30 Days of Creativity – Days 23 and 24

More 30 Days of Creativity

Day 23: Listen to a favorite song or artist and create something inspired by that music.

Earlier this year, I created some doodles inspired by Maroon 5. (Oh how their music just rocks my world!)

But since Christmas and holiday music is, well, everywhere, it seems fitting to share with you some wintery pieces I’ve doodled recently. This one was from my new smart phone?! RotoDoodle is such a cool app – I can spirograph anytime, anywhere!

spirograph-project.tumblr.com

Snowflake spirograph

 

Day 24: What is your “Creative Bucket List”?  List 12 creative things you want to learn more about.

  1. Soap Making
  2. Quilting
  3. Embroidery
  4. Chinese Watercolor Painting (I’m attempting a few cards this week… talk about last minute.)
  5. Mixed media
  6. Knitting
  7. Crocheting
  8. Photography
  9. Jewelry
  10. Photoshop
  11. Furniture refinishing
  12. Vintage art

I’m curious what creative things everyone else is learning about, or wants to learn about – feel free to share in the comments!

Enjoy the rest of your week!

30 Days of Creativity – Days 21 and 22

Time to pull this all together! 30 Days of Creativity has turned into something like “months-and-months” of creativity. I’m wondering how many others have kept up with this challenge. And that’s exactly what it’s been… challenging.

Day 21: Find and photograph one object in your home and create something inspired by it.

Our stairwell. It greets me each morning – and when the sun is out, an amazing amount of light comes pouring in.

I’ve been sketching lines upon lines trying to capture the geometry, but I still want to incorporate some shadowing. So, the project isn’t done… yet.

Day 22: Take time today to thank your favorite creative people for their talents.  Comment on their blogs, Facebook and Twitter.

If you have a little time, visit these sites of goodness!

Mod Podge Rocks by Amy Anderson | Angry Chicken with Amy Karol | Ashley at Film in the Fridge | Architecture at Searching for Silsbee

Churchmouse Yarns & Teas | Share the world of tea with TeaLula

30 Days of Creativity – Day 20: Handmade hellos

Day 20: Read a crafty book or blog and write about it or create something inspired by it!

This might be one of my favorite craft books, Handmade hellos: Fresh Greeting Card Projects from First-Rate Crafters.  I grab it when I just need paper and card inspiration – we all need some every once in a while. The book has “…designs ranging from elegant to striking and sentiments both sweet and snarky…” Something for everyone! And how nice is it to get a handmade card from a friend?

I’ve made a few projects from this book, but I’m sorry I didn’t take pictures before I gave them to their chosen recipients. I typically end up creating things just in the nick of time, like minutes before I head out the door, go to a party, etc.

So, the book was published in 2008, but it’s still full of fresh and relevant card ideas. Eunice and Sabrina Moyle pulled together over 25 projects (that’s over 20 international artists) for all crafters to drool over. I love that it’s more than a “how-to” feature; they include artists’ bios, resources and special materials sections, too.

The techniques section has background info like how to make an envelope and a variety of sewing stitches. And, a template envelope in the back of the book is convenient and ready to use. Great photography makes me want to make all the cards, but since the projects are rated as Basic (quick), Moderate, or Advanced (involve), I can figure out what I actually have time to do.Inside Pages and Projects

All instructions have illustrated steps, and at the end of each card “recipe”, variations are included. So if you’re an adventurous (or renegade) crafter like I am sometimes, go with the suggestions for different approaches to the card. And, who doesn’t appreciate “Green Greetings” – you can use post-consumer waste, recycled paper or scraps for your projects, too.

New to me: Gocco printing. I’ve heard of it. Never done it. The book has projects that use it! Makes me want to buy a Gocco machine!

Go check out the Hello!Lucky site, check out this book… Anyone already have it?

30 Days of Creativity – Day 19: Inspiration Board

Day 19: Do you keep a creative journal or have an inspiration board?  Share!

Vision boards, inspiration boards or journals – I dig them. I had a journal after college until I was married. Shortly afterwards, the journaling stopped… until Spring 2010.  (And it’s time to make a new one.)

Here are highlights from my old-school-cut-and-paste poster that came to life last year.

  • Started writing a semi-regular food column for an online newspaper (switch careers?).
  • Became an editor at Craft Critique (there’s a little cut-out word “editor”).
  • Rode 25 miles in my first organized cycling/bike ride (see the woman on the bike?).

Here’s a neat post explaining how to make a virtual inspiration board with Picasa. And I enjoyed this article explaining the “why” behind vision boards. I wonder how many people actually do these? Are there people who share them with the world, or is it too personal?

30 Days of Creativity – Day 18: What I Wear

Day 18: Does the way you dress show your creativity?  How?  If not, why not?

I definitely have friends who have the most creative wardrobes I’ve ever seen… maybe I’m too mainstream to pull it off. I love Amy at Angry Chicken and her periodic pictures of bias-cut skirts. Let’s say sometimes… Sometimes my outward appearance reflects my creativity. It probably shows more in my accessories, because lately, I’ve been enjoying my bracelets. Some are thrifty finds or vintage, some are just sentimental… and I’ve been eyeing and admiring handcrafted jewelry.

Secretly (well, not anymore), I wish that I could be more pulled together since what I wear is pretty typical: jeans with a t-shirt, hoodie, tank top or sweater. I don’t look too disheveled, but, with kids’ schedules, it’s easy to get in a rut. It’s true for me, when I take time to dress in the morning, I feel so much better. Maybe it’s time to go through my closet and revamp the wardrobe… I just sold some clothes in our garage sale, and gave the rest that didn’t sell. So, how does one add a little creative twist on their wardrobe? I think I have a few DIY places to start. Enjoy!

Dip Dye White Denim Shorts at P.S. – I Made This

Whole Living shows the recycled T-Shirt Necklace

And a fun Ruffle Shirt tutorial at Tea Rose Home

Inspired by Maroon 5

(A little backwards today –  Day 17: Sing.  Sing a song… make it simple to last your whole life long!  How did that feel?)

I’m so excited to see Maroon 5 this week. So. Excited. Missed them in October, so I made sure I bought tickets early when I found out they were making another stop here. My kids are looking forward to it, too – so much so that we’re jamming along to the albums and practicing on Band Hero.

So, yes, my husband and I are taking them to the concert. It’ll be fine, it’s outdoors… the weather is supposed to be fantastic. I’m just a little worried that they’ll be too tired and miss the songs they want to hear, or the little guy will miss seeing Adam Levine in person. You can’t imagine how angry Ollie gets. Let’s just keep our fingers crossed.

Day 16: Do you create best when your emotions are high?  Do you turn to creative endeavors when you are sad, angry, or just filled with joy?

I used to think I created best under pressure. It’s just that I finish projects under pressure, self-inflicted or not. Creating for me isn’t when emotions are high; inspiration seems pretty random for me. Whatever I’m feeling, when I create, I’m transported, distracted for a little while. I empty my head, and fill my heart. Does that make sense? Then I finish, and voila! – I return to my routine.

So I offer my Maroon 5 inspired art. Music moves me… what better way to get in a creative mood than to immerse myself in their albums? Try it sometime. Listen to your favorite artists and create. Maybe you already do.

Can you guess which songs inspired which pieces? (Click on the thumbnails to zoom.)

All Tangled Up, the “Monster” and last little inchie (number 7)… really like those.

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