Nature or Nurture?

While sitting here this morning with the first cup of coffee, and checking all my assorted oh so important junk emails. (dang no sales online last night) I skipped over and checked Mum's shop, Dad's shop, Daughter's shop. I had the stray though maybe there's something in the water!
It got me to wondering about how creativity plays itself out. You know the old 'nature versus nurture' thing.

Right brain, left brain dominance, genetic predisposition, necessity, or familial tradition? I believe being creative can be learned through a nurturing process, but does that explain talent? Is having any level of talent just from what you are taught, or is it a natural process that we're born with. I remember begging to take guitar lessons when I was younger. A tutor came to our house to screen me. I had never played any instrument before, and he walked me through holding the instrument and basic finger placement. So for the total 15-30 min he was there, he concluded I had no talent, (and yes he said that to me) and it wasn't worth it for him to teach me. Needless to say I don't play guitar :), but had a different teacher nurtured the desire would that have been different?

Hmm might be to much to think about this early. I would love to hear your thoughts on this. How did you become so wonderfully creative?

Fairy Glens and Gardens

The weather was glorious this weekend! I just have a need to be in the middle of everything when it's shining and warm. It is a pure bliss, and a hyper awareness of my my surroundings that carries my moments on days like this. The apple blossoms scented the air with a glorious sweetness. The mama pheasant was yelling at me, I assume for coming too close to her nest. Robins and humming birds were dancing in the air and flitting from tree to tree. Thankfully I got to work on the upper deck ( our property out back) by myself for a while. I do need the extra help for heavy chores with clearing and gardening, but today I was actually happy the fellas were occupied elsewhere today. I needed the moment of solitude to feel bigger than myself today and it was grand!
I worked for a while on the path into the fairy glen. My missy and I are going to have a special spot. Even us old Mamas need to believe in fairies and magical things. I got the base of the arbor/ gateway up. It's made from recycling the boys old batting net, and the bent side rails from a vintage toddler bed. I will be training the honeysuckle to climb over the arbor. I am using the head and foot boards from that little bed to make a bench for the glen. I just need to finish cutting the slats, and make the cushion.
I also managed to get my entire vegetable garden planted. Three large plots, and three rows of Mammoth sunflowers along the fence line! I did all of this in my bare feet. Soft warm soil....have to have bare feet for that one! sometimes simple pleasure are best :)

Creative spark and process

I've been thinking on this a for a while now. I keep seeing the question "What inspires you?" Yesterday it happened to be a huge sparkly citrine. Generally I go digging through my supplies until I see something that makes the lightbulb go on! There's no rhyme or reason to it, just a "Oh! I know what you're going to be!"

I try to sketch out the idea, sometimes that works, sometimes not. Yesterday it worked.:)





Generally what's the most time consuming for me is the framework. Whether its the wire frame base, or patterning out a doll body. I always want to get through this part quick so I can get to the fun part of decorating. It has been a tough lesson to slow myself down on this part of the process so I am not wasting materials because I rushed things.

(tip: cheap clamps from the hardware store make a great set of extra hands!)


I must admit though, even with the most careful work, I still had 2 spots I took apart and redid. Once it was halfway done, I decided to switch out some stones, as the stones I originally put on the piece just didn't quite fit. All part of the process I guess.

All in all at the end of the afternoon, and 4 hours later I do believe it turned out so pretty!





So what does everyone think? :) (hmm this was fun) I think I'll take some more pics of process with the doll I'm working and post that later.

Oh and before I forget......it's Thursday! Tomorrow is Fantastic Friday! Dont forget to go enter on the Baroness' blog (link is to your upper right-->). Drawing is tomorrow morning........YAY! Then it's my turn.......WOOHOO! I love when it's my turn for the giveaway, I have a cool prize for the next one.

All you beauties have a grand and glorious creative day!!!!

Personal Challenges

I have decided to challenge myself to get organized and create! My shop took a bit of an inventory hit over the holidays and I'm having to squirrel away time to make new things to restock. So I have challenged my self to create something everyday for the next 90 days, and I will be posting pics and updates everyday here. If anyone wants to join me or create their own personal challenge please comment on my blog and I will be sure to come look at everyone elses progress :)
To start off I got this heart pendant done today and will be posting in my shop this evening. YAY! one down and 89 to go!