Sometimes, out of the clouds... a ray of sunshine finds its way directly to you...
The sweet Little Men & Co. (as in my daughter) surprised me with an unexpected dose of sweetness yesterday afternoon. I love how the French Peas managed to use polka dots... they could not have known how much Amanda loves polka dots. But, I do.
I shared dinner with an amazingly creative group of women last night. A group that, for the most part, have known each other for years... and have clearly embraced and claimed creativity as a God given part of their natures. The discussion centered around what you do when your creative juices dry up... how do you get going again... and can you be creative on-demand. It was interesting to listen to each of their unique ways of BEING creative and keeping it going. One commonality I noted was that most of them grew up in homes where creativity was embraced and nurtured. My best take away was that my Little Men and Little Ladies have a good chance of embracing theirs. ;)
Though I struggle with identifying myself as creative, I believe the same lesson that served me in marathon training applies for me... it is just to get moving... take that first step... do something... anything. Occasionally, I'll end up with an entirely different outcome than I'd expected... and better than I'd imagined. Occasionally. ;)
And, on the flip side of that, certain ideas need time to ferment. Time for all the pieces to. fall. into. place. It's okay to wait on those... they will come! They will come.
What do you do to get your creative juices flowing? Do you have a hard time claiming creativity?
"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain as artist once he grows up."
~ Pablo Picasso
blessings ~ tanna
32 comments:
The polka dot ribbon just screams CUTENESS!! Isn't it precious when our family gives back love to us? You know who gets my juices a flowin♥ Blessings.
oh my, I do not have a creative or artistic bone in my body. It really is hard for me. I usually stick with very simple and basic things to feed my creative hunger. And a lot of times I do recreate something I've seen. What a beautiful and sweet floral arrangement. I know it has blessed your heart.
What a sweet surprise for you! Love the arrangement, ribbon and the pot! Just too precious. As you know I took a break from painting and it's been hard to get back to it, but I started back 2 wks ago. The class is full, around 24 of us all ages and levels! It's at the Sr Ctr here in town, and the ages vary from 50s to 80s! There is so much energy in that room. I love looking over and being in awe of a person's painting. I think what I've really enjoyed the most in the last few years is watching a new painter develop their skills and be amazed at what they can do! So happy knitting and I think it's about time I hear a painting story from you my dear!
oh how special and what a surprise for you. I love it.
This is a motivational post. Thank you Tanna because I struggle all the time with my inactivity in the creativity dept. (Hey! That would make a good post title) I want so much to get back into artistic endeavours but I use working full-time, age & after work fatigue as an excuse.
Picasso was right. I was a wonderful artist & creative to the nth degree through high school. I changed from an Art major to a Lit major my 2nd year of college. Hated being graded on my work. It killed my confidence and willingness to explore. I could play piano by ear as a child but the piano teacher made me play the music verbatim from the sheets. She did not appreciate nor allow improvisation. Can you imagine? I could go on and on but I may use this as a springboard to my own post.
Thanks Tanna!
Love love the beautiful sunflowers-- I'm always attracted to them----
You ARE amazingly creative and talented my friend. I'd love to have just half of your ability to knit and create so beautifully. I'm always so excited to see everything that you create:)
Vicki
What a beautiful blessing! enjoy them!!!
a sweet gift.
i have a hard time starting a drawing and even with a 'deadline' of a giveaway coming up on my blog, i sometimes really have to push myself to get into it. once i do, i usually don't have trouble. it is the first effort... as you said - that first step.
Love the polkadots and sunflowers! What a lovely surprise! I find it hard to grasp that you have trouble with creativity. I certainly have found myself feeling a little more creative now that life has finally slowed a bit for me. Less rushing, more quiet, more energy, and it flows better, but that's me. IT sounds like a wonderful evening and a wonderful group of friends with a commonality!
I have always embraced my creativity. I know it was because my parents started me on piano and art lessons as a child. Then as I was a bit older my mother began to teach me all kinds of needlework, except knitting. How I wish she had known how to knit! Or crochet! These days I divide my time among all kinds of embroidery, including cross stitch, drawing, especially portraits of people and furbabies, and making beaded jewelry. I totally LOVE being creative, morning, noon and night!! My problem is only finding enough hours in the day!
Hugs~
Going to my favorite knit shops, getting together with my local knit friends and seeing their knitting usually inspires me. If my joy of knitting is really gone, I am in a bad bad way.
Its funny my family did not foster creativity as such. My sister the Vet is very creative. I consider myself creative too. I recall teachers calling me creative so I thank them now. I was a good writer from the get go and I loved to read. Perhaps that is where it came from>..
I don't really think of myself as being creative, which always makes everyone laugh when I say that, but it's true.
I just kind of go with the flow. When I write, it's effortless, the characters just start and before I know it my fingers have typed it all out...effort less. If only my knitting were so easy.
Crochet is something I adore, but I follow patterns, so I guess that isn't very creative, or is it? Not sure.
The flowers are so lovely...the first thing I thought of when I saw them was I wanted to draw them, then paint them...I hope you will paint them in watercolors...they would be so lovely.
Blessings always sweet friend.
I am not too creative - I don't know if I had any when I was born and lost it or just never had any or maybe it is yet to come! sandie
So sweet and I must say "French Peas" really did a great job.
Oh my....the problem I have with creative juices is not so much in getting in to the creating, it's having the confidence to believe that what I do just might be good. I can't tell you how many times I have discouraged myself, simply because I wasn't confident enough to let others see what I have done.
Hang in there....you are one talented lady and I admire the things that you do.
blessings,
Shug
I love sunflowers...your daughter is very thoughtful....I love that saying...Hotrod and I had art time today...painting...I love to watch him paint...
I love polka spots, too!
Creating is part of who I am. I get grouchy if I don't create regularly. Sometimes it is just creating a cute tag or note for someone and sometimes it is bigger.
I don't like to create on demand as much and don't think my best work is ever done then.
I didn't use to like to create to make money, but recently God told me I should make some extra money to feed his sheep and so, since creating is what I do, I am creating to sell and make money to feed his sheep...not a bad gig. OK. Way too long a response...sorry. :-) Love, d. and ps...anyone who can create shawls like you and water colors like you IS creative...silly girl.
What a darling and precious surprise, but even better than that would be to have a daughter so in tune to your feelings. What a blessing.
Hugs and Blessings, Trudy
Hi Tanna! Thanks for your sweet comments! Sounds like YOU are being creative, too - yarn-works? or painting? Inquiring minds want to know!
I love French Peas, don't you?!
Hi Tanna
That was a lovely flower arrangement form your daughter!
It seems my creativity involves cooking and photography these days. I use to do needlewotk and draw and paint when I was younger, but when the children came along I did less and less. I always say I'm going to take up my paint brushes again but never seem to find the free time t devote to doing art. I'm happy with capturing beauty with my camera, however. There is lots of beauty in Colorado!
I love your pretty sunflowers! What a sweet gift! I don't think I've been all that creative lately and need to get back into creating something besides a fine mess around my house. Haha! To that end, I'm going to be taking an extended blog break. I'll post about it possibly tomorrow. Take care and enjoy your autumn!
I wish I had been there to hear that discussion, creativity is an amazing gift, we all have it but not all of us can access it. I need to get my knitting skills back, they seemed to have left me recently. Did you all talk about that?
Love your beautiful flowers,
Meredith
What is it about sunflowers!? So perfectly named...those will bring you smiles for days and the memory forever. Sweet Amanda...to do that...wonderful.
I love that Tanna, I missed y'all so the other evening! I too have a hard time deeming myself creative. It usually takes something to inspire me. Many times its you or other friends and something beautiful they have created. And I do find once I get started things snowball. One idea leads to another...Thankful for you friend...keep sharing!
Great post, Tanna! Loved those flowers, too.
Sometimes I feel like my creativity seems to wax and wane. So at times, I just sit back and wait for it to get flowing again. xo Laura
What a sweet surprise for you!Greetings, RW & SK
I don't think of myself as being particularly creative, mostly I make a lot of messes! But, in comparison to most of the women I know, I do make a lot of messes trying to come up with something that I can consider to be beautiful.
Hugs, Cindy
Oh, what a sweet, sweet bouquet. You are so very blessed, Tanna! It surprises me to hear you say you struggle with identifying yourself as creative since that is just how I see you...VERY creative! I agree with the idea that just showing up...just doing SOMETHING is a huge part of cultivating (or stirring up) creativity. Have a blessed week! xo, janice
Your daughter is a jewel!
Oh this post is for me...because if I am not creative I start to dry up. Right now I need to find the time so I don't dry up. Thanks so much for the inspiration, what a wonderful group to have.
oh, yes, yes, yes!! I was just having this very conversation with a friend yesterday....I sort of liken myself to a copy-ist...those who can accurately copy 'master works' for posters, etc. (as opposed to the forger.....oh, please don't let me be a forger!!! and infringe on copyright!!!) :) I can copy well----I'm less able to really 'create'. But I still enjoy what I do....and I think that's most important!
Dear Tanna, Sometimes it is difficult and I just feel like I am running and running. I know He is running along side me and that is my comfort.
I have not felt that creative. I think I must work on confidence.
You are wonderful and very creative and inspiring. Blessings, Catherine xo
I'm in a creative rut at the moment. Happens ever so often. The bug will hit me again at some point and I'll start creating. My boss was just saying today that his wife tells him everyone can draw, everyone is an artist. He doesn't believe that. As with everything, it must be nurtured. Being with likeminded creative individuals sure does help get those juices flowing. :) Best wishes, Tammy
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