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

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I’ve been wanting to get out and walk with Freedom and Casper.  Unfortunately, my husband does not have this same desire.  Another obstacle…whenever I touch the leashes, sweet, docile Freedom and Casper turn into Tasmanian Devils.  Leaping, mouthing, spinning, body slamming and barks.  No way could I get them both out the door and walk them by myself.  Recently, a young girl showed up at our door promoting her new dog walking business.  Wishes do come true!  We’ve walked twice a week for two weeks, and last night I took them out for our first walk together.  They still get excited for walks, but it’s getting more manageable.  At least I don’t have to scream, “Don’t touch that!” if someone gets close to the leashes.

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Bonjour Poupette!

I love whimsical things.  Imagine how delighted I was when I found Bonjour Poupette! In addition to her magical creations, Sofie has a wonderful blog where you can further explore the world of this poupettiste (poupette maker).  Particularly fascinating to me, the Poupette du Jour Project.  In November 2010, Sofie challenged herself to create one poupette a day for a year!  I am the proud owner of Honey Duster. He came beautifully packaged with a sweet thank you note.  Sofie makes the whole experience of purchasing, receiving and own her creations, magical.

PBS

PBS was launched in October 1970, so I didn’t grow up with PBS.  I came to love PBS as an adult.  You can find shows, series and educational programming on PBS that you can’t find anywhere else.  I particularly like some of the local programming our PBS station offers.  If you haven’t looked at PBS recently, reacquaint yourself with this American treasure.

Bounty

I know that ever since I featured my favorite toilet tissue on 4 Faves, everyone has been waiting to see what my favorite paper towel is.  The wait is over…it’s Bounty.  Imagine my surprise when I opened my current paper towel roll.  Is that a greyhound I see?  Now it’s really my favorite.

Strap Perfect

This is a nice thing to have in your undergarment arsenal.  I bought this because I purchased a tank top with racer-back styling, and I didn’t own a racer-back bra.  They are also nice to keep your bra straps from falling down or if you want to get a little more life out of an old bra that is losing its support.  I was also able to put it on by myself.

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Ordinary Lori, 6th Grade

I’m going through the book, Creative Is a Verb by Patti Digh.  Patti teaches six creative commitments.  The first commitment is “Be Ordinary: Put Down Your Clever.”  The sections within the chapter are:  (1) Come as you are, (2) Leave your base camp, (3) Monogram your morning pancakes, 4) Learn how to learn, (5) Wear a paper dress, and (6) Stand on your rock.  Patti talks about how our ordinary is what makes us unique.  She encourages us to find or rediscover what that ordinary is, to infuse our lives with our ordinary and to pass our special and unique brand of ordinary on to others.

I find this creative commitment is becoming easier for me as I get older.  It’s a truth that our culture doesn’t really care for “old.”  That can be depressing or completely freeing.  This week, I thought back to when I really felt like plain, ordinary, fantastic me.  It was in 6th grade.  I was at the height of my game as “Ordinary Lori.”  I didn’t feel the need to conform, to look any certain way, to act any certain way.  I was me.  I was good at it, and it felt wonderful.  In 7th grade, I entered Junior High and everything changed.  Hormones.  What did I want to “be” when I grew up?  Did the popular kids want to be my friends?  Were my parents proud of me?  Was my church proud of me?  And on and on and on.  I stayed true to myself in some regards and in others, I sold out.  Now, blessed with the cloak of invisibilty that you take on as you age, I find myself once again free to be just Ordinary Lori.  The only problem, some of the stories I sold myself on have left pretty deep impressions.  I’m working on that.

I recently went to a friend’s house that I hadn’t seen in a while.  My friend was introducing me to some of her other friends, and she was telling them about my blog and how much she enjoyed it.  She said, “She’s an artist.”  It surprised me when she said it, and I almost corrected her.  But then, I didn’t because that’s what I am.  I haven’t figured out exactly what that means, but that is how I think of myself, and that’s how I’m living my life.  Details are figuring themselves out.

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Back in April, I was in a slump.  I decided to do a little “Sprucing Up For Spring.”  I posted about my progress in May and now, since the first day of summer is June 21st; I figure I’d better wrap this up.  I didn’t get everything done that I wanted, but some “sprucing up” happened.

As a guide, I used an article I clipped years ago from Family Circle magazine called, “Rules of Arrangement: 12 Decorating Strategies.”  I took on 6 of the 12 ideas.  Here are the results:

1.  Count on color to dramatize a small area.

Before

After

What I did: My living room is green, but this small wall is purple.  I replaced the velvet throw with a lavender knit throw.  I replaced the pillows TWICE (see below for the ones I had in May).  I like the scale of these better.  I also added a plant to the coffee table and cleaned out the bookcases.

What I still want to do: I’d like to re-upholster the couch; and as soon as I win the lottery, I’m going to jump right on that.

2.  Set up your living room for conversation and comfort.

Before

After

What I did: The “after” picture is the same one I used for May’s update.  I’m getting rid of the two mismatched chairs and replacing them with ottomans.  I purchased the ottoman above, but I think the legs are too modern for the other furniture I have in the room.  I do like the animal print.  I found two ottomans online, but didn’t get them ordered fast enough and they sold out.  I found two more, but they’re double the price.  As soon as I quit buying sofa pillows for the sofa we never use, I’ll have enough money and can order the ottomans.

What I still want to do: I think an area rug would look nice and further define the area.

3.  Hang favorite art in harmonious multiples.

Before

After

What I did: The first picture is what I see when I walk out of my bedroom…plain hallway wall.  I had a Simply Said party and this is one of the designs I received for being a hostess.  I like it and my husband said he likes it…GASP!  Usually he doesn’t notice things like this.  What if he notices the multiple couch pillow changes?!  I’ll be toast!

What I still want to do: I have a narrow hallway, so I think this is lovely and all I need.

4.  Choose an anchor for a mantel and all else will fall into place.

Before

After

What I did: This area suffered from 7 years of adding more and more and more.  I cleared the mantel and replaced all the miscellaneous stuff with two simple plants.  I cleaned up the hearth and added some color with the ceramic pieces.

What I still want to do: I would love to add a bamboo mat to the hearth for summer.  Replacing the fireplace glass would be nice too.

5.  Mix and match pillows galore for easy add-in warmth.

Before

After

What I did: I call my “before” picture, “a study in brown.”  I made four new pillows, added a new throw and replaced the side table lamp and shade.

What I still want to do: I want to replace the floor lamp.

6.  Turn a bookcase into an attractive all-around hold-all.

Before (Living Room)

After (Living Room)

What I did: On my husband’s bookcase, we removed a lot of books and added a display case of his military awards and medals.  On my bookcase, I removed a lot of books and added a family photo and vase of flowers.

What I still want to do: I’m pretty pleased with this redo.

Before (Family Room)

After (Family Room)

What I did: You’ll notice that there is no “after” of my husband’s bookcase because it looks exactly the same as it did two months ago.  On my bookcase, I removed a lot of books and knickknacks.

What I still want to do: Get my husband to clean his bookcase…patience, patience.

Here are the other 6 ideas I didn’t tackle:

7.  Think outside the bedroom box.

8.  Show off cherished photos in a cohesive grouping.

9.  Create impact with big, bold accessories in the same mood or color.

10-12.  Three no-fail ways to make a room bloom (flower arrangement ideas).

With the kids out of school, all my books in June are some of my favorite children’s books.

This was my favorite storybook as a little girl.  It’s the tender story of a girl named Betsy who gets invited to a doll party and decides to take her best-loved doll.  When awards are passed out for “The Oldest,” “The Best-Dressed,” and the doll that can do the most things, Betsy’s doll doesn’t stand a chance.  But Betsy’s doll does win an award.  Can you guess what it is?

Perhaps my love of this story explains why “Love is Blind” by Bessie Pease Gutmann is one of my favorite pictures.

Martin Scorsese directed this movie which is based on the novel of the same name by Edith Wharton.  It is a look at the morals and manners of the Gilded Age society.  Newland Archer is engaged to marry May Welland when he meets her cousin, Countess Olenska who has left her husband and wants a divorce.  Newland marries May but is drawn to Countess Olenska.  Visually, it is as lush as the upper-class New Yorkers it portrays.  This is a movie for those who love subtlety.  In this society, every movement, every nuance carries meaning.  This film captures the emotion behind the gorgeous and placid surface.  It is a compelling story and also an interesting social commentary.

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All of June’s crafts will be kid-friendly, in honor of “School’s Out For Summer!”

Inspiration:

Kaboose – Family Marble Magnets

Supplies:

Photographs

Flat-backed clear marbles

Mod Podge

Brush

Pen

Scissors

Magnets

Glue

1.  Place the marble over the face and trace around it with a pen.

2.  Cut out the face inside the trace line.

3.  Brush a thin layer of Mod Podge (or any decoupage medium) onto the flat back of the marble.

4.  Place the picture (face down) on the marble, or press the marble gently down onto the cut out photo…whichever is easiest for you.  Allow to dry.

5.  Glue a magnet to the back and let dry.  I recommend using a super strong magnet since the marbles are heavy.

6.  What a great way to use extra or “not so great” photos.

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Indie singer/songwriter/musician Neko Case is a greyhound owner.  Her first greyhound, Lloyd, died of cancer.  Currently, Neko has four dogs and two cats.  Of the four dogs, three are greyhounds…Swan-Y, Guy and Travis.  Neko donates generously to animal causes and volunteers for Arizona Greyhound Rescue.  Greyhounds even make an appearance in her music video, “People Got A Lotta Nerve.”

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Merriam-Webster Online

Merriam-Webster Online offers both a dictionary and a thesaurus.  There is an “unabridged” option available for a fee, but I find that most of the simple words I want to look up are available through the “free” option.  The cost of “free” is ads.  One of my favorite things about Merriam-Webster Online is the “pronunciation” feature.  Ever wonder how to pronounce “pince-nez?”  Type “pince-nez” in the Search box.  When the definition appears, you’ll see a speaker icon next to the word.  Click on that icon, and you’ll hear the word pronounced.  Another favorite of mine are the “Ask the Editor” videos.  Think you know the plural of octopus?  Check out this video.

Static Guard

This is an item that is best to have on hand, because you never know when static will strike.

Smart Ass the board game

This is a fun trivia game.  There are 3 categories: Who am I? What am I? and Where am I?  Each category card has 10 clues.  As soon as you know the answer, shout it out!  If you’re right, you get to move.  If you’re wrong, you’re done and the other players have a chance (right away or after listening to more clues).

Palmolive Ultra soft touch

I like fancy schmancy dish soap because I like the fancy schmancy smell; but sometimes I run out and don’t feel like driving to the fancy schmancy dish soap store.  This is a really nice alternative for me.

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The next book I’m going to work my way through is Creative Is a Verb by Patti Digh.  I spotted this book when I purchased Mess by Keri Smith.  It appealed to me for the same reason that Mess did; it appeared to be action-oriented and that’s what I was craving.  Creative Is a Verb encourages you to “live your whole life as art.”  It teaches six creative commitments, and that’s how I’ll go through it…one commitment a week.  The six creative commitments are: (1) Be Ordinary, (2) See More, (3) Get Present, (4) Catch Fire, (5) Clear Ground, and (6) Let Go.

The first three chapters of the book discuss who the book is for, how to use the book, and encourages you to embrace the six creativity killers: (1) I work full-time, (2) I don’t have a good space in which to work, (3) I don’t have the right materials, (4) I have no ideas, (5) I don’t have any skill, and (6) They won’t like it.  Patti encourages us to take these and not use “either/or” thinking but rather “both/and” thinking.  At the end of each of the sections in a chapter on the six creative commitments are two exercises…”give yourself 10″ (a short exercise that takes about 10 minutes) and “give yourself 37” (an exercise that you could do for 37 days). Patti’s blog is 37days.

The book also includes original art and poetry.  I was deeply affected by the poem “don’t forget to write” by Maya Stein.  I don’t read poetry enough.  I forget the impact that poetry carries.

If you don’t see yourself as an artist, this may be just the book to dive into.  I believe it will encourage us to view life as a creative act and as our greatest masterpiece.