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Inspiration Prompt #26 – What Is Creativity

Monday, November 17th, 2008

Creative Commons Creativity Poster [Creative Commons Creativity Poster by maven, on Flickr]

There are almost as many definition of creativity as there are people trying to define it. In my opinion this happens because each and every person has a different take on creativity. You might already have established your idea of what is creativity and how it resides within you and others or you might still try to figure it out.

For this week’s inspiration prompt I have compiled a list of different definitions of ‘Creativity’:

  • Merriam-Webster dictionary:
    “1 : the quality of being creative
    2 : the ability to create”
  • Concise Oxford English Dictionary: “relating to or involving the use of imagination or original ideas in order to create something”.
  • Wikipedia: “Creativity is a mental and social process involving the generation of new ideas or concepts, or new associations of the creative mind between existing ideas or concepts. An alternative conception of creativity is that it is simply the act of making something new.”
  • Encyclopædia Britannica: “Ability to produce something new through imaginative skill, whether a new solution to a problem, a new method or device, or a new artistic object or form”.
  • Answers.com: “Creativity is the ability to think up and design new inventions, produce works of art, solve problems in new ways, or develop an idea based on an original, novel, or unconventional approach.”
  • Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi: Csikszentmihalyi finds correlation between creativity, happiness and being in a state of ‘flow‘. He suggests that the creative moment occurs when a person is completely involved in an activity. The flow state, as he defines it, is an optimal state of intrinsic motivation, where the person is fully immersed in what he or she is doing.
  • Mary Lou Cook: “Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun”.

As I see it creativity is Unleashing the child within and going back to the state of freedom of thinking and experimenting that we naturally had when we were children. Therefore, in my opinion, as each child is different from another, so is each person’s expression of creativity.

Share –

What is your definition of creativity? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.

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Posted in Inspiration prompt | 4 Comments »

Creativity Prompt #25 – How To Complete A Scrapbook In One Weekend

Friday, November 14th, 2008

Title Page - Belgium Scrapbook
On this week’s creativity prompt I want to share some quick and easy scrapbooking tips. Using those techniques has enabled me to complete visual appealing scrapbooks in the course of one weekend (sometimes in a single day!!!).

I always get overwhelmed with awe while browsing through some scrapbookers’ blogs and public galleries. Their layouts are intricate and artistic and convey hours of meticulous work. However, these scrapbook layouts are not realistic to most people.

In today’s hectic world there is not enough time to achieve these artistic results on a regular basis. Therefore most people just give up along the way and feel guilty or “left behind” in recording their treasured memories.

I want to share some tips & techniques that will help you create visually appealing layouts quickly and adjust your scrapbooking routine to your fast-paced life.

  1. Focus on the essentials. letting your artistic talent shine through your layouts is great but the main purpose of the scrapbook is to capture your life stories, so concentrate on them. Let the pictures and journaling take center stage.
    Photos+Story
    Photos+Story
    Photos
  2. Use standard size 4″ by 6″ photos. Cropping your photos using a photo-editing software is easy, but it takes time. It is an extra step that sets you back and makes you invest more time in the “planning” process and less in the “creating” process. Just print all the photos you’ve chosen at 4″ by 6″, using one of the many printing vendors available online and offline. After receiving the pile of pictures, you can crop them as you go.
  3. Think outside the boxy. Playing around with your photos’ shape can add an interesting design element which is quick and easy to achieve. Try to cut a picture in a circle (I am using Coluzzle) or to accentuate an element by cutting around it and attaching it with foam dots.
    Square and Circular pictures
    Adding a photo with foam-dots
  4. Spotlight an element with a frame. Draw the viewer’s eye to a specific element in a photo by framing it. It adds a visual appeal and makes the photo speak for itself. You can use stamps, rub-ons, bling, chipboard or softies or anything else within your arm’s reach…
    Chipboard frame
    Rub-ons frame
  5. Use extra photos to create a collage. There are some places or events that evoke special memories or deep emotions. I always pick too many pictures than I actually need to convey these memories and emotions (and sometimes I pick too many photos for printing for no reason at all). No problem, crop all the photos and piece them together into a collage.
    Collage
  6. Turn to the pictures for design advice. Many times I take a picture because of the interesting composition I see in it. When the time comes to put this picture in a scrapbook, I repeat the same composition in my layout, either in the design or by the patterns of the paper I use.
    composition in patterned paper
    Composition in design
  7. Utilize the color scheme in your photos. Design your layouts around the colors in your photos. If your photos are monochromatic, you can have a go with a colorful and busy background; and vice versa, if your photos are colorful, you can do without any background.
    Colorful photos
    Monochromatic photos

    Use the color-wheel for inspiration and position complementary colored photos together.
    color-wheel inspiration

  8. Most importantly – make sure to keep the process fun and easy. Don’t dwell on the design too much, just stick to some principle design elements and work around your mistakes without getting overwhelmed and frustrated. Scrapbooking “booboos” happen, so what? Remember the main reason you are scrapbooking for, I bet it isn’t self-bashing and over-criticizing…

    Out of letter-sticker
    [In this layout I ran out of letter-stickers, so I used different types of stickers.]

    Free-hand framing turned bad
    [In this layout I had an issue of a free-hand framing gone wrong, so I just covered it with cardstock. It does not look very appealing but I decided to just go on to the next page.]

I hope I have inspired you to start working on your life stories… the quick and easy way!!!

Enjoy!!!

If you have any question, suggestion or remark – don’t hesitate to contact me – either leave a comment, use the contact form or start a new thread on the Creativity Prompt Flickr Group!!!

I would also be very happy to see your own creations, so don’t be shy and share 🙂

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Posted in creativity prompt | 6 Comments »

Journaling Prompt #25 – Get Inspired By The Fall And Shed YOUR Leaves

Wednesday, November 12th, 2008
the parade of autumn begins today
Image by Brian Hathcock via Flickr

The fall is a beautiful and colorful season. The leaves are turning a thousand shades of yellow and red and finally scattering around, getting blown by the wind of change. The trees are shedding their old leaves and getting ready to wear a new glorious foliage. You should do that to. Throw away your old “leaves” and make room for a new glorious coat.

For this week’s journaling prompt I ask you to list the leaves in your life that you would like to shed.

There are a few types of leaves you might consider to shed, hence several lists you might benefit from compiling:

  1. Memories. Some memories are important and should not be forgotten. Saying that, most negative or traumatic memories should be eliminated, as they are only weighing down on you. Make a list of all the traumatic memories you’d rather forget, then shred this list and make sure to shred your memories along with it (As far as it is possible for you. I would never assume it can be carried out in full and it’s definitely not going to be easy).
  2. Outlooks and tendencies. We all have lots of these poisoning thoughts and negative tendencies running around: self bashing, taking things personally, over analyzing, etc. Make a list of all of the outlooks and tendencies you’d like to shed out of your life.
  3. Frenemies. Do you have a friend that can be confused as an enemy? Do you hang out with someone that constantly makes you feel bad about yourself, your life or your friend’s negativity? This is the time to reconsider your friendship and make more time for your soul-mates.
  4. Material excess. List all the stuff that are cluttering your house and making your life more difficult. Strive for simplicity and make room for your new “coat” – make room for your life. While your at it, why don’t you try and think of a better home for each of the excess items and write it down next to it on the list.

After compiling these lists, you have already completed your first step towards a glorious new life.

Share –

Do you have other list ideas? What is the first thing you’d like to shed from your life? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.

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Posted in Journaling Prompt | 6 Comments »

Inspiration Prompt #25 – Smile

Monday, November 10th, 2008

Smiling Horse
The picture was taken in Iceland a few months ago. I was trying to take a picture of that horse eating grass from the hands of two cute little girls. The girls would not stand still and I could neither take a picture of them feeding the horse nor a picture of the horse itself. Finally, the girls went away and the minute I pointed my camera directly at the horse’s face – IT SMILED. This isn’t a camera trick – I wish I could take more photos but I was in total shock and this is the only shot I took.

Have you smiled today? If you have not smiled yet then smile now!!!

About eleven years ago, My friend and I were about to go on a “girly-girl-date” together. We were both feeling a bit down, each of us for her own reason (hence the need for a “girly-girl-date”). My friend had made some finishing touches with her hair and came out of her room with a grin. “What are you so happy about?” I asked. “Nothing”, She answered. “I’m still not feeling very well, but this is a kick start for our date, try it too”.

I tried and it worked – now it’s your turn to give it a try too.

Why smiling?

Smiling is the best and quickest way to elevate your mood. It’s an instant remedy, even if you have nothing to smile about. Try it. If there’s no one next to you right now or if you don’t mind the audience just make the widest most radiant smile you can come up with. Keep smiling for at least a couple minutes and see how you are already starting to feel a wee bit better.

Share –

How does the smiling-therapy work for you? Leave a comment and share. While you’re at it, include one of your best jokes in your comment. I am looking for the joke that would make me laugh even on my worst day.

Thanks for sharing!!!

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Posted in Inspiration prompt | 10 Comments »

Creativity Prompt #24 – Recycled Stitched-Spine Journal

Friday, November 7th, 2008

Stitched Spine Journal Next time you receive a package, don’t throw the box and the padding material away. Instead, turn them into a gorgeous hardbound journal, you can carry in your pocket.

This tutorial is a recycled version of the extremely popular Hardbound Journal tutorial. You can find another variation here.

Supply –

  • Two 2¾” by 3¾ “ cardboard pieces, cut from the box.
  • 50 pieces of newsprint paper (used for padding packages) measured 5” by 3½ “.
  • 4 scraps of patterned paper. Two measured 3¼” by 4¼” and two measured 2 5/8” by 3 5/8”.
  • Glue stick + double sided tape.
  • Ribbon
  • Embroidery floss

Tools –

Instructions –

  1. Flatten the box and cut 2 pieces, measured 2¾” by 3¾ “.
    Cutting the covers from the box
  2. Adhere the cardboard pieces to the larger scraps of patterned paper (3¼” by 4¼”) with the glue stick. Position the cardboard pieces in the middle of each paper scrap (you can also use fabric scraps which are slightly larger). Cut the corners of the patterned paper flaps and allow an 1/8” gap between the edge of the cardboard to the base of the cut. Fold each flap and adhere it to the cardboard, using a bone folder.
    wrapping the covers

    wrapping the covers

  3. Cut the newsprint paper to size (5” by 3½“) and fold each piece in half (creating 2½” by 3½” pages) – use a bone folder to insure a crisp fold. Stack every 5 pieces into one signature (altogether 10 signatures of 5 pages each).
    Folding the newsprint inserts
  4. Measure the height of the stack of signatures to determine the width of the spine.
    measuring the signatures
  5. Position the two covers apart from each other allowing the gap between them to equal the signatures’ height, as you have measured before. Using a double sided tape, adhere a strip of ribbon to both sides of the covers.
    attaching the ribbon to the covers

    Mark the width of the ribbon on the signatures to figure out where to pierce them afterward.
    marking the signatures for piercing

    Repeat with a second strip of ribbon. The second strip will reinforce the journal and increase its stability.

  6. Secure the embroidery floss to the cover with a piece of tape and start sewing the signatures to the ribbon. Start from the outside of the ribbon, into the signatures and through the ribbon.
    Preparing the stitched spine

    Preparing the stitched spine

    Take a peek at the finished spine –
    The journal's spine

  7. Cover the inside of the journal with the 2 5/8” by 3 5/8” pieces of patterned paper to conceal the embroidery floss and give the journal a finished look. This is the time to trim the ribbon’s ends and cover them, if you don’t wish the ribbon’s ends to show.
    Finishing touches

    Here is how the journal looks without the ribbon’s ends –

    The journal without ribbon

Enjoy!!!

If you have any question, suggestion or remark – don’t hesitate to contact me – either leave a comment, use the contact form or start a new thread on the Creativity Prompt Flickr Group!!!

I would also be very happy to see your own creations, so don’t be shy and share 🙂

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Posted in creativity prompt, Tutorial | 13 Comments »

Journaling Prompt #24 – Remember Your Teachers

Wednesday, November 5th, 2008
Teaching Math or Something

Illustration By: foundphotoslj from Flickr

A teacher affects eternity;
he can never tell where his influence stops.

Henry Brooks Adams had said and I agree. Our teachers define us and make us the individuals that we are; and by saying “our teachers” I do not necessarily mean the traditional school teacher.

The most valuable lessons I have learned didn’t come from my school-teachers. [Though I have had my share of inspiring school and university teachers as well.] My best teachers were the ones who have touched my life in some way.

I have recently shared with you the lessons I have learned from my nephew who has autism and a while back I have shared the way my grandfather, of blessed memory, had taught me some great lessons, which I have come to appreciate only after he passed away.

Similarly I have learned a lot from my parents, my friends, colleagues, public figures, bloggers I have been following and sometimes even complete strangers who have striked a chord in me while passing through the street.

For this week’s journaling prompt I ask you to remember your teachers.

While documenting the teachers in your life you might want to record the following things:

  • Who were the most memorable teachers in your life?
  • What were the most valuable lessons that you have learned?
  • Which lessons do you wish to pass on to your children?

Share –

Leave a comment and share who were your most treasured teachers and lessons with me.

I would like to mention two of my readers who have already written about great teachers in their lives:

  1. Kim Mailhot.
  2. Kristin Saegaert.

I hope you will enjoy reading their posts as much as I did.

If you liked this post subscribe to my feed:

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Posted in Journaling Prompt | 4 Comments »

Inspiration Prompt #24 – Things I Have Learned From My Autistic Nephew

Monday, November 3rd, 2008
french Girl & Boy autist at Villa Cosmao, Bretagne - France

Illustration By: Alain Elorza

My first nephew was a beautiful baby who has grown into a beautiful little boy. When he was 1 year old he could already calculate simple arithmetic. About half a year later he started losing his language and wanted to be left alone. My beautiful nephew was diagnosed a few years later. He has autism.

Finding out about my nephew’s condition had been devastating for us. We didn’t know what to expect and we only knew he’s special. Now I know how fantastic he really is. How pure and sincere this wee child is. I would like to share the inspiration he has given me with you:

  1. Get absorbed in the moment. My nephew notices textures and colors in an intense way. He touches everything he wants to observe, and he’s eager to observe every little detail. He doesn’t rashes through life but rather takes complete heed. If there’s an ant, making her way home with a seed on her back, my nephew’s wide and awake eyes will notice and follow.
  2. Switch off jealousy and competitiveness. My nephew has never had feelings of jealousy or competitiveness, he is the purest person I have come to know. He is sensitive and always seeking the well being of his loved ones. The negative thoughts are completely switched off and he does not recognize them (hence cannot understand why others switch these negative forces on).
  3. Smile. My nephew can lose touch with everyone and run away to be left alone, but when he’s interacting with people he loves (and he always loves a person, the first time he sees him or her) he has the widest and most pristine smile you can ever imagine. The kind of smile that gets you out of a bad mood in an instant. When my nephew smiles at you – you cannot help it but smile too. You instantly fall in love with him.

It will take me a lot of time and practice to fully adopt all the elements which my nephew naturally lives by, but I am learning and evolving – all thanks to my wonderful nephew.

Share –

  • Have you had an unequalled teacher in your life?
  • What lessons have you learned from your exceptional teacher?

Leave a comment and share your learning experiences.

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Posted in Inspiration prompt | 15 Comments »

Creativity Prompt #23 – Cards & Envelopes Set

Friday, October 31st, 2008

Cards & Envelopes Set

Many of my most cherished creations are a result of a blunder of some sort. After I pass the self bashing stage I try to make something out of the error and sometimes the result is far better than what I have originally planned to do.

Last week I have posted a tutorial on making a mini album out of a single sheet of cardstock. The process of making this mini album involves alternating cutting lines. I was trying to use the paper trimmer for the cutting and got confused and mistakenly cut the cardstock in the same direction.

Following my mistake the muse came to visit… I decided to make a bunch of 3″ by 3″ cards instead and also created a matching Envelope Template.

So, without further ado, here is the tutorial:

Supply –

Instructions –

  1. Cut the cardstock into 4 strips of 3″ by 12″ and then cut each strip in half to two pieces of 3″ by 6″ cardstock. Fold each piece in half, lengthwise, to create a cute 3″ by 3″ card. You will end up with 8 cards from the single sheet of cardstock.
  2. Use a craft knife to cut a ¾” slit into each card’s spine and weave the ribbon through. Tie the ribbon into a square knot and repeat on each card. [You are completely free to embellish the card in whichever way you wish… Don’t feel obligated to the ribbon, it won’t be offended – neither will I 😉 ]
    Making the card
  3. Download the free envelope template and print it on a letter size paper (8.5″ by 11″). Cut the outline of the template. [You can either print it directly on the backside of the patterned paper or on a copy paper, which you can then cut and trace over the patterned paper – your choice].
    Cutting the patterned paper for the envelopes
  4. Score along all the dashed lines of the template and fold. Adhere the long flap to the small side-flaps with a tape runner (or a glue stick, if you prefer…).
    The completed envelopes

Easy, fun and adorable – my kind of a craft project 🙂

Enjoy!!!

If you have any question, suggestion or remark – don’t hesitate to contact me – either leave a comment, use the contact form or start a new thread on the Creativity Prompt Flickr Group!!!

I would also be very happy to see your own creations, so don’t be shy and share 🙂

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Posted in creativity prompt, Tutorial | 4 Comments »

Journaling Prompt #23 – The One And Only, YOU

Wednesday, October 29th, 2008

The one and only, YOU! I have noticed lately, that I say: “X, the one and only” very often. (The ‘x’ naturally stands for a different person each time.) This figure of speech has made me ponder…

Aren’t we all unique individuals? Isn’t each of us “the one and only”?

Every person is born and keep on growing and forming into a unique person. Everyone has a special set of skills, traits, thoughts, aspirations and looks. No one is the same (and thanks god for that 🙂 .) Everyone is one of a kind. Everyone has something he/she is particularly good at. Everyone can contribute a different outlook or a distinctive set of mind to a conversation. Everyone is unique.

A while back I have written a post on the importance of being authentic. Being authentic means to stay true to yourself and to believe in your own way. While authenticity is something you need to nurture, uniqueness is something you inherently have.

For this week’s journaling prompt I ask you to embrace your uniqueness.

Grab your journal and start writing:

  • What are your strongest traits?
  • What are your best skills?
  • What would the following people answer, when asked to describe you in a sentence:
    • Your colleague.
    • Your friend.
    • Your kids.
    • Your husband.
    • Your parents.
    • Your sibling.
  • What differentiate you from others? What makes you special?
  • What makes you, ‘YOU’?

Be nice to yourself! Write a long list or a short list, it doesn’t matter – as long as you are taking the time to observe and embrace your uniqueness.

Share –

Leave a comment and share your uniqueness with us.

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Posted in Journaling Prompt | 3 Comments »

Inspiration Prompt #23 – The Elements Of Life

Monday, October 27th, 2008
Cát tuyến và ... tiếp tuyến
Image by ThinhHoang via Flickr

Who can identify what are the most important elements of life more adequately than someone who had formed wondrous worlds, full of character and flair, knights and princesses?

No one can, right? Than let us soak up the words of Hans Christian Andersen:

“Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.”

Living in Ireland, which can be rainy and gray, I do appreciate the warm rays of the sun, caressing my skin softly and brightening up my day. But a sun can also be a hug from a loved one, a warm word of encouragement, an unexpected compliment from a stranger and a wide and honest smile.

Freedom is indeed a key element in life, as without it we are nothing but marionettes, hand held puppets. Freedom gives us both the reason and the means to live.

When we are free and feel the sunshine above us (whether the weather is good or it is only the atmosphere around us), all we need for going on at full steam is a flower to bloom right in front of us and embellish our day, show us how beautiful life is – remind us that we are free and that the sun is shining.

Share –

What are your elements of life? Do you agree with Hans Christian Andersen’s list? Leave a comment and share your opinion.

Giveaway Update –

A while back I had hosted a giveaway on my blog. The prize offered was a copy of the brilliant book: Visual Chronicles by: Linda Woods and Karen Dinino.

On October 15th I randomly picked up a winner, yet the prize has remained unclaimed, albeit an e-mail sent to the previous winner.

Therefore, I have randomly picked another winner, which is: Mary Doak.

Her comment was:

Celebrating with family. and goals for the new year will be to declutter our home. I have packed too many things in this little house. Thanks for sharing your time and gifts with all of us.
I am from the State of Maine

Congratulations Mary, please e-mail me your address, and I’ll send you a copy of the book 🙂

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