Are you crafts minded?  Do you get thrills and chills creating new things?  I do!  I love the challenge of something new but too often I don't seem to find the time what with work and family obligations.  Unfortunately, when I don't have the opportunity to use my creativity, I feel stagnant, unfulfilled.  I am always searching for ways to jumpstart my creativity and to find the time that seems nonexistent.  Here is a great tool that I found which I believe will help you and me to keep creating. I found it on the P.S. I Made It facebook page.   Try it and see what happens!  You might be pleasantly surprised.

Soon-to-be published!

Woo hoo!  I was offered the opportunity to submit an article to a family magazine.  Battling nervousness, I forged ahead.  Ironically, the monthly issue I am submitting an article for is about gardening.   Hmmmm...I have been known to kill air ferns.  I just don't have a green thumb like my husband.  Thankfully, he knows what he is doing and carries out my ideas.  Using my crafting and design skills with his gardening abilities we have created an English garden which produces abundant colors and fragrances through the summer.

I prayed and got the idea to write an article on "Growing Your Creativity", sharing inexpensive craft ideas using items found around the yard and house.  I explained that the lack of gardening skills doesn't mean one has to hire someone or have to spend a lot.  I lost count of how many times I tweaked the article.  Finally, I sent it in.  Within a day or two, I got a reply back that they loved it.  Whew!  I was thrilled to say the least.  It will appear in the May/June issue and I can hardly wait.  Life is good!

I love Pinterest!  Yes, it can be time-consuming...but that's my fault, it's my choice.   I love viewing new crafts from around the world.  I love finding and trying out new recipes.  It's fun to see all the journaling ideas that I can incorporate into my journals.   What is there not to like?
For Valentine's Day, I used some of the clipart to send to my husband who is working states away.  Several spoke what I felt in my heart for him.  I sent him at least one a day, letting him know how special he is to me.  I received inspiration for an article I am submitting to a magazine.  It's fun, easy, inspiring, motivational, and more, much more!  Visit me at my pinterest pinboard and join in the fun.
http://pinterest.com/kstutz/

The to-do list

Well, I am getting closer to finishing my to-do list for the weekend.  I finally got my Christmas scrap album finished and I am well on the way to finishing the magazine article I need to submit.  It still needs a little tweaking but I'm getting there.  Today, I will work on my journaling.   I have been looking at some of the journaling sites and have found some wonderful prompts to act as a springboard.  In fact, it was almost information overload.  I finally decided to put them on my Pinterest journals and journaling board for future reference for me and any of my followers.   http://pinterest.com/kstutz/journals-and-journaling-prompts/

There was one blog I particularly liked as it broke down a 30 day project into individual days.  The blogger had creative page ideas in addition and I plan to incorporate some of them.  It's  www.souljournaling.com/prompts.php.  She uses a mixed media approach which I think will be a great method to show my inner thoughts but also my crafting skills. 

Me a magazine writer? Who knew?

Filled with excitement and anxiety at the same time.   I have been given the opportunity to submit an article to a family-centered magazine.   Over two years ago, I had made an inquiry about the possibility and it seemed to fall through.  Then last week, I got an unexpected email asking if I was still interested in writing for them.  "Sure," I said before I could let fear get in.   They then sent me the details.   Soooo...I have been thinking and thinking and thinking about what to write and the style in which to write the article.   I want to stay true to myself and not pretend I am something I am not.   Finally, I got an idea and I am going to run with it.   The issue will be concentrating on gardens and springtime.   The title I came up with is "Grow Your Creativity".   I will write about using what's around us in the garden and yard to make useful home decor, unique ways to plant, and fun crafts,Wish me luck.  Even better, pray for me.