Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Space and Stitchery (a.k.a. My Happy Place)

Having the chance to combine your passions is a pretty darn special treat, and when other folks respond positively to that ... well, it doesn't get much better. I'm so excited/honored/thrilled/stoked that my Hubble cross-stitch project won First Prize in the Funniest category of the ESA Hubble Pop Culture contest. Can you believe it? Nope - I can't, either.

I don't know that I was going for "funny" when I made the project, but considering the fact that humor is how I make it through any tough situations in life, I'll go ahead and take it. Not to mention the fact that First Prize carries some insanely awesome prizes. Hurrah!

This is the second time I've had a crazy idea for a project that combines my passions, but seems a little ... odd. One part of me said, "This is so dorky. Why would you bother?" but the bigger part of me said, "So what!? I like it! I'm doing it!" And when I went ahead with it, really fantastic things followed.

photo by Robert Pearlman of collectSPACE

So what does this mean to you? Well - I've had a postcard on my desk for years (actually, I can't find it at the moment, but it's seared in to my brain, so ...) it says, "Trust Your Crazy Ideas."

For reals, y'all. Trust those crazy ideas. Love what you do - do it with passion and most importantly, HAVE. FUN. DOING. IT. Don't worry about what other people think. And be sure to take things ... well ... One Screw at a Time.

You can read the full story behind the project in my original post about it.

When I was contacted about the win, the ESA folks asked several questions, the final one being if I had any favorite Hubble images. Here was my response:
I find most every image in the Hubble gallery inspiring, fascinating and humbling. Some of my favorite images, though, are pictures of the astronauts who have serviced Hubble through the years as they work on Hubble. More proof that humans are critical to space exploration.

18 comments :

  1. I am so proud of you! Heck, yes, it won! There was no question ;)

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  2. OMG, Rachel! You rock so hard! Congratulations!

    Denise
    http://needlework.craftgossip.com

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  3. keep going with those crazy ideas, Rachel! they/you are awesome!

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  4. Congratulations, Rachel!! That is so cool. Combining passions and trusting one crazy idea at a time is what it's all about!

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  5. I was gonna say, You rock so hard! But someone already said it. So I'll say it again: You rock so hard! Awesome! Completely and truly deserved win!

    And trusting one's crazy ideas? I needed that. I've been too careful all my life. After all, Others Might Disapprove. So thank you.

    And? You rock so hard! :-)

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  6. This is so cool! I agree it is great to be recognized or rewarded for doing something you love doing. Makes you feel like you are on the right path for your life! Nice to see some of what you are up to after all these years. :)

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  7. Rachel I just read about your awesome success! Congratulations!! What a special win... in so many ways. I'm so excited for you. I'm going to remember your motto, too. It's a good one.
    Go Rachel!

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  8. Thanks you guys! I'm just having fun & am tickled that other folks get a kick out of it. Fun times! :)
    XOXOX

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  9. I just love having a geeky famous friend. Rach, you just amaze me.

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  10. Wowee - CONGRATULATIONS! That is the coolest thing ever. You have the best crazy ideas!

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  11. Im been following your blog...you do have great ideas.. fantastic!

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  12. Congratulations! I'm so proud of you too - that's awesome!

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  13. Fantastic! Awesome! And bob o boy you weren't kidding about the prizes!

    I love what you wrote about trusting your crazy ideas. I have copied it down and am putting it in my personal little book of quotes where i go when i need inspiration or a bit of mood improvement!

    Thank you!

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Thank you so much for your comments! I read every single one of them. I do my best to respond when I can.

Have fun and be nice! :)
XOX
Rach