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Decorate With Intention: Nourish Your Creativity at Home
If your creative time seems all too short and slapdash, make haste in checking out these ideas to redesign your approach
Houzz Contributor. You can also find me on Lolalina (http://www.lolalina.com/), my blog devoted to all of the things that make a house a home - decorating from the heart, living with intention, and savoring life's simple pleasures.
Houzz Contributor. You can also find me on Lolalina (http://www.lolalina.com/),... More »
Whether you knit, sew, paint, write or craft, chances are that you find it challenging to squeeze in as much creative time as you would like. It is all too easy to allow our schedules to be filled to the brim with obligations to others, but the fact remains that when we take the time to do the things that feed our creative spirits, we feel better. When fall approaches, and the coziness of home beckons once again, it's the perfect time to take up your chosen craft (or try something new).
These 11 ideas and beautiful, inspiring spaces will help spark your creativity, get you out of any ruts and support your crafty side.
These 11 ideas and beautiful, inspiring spaces will help spark your creativity, get you out of any ruts and support your crafty side.
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No more excuses! Avoid distraction and make the most of limited time. Even if you can set aside only 10 or 15 minutes, if you make them count — and repeat daily — you will be amazed at what you can accomplish. While it's true that some projects require a few longer dedicated work times, if we are being honest, mostly "I have no time" is just another way to procrastinate.
If creating is important to you, you probably can find the time. Set yourself up for success by avoiding easy access to the Internet and turning off all of your devices during dedicated creative work times — and let those you live with know how important this time is to you.
If creating is important to you, you probably can find the time. Set yourself up for success by avoiding easy access to the Internet and turning off all of your devices during dedicated creative work times — and let those you live with know how important this time is to you.
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by HUISSTYLING
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| If you need a big, open space, make it happen. If what you really need is an expansive surface to spread out on and you don't have a dedicated place with one, don't let that stop you. It's perfectly all right to call dibs on the dining room or kitchen table between meals, provided you can clear your work to the side relatively easily. Keeping a cabinet or drawers nearby will make it easy to sweep things off the table in a hurry. |
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| Feeling stuck? Take a time-out for exercise. The next time a creative block hits, try taking a brisk walk, settling into a few yoga poses or lifting weights — anything to get your blood pumping. Exercise gives your mind a rest from actively thinking about your creative problem while improving circulation (and likely your mood). The best ideas can bubble up spontaneously during these time-outs, pulling you out of your rut in a much shorter time than if you had been trying to force an idea to come. |
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Find a corner to call your own. Whether it is a small table pulled up to a sunny window, a closet that can be curtained off from the rest of the space, a tiny unused nook or a cabinet with a work surface hidden inside, it is important to find somewhere that lets you fully commit to your creative practice. There will be times when you must leave your work in the middle of a project, and it is so helpful if you can leave some of your materials out rather than needing to clean up completely every time. Don't fret if the only space you can find is a bit out of the way — sometimes a desk with a spectacular view is not as conducive to good work as a tiny nook, where you can focus your energy on the task at hand.
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Make sure you have easy access to your materials. If you need to hunt and dig every time you want to work on your craft project, chances are that it's not going to happen as often as you would like. It's not necessary to keep every last item on display, but putting frequently used tools in an easy-to-grab spot is key. Fill an open-top bin or basket with your materials and store it in the room where you like to work.
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| Let your entire space reflect your creative passions. There is something to be said for having an entire studio devoted to your art (of course), but for most of us, finding creative space within the rest of our home is just how it goes. But that doesn't mean you must confine your creativity to one zone — in fact, the more you can integrate mini creativity spots throughout your space, the more likely it is you'll be tempted to make something. Try displaying your guitar on a stand in the living room, keeping pretty fabrics or luscious yarns in open cubbies, and stashing a stack of fresh notebooks and nice pens near your favorite chair. |
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| Know when you need privacy. This tip is especially pertinent for those living with kids or roommates. Even if you have a large space, if others are constantly interrupting to ask you questions or chat, you need to find somewhere more private. Taking over part of your own bedroom with a worktable and an inspiration board could be the ideal solution. If you want to be really tricky, you can even pretend you are still sleeping — and squeeze in a little creative time first thing in the morning before anyone knows you are up. |
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Mood matters: Your creative space should inspire you. While it is true you should minimize distractions during creative time, that doesn't necessarily mean you ought to work in a completely unadorned room, either. Tap into what fuels your creativity and bring more of that into your space. Consider a small stereo if you enjoy music while you work, textiles or vintage objects that spark your imagination, an inspiration board where you can collect your ideas, and books you love; even fun wallpaper or a vibrant wash of paint can enhance your mood and help juice your creative spirit.
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Entice yourself with inspiring quotes. I am a big believer in the power of words, and an apt quote has helped me out of a creative rut many times. Keep a rotating selection of favorite quotes, sayings, song lyrics and lines of poetry on a chalkboard or pin board, or simply taped to your wall for a quick boost whenever you need it.
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| Know that moments of humor in your decor make creativity flow. Keep the mood light in your creative space with a cheeky, fun touch like a decorated or "dressed" sculpture, a cheapo vintage portrait that you have drawn a mustache on or any object that brings a smile to your face. |
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| Be open to creativity in all areas of your life. Creativity permeates everything we do, from our conversations with friends to preparing dinner for our families. Approaching everyday tasks with a creative outlook makes our daily life richer and more satisfying. Tell us: How do you find time to work on creative projects? What would your dream crafting or creating space look like? |
Ideabook published on Sept. 10, 2012.
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And everyone, if you can't find enough alone time to work on your project because of your kids, reverse psychology works best - insist they sit down and join you. They will find something else to do in a hurry.
Knitting and crocheting is definitely best in a soft bag, like Bobbi P suggested and I try to find one with various sized pockets on the outside to keep spare needles and other needs. I also photocopy the pattern I am using (enlarging helps too) so I can make notes or mark my place and not damage the original book. I found using a notebook often didn't work as half the time I couldn't make sense of my notes 6 months later, despite them making sense at the time. You do have to be methodical with this, never assume you will pick it up the next day. Sewing - I like to keep embroidery in a pretty box from a $2 shop, it doesn't have to be hidden then, and I add smaller boxes or craft boxes to it to keep cottons, spare needles, etc. For dressmaking I prefer a plastic bin that I can keep fabric, pattern, tape, etc. together until it is finished.
My present craze is scrapbooking - it was taking over the house until I organised one entire wall of my bedroom with desk, cupboards, shelves, drawers and boxes to tame it. Now I am looking at how to store all my albums.
US Navy in December, 1975. I carefully packed what I had
completed, the instruction book and yarn to complete the
project in a box and shipped it home.
I went to school, leaving this project behind in its box. I got
married, which meant the box got 'put' somewhere by my wife.
We had two daughters, completed our undergrad and graduate
degrees, and survived somehow highschool days with our kids.
To be honest, I had completely forgotten about this afgan until
our last child went to college. We were cleaning out things
that had been stored far too long and came across the box.
My wife wanted to throw it away, but I would not hear of it.
It was a very complex pattern with at times 15 or so bobbins
of different colored yarn in a row. it was tedious, so I only worked
on it when I was alone.
I finally finished knitting it August, 2009. It only took
33 years and 6 months if I count correctly!
Also important to me are steps. Say I want to sew Junior some pj pants. 1. Choose fabric and iron it when I get home (2 minutes). 2. Another day - cut out pattern (10 minutes) then put it away. 3. next time I have 15 minutes, i'll sew up the sides. 4. And again, later I'll sew the rest and put away. 5. Add the elastic. Each step only takes a short amount of time (so you don't get overwhelmed) but I find I get things done this way in many areas of my life.
This is how I crocheted the star garland (I know, rocket science) in the photo -a star a day while watching the news or waiting for water to boil, and painted the middle oil painting on the mantel. Done in steps. Same with the painting and decorating. Little bits all add up, more quickly than you can imagine! The same with raising kids...you can make a ton of mistakes as we all do, but the little steps you take towards laughter and positivity all add up!
I like to keep a project notebook because I give away most
of what I make to family. Three ring binder, sturdy pages, label from the yarn and sample of it. Taped to the page a picture of the pattern with either a copy of directions or where to find them (if someone asks) and, most important, a photo of the finished product, preferably on the recipient. You can adapt this for quilting weaving, etc. Good luck!