Story Supports Hope

"Story supports hope: it gives courage to fight when needed, laughter when the unexpected happens, and a kind of verbal sanctuary of wisdom to ponder in times of quiet."

Amy E. Spaulding, The Art of Storytelling: Telling Truths through Telling Stories

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!

Stories Come Alive in the Telling

"Stories were different, though: they came alive in the telling. Without a human voice to read them aloud, or a pair of wide eyes following them by flashlight beneath a blanket, they had no real existence in our world. They were like seeds in the beak of a bird, waiting to fall to earth, or the notes of a song laid out on a sheet, yearning for an instrument to bring their music into being. They lay dormant, hoping for the chance to emerge. Once someone started to read them, they could begin to change. They could take root in the imagination, and transform the reader."

John Connolly, The Book of Lost Things

Haunting Your Mind

"Stories you read when you're the right age never quite leave you. You may forget who wrote them or what the story was called. Sometimes you'll forget precisely what happened, but if a story touches you it will stay with you, haunting the places in your mind that you rarely ever visit."

Neil Gaiman, Introduction to M is for Magic

Feeling Joy

"Feeling blue is never an excuse for passing on a chance to feel joy."

Veronique Vienne, The Art of the Moment

Beautiful Spring

It is too nice of a day to sit at the computer. If you're experiencing the weather I am, I hope you get outside and enjoy it.

Summer is coming!

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

Explore the Darkness

"Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of the light."

Brené Brown, Ph.D., LMSW, The Gifts of Imperfection

As I've mentioned I am on a quest for positive. I first heard of Brené Brown's from Seth Godin's interview (The Art of Noticing and Then Creating) on the weekly radio show On Being with Krista Tippett. I find Seth's blog powerful, and I was curious to read someone he admires, so I put The Gifts of Imperfection on hold at the library (and hoped that it was not yet another feel good self-help book).

I am almost finished with the book, and I am not disappointed. As an ideas person I tend to think in the abstract. In her book Brené defines concepts such as authenticity, compassion, and wholehearted with concrete descriptions and scenarios.

Perfectionism destroys hope, love, and gratitude. Without them our lives feel meaningless, and we become numb and stuck in a cycle of fear. Brené reaffirms the need for meaningful connections and spirituality.

I am ready for the gifts of imperfection.

Briefly, So I Can Read Tonight

“A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge.”

George R.R. Martin, A Game of Thrones 

This weekend was hectic. I barely sat between work, cleaning, and entertaining family.

It's time to catch up on some reading!

Loved the Stars

via

The above image can be found on countless boards on sites such as Pinterest and Tumblr. It fits a Shimmering Star's aesthetic, so I shared it last year.

Yesterday, I could not remember the exact words of the quote so like a good library employee I googled the terms "loved the stars" and "Galileo." Imagine my surprise when I found out that Galileo never said it.

The lines are from Sarah Williams' poem, "The Old Astronomer:"

Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light;
I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.

If I learned one thing from the many papers I wrote in college, citing sources is important. The internet breeds myths, and we need to make sure we do our part to keep it as accurate as possible.

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."

The Presence

"Walking the stacks in a library, dragging your fingers across the spines--it's hard not to feel the presence of sleeping spirits."

Robin Sloan, Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore

Connected

"We all want to connect with other human beings in such a way that they'll remember us and perhaps share our legacy with others."

Lee Gutkind, You Can't Make This Stuff Up: The Complete Guide to Writing Creative Nonfiction--from Memoir to Literary Journalism and Everything in Between

My New Favorite Pen

When you are a writer you must choose your materials carefully. Your notebook has to be the right dimensions, and your pen has to all for the quick transfer of your ideas to the page.

As a left-handed writer, I need a pen that writes smoothly yet dries quickly. Gel pens tend to smear, and do not let me write small enough. Most ball point pens tend to have cheap construction, the ink fades in and out, and they do not seem to last as long as they should.

I have finally found my perfect pen: the Zebra F-301.

image via Zebra

Meijer carries the 2-pack of Zebra F-301 pens for around $3.50. The Zebra F-301 fine point (.07) is perfect for my small handwriting, and the ink does not smear. The pen is made out of steel, so it is practically indestructible. And best of all it is refillable!

Now I need to find the perfect notebook.

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