Creativity Fizzle

I feel like I have hit my creative climax and am starting a rapid decline to fizzling out, and I'm not sure how I feel about it. For such a long time one my most "prized" characteristics was my creativity. I won't say I am no longer creative, but I just lack the drive hat I once had. I still enjoy my creative outlets, well... outlet: Card Group. I've been part of this group or another for probably 10-12 years and even though the cards are still fun to make, and I'm still enjoying the creative process, my focus is more what others would enjoy rather than what I enjoy making. It sounds somewhat "noble" when I say it like that, but this was suppose to be something for me (here is the selfish beast...) this outlet was about me making time for things I like and I want to do and giving myself the break that I deserve.  I am ok with the redirecting of "me-time" but feel a little guilty filling the "me-time" with Netflix instead of developing a talent or investing my time in something that will encourage long lasting and rewarding results. 

Oh well. 

That's enough of that. 

Here are my contributions for this session:

Yes... that is a puffy Pokémon sticker. Carson was over the moon when he saw it, I knew he would be, but it was a serious struggle with my creative side to stoop to making a Pokémon card. I will redeem myself. 

Next time. 

 

Family tree

Here is a closer-up of the family tree we gave BJ's parents for Christmas.  It was so fun putting together!  The quote says, "Family, where life begins and love never ends.  Just wanted to post a pic to have to remember. 

Annual Calendar

Kellie had a great idea about a hundred years ago, to create a scrapbook calendar for mom and dad for Christmas.  It became a tradition that many look forward to.  I know I do.  I will admit getting the pictures from the siblings is what stresses me out the most, but this year, everyone had them in to me when I requested and I didn't have to harangue anyone!!  These are my contributions (I actually did one more, for Kellie, but forgot to take a picture of it before I handed it over)

Quilting

Lorrie Healey is one of Ashlyn's favorite adults.  She has been known as Lorrie Roemer until she was married this past summer.  Ash loves going to visit her and play with her pets.  Tonight, when Ash came with me to Courtney O'Driscolls house to help finish some quilts taken on as a service project, she was totally thrilled when Lorrie walked in.

I love that there are people like this in Ashlyn's life that she can look up to and emulate. 

Reflections

Ash spent a lot of time making a reflections entry this year. She submitted an entry in two categories: arts and literature. This YouTube link is a video with her art submission, and the literature entry is her "Unicorn" haiku. We just found out that both of her entries have won at the school and are moving to the next level! Way to go Ash!! So proud of my little go-getter!!

http://youtu.be/EBJS82bqo68

Cards

I love being part of a card-exchange. I get to make 2 sets of 15 cards and get 15 to 30 sets of different cards back. It's fun to see the different cards I get back, but I love taking the opportunity to create! Here are the cards I made for this quarters exchange:

Craft day

Another fun craft day with the white girls! We made these adorable pumpkins out of 2x4's. They all were heading different directions, as far as colors, but I love how mine turned out!  I look forward to spending time with these awesome women and wish the out-of-staters were not so far away. 

Pinterest inspired Charging station

I saw a post on Pinterest with exactly what I didn't know I needed. (This post here) I went on a hunt to find what I needed to make a variation of the project and ended up at Gordmans riffling through their clearance racks. I was thrilled with what I came up with. Totaling about $15 with the two slot box and three jar-lined baskets this project was a success. I followed the same idea suggested by the pinner but catered the project to my needs. Now, the kids can't steal my cord and loose my plugs!

Retirement gift card book

Kathy, an interpreter for the district, is retiring and our "boss" had the idea to throw a retirement party and have everyone bring a gift card that she could use during retirement! But to make the gift cards a little more than pieces of plastic, she asked if I would make a book to keep them in, with a place the giver can add a message. I happily complied and went to work right away. I used a book I got from Michelle a few Christmas' ago as my inspiration and this is what I came up with:

My mom came to the house between soccer games and helped come up with some cute poetic snacks to accompany the pages. I love how it turned out and hope Kathy enjoys it!

Another baby book

I had so much fun making the baby book for Andrea, I decided I would follow through with a promise I made my baby sis-in-law and make her a baby album! I used the same layouts as Andreas (actually, I made Andreas with Emelie's in mind so that changes that thought...)

Baby book

I got the bug to make a baby book for a new life joining this world (no, I'm not pregnant). It's understated compared to what I usually do, but I love the simplicity of it! My kids each have their own similar album that they treasure, and I know any kid would love to have it (as long as mom takes the time to glue in some pictures!)

Armor of God

Following up with last Thursdays Relief society lesson/activity, I did the same lesson for FHE with my kiddos tonight. They loved it and even came up with their own parables to the armor of god analogy. I love coming up with parallels and so do they. Now... How long do we hold on to cardboard dress-ups...

I love that the boys have to be serious and Ash is just grinning away! She worked the hardest on her stuff and was so proud of how it all turned out!

Aj likes his breastplate better backwards.... Not really sure why.

Conference quote doodles

Loved what I was able to catch of general conference this weekend. Obviously not an artist, but it keeps my attention from straying...here are some of my quote doodles:

Easter craft

Our Easter craft was completed in record time! I'm so glad Joe and Linda have been planning and providing this the last few months! It's so fun to get together with my sisters and craft!

Crafty birthday gift.

I haven't felt all too creative lately, working takes a lot of energy out of me. However, when I woke up yesterday morning at 10:00 AM, I had an unexpected surge of energy. So I poured my energy into creating this little art bag for my niece Aubree's birthday. She is such a darling little girl, and I couldn't quite figure out what to get her… She's the third girl in her family, so she pretty much has it all. I hope she likes it as much as Ashlyn, Who was begging me to give it to her instead. But, I told her since she's in a sewing class she can just make her own! (She liked that idea!)