Creative Farts
For this whole month I’ve been pouring the bulk of my creative energies into the Environment module of my Simplicity Parenting series. With it wrapping up this week I was able to gleefully dive into Halloween costume making and taking on the challenge of manifesting what the kids expressed their inner creature was to be this year.
Introducing Fall Fairy and Little Pumpkin
I found as I was standing at the cutting table and sitting at the machine how much I miss this sort of creative time. The up and down motion of cutting at the cutting table then plunking back down at the machine, the texture of the difference fabric pieces and keeping track of them all and trying pieces on at different stages of construction on eager little bodies spoke to an aspect of myself that has been put on the back burner with the busyness of this particular fall season.
I remember learning how to sew throughout the years and it being a source of frustration and test on patience to my pre-kid self. But since becoming a mom it’s totally the opposite. I get re-energized from my afternoon dates with the my sewing machines and it was so apparent to me this Halloween costume making go round how therapeutic it is for me to tend to this important aspect of my creative nature in this particular way.
There are so many little ways I get to slip in creativity into my day to day.
I love cooking. It centres me and I honestly find it fun; the challenge of working with what we got, tapping into what I’m deeply craving, keeping the offerings seasonal and varied (dang it, we can’t eat pasta everyday).
I love working on my business. Writing the emails, making the videos, setting up the interviews, crafting the worksheets; almost every aspect of launching and executing my ecourses is a labour of love and an opportunity to play with my creative voice.
I get to dress my kids funny. Especially so on Halloween.
But taking that bigger chunk of time to devote to a larger project like making a get up from scratch, or painting a painting , or building a new garden bed, allows for a bigger exhale of my creative self to be released in a big puff of energy.
Sometimes a creative fart is called for.
I always feel better afterwards. It’s almost physical in a ‘whoa ~I really needed that‘ kind of way.
For me, it need not be a huge commitment time wise but it has to be a hardy attempt. Like yoga; finding the edges on what can be realistically done but challenging your comfort levels in a safe, healthy way. And pretending in my head I’m on Project Runway helps too.
And if you feel the need to let a creative one rip might I suggest taking an ecourse?
My lovely friend Nicole is teaming up with her lovely friend Emily to deliver an online felting class and have approached me about offering a space in their course, Felt-a-licous, to one of my beloved readers!
In Nicole’s words:
Felt-a-licious is a fun introduction to felting. The classroom will open on November 2 and stay open till the end of the year. Join us any time and make some great gifts for Christmas and yourself: felt bead necklaces, layered felt flowers, a seamless pouch fo your mobile phone or i-pod and a little scarflette; plus a couple of bonus projects.
To enter the draw leave a comment below with two things: one small way you tend to your creative spirit everyday and how you occasionally treat yourself to a deep, crafty exhale. I’ll draw with a random number generator on Friday at noon PST so be sure to enter before then.
Happy Halloweening (especially to all those tired mamas out there night weaning)!
Winner picked and that is lucky number 18: Congrats to Suyai! I’ll be emailing your contact info sweetie and have fun in the class!
Love the felting and looking for inspiration. We have tried a few felting projects, but haven’t found the wow…yet. I even have some felt in house to play around with. Thanks for the opportunity to participate.
I love the idea of a felting class, especially this time of year when wool seems to be the material I crave. I get a great deal of joy and contentment from creating family meals that meet all of our health needs and that my little guy will eat. Thankfully, my teenager now eats and loves everything. My big creative projects usually have to do with garden design and redesign.
Oh, those costumes and kale’s face, such serious business this pumpkin kodelling.
So, creative farts, hmmm . Every day I knit at least one row of whatever is on the needles. My son has come to realise that banning me from knitting is the worst punishment and makes jokes about “No knitting for a whole week!” if he wants me to help him with somehting and I am taking my time about it! A big exhale is harder to achieve in this season of life with a six year old, but whenever I can I make a date with crafty friends and we go on what we call a “field trip” to a funky yarn store or an exhibition of textiles (such as the ones at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London right now, so wonderful) and we all come back fired up to create in new ways. The felitng looks great. i am very much a beginner on this but welcome the chance to improve.
Sorry about the spelling! Pumpkin modelling, is what I meant to write!! Am pretty sure pumpkin kodelling is not to be recommended!
I agree with creativity subtly enthusing the random mothering duties like meals and snacks. For a bigger distractionless fart of activity I try to meet up weekly for an evening craftathon with some mums. Sometimes we laugh more than sew or knit but it is always fun and inspiring and very very invigorating. Love those costumes – all inspired for next year. thanks for the opportunity x
Oh this class looks wonderful! I try to spin or knit everyday and when I cannot fit in either I try to at least pet some wool : ) I love to visit local wooly shops. Just being surrounded by wool & people who are inspired by it leaves me feeling refreshed & renewed.
Ah! Fall fairy and a Kale pumpkin! The costumes turned out great.We have all kinds of little creatures parading up and down the neighborhood tonight. My everyday creativity-I love to cook-and make fresh from the farmers market vegi dishes. I also voulunteer at a local museum with amy crafty friend -we crochet and sell some things at the gift shop. Felting would be awsome to learn!!!
What a wonderful giveaway!!! I try to knit everyday, even if it is just a row or two. I also craft with my little man as much as possible. And every other Thursday I head out for a big crafty exhale with my girlfriends…a little tea, a little knitting and lots of chatting.
Happy Halloween!
I would be incredibly excited to win a felting course right now!
For my everyday creativity, I try to take snapshots from neat angles of my everyday environment and post them to my instagram feed, it reminds me that I can be inspired by anything!
For my giant creative exhales, I have naptimes at least twice a week (3 hours long each, I’m so blessed) that are sacred creating time to tend to my little artsy shop! Felting, sewing, drawing, painting, beading, knitting – they all serve to fill my creative well and are much cheaper than therapy
I’d love to refresh my felting skills, especially with little projects!
oops, kid return! Felting was very soothing to me, something abut the wool maybe. I love spinning too, I’ll just pop some wool on the wheel when I need a quick creative pick me-up, or I’ll make some kid clothes, I just made a halloween costume and that was a real creative outlet for me too! My friend and I are carding together in preparation for making felted vests for our kids! woo hoo!
i would love to learn how to felt. i have looked it up numerous times, looked through books and magazines, but have always been a little afraid to begin. So here’s to beginning! Pick me pick me pick me
First of all, the title of this post cracks me up. I love letting my creativity squeak out everyday! For me this usually occurs through drawing & journalling. I’m also a newbie to ravelry. When I feel a massive build up of inspiration, I usually belt out a painting or cozy up with some beautiful wools hook up something warm and snuggly for my loved ones. I’m fascinated with felting, and don’t have a clue how to do it, and I love the opportunity to indulge in another form of creative release.
I’m also loving reading all of these comments, it is so wonderful connecting with creative mamas.
Edie – I LOVE your costume – deeply cool, understated fairy chic – and what poignant shots… like stills from Lord of the Rings… (clever lady, your mummy…)
(just realised the link on my last reply took you somewhere weird… this one should work)
A felting ecourse- what fun, and excellent timing. Oh, all the little creative endeavors with my little ones every day. It may not be my ideal creative outlet, but then I remember how much it means to them.
Oh yes please, I’d love to win! I get a bit of a creativity boost most days from getting a meal onto the table – especially when I’ve had an “oh heck, there’s nothing in the fridge/cupboard” moment. I try and knit or journal or something a bit every day, too, even if it’s just to jot down a few ideas. For the big buzz… I love it when I have time to dive into a project… the radio’s on quiet, the house is quiet, I can just feel my way along and time seems irrelevent – things just flow. My littlest is just old enough to not miss me for few hours and Saturday mornings are about to become Mama-time- I’m really excited! PS: those costumes are really cute – thank you for sharing!
I just love sneaking a few moments in here and there with some wool. I keep spindles and wool in lovely arrangements and pick one up for a few spins when I pass by. If I’m really lucky I treat myself to a big block of time in my little studio space with the wheels and looms. Knitting and crochet project bags are always ready for trips in the car, appointments, etc. I hang them on a coat rack and grab whichever one I’m in the mood to work on while waiting for sports, activities, appointments, whatever. Love stealing time that way!
I just bought six pounds of gorgeous Leicester roving from a local gal and I don’t know how to felt (yet!!) This would be so exciting to win! One of the ways I exercise my creativity everyday is in dressing myself. As a stay at home mama, I found myself in a rut early on, wearing my pajamas all the time! And while I don’t care to keep up with current fashion trends, I do feel more creative and inspired when my clothing reflects my values–a blend of practicality, comfort, and natural beauty. My latest big exhale came when I splurged on some really yummy fabric and a few pattern books. I still haven’t finished everything on my “I need to make this now” list, but just having it all there waiting for me to do a little here and there keeps me going some days! Thanks Kathy, I enjoy your blog and this giveaway is sweet!
Dreaming of this class!!! I try to sew/write/colour-in a wee bit every now and then… and when not possible I daydream on Pinterest! Time can always be found… although I tend to fight procrastination at times! xx
Well like you my creative self loves time in front of the sewing machine but I also really love to work on my business, creating worksheets, and content for engaging workshops! Since I’ve begun selfDesign (home school) this year I have been enjoying my creative bursts coming in the form of art projects with my son. Especially when he wants to color mandalas! And each day I’ve been trying to write in my journal I find it clears the way for more creativity!
thanks for the reminder and encouragement!