Hello there….hard to believe it is March but here it is beyond frigid. I am talking single digits and bone chilling cold.? Headed into NYC today and there are no amount of layers that will be too much! Not pretty either, I am so over winter it is not even funny. So our monthly By Invitation Only theme this month is creativity and how to/ways that I keep it alive in my life. It was an interesting and thought provoking question/thought process. Some days admittedly I feel like the creativity just won’t stop, even if I wanted it to (which I don’t) then I have those other days where…..well, lets just say the well is running dry:) I think creativity and finding “the zone” has much to do with a relaxed and open state of mind……..

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By nature I have always been a creative person, from the storybooks with vivid illustrations I made as a young girl (and thankfully that my parents kept as its great fun to see them now) to the paperdolls I made, to my custom stationery that I sold, hand painted kids accessories, all the way to design….I have certainly explored many creative avenues! The difference between me now and say 10 years ago however,? is that when I get to those “cold barren corners” aka a non creative zone and lack the creative intuition, I recognize it, take a step back and take a little break. I dont’ force it or think it can magically appear. I think creativity has to be spurred by above all else, passion and desire. You have to want to look for it, see it and discover it. It will not just fall on your lap. So in recognizing this (after 40 something years I am finally onto something) I take a breather and allow? myself to get comfortable in not always having the answer, not constantly being able to “perform” and you know what…..its really liberating. REALLY.

And then the funniest most ironic thing seems to happen. And it happens really quite naturally.? I suddenly in due time start having an awakening, almost an epiphany of sorts. I start seeing things around me with new eyes, things were either black or white (either figuratively or literally ) suddenly have color and hues and dimension. When I am tapped into my creative juices, I really do see inspiration all around me, in my home, nature, on the street, out and about, in the sky, through watching people interact, it goes on……..so there is no right or wrong answer in how/why/where we find creativity or how we stay creative.? So here are some places I find creativity on a day to day basis some orthodox and some not so much:)

Pinterest.There is no denying the sensational jolt that Pinterest gives me….it makes me want to dress better, cook more, organize like mad, decorate daily and exercise until I can’t walk….talk about getting those creative juices flowing! Here’s just a smidgeon of things that I? have found recently that got me feeling really creative in so many different directions……….

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So when I see the above, this is how it gets my creativity going,? it makes me want to? A.Get knee deep into my closet and start “playing” with all the things I already own and at the very least it gets me geared up to look my best that day! B. Learn how to take better pictures B. stylize a bar cart immediately! C. Change all the font on my blog (lol) D.Organize a craft closet E. Organize and create a craft closet or at least a corner, this picture has me thinking of so many little projects I could (and should) take on F. Get back to that closet and start checking things off this list! And this is just things I found in one visit…its crazy and endless. If you are hitting a wall with your creative vibes, visit Pinterest, trust me!

Bloggers…..I cannot discount the immense pool of talent out there in the blogging universe, the talent, inspiration and creativity are mind blowing and a daily source of ‘wow’ for me. If I need inspiration or a nudge to get creative, no where can stimulate my senses quite like blogland! I cannot tell you how many ideas and projects I have either done or started to plan becuase of a fellow blogger their immense creative talents…..so thank you to my fellow bloggers for being such a fabulous source of inspiration!

Nature. It is a guaranteed jump start to my own personal creative process. Being around nature relaxes me, allows me to think and often come up with some of my most creative ventures! Green grass has me daydreaming about a backyard party or fun family BBQ, being by the water often gets me thinking or plodding for a getaway of some sort, even if its a day trip, flowers…oh don’t even get me started! I love them and nothing makes me feel as creative as when I am around flowers!! Even if its too cold to venture outside without a blade of grass in sight, I will high tail it to one of several wonderful nurseries in our area and let my creative senses run wild……or a visit to an arboretum with the added sensation of history all around me is another great source of inspiration.

Reading. Knowledge is power as they say and boy, isn’t that the truth. When you read, you open yourself up to new possibilities, you can practically escape to another world. If I read something that is particularly inspiring it often influences me and how I might want to do something. Whether its a visiting a place I have never been, trying a new dish or food, experimenting with something in my home, whatever…reading most certainly broadens your horizons and allows you to see things in a new light. I used to be an avid reader and now when I find the time its a precious gift, one which I savor. So reading whether it be books, magazines, e book, whatever……is a constant wonderful source of both creativity and inspiration. Even if my stack of books on my nightstand stays stagnant for a while, I know that an “escape”? that will captivate me is just a few pages away……

Designers that I admire. When it comes to all things decor or getting busy in my home or with someone else’s project, I often will look at work from favorite designers for inspiration or to launch a creative burst. If I see a beautiful room or space, it can excite me to the point of wanting to do something about it! Whether it be a color or feeling/mood, sometimes its a wallpaper that has struck me or a beautiful antique chest, maybe a cluster of gorgeous ginger jars (no surprise there), whatever the case may be….I find it visually stimulating and seeing others beautiful work is almost a sure way to get me feeling creative and inspired…..

Monograms. Yep….every time and I do mean every single time, I see them I am inspired to want to do something creative with them. They are sooooo gorgeous (must be the southern in me) but an elegant monogram gets my heart beating faster! Whether I immediately think about what I can monogram, whether it be a party invitation, a bedding set, maybe a beautiful sweater or even a chair…..the possibilities are endless. But there is no denying that monograms bring out the creative lioness in me, no doubt!!

So there are just some of the ways I find creativity. Naturally there are others but these you might say are my reliable “go to” sources when my creativity bank is running low:) Sometimes the visual stimulation is so strong, its akin to too much coffee, it can rev up your engines that much! But no doubt finding creativity is a wonderful thing, it gets you thinking in new directions and opens your eyes to all around you.

I do think some people are intuitively more creative than others but I also believe even a very non creative person can find and channel their inner more creative being. Hope some of these suggestions might trigger something in you to go find your own creative genius, have no expectations but mostly have fun and enjoy the process. Sometimes it shows up in the most unexpected places! Thank you for stopping and wishing everyone a fabulous (and warm) day, brrrrrrrr!

Be sure to click on over to Splenderosa to see the other bloggers who have participated, and how they channel their creative vibe. It is always worth the click!

If you missed my newest tabletop settings in “Setting a blue and white table” yesterday click here to see…….

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