The Freecycle Network™ is made up of 4,730 groups with 6,664,000 members across the globe. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It's all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills. Each local group is moderated by a local volunteer. Membership is free. To find out more about it click on this link: Freecycle.
"Ah, good taste! What a dreadful thing. Taste is the enemy of creativeness". Pablo PicassoEmotional Blocks:Recognizing and working at removing emotional, perceptual, and cultural blocks is one step towards greater creativity. Of course this can be a lifelong process which requires patience and perseverance and even in doing so you may not be able to remove all blocks. However with the right attitude and chosen strategies, one can minimize their effects on the creative process. I hope this post helps identify your own personal blocks and places you on a path toward discovering strategies to remove them, so you are in a more conducive attitude to creative thinking. Next week I will post a list of strategies I have found helpful.Perceptual Blocks:
- Fear.
- Need to conform.
- Frustration.
- Too much or too little motivation.
- A tendency to judge rather than create ideas.
- Self-satisfaction.
Cultural Blocks:
- Inadequately defining or limiting the problem.
- Using the wrong method.
- Using the incorrect information.
- Failure to use all the senses.
- An inability to utilize all your abilities.
- "Now, let's be logical."
- "Thou shalt not try anything new."
- Role stereotyping.
- Playing is for kids.
- Fantasy and daydreaming are bad.
Michelangelo`s (1475 - 1564) sculptures owe their realism and beauty of proportions not only to the many sketches of nature made by the artist. What was also very important were the autopsies, which Michaelangelo secretly performed. He had to keep them secret, as in those days performing autopsies was considered a crime. It was however the only opportunity to conquer the secrets of anatomy of the human body. Autopsies were also performed by other artists living in the Renaissance period, such as Leonardo da Vinci. We know this thanks to the notes and drawings he left behind.
How widely the process of creation can be understood you will able to see from the statement of Yves Klein (1928 - 1962), who is the author of his famous blue paintings, so-called Monochromes and IKB International Klein Blue: "Lying one day on the beach I began to feel hatred towards birds, which were flying in my beautiful, cloudless sky, as they were trying to make holes in the biggest and most beautiful of my works".
In the days when paint couldn't be bought in a shop, painters (or their assistants) had to make paint themselves. There existed certain rules (often kept a secret), according to which paints were produced. There is a rumor that Rembrandt (1606 - 1669) obtained his shiny red color by adding crushed rubies to the dye.
Jackson Pollock (1912 - 1956) hardly ever fastened a canvas on a stretcher. He preferred to tighten it to the hard surface of a wall or place it on the floor. He said that when he does so it feels as if he is closer to the painting, he becomes part of it, he can walk around it, work from all four sides, practically "enter" his painting. In place of an easel, palette or brush he used palette-knives, sticks, knives, liquid, leaking paint or thick paint mixed with sand, broken glass and other substances not generally used in painting.Salvador Dali (1904 - 1989) was inspired (like many other surrealists) by dreams, interpretations made by the mind and any sorts of deformations, for which he searched methodically and fully aware in regions of psychical disturbances and pathological symptoms. He claimed that when contemplating something it is possible to find its second state.
Collage is a new method, introduced in painting in the year 1912 by two outstanding artists - Pablo Picasso (1881 - 1973) and George Braque (1882 1963). From the moment artists started to discover its virtues they began involving sand in their paintings, as well as pieces of cloth or wood, unusual objects in art, such as cards, match boxes, tobacco containers and others. All this enriched the structure of a painting by new elements.
Have you ever visited Etsy.com?
graphic by schugirl
Home Decorating Ideas: How to Match Paint Colors to Natural Objects
"The most common type of emotional block is fear. Fear of appearing stupid, fear of making a mistake, fear of failing. Asking questions, which is essential to creativity, means laying your ignorance out in the open. That's something we all learned to avoid a long time ago. It's still hard at times to risk ridicule or disfavor and come right out and say "I don't know".
Fear of failing is perhaps the biggest block of all. No one wants to fail. And some of us will go to extraordinary lengths to avoid failure of any kind. Some people won't play games for fear of losing. Some of us won't quit jobs we loath because we fear failing in a new career.
But failure is a universal experience. Practically everyone fails before he or she succeeds, especially while learning a new skill. And without that failure there can be no success. Would you have learned to walk if you had quit after your first fall? The only real difference between a baby learning to walk and an adult learning to ski is that when the adult falls down his or her ego gets bruised. A willingness to take risks, especially to risk failure, is an essential characteristic of the creative person."
"If you're not failing now and again. it's a sign you're playing it safe" Woody Allen
"Everyone has a need to conform, to belong to a group. We conform in our dress, our speech, our activities and in our thinking. But being creative often means being different, in our thoughts and in our solutions to problems. While some of us are afraid of being different, it doesn't have to mean eccentric, or oddball, or anti-social. It's simply a willingness to try new things.
Individuals who need to conform closely to society's rules and regulations may find it difficult to be creative. That's because leaving the well marked roadway to explore the unknown can be disorienting and uncomfortable. Expressing ideas that run counter to popular opinion means risking disapproval and censure. But to be creative, relax your need for conformity and be prepared to break the rules."
"We all have a frustration threshold. When it's exceeded, because of repeated failure or too much pressure, the autonomic nervous system takes over. Then our behavior is no longer controlled by our initial goal and it becomes difficult if not impossible to solve a problem creatively.Emotional Block #4 - Too much or too little motivation.
When you're blocked by frustration, the best solution is to relax completely, physically and mentally. Then, in the next minute or the next day, begin again with a fresh attitude and perhaps a fresh approach to the problem. Efforting through the frustration will do no good. In a state of frustration the passage to your creativity is closed tight, just as if there were an automatic shutoff valve."
" Without sufficient motivation we don't turn on our talents. If a problem is boring or doesn't challenge our abilities, we're unlikely to discover our full creative powers. And individuals who are convinced they have no creative ability usually don't even try.Next week I will finish posting three additional emotional blocks to creativity.
But surprisingly, too much motivation can also block creativity. If you're too anxious to solve a problem, you may attack it ineffectively. While concentrating on the solution, you may misunderstand the problem; pressed for results, you may accept the first workable answer as the best answer; blind with enthusiasm, you overlook the obvious. As one psychologist puts it, "motivation stimulates action, which may preclude thinking." Or, put more simply, "the man in a hurry misses the way."
If you find yourself attacking a problem too zealously, watch out. Slow down, back up, and give yourself the time necessary to examine all aspects of the situation. Creativity often blooms best in an environment of relaxed awareness. Excessive motivation, like frustration, can make you work too hard. And trying too hard creates an inner tension that blocks you from your creativity."
My family and I are going on Vacation this week from April 17 - 22, but I will continue to post to my blog (love the post options on blogger). Your comments may not be moderated until the end of next week, when I return. Hoping to get some much needed rest and family time! Have a wonderful week!
Thank you to Marcela for the invite to join the Blue Blog Party with the Etsy Cottage Style Group.
Steve Gross Photography - Country Living Magazine
5 Pick up a flat of Pansies, or other floral you can plant outside in another month and place in a pot for instant indoor color.
"Often people mistakenly equate creative ability with artistic ability. To be creative, they believe, you must paint or draw or sculpt or dance. Yet artistic creations are only one form of creativity. There are many ways in which one's creativity can be expressed. Inventors are creative, and so are cooks, architects, salespeople, mothers, fathers, and of course children. There have been books written on Creative Business, Creative Chess, Creative Decorating, Creative Electronics, Creative Marriage, Creative Photography, even Creative Survival, which indicate that creativity is not limited to a particular field or profession.Misconception #2 : Creativity demands great skill.
In fact the reverse may be true. It's possible that a painter can be less creative than an insurance salesman. And an auto mechanic can be more creative than a writer. That's because a work of art created by an uninspired, routing formula is really less creative than an imaginative sales campaign or an ingenious solution to a mechanical problem. Artistic output may be one expression of creativity, it is certainly not necessary to be artistic to be creative."
"This misconception assumes that creativity and experience are the same thing. Actually, they are two complementary skills. Abraham Maslow, in his psychological analysis of creativity, separated "the inspiration phase of creativity from the working out and the development of the inspiration." The latter phase, he wrote, "relies very much on just plain hard work, on discipline of the individual who may spend half a lifetime until he becomes finally ready for a full expression of what he sees."
Creativity involves technique, yes, a technique for solving problems. And creative abiltiy is a skill that can be learned, a mental skill. But becoming more creative is not the same thing as learning to paint a realistic portrait, write a novel, or design a miniaturized solar cell. It's true that greater creativity can enhance the efforts of anyone who wants to paint or write or design. But each of these achievements requires creativity and a learned skill. Don't discount your creative ability when you may simply need more time to pay the dues of experience."
"Many people think you have to be brilliant to be creative. Yet tests have shown that beyond a minimum level of intelligence, there is no correlation between intellect and creativity. The researcher who conducted the tests concluded that "Being more intelligent does not guarantee a corresponding increase in creativeness. It simply is not true that the more intelligent person is necessarily the more creative one." Of course, the creative individual may be a genius on the intelligence scale, but the reverse is also quite possible: he or she may possess no more than average intellectual ability".I hope you found this post helpful, validating or simply a refresher. Next week and in the coming weeks I will continue exploring the idea of creativity with posts pertaining to blocks to creativity.
Walden: The Ballad of Thoreau is a two act, four character play which reflects a conversation between Thoreau and Emerson set during the final two days Thoreau spent in his cabin before leaving Walden Pond. Over 7,100 colleges and schools have already performed the play. On Earth Day, April 22, 2009, the play will be broadcast nationwide on public TV, public radio, movie theaters and through Earth Day TV. Earth Day Network and the producers have also created lesson plans that make Walden a perfect educational tool. If you are an educator, check out their website for resources, it's only the 11th so there's still time to plan. Click on this hyperlink to be taken to their website: Walden
Easter means many things, including brilliant-colored eggs. This year use a an earth-friendly alternative to those chemical dyes sold in big box shops. This natural method for turning those Easter Eggs into gorgeous creations is a great project for you to share with your children/grandchildren.
Blueberries and grape juice, red and yellow onions, orange peels and spinach: all these foods and more can make egg dyeing a green affair.
There are two main dyeing methods - hot and cold. To get started, consult the steps and color recipes below. Note: Some foods need to be boiled before you add them to the eggs.
HOT METHOD
This involves dyeing the eggs as you boil them. Since most stoves have four burners, you can typically make four different colors at once.
1. Cover the eggs in water: add about one teaspoon of white vinegar to each egg-filled pan.
2. Add the natural dyes (see recipes below). The more dye you use, the more intense the color will be.
3. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce heat and let the eggs simmer for about 15 minutes. The longer they cook, the deeper the color.
4. Once you see a color you like, remove the eggs from the water.
5. For a deeper color, remove the eggs after the boiling process. Take the dye liquid from the pan and strain it through a coffee filter. Cover the eggs with this strained dye liquid and refrigerate overnight.
COLD METHOD
This involves dyeing eggs after they’ve already been hard-boiled.
1. Cover the boiled eggs with water in a variety of pans. Add different colored dye and a teaspoon of vinegar to each of the pans.
2. Let the eggs stay in the refrigerator until they turn a color you like.
To design patterns on the eggs, draw on them with crayons. (Note: it’s not advisable for kids to draw on raw eggs, unless parents are willing to deal with a viscous mess.)
Hint: You can use fresh, frozen, or even canned produce, but canned goods usually produce less potent colors. Try the guide below to get the colors you want, but don’t forget to experiment—and record the best recipes for each hue. You’ll be able to recycle your results next year, and create a beautiful Easter tradition.
Dye recipes from About.com
For lavender color: A few teaspoons of grape juice; violet blossoms plus 2 tsp lemon juice; or Red Zinger tea
For violet blue: Violet blossoms; a few red onion skins (boil these first); hibiscus tea; or red wine
For blue: Canned blueberries; red cabbage leaves (boiled first); or grape juice
For green: Spinach leaves (boiled first)
For greenish yellow: Yellow Delicious apple peels (boiled first)
For yellow: Chamomile tea; green tea; or the following (all boiled first): orange or lemon peels; carrot tops; celery seed; ground cumin; ground turmeric
For orange: Yellow onion skins (boiled); cooked carrots; chili powder; or paprika
For pink: Beets (or pickled beet juice); cranberries or cranberry juice;or raspberries
For red: Lots of red onion skins (boiled); canned cherries with juice; pomegranate juice; or raspberries
"From time immemorial the gift of creativityIf you said Pringles, Polaroid Lane Camera, Sony Walkman, and Ikea, you scored. So did these products as they generated huge profits. Each of the examples cited is the result of creative techniques - used either consciously or unconsciously - by people in business.
Talents bestowed at birth had nothing to do with it and neither did art. We are all creative. Psychologists have found that apparent differences in creativity among individuals are the result of how effectively we use our personal inner resources to become more creative. The belief is that creativity is a process. It is accessible to anyone willing to learn specific techniques and then to practice them - the same way you would nurture any other ability. Therefore, if you can think, you can be creative, you simply have to be willing to flex your "creative muscle".
This week I continue "Spring Cleaning" in my home. I would like to incorporate a bit of Feng Shui in our bedroom space. Feng Shui (pronounced fung shway), is a term composed of two Chinese words: feng (wind) and shui (water) . When thinking of wind and water, think of flow. Simply put, it is the ancient Chinese art of object placement in ones environment in a way that enhances the quality of our lives. Practitioners believe that by arranging our furnishings and decor in a way that aligns with nature, we draw harmony and good health into our lives. The theory being that the physical environment affects us physically, as well as emotionally. Following this thinking, clutter, disarray and unnecessary items can drain the “chi” (life energy) right out of you! The goal is to rid ourselves of unnecessary clutter and to surround yourself with items you love. The belief is also that by removing the clutter from your physical environment it can help you remove your "emotional clutter" as well. Every closet, drawer, and shelf cleared and organized, creates more room for balance and new experiences in our lives.
After we rid ourselves of clutter, we can try out a few Feng Shui enhancements:
Here are just a few suggestions I personally hope to work. I am all for clearing my life of excess. I always feel a great boost of energy and contentment when I do so. I am left with a true sense of renewal, which is apropos for Spring!
I found this great website Eat This! It features "healthy recipes, food information, commentary, news, and everything else about food in relation to health and well-being".
Here are 25 facts about one of the world's most popular fruits:
The banana "tree" is not really a tree, but a giant herb. The banana is the fruit of this herb.
The cluster of bananas sold in supermarkets is a "hand" of bananas, while the individual bananas on the hand are called fingers.
The strings that go up and down the length of bananas are called Phloem Bundles. They help distribute nutrients to every part of the growing bananas.
The yellow bananas that are most often sold in supermarkets are sometimes called "dessert bananas" because they are soft and sweet.
Plantains are a type of banana that are not as sweet and are usually cooked. While not as commonly eaten in North America, plantains are a dietary staple in many tropical regions.
It is believed by many experts that bananas were the first fruit cultivated by humans.
Alexander the Great first came across bananas in India in 327 B.C.
Bananas were introduced to the United States at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Celebration, where they were sold wrapped in foil for 10 cents each.
Worldwide, bananas are the fourth largest fruit crop.
The average American consumes 28 pounds of bananas per year.
The banana peel is edible, though perhaps not very palatable unless cooked.
About 50 percent of people who are allergic to latex are often also allergic to bananas.
India is the #1 banana producer in the world.
The most popular banana cultivar in the world is the Cavendish. This is the banana most often seen in U.S. and European markets.
Before Cavendish, Gros Michel was the main banana cultivar exported on a mass, commercial scale. In the mid-20th century, Gros Michel was ravaged by Panama disease and is no longer sold commercially.
Panama disease, or Fusarium wilt, is a fungus that attacks banana plants. It was reported in Australia in the 19th century.
It is believed that the Cavendish, like the Gros Michel, will be devastated by Panama disease within 20 years and will no longer be able to be produced commercially. This would be a difficult blow to the banana industry.
Scientists are trying to develop a hybrid, disease-resistant banana.
Chiquita was initially called the United Fruit Company. In the 20th century, they played a controversial role in the politics of Central America, where they had vast holdings. The company earned the nickname of "The Octopus" in the region because they had their hands in so many political pots.
The CIA-sponsored 1954 coup that overthrew the democratically-elected Guatemalan government headed by Jacobo Arbenz Guzmán is believed to be a direct result of influence by the United Fruit Company, which had an antagonistic relationship with the Arbenz government.
In Uganda, bananas are such a big part of the diet that the same word, matooke, is used for both "food" and "banana."
The pejorative term "banana republic" was coined by American writer O. Henry. He used it in reference to Honduras, but the term became widely used in reference to any Latin American, Caribbean, or African country that was politically unstable, relied heavily on basic agriculture, and was not technologically advanced.
The banana split was invented in 1904 by 23-year-old David Evans Strickler, an employee at the Tassel Pharmacy soda fountain in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.
The song "Yes, We Have No Bananas" was released in 1923 and became a huge hit. It refers to the banana shortage at the time.
In 2001, Britain recorded 300 incidents of injuries related to bananas. The majority of these involved people slipping on banana peels.
We have very hard well water which leaves terrible lime deposit stains everywhere and can be very difficult to clean. One line of products I love is Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Home Cleaning products. I discovered of few of their products while shopping at Whole Foods last summer. Recently, I have started purchasing their products on-line, as the closest Whole Foods is 30 minutes away. What is nice about on-line shopping is the availablity of the whole product line with the convenience of home delivery.I am especially fond of Mrs Meyer's Lemon Verbena products. All of their product fragrances are inspired by their gardens...
word for healthy and good." 
I wish I could simply use my own cleaning products but if you have tough staining water like mine, I have to recommend you try her line of products. Look for their products at your local Health Food stores but if you are unable to find them - check out their website. If you sign up for their email they will send you coupons as well. Click on this link to be taken to their website: Mrs. Meyers Clean Day.
Home Decorating Ideas: How to Match Paint Colors to Natural Objects
