Category Archives: Craft

Creativity & Talent

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Wow, I just spent the morning looking through about 100 portfolio’s of all sorts of talent and creativity. Some of it was very good, inspiring or interesting at least. Some of it I passed over quickly because it didn’t appeal to my eye or my mind in any way. That doesn’t mean it was bad art, just not my taste. (Sometimes it was bad.) The process of doing this helped me realize some important life lessons about creativity & talent.

  1. Creativity and talent are abundant because they are basic to human nature. Some may have a talent for math and science and others have talent in some form of art.
  2. Creativity relates to how inventive, productive and flexible we are with that talent.
  3. Talent does not equal success, nor does creativity. To be successful your creativity and talent have to be focused in a direction that will provide something that people need or want enough to pay for it. Thus the “starving artist” syndrome.
  4. Success is simply being able to offer something of value in return for being able to support your life (and your children if you choose to have them). In other words, not living an unproductive and irresponsible life that has to be supported by others (if you are a person who is mentally & physically capable of supporting yourself). Success does not necessarily mean becoming a millionaire, it simply means to achieve your goals in life while being self-sufficient.
  5. In order not to become a “starving artist” you have to be realistic about your creative abilities & your talent, and find the market for them. If the market for what you do does not bring adequate income, you will have to find an additional source of income or change what you do.
  6. Life is complicated and challenging and requires a lot more qualities than creativity and talent. Perseverance, determination, confidence, sacrifice, hard work, planning, networking, relationship skills, and the ability to keep learning are all equally important to ones success in life.
  7. A practical skill that uses your talent & creativity is more marketable than your artwork. Only successful people buy art and they usually buy it from successful artists, or dead artists.
  8. No one has to give up on creating beauty or exercising their talent, it can always be something one does for pleasure rather than money.

Thursday Favorite Things Hop

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I’m really excited to be co-hosting the Thursday Favorite Things Hop this week. It’s a fun hop I’ve been participating in for a couple months, meeting new friends, and getting lots of creative ideas. There’s always something new to discover at Katherine’s Corner, good food, good people, creativity; what more could you want? Please join us this week!

Thursdays Favorite Things Hop is where you can link your favorite post to share with old and new followers, or write a post about your favorite things!

Here are the rules, yes there are rules. But just a few:

  • You must follow Katherine’s Corner. Through Email, Linky Followers, Google Plus, or RSS and my blog, ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Create A Beautiful Life (If you’re a new follower, please let us know before you start hopping. )
  • Leave a sincere comment when you follow so we all know you stopped by.
  • No adult content blogs.
  • Blogs only please.
  • Follow as many other blogs in the list as you can. Just click and go.

Now hop on and share your favorites. If you’d like to post this blog hop on your page please just grab the linky code. Or if you would like to be a co-host please contact Katherine
*participants who link up will be sent weekly reminders of this wonderful hop*

Please grab the hop button to share with others, you can copy and paste the image with a link to KatherinesCorner.com OR grab the code from Katherines Corner it’s on her right sidebar.
It’s always nice to have the hop button on your post. But it IS NOT mandatory.

(Please go to Katherine’s Corner to join the hop for now.)

My Favorite Things Post

Create The Day – With Organization

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Yes, I’m trying to get organized, again. I find that organization is something ongoing and it is definitely a big part of being creative. Lack of organization can slow creativity down; it can even bring it to a grinding halt.

There are two kinds of organization that I usually have to deal with, and if either area is a mess it becomes a roadblock to progress. The first is organization of my thoughts and mental projects. The second is organization of the physical things in my life. These two broad categories cover just about everything.

As I am moving into a new stage of life where young children are not the center of everything I do, a lot of reorganization is needed. It begins with mental reorganization; creating new thought patterns and priorities. However, there’s an awful lot of physical stuff that just seems to collect when you’re raising a family. It can be overwhelming.

However, with my desire to creatively take charge of my life and move forward with new possibilities, I decided to start in the living room. The Feng Shui had become stagnant and the dust bunnies of winter were making nests so I determined to make a change.

It took 2 weeks of thinking about it before I could make any changes. Then it took 2 days of moving shelves, the desk and a computer, getting rid of unnecessary stuff and cleaning. It’s not that the room was a mess, it wasn’t really, but the computer next to the TV was really bothering me, and there were too many books that we didn’t need. I also needed to find a way to store my photo albums.

The living room was just a start that led to some dining room changes, and will continue to some kitchen changes. It’s step by step, but with each step I feel free to be even more creative. Physical organization effects mental organization, and mental organization will help physical organization. You might say they are like two sides of a coin.

During these past few weeks of getting organized I also came in contact with Candy from Finding Order In Chaos and Order Your Steps. Before visiting her blog and website I had only thought about organization as something we just need to do every now & then to make life look, feel and work better. Her work made me realize that organization really is creative activity, and some people have a greater talent in that area than others. So, if I lived in the DC area I would be calling her and saying, “Come on over, I need some expert help.”

I guess I’ll just have to do it myself. It’s coming along, room by room, mental file by mental file. Slowly but surely I will create something new and good.

Mom

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My mom is one of the most compassionate people I know, not in a gushy or weepy way, but in a very practical way. Right after high school she went to nursing school and became an RN. She took care of people her whole life.

By the time I was 3 she decided she should stop working and take care of her family, which she did very well. However, she never stopped doing things for others. She was a girl scout leader and belonged to the Jaycee‘s, she volunteered for Meals on Wheels, and was always doing things for neighbors as well as strangers. Sometimes I wondered how my parents knew so many people, and how they met these people who needed help.

By the time I was 14 she had decided to go back to work. She renewed her licence and went to work at the emergency room. Later she became a private duty nurse for several years, and after that she became a Hospice nurse. In order to do that she had to take special classes about death and caring for those who are dying and their families. I was amazed that she could do that type of work, and she did it for almost 20 years.

After retiring, she took a seasonal job as a camp nurse. I think she did that for about 10 years. Mom was a hard worker and always busy. When she wasn’t working her hobbies were gardening and making cards for people. She was a crafty person, doing paper crafts and stamping, even making paper, but her cards were the best. When I was younger she also did a lot of sewing and knitting, making my clothes and making afghans for everyone.

How did she have the time and energy I often ask myself? Everyone loved my mom because she was always serving others or helping in some way. My dad was a Mason and Mom belonged to Eastern Star, and they were very active with these groups from their late 40′s well into their 70′s. When I think of the life my mom & dad created together I think of beauty, goodness, love and compassion.

Now my dad has passed away and Mom (almost 80) has Alzheimer’s disease and severe osteoporosis. She is bent over and twisted, walks with a limp and has a great deal of difficulty making cards these days. Yet, she called this morning to ask me to tell my boys that she didn’t forget their birthdays, and that she is a little slow but she is working on their cards. She forgets a lot of things, and the cards might not make it to the mail, but she is still trying so hard to care for others.

In 2009 my brother hired a yard service for my mom’s garden out of fear that she would try to do too much herself. She had been getting some help for a few years but she would always go out and work in the garden too, even though It had become dangerous for her. The yard service did a great job and she was so happy with the result that she asked me to come and take pictures, so I did. The following year I made a collage for her birthday, hoping it would keep her happy through the winter and give her hope for the coming spring.

You never know how your garden will bloom, especially in New Hampshire, so I was glad I could preserve this memory for her. It was the least I could do for my mom, one of the most compassionate people I know.

Create The Day – With Love!

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Of course, what else would you expect today?

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Go ahead and link up your lovely Valentine posts, or anything that expresses love to you.

Here’s Mine For You

(It opens in a new page and Mr. Froggy doesn’t know how to count, so just click the froggy face & add your link. Thank You!)


Tote #2

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So here is my latest bag, but I haven’t found buttons yet, so it’s not quite done.

It’s big enough to be an art tote, you could put sketch pads, paint brushes and all your other gear in it. It could also work as a diaper bag, I would have used it for that back in the day when I was there. It’s big enough for a laptop but it’s not really padded, it is strong though. The straps are reinforced under the pockets, and the bottom seam is also reinforced.  I think it could also be a great bag for a student who’s not into backpacks.

I’m really happy with the pockets on the back.

It’s like a pocket in a pocket. I like the fabric combination on this one, but I don’t need a bag this big at this time in my life. Maybe I’ll sell it. I wonder what I should charge?

The perfect bag for anyone you know? At one time in my life it would have been just right. For now, I’m still working on my perfect bag design. Maybe next time.

 

Evolution of a Bag (or two)

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I had to get away from the computer for awhile.

I was tired, but feeling the need to make something. For a long time I have been thinking about making a bag, a tote, or a purse of some sort. I have this struggle with purses, they are either too big or too small, too many pockets or too few, never the right color with the right style, too expensive or just unappealing. I’ve been dreaming of the perfect handbag for a long time. Does it exist?

So I decided to make a bag with a pattern I’d bought in the past, and fabric I’ve collected over the years. Hmmm…. here were some of my choices. Actually, the red flowers with grey background I didn’t find until later, that was the problem I ran into, not finding a compatible lining & contrasting material.

I’m not good at following directions, not because I can’t read them, it’s just that there’s random alternate ideas running through my head. This pattern called for fusible fleece between the lining & the outer material. I didn’t have any so I thought I would use a heavy material like denim instead. The only denim I could find was too worn and the pieces wouldn’t be big enough. I was determined to make a bag though, no matter what. I just wanted to complete a sewing project.

As I looked around the room (my daughter’s bedroom which doubles as our craft room) I noticed something at the bottom of the stairs. “What is that nice, dark tan, heavy-looking material?”, I thought, “I didn’t know I had material like that.” When I picked it up I realized it was the top flap I had cut off of an old canvas sleeping bag. The sleeping bag my son won’t part with because it’s so comfy. Anyway, I had washed it and put it on the stairs to the attic (aka: craft room) and forgotten about it.

It was soft & strong. The color was perfect I thought, but that’s when I had the problem finding a lining material that would tie things together. So I started going through all my material and decided to go in a different direction, with autumn colors. Easy for now, i can make something more challenging later.

Of course I have to do things the hard way, changing ideas as I go. I decided to make upper & lower pockets instead of having all the pockets at the bottom. My lining is a little too floppy because of not using the fusible stuff. I like having a light color inside the purse though, so you can see when you look in. This kind of looks like entering a cave.

It was kind of an experiment by this time. I really wasn’t being too picky or careful about anything because I just wanted to do it. I have not done much sewing for a long time because it causes pain in my neck & shoulder. I did this project on and off for 3 days to deal with the pain.

When I finished it I felt it still needed something. I showed my husband and he said it needed some trim at the top. He was absolutely right. Ideally it would have been better to do that earlier in the process, but I made it work anyway.

As I went through this process I realized this would not be the perfect bag because it is really just a tote. A tote is good at times, but sometimes you want a zipper or flap so the top is not open for anyone to reach into. This is supposed to have a snap at the top in the middle, but I’m not sure how I feel about that. It was a good learning experience anyway, and I think it’s really cute.

What do you think? Would you buy a bag like this?

This is a small tote. It gave me ideas for a bigger tote, one that could carry a small laptop or a drawing pad or knitting stuff. I think I wont put pockets inside the bigger one, but maybe I’ll put pockets on the back. I’m sure I won’t follow the pattern exactly, so maybe I’ll even change the straps and make a flap.

I like the soft canvass and I like coordinating materials, so here we go again, I’ve already started cutting fabric for the next one.

Eventually one day I’ll design the perfect bag, maybe. I don’t like changing bags all the time, but I wonder if it’s possible even, to make one handbag that is fun & funky but versatile enough to use almost all the time? What do you think?

Hair Feathers

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I’m interested in this new fashion of wearing feather’s in the hair, but it’s not really new is it? I used to wear feathers in my hair when I was a teenager back in the early 70′s (I’m dating myself, aren’t I?) But we used to just braid them in. Now they’re on chains with clips.
Funny how fashions go round and round like this. My daughter made these just before going back to college. Everybody’s wearing them. In my day only the really hip counter culture people like me wore them. The “artsy, I’m not afraid to be different” type people. Now it’s a mainstream fad.

Fascinating how things change and stay the same as well. If you know of other things that have changed & stayed the same tell me about it. Leave a comment.

Fabulous Fabric Forms

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A month or so ago I stumbled upon this incredibly creative fabric artist. We have 2 things in common – a love of fabric and origami. She has beautifully accomplished what I have been attempting to do, combine the 2 crafts into one. So I invited her to send me photos & her thoughts so I could post this:
The Artist Thandar says:
“I recently discovered Japanese Kanzashi (geisha hair ornaments made out of fabric). For me, combining my love of fabric and origami, this is the best of both world. I started out my digging into my friends’ mom’s fabric basket over the thanksgiving weekend. I gave up the idea of sleep even after the turkey. Since then, I have been researching and practicing my so called “fabric Origami” skills. Its been almost one year. The more I play with this, the more I over it. I found myself completely addicted.”
I’m glad she’s addicted to her craft. Find her on Etsy: http://www.mycraftloft.etsy.com

Can You DIY?

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I’ve been trying to convince my daughter to do some DIY’s. She said it’s hard for her to think in terms of steps, how to break it down, because her mind doesn’t think that way. Sometimes I think her mind must be like a tornado. Here are some recent things that came together through the whirlwind.

The good news is, she has created her own blog, so as soon as she finds time to post we’ll connect to that. Perhaps I’ll end up doing the DIY breakdown after the act.

Hand Made Girl

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If there was ever a hand made girl it is my daughter. She whipped up this shirt adaption between yesterday & today. The earrings she had already made before.
She loves to make all the gifts she gives too.

I just loved this shirt and had to show it off.

I wish I could put my ideas into action as fast as she does. I think too much and plan too much and have trouble finishing things. She just does it, whatever pops into her head. How do you create? Does it take a long time & a lot of planning or do you just dive in and see what happens?

Jazzy’s Jewels

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My daughter Jasmine likes to make jewelry. She has been selling it mostly to support causes she believes in. These are just a few items, more will come later. She sells the earrings for $15 per pair, the necklace is also $15, and these prices include shipping. You can order by leaving a comment. I always read the comments.

Women love earrings. I can never have too many earrings (especially with a daughter who borrows them). I can do without a necklace or bracelet, but I feel naked without my earrings. Why do we love earrings so much?

One funny thing she told me is that she enjoys creating new designs, so sometimes she makes one earring but loses interest in completing the set. I thought I might help her out with that by following her design to complete the second piece, that way I would also be learning. She liked that idea, but we haven’t started yet.

What piece of jewelry can you not do without?

Summer’s End

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For some people summer may evoke memories of lazy days as a child idling the time away, flying kites & riding bikes, going to the park or the beach, or hanging out with friends.

kite card

Kite at sunset

Oh wait, that was me as a kid. Summer was really hot (in Florida), we competed for the best tan. But we spent the strongest sunshine hours from noon to 3 PM indoors in the air conditioning. Hanging out, doing crafts or reading. Outdoor activities were best in the morning or late afternoon & evening. It didn’t get dark until 9 PM. Anyway, in Florida you have access to the same outdoor activities year round, so why risk dehydration and skin cancer in the summer?

New England is so different. I first moved up here in the summer and I couldn’t understand the mad rush to the lakes, parks & bar-b-ques on the weekends. It was a mad rush all summer with happenings everywhere. It didn’t make sense to me. Then there was the mad rush to get ready for the new school year and sports, and finally a big bash for Labor Day weekend. “What’s the big deal?” I thought. Seasons, it was about seasons.

I didn’t know much about seasons, how they affect lifestyle, mood, expectations. It took along time to get used to it too. People who are born or grow up in a place with 4 seasons

ripening blueberries

ripening blueberries

will naturally adapt & prepare for what’s coming. They also anticipate the benefits of each season more than someone who is used to a less changing climate.

One of my favorite end of the summer activities in NH is picking ripe blueberries, on a mountain, on an island on the lake, and now in Mom’s back yard. Another favorite is being early for back to school sales. Being early is the key, being late is a disaster. Now it’s back to college for my daughter. Preparing for the new year at college can be a lot less expensive. By this time your kids are much more aware of what they need and don’t need. They can also take a lot of the stuff they already have, and if they’ve been working, they can pitch in & help with the expenses.

apron

colorful apron

So this year, as my daughter’s room will be in a house with a common kitchen that she is so looking forward to using, I decided to make a special gift. I must admit I made it from a kit and the kit was on sale (at Hobby Lobby) but I couldn’t resist. I knew she would love it.

Now, she’s busy getting the little things, cleaning up her room at home and packing. Spending a little more mommy/daughter time and time with friends, while preparing for & anticipating what Autumn will bring. Preparing and anticipating, we do a lot of that as parents too. I guess you could say it’s a very big part of life. So perhaps growing up in a place with seasons has it’s benefits, understanding that life is always changing and there are things we can do to prepare, and every season has it’s highlights.

What’s your favorite season and what do you like most about it? Are you from a place where climate & geography made your life very different from what it is now?

Genetics of the Messiness

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I was visiting my mom yesterday and realized how similar our messiness is.

I guess it runs in the family. I have to say though, that she is a lot more organized than I am, but then again, she collects a lot more stuff than I do. She packs it all away in boxes & drawers, file cabinets, shelves & closets. I could never remember where everything is if I had that much stuff (I think she is beginning to forget where it all is too).

Now every time I visit the table is covered with the most used items, the most recent projects, and the current stacks of want-to-do’s & will-get-to’s. Unfortunately it’s getting harder & harder for her to do her craft projects due to arthritis, osteoporosis, as well as memory & concentration issues, basically old age. (Oh would she be mad if she read that!)

Too many things to do and so little time. That is life, that’s my mom, that’s me, and that’s my daughter too. We have so many ideas, inspirations, plans, projects, but we just can’t get to it all. Make priorities, yes. Make lists, plan, eliminate, accomplish what’s most important. Yes, we do all that, but we still want to do more. Someday we will.

Another genetic trait that runs through the 3 generations is being a helper type of person & doing all this stuff to give gifts. If we could have been paid for all this mess we’ve created we would be rich. Oh well, we like to think of ourselves as rich in other ways. It’s what we do, we like to create even if it makes a mess. Eventually it all gets sorted out and finds it’s rightful place.