Blog Hop Around The World - Creativity

The Lovely Lynda has nominated me to be part of this blog hop around the world and I am please to be able to join in.  Thanks for the nomination Lynda and if you are reading follow this blog hop back in time as there are some excellent blogs out there to enjoy.

A couple of my cards

The theme for this blog hop is creativity and like most blog hops there are a few basic rules/guidelines to follow.  The ones for this blog hop are:
Within a week of your nomination answer the following questions:

• Why do I create what I do?
• How does my creative process work?
• How does my work differ from others of it's genre?
• What am I currently working on?
• Who inspires me to create?
• Finally provide a quote 

Well time is ticking so I guess I better get on with this, other wise just like many of my creative pursuits it might just get set aside.

Why do I create what I do?
I create because it gives me balance in my life.  As soon as I stop being creative I start to feel all out of sorts and I feel irritated without being able to put my finger on why.  I also create because life is all about creation. Everyday there are situations in life just waiting for a creative approach to come along and take things in a new direction, to do things in a different way and find a creative solution to a problem.  Lets face it without creativity we might still be clubbing mammoths for dinner.



When it comes to what I create my interests vary.  From traditional crafts such as knitting, cross stitch and crocheting, painting, card making and scrapbooking to creative writing and blogging to all things cooking, baking and preserving.  Then there are all the crazy projects for around the home that I dream up that poor hubby gets roped into helping with.

How does my creative process work?
For the most part my creative pursuits are about relaxing and unwinding, letting my imagination take over are allowing my thoughts to just flow.  My job is very structured and I find that I need to specifically set time aside and give myself permission to be creative.  Otherwise because I am a very task focused person I feel guilty and like I should be doing other things.  There is also a practical side to it.  I like to make things for others and I feel that handmade gifts show a deeper sense of caring and giving that just going out and buying. I also like to learn new skills and try new things like knitting, crocheting and darning.
So sometimes my creative process is driven by the need to find balance in my life and sometimes by need or a desire to learn.  There are many practical old fashioned skills out there that I really want to master too.

How does my work differ from others of it's genre?

Well because I like to try everything and anything it often means that I have multiple projects on the go at once.  This means that I do not always perfect the skill before I move on.  So I would say I differ from others in the sense that I am probably not as dedicated to any one thing as I need to be to become a master of that task. 

What am I currently working on?

Well lets see... there is a cushion cover kit that I have been meaning to paint (the kit comes with fabric paint) for a long time now, a cross stitch book mark nearly finished, a crochet dish cloth that I have been making to practice my tension, a few different scrapbooking albums I am working on, a hand made garden journal and a handmade recipe book that are in progress, I have started making this years Christmas cards, I have about 35 draft posts that I have started, there is a large blank canvas waiting for inspiration (and paint) to hit, granny squares that might one day become a blanket and then there are all the sewing projects and I will not even start on the things in the kitchen.

Practicing my crochet tension on a dish cloth - based on those wonky sides
I'd say more practice is required.

Who inspires me to create?

Well this is the point where I get to nominate two other bloggers who inspire me.  Both of these ladies inspire me to learn new things and to come up with creative solutions to problems.

Liz over at Eight Acres is always coming up with practical and creative solution to the things she needs. She makes her own soap and just recently she made her own dressmakers dummy from duct tape which I think is fantastic.



Liz also inspired me with this post to make our dog Jessie a dog coat.  Liz has also taught her self to knit which is something I admire (and hope to one day master myself) and she had knitted up some practical items such that you just can't buy.

Linda from Greenhaven is creative in the way she thinks and deals with problems so it stands to reason that she is also creative in a practical sense too.  Linda Knits socks and beanies makes lovely gifts for her family and friends, she makes soap and looks for crafty ways to dress things up at home.



More than anything both these ladies inspire me to see creativity as part of everyday life not just something you do as a hobby (although for now that is what a lot of mine is and that's ok).  It is a way to make gifts, devise solutions, clothe yourself, decorate, provide for your basic needs, celebrate and add a few more strings to your bow in terms of the things you can do for yourself.

So the final thing I have to do is offer you up a quote.  This is a quote I love because it applies in so many situations.
“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” 
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

Stay tuned for what Liz and Linda have to say in the next week when they have their turn.