Why is pinterest so addictive?

I've decided that pinterest is like crack for women in their 30's. 

I have to admit I was warned. I was told, "watch out, it's soooo addictive." How bad can it be? I thought. I know  a lot of people who are addicted to facebook, and I'm not, so I thought I would be immune to pinterest's addictive nature.

I was wrong. 

Have any of you ever read the Percy Jackson books? In one of the books the kids go into this casino-like fun house. They have a great time, then they realize something is seriously wrong with the place. It felt like they were there for a few hours, but they were there for weeks. 

That is how I feel about pinterest. When I get home from work, I check my facebook, browse my favorite home decorating sites and blogs, and add pins and browse pinterest. Before I know it, hours have gone by and it's dinner time. How does this happen???? Why is it so addictive???? 

Pinterest brings out the middle school girl in all of us. I mean, who doesn't like to have followers? Everytime someone new starts following my pins, I get a little thrill, people are interested in things I like. It's instant validation. 

But even though it sucks me in and refuses to spit me out, I am learning a lot from it. One of my boards is called "Why can't I figure out my home decorating style?" But, with Pinterest's help, I actually am starting to define my style. 

If you aren't on pinterest yet, it's time. You need an invitation to join, so if you comment on this post and include your email, I'll send you one. 

But don't say I didn't warn you!

http://pinterest.com/kmoriahb/

Subway Sign ART

I've been coveting subway sign art for months now, ever since I started seeing pictures like this during my daily Internet design drooling sessions:

And this:

But with prices like the ones above at $650, all I could do was covet and drool and dream. But then I remembered, hey, I can be an ARTIST too and so began the first baby step on my journey from crafty to artist.

So, I followed the directions on http://www.iammommahearmeroar.net/2011/07/diy-subway-art-for-under-7.html and made this:

I am obsessed and can't stop staring at it. Here it is in its new home by the front door:

It cost under $10, and I was able to customize it to show the Boston MBTA D line, which was what we always took when I lived a few blocks from the Longwood stop in Brookline. 

The best part? I kind of, just a little bit, am feeling like I am a little bit more than "just crafty."

"Are you an artist?"

    The man at home depot cutting the mdf for my latest project asked me. 
     "Well... no. I guess I'm just crafty," was my response.

It wasn't until I got home that I realized how badly I want to be able to say yes to that question. How do I go from being "just crafty" to being creative? What does it take to be able to say with confidence, that yes, I am a creative creator of art?

I live for goals. Goalless, I feel lost and like I'm floating through life like an untethered balloon. Tackling the journey from crafty to creative, from craft to art is a challenge I am ready to take on.

Inner artist, I'm coming for you!