October Was Anything But Dead...

This year is just screeching by... I am still in disbelief that it is already November but I am glad October is over. And I am so glad we are finally at the point of Daylight Savings Time (it felt so good waking up this morning and feeling refreshed even though I was still up "early"). I am hoping this refreshed feeling stays and the rest of this month (despite the fact that the holiday season is creeping up on us) can go at a little slower pace.

Of course, it was fun to decorate the house for the Halloween festivities. (See how "redneck" we are- the christmas lights from last year still hanging from the roof...)

And it was so nice to get out as a family and go on a long drive to Ione and take the train ride.

And carving pumpkins is always a blast- this year we ALL did our own- it's usually me just carving the kids' with their "help" :).

And then there's the dress up play that comes with the end of the month:

(My daughter as a young lady from the 80's for her school party... For Halloween night she opted to be a "dead bride" as you can see from the photo above.)

(My son as dracula -without blood for his school party...)

(And mom as a cat... Dad doesn't dress up. :))

 

And the candy after trick or treating... so much junk food I don't know how I, er, the kids are going to eat it all! :)

 

But now that all of that is over (along with school meetings, food and harvest preservation, a date night with my husband, and the birth of my brand new nephew) I want a few weekends before the holiday rush to just relax. I don't know if that is possible though. I am now looking over my list of what needs to be accomplished before 2013- doesn't seem like there will be any "dead" space in November or December either... Oh well.

 

An Idea for the "App"less

So- is it true that not everyone has one of those cool phones or tablets with all the apps on them? I am one of those people. But I do like having access to technology- especially when there are so many neat things you can find on the internet as inspirational ideas! So I have my handy laptop to use. BUT... my laptop is not always accessible to me: sometimes I let my husband use it, sometimes I'm letting my children watch cartoons or play learning games on it, and sometimes I just can't use it to access a good idea because I'm in the kitchen and I don't want it getting all "floured and greased" on the counter!

So- this is my idea for keeping some seasonal inspirational ideas together. Some of those ideas I have printed off from those amazing sites with boards of ideas, and some I have just ripped out of good old fashioned print magazines (which I still find very relaxing to look through without a piece of hardware on my lap!) This way, when I'm working in the kitchen, or on the living room floor with my children, I can just open up this folder and be inspired for creative gifts, foods, or fun!

1. Get a 3-ring binder with insertable cover area. Quickly put together a cute cover that says the season!

2. Make sure you have some tabbed folders or dividers to use so you can organize your ideas into different types (mine are "Food" and "Fun").

 

3. Place your "ripped out" or "printed off" ideas in folder inserts and place in your folder.

Viola! A "mobile" app- safe in the kitchen and save in some kids' hands so they can browse too!

Reassessing a calendar- How it's helping me...

See this "blank" page from my 3-Ring-Binder calendar? This is the scheduling sheet I came up with to help myself feel organized yet not so pressured to accomplish items during certain periods of the day.

What I was doing before was putting my "garden water, study, exercise, and craft" items in the morning time, and then putting my "husband's business, homework, kids' time, and garden weeding" stuff in the afternoon when I got home. Well, if the evening stuff ended up taking longer- what with cooking dinner, the kids' behavior, personal errands I had to run, special husband time, etc- then I'd be up so much later at night and not have the energy to get up and spend 3 hours doing other stuff before going to work in the morning. Then I'd feel depressed and sad because I didn't have the motivation to get the stuff done that I really wanted to and I felt like I couldn't put priority on those things either.

AND I was writing everything in pen. So if I didnt complete something I had to squiggle it out and find another day to write it on. Those squiggles were depressing too!

I also filled in EVERY thing with something to do... I had to stop that because there's only so much I can do in a day!

So- I fixed the calendar page to include things I wanted to accomplish at home in one area- except the little bit of chore catch up or tiny personal things that I need to do too... (example, finishing up the laundry, paying a bill, etc). I also write things in pencil- so if I end up not having the time to complete something then I can erase it and pencil it in somewhere else. I also only fill in the very important items I need to do a week ahead of time- then I go on a day by day basis on filling in other things I'd like to accomplish.

You notice that "Craft" is the last thing on the calendar. This does not mean it has lowest priority in my "wants" to accomplish. I can already see the effects of this "new" calendar of mine working when it comes to getting what I WANT done too. I actually accomplished some art listing, blogging, and pinterest viewing in the past couple of days since I've done this calendar- and I feel so much more relaxed about it too!

Yes- think I'm crazy or totally OCD. But my point is: All I had to do was reassess my calendar and move it around a bit so I didn't feel so stressed out. Then I feel like I accomplish so much more- and so much more of what I ENJOY doing instead of just the droning day to day things I have to do.

Have you done this? What strategies help you sort your week out? I'd love to hear your stories!

Not Bored with this Board!- Summer Chore, Learning, and Allowance Board

Summer sure is flying by. Only a few short weeks before it's time for getting up earlier, hours of homework, and cramming any fun or relaxation for the kids onto the weekends. Of course- the summer months at our household haven't exactly been just laziness in the sunshine. No- I made sure my kiddos had some daily to do things to keep them busy, to exercise their brains, and to allow them opportunity to enhance their summertime experiences with some of their own spending money. Hence- our Summer Stars Whiteboard above.

I have found that having a system that combines rewards with consequences works very well with my children. So- for the positive part- my children can earn stars for completion of work through the week. The more stars they earn the better the reward. 6 stars = Special Treat (ice cream, cupcakes, their own candy snack mix, etc) with a late night movie on Friday or Saturday. 7 stars = Same thing AND the privilage of being able to play computer and video games over the weekend. 9 stars = Treat, Movie, Games, AND camping out in the living room one weekend night or camping outside in a tent. They only earned ALL stars once this summer and we actually went on a camping trip.

The consequences for bad attitudes, lying, tattling, arguing, slacking on chores, etc are 3 strikes. Because children aren't perfect (they are only human) I have to remember to give a few "chances" before taking away any privelages. There are some days when more than just "3 strikes" occur and other disciplinary action is needed (naps, corner time, etc) but this system seems to work pretty well. Here's how it works- each time my children act out of line to what they are expected to act like or when they do something wrong and they know better- they are given a strike for their negative behavior. If they get 3 strikes in a day- then they need to go to bed at 8:30pm (which is about 45 minutes early on a weekday and can be up to 2 hours early on a weekend). They also lose one of their "tallys" which I will explain next...

 My children earn tallies when they complete their daily chores, weekend chores, and learning activities I have come up with to keep their brains fresh "in the know" on reading, writing, and math. Tallies then add up to stars. Weekday chores include: dishes, feeding the chickens, feeding the dogs and cats, taking out the compost, taking out the garbage, wiping down bathroom counters, and setting the table for dinner. There are 6 days of opportunity- Sunday through Friday. Each day of completed chores equals a tally. 6 tallies equals a star.  Then there are weekend chores- bedroom, laundry, and superclean bathroom tub and floor. Each completed weekend chore is just one tally and a star automatically when completed. Then there are reading, journaling, and math activities that I've prepared for the kids to do each evening. When completed they get tallies. As you can see- they did need to read 7 times during the week, do 6 journal activities, and complete 4 math activities. I've eased up on them for August and brought the journaling down to 5 and reading down to 6 times- it can just be too difficult to accomplish so much. :) Anyway- each time equals a tally and when all tallies are earned it equals a star. Again- the more stars earned the more fun can be had!

 

Now, I am a parent who doesn't believe in allowance for chores that should be done as a "help" to the family anyway.  But I still believe in giving my children extra opportunity to earn some allowance for their own personal spending and to learn the value of money and saving too. So I came up with a few "extra chores" that can be done by choice to earn money for summer spending. Things such as weeding the garden, helping clean the kitchen stove, counters, fridge, putting away groceries, wiping down doors and cupboards, etc. When my children complete, and I review, one of these "Extra $ Chores" they move the magnet to their "bank" area so at the end of a week I can total it up and give them half for spending and half for their bank accounts. My kids have worked extra hard this last week to earn money for a skating field trip they are taking with the Boys and Girls Club tomorrow. My son likes to buy himself water bottles and treats in the vending machines. And my daughter is striving to save so she can buy fake nails and glue to use. I'll humor her on that one until school starts. :)


So- that's my board for keeping my kiddos from being bored. Did you implement any reward systems over the summer? Do you have your children earn allowance? I'd love to hear your input! Please share your delightful perception!

Cats and Dogs are Like Kids...

I am not much of an "animal lover"  per the definition of some people. But it seems to me that our pooches and felines in the household develop a personality that is just too much to ignore or brush off as not lovable. They are in as much need of adoration, attention, and discipline as our children are! Whenever my husband and I get the rare opportunity to have the house "to ourselves" and have a family member watch our children- we joke that we wish we had a babysitter for the dogs and cats too.

That being said- the cats and dogs under our roof are just other members of our family. Hence- they are just as much of an inspiration to our lives and creative beings as any other living and breathing human we care about. I do enjoy trying to capture the essence of what our puppies and kitties do with some of my crafty work. The image above is of a fun project I took on to test my drawing skills. I'm definitely an amateur- but I was happy with the results.

I also enjoy creating items that the dogs and cats will benefit from themselves- toys, beds, etc. I have listed a couple of items in my shop for others to consider purchasing (dog toy and cat toy). I have also done some searching around for other fun feling and pooch items and created a great collection of family oriented cat/dog items that would make great gifts.

Do you create cat/dog inspired items? What would you find to be a better gift for a pet lover- something for the pet or something for the lover that reminds them of the pet? What do you think of my drawing/painting? I'd love your input, feedback, and comments. Share your perceptions!

Visit my shop here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/PerceptiveDesigns

Visit the cat/dog gift treasury here: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NTc5MzIxMnwyNzIzMTM1MTUy/dogs-and-cats-are-like-kids?index=0

I Love Garden Gifts!

I absolutely love receiving live plants as gifts from family and friends during my gardening season. I have many people think of me when going through their garden starts and it just makes me feel so good inside to know I am thought of. This year I have been blessed with some gorgeous dahlias (as you can see above), some tomato plants, some sunflower seeds, some sweet pepper starts, and a dill stalk. These sorts of gifts are amazing items that can be enjoyed throughout the growing season and, if taken care to "harvest" correctly, for many years to come.

I also love when I receive other, not so live, garden associated gifts. This year I have been given some hanging flower pots, some tomato cages, a few pots for planting, canning jars for my preservation and harvest, and for my birthday I received a lovely set of garden gloves and a kneeler. These items have come in so handy for everything I've been trying to accomplish in the dirt.

Receiving all of these items is so inspiring on wanting to give back with the fruits of what I accomplish in the garden. As my produce begins to bloom and provide it's nutrient rich foods, I have to remember how blessed I am and share the bounty that comes from the tilled soil. I am looking forward to "gifting back" to each person who has shown me kindness towards my gardening aspirations by bundling up my fresh lettuces, canning my fruitful tomatoes, and drying my delightful herbs. This will be my "thank you" for remembering me in their thoughts as well as for keeping my inpsiration on wanting to go on with the great task of gardening.

If you're thinking of gifting some garden inspired items to someone you care about- here's a great list of handmade items I have found on Etsy that are so adorable and perfect to spruce up any garden area with love!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NTc5MzIxMnwyNzIwNTU1MDc1/gorgeous-garden-goodies

Life Goes Too Fast- Make A Priority To Make and Keep Summer Memories

Life goes too fast... I am reminded of this every time I browse through photos of my children when they were smaller, or see images of my husband and I when we were younger too. Sometimes we just let life go by while we sulk in the day to day wondering where it went and feel down about how there's never enough time or money to do anything. I don't like feeling like this. I don't like looking back on the past years as a family and only having a few memories of really taking advantage of time together.

Don't get me wrong- just being a family and being together is an amazing experience. I love morning to night ins and outs of being a wife and mother. But I also want to ensure that we all get to spend times experiencing things that leave us with loving memories to look back on and to share with future generations. Feeling down about not getting out much as a family was a motivator for me to encourage, facilitate, and budget for fun times this summer as well as come up with the idea of having my children keep a "Summer Journal" to keep those memories.

First step- I made sure to budget a bit for each month towards a "family activity" or "special event". I also made sure to include a little more in the budget for certain months that I knew would have larger events to take place (a birthday, graduation party, our anniversary, etc). This meant cutting out a bit on a little grocery money, not paying for a TV service, and being conservative with our energy usage so we can have the extra funds. Then, using some of our tax return, we made sure to have some "at home" facilitators of fun for the days we can't get out- putting up a Walmart above ground pool, setting up a trampoline, making sure the board games were all out in the living room bookshelves, stocking the craft cupboards, and making sure the electronic entertainers were all set up for use (movies, Wii, computer games, etc).

For out of the house activity- I made sure to sign my children up for a few summer activities that they could participate in and build memories as siblings even though Mom and Dad were at work. For example: Vacation Bible School with the help of our neighbors, at least 1 field trip per month while attending the Boys and Girl's Club in our area, and a "sleepover" time for them to stay with their aunt and step cousins. 

Then it was planning for certain activities that we could ALL take part in and making sure we made it a priority to set time aside in our schedule to do these things: Family reunion parties, Barbecuing with friends, camping, attending a Theme Park, and going to the movies. I also wanted to plan on a special activity that I could do with just my daughter and with just my son to give them some one on one memories too.

It doesnt seem like we're doing a LOT- but the summer is nearly half over already and it is going so fast! We aren't even near finished having a good time! In hopes that my children will be able to look back on specific details of these simple things we've done and are doing as a family- I came up with a "daily" journal for my children to input entries of their summer into:

Both of them will be able to keep little bits of memorabilia their decorated Summer 2012 folders.

Each will get to write their own thoughts, feelings, and point of view on their summer experiences by filling in notebook paper with the following tabbed subject lines: Fun Times, God Made Me GREAT, Things To Work On, and I Learned Something. The "God Made Me GREAT" and "Things To Work On" are two of my favorite 'tabs' because they give my children the opportunity to see the wonderful parts of who they are as well as see the elements of who they are that could use some improvement. I then comment on what they write so they are encouraged to continue thinking about growing as an individual.

 

These are some of the "God Made Me GREAT" things that my son wrote- 8 year old spelling interpret: 1. God made me smart. 2. God made me good at riding my bike. 3. God made me a good boy at reading. 4. I am good at making friends...

And these are some things that my daughter knows she needs to work on (again, spelling interpreted): 1. Listening better and not fight or argue. 2. I can work on doing my chores better. 3. Math.

I am really looking forward to looking back on these journals with my kids as they get older and going through the memories we've built as a family and seeing the lessons they've learned and grown from. I am hoping to continue this "Summer Journal" tradition as well as continue to make spending time doing some fun things as a family our priority.  Life just goes too fast not to.

Wearing Your Patriotic Pride in your Hair!

This post is in honor of my featured artist for my website this week: Jasmine Nielsen of Kinley Kate hair bows... Who doesn't love to wear something on the 4th of July to show some pride for the Red, White, and Blue? What better accessory to add to a wardrobe than a layered hair bow in the great patirotic colors? The Kinley Kate shop is a perfect place to find such a selection for girls of all ages!

In the Kinley Kate shop you will find that our nations colors are creatively designed into some perceptively pretty bows and barrettes for locks of all colors. I know that my daughter and I are looking forward to dressing up for the occasion of spending time with family and friends and celebrating our freedoms! And the Kinley Kate shop will be in my queue of hair accessories for future reference as I'm sure I'll be able to find great gifts for weddings/baby showers, birthdays, Christmas, and adornment for other holidays!

Check out the info I posted on my website this week to find out more about Jasmine Nielsen's shop: Kinley Kate: http://delightfullyperceptive.com/perceptive_designs/featured_designer. Or you can go to her shop directly to check out what she has available! http://www.etsy.com/shop/kinleykate

Delightful Potluck Dishes

I bet you thought I was talking about some delightful food ideas to bring to a potluck... But I am actually bringing to your attention a great artist of handmade dishes which I find to be delightfully designed and perfect as a 'literal' potluck dish!

Cathy, over at shop CJ Yummies on Etsy, makes each of her delightful fused glass dishes by hand and full of color. I feel that her plates are a great gift to bring a hostess of a potluck party (I know I'd love to have something like this presented to me with some sliced fruit on it!) But dishes are not all that Cathy does... you'll also find jewelry and fused glass belts! A great way to accessorize when attending a summer party!

Check out Cathy's Etsy shop, and tell her I sent you! http://www.etsy.com/shop/cjyummies

Schools out for Summer... What to do with the kids...

With school getting out, we all have the fear of our children getting bored out of their minds and driving us out of our minds too... Here are just a few ideas to help keep kids busy this summer and you can have a good time with these too!

1. Purchase a trampoline. I know these are expensive, and this may need to be a future toy to get after some money is saved up, but this was the best investment in an outdoor toy that I've ever made. We got one for Father's day due to a couple of our bills going down and the kids play on this for HOURS. And they try and keep from arguing so they can both stay and jump instead of have to get off... I love this thing. :)

2. Have a neighborhood bike parade or race. Have kiddos bring their helmets and bikes over to your house, dish out small party favor prizes to winners of "best decorated bike", "biggest bike", "fastest bike", etc and serve up some frozen popsicles and cookies as snacks.

3. Have the kids help plant and maintain a strawberry or pumpkin patch. The plants are easily identifiable which help them not to be picked while the children are "weeding". Then when berries or pumpkins are ready, the kids will have pride that they produced them!

4. Keep a "summer adventures" journal. I had my kids decorate a piece of paper and I slipped it into one of those 3 ring binders with the area for an insertable page. I then put in 4 dividers as areas to write "entries": Summer fun, God made me great, Things I should work on, and Something I learned. This way, the kids can keep up on some of their writing skills as well as reflect on what they have done, who they are, and what they have learned. My kids love it so far- I hope the love lasts all summer!

5. You will have rainy days during the summer when outside is just not an option. Board games, computer games, TV games, movies. Those are all great things to resort to... But maybe building a puppet stand out of boxes would be so much more stimulating to the imagination! My kids had such a blast with coming up with a "design" for the puppet stand, then writing out their story, and then acting it out with handpuppets (which you could totally make out of socks or paper bags too!).

6. Have a pool party! (Sign courtesy of GiggleBees on Etsy- click photo to go to the shop). If you have a pool, great, if not- pretend to! Get some great pool party favors (see my Etsy treasury list below for some ideas), invite a few kids over asking them to wear bathing suits and bring towels, and get wet somehow! Kiddie pools, water balloons, water guns, sprinklers, etc. Can be a great time for kids to play together outside and no need for worrying about entertaining them or organizing any special games... children really can keep themselves busy if directed to a positive outlet!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NTc5MzIxMnwyNzIyOTczMjI0/its-officially-summer-lets-have-a-pool?index=0

7. And even if the kids don't like the idea- have them help with some chores around the house. Have them earn money to go do things as a family- movies and snacks, baseball games, treats at a theme park, etc.

I hope you and your kiddos have a great summer!

Dad and Grad Gift Idea Treasuries

Ok last minute shoppers. Here are some great gift ideas for those of you still out perusing the handmade world wondering what to get your dad or husband and what to get for the upcoming college graduate...

Tshirts a Dad Would Be Glad to Wear: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NTc5MzIxMnwyNzIyOTM5NDMy/tshirts-a-dad-would-be-glad-to-wear

One of my favorites:

And What do you want to be when you grow up? http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NTc5MzIxMnwyNzIyOTM5MzY2/what-do-you-want-to-be-when-you-grow-up?index=1

Including this great Teacher art print can also be a good "end of the year" gift for a teacher from your student:

Congrats to All Dads and Grads this June! May life, love, and happiness continue to grow in your hearts as you do a good job at what you are as a hero dad and an everlearning grad!

Celebrating Milestones- Graduate Greeting Card

So many of us know someone who will be celebrating the milestone of completing an educational step in life. It is always awe inspiring to see someone (young or old) finish  a feat of learning- whether it be high school, college, or a career oriented program. When someone completes a step of learning, though small in the scheme life as we continue to learn every day, it entails a time of celebration and a show of congratulations.

A great way to show your pride for the continuing learner is through a great greeting card! My featured "Do It Yourself" idea is to create a graduation oriented greeting card for your goal oriented grad. You can find some other inspiration and the instructions on my website this week:

http://delightfullyperceptive.com/perceptive_designs/do_it_yourself_perceptive_design

Please share your ideas too!

Bouquet that Lasts- Website Update Do It Yourself Design



What girl doesn't love flowers??? Give her a bouquet that lasts by following the directions below to create a beautiful faux flower bouquet!

Materials needed:

• Faux flowers of her favorite color (found at craft shops, dollar stores, etc)
• Hot glue gun
• Green duct tape
• Ribbons
• Scissors or wire cutters

---

Instructions:

• Begin by selecting and arranging flowers in your own creative way into a bouquet.
• Wrap duct tape around the "stems" of the bouquet to keep them all together.
• Hot glue any loose floral petals or leafy elements to the bouquet.
• Tie a nice ribbon around the "stems" and hot glue the bow into place.
• Present to your darling and say something corny like: "These flowers won't die- Just like my love for you!" She'll think its sweet. Lol.

Romancing One Another- When, Where, and Money... Tips and Ideas

 

As a wife and mother of 2 children, I don't always have the time or energy to get out of the house with my husband. It is a very rare occasion to actually have time to ourselves, and then when we do have that time it can be difficult to find the energy to actually go somewhere because we have to put the time into thinking about where we want to go and to work it in the budget to pay for it too.

This post will have a few tips and place ideas to keep handy in regards to dating while being a parent, a married couple, or being in a relationship while having a busy lifestyle. This is also a selfish reasoning post as I'm hoping that writing all of this out will keep the ideas and tips at my fingertips and fresh in my mind for my own relationship. What can I say? Everything seems easier for me after I organize it and write it down.

When to Date:

- Play hooky during a random work week day once every few months (if you have kids, this will be while they are at school or in a day care program.)

- Have the kids go to a friends' house after school for just a few hours on a weeknight.

- Take a whole weekend and have the kids (if any) stay at Grandma's or Aunt's house.

- If you have a nice neighbor and your kids are a little older (10-12), have them watch themselves for a couple of hours - notify the neighbor to keep an eye on things.

- Take the whole family- but seperate adults from kids with the "trust test"--- see examples on where you may be able to pull this off in the Where section below.

Money to Date:

- Save your spare change in a piggy bank and make it exclusively for going out once there's enough.

- Round all your bills up to the nearest dollar when budgeting, and record the remaining change left in your account so you can cash out and do something with it after it adds up.

- Set aside $100 in "special occasion" money each month. This can be used for various occasions (birthdays, holidays, etc. But some months it may not ALL get spent and then it can be transfered over to a "date night special occasion".

- Take $50 out of your grocery money for the month- get the ingredients for two inexpensive dinners and some bread and milk for the week. Then set the rest aside for a date!

Where to "Date":

At home:

- Homemade dinner for two at the table: snack foods, crab legs, make a meal together, etc. It is always nice to sit down to a quiet dinner of good food and just talk about adult things. It's nicer when that meal is quick and easy so you're not just reminded of work. Just making food for two is a lot easier anyway then making a meal for a family.

- Morning coffee on the deck. While the kids are still sleeping, or getting ready for the day, take a half hour and just sit in the morning with a cup of coffee and your loved one to enjoy each other before the stresses of the day bombard you.

- Sounds terrible- but on the couch in front of the TV can be nice when kids are asleep or not at home. Rent a movie that piques both of your interests. Watch a whole series of TV shows that you both enjoy and make it a marathon.

- Play a game- board game, video game, card game, etc. In my opinion- sometimes it isn't easy to find the motivation to do this- but if you force yourself you'll find you're having a good time after you get into it.

- Go for a walk or do an outside project together. Plant a garden. Watch the animals. Burn down that pile of yard debris.

Out of the house:

- Bowling. (Can be an Adult/Child Seperated activity if playing on different lanes!)

- Theme park.

- Casino.

- Movie.

- Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner somewhere. (Can be an Adult/Child Seperated activity when sitting at different tables!)

- Hiking.

- Camping.

- Fishing.

- Skating.

- Backroad driving.

- Miniature golf (Can be an Adult/Child Seperated activity if you let the kids go a couple ahead of you.)

And, now I'm at a loss or have a block with coming up with creative dating ideas...

Please comment and share your ideas! I'd love to have more to add to my list so I have a good queue of choices. Have a great rest of your week!

Sharing Your Romantic Feelings- Cards by Paper Movement

This week's theme in my delightfully perceptive designing world is one of love and romance. Todays note is on the perception that sometimes it can be hard to share such feelings through our spoken word. And sometimes we take for granted the loved ones in our lives and forget to express what is in our hearts. A greeting card can be the perfect way to bring back a quick sparkle in someone's eye or flutter in your love's heart. And they aren't just for special occasions...

In honor of this note, I am featuring The Paper Movement on my website this week. Above is a photo sample of one of their works. Simple, sweet, visually appealing, and to the point. Amberley and Korey have a great mission and very creative work. I am keeping them in my top list of where to get my greeting cards at random times of the year to remind my loved one of my feelings. Go check them out: http://www.etsy.com/shop/PaperMovement. You can also visit my website for other avenues on reaching these delightfully perceptive designers!  http://delightfullyperceptive.com/perceptive_designs/featured_designer

Glass Gifts for Memorial Day Gatherings

With the three day weekend coming up, I am sure there are many gatherings planned for family reunions and barbeques. And many get togethers will be entailed with memory sharing of those that have been lost in service to our country so we can enjoy the freedoms of rounding up all the brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, parents, grandparents, etc. As I was perusing artists of Memorial Day gifts through Etsy, I came across a unique and gorgeous piece that just speaks to the events of this weekend. The above photo is of a small glass US flag dish made by BoJo Creations. This would make a great patio table centerpiece and a great conversation starter to talk about the artist!

I chose to hop into the BoJo Creations shop to see what other delightfully designed pieces were available, and I found there to be many colorful beauties fit to various occasions or gift types. Jewelry, dishes, and knick knack novelty. I chose to feature this shop and it's owner, Barb Barrell, on my website to honor her design and glass gift items.

Please go and check it out!

http://delightfullyperceptive.com/perceptive_designs/featured_designer

OCD= Overload Creative Disorder



I have personally self diagnosed myself as having OCD (the Obsessive Compulsive type). I don't really know everything that entails with OCD- but I am sure that I have very similar tendencies.
For some examples: I am way too organized. I am constantly writing out and re-writing my to-do lists. I have a difficult time trying not to overstress myself when something changes in my schedule and prevents me from overcoming all of my tasks on my overwritten to do lists. I can barely sit still and relax when I know there are things to do on my overwritten to do lists. This stress level in turn interferes with my creative process- which I call OCD as well (Overload Creative Disorder).

When I start thinking about items to make handmade for selling or as gifts for family and friends, I get a whole bunch of ideas at once. I then list them all out as they come to me. I have been trying to schedule in which items to complete by a certain date on my calendars but am never able to find enough time to get to each item I want to complete in a day. I then feel overwhelmed and depressed and like I just have no time to achieve anything I actually want to do because I have to focus so much on things I really need to do.

Time to kick myself in the bottom and rethink my strategy on my overstressed life style so I don't lose my creative curve. Of course- I will still do a calendar and overwrite my to- do lists to fit my schedule cosntantly. But I am not going to "schedule in" when to be creative. Being creative is on my own standards and should be something I do when I'm ready to and when I can enjoy it. I still make a list-  mind you- of items I want to create that may fit with a certain month, season, holiday, etc. However, I will not pressure myself to complete those items within that timeframe. If I can't get to everything I want to make now- I'll get to the ones I feel like doing the most and then maybe save some ideas for a rainy day when there's nothing else to do (does that ever really happen???)

My story here is just a reminder for the rest of you who own your handmade item businesses- don't let pressure kill your creativity and block your brilliance. In my opinion you'll lose your value in what you're making and what you love to do if you can't just sit and enjoy what you're doing.

Happy Monday!

Creative usefulness: Phone Cozies!

I had this item catch my eye by one of my local Etsian artists today as I was perusing through handmade housewares. Phone cozies, or covers, (whichever you'd like to call them) are a great example of something that is creative and useful as well- not just an aesthetic piece of work. It is always so fun to see when handmade can be integrated into our daily lives to help us make a statement of support for those who take their time and love and pour it into a project of use. It is not to say that an aesthetic piece of art isn't just as useful to some of us (my living room wouldn't be comfortable without the few knick knacks I have sitting around or the paintings on my walls) but when one can give art a practical use- it is very inspiring!

Way to go to the etsy shop by: loves2docrafts2 !!!

Go check it out!

And stay tuned to this blog for future posts on highlighting "Creative Usefulness".

Naturally Inspired

The sun on my face, the colors of my lilac bushes blooming, the imagination wandering to fresh vegetables soon to be in my fridge, the peaceful sound of birds and bees flying around- such inspiration for a creative soul!

It does not take much to inspire me to want to create. I can walk through the aisle of crafty items at Walmart and just come up with 1000 different things I could do with those dangling beads, that pattern of fabric, those colors of paint, that ball of yarn, etc. But nothing inspires like the natural world around me. I have just been blooming with excitement the past few days with this sunshine enlightening me with outdoor ideas!

Take one moment to let your mind wander and picture these scenes:

- A mother and daughter on the patio filling colorful planters with potting soil to get a fresh start on the spring and summer blooms...

- A small boy picking the flowers that were so cherished in the front garden "by accident" so he could give them to his mom...

- Going for a bike ride and passing by all those cute white picket fences with fresh garden scenes popping through...

- Sitting at the kitchen table cutting open all those vegetable seed packets and getting those little babies started in simple greenhouse starters...

What can you make to capture such moments???

You'll find featured on my website this week some of my new spring scene inspired items from my online gift shop through Etsy (photos above). These items are great gifts for those you know who are naturally inspired by new growth and spring air love.

Take a look and share with me your spring inspirations!

http://delightfullyperceptive.com/perceptive_designs/my_etsy_gift_shop

Featured Artist on my NEW WEBSITE!: Megan's Beaded Designs

I'm just going to share quickly- I have a brand new website that I am totally excited about! Please come check it out!

And my first artist feature on my website is my sister: Megan. She is an amazing and talented young woman with so much patience and creative inspiration. What can I say? It seems the creativity runs in the bloodline- but she has much thicker blood than I. Megan can create on various different levels with many different media types. She is a beader, a painter, a drawing artist, and a graphics designer. Am I missing anything, Megan? If so- Comment and correct me!

Here's the URL to my Featured Designer page... Megan's Beaded Designs will be there until a new feature come in line.

http://delightfullyperceptive.com/perceptive_designs/featured_designer

And here's a link to Megan's shop on Etsy where you can view and purchase her many delightful beaded creations:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MegansBeadedDesigns

Have a great day!

Goodbye April Showers...

As I type this, it is pouring rain. So much for April Showers going away... However, as it is the last day of April and the last day I can use part of a saying that starts: "April Showers brings..." I would like to feature a few items in my slowly building gift shop. Each item is inspired by the rainy weather we have received the past few weeks and have been created as a mood booster for the cloudy times.

See my shop for more items too: http://www.etsy.com/shop/PerceptiveDesigns

Thanks for looking and I'm looking forward to "May Flowers" creations!

Creative Upcycling- Toilet Paper Holder

I'm a little late on my "Earth Day" post due to being so busy the past couple of days... but here goes!

Our family project for Earth Day was to upcycle some materials into something useful. As you can see from the pictures below- my kiddos had a blast in the goo!

I started off by hot gluing 2 plastic coffee cans together- one on top of the other. Then we mixed up some flour and water to begin the paper mache' process.

Then we took some of last week's newspapers and ads and ripped them into strips before dipping them in the gooey flour and water mix. Then we coated the coffee cans and let it all dry.

Add some nice paint to match our guest bathroom and voila! A toilet paper holder to store the extra toilet paper for easy access when the rolls run low!

Please share any ideas you've had for upcycling this Earth Day! I'd love to see other examples!