Clean Your Sink Become Enlightened

Creativity comes from looking for the unexpected and stepping outside your own experience. - Masaru Ibuka

Real Simple magazine recommended deep cleaning your kitchen sink as a step to being happier. I remember thinking "Really? Are they nuts?" Of course, this made me look at my sink, see how much it needed to be cleaned which caused the habit of deep cleaning it. It helped remind me that taking pleasure in the little things in life can make a difference especially if we look at every action as an act of creation. The little details in life especially if we change up routines can provide get motivation/confidence to create. If we live our lives believing that the possibility for inspiration exists in each moment and staying open to those possibilities, we can ignite new worlds within ourselves; a change in attitude.

Julie Sefton has been working through my creativity lessons and has been posting her efforts (photo provided) on her blog.  Check out what she has done for lessons 4 and 5. You won't be disappointed and hopefully it will provide you with inspiration. Thanks Julie!

How do you open yourself to inspiration? What small act/change have you made?

Word for the Year and Creativity Lesson 5

Do not wait until the conditions are perfect to begin. 

Beginning makes the conditions perfect. - Alan Cohen

Happy New Year! I feel we can restart our lives at any time but there is something about a change in year that provides a good time to start. I am someone who does make resolutions and even re-evaluates them and checks on progress.  Last year I wanted to work on awareness/mindfulness so one of my goals was to not have any library fines. I failed to the tune of $1.20 which my family does make fun of me for thinking of this as a failure. It's not about the money.

Anyway, my word of 2013 is "committed." Committed to:

-Using what I have instead of shopping,
-Living with intention,
-Being healthy and taking care of myself,
-Continuing to learn and challenge myself,
-Doing what I love,
-Playing,
-Simplifying,
-Seizing opportunities,
-Forgiving and releasing,
-Gratitude,
-Reaching out and sharing,
-Gaining understanding and embracing acceptance,
-Mindfulness,
-Being a good grandma,
-Being passionate!

Creativity Lesson 5

“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” William Shakespeare

“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.” Proverbs xxii 1

 

Assignment #5 – What’s in a Name?

In this assignment, we will explore our names and what they mean to us and other people. You will need to take some time to think about what your name means to you. Did you have a nickname as a child? Did you secretly wish you were named…? What is the meaning of your name? Do you have a namesake? 

 

Outing: Do something that you would never consider doing alone. Go to a movie. Eat out in a fancy restaurant, etc.  

 

Suggested reading:  Anonymous was a Woman by Mirra Bank

Creativity Class and Julie Sefton

Julie Sefton is sharing her thoughts on my creativity assignments on her blog today. Thanks Julie!

You can join in at any time. I encourage you to work through the assignments from beginning to end. It is especially important for you to do the assignments that you are resistive in any way. These assignments are offered freely for you to explore and enjoy. I'm here to support you in any way that I can.

I also hope that now Julie has shared her thoughts and work that it will encourage the rest of you to do the same. Make it a creative day! It's my plan.

Creativity Lesson 4: Sheild/Coat of Arms

Okay, I am in denial (Isn't that a river in Egypt?) about the fact that it is December. Afterall, I mowed my lawn and grilled yesterday! For those of you who are too busy to add this assignment to your to do list, it's okay. Do it next month. I'm not here to beat you up. I'm simply sharing and supporting you in your journey.

“The process of creation is a force moving through us, and only through practice do we learn how to cooperate with it.” Shaun McNiff

symbol: a material object representing, often something immaterial – Webster Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary

Assignment #4 – Shield/Coat of Arms

In this assignment, we will explore what we need to protect AND recharge our creativity.  You will need to take some time to think about the positive ways you protect and recharge your creative juices (time to get out your journal) then decide how to express it.  What shape is your shield? A circle? A hexagon? What needs to be on the shield? How about the color? In past, colors had very specific meaning. Green meant hope and loyalty in love. While Blue meant loyalty and red meant strength. Maroon meant patience. When you’re feeling a need to recharge what do you do? Hot bubble bath? Chocolate? Gardening? You get the idea. It can be as abstract as you want as long as you understand the meaning. 

Start looking: Find a quote, poem, book passage, or song lyric that moves you; that has meaning. When you find it, write it in your journal. You have some time so please don’t panic. Just be open. Can’t decide? It’s okay. Collect as many as you like.

 

Suggested reading: Trust the Process: An Artist’s Guide to Letting Go by Shaun McNiff

Creativity Lesson Three- Your Heart's Desire

“The heart that breaks open can contain the whole universe.” Joanna Macy

Yes, I now realize that yesterday was the first of the month. A part of me is simply in denial about the passing of time but I also have not been hearing much from people concerning the lessons and no one has shared any work with me so I thought maybe there wasn't real interest. I stand corrected. My only request is that you do share the work you are creating. It's good to be part of a community that supports your efforts. Happy creating!

Assignment #3 - Heart’s Desire

In this assignment, we will explore our heart’s desire by making a heart quilt.  You will need to take some time to think about just what you desire (time to get out your journal) then decide how to express it.  Maybe you want a great garden so use floral fabrics and other gardening things to show that desire. Maybe you want to be comfortable with color so make a colorful heart.  Maybe you want to take life more lightly so make a winged heart. Want more organization? You get the idea. It can be as abstract as you want as long as you understand the meaning.

Outing: Think about a place that expresses or helps you get to your heart’s desire. Go there. Make the time. This is important!

Suggested reading: My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok (novel)

                                    The Invitation by Oriah Mountain Dreamer

Creativity Assignment 2: Cup of Passion

“True Passion is intoxicating and invigorating, soothing and sensuous,

mysterious and magical.” Tazo Tea

“Passion is the spark that ignites the creative process.”

Assignment – Cup of Passion

In this assignment, you will create a quilt that shows all the things that you are passionate. Remember there are no rules. Start with your “cup.” Is it a teacup? A coffee mug? A martini glass? Is it made of china? Clay? Glass? Does it have a floral pattern?  Or is it deep blue? Does it have steam coming from it? Now fill your cup.  You can use a pattern or create one of your own. You can use any method you choose. You can staple if you wish! Have fun. Don’t be afraid.

Additional assignment: Make a list of five creativity traits that you wish to improve. Tomorrow I will share my list of creativity traits.

Suggested reading: Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway by Susan Jeffers

Free Online Creativity Class

Quite a few people have emailed me asking "what's next?" I decided I didn't want to offer another fabric challenge because it was time for something new. For years I taught a creativity class and more than 10 years ago I tried to get it published as a book (my students kept asking) but alas no one would publish it. I looked into self-publishing but didn't have the funds to do it. So I've decided to offer it here if there is interest. I'll post the assignments on the first of the month and you have a month to get it done. There is also suggested reading and excursions. I can post photos on my blog or link to yours so people can see what you have done. If there is enough interest, I'll post the first assignment on September 1 so leave a comment.