I love your work – I’m a colour addict and your work’s so bright and colourful, I love it!
Oh yay, so glad you found it and some inspiration here on my blog. I think it’s a great idea to do this in a notebook! You could even make each letter a single page and make a list of all the words that fit on that page!