March 5 Weekly Challenge: My Creative Side
Replies
-
I'm not doing well at being creative at all! I am working on a quilt but have been sick since 2/28, so haven't felt good enough to go downstairs and work on it. So then I thought I'd work on perhaps writing or coloring, but nope...too busy curled up on the couch in a blanket watching Netflix. But the week isn't over, and I'm hoping to at least color in one of my adult color books before bed tonight, or else work on my Illustrated Discovery Journal which is an assignment from a book I'm reading called "Simple Abundance..."2
-
MmamabearR wrote: »Ugh, I'm doing horribly at being creative. In those spare moments when I should be crocheting, I use it to do other non-creative stuff (play a game on my tablet or check FB on my phone). I'm not giving up though. I am going to finish this afghan if it takes til next winter!
There are so many competing demands on our time and a lot of distractions. But I’m glad you’re not giving up, @MmamabearR. I bet your afghan will be beautiful and warm when you finish it!0 -
-
OConnell5483 wrote: »I'm not doing well at being creative at all! I am working on a quilt but have been sick since 2/28, so haven't felt good enough to go downstairs and work on it. So then I thought I'd work on perhaps writing or coloring, but nope...too busy curled up on the couch in a blanket watching Netflix. But the week isn't over, and I'm hoping to at least color in one of my adult color books before bed tonight, or else work on my Illustrated Discovery Journal which is an assignment from a book I'm reading called "Simple Abundance..."
I sure hope you feel better soon!0 -
So... today I worked on my quilt for at least 3 hours. Sounds great but I actually quilted for 1 hour and then the rest of it was all about UNquilting. That's ok because I didn't want to have my project completed and then have to redo more so I'm glad I noticed before that point.
7 -
So... today I worked on my quilt for at least 3 hours. Sounds great but I actually quilted for 1 hour and then the rest of it was all about UNquilting. That's ok because I didn't want to have my project completed and then have to redo more so I'm glad I noticed before that point.
UNquilting. Love it! Yes, I think most of us can relate to occasionally needing to undo what we just did because it’s just not quite right.
I UNguitar quite a lot. This evening, in fact. I didn’t end up changing the lyrics to All of Me, after all. I still have it in mind for an anniversary present for my husband, but this week I stumbled onto BB King’s Stand By Me and remembered how much I love that song. That’s what I’ve been working on mostly this week. Tonight I finally felt ready to record it (on my very primitive recording system, my iPhone) and then the UNguitaring really took off. Recording. Re-recording. Re-re-recording. I could not work out the little bobbles and I have no way of editing them out. I really want a basic recording system, but I think it will be too expensive.
I finally got a version that was OK.
5 -
@themedalist UNanything really. Things just don't go according to plans sometimes, right? Hey, maybe a used system online, from the want ads, or a second hand or pawn shop?2
-
I love this discussion! It’s fun to hear about everyone’s projects and progress. @themedalist I, for one and I’m sure there are others, would love to hear your guitar songs sometime. I’ve had kids 3 days this week, today is the last one, but have been embroidering while they watch a movie and have almost finished another block. I try to spend most of their time here playing with toys and games and it takes a lot out of me (I’m an introvert). My sister and I spent yesterday afternoon comparing and identifying birds from our trip pics and only got through 3 days of 13 so we will be meeting again. I have lots of work to do before then with organizing mine. I’m pretty exhausted after this busy week and need to be really mindful with my eating or I will be in trouble!3
-
I love this discussion! It’s fun to hear about everyone’s projects and progress. @themedalist I, for one and I’m sure there are others, would love to hear your guitar songs sometime. I’ve had kids 3 days this week, today is the last one, but have been embroidering while they watch a movie and have almost finished another block. I try to spend most of their time here playing with toys and games and it takes a lot out of me (I’m an introvert). My sister and I spent yesterday afternoon comparing and identifying birds from our trip pics and only got through 3 days of 13 so we will be meeting again. I have lots of work to do before then with organizing mine. I’m pretty exhausted after this busy week and need to be really mindful with my eating or I will be in trouble!
Deep breath.
Sharing my songs is pretty scary for me. Terrifying might be a better word. I'm not a great singer nor a very good guitarist. But it's more than that. Because I can't fully use the fingers on my left hand (my strumming hand) each time I play I have to confront the fact that no amount of practice will ever give me the hand/finger dexterity that is essential in playing the guitar well. It also puts me on the dark, unhappy path of wishing I had gotten those extra few minutes of oxygen when I was born and hadn't had brain damage. As we know, that's not a productive path to walk down. We all have challenges and accepting ourselves for who we are while seeing ourselves for who we can become is a much better approach in my opinion.
I've spent enough time telling myself that I can't play the guitar. Since that's not true, I'm going to now focus on becoming the best guitarist that I can be. Playing gives me so much joy and an appreciation for the talents of Lennon/McCartney and other artists that I didn't have when I just listened to their music.
But I also feel strongly that creating and performing art shouldn't just be reserved for those most talented. We should all express ourselves creatively and recognize that it takes guts to step out of the audience. As Gregg Krech wrote, it's so much easier to just sit and watch or listen, but I don't think that's the best strategy for a joyful, adventurous life. In that spirit, I'm happy to share my song. If you'd like to hear it, send me a message through MFP and I'll send you the link.
Thanks for the gentle nudge, @nebslp.5 -
Amazing post @themedalist. Very inspiring.2
-
themedalist wrote: »
Deep breath.
Sharing my songs is pretty scary for me. Terrifying might be a better word. I'm not a great singer nor a very good guitarist. But it's more than that. Because I can't fully use the fingers on my left hand (my strumming hand) each time I play I have to confront the fact that no amount of practice will ever give me the hand/finger dexterity that is essential in playing the guitar well. It also puts me on the dark, unhappy path of wishing I had gotten those extra few minutes of oxygen when I was born and hadn't had brain damage. As we know, that's not a productive path to walk down. We all have challenges and accepting ourselves for who we are while seeing ourselves for who we can become is a much better approach in my opinion.
I've spent enough time telling myself that I can't play the guitar. Since that's not true, I'm going to now focus on becoming the best guitarist that I can be. Playing gives me so much joy and an appreciation for the talents of Lennon/McCartney and other artists that I didn't have when I just listened to their music.
But I also feel strongly that creating and performing art shouldn't just be reserved for those most talented. We should all express ourselves creatively and recognize that it takes guts to step out of the audience. As Gregg Krech wrote, it's so much easier to just sit and watch or listen, but I don't think that's the best strategy for a joyful, adventurous life. In that spirit, I'm happy to share my song. If you'd like to hear it, send me a message through MFP and I'll send you the link.
Thanks for the gentle nudge, @nebslp.
Sharing the product of a creative endeavor is scary!!!! Call writer's block or putting yourself out to speak in front of a crowd really is terrifying. I have recently joined a couple sewing groups on Facebook and have even posted a finished dress, but I was encouraged by the many kind comments that the groups always offer. I have to say that these groups don't demonstrate the cyber-bullying we hear about so much. I need to take a picture of embroidery (shudder) and share it.3 -
Yes practicing is great! Guitar or whatever it is! I've been drawing up a storm this week yay!4
-
Unquilting and unguitaring and unpicking in sewing is part of the creative process. Revising in writing or composing is also important. One of the reasons creativity is so good for our minds is that it's all about problem-solving.2
-
Yup2
-
Unquilting and unguitaring and unpicking in sewing is part of the creative process. Revising in writing or composing is also important. One of the reasons creativity is so good for our minds is that it's all about problem-solving.
So true. Editing is a crucial component of any creative process. When I took an online writing class last year the instructor advised, “Get that cringe-worthy first draft written. Don’t worry about making it perfect, just get it written and then revise.”
And it’s all about problem solving!
We will definitely be doing this challenge again!4 -
I have been more creative this week, have made an effort to' find the time' to do 'nice' things, made some cakes, painted nails, a few rows of knitting, really enjoyed it! Thank you Denise and everyone5
-
I ended up redecorating a room! I took down pictures I didn't really care for and put up one of my favorite large pictures and moved one of our old oak rockers in the room right underneath it. I then found a bunch of magazines, Country Living, Quick Quilts, etc., and placed them in a basket next to it. I also got rid of some of the other clutter in the room that was just thrown in there to get it out of the way, and set up the dry sink with a water pitcher full of flowers on it, set up another oak dresser in there and made it into "my vanity" for getting ready in the morning (since we only have one bathroom) and also decided that this room will now be my "Book Nook". This will be my place to go for quiet time, when I just need to be alone and rejuvinate. I also found some unfinished knitting in the dry sink (which I tried to teach myself last year off of YouTube) and this room has no TV.
Today while I was in there putzing, I listened to my Optimal Living and Optimal Health daily podcasts and found one on minimalism and simplicity.
I found some cute curtains online that I'm going to hang in there also. This room doubles as the laundry room because it has the washer and dryer hooked up in the closet with the closet doors removed. But it is supposed to be a bedroom. We just like first floor laundry. Anyway, I hate the look of the washer and dryer and shelves with junk on them, so I also found some floor length curtains online that I am going to hang in front of the closet to hide it appliances and shelving. So....I think that was kind of creative? I'm going back to work tomorrow after being off with influenza B since 2/28, so I wanted to feel like I did something before going back.
4 -
OConnell5483 wrote: »I ended up redecorating a room! I took down pictures I didn't really care for and put up one of my favorite large pictures and moved one of our old oak rockers in the room right underneath it. I then found a bunch of magazines, Country Living, Quick Quilts, etc., and placed them in a basket next to it. I also got rid of some of the other clutter in the room that was just thrown in there to get it out of the way, and set up the dry sink with a water pitcher full of flowers on it, set up another oak dresser in there and made it into "my vanity" for getting ready in the morning (since we only have one bathroom) and also decided that this room will now be my "Book Nook". This will be my place to go for quiet time, when I just need to be alone and rejuvinate. I also found some unfinished knitting in the dry sink (which I tried to teach myself last year off of YouTube) and this room has no TV.
Today while I was in there putzing, I listened to my Optimal Living and Optimal Health daily podcasts and found one on minimalism and simplicity.
I found some cute curtains online that I'm going to hang in there also. This room doubles as the laundry room because it has the washer and dryer hooked up in the closet with the closet doors removed. But it is supposed to be a bedroom. We just like first floor laundry. Anyway, I hate the look of the washer and dryer and shelves with junk on them, so I also found some floor length curtains online that I am going to hang in front of the closet to hide it appliances and shelving. So....I think that was kind of creative? I'm going back to work tomorrow after being off with influenza B since 2/28, so I wanted to feel like I did something before going back.
Wow, @OConnell5483, creative redecorating and decluttering! Win-win and accomplished while you were still recovering.
I think you’ve done your warmup stretching for April’s Spring Declutterfest!
Glad you are feeling better!
3 -
fatbambi2017 wrote: »I have been more creative this week, have made an effort to' find the time' to do 'nice' things, made some cakes, painted nails, a few rows of knitting, really enjoyed it! Thank you Denise and everyone
Nice job being creative in multiple ways this week, @fatbambi2017. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
1 -
Here is one of my Haiku:
Sparks fade and are gone
Soft air caresses dry cheeks
At last, rain comes
3 -
-
