Bits of Creativity from the Week

We all appreciate how Abby makes desserts from start to finish by herself now.

 Watercolor painting

Abby has been experimenting with using watercolors and a Sharpie.

I have been working on one of Sarah's birthday gifts.

Part of my job in our business is the wood burning.   It can be tedious but it can allow for a bit of creativity as well.


I found that it was very helpful to plan out my projects for the week but not so helpful to set hard and fast goals for completion - too stressful!  However, I will continue to put my creative plans in my planner, but be flexible with what I accomplish while making sure to set aside bits of time each day.

Thank you for all of the thoughtful sharing in the previous post.  My only intention there was to raise awareness of the subtleties in advertisement - or maybe in this case, not so subtle.  We are each on our own path, however, I do know that children are the most precious gift we can be given.  Unfortunately, much in our culture does not reflect this belief.

Warm wishes for a joy filled weekend,

Tonya

When Did Having Children Become a Burden?

I borrowed an issue of Martha Stewart Living from the library yesterday and felt like crying when I came upon this advertisement.

I think it sends the message that it is more important to do what YOU want because once you have children you won't be able to experience the highs of self-absorbed living.    

Children are such a blessing and God will provide if you have faith.  He has shown us this over and over again.

Spring Knitting

I knit a little bunny for Emmy's Easter gift.  I had shared the pattern with the Rhythm of the Home two springs ago.  This bunny is knit with some left over yarn from Green Mountain Spinnery in Organic Cotton/Fine Wool which makes it a little more mouthing friendly for Emmy than many of the other toys I knit in 100% wool - and as usual, it is a very simple pattern.

Emmy's spring sweater is coming along well.  I am decreasing for the back and will be soon be starting the sleeves.

Nothing new to share on the reading end.  I am still working my way through and enjoying Into the Wilderness.

Looking forward to checking out what everyone else is knitting and reading at Ginny's Yarn Along.

Warm wishes,
Tonya

Monday - a new week

In this new week where I am working on carving out creative time each day - above and beyond my homemaking duties - I am excited about all of the possibilities.

In my planner I have divided the rows into the following categories - Home Learning, Cleaning, Home Projects, Business, Creative Time,  Misc, and Meal Planning.  I use a very basic, inexpensive planner from Rod and Staff Publishers.

For today's creative time, I have planned to begin one of Sarah's birthday gifts - a wool felt name banner.  For me, it isn't really realistic to have the opportunity to have an hour of straight time.  So instead, I will gather the felt and put it on my secretary (work desk), design the letters on paper and cut out to pin on the felt and plan to get all of the letters cut out today.

I also want to share another creative mama - Erin from Tiny, Twist, Creative.  She and her husband are saving up to adopt their baby girl from the Democratic Republic of Congo.  The proceeds of the sales from her beautiful tshirts, found in her shop, Dandelion Dream, go toward that goal.

Here is Emmy in her shirt - in a soft mauve with a hand printed bird.  I promise if you order a shirt from Erin, the drool will not be included.

Wishing you a beautiful week,

Tonya

More on Nurturing Creativity

Renee's little ebook has been a wonderful reminder to me in so many ways and is such wonderful timing with my own personal goal this year to spend more time being creative.

How though?  With seven children and a husband; baking and cooking; planting and outdoor chores including animals; a house and clothing to clean;  planning and one-on-one time in home learning;  hmmmm.....  All of our lives are full, aren't they?

In Nurturing Creativity, Renee reminds us to take small bits of time and to also plan out spaces of time.  Or guess what?  It will never happen.  I have been so guilty of this - of telling myself that I can have my creating time when the meal has been prepped, the house in order, and the learning checklist for the day all checked off.  Well, is this ever a reality?  

Probably not - actually, most definitely not.

So, I knit or crochet while helping with home school work.  Have tea and a treat while perusing inspiring books or images I have saved to my computer to get my creative juices flowing.  Now, the part I have not been doing - setting aside time TO DO.   For me, this time would be for handwork - working with wool, printing, sewing, or drawing.

This coming week I am going to mark off time slots on my planner for creating and work towards sticking with them.  In addition, I am going to plan one bigger project that might encourage some of the other children to join in with me.

Will you join in with me to set aside some time for creativity in the coming weeks?

Warm wishes,

Tonya

Nurturing Creativity

I had the pleasure of receiving this new ebook in my inbox the other day, 

Nurturing Creativity - A Guide for Busy Moms 

by Renee Tougas of the blog FIMBY, Fun in My Back Yard

Only some time in the last few months had I come upon her blog and learned her family was realizing their dream of living intentionally together, much like our family had done.  They are just in the beginning phases of working and living together as both mom and dad work to build their creative businesses.

Renee is a gifted writer that drew me in the first time I read her blog.  She writes from her heart.   She writes of her accomplishments, challenges, gifts and goals.  

In her new ebook, Renee, wants us all to know that we are creative.  

"The goal is to grow creatively, to express the Divine beauty and creative gifts you have been given.  And in doing so, to bless and serve others."

She says to start with small beginnings - but just start!  

Just a page written,  a small garden plot planted,  or a beautiful meal prepared.  

Don't wait until conditions are perfect because they never will be.  

For just $3.00 you can have this 48 page ebook to read for yourself.   

(I receive no monetary benefit from the sales of this, just wanted to share.)

Warm wishes,

Tonya

Knitting Pink

I am still working on Emmy's spring sweater - just about ready to do the decreases to work each side.

Again, the pattern is from Vintage Knits for Modern Babies and it is the Anya's Cardigan.  I decided to make the largest size, 12 - 24 months and I am using straight size 5 needles with dk baby yarn in soft pink.

Still reading - at over 700 pages and only reading before sleep this could take some time - but really enjoying Into the Wilderness.

Our before bedtime story with some of the children is now Tumtum and Nutmeg.  This is the first book of the series.  We actually read the second, first, but it really didn't matter.  Sarah and Abraham enjoy listening to me read it to them, and Abby quickly read the whole book herself.

Is anyone working on any small Easter knitting or crocheting projects?  I am looking for some ideas.

Joining in again this week with Ginny of Small Things and all the other participants for the Yarn Along.

Warm wishes,

Tonya