Category: Home made goodness

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Finding joy

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I’m not sure whats happening to me, but all of a sudden I am finding joy in the very ordinary.

This adrenaline junkie has needed some time to come off my driven highway and I am really starting to like it.

Simplicity.

The feel of the hot water on my hands and the bubbles as I wash the dishes.

The satisfaction of making my own presents for my friends.

Riding my bike to the post office and sending a letter, rather than the quick fix of facebook and insta craziness.

Meeting new friends at the playground as my son rips his shoes off and flings sand everywhere.

Cooking a roast.

Listening late night in bed to the ocean and the rain.

20130916-194052.jpgWatching my son attempt to play the guitar.

Making lunches for my husband so he can work overtime so we can holiday.

Calling my friends with no reason than just to check they are okay.

Dreaming about summer and new seasons and new days.

The seemingly ordinary moments, that we so often scoff at in pursuit of bigger lives.

Finding joy in the ordinary is just as important as stretching your capacity for those once in a life time/ dreams are made of moments.

When we find joy in the ordinary moments, somehow we find a wide open inspired place, that we never knew was available.

We are released.20130916-192156.jpg

It is not circumstance or possessions or status or titles that consume our thoughts.

It is shalom.

It is peace.

Momentary

Fleeting

Simplicity

Revolutionary

Till we meet again

Amanda

 

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risky business

‘Do the one thing you think you cannot do. Fail at it. Try again. Do better the second time. The only people who never tumble are those who never mount the high wire. This is your moment. Own it.’ Oprah Winfrey

Safe creativity is possibly the worst type of innovation there is. You know that song that just pervades the elevator, you know that painting that is passed by because it just fades into its environment, that event that was ummm nice?

To be a true influencer of culture, to create something that has never been created before, one must take risks.

Playing it safe, knowing what your creative outcome will be is no fun at all and in the end you end up reproducing someone else’s vibe.

Copying another’s work, rather than taking the due diligence, to create your own is as fake as some of your instagram accounts.

I have copied a quote and photo here and there, off pinterest in the interest of a quick fix, however the most rewarding creative times I ever have are when I am creating something completely new.

If you are not failing, it’s probably likely that you are playing it way to safe.

If you are not taking any risks then it is very likely your work may be a little too beige.

Risky creativity is challenging and thought provoking.

It stops you in your tracks.

It is vulnerable.

It is authentic.

It is anything but safe.

‘I always did something I was a little not ready to do. I think that’s how you grow. When there’s that moment of ‘Wow, I’m not really sure I can do this,’ and you push through those moments, that’s when you have a breakthrough.’ Marissa Mayer

Breakthrough creativity is that which is full of risk.

Take some today.

A

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Novice Crochet

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Watch out.

What you are about to read is highly contagious.

It is addictive.

It has caused my husband to declare a crochet free night in our house.

I have had some conversations with friends recently who want to learn to crochet.

So I decided to encourage others in this sport so that I may be a little less granny.

There is something so therapeutic, about repetitively tying little knots that end is something special; a present for my friend, a crafty something for my house and creative inspirations that make me smile.

 

The way I learnt to crochet recently was through youtube. (when I was very young my nan taught me, but crochet became very uncool in high school) I buy most of my wool from Spotlight and am especially happy when it is on sale. www.spotlight.com.au

Here is one of the tutorials I learnt from:

I have recently made a couple of jumpers for Maximus and they are actually surprisingly easy. I promise. I made it available in my shop for free, you just go to my shop and download for free.

The original pattern is free from www.ravelry.com

If you are a beginner start with something simple like a plain scarf or a one coloured rug. Learn each of the stitches, single crochet, half double crochet and double crochet. Then you are off and racing.

Winter is the perfect time to begin to hibernate and create.

All my crafting love

Amanda