Archive for creative life
Daily Creative: A Fall Table Centerpiece
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I just realized that we hadn’t had a Creative Challenge for a while! So.. here is a dose of creativity for your week- a hands-on challenge that will prep your thanksgiving decorating too!
Supplies:
Large bowl, tray or low vessel to fit your dining table
Assorted pumpkins, silk or dried flowers, fruits, artichokes, leaves, branches, and greens
Scissors, floral foam, pins and tape (optional)
Any other accessories, ribbons, green or spanish moss, do-dads, or fun things that you would like to be part of your table decor
Here is an example of what I’d like you to assemble: (in your own creative way of course!)
I’d like you to fill your vessel with the elements that you have gathered. Don’t worry about being too stylized, just make a loose arrangement of fall gatherings.
To Start:
Use your largest item as the first piece in, building around that. I like to put in off center, if possible. (My largest item is the twig pumpkin.)
Next:
Cut a square piece of floral foam to sit next to your largest item. This doesn’t have to too big, just an anchor to build up some height with your next items. If you can gain height without adding the floral foam, no need to follow this step.
Next:
Now the rest of your pieces just get layered in, so just go ahead and just start arranging in the objects that you have collected. Vary the height, color and texture of your collections. If you have any open spaces that you want to fill, add some green or spanish moss to fill those areas. The moss also is a great “bed” for everything to lay on.
Final touch:
Add a few ribbons to your arrangement. Don’t worry about making bows per say, just use some floral tape or wrap, tie or fold them into soft loops to fill in and compliment the other textures in the arrangement.
Now, you’ve just made a super easy centerpiece that didn’t take too much time and will be the perfect centerpiece when the table is all set. Remember to keep your arrangement low, it’s much easier to talk and see your guests when they don’t have to crane their necks to see over the centerpiece.
Good job- what part of this challenge did you find the most fun? The part that challenged you the most? Thanks for participating!
A Creative Connection Event Recap! Part 1
Posted by: | CommentsOh… there is so much to show and tell!
I have had to put this post off for a bit, just knowing it was going to take a while to download/edit all of the photos and to actually put it into words~
I will give the recap in 3 parts… just to make it more manageable.
Today… I’ll focus on the Tablescapes and Decor!
Yes, we were treated to delightful decorations and themes with each meal or main gathering. It was sort of expected, but the fantastic Creative Connection Event team even outdid the expectations. Yes, it was definitely NOT your average conference!!
Take a look at the table-scape and themed decor for the daily events…
Every boxed lunch should be sitting on a table this charming…
Our first dinner was not only delicious, but was set delightfully with tablecloths made out of Amy Butler fabric! Girly, creative, and festive at the same time! And to top it off, we each received a custom necklace created for each one of us by Lisa Leonard Designs. How special is that?!
And to think that some old pages from a book would create such lovely decorations and tables at our next luncheon….
And for the most delightful send off party ever…
A Cupcake Farwell Party…
Yes, the cupcakes were really as delicious as they were beautiful.
So, come back for the next post…Creative Hands-On Classes!
Daily Creative… Through a Camera Lens
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Today’s Daily Creative Challenge is spurred on by this lovely autumn weather we are having. I think nature is our biggest source of inspiration. It almost instantly de-stresses our bodies and minds, allowing us to be creative, along with giving us endless inspiration to draw from.
So… I would like you to get out there over the weekend to enjoy it… but there is a small catch! I want you to play with your camera while enjoying the bounty of fall. It doesn’t matter if you are a professional or amateur photographer, or even someone who “just owns a point and shoot”. You can play with your camera creatively!
First, don’t worry about what you’re going to do with these photos. You don’t have to do anything if you don’t want! I just want you to see nature’s gifts through the eyes of your camera.
Take photos, lots of them.
Take them up close and from a distance.
Photograph leaves, mums, pumpkins, kids, blue sky, the lake, farm land, it doesn’t matter.
Just take photos and really SEE what surrounds you.
If you’re able, try to play with light, shadows, contrasts and even backgrounds.
But mostly just let yourself be creative!
That’s it… just enjoy the lovely weather and colors and try to see things you wouldn’t notice if you didn’t have a mission. We all miss so many of nature’s delights because we are just too busy or preoccupied to notice them.
Have fun and don’t forget to stop back and leave comments about what you photographed and what you really saw through this challenge!
Blessings for your journey!
Upcoming Occasional Sales!
Posted by: | CommentsHey all… 
Fall is definitely here in the Midwest and so are the shopping opportunities! Just thought I’d mention that there are an abundance of Occasional Sales this week in the Twin City Metro and beyond. So many in fact, it will take judicious planning to take in all of them. (I kinda like a challenge like that don’t you?!)
Wait… I think I heard someone say…“An occasional sale? What is that?” Well, let me share with you… Renee Christensen of the Minneapolis examiner.com describes them as: “Occasional sales are usually hosted by an antique dealer or a group of antique dealers, and are held as often as monthly to quarterly to biannually for three to five days.” I would also offer that these sales can be great places to find furnishings, home decor, seasonal decor, unique oddities, special handmade creations, repurposed finds, vintage wares and so much more! So, if you haven’t been to an occasional sale… you may not know what you’re in for! (Don’t say I didn’t warn you..)
Looking for something to fill that special spot, want to jump-start your holiday shopping, or just browse until you find that one piece that you didn’t know you would fall in love with? They’ve got them! Good buys and great finds. I am planning on finding a car load of wonderful things for my clients (and my own home)!
Want to catch a preview of the loot?
Start by checking out A Gathering of Friends down at Bachman’s Flagship Store in Minneapolis. This great sale has grown over the years to a spectacular sale. I always leave with not only loads of good stuff, but inspiration and ideas to put into action. I can’t wait to find some architectural pieces, a few vintage accessories, and maybe a white pumpkin or two. (No matter how many I already have, I always end up buying more here… it’s a like tradition!) Go ahead… just to temp you… check it out here.
In addition, Bachman’s is celebrating their 125th year by transforming their historic 1920’s Bachman family home, (located on the original Lyndale Avenue family farm), into a seasonal Ideas House. (The Fall Ideas House is open October 7-10. Tickets are $5 each with 20% of all proceeds benefiting Children’s Home Society & Family Services. Just a note: You must pre-register online for tickets ahead of time. Go here to do that.) So, not only can you shop for wonderful treasures, but you can gain some fall decorating inspiration and benefit a special cause all at once! That’s what I call real shopping ladies! Learn more here.
Then head on over to Teresa DeJarlais’s blog to see a preview of what’s coming over at The Atelier and The Porch. You will find me checking out the fall and Halloween decor, the jewelry and maybe a painted piece or two… You can find the shop right here...
Also check out the wonderful Second Hand Rose’s upcoming sale finds over at their blogspot. I especially want to check out the upholstered pieces, the lampshades and some of the old clocks (those are for me… I have a growing collection of old clocks.) Check them out here….
I will share some of my finds with you…if you share your finds with me! ” A Shop and Share Post”… post your comments and link back to your photos here in the comments.
Can’t wait to see what you find!
Off to the Creative Connection Event!
Posted by: | CommentsHello All! 
I am so excited… I have made lists, gathered the required class supplies, packed my camera, my business cards, my bag of clothes, too many pairs of shoes, and I am off!
I will be spending the next 3 glorious days in communion with about a hundred other kindred creative spirits. We will enjoy classes, speakers, discussion panels, dinners, keynote speakers, creative make and takes, networking, business connections, shopping, blogging and so, so much more. It will be a fantastic time for both me personally and for the growth of my company. When we invest in ourselves, our education, our creative spirits, and our heart’s calling, we refuel, recharge and reconnect with our passions.
I am hoping to post a little while there, but can’t honestly say I will, as our schedule is busy from morning until late evening with all of the fantastic things planned at this event. So, while I may be taking a blogging break for a few days, try to join me by taking on a small creative project of your own.
Maybe you’re going to plan a wonderful meal with a new recipe, maybe you will scrapbook your latest photos, join your kids on a nature walk, or gather some treasures on a antiquing weekend. Whatever you do, do it with creative spirit!
Oh, and please join me back here soon for the recap of the Creative Connection Event details, I know they’ll be great!
