Since I was a little girl, I loved creating with yarn, fabric, and words, but as I furthered my education, especially in high school and college, the creativity took a back burner to reading books and studying. I never forgot the love of creating. When I stopped working full time night shift when I was 9 months pregnant, I was looking for something to do. My knitting needles were once again picked up, and I was
determined to: learn how to knit in a round and knit something more than a scarf. My daughter's first clothing item was completed about 2 days after my due date. My friends and acquaintances know how much I love to knit, and I am frequently asked or told, "How do you do it? I wish I had time for that." When I announced my pregnancy with my son, I was often told, "You won't be able to knit as much."
Is there room for creativity and children in a mother's life? Learn how to balance home, art, and family in Wendy Speake and Kelli Stuart's new book, Life Creative. In this Pinterest age of handcrafted children’s parties, Instagram photos of beautifully decorated homes, and blogs filled with poetry and prose, it is clear that we are in the midst of a brand new artistic renaissance.
Life Creative paints the stories of moms, just like you, who are fitting their inspired lives into the everyday, ordinary places of motherhood.
Join Wendy, Kelli, and other moms in celebrating the beauty of being a creative mom by entering to win the Called to Be Creative Giveaway (details below) and by attending
their author chat party on October 27!
One grand prize winner will receive:
Enter today by clicking HERE.
But hurry, the giveaway ends on 10/27. The winner will be announced at the
Life Creative Facebook party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Wendy, Kelli, and other creative moms, as well as for a chance to win other prizes!
RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via social media and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 27th!
Wendy Speake and Kelli Stuart write, "Every mom was created creative." It looks different with each mom. Some moms are gifted with paints and pastels, but others are able to created accessories and clothes with yarn or fabric. Other mothers are able to place vegetables into their toddler's meals so their child actually eats the meal. Others are able to decorate their homes without any difficulty.
Life Creative emphasizes the home. "Home is where everything starts." I need to make sure that my children's needs are met. I appreciate the authors' honesty when they write that sometimes our blessed little captors (AKA children) sometimes make mothers feel as if they are confined to home. This is often how I felt last year when we went from having 2 vehicles to 1, with a husband working on his dissertation. Thankfully this year I don't feel the confinement as much as last year. By being confined at home, God shows me that I am to be teaching my children (by God's grace) to become His disciples. I wish this book was written last year. It's great for the mother who is feeling stifled, especially the mother who has young children at home.
What if your creativity has taken a hiatus? Wendy and Kelli recommend journaling. Briefly jot down your ideas, so when you're able to be more creative you have something to look at for ideas. 'Journaling your inspiration is a gift. It says, "I trust that the future holds good thing."'
Currently, I'm knitting (or creating) my nephew a minion hat for Christmas. I need to finish weaving in the ends and sewing the eye onto the hat.
What ways are you creative? What's on your needles? What are you currently reading? Linking up at Ginny's Yarn Along.