welcome creativity

Welcome.  Allow me to introduce you to Rebecca Atwood.

Last summer, I had the pleasure of meeting Rebecca at the "Business with Intention" workshop in Brooklyn given by Jess Lively, at the time she was Jess LC.

 How wonderful to hear the dreams and desires of others and be able to welcome fresh creativity.  Rebecca has launched her new site and soon will be opening her on line shop with her designs.

 I love her relaxed aesthetic and flair for creating prints, patterns and joy.

Rebecca possesses a contagious smile and her voice is like silk, she has such a lovely way about her and her sister Grace too.

Please welcome creativity into your life, your home and take time to thank those that take time to honor their work with us as they build a business with intention.

Welcome Rebecca. 

Wishing you much joy and happiness in your artistic and creative business.

May all of your intentions drive every dream.

tips on staying creative -guest post

Please welcome my guest Eileen from a a creative day blog

Eileen shares some tips on staying creative.

Staying creative is hard. Even though I work in a creative field (interior design) the 'busyness' of life constantly bogs me down. But being creative is something worth fighting for, and I have developed a system that helps me remember how much I love this work.

1. Unplug. Every single day.
In the busyness of life, its easy to feel guilty for turning off your cell phone. "what if someone needs me?" But I've found that when I stay constantly connected to my Ical and to-do lists, I can't be creative. We have 'no tv' nights where we just listen to pandora and sit on our porch and talk.

2. Walk it out
Besides the fresh air and sunshine being good for you, notice what you are drawn to and document it. Photograph your point of view, try the new bar down the street, play with texture. I constantly find myself picking up rocks and leaves, and what I'm drawn to shows me what I'm craving more of.

3. Bed Time
Some of my best ideas and projects have come to me when I get in bed before I'm tired. Just let your mind race.

4. Work with your Hands
This was huge for me when I was in college for architecture and we were constantly expected to be developing different designs and ideas. Some days I would have NO inspiration and no idea what I wanted to do. So I would come into studio and just start working with different materials with my hands, shaping and seeing what forms would come. You'll be surprised how much you can create without trying to.

5. Something new
I always find something new, no matter how little, refreshes my creativity. As simple as a  new notebook or pen, fresh flowers or a gold paperweight on my desk sparks my interest.

6. Wine.
enough said. 

7. Others
This blogging world is pretty special and I'm constantly inspired by the creativity of my 'bloggy' friends. Whenever I'm stuck in a rut, I stalk my favorite designer or blogger, look through pinterest. Don't let it overwhelm you, get excited for those who just went for it and get inspired.

Speaking of staying inspired... this very blog you are reading is an incredible source of inspiration to me. Patricia is so talented and I'm honored to be guest posting for her. Thanks for having me!
eileen
www.acreativedayblog.com

Please take some time to check out Eileen's blog and be inspired.  Share a tip on what keeps you inspired.

getting started

A blank page awaits your creativity.

A collection becomes a composition.

Leaves gathered.

Nature's design.

Need help getting started,
just take a look at all these images,

found on etsy here.

Winner of "Blackberry Winter" is Kristin who keeps a fantastic blog "Vignettes"full or creative ideas for celebrating life.

dreamy friday

 Imagine yourself waking up from a dream and landing here, rested and refreshed.  Imagine that everything you do today revolves around shades of white, bone, pale gray and golden accents.

 You saunter over to your dressing table and apply a fresh face before you prepare a healthy breakfast.

 Piping hot oatmeal, fresh fruit and some roasted coffee.

 What a pretty kitchen.  Light, airy and clean.

 Your mind wanders to wishes and place settings for Thanksgiving and gathering with those you cherish.

 Then you think that a place setting needs to be there for the one's that cannot be with you.

 Mother Nature cards from Austin Press are used for each guest to write a Thanksgiving wish.

After a busy day of dreaming, I find this pillow so soothing and all I want to do is sit a spell and cozy up at home on friday nite to a clean home and to my dear husband.

A dreamy pair of chairs to sit a spell and spend time enjoying one another's company and the desire to lighten up after a long week.

Hope your friday is dreamy.
Do you allow yourself time to dream?

desire joy

Dedar from Bergdorf Goodman, NY

Did you know that if you desire joy in your life and you postpone that joy it can actually have serious side-affects? Desire can be a tremendous motivator, like a beautiful bright glow that pulls you in.

Jesu, joy of man's desiring

Holy wisdom, love most bright

Drawn by Thee, our souls aspiring

Soar to uncreated light

Word of God, our flesh that fashioned

With the fire of life impassioned

Striving still to truth unknown

Soaring, dying round Thy throne

*goosebumps*

Think about this and really dwell on your deepest desires and resolve to set up a plan in order to achieve joy. It might be a "thing" or a "switch" in your life to bring about -- "goosebumps" or some sort of fire within, waiting to be released.

Last night I had the "joy" of meeting not one but two wonderfully creative women for dinner in New York City. We shared a lovely pot of Fondue! We agreed that our creativity is everything to do with desiring joy.

Desire Joy today~

sweater weather

On a recent college tour with my son, we viewed a wonderful exhibit showing all sorts of incredible stitchery, titled the "Critical Stitch."

The design along with the execution of this crocheted coat on this carrier pigeon was impressive.

It made me smile to think of a carrier pigeon sporting a coat.

The Randomly selected (via random number generator) of the REAL SIMPLE "Celebrations" book is Eddie Ross. I did it twice and it came up number 5! Congrats to Eddie!

star bright

Look at these little hands of my daughter, lost in crafting at Wave Hill. She knew right away she wanted to make a "star" to hang on our tree. She knew she wanted to wear her corduroy jacket from several seasons ago, with her name that I embroidered on the back. ( No matter that it is a tad bit snug and the sleeves are now a fashionable 3/4 length.) This is a gal who knows exactly what she wants.

Look at that fierce determination and concentration.

That is what I love about art. I feel a certain focus when I create.

There were pine-cones and bits of nature to add to the project.

Even though she knew it was a glorious day outside, she still wanted to get lost in crafting.

On the way home, she asked for more clay so she could make something at home. She has already been one busy and very bright star with the clay her father bought her.

With a busy and exciting week behind me, I wanted to let my family know just how much they mean to me. I am full of gratitude for your patience and support when I spread myself too thin and get lost in my artwork.

Thank-you to my dear husband for braving the Back-to-School nights (2) this week and paltry dinners as I was a bit lost in my work. Thanks to each of you for coming out to support me at 2 venues this week. It sure feels good to have a little praise, and then to come home to such bright stars!