I *Heart* Fridays: I *Heart* creating with kids

I get so much pleasure out of doing creative things with Roxy. Before I was a mum I used to sometimes babysit friends' children during the school holidays, and I'd always have crafting days planned. Now I love spending time at Roxy's pre-school doing craft activities with the children. Kids love creating things and it's a wonderful way to interact, connect and bond with them. Mastering a new skill or showing off something they've made gives them immense satisfaction, pride and confidence. As an adult the satisfaction comes from giving them the encouragement and the means to achieve that. You don't have to teach children, they are all creative. And it doesn't really matter what is made, the joy is in engaging the imagination and the visual expression of it. The joy is in the act of creating.

I recently bought a book called The Creative Family. How to Encourage Imagination and Nurture Family Connections. You can see it here. When I bought it a friend commented that I am the last person they would have thought would need a book like this. The reason I bought it was for more inspiration - I always feel like there is more I can do to nurture Roxy's innate creativity. The book is a really lovely resource which has a lot of depth to it, rather than just being a 'how to' project book. It focuses on creating traditions and connections within your family, and even if you don't consider yourself creative the author, Amanda Blake Soule, demonstrates how you can reach your creative potential. Amanda has a beautiful blog - click here to check it out.

Roxy has been very keen for me to teach her how to sew because she has always watched me doing it. So this week she cut out some felt hearts for her first sewing project. She chose the felt and embroidery thread colours and decided what she wanted to make. Hearts are big in her world at the moment and she's very adept at cutting them out because she's been practicing for a long time with paper hearts while watching me make Heart Boxes!

I tied a knot in the end of the thread and made the first stitch for her and she was off. Roxy patiently and carefully stitched around her hearts and was thrilled beyond belief at her ability to sew. And now she's hooked... as I type she's pulling at my arm saying "come on mum, let's sew!". You don't need to give your kids plastic toys with all the bells and whistles. The simple things they make themselves or you make with them are far more satisfying on every level.

This simple mask was made out of a huge ivy leaf, some string and sticky tape and it gave Roxy, a.k.a. Leaf Girl hours of pleasure. Unfortunately Leaf Girl uncharacteristically didn't want her photo taken that day.

Happy creating... Happy Friday.

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Gorgeous, gorgeous, just gorgeous!

I've just discovered stylist, writer and photographer Pia Jane Bijkerk via Daily Imprint. Natalie has interviewed Pia as part of her Burst of Inspiration series. Read the interview here.

These images...
Oh.
My.
Goodness.

Image Source: Pia Jane Bijkerk

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Inspiration: Tania Hayes

Image Source: Tania Hayes

Last week while I was driving I heard the inspirational Tania Hayes talking to Richard Fidler on ABC 702's conversation hour. I got to my destination and sat in the car listening for another 40 minutes because Tania and her story are so compelling.

Tania is the ambassador for Carer's Week, which was last week. When she was just 22 her then fiance Warren was diagnosed with a brain tumour. At the time Tania was an aerobics instructor and Warren worked in real estate - they were young, fit, and in love, with the world at their feet. Following numerous operations, complications and mishaps, and more than a year in hospital, Warren became wheelchair bound and totally dependent on Tania. That was about 13 years ago. Since then Tania has been Warren's fulltime carer and now mother to their 2 year old son.

It is Tania’s ambition to inspire as many people as she can to stay strong throughout even the darkest obstacles in life and never lose hope. Her message is simple: no matter what may befall you, with love on your side, nothing in life is ever impossible.

Tania is the most remarkable, optimistic, vibrant and energetic woman, and her story is compelling and very humbling. She has recently written a book called Love Has No Limits. You can listen to the interview here and read more on Tania's website here.

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More on Advent Calendars

Following up on my post earlier this week about advent calendars I have found some examples that I hope will inspire you. Although the traditional paper and card versions can be nice - see the funky vintage example below - you can make something really fun if you think outside the square.

This vintage advent calendar is from dave at grain edit, via design*sponge. (These 2 blogs are amongst my faves and are daily reads.)

A sweet idea using baby's socks pegged on to a line. Instructions here.
Image Source: Martha Stewart

Various sized boxes pained, numbered and stuck to the wall
(Blu-tac would do the job without damaging the paint).
I like the concept behind this, but I'm not keen on the execution. A different arrangement of the boxes and colour palette could result in a stunning 'installation'.
Image Source: Martha Stewart

There is (of course) a Flikr creative advent calendar group, from which I sourced the following ideas.

I love this simple and contemporary idea of clipping a mixed selection of things to a coat hanger.
Image Source: carambatack, here

Deorated tins.
Image Source: spinningjennie, here

These homemade envelopes would be easy and quick to make.
Image Source: fishbowl fish, here

How divine is this?! Little slipper pouches made from beautiful fabric.
Image Source: Carla Alexandra, here

If you're planning to join me in making an advent calendar be creative with the format and materials and create something that's uniquely yours. Just because the concept of an advent calendar is very traditional - and often people's perception is that they are very, well... folksy - there's no reason why they can't be contemporary and cool, as evidenced by the examples I've shown. Think about using funky wrapping paper, scrapbooking papers, vintage books, maps, or even old letters. Fabrics could include vintage tea towels or tablecloths, felt, hand stamped or painted calico, etc. Take inspiration from trends in homewares and fashion. Look in magazines and on the internet. Get creative!

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Inspiration: Francesca Raft

Over the weekend I saw an exhibition called Reveal by Francesca Raft. Francesca uses a muted colour palette and simple compositions that suggest vast landscapes and skies. Her paintings have a gorgeous soft glowing light about them.

Francesca says: "I am fascinated by the simplicity of light, colour and form... the landscape, the essence of nature... the resonating beauty that makes one experience the desire of longing and possibility... I strive to capture this in paint."

Reveal is on at the Depot Gallery II, 2 Danks Street Waterloo until 1st November. Catch it if you can.

Image Source (except gallery image): Francesca Raft

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