“As wonderful as the results of our creativity can be, beautiful results are not the only benefit which the spirit of creativity brings. The act of creating, of making beauty out of something ordinary, brings joy in itself …
Creativity is not just for self-fulfillment.
Much of the joy of creativity comes in sharing it with others.
One of the most valuable ways we can share the spirit of creativity is by modeling it for our children.
We give them a legacy of joy when we teach them to use their own God-given creativity to instill the spirit of loveliness into their own lives and homes.”
-Emilie Barnes, The Spirit of Loveliness
Shall we chat a bit about being creative around the home? Whether it is placing a vase of fresh flowers at the entry way table or re-painting a room that is dingy and needs refreshing … we all need to be creative! Perhaps it is purchasing that lovely rosebush you always wanted to grow and planting it this summer … (Oh, how I do love roses!)
Personally, I try to do something creative every day – sometimes, it’s just re-arranging a table centrepiece for the kitchen, while other days I have more time to devote to a small, quick creative moment. Recently, with some spare time in my afternoon, I made a few soy lilac scented candles to celebrate the arrival of our (slow-moving) springtime season. Candles are very easy to make and, tied with a pretty ribbon or an attractive label, they can make very pretty gifts for friends and family. They are easily customizable with the seasons, as well – and no more buying candles at the store on a whim … if you are inspired, you can easily go home and make a candle for yourself to suit your taste of the week.
{Would you like me to post a tutorial on this?
It is pretty easy to make and I’m sure there are other tutorials already written on the internet,
if you did a search. However, I can write one out for you, if you request it.}
And today, Lacey and I made a little batch of soap for our family and as gifts. These were a simple melt and pour, but we have made soap from complete scratch before (it just needs more time to prepare and a free morning without too much distraction).
We made one batch as honey and lavender with jojoba oils added in …
As I was pouring the soap into these pretty molds, I remembered an idea we had seen somewhere …. to put tiny treats and surprises in the soap as little gifts for little hands when they are washing up.
Lacey took this next task on and put tiny “squinkies” in each soap … filling the tray halfway up, placing the toy inside and then filling the soap mold back up to the top.
She wrapped them up in parchment paper and tied a tiny pink string around each soap package. They were placed in a little metal basket (spray painted white) and set on the kitchen table. Tonight, after dinner, the children can pick a soap and will be so surprised to find their little treats inside. The little girls are so excited already, not knowing what Lacey made, but knowing there is a treat at the kitchen table awaiting them for after supper. They can use their new soaps to wash up for bedtime.
Planting seeds and growing herbs on your kitchen window sill would be a great creative treat at this time of year.
This past weekend, the older girls and my husband and I were blessed to attend a beautiful symphony performance featuring a full orchestra (including a harp!) and a lovely variety of opera singers. The entire experience was fabulous – and I hope it was inspiring to our girls, as we sat in the front row and they watched in awe as all the musicians played their instruments with delight.
Before the performance, as a treat, my husband took us out for dinner – something we probably only do once a year, if that. When the waitress brought a lovely meals to the table, each plate had a sprig of fresh rosemary as decoration. Much to husband’s embarrassment, I saved those sprigs of rosemary and tucked them into my pocket with a napkin. Mr. Husband was certainly rolling his eyes when I did that! Why keep the rosemary sprigs? Why, to plant them! They are now sitting in water on my kitchen windowsill and I shall watch them every day to see if roots appear. The rosemary was fresh so things look promising. Perhaps that is considered a creative way to grow kitchen herbs!
P.S. What is your favorite creative venue? I have noticed that creative people are generally happier. That is a broad statement, but it does seem the people I meet who like to create are happy, smiling folks. Perhaps this is why …
“Whenever you feel good, you’re probably feeling increased levels of dopamine. A dopamine shower is any healthy effort that seeks to naturally and safely stimulate dopamine production in your brain and body. A way to [increase dopamine] is to do something creative or use imaginative thinking. This will engage the intuitive portion of your brain and can include anything from gardening to decorating a room – whatever engages problem solving or using imagination. It could also include art, cooking, sewing, flower arranging or playing music. Just engaging in these activities can [increase dopamine].”
-Fascinating Womanhood for the Timeless Woman
by Gigi
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