Thoughts on Creativity

Today I read an article about creativity. It was an encouragement to realize that with all the images around us, not to mention our own mind (conscious and subconscious), there really is no reason for creative juices to "dry up." There were some practical tools: journaling, drawing, working in a inspiring place, working when you're at your best, being realistic about the time your personal creative process needs, etc. The tips were great and helped me refocus because I feel like I'm in a creative slump; which is really not what a designer (amateur as I am) wants to feel.

But in addition to that, I thought about a conversation I had with my pastor/boss and our creative director/my best friend where we talked about creativity being a God given need. That all creativity is a reflection of Jesus, whether we mean for it to or not, since we are made in his image. God is the ultimate creative genius: can you imagine coming up with everything out of nothing with no one but yourself for input? Of course, that's taking it to a human level, but still, God's creativity is astounding. And I know that he wants me to be creative because 1) I bring him glory when I act like him (and the person he made me to be) and 2) my creativity serves to create an atmosphere where lives are transformed. It is and will be a reminder that he will provide a way and that my inspiration comes from him.

All that to say, I got an awesome briefcase/file case from Goodwill today for $4 that is amazingly vintage and full of nerdy goodness. I wish I had a laptop (choose whichever OS you like best, that way I don't offend anyone!!) with CS4 on it to put in this bag and be creative everywhere I go. :D

Even better Tuesday Treasure

Today, instead of thrifting, I was able to bargain hunt with my two favorite girls. My best friend and her 7 month old daughter were in town for a doctor's appointment and so we went to Target. :)

Spending time with them is a far better past time, they are the most fun and I love them terribly. And I got new running shoes, which I needed. Desperately. I realized the ones I've been wearing I've had since my freshman year of college. In 2003. Yikes.

I did manage to hang up my plates over my desk, so I'll show you those.


And a little closer:

Tuesday Treasures

I blame my dad. Or maybe I blame his Italian grandparents. Either way, bargain hunting is in my blood and I love, love, love it.

Almost every Tuesday, I go in to work, then go to a small group Bible study, and then: Goodwill. Yippee skippee! :)

I've been wanting to be a better blogger and I realized that I could document the things I find on Tuesdays. And then when they get placed, hung up, painted, etc I can post those too. So without further ado.

This mirror was 7.99 but I had a 20% coupon so that makes it 6.40. I think I'll hang it next to my desk by my bookcase.

These Currier & Ives plates are missing winter, but I LOVED the colors and the subjects too. And at 1.99 a pop (1.59 with coupon) they were a steal.

Spring:

Summer:
Autumn:
This little guy is sooo cute! I want a boy like this in real life. :)


These hydrangeas came in a basket that I wasn't totally excited about, but I like them in this box. It's almost a hat box, but held a teapot I got for my birthday.


Don't you love this as a pencil cup? I've been wanting a sweet one for the office and I think this is just the ticket! 0.75!!

I've been slowly and surely collecting flower prints in goldy frames. I have 2 others: peonies, and geraniums. I am looking forward to putting them on the blank wall next to my bed. Hopefully, soon, I'll have a nice arrangement. 5.99 - %20 = 4.79


I also got this print (which is 16x20 and still in plastic) for 1.99 oh I mean 1.60! :) It may go with my others, if I find a frame for it. (you can't really see it but there is a tiny ladybug on one of the leaves!!)


My favorite part of Goodwill is going through the books and getting books to read for smokin prices! I love pretty books, but for 1.99 or less, I will go with a not as beautiful cover. Especially since I just want to read these ones. :)

Of course, one of those is definitely vintage and I love that my vintage children's book collection is slowly expanding!


And that little owl? Goodwill find a few months back. He may be my favorite find of all time. Such a cheeky little owl.


And there you have it. Today's Tuesday Treasures. :)

My recovery

I love this fun, flower chair that I got from Craigslist. What I didn't like was the worn out, red seat that didn't really match. Then I heard about a sale at an online fabric store and well...I ended up with lots of yards of fabric and some paper craft supplies. :) But I recovered the chair in a print that I think matches my room well.

Before:

After:

It was such a quick project, I almost wish I had a whole set to do! I love how it turned out!

Enjoying Some Free Time

Now that the month of Busy is one day away from being over, I find I have a little more free time. And free time is good! Free time means more projects as well as more time for her:

Isn't she beautiful! I am in love with my niece. :)

Free time also means that I finally *finished* my room. (I'm sure I'll make adjustments and add some things eventually, but this is what I had!)

My "library" that makes me happy. The bookcase was mine as a baby, the lamp was $5 at WalMart!!!

This is the print up close. :) Isn't it silly? from The Black Apple

My teensy bed turned sideways for maximum space. I also think it makes the space seem like a garden library since it's almost like a couch. ;) (All the pillows, shams, and sheets were clearance at some point, mostly from Target)

This cabinet is one of four pieces I got off Craigslist (cabinet, nightstand, desk, file cabinet) for $175!! All in good shape, all IKEA. This friend holds my Real Simple and Better Homes & Gardens magazines and all of my linens are inside the doors.

Another Black Apple print, isn't she cute? I want a red piano!

And my last Black Apple print. I love this one because the girl is so cute and reading (!) to her little friends.

All 3 of my Black Apple prints are in frames from the Dollar Store that I painted with acrylic paints that I bought on clearance from JoAnn awhile back. :)

This is my desk. I love having a real desk - there is so much space to write and do projects. I have a keyboard and mouse tray that needs to be installed, then I'll have even more space! (and I got that chair off Craigslist for $20! I need to recover it, but it's so whimsical!)

This little spot makes my heart happy every time I see it. I don't know why. :) I made the fleur de lis out of construction paper years ago and backed it with some mint and red toile. The lamp shade is from Goodwill, the ribbon was the packaging from my winter quilt. ;) (of which you can only see a corner, but it's a red bow)

Aren't these fellows fun? They're salt and pepper shakers! They came from a vintage shop Thrush and I just love them! I have a small bird theme throughout the room; they remind me of gardens, cottages, and stories. Some of my favorite things!

My room wouldn't be complete without the primary occupant. My faithful reading and snuggling companion, Banjo.

In Which a Girl Begins an Adventure

Now that I am a college graduate (excited!) I have been asked many times, "What are you going to do now?"

It would probably be clearer had I stayed in music education, because then I would say, upon receiving my music education degree, "I will be a music educator." Or if I had received a chemical engineering degree, I would say "I will engineer chemicals." But when your degree encompasses anything under the umbrella of ministry, there is a need for clarification.

I usually say, to those who inquire of my future plans, that I have 6 months left of my internship and from there I'll see if a place has been made for me at The Springs or if God will move me on. But my inside voice says, when asked (because my inside voice is polite and only speaks when spoken to), that my plans are simple: serve God with everything in me for the rest of my life.

I don't know where I'll be geographically in a year. I don't know if I'll have a paying job after January. I don't know very much at all. But I know without a doubt that I will be loving God and loving the world. And I couldn't ask for anything more.

Creativity Diverted

Confession: I just took a nap while watching "Return of the Jedi." I had to explain that to bring clarity to this next statement.


I started this blog with "delusions of grandeur." (hehe) I expected to be creating and working on paper crafts and sewing projects regularly. But, as is often the case, life began moving faster than I was. I started a new job and began my last semester of college at the same time. And most of my creative juices as well as creative energies have been poured into hundreds of pages of academic writing and multiple graphic design projects for the church. This is not bad, however, because I love what I do and I am very excited for this weekend...because...


I'm finally graduating from college!! I cannot believe it! It's been 6 years, but 2 majors and 4 colleges later (5 if you count the one class I took at Chandler-Gilbert) I am finally done! And I almost don't know what I will do with myself. I've been a student since I was 5 - which means it's been a huge part of my identity for almost 20 years. What will I be now? What will life be like without papers, assignments, deadlines, semesters, and endless reading? I'm excited, but unsure.


I trust God completely with my life and know that He has called me to serve Him and teenagers. And I know that my identity truly lies within His hands and I am His daughter. So now, I eagerly await this weekend and know that it is just another milestone in what will be an exciting life.

(And since this is a creative-ish post, I will leave you my most recent projects)


-tutoring @ NorthShore is the tutoring/afterschool program I am starting. It will be small through the summer and then start up officially in the fall.

-'send us' is the theme for our youth camp this summer. It is focusing on God's call for us to go, and do, and be His love and message to the world. (this is the front of the information flyer)