30 Days Creative ~

I love making creative boxes :)

I've decided to focus on being creative for the next month.  Anytime I'm approached to do something for someone else, I do it creatively, but it's been quite a while since I've tried to focus on creativity every day.  With that said, I've decided to challenge myself! 

For the next 30 days, I am going to focus on creating something every day.  This might be an in-depth article/post, but moreover, it will probably be something involving scrapbooking paper!

I looked around the scrap room the other day and noticed something.  There are a lot of crafty items sitting in bins or mini tubs on my shelves and... (gulp)... many items haven't been touched in the three years we've lived in this house!  There are also items that were supposed to go on the walls of the scrap room.  Things I absolutely adore and yet they... (gulp again)... are sitting on the floor or on a shelf - NOT on the wall! Thus the other reason for challenging myself!

By the time I am done with my challenge, I plan to have a few of the following goals checked off:

1. The scrap room will once again be inviting and inspiring upon entry and my favorite things will be on display.
2. My scrapbooking papers and other supplies will be organized and easier to access and I will have determined what items no longer have a home there (perhaps paper that I know I will never use, etc.!) and those items will be packed up and ready to be donated to one of the kids' schools.
3. I will have closure on a few projects that I need to finish, or ones that I planned to tackle in days gone by.  Checking this item off the list would feel GREAT!  (Yes, that's a must!)
4. The biggie is #4!  I am hoping this challenge will leave me feeling inspired and motivated and EXCITED about crafting again.  Maybe it will even lead me to a new business venture ~ one never knows, right?

Have you ever been in my place before?  I know some of you scrappers have been!  Feel free to join me in this challenge in any way shape or form!  Share your photos and thoughts with me!  A completed project, a great organization idea, etc.  I'd be happy to share them here on my blog.

Signing off now as I need to go pick a project for today!

Most of you know my slogan... "Do it creatively or not at all" ~ time for me to get to work!

How Pinterest Gave Me the Gift of Inspiration ~

http://pinterest.com

I've heard women call themselves "addicts", I've read an article stating that Pinterest and other sites caused the writer to feel she needed to compare herself to or compete with others, and I also know people who have seen or heard the Pinterest name but have no idea what it is.  But for me, it gave me back missing inspiration.

Pinterest, is described on the site as a Virtual Pinboard. "Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes. Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests."

In my own words, I'd describe it as a fun site to visit with thousands and thousands of pictures of anything you can imagine!  You'll find craft ideas, apparel, sentiments, food, beverage, party, etc. (in other words - you name it, you'll probably find it!).  One can sign up and simply look at everyone else's pretty pictures (that they have "pinned" to their "boards"), you can create your own "boards" on whatever subject appeals to you, or both.  The pictures presented are all linked to the original websites they appeared on, which is fun in itself as sometimes one discovers a new favorite website.  One can "re-pin" from others and even "follow" them just like on Facebook or Twitter.

At first, I wasn't too sure about it.  I scrolled through the opening page and was thinking, "How does one become addicted to this?"  I also wondered why one needed to be invited to join (yes, you must be invited by a friend or request an invite from Pinterest.com).  But then as I looked at friends' boards and did searches under certain subjects, I finally figured it out and enjoyed it.  (And the invite only clause just makes the whole thing intriguing, doesn't it?)

I found that viewing "pins" inspired me to get a little craftier (something I used to love to do), be a little more creative in party planning (some ideas are easy and relatively inexpensive), and even to revisit my love of creative handwriting and calligraphy. 

I don't take anything Pinterest-related too seriously and I don't have thousands of pins, but I enjoy the fun and inspiration it gives me and it reminds me that, "Hey! I can do that!"

Below are a few of my favorite pins (thus far).  To view my boards, to see the links to the sites where these pins originated, or to follow me, go to www.pinterest.com and find me under creativekimfunk. I'd also be happy to send you an invitation if you leave your email below in the comment section.

Please enjoy this virtual (make-believe) mini tour of my house...

First, step through my garden gate...
 original pin from - http://dishfunctionaldesigns.blogspot.com

Walk on by the cute old truck...
original pin from - http://organizingmadefun.blogspot.com

Head up to my office...
* original pin location could not be found (please share if you know!) *

Enjoy the old typewriter...
original pin from - http://whippedstyle.com

View my daughter's gallery...
original pin from - http://www.theprettyblog.com

Look at my current handwriting practice...
original pin from - http://sundayinbed.tumblr.com
(note: at press time, link was not working)

See my newly purchased fonts (love them!)...
original pin from - http://www.goinghometoroost.com

Take a peek at my project at the craft table... (great journal and sentiment!)
original pin from - http://artjournaling.tumblr.com

And my daughter's current art project as well...
original pin from - http://onthesurfaceblog.com

Find out where we neatly store everything...
original pin from - http://toppics.mooo.com

View the sentiments on the wall going down the stairs...
(This one's for my boy!)
original pin from - http://sawdustcityllc.com

This one's for my girl...
original pin from - http://mmorris.webs.com

And a reminder for the hubby and for me...
original pin from - http://vintagedutchgirl.blogspot.com

"Perfect!"
original pin from - http://www.etsy.com/shop/cREaTebyRET

Now, come have a seat...
original pin from - http://www.bhg.com

And "refresh yourself" before you have to go...
original pin from - http://sosimplyspecial.com

Enjoy your stroll out ~ thanks for coming by :)
original pin from - http://nature.desktopnexus.com

Now, what do you think of Pinterest?

Guess you could call me "Pinspired".

Make Someone Smile Today ~

Good morning :)
Lift someone's spirits today! You've read a post recently from someone down on their luck or sad, or know someone facing a challenge that seems too overwhelming to tackle... Reach out and say hello, share a similar experience or just say, "I care". Your little gesture may make his or her day :)

Favorite Words - Way of Life - Inspired ~

Jodi "penning" her message on the

Pink Heals Fire Truck in Fairfield, California

Go Jodi!

One of my favorite words in the whole English language is inspire... or to be more specific  ~ inspired. I truly believe being inspired by others and then turning around and inspiring someone yourself (intentionally or unintentionally) is one of the best things in life!

I am inspired by friend Jodi and other "fighters" every day.

What inspires you? How do you inspire others?