Creativity, Crafts, Books, Movies, Greyhounds & Favorite Things

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1.  Make lists.

2.  Carry a notebook and camera everywhere.

3.  Try freewriting.

4.  Get away from the computer.

5.  Be otherwordly (you decide what that means).

6.  Quit beating yourself up.

7.  Take breaks.

8.  Know your roots.

9.  Listen to new music.

10.  Be open.

11.  Surround yourself with creative people.

12.  Get feedback.

13.  Collaborate.

14.  Don’t give up.

15.  Practice, practice, practice.

16.  Allow yourself to make mistakes.

17.  Go somewhere new.

18.  Count your blessings.

19.  Get lots of rest.

20.  Take risks. 

21.  Do more of what makes you happy.

22.  Stop trying to be someone else’s perfect.

23.  Clean your workspace.

24.  Finish something.

25.  Have fun and play.

Daily Inspiration

 

Learn to be what you are, and learn to resign with a good grace all that you are not.

Henry Frederic Amiel

About the photo (taken on August 16)…I took this picture at Whitewater Crossing Christian Church in Cleves, OH.  I went there for a Facilities Forum.  This was a wallhanging that I thought was interesting.

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Currently, I’m taking two Artful Gathering classes.  The classes run until August 25.  I started with Mixed Devotions by Cristina Zinnia Galliher, but I’m changing over to Make Every Minute Count Art Doll with Cat Kerr.  The reason I’m switching…I’m working slower than I thought I would.  Each class offers a DVD of the lessons after the session is over.  Because I’ve enjoyed making the mixed-media bottles so much, I plan on purchasing the Mixed Devotions DVD; so I need to finish up the art doll by August 25, then I’ll have the DVD to finish up the bottles.  Here’s what I’ve done on my art doll project:

I built the base.

I worked on the head and the hands.  I started with a vinyl blank (I forgot to take a picture).

I added decals, crackle and antiquing.

I think she looks neat.

  Daily Inspiration

 

 Criticism is something we can avoid easily by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.

Aristotle

About the photo (taken on August 16)…I took this picture at Whitewater Crossing Christian Church in Cleves, Ohio.  I went there for a Facilities Forum, and in their children’s area, these streamers were hanging down in the colors of the rainbow.  It was very pretty.

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Back in May, I ran a series of five questions that were meant to get you (and me) thinking about memorabilia and hopefully identifying some of the special treasures.  When I originally posted these questions, I didn’t answer them, but now I am.  Here’s the third question:

What 5 things tell the story of your life?

I used these categories when picking my items:  childhood, military, motherhood, marriage and family.

1.  First Frog

I’ve collected frogs all my life.  This was my first frog; a gift from my grandma.

2.  Class A Uniform

A soldier’s dress uniform is a “history” of their military career, and it’s a lesson in humilty when you try it on years after you retire.  “Yes,” I can’t button mine.

3.  Pink Hippo

I don’t even want to think about all the stuffed animals that have passed through our lives during my daughter’s childhood, but only two make “treasured” status for me.  Pink Hippo is one of them.

 

4.  Wedding Band

It’s simple, but the most meaningful symbol of my marriage.

5.  Quilling Picture

I’ve shared many of the wonderful things my mother made.  This is a shadow box picture made with quilling paper.  It’s one of my favorite things.  The details are amazing, and I treasure it.

Daily Inspiration

 

 Life is a long lesson in humility.

James M. Barrie

About the photo (taken August 15) …I spent a little time taking pictures of some of my favorite knickknacks.  My mom picked up this owl secondhand and my daughter and I loved him.  When my mom was ready to get rid of him, she passed him on to us.  I think one day he’ll be an “heirloom.”  He’s perfect for sitting amongst the books.

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In August, my “Try This” posts are going to feature some things you can do with thrift store finds.

If you want to craft on a shoestring and enjoy working with a variety of fabrics, secondhand clothes are perfect.  Garage sales are a really great place to pick up clothes to cut into fabric because you can find things that are ridiculously inexpensive.  There is a fabulous tutorial on Emily’s Little World for a flower made from a t-shirt.  This flower is similar to the folded petal flower I made on June 13.

Make a flower template.

Cut out 9 flowers and a felt circle.

To make the petals, fold a flower in half and in half again.  I applied a little Fabri-Tac glue in the fold.

Arrange 4 petals so their corners meet in the center of the felt circle.  Glue the petals to the felt circle.

 

Arrange a second layer of 4 petals by placing them in-between the petals of the first layer.

 

The remaining flower makes up the center.  Fold the flower in half and then in half again.  Roll the petal to make a cone.

 

Glue the rosebud cone in the center of the flower.

Fluff the flower and add dabs of glue where necessary to hold the petals in place.  Isn’t that a pretty flower?

Daily Inspiration

 

 The entire universe is a great theater of mirrors.

Alice Bailey

About the photo (taken August 15) …I took this photo to go along with the quote I selected for today’s Daily Inspiration.  It’s been a lot of fun this year, pairing up quotations with pictures.

Amy on her wedding day

One of the things my friend, Amy, misses from What Remains Now 2011 is my “4 Faves” posts.  So for my “Love This” posts in August, she’s going to tell you about some her favorite things.  The picture above is of a canvas print Amy had made from Canvas On Demand…a bonus fave.

La Rochere Napoleon Bee Glassware

Amy found and purchased these because she kept breaking her more “delicate” wine glass and wanted to replace her remaining mismatched glasses.  Tip to Amy:  Amy, you’re supposed to stop drinking before you’re stumbling around breaking your delicate stemware.  I digress. Stylish, sturdy and reasonably priced, these glasses from Open Sky filled the bill.

See the embossed bee design?  These are inspired by a travel set belonging to Napoleon and are made by the oldest glass factory in France, founded in 1475.

Fig Butter

Amy is a “foodie” and always finding cool and unusual treats.  A current favorite…fig butter on mini pita breads.  If you love Fig Newtons, give this a try.  1 Tbsp is only 45 calories.

Sliding Measuring Spoon

Along with being a “foodie,” Amy is an AWESOME cook and always interested in helpful items in the kitchen.  How could you not love this?  It works with both dry and wet ingredients and is dishwasher-safe.  Also, you can adjust it with one hand…very convenient for the busy cook.

Salts & Peppers

Amy recently discovered the thrill of a variety of unusual salts and peppers.  Some of Amy’s favorite combinations are Pink Peppercorn on fruit or eggs because it has a sweet peppery taste, and Pink Himalyan Salt on anything including chocolate milk.  It’s a fun and inexpensive treat for yourself or when you have guests.

Daily Inspiration

 

The first step binds one to the second.

French Proverb

About the photo (taken August 12) …Probably because I feel I’m on a new “leg” of my journey through life, I find myself attracked to “paths”  This picture was taken outside the Polish Worker’s Home (Dom Robotnika) at the Center For History in South Bend, Indiana.

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Here’s what I’ve been working on…

My “Try This” posts for August will feature re-imagined thrift store treasures.  One of my favorite things to do is find something pretty and paint it.  This past week, I painted some old candlesticks.

I’m taking two classes in Session 2 of Artful Gathering.  Currently, I’m working on the Mixed Devotions class with Cristina Zinnia Galliher.  We’re making 3 mixed-media bottles.

This is the Far East Laughing Buddha Art Bottle (so far).

This is the start of the Interpretive Bottle.

I got together with one of my card clubs.

We made a little Halloween treat bag.

And, we made a Christmas card.  If you papercraft, it’s not too early to be thinking of these two holidays.

I also finished July’s project for the 2012 Creative Color Challenge.  The color palette was Multi Colors & Letters.  Each month, I’m making a yarn vase for the challenge.  July’s challenge had me stumped. 

I finally decided to do a set of vase. 

Three of them have “letter” necklaces.

 

One has a heart necklace. 

 

It took me a long time to decide on something but once I did, I like them as a set.

I’ll repeat this information about The August Break 2012, every Monday in August. 

During August, I’m participating in The August Break 2012 that is sponsored by Susannah Conway.  Here’s what The August Break 2012 is all about:

How it works: you simply share one photo (or more!) each day on your blog – Monday to Friday, or every day. Or whenever you feel moved to share. Using any camera – DSLR, compact, Polaroid, Holga, iPhone (my choice), Instax, film or digital – with or without words – anything goes! – for the whole of August. No pressure – just looking at August through your camera lens as a way to be more present this summer. And to have a little break from the pressures and expectations of regular blogging.

There are NO RULES, people! Just sunshine (hopefully) + a bit of fun. And lots of lovely photos to look at and new blogs to discover.

I use photos I’ve taken every day for my “Daily Inspiration” segment, but they are not always taken that day or that week.  To challenge myself for The August Break 2012, all my “Daily Inspiration” photos for August will be taken within a day or two of when they appear.  I’ll also include a line or two about the photograph.

Daily Inspiration

If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you.

Saint Thomas

About the photo (taken August 12) …I took this photo yesterday while volunteering at the Center for History.  These little apple trees are in the backyard of the Polish Worker’s Home (Dom Robotnika), a house set-up to show what the home of a 1930’s industrial worker would look like.  The backyard would have had a vegetable garden, fruit trees and a grape arbor.

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This week, I started cleaning my studio closet and my studio.  I was overwhelmed with this project.  My blessing and my curse is that I am interested in everything.  A key for me is to begin to focus on the projects and skills I love the most.  Right now, it is painting, yarn vases, flowers and mixed-media bottles.  As I was sorting through my supplies, I kept this in mind.  I still have more work to do in my studio, but I got a good start with the closet.  Here are the “befores” and “afters:”

 

Left Side (Before)

 

Left Side (After)

 

Right Side (Before)

 

Right Side (After)

Daily Inspiration

 

 History is a cyclic poem written by Time upon the memories of man.

Percy Bysshe Shelley

About the photo (taken on August 12)…I volunteer at the Center For History as a docent.  I was there today and took this picture of the front of the building.  The facade is made to resemble row houses.

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It all started with me cleaning up my studio closet…I’ve been working in my studio this week which means I’ve been spending time in the land of depression and self-loathing.  My studio is less a studio and more a dumping ground.  I know a big part of my problem is lack of focus, so I have some questions for you:

1.  Where do you work (write, paint, sew, scrap, etc.) and why does it work for you?

2.  If your space doesn’t work for you, why do you think that is?

3.  What are your best storage ideas or products that make your creative work easier?

4.  Have you read any books that helped you in your creative life?  I learn best through reading, so I’m always interested in a helpful book.

5.  Any other words of wisdom?

So, here I go again…another clear-out/refining of my studio.

Daily Inspiration

 

To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.

Thomas A. Edison

About the photo (taken on August 11)…This quote made me laugh, since I’m currently digging through all my “junk” and trying to organize it into a working studio space.  Piles of junk…I have those.

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Currently, I’m taking two Artful Gathering classes.  I’m starting with Mixed Devotions by Cristina Zinnia Galliher.  We’re making 3 bottles.  This week, I worked on the Far East Laughing Buddha Art Bottle.

I added some texture details to the bottle with molding paste.

I’ll paint over these texture designs with gold metallic paint.

I also started the Interpretive Bottle.

I applied the base layers of tissue paper and paper.

Daily Inspiration

 

You are what you think about all day.

Allen Ginsberg

About the photo (taken on August 10)…In January, I picked a word for myself that would act as a theme for the year.  My word is “Creative.”  I’ve been true to my word.  I try to infuse every day with creating.  The more I create, the more creative I feel and the more creative I become.  It’s pretty much all I think about.  So far, 2012 has been a fun year for me.

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Back in May, I ran a series of five questions that were meant to get you (and me) thinking about memorabilia and hopefully identifying some of the special treasures.  When I originally posted these questions, I didn’t answer them, but now I am.  Here’s the second question:

What 5 special things would you grab in a fire?

I decided to focus on handmade items.  I have many things that are very precious to me, but these things are truly one-of-a-kind.

1.  Raggedy Ann

My mom made this for me when I was little.  I love all the work, craftsmanship and love my mom put into this little doll.

2.  Quilt

My grandmother made this for me and it was on my bed when I was young.  It features sunbonnet girls.  A funny thing…it took me years to see that these were sunbonnet girls.  I thought they were some unusual creatures with the sunbonnet being the two eyes, the arm and hand being the nose and the skirt being the body.  When I look at this, I still see the little creature first.

3.  Oil Painting

You may remember this painting from my July 12 post.  This hung in the hallway of the home I grew up in.  The painting belonged to my Great Aunt Mame.  It was painted by one of her friends.  Unfortunately, it’s not signed.  I’m hoping that my mom or dad will one day remember the name of the artist.

4.  Birch Watercolor Painting

This was a wedding present to me from my uncle and aunt.  It was painted by a friend of my cousin.

5.  Little Wooden Animals

My mom cut out these little shapes for my daughter who painted them when she was 3-years-old.  I realized very early on that my daughter was an artist with a very good eye for detail.

Daily Inspiration

 

The first week of August hangs at the very top of summer, the top of the live-long year, like the highest seat of a Ferris wheel when it pauses in its turning. The weeks that come before are only a climb from balmy spring, and those that follow a drop to the chill of autumn, but the first week of August is motionless, and hot. It is curiously silent, too, with blank white dawns and glaring noons, and sunsets smeared with too much color. Often at night there is lightning, but it quivers all alone.

Natalie Babbitt, Tuck Everlasting

About the photo (taken August 9) …From home to work and back again, I drive through miles of farmland.  I love the wide open fields.  They feel like home.