Almost every year my family spends The Fourth at our lake house enjoying homemade ice cream, good food, and fireworks! This year we are lucky enough to be carrying on the tradition (I missed out last year because I was in Italy with Sophie), and I can't wait! In anticipation I gathered some of my favorite Fourth of July inspiration. (I couldn't help but include two ideas from Think.Make.Share. and The House that Lars Made, I couldn't choose just one!) I hope you find a little inspiration for your celebration this year. Enjoy!
Happy Father’s Day
I had a chance to create some lettering for Hallmark this year as they shared Father's Day messages on the Think.Make.Share. blog. My family was lucky to spend time together today, I hope you all had a chance to celebrate with your dads and father-figures this weekend, too!
The Spark and The Grind
Happy Friday! I just finished reading The Spark and the Grind: Ignite the Power of Disciplined Creativity by Erik Wahl. Lisa Congdon recommend it during her CLS talk (along with a few other books I hope to read soon!) so I was especially excited to dive in. Erik recounts his own personal journey in moving on from the end of a corporate career into live performance painting. He believes that:
“Ongoing, original creativity requires the spark and the grind: the initial flicker of hope and the work to stoke it into something that changes the game. Always both, never just one. ”
Most people have one phase that they are more comfortable operating in. Either you find great joy from igniting ideas but have trouble taking the time and doing the work to bring them to life, or you work for the sake of working, and don't always see all the opportunities and possibilities. I took tons of notes while reading, and it would be difficult to share all the tidbits of wisdom I gained. Here are a few of my favorite quotes and notes, but I highly recommend reading the entire book yourself!
One of the concepts I was at first resistant to was the idea of attaching yourself to your work. I have sometimes thought it is necessary to have hobbies and interests outside of your actual job, but came understand that Wahl's perspective is that you should attach yourself to everything you do and allow that to inform you work.
“Each day is a day to create. Period. Constant creators see life as simply as that. ”
After finishing this book I am inspired to seek creativity in all aspects of my daily life, to remain open to the possibilities (especially when I know that I am more typically a grinder), and to keep creating. This quote from the end of the book is really the best way to summarize it:
“We can theorize all day long about theology, politics, creativity, and social change. But the rubber meets the road in practice, in actual encounter with real life. Too often our lives are small and circumscribed, structures to protect us from anything unfamiliar or unknown. We fight not to appear foolish. Stop fighting that fight. Let go of your self-consciousness and fear of humiliation. There are far greater things to lose than a little ego now and then. ”
May Around The Web
May is one of my favorite months of the year, and my allergies haven't even been quite as terrible as normal! This month I traveled to Chicago for a work event, tried a Soul Cycle class, attended Hallmark's Creative Leadership Symposium (and a Gemma O'Brien Meet & Greet!), spent Mother's Day in KC (complete with a delicious lunch and the Symphony Designers' Showhouse), watched my youngest sister, Grace, graduate from sixth grade, participated in a piñata making workshop for one of #My5Days, marbled paper with my team at work, and continued working on Mother's Day 2018 cards!
Looking back, this month was filled with some pretty special opportunities and lots of making. One of my favorite parts of these posts is thinking back on what I accomplished during the last month, and of course seeing what inspired me. I have been constantly impressed by Nick Misani's Fauxsaics. They are stunning! If you haven't already seen them be sure to take a look. I noticed on Instagram he might be teaching a class to share his process, which would definitely be something I would need to sign up for. Here are some of my other favorite finds this May:
I love this faux-flower DIY from Sugar & Cloth!
These are the perfect shorts to celebrate warmer weather.
An interesting read, good thoughts for business owners and those working corporate jobs.
I would love to try making these smoothies, they are so pretty!
A great guide to pressing flowers, I also want to get Beci Orpin's new book, Sunshine Spaces.
I don't need these pineapple earrings, but they sure are cute!
Create*Cultivate in New York looked amazing, and these thoughts on Instagram are worth reading.
New balloons from Studio DIY!
I've been dreaming about an outdoor space at our next place, and I loved Emily's patio.
AND Pippa got married this month!
Until next month, happy reading!
My Favorite Podcasts
I spend a lot of time commuting and often get asked my favorite podcasts. I decided to round up the ones I listen to most often during my drives, and I would love any other recommendations! Happen listening.
Ban.do Wish List
When shopping for my Ban.do agenda I ended up buying several things, I just couldn't help it! Have you seen their pom pom paper clips? Here are a few of my favorites – I ended up purchasing my planner, the paper clips, the mini light box and a new phone case. The purse and mask are definitely still on my wish list!
