five ways to get your creativity flowing

I find myself slacking in the creativity department at times and I need a little help getting back on track. So I've come up with a list of ways to spark my creativity when it's running low that I'd like to share with you....

1. Read. Reading anything, whether it be a book, a magazine, a blog... reading gets the wheels in my head turning, which usually leads to some pretty creative thoughts. Here are a few of my favorite books to read when I need some inspiration (some I've mentioned before, but some are new).

love these books!

• The Handmade Marketplace by Kari Chapin
• Wreck This Journal by Keri Smith
• The Happy Book by Kempster & Leder
• Craft INC Meg Mateo Ilasco
• 365: A Daily Creativity Journal by Noah Scalin
• The Creative License by Danny Gregory
• The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women by Gail McMeekin

There's 2 more that I love that I bought on my Kindle....

• The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin (she has a great website!)
• 29 Gifts by Cami Walker (love her website, too!)

2. Carry a sketchbook and pen/pencil in your purse... you never know when a creative idea will pop in your head so make sure you write it down before your mind moves on to the next thing and your creative idea is lost. (which seems to happen to me often!) I sketch ideas for paintings, practice writing quotes and lyrics in different fonts, and sometimes I just doodle (which usually leads to a painting!) I have a small sketch book that fits in my purse, a large one that stays on the shelf in my living room bookshelf for easy access, and another small one on the night stand beside my bed (along with my kindle and Living Off The Grid).

bedside necessities

3. Never leave home without your camera. I don't use my camera every day but you can bet that the few times I've left it at home I've missed out on a perfect photo op! I found the perfect purse that has two small pockets on the inside... one for my phone and the other for my camera. I'm not very good and don't have a clue about technical aspects of taking pictures but I still like doing it.

4. Have an organized work space. I don't really have a 'work space' but I do have a tiny corner of our spare bedroom reserved for all my craft things. I try to keep it as tidy as possible because if I get easily frustrated if I can't find what I'm looking for. Sometimes I'll be outside or watching TV or reading a book when creativity hits  me and I feel the need to immediately get the thought from my head onto paper/canvas, etc. Knowing where everything is helps me to grab what I need and head to the kitchen table to start creating.

a girl can never have too much paint!

pretty cups organize my brushes, pencils, pens and markers

my 'work space'

5. Surround yourself with inspiration. I used to tuck away all my paintings, not wanting anyone to see them until they're finished. Well... I've learned that with paintings, sometimes they're never finished. Almost all of my paintings are hanging in the living room, dining room, hallway and spare room.

living room wall

dining room wall

By seeing them all the time I am constantly thinking about the next phase. The only downfall of this for me is that by displaying them is just begging for feedback or questions. I hate being asked what it's going to look like when it's done, because usually I don't have an answer. I really don't like being told what I should do next, unless of course it's a custom order and then I love being giving direction so that I can make sure it turns out exactly like the persons vision in their head.

Another source of inspiration is a little collection of gifts from my girlfriends. Each was thoughtful and hand picked for me from a dear friend, which makes them not only inspiring but unique.

The pretty bird wine glass is from Diana (so was Wreck This Journal... thanks katty!)
The box under the glass was a gift from Katie. It's a set a note cards & envelopes with a pen inspired by Eat, Pray, Love.
The pretty friendship sign was a gift from Amber... and is absolutely totally true!
The little ceramic mask was a gift from Miranda and she got it for me in Italy (along with a beautiful book & postcard). It's hand painted!
The wind chimes were a gift from Courtney and say 'A friend is someone who knows all about you, and loves you anyway." Also very true!

Last but not least is a print that I found on clearance at Basket Market, which is pretty much like Hobby Lobby and owned by the same guy. I haven't found a frame for it yet, but I hung it up anyway because I like it so much.

And because this post isn't quite long enough.... here's today's poem :)

I Love You
by Sara Teasdale
When April bends above me And finds me fast asleep, Dust need not keep the secret A live heart died to keep. When April tells the thrushes, The meadow-larks will know, And pipe the three words lightly To all the winds that blow. Above his roof the swallows, In notes like far-blown rain, Will tell the little sparrow Beside his window-pane. O sparrow, little sparrow, When I am fast asleep, Then tell my love the secret That I have died to keep.