Monday, April 14, 2014

CREATE . . . every day


In a class at Craftcation, Kaari Meng of French General challenged us to Create . . . every day.


At first I took that to mean MAKE something every day, 


But reading my favorite blogs and looking at gorgeous photos of homes, gardens, projects, etc., I notice creativity taking many forms.


Anita of Castles Crowns and Cottages creates smiles and evokes memories with the beauty of her words and images.


Lovely linens, delightful dishes and unique flatware are the tools of creativity for Sarah of Hyacinths For The Soul. 


Vera of Row Homes and Cobblestones is a weaver of words.


Mary Alice of Chateau Chic combines simple pieces to create beautiful vignettes.


For Nicole of My Garden Diaries, the garden is her canvas and green is her dominant color.


Ricki of Art @ Home shows her creativity by piquing our interest in books and music.


The creative talents of Daphne of Ivy, Phyllis and Me is detrimental to my lumpy body because every recipe she shares is wonderful.


So today, although I began making Easter baskets for Sunday,


I focused on being CREATIVE rather than making anything.


I cut flowers in the garden


and rearranged tchotchkes on the garden ladder.


I gathered flowers on our morning walk to create a bouquet for the living room.


I tweaked the mantel display and


brought a little bit of Easter to a corner of the living room.


I ended the morning by designing an attractive table setting for whatever delicacies Steve will create for our eating pleasure tonight.


I began to write that I didn't make anything today, but actually,  I used my creativity to "make our house a home".

..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..

I am joining these wonderful creative parties 

Domestically Speaking - Inspire Me Monday

Coastal Charm - Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

The Dedicated House - Make It Pretty Monday

Boogieboard Cottage - Masterpiece Monday

Dwellings of the Heart - Amaze Me Monday

52 comments:

  1. Carol, You are so talented. I adore the little yellow wagon with the star wheels. :):) I love when you show your patio and garden. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

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  2. Carol..I just love how youtweaked the saying to "do something creative every day" instead of "create something every day". That makes it possible....it's so easy being creative but actually creating something every day can be difficult or even impossible. I love all your creativity today....everything lloks as beautiful and welcoming as always! Have a lovely evening enjoying a delicious dinner on those beautiful table settings.

    Blessings, Vicky

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  3. Sweet post Carol. I enjoy seeing all your creativity around your beautiful home.

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  4. A little cottage by the sea... -happy sigh- How delightful!

    With "cottage" and "sea", how could it be more perfect? :-)

    Tessa~
    (Upper NYS)

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  5. Carol,
    You my sweet blog friend inspire all of us through your kind, generous and creative heart. You alway, ALWAYS enable me to leave a post of yours with a smile and happier than when I arrived. As an artisan there is much (happiness, pain from loss, amazement from discovery, kindness of friends) that transcends into my writing, my art and paintings, into my everyday life. But sweet Carol there are consistent precious encounters that make this crazy blogging reality a joy and there is a rejoicing in the friendships made along the way. You my friend are a precious colorful (I think red) cheerful and precious flower that I hope I always, ALWAYS encounter along my chosen pathway.
    I thank you for the inspiration you shower sweetly on me,
    XO,
    Vera

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  6. Carol, you inspire me with every post. I feel honored to be among those you spotlighted for creativity. My blog is a wonderful creative outlet for me. It's heartwarming to know that others read and perhaps take a bit of inspiration from my playful time. I know I always leave Art and Sand feeling inspired and very happy.
    Eager to see those Easter baskets you are creating……Happy Easter!

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  7. You always find creativity in your beautiful neck of the 'beach' and your dedication to finding it daily, is very inspiring, indeed!

    Love the bouquets and I'm sure Steve's delicious creations are appreciated as well!

    Poppy

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  8. I have forgiven a lot of things due to your friends passing. I am still thinking of you.

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  9. It always good to create a new thing everyday but sometime you run out of ideas but a visit to blogland often gives a inspiration.
    Merle..........

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  10. Carol, this post really grabbed me. Here I think I don't 'create' because I don't craft very often, but you showed me I do create in so many other ways. Thank you for helping me realize that! Oh and I love all your tweaks and that nice table setting! Happy Day!

    Linda

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  11. What you've written is so true. Creativity takes many forms, not just making something. How lovely of you to recognize all the creative things you do in a day.

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  12. You are so creative, you certainly don't need any inspiration.

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  13. You always make your home beautiful for every occasion! And it's nice to be inspired by all of our blog buddies. You've mentioned some of my favorites! Enjoy your week my friend! Hugs!

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  14. That was a great idea to take with you from Craftication.

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  15. You did wonderful things today, Carol. You are talented and creative-it was a day well spent. xo Diana

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  16. Carol, you create everyday with your beautiful tablescapes. I am sure that Steve really likes the lovely tables that you set for his dinners.
    Your home is always so very wonderful with all the creative things you do.
    Have a great week.
    Mary

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  17. What a lovely post and you absolutely DO create every day!

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  18. I love that you have high-lighted the difference ~ what a wonderful, inspiring thought to carry each and every day ~

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  19. Your right creativity does come in many different ways. Each one unique in their own way! I am so envious that you have flowers that you can cut from your garden, it's snowing here! Your creativity is shinning through, keep it coming!

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  20. Your creativity is as important as any other, Carol. You have made a beautiful home with your sweet vignettes and wonderful colours. Have a wonderful week.

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  21. You are creative in you creativity! And you must carry your camera in your pocket!

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  22. Love the photos. Putting it that way makes it a process.

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  23. I always find creativity at Art & Sand. I love the flow of your blog posts and the photos you share. I wish I had time (not working) to be creative :) Blessings to you, Cindy

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  24. Your spring decor is looking good!

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  25. What a great post though I am still chuckling over the recipes line...:)

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  26. WOW!!!!!!

    My dearest Carol, I am late and how I missed this, I don't know, but I am thoroughly honored and so happy to be here amongst women that I truly admire! And thank you so much for honoring my photography that I quite frankly, was so sad about because it seemed as if it did not interest anyone! Oh to create every day....we do. If we help a student learn something new about his world or about HERSELF, if we strike up a friend's thoughts, we are creating! And I know you are a non-stop creator of ideas both in and out of the home. THANK YOU for this wonderful post! Now to go to school today with this unending dizziness and now a ringing in my ears. To create feeling as such is a tall order, but I think I can do it! Big hugs, Anita

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  27. Aw! Thank-you so much for featuring my blog on this post. I truly feel honored, and I'm grateful that you've introduced me to a few blogs I've never visited before. I hope to link over and "meet" some new bloggers!

    I love all the little projects you created. What a nice activity: walking and picking flowers for an arrangement! I like that! I usually walk around the lake in our neighborhood, but we aren't allowed to pick the flowers….just enjoy them.

    Lovely post, and I wish I could participate in a creative workshop some day!

    xo,
    RJ

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  28. Your home always looks great and is testament to your creativity. M x

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  29. You do creativity so well, Carol!!! It's ALWAYS fun and inspiring to visit your darling cottage and beautiful gardens.
    You are such a doll to include me in this post. Thank you!!!
    Mary Alice

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  30. Making my house a home is the constant way that I express myself and use my creativity! Great post :)
    Susan

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  31. I am constantly rearranging, flower picking, cooking, and making...you inspire me to create every day. I'll have to check out My Garden Diaries. xoxo Jen

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  32. You are such a creative busy bee! Funny when I was reading the blurb about Ivy, Phyllis, and Me, I read it as "every recipe she WEARS is wonderful" Hah!

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  33. Yes you do make a house a home and you're fantastic at it!!! The tablescape you created is just beautiful! And what a way to live...to create each day or use your creativity in whatever you do! Loved the shots of your garden today friend! I need to get a garden ladder this year!!! And thank you for the shout out!!!!! It warmed my heart so very much...you are such an awesome blog friend!!! Wishing you a week full of creative energy!! Nicole xoxo

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  34. Love this post! So many ways to be creative and enjoy living! Blessings, Bess

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  35. Creativity comes in many forms, doesn't it? Glad you had fun at craft camp and found some other ways to keep "creating" at home when you got back.

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  36. Carol, I'm crazy about all of your creations! You are so clever, love each one of your wonderful photographs!

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  37. I love days where I am able to create small changes that overall lift the spirit of my home and for us to enjoy simple changes. Sometimes it is the simple addition of flowers or new vignettes that make it all feel fresh to me. It looks great.

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  38. Thanks for showing us all the creativity out there. You always make your house a wonderful home. I had to look up Tchotchke so thank you for a new word. Hoppy Easter.

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  39. Good Evening Carol, You are such a lovely person. Thank you so much for your kind words about my blog. I have to tell you, that you really are an inspiration and I really admire your energy and creativity.
    Your home is testament to your creativity. I love visiting you, because your home is full of love and happiness and it is a place I would love to visit. You never know, one day, if I am in your part of the world, we might be able to get together for a chat and a cup of coffee.
    Love and Best Wishes to you,
    Daphne

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  40. Hi Carol, thanks for stopping by. I want to wish your luck on your shower and especially on your template. I spent 3 hours trying to figure out how to print on my favor bags - Pinterest was so sure it was possible to feed them through my printer!

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  41. Creating a home is such a good way to use your creativity! I love the picture of your flowers on your stool.

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  42. I agree that there are so many different ways of being creative - and I love all the examples you showed us. Now I'm off to visit some of those blogs that are new to me!

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  43. Carol, what a wonderful tribute to creativity and to the inspiring hearts you've featured. I cannot begin to tell you what creativity means to me, and how it spread its wings when I started a blog and connected with other creative souls. For me it's all about GIVING. Look how beautifully you gave in your own home with all these pretties you made.
    xoxo's

    Hope you enjoy stenciling the monograms. They are easy-peasy.

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  44. I'm with you on the definition of create. Thanks for sharing your beautiful creations!!

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  45. I just love that little dog on wheels :)

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  46. Yes you did! I also took that to heart when I read that create daily quote.
    After years in computers my left brain was about dead from lack of use....I'm slowly reviving it! (Left side is the creative side,correct?) You do a great job and your home definitely shows it.

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  47. You are by far one of the most creative bloggers I know Carol. Are you familiar with a store called Paper Source? Their tag line is 'create something every day'. As you know, that can be interpreted in so many ways, and I love the way YOU have chosen to interpret it.

    Hope you're having a great weekend, and keep creating and making the blogosphere more beautiful.

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  48. Your words are so true, creation takes many forms.
    On the days I work I plan creative things for my days off, and feel bad if those two days are only filled with housework and dog walking. I just wish I could do more after work, but the very sunny and busy Easter holidays have left me feeling very tired.
    As always it's lovely to visit your beautiful sun filled home for inspiration.

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  49. You are so right, Carol! There are so many ways to be creative every day. You don't literally have to sit down and create something. You've provided some lovely inspiration in this post.

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  50. My computer was broken and in the shop for two weeks. I missed your wonderful posts the most. What a very creative day you had...such lovely creations all day.

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  51. Wow you were a busy girl being creative. Made everything pretty

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