Making Space for Creativity

This morning as I type this, I am breathing deep, deep breaths and reminding myself that it’s worth the mess to update a very outdated kitchen.  My house is fully covered in white dust and the laundry piles are high from post vacation laundry.  The youngest (who is still on independent study from our trip) and I have escaped to Starbucks to work.  He is working on his independent study and I am catching up on writing.  It feels good to sit and write.  It feels good to be creative. 

We all have to-do lists that feel like they grow at lightning speed.  Before we check a few things off, more is added and there is simply not enough hours to get it all done in a day.  Whether you are a full time employee to a SAHM, the same thing exists:  We are tired and busy.  Yet, we all need to take time to be creative. 

 I’ve shared the story many times that people assumed I would get rid of my crafting supplies once Ethan was born because suddenly having a baby would prevent me from doing creative things?  That is such a lie that we don’t need to believe.  When I was a teacher, I was just as busy, but nobody looked at me like I was crazy when I took an afternoon to just make some cards or bake some cookies. I think a lot has changed in the last 13 years with the rise of social media.  People are being creative EVERYWHERE!  Women are hitting up Lowes and Home Depot and building things, quilting and sewing is not your grandma’s hobby anymore! Same with stitching.  Just one look at some Etsy listings and you can see that people are making money off some of their creations!  Creativity is everywhere! 

 We need to make space for it. 

 Just like reading our Bible and moving our body, being creative means carving out a space for it.  This is not easy, but taking the time to be creative is so good for our physical and emotional health (you can read about that here). 

Let’s ask ourselves some questions:

:: In my free time each day, what is non-negotiable? What things do I have to do every day.  For me, opening the Bible and moving my body and if I can, I want to read. If we want to take the time to be creative and see how that changes our mindset/mental health, we need to add that to our top priorities. Is there a time I can make open to do something creative? 

 :: What brings me joy?  No, we are not going to Marie Kondo your time. . . Don’t worry.  But, what creative things bring you joy.  Drawing? Cooking?  Sculpting?  Decorating? Painting? Knitting? Coloring? The options are endless. 

:: How do I fit it in my daily or weekly routine?  This is where it gets hard.  It’s easy to speak, “I want to do something creative as often as possible,” but a bit harder to put it into practice.  Just like we make every effort in our day to move our bodies, drink enough water, make our bed (or not. . . Like I said, judgement free zone here!), and maybe, spend some time with God.  It’s not easy.  It is easy to plop down on the cushiony couch, nestled between some cozy pillows, and surf Netflix for the latest episode of Sweet Magnolias (100% guilty here!).  It really does take some time to make it a habit.  It takes about a month of doing something consistently for it to become a natural part of your routine. 

 :: Do I have to do a big project every day?  ABSOLUTELY NOT!  It took Michelangelo more than three years to sculpt the famous David.  Find something you can work on a little bit every day.  I have several works in progress at one time.  I sew a few squares of a quilt when I have a few extra minutes or I sit down (Sweet Magnolias, please) and do some cross stitching.  Sometimes, the extent of my daily creativity is simply making dinner for my family.  Other times, it is opening a Paper Pumpkin box (I used to subscribe to their monthly kits and didn’t have time to do them all. . . I have a stash!) and making some cards.  Other times, It might be painting the hallway or restyling a shelf that needed a refresh. 

 How do I find out what my creative passions are?  I love Pinterest.  It’s is such a great place to find inspiration and tutorials (which is good, because I want to make some macrame key chains and I don’t know how! True story).   Now, this is where you need to lean in close and promise not to throw something at me.  Simply pinning things to a curated board to things you like is NOT BEING CREATIVE.  That’s just admiring and acknowledging the things you’re interested in.   We need to pick a pin and try it out.  Save that 40 percent off coupon and head to your local craft store and buy just enough supplies to try it out. Start with a small project and don't spend a lot of money on it. You don't want to waste money on something you really didn't enjoy. Maybe invite a friend to try making something with you. . . What ever makes it fun for you! 

 Try getting creative a few times this month and see what it does for your spirit!  I promise, you won’t regret it!  To get you inspired, I am going to leave you with a list of just a few creative ideas to get you going, but I promise you, there is more! 

 Sewing.stamping.scrapbooking.quilting.embroidery.cross stitch. Macreme.leatherwork.latte art.cooking.baking.writing.drawing.digitalart.pottery.painting.water coloring.styling.decorating.designing.jewelry making.lego building.bulletin board making.furniture building, wall painting.friendship bracelet.rubber band bracelets.landscaping.knitting.crocheting.letterpressing.screenprinting.print making.lettering.wool felting.

And there’s a bunch of other things too! 

 
Take a risk by making space for creating.  I promise you, you won’t regret it!

Finding the joy in creating

The library of my childhood was the best.  I have so many fond memories of being dropped off at the library for Saturday morning craft time.  It was there where I first learned the art of stringing red and white tri-beads on to pipe cleaners and bending the end to make a hook at the end and hopefully it looked like a candy cane by the time we left. 

My mom did a great job instilling us a love for the arts.  She made sure we enjoyed children's theater performances, craft mornings at the library, or just making sure we had a constant supply of crayons, markers, and coloring books.  I loved coloring.  I can remember sitting around my great grandma's table coloring. . . carefully outlining the area I wanted to color in and then lightly coloring inside those lines. I also remember 6th grade me burning my fingers with my mom's glue gun with leftover wedding flowers and hats (it was the early 90's. . . we glued flowers on hats and hung them on walls). My mom was constantly doing creative things. . . I can remember her painting clay nativities (they were gorgeous. . . I kind of wish I had one!) and staying up late to sew so many Cabbage Patch Kid outfits! By 7th grade, I had learned basics of cross stitch and had sewed several vests to wear to school (remember it was the early 90's).  

The more I read the Bible and get to know God, the creator of the Universe I see how important creating is, but also I see just how vast the possibilities are.  God spoke and things were created, he sculpted and had a vision.  He even gave Adam and Eve the job of naming all the animals. . . that's creating right there!  We, as humans and God's creation, are called to create. 

I think that's when we start stressing out.  We have this image that creators are those who make beautiful art and put them in galleries and art museums and sell their creations on Etsy, when in fact, every single day we are being creative in our everyday lives.  So many people tell me they don't have a creative bone in their body, but that's not true.  We might not feel artistic, but that's simply only a tiny aspect of creating. Cooking, baking, sewing, stitching, decorating, photography, painting, gardening, gluing, card making, arranging flowers, throwing a party, playing an instrument, dancing, writing, scrapbooking, organizing, running a ministry or a ministry team, teaching. . . all of those things take creativity.  Several of those things we do every day (I mean, we have to eat, right?)

Several years ago, a sweet friend of mine went back to work after being home with her littles.  She loved her kids and she loved her job, but she felt like something was missing.  In the hustle and bustle of the day, between drop offs, pick ups, and getting dinner on the table, she hadn't left room for something that had been bringing her joy.  So for Mother's Day, that year, she asked for the afternoon to simply work on a project she had been mulling over for several months.  She got her wish, and ended up with the most beautiful string art ocean waves on a piece of pier wood from their favorite pier that had recently been rebuilt.  It took time.  It took energy.  She tried something new and the end result was not only a beautiful thing to look at, but it was also refreshed her soul.  She came out of the afternoon of creating with a fresh and energized outlook on life.  

This same friend is also been seen taking beautiful pictures of strange leaves lying on the ground.  It makes her heart happy when she gets to squeeze in some creativity. I have another friend who just loves to do paint nights and another who is creating delicious recipes from around the world and writing books.  My newphew has been working hard on his Eagle Scout project, creating a sidewalk path at a local nursing home. There is no one way to be creative.  

This weekend, as you seek rest, I encourage you to embrace something creative, don't aim for perfection. God created us. . . and we are so far from perfect. . and he said it was very good.  Not just good, like he called all the rest of his creation, but very good.  We are constantly falling short (thank goodness for his grace!), but when it comes to being creative, let's offer ourselves some grace and keep trying. I started this post with a picture of the quilt block I made today.  It's not perfect. I can tell you several things that are wrong, but you know what. . . I still think it's beautiful and it made my heart refreshed after a kind of stressful week.  Don't give up on being creative.  It's good for your heart, soul, and mind!  

Try something new.  Finish a project.  Start a project.  Look at your Pinterest board and actually do one of the things that you pinned! Let me know what you did.  Tag me @jolieklassen on Instagram and show me your creations!

Valentines Day is coming! Let's send some Love out into the world!

 I love Valentines Day!  I loved it as a kid. . . I loved it as a teacher. . . and I love it as a mom!  So much fun!  I think random days thrown into the daily grind bring a reason to celebrate. And to be honest with you, some of you might be struggling to find that reason right now (which I totally understand!), and maybe this will help.  Maybe you just need to pin and and come back to it later.  

When the kids started school I was on the hunt for some not-so-expensive, not so sugar-y ways to send valentines that didn't scream cheap or full of sugar or ingredients that make a certain child of mine sick.  So, we got creative and came up with some really fun options that my kids were so excited about each year.  This year, I only have to come up with Valentines. . . because I the oldest is now in Jr. High and well, we all know how that is!  

So here's a rundown of my FREE (for you, because the goal is to keep the cost down) printables and directions for some really fun Valentines!  You can print them out on your printer, but I highly recommend spending the couple of dollars to get them printed over at Office Depot or Staples on 100lb cardstock.  The print quality is fantastic and the weight of the paper is perfect!

1.  Crayon Valentines (with alternative options): 

This is a great opportunity to recycle your old crayons and make them new again with a simple silicon mold.  Or you can just print out the tags and make a goodie bag with small boxes of crayons (the dollars store has 8 packs for super cheap!)

Click here to go to tutorial and printable. 

 These are also crayons using the lego mini figures ice cube tray.  Super fun and they were a huge hit.  other ways that you can use this printable are lego brick candies or party favors. . . just google lego party favors and you might find something.  If you are just using it for a few people, lego mini figure packs would be super fun! 

You can print them out here.

These are a different year. . . same idea and they might be one of my favorite printables to date!  Again, there are a lot of different ways you can use them. . . we just really like cutting up crayons. . . ha ha! 

You can get the printable here

2.  Glow Sticks

 I don't know about you, but glow sticks are always a hit in our house!  Check out these printables.  Other ways to adapt them are nail polish, bright glow in the dark pencils, markers, highlighters. . . so many possibilities! 

Click here for the original post

3.  You're a Star

These are technically crayons, but they can also be used for starbursts, star erasers. . . the possibilities are endless.  I did a quick amazon search "star party favors" and so many fun non candy items came up for pretty cheap.  You could totally get creative and have fun with this tag! 

click here for the original post

4.  Robots!!!

Robots are also a lot of fun.  I'm not going to lie. . . I really enjoyed using up old crayons when the kids were younger!  It was a lot of work, but I saved so much money!  However, I don't always have the time, so this one also has a ton of ideas. A quick amazon search for robot party favors brought up fun sticker packs, bendable robots, and wind up toys.  I even searched for robot erasers and pencils and there were some great options!

click here for original post 

5.  Harry Potter House Valentines

Got a older kid that wants to do some Harry Potter Valentines.  We picked up an ice cube tray at Williams Sonoma and made. . . you guessed it. . . CRAYONS!  However, don't let that stress you out.  Other options are so much fun.  Amazon brought up jelly beans, rubber bracelets, pencils, waterproof stickers.  There are so many options out there that you could find something super fun. . . without doing crayons. 

You can find the original post here

6.  Made Good Granola Bars Valentines

Back in 2020, before everything shut down, Weston really wanted to bring Made Good granola bars.  They have these cute small ones and that are so festive and so I designed a fun tag to go with them.  If you haven't heard about Made Good. . . they are basically your epic allergy friendly snack that is free of all the major allergy culprits.  It's a win in our house because its hard to find granola bars that don't have soy or dairy, but also have delicious chocolate in them.  You can also use any granola bar you want. . . we are just huge Made Good fans.  

You can go here to print

And that's a wrap of all the Valentines you can find on my blog.  For Free. Feel free to post yours in the gram and tag @jolieklassen or use the hashtag #outoftherightbrainblog so I can see how you used it!  

Now, I should probably get started on designing this years Valentines!  It's coming soon!

Sparks of Joy {Links that make me smile}

 

Happy Friday everybody!  Not only is it Friday, but it's the last Friday of January.  I am ready! January has been fast!  Looking ahead, there are some pretty fun things coming up, so bring on February! A family trip that we are all super excited for and Weston is turning 11 next week, so we're having a little family gathering that I should probably get started baking cupcakes.  However, I'm an epic procrastinator, so yeah, you will probably find me this evening decorating and baking.  But, don't worry, I love it!  

It's been a hot minutes since I shared some things that have made me smile lately, so let's get sharing! I won't take too long because, the weekend is upon us and we need to celebrate Friday! 

:: We snuck away for 24 hours in my favorite city. 

:: There's a few new shows that I've been watching (and loving!):

        * The Guilded Age on HBO

        * How I met your Father on Hulu

        * Pivoting on ABC/Hulu

:: I've been participating in #miniquiltmonday hosted by Amanda at @graccieone.  I had so much fun with this week's block! 

:: Death on the Nile is finally coming out soon!  My sister and I have been waiting! 

::  This trailer has my whole house soooo excited!  

::  We love hot honey and I'm definitely going to be making this recipe soon! 

:: I've been making small batches of this ramen for lunch lately and it's so good and so easy! 

:: I started making hexies in my spare time to learn something new. 

:: I  bought this kelly green sweater the other day. . . I'm still mulling over it.  

::  I've started back up with my Flobody and it feels so great to be back to moving my body!  (I came down with Bells Palsy a month ago and took some time off to rest. . . I was uncomfortable!)

::  My friend Nicole's new book is coming out soon!  I am so excited to read it!  You can preorder it now! 

:: These words spoke life into my tired heart. 

:: We've been watching the Chosen as a family and everyone loves it!  The kids love to crawl into our bed with us and watch it before bed. . . even the teenager!   

Welp, that's all I have for you.  Thanks for taking the time to read my little, now a teenager, blog. I am so thankful for you!  Feel free to share something that is bring you joy down there in the comments. . . Let's keep spreading sparks of joy! We all need it! 

3 reasons you need to be creative

 Can I tell you something?  

I've stared at this computer screen for over 30 minutes.  I know what I want to say, but today, the simple act of putting those ideas into words just seems hard.  My mind is tired and anxiety wants to creep in.  But, I fight.  Everyday, I put on my big girl pants (aka yoga pants, because we're all friends here) and make a little list of things I can do. I have about 4 things that I try to do every day to keep my mind sane (go on a stupid walk/exercise, read the Bible, read a book, do something creative).  By doing these things, I feel lighter and less anxious than the days where at least one of these happens.  It doesn't matter what.  I mean, this week, I've been sewing a couple face masks each day (Weston was in need of some new ones). . . but oh, man, does it feel so good when I'm done!  My heart feels lighter.  

We don't have to look far to find things that can tug at our heart strings and cause our minds to start worrying and becoming anxious. You don't need to have a medical diagnosis to experience anxiety (I don't!).   The reality is that we all worry. We get anxious.  It's a normal way for our bodies to react to things like news alerts, covid, cancelled plans, unknowns, and the list can go on.  I know that when everything was shut down (almost 2 years ago), I had to be intentional with my time so that I wouldn't go on a downward spiral.  Exercising my body, stupid walks, and creating were my 3 favorite things to turn my anxiety around. . . and it did!   

This little space became a teenager last week and I thought that carving out some time to explain why creativity is so important and is for everybody (even if you have proclaimed to the world that you are not a creative person!). So here are 5 reasons you should incorporate creativity into your daily routine.

1.   We are all created to create. 

I believe that God created us in His image and God himself was the ultimate creator.  He created the world, humans, animals, and pretty much everything.  The Bible uses words like Potter and clay to describe Him.  God molded us in His image and if that's the case, then, we too, are called to create.  And let's be honest, sometimes we aren't very good at understanding what it means to create.  So many of us just chalk it up to being an artist or a musician and we don't feel gifted and so we say, "We aren't creative."

Abraham Maslow, a psychologist who taught at Colombia and a few other Universities, said, "Creativity is a characteristic given to all human beings at birth."  Even psychologists agree that we are created and wired to be creative! 

There are so many ways to use the creative part of our brain, that we sometimes don't give ourselves the credit for actually doing something creative!  Creating does not have to be an original idea. . . that's just crazy.  That's why there are patterns and recipe and countless tutorials and how-to's out there!  Plus, while we are all created in God's image, we are also all unique.  Which means, how I create might be different than how you create and that's OKAY.  I mean, if you need to spend an hour making a Instagram reel and that brings you joy. . . do it!  But, don't compare yourself to your bff who is over at her house painting amazing murals all over her walls. 

2.  Creating is good for your physical health (and may help you live longer!)

There is a lot of research that has found the being creative is actually good for your physical health. There have been a lot of studies that have found that just taking the time to be creative is like a workout for the brain. . . it keeps the brain healthy!  Creative people tend to live longer with higher neural networks into old age!  I'm no neurologist, but that sounds pretty cool!  

There is a documentary film, I remember better when I paint, that found that when they put a paintbrush in the hands of patients dealing with dementia, once they began painting they were able to reconnect with the world.  

NPR put out an article in 2020 that interviewed a few neurology professors and psychologists and found that anytime you engage your brain with some sort of visual expression a reward pathway in the brain gets activated. . . translation: you feel good!  

There is probably a lot more research out there, but trust me. . . it's good for your health!  

3.  Creating is good for our mental health

We all know how stressful life is and how anxious we all get.  We are humans, it's going to happen.  There are things beyond our control and it's not going to stop.  We have to be able to deal with it.  While, I do believe that going to God is our number one source of help in times when we need to chill out and de-stress, I also believe that he gave us the ability to create for a reason and this might just be one of them!  

Studies have shown that doing creative things helps with depression anxiety, and also grief.  I know that when I take the time to do something creative, I feel good.  My outlook and attitude are better than when I am anxious or stressed.  One study measured cortisol in 39 healthy adults and after each one spent 45 minutes creating art, each one had significantly lowered their cortisol levels.  

That's pretty cool.  After reading about that study, I really think that spending a few minutes each day doing something creative is just as important as exercise!  (Somebody might question that, but that's what I think!).

Creativity is something I am passionate about.  Am I perfect. . . absolutely not.  Are there things I can't do. . . definitely!  It's why I started my blog.  When I was pregnant, I was really into making cards with stamps (it's something that I still gander at here and there 13 years later!) and someone actually asked what I was going to do with my craft supplies once I had my son.  I am so thankful that I didn't listen to her advice and took the time to be creative, try new things, when my first born was a baby.  I found time.  I took advantage of nap time to do something that energized me and gave me life.  As a mom (littles and bigs, alike) it is exhausting.  Sometimes you just feel drained from keeping up with their needs and schedules that it's important to take some time and do something creative. . . even if it means doing an art hub for kids lesson alongside your kids.  It's important. 

I hope you stick around and join me in a few creative adventures this year.  I'm going to try some new things, finish some projects, bake some goodies and do some traveling!  

p.s. Check back next week and and we'll be looking some of the ways we can be creative. . . even when we don't feel like we can.  

IN THE COMMENTS: How do you get creative? 

Easy clay tags

Today I am taking a breather.  The kids are at school, its overcast, the fire is going, and a Hallmark movie is playing and I am sitting here taking a breath, doing some writing and finishing up the Christmas cards.  My kids have 3 weeks of school between Thanksgiving vacation and the start of Christmas vacation and that has been filled with lots of soccer, errands, and a lot of life.  It's been great!  We have one more week and it's crunch time!

This week, one of my goals  was to work on my gift wrapping for the year.  This year, I decided to try making tags from Sculpey bake-able clay.  I've always wanted to play with this stuff for fun and not for kids class projects (like the time Ethan needed to create some sort of 3 dimensional version of his wolf-finnick fox hybrid or a model stegosaurus).  This time, I got to play with it and I had so much fun!  It was like playing with play doh for adults!  

I rolled it out and cut out my shapes.  Basically, like making sugar cookies. . . except flour isn't everywhere and you don't get to eat them when you're finished! 

I poked a hole a the top of each one with a random chopstick that I found. 

 

I have gathered some beautiful stamps over the years, and it was so much fun to use them for something other than paper!  I picked some of my favorite words, wreaths, and snow flakes and I carefully pressed them into the clay, making sure each little part made it's way in. Then, I very carefully lifted them out and placed them on the baking sheet.  

While, I was doing this, I preheated the oven to 285*F.  I baked them for 15-20 minutes and then let them cool.  If you want to paint them, this is when you do that.  I left mine white since I was going for a splash of white with each present.

 Then, I wrapped up my first present.  I can't wait to finish my shopping so I can finish!  So cheers to the weekend, cups of marshmallow topped hot chocolate, cheesy Christmas movies, and wrapping presents!  
 

Sparks of Joy {Links that Make Me Smile}

 It's Friday!  Wowzers this week sped on by!

 I'm pretty sure I am going to blink and Christmas vacation will be here!  In just 2 short weeks, both kids will be home for 3 weeks!  I am excited!  But, I've got a clean house that is pretty much decorated for Christmas. I've have every intention of being finished with Christmas shopping before the kids get out! I want to go into this season with every intention of slowing down and savoring the days leading up to Christmas. . . I've got some projects, some baking, and a long list of Christmas movies saved up to watch. . . thank goodness Hallmark keeps coming out with new ones all the time!  

Every now and then, I like to sit down and just share some things that have sparked joy in my life lately.  So this post is just that. . . some fun, silly, yummy, creative, weird things that brought a smile to my face.  I hope that you take the time to click on maybe one of them. . . and maybe you will smile, too.  There is no space for joy robbers here. . . let's share the joy have some fun! 

::Advent started this week.  I am doing the She Reads Truth advent and the we are doing the Kids Read Truth advent cards as a family.  I love the intentionality of slowing down each night and opening our Bibles together. It is often the only time of year it happens and it's my favorite. It's not too late for you to join in. . . you can find the plan here.  It has links to the study, the verses and the podcast (which week 1 is with Annie F. Downs and it's so much fun!).  The Kids Read Truth Cards are have been bringing great conversations and suprisingly, still work with the teenager!  You can find the link here. (It looks like they are sold out of all the Christmas ones. . . but there are others!)

:: Amanda over on instagram (@graccieone) has been doing mini quilt Mondays and I think I'm going to go back and try them out after Christmas.  They look so much fun!  

:: I'm currently drinking this coffee and it's my new favorite! I also love their Buena Vista

:: I've been working through the 12 week workout program (second time!!) using my Flobody.  I love it!  

:: Have you seen 8-bit Christmas yet?  So good! 

:: Trying to decide if we are going to Elf some friends this year. . . have you seen this printable I made last year?  

:: There's also some free gift tags, a delivery driver treat sign, and a cookie exchange for free on the blog. 

:: This baked potato bar looks amazing for some Christmas gatherings! 

:: I saw a post (somewhere???) about a soup party that I want to do sometime. Everyone brought soup to share, and also a mason jar with soup for everyone to take home to freeze for quick, warm lunches.  Do you do a soup party? 

:: These sandwiches are going to be on our menu soon. I'm drooling just thinking about them!

:: Jon kept we awake and alert driving home in the fog last week listening to podcasts at half speed.  So much laughter!  You should try it! 

:: Emily Lex has been drying oranges and I want to give it a try.  They look gorgeous!  Maybe next week?

 :: Have you checked out the new Maverick City Christmas Album yet?  It's so good! 

:: And, if you are in need of some warm fuzzy animals doing absolutely hilarious things in the wild and got caught on camera. . . check out this!  I promise it will put a smile on your face!

Well, that's it for this week.  Let's bring on the weekend and all the Christmas stuff!  

Have a great Christmas! 

p.s. do you have something that is sparking you joy?  Post in the comments here or on facebook!  Can't wait to see what you share!