Creative and Spiritual Discernment

"There's the rub, for me—I see creative and spiritual possibilities in so much of what others would quickly cast of [...] wherever I go, whatever I look at, there is a part of me, a filter, that discerns whether or not it could be useful for crafting—spiritually oriented crafting."

Maggie Oman Shannon, Crafting Calm: Projects and Practices for Creativity and Contemplation

An Hour a Day

Over the years I have shared that I am writing a novel. What I have written is sprinkled throughout numerous files and notebooks. Last week, I created a strategy to finish my manuscript.

1. Evernote: Evernote is an amazing organizing app. Unlike Pinterest, which feels like traveling down the rabbit hole, Evernote helps me focus. The application is available for computers, smartphones, and tablets, and it syncs between all three. If you don't use Evernote yet, try it. You'll thank me.

2. An hour a day: This goal is flexible. Honestly, I will be happy if I spend 15 minutes a day writing. And if I spend 2 hours writing, I exceed my goal!

3. Feedback: I find it difficult to reach out for feedback. I am going step outside of my comfort zone and bug my writer friends who have told me to send them my writing.

I'm going to use the same principles into a Shimmering Star.


It only takes an hour a day!

Pegboard Cross Stitch

Several days ago I found an interesting idea: Pegboard Cross Stitch. Much like the wood cross stitch pendents or phone cases, the pre-drilled holes are used to stitch playful designs.

Here are a few examples pegboard cross stitch from Pinterest.

via Wills Casa; pinned in diy embroider

via Parolan Asema; pinned in diy embroider

via Thompson Family; pinned in diy embroider

via DESIGN my heart out; pinned in diy embroider

This DIY is perfect for wall art, and I have a lot of empty walls! I see at trip to my local hardware store in my future!

Focus is the Art of Letting Go

"Focus is narrowing on a single topic or task.  It is the art of letting go: what you decide not to do is as important as what you are doing." 

Scott Doorley, Make Space

She's Making Jewelry Now

While I was drinking coffee and reading blogs this morning I found a humorous clip from Portlandia:


Ah, the creative lifestyle.

I love Portlandia.

Cultivate

"If you're unable to cultivate happiness, satisfaction, and love along the way to your goal, what makes you think you'll be able to do it when you're finally there?"

Katherine Sise, Creative Girl: The Ultimate Guide for Turning Talent and Creativity into a Real Career

5 {DIY} Valentine's Day Inspirations

Nothing says "I < 3 You" like a handmade gift. Valentine's Day is days away, so here are five diy inspirations for last minute crafting.

52 Reasons Why I Love You via Little Grey Fox

Etched Valentine's Day Glass via Thistlewood Farm
 

Love Yarn Letters via My Sister's Suitcase 

Remember I Love You Hearts (guest blogged by I Go By Katie on Moorea Seal)

DIY Cross Stitch Heart Sweater via Uber Chic for Cheap

The best way to fight commercialism is to choose to celebrate Valentine's Day every day. You do not need a holiday to say "I love you."

A Clear Mind

Like many people I do not particularly enjoy the chore of cleaning. Yet piles of clothes and dishes are nagging reminders of what needs to be done. That is why Mondays are cleaning day.

I love crossing off my accomplishments. Organization makes me feel clear-headed, and the satisfaction of a clean home fuels my creativity.

And now I can take on the world.

Everyday Creativity

"Everyday creativity refers to a process which brings together at least one active human mind, and the material or digital world, in the activity of making something which is novel in the context, and is a process which evokes a feeling of joy."

David Gauntlett, Making is Connecting: The social meaning of creativity, from DIY and knitting to YouTube and Web 2.0

2013 Goals

I still don't like the connotation of New Year's Resolutions; too often people fail to fulfill or be realistic about what they set out to do. Therefore, my goals for 2013 are about being deliberate about how I live and see the world.

During 2013 I plan to:

Be creative. Blog. Craft. Write.
Pay off debt. I also plan to start saving money again.
Remove negative thoughts.
Downsize, organize, and make do with what I have. This includes crafting from my stash and restructuring my wardrobe.
Reopen Etsy shops.
Seek a healthy lifestyle.

The next year is full of possibilities; I look forward to participating in 2013.

Rag Basket

I want to organize my house with baskets. Since baskets are expensive, I decided to start crocheting them.

I used a size P/Q hook to improvise my rag basket. The yarn was made out of two full-sized sheets cut into 1 1/2 strips.

The pattern was improvised, but I plan to create and share a .pdf pattern.

The Power of Names

"If we do not have a word for something, we cannot imagine it, cannot discuss it, cannot think about it, and some people would even argue that if you can't name something, you can't experience it at all."

Heather Leach, Everything You need to Know About Creative Writing

Delicate

Rebel Writer

"Writing is rebellion, a defiance of the order of the universe."

John Rember, MFA in a Box: A Why to Write Book

A Sneak Peek

Putting my computer in the studio was a smart move. Once I am in my studio I feel inspired to make. When Matt visited the room this afternoon and said "It is very peaceful in here." And that is exactly what I need to create.

Here is a sneak peek of what I am working on:

Hint: It goes around the neck. And it will be listed in With Eyes Lifted soon.

Three Things Today

1. I should probably move my computer to my studio; I have gotten a lot done today because I brought it downstairs.

2. If you add apple cider to snickerdoodle mix it makes the cookies formless but delicious.

3. Sundays are perfect for a Community Marathon.

Sensitive

"Many introverts are also "highly sensitive," which sounds poetic, but is actually a technical term in psychology. If you are a sensitive sort, then you're more apt than the average person to feel pleasantly overwhelmed by Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" or a well-tuned phrase or an act of extraordinary kindness. You may be quicker than others to feel sickened by violence and ugliness, and you likely have a very strong conscience."

Susan Cain, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking

Lego Presevation

In 2009, 26-year-old Berliner Jan Vormann used legos to reconstruct buildings damaged during WWII. The result was colorful and organic artwork which he named "Dispatchwork".

The juxtaposition of brick and plastic is fascinating. More images can be found here.

Take Chances

Take Chances pinned in La Vie Boheme; via Pretty Stuff

Embrace Limits

Our limits have creative consequences. 

In his blog post, The Puzzle Joint, Seth Godin notes, "If you have a limit, perhaps it's worth embracing."

As they say necessity is the mother of invention. When we embrace our limitations, we give ourselves the opportunity to make do with what we have on hand.