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Susie Mawhinney's avatar

Dearest Emily, I don't think I've ever known or met anyone who lives creativity quite as diversely as you do, your multitalented passion shines in every word you write, every painting, every drawing and yes, to all those bucket list dreams, especially the tiny wire fairy and carved wooden whale...🧚🏽🐳

You say, "It was a world where creativity wasn’t just a hobby.

It was how we lived, how we played, how we dreamed.

And it remains to this day how I live, how I play, how I dream."

Something tells me you couldn't even f you wanted to but don't ever change that... you are the brightest light of inspiration we have and I love you for every enthusiastic word of encouragement to all of us you write - thank you with biggest Monday hugs! ♥️🤗

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Emily Charlotte Powell's avatar

Dear Susie, I cannot tell you how much I enjoy our exchanges and how I look forward to chatting with you every week when we each write our letters and send them out into the world. What a joy it is to be friends and to share this beautiful life with you. Honestly though, I wonder how confusing and chaotic this little corner of Substack must be for my readers when I meander so wildly in so many different direction! But you are right, I have tried to conform, to pick one thing, to niche, to narrow, to focus, to move in only one direction, because apparently, that’s what it takes to be ‘successful’, and each time I do, I am so very sad. So here’s to being wildly unsuccessful, here’s to being a glorious mess of contradictions, here’s to wonderful failure! Much love xx

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Susie Mawhinney's avatar

I would be devastated if you tried to niche your posts, I love the diversity, I love that you surprise us, I love your chaotic creativity and I love our chats just as much! Much love back Emily XX

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Emily Charlotte Powell's avatar

🥹💛 thank you so much Susie. I don’t know if you jace any idea what it means to read your words. Here’s to more chaotic creativity xx

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The Crazy Cat Lady Writes's avatar

I write and cross stitch. Stabbing fabric with a small, sharp, pointy object is therapeutic! 😄

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Emily Charlotte Powell's avatar

Haha!! That is so true Kim!! Felting is good for that too 💛😂🙏

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Pamela Leavey's avatar

Yes! "Creativity makes me feel more alive, it lights my soul and makes my heart sing."

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Emily Charlotte Powell's avatar

💕 Thank you for being here Pamela. this is our one chance, in this one life, to do the things that light us up ✨

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Pamela Leavey's avatar

Absolutely Emily! I agree 100%! 💕

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Jo Sundberg's avatar

This shows the importance of the environment we grow up in. What a gift your family gave you in allowing you to express yourself.

You are just exploding with ideas Emily. So much fun!

How do you hone in all your desires and focus on one thing at a time? Do you ever feel a pulling in all directions and that sense of panic that there is not enough time to do all you want to do? Which can make you actually not tackle any project at all.... Although from your creative output I can imagine you don't feel this. Just asking, because this is how I feel at times! 💜xx

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Emily Charlotte Powell's avatar

Oh I feel pulled in a million directions all the time Jo and honestly it feels like chaos! There never feels enough time to do all the things I long to do, but I try to hold all the threads lightly and let them come and go as much as I’m able. I’m so envious of writers who find time to write daily and artists who draw daily - I feel like I take ten steps in ten different directions never getting very far!! My childhood was a kaleidoscope of dark and light, as I’m sure many childhoods are, but I will be forever grateful for the wonderful variety of creativity that I experienced and the love of nature and the outdoors that was instilled in me. Much love Jo x

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Greg's avatar

Is there somewhere I could buy a copy of that drawing? I love it!!!

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Emily Charlotte Powell's avatar

That’s so kind of you Greg, thank you. If you’re in the UK, there are prints (and other items) for sale at Tree Keeper Books, if you’re outside the UK, send me a private message and I can share details for posting internationally.

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Devayani Khare's avatar

So evocative! The voiceover is a beautiful touch, and it really makes the piece come alive. Thanks for sparking my imagination too.

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Emily Charlotte Powell's avatar

Thank you Devayani, I have slowly grown used to my own voice and usually add a voiceover with my letters each time. I’m so pleased that you enjoyed listening and I’m delighted that your imagination is sparked ✨💛

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Sharon's avatar

Love this!!

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Emily Charlotte Powell's avatar

Thank you Sharon! 💛

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Sharon's avatar

You’re welcome

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Sharon's avatar

You’re welcome

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