How do you see over that Creativity Hump?

I love making so many different things that sometimes I get STUCK! I bet most of you know what that is like. I bounce from stamping to cardmaking to altering to jewelry making...often wandering around trying to figure out what to make...

So, how do you get over that hump?

I am sure there are somethings you have already thought about:

Magazines - There are an abundance of Crafting Magazines available for about every genre of the creative world. But what about the rest of the wall of magazines at your local store? Use those too! Ads can be a great source of inspiration...the patterns, color combos, even the over all feel of a page.

Internet - Not so long ago, who knew just how expansive the internet would become and just how dependant we would become on it. There are millions of ideas on blogs, websites, forums, social media tools, etc. and thousands more created every day. All the crafters I have come in contact with are eager to share ideas and tips. It is the most amazing group of people!

Your Own Creations - I have several drawers of items I have personally created or made in classes...Do you have a "stash" like this? Spend some time and go through these...see what sparks your mind!

Walk Around Your Local Craft Store - There are a number of "chain" craft stores you can go to (i.e. Archivers, Michael's, Hobby Lobby), as well as, local stores. Their websites usually have many ideas...check them out.

A few ideas that might be new:

Expand Your Mind: Take A Class - Your local craft store usually has a number of classes in a variety of different creative endeavors. Try something new! The local community college has classes from ballroom dancing to learning a new language. What about your local grocery store? We have a store called Whole Foods that has a number of cooking classes...the colors and smells might spur a creative thought or two...

Doodle - Do you doodle? Do you scratch out ideas for your projects? Great...but this is what I am going to call - Free Doodling. Simply pick up your favorite marker, a piece of paper, and start doodling. It doesn't matter what you draw, just allow the creative ideas to flow into your mind. You never know, maybe your doodle will end up being a decoration or focal point on your next project!

Clean Your Craft Room - Did I actually say C-L-E-A-N? Turn on you favorite "peppy" music and start sorting, cleaning, organizing. You will be amazed at what you find that has been stored away. I bet you will find new uses for old tools and supplies. Plus, you will feel better when everything is in-it's-place and ready to go!

Photography Field Trip - I found this wonderful article about utilizing a variety of photography "field trips" to start your juices flowing:

7 Photography Projects to Jumpstart your Creativity

Once those juices are flowing...take your pictures and make a chipboard book, a framed collage of the pictures for your craft room, a scrapbook or what ever you heart desires.

A Simple Touch - Add a creative touch to your home or office. If you are on a tight budget, you don't even need to buy anything, just going to the store and looking at all the decorating "bling" will get some ideas going.

Play - Play with things you love to add some fun and whimsy to your life. Take you dog for a walk and look to nature for inspiration. Sit in the park and watch people. Play on a jungle-gym.

Read - Reading is a great way to open your mind and let ideas in! Some of my favorite thought stimulating books are:

Fast Food ~ Joost Elffers (Author), Saxton Freymann
Sark's New Creative Companion: Ways to Free Your Creative Spirit ~ Sark

I would love to hear about your JUMP-START Techniques! I would also love to see something you have made after getting STUCK or using any of these ideas...as Nike says..."Just Do it!".

Happy Day!

In honor of Y-O-U...

HOME

"The sky is home to the birds and the bees,

Flying high above the trees.

The sea is home to the fish and the whales,

Splishing and splashing their tails.

The land is home to the deer and the bears,

Walking and running here and there.

The earth is home to you and me,

We are one big family."

~Nicole Willis

To all my friends and family...a smile just for you!



Enjoy!

I am back!!!

Hi all -

If you are checking back...I am finally here! Things have been challenging in my world, but I have returned to jewelry making and blogging.

I am trying to branch out and have been trying some different things with necklaces. The one I am sharing with you today, I call Urban Safari. I think this is fresh and crisp. Tell me what you think!

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Voting Day!

I thought I would give you some Presidential Facts...

1. GEORGE W. BUSH is our 43rd president, but there actually have only been 42 presidents: Cleveland was elected for two nonconsecutive terms and is counted twice, as our 22nd and 24th president.

2. EIGHT PRESIDENTS were born British subjects: Washington, J. Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, J. Q. Adams, Jackson, and W. Harrison.

3. NINE PRESIDENTS never attended college: Washington, Jackson, Van Buren, Taylor, Fillmore, Lincoln, A. Johnson, Cleveland, and Truman. The college that has the most presidents as alumni (seven in total) is Harvard: J. Adams, J. Q. Adams, T. Roosevelt, F. Roosevelt, Rutherford B. Hayes, J. F. Kennedy, and George W. Bush.

4. PRESIDENTS WHO would be considered "Washington outsiders" (i.e., the 18 presidents who never served in Congress) are: Washington, J. Adams, Jefferson, Taylor, Grant, Arthur, Cleveland, T. Roosevelt, Taft, Wilson, Coolidge, Hoover, F. Roosevelt, Eisenhower, Carter, Reagan, Clinton, and G. W. Bush.

5. THE MOST COMMON religious affiliation among presidents has been Episcopalian, followed by Presbyterian.

6. THE ANCESTRY of all 43 presidents is limited to the following seven heritages, or some combination thereof: Dutch, English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Swiss, or German.

7. THE OLDEST president inaugurated was Reagan (age 69); the youngest was Kennedy (age 43). Theodore Roosevelt, however, was the youngest man to become president——he was 42 when he succeeded McKinley, who had been assassinated.

8.THE TALLEST president was Lincoln at 6'4"; at 5'4", Madison was the shortest.

9.PRESIDENTS served as vice presidents: J. Adams, Jefferson, Van Buren, Tyler, Fillmore, A. Johnson, Arthur, T. Roosevelt, Coolidge, Truman, Nixon, L. Johnson, Ford, and George Bush.

10. VICE PRESIDENTS were originally the presidential candidates receiving the second-largest number of electoral votes. The Twelfth Amendment, passed in 1804, changed the system so that the electoral college voted separately for president and vice president. The presidential candidate, however, gradually gained power over the nominating convention to choose his own running mate.

11. FOR TWO YEARS the nation was run by a president and a vice president who were not elected by the people. After Vice President Spiro T. Agnew resigned in 1973, President Nixon appointed Gerald Ford as vice president. Nixon resigned the following year, which left Ford as president, and Ford's appointed vice president, Nelson Rockefeller, as second in line.

12. THE TERM "First Lady" was used first in 1849 when President Zachary Taylor called Dolley Madison "First Lady" at her state funeral. It gained popularity in 1877 when used in reference to Lucy Ware Webb Hayes. Most First Ladies, including Jackie Kennedy, are said to have hated the label.

13. JAMES BUCHANAN was the only president never to marry. Five presidents remarried after the death of their first wives——two of whom, Tyler and Wilson, remarried while in the White House. Reagan was the only divorced president. Six presidents had no children. Tyler——father of fifteen——had the most.

14. PRESIDENTS LINCOLN, Garfield, McKinley, and Kennedy were assassinated in office.

15. ASSASSINATION ATTEMPTS were made on the lives of Jackson, T. Roosevelt, F. Roosevelt, Truman, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, G. H. W. Bush, Clinton, and G. W. Bush.

16. EIGHT PRESIDENTS died in office: W. Harrison (after having served only one month), Taylor, Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley, Harding, F. Roosevelt, and Kennedy.

17. PRESIDENTS ADAMS, Jefferson, and Monroe all died on the 4th of July; Coolidge was born on that day.

18. KENNEDY AND TAFT are the only presidents buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

19. LINCOLN, JEFFERSON, F. Roosevelt, Washington, Kennedy, and Eisenhower are portrayed on U.S. coins.

20. WASHINGTON, JEFFERSON, Lincoln, Jackson, Grant, McKinley, Cleveland, Madison, and Wilson are portrayed on U.S. paper currency. *The above information provided as courtesy of Borgna Brunner, who derived from "Facts About the Presidents" by Joseph Nathan Kane as posted on http://www.infoplease.com/spot/prestrivia1.html

Today is a sad day. Two of the icons of my generation have passed away and I want to post their pictures and say "THANK YOU" for being a part of my growing-up! You will be remembered!

Farrah Fawcett

Michael Jackson

HALLOWEEN Earring Winner

Thanks so much to everyone who stopped by my blog on Halloween!

Those who left a comment were entered into a drawing for a pair of my Halloween earrings. Though, hopefully these that I have chosen can be worn through out the year :D

I used the random number generator and it chose............#3

So my lucky winner is...

"Very cool, fake halloween magazine covers! I better go check it out! thanks for that and the chance to win!"

CONGRATULATIONS, Melissa!

Happy Halloween from Turtle & IGA!!!

Create Fake Magazine Covers with your own picture at MagMyPic.com

Everyone who posts a comment today will have a chance at winning a pair of Halloween earrings!!!!