Day 31: Cultivating Creativity Wrap Up and Project to Move Forward

Hi Everyone!

First of all THANK YOU!  Thanks to all of you who clicked on over here and listened in on one or hopefully ALL of the conversations.  Thanks and a Big Hug to all the women that agreed to #1 learn how to Skype ;), #2 find the place in their homes that the wi-fi was the best to Skype, and most importantly #3 Chat with me about Creativity!  

Little did I know when I got the wild idea to start chatting with some friends on Skype and sharing the conversations with the Handmade U Tribe did I think it would turn out to be such an inspiring project for me, and by the sweet messages I have received from some of you, it appears that you were inspired by these women too!  They all shared such great advice and thoughts didn't they??  My hope is that your mind was expanded, stretched, and broadened on what Being Creative means.  Are you on board that we are ALL Creative?  That we ALL have gifts we can use to bring Creativity into our days?  

Have you sat yourself down and really had a heart to heart that you DO have the time to be Creative if you broaden that definition and make better choices with your precious time?

Have you flipped the script on being held to a standard of perfection that is out of reach for anyone and realized that enjoying the process of being Creative is all you need to do, no matter what the outcome?

Have you turned Comparison on its head and realized we should be inspired by others work and use it for good?  To let it push us to create our own projects with our own style, because do we really want everything on Instagram or in the world to look and be the same?  Wouldn't it be great to share our work and have people know it is ours without them even seeing our names on it?

You are Deserving, You are Enough, so Allow yourself the time to be Creative.  Let yourself enjoy the process, know that mistakes will happen, and it will be OK!  More than likely it'll be better than OK when you learn from those mistakes and try again, and maybe even again, it'll give it all texture, and isn't that what Life is about??

Here are a few of my wrap-up thoughts on the month of conversations!

July Cultivating Creativity Recap with Handmade U from Rachel McGough on Vimeo.

If you have been inspired by this month and don't want to let it end I am creating a fun little class for you to take, more on that in the coming days! 

Oh and don't think we won't be continuing with more Conversations!  Tomorrow will be a whole new topic.  This topic turned out to be much broader, one that really opens it up to talking about all kinds of stories from more amazing women.  You certainly don't want to miss August on the blog.  Stop by tomorrow and hear ALL about it!!

Now Go and Be Creative!

Rachel

Here are the links to all the ladies' conversations if you missed any!

1.    Welcome and the 5 Excuses for why we aren't being Creative
2.    Vikki Spencer
3.    Shae Otto
4.    Dianne Fago
5.    Nicole Nechanicky
6.    Shannon Delaney
7.    Kim Hill
8.    Sandra Kaye
9.    Elida Field
10.  Megan Hoeppner
11.  Jen Osborn
12.  Becky Rourk
13.  Jennifer Hayslip
14.  Melsha Shea
15.  Kelli May Krenz
16.  Carey Powell
17.  Julie Avery
18.  Our 7 year old Niece Jordan
19.  Michelle Geller
20.  Michelle Duke
21.  Kathy Wilkins
22.  Sandy Glass
23.  Sherri Welser
24.  Marci Welcker
25.  Jennifer Allred
26.  Vanessa Kiki Johanning
27.  Melody Ross
28.  Dianne West
29.  Anna Oginsky
30.  Branda Schrader

Thanks again to all these ladies!!

Now go be Creative....
Rachel


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Day 30: Cultivating Creativity with Branda Schrader

Happy Weekend All!

Today is the LAST of the Cultivating Creativity Conversations!  I would be really sad if that was truly it and the end, however I am really EXCITED to start sharing the new August Conversations with a Fresh Topic!  All that will be shared soon!  {if you are part of our email tribe you may already know!}

Have you enjoyed the July topic and challenge?  Have you done more creative things in July?  Or just recognized some of the things you'd been already doing are CREATIVE things?

Today I want to welcome my friend Branda Schrader to the blog!  You can find Branda on IG @bodybyBranda and on FB @LulaRoeBranda.


Cultivating Creativity with Branda Schrader from Rachel McGough on Vimeo.
There was a lot of great tips in our conversation! First I love how Branda put it that being Creative is a matter of self-care. Much like working out, creativity just makes you feel good and happy. Branda admitted that she gets straight cranky if she hasn't been creative in awhile! Been there, haven't you? I think her suggestion of scheduling the time to be creative, and taking it one step further and SHUTTING OFF YOUR PHONE!! ACK THE HORROR!!! is such a good idea.

I'm about to get out a little journal notebook to start planning some new meals. I tried a new one last week which wasn't too bad - Chicken Lettuce Wraps.  I made them a bit too gingery and spicy, but next time toned down, I think they'll be good!

And Branda suggesting to follow a kids lead is a great one. If you have kids, just let them lead you into creativity, they've got it going on I bet!


I love re-watching these and taking notes in my July Cultivating Creativity book I'm putting together! Will share when done! Do you love taking notes and capturing all the great words of advice to peruse later?

I'm a bit obsessed with notebooks of all shapes and sizes. I love making notebooks too! Check out my Youtube channel for a few videos on making your own notebooks! Also take a peek at these fun notebooks I've got in the shop!

Now go be Creative....
Rachel


Join us for our Fall semester of Handmade U!  Details and Sign up HERE.

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Day 29: Cultivating Creativity with Anna Oginsky

TGIF!!

I'm so thrilled it is Friday!  Looking forward to a no-plans weekend with my husband Jim.  Thinking the new Jason Bourne movie is on tap and I'm guessing some BBQ.  I'll be excitedly getting ready to announce and share with you the new topic for our August Handmade U conversations!  The chats have been really so much fun and this new topic really expands the stories the ladies are sharing, and they all are encouraging and inspiring.

I want to encourage you all to take a listen to my sweet new friend Anna Oginsky's conversation.  I had such a wonderful time chatting and getting to know Anna.

Anna is a happily married mom of 3.  She is a writer, loves to make art, teach classes and lead retreats in Michigan, where she lives with her family and their big yellow lab. She also just published her first book! Anna loves the intersection of creativity and community. ❤

Cultivating Creativity with Anna Oginsky from Rachel McGough on Vimeo.

You can find Anna here:
Website : www.annaoginsky.com
Facebook : www.facebook.com/anna.oginsky
IG : @annaoginsky
Find her teaching on Brave Girl University as well.  Sign up below if you aren't already a member!

If you are interested in checking out Anna's new book please take a peek below.




Thanks for taking the time to chat with us Anna!



Now go be Creative....
Rachel


Join us for our Fall semester of Handmade U!  Details and Sign up HERE.

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Day 28: Cultivating Creativity with Dianne West

Hello Everyone!

Don't you find when the temps are a bit cooler than the doggiest days of summer and the humidity is down it's just easier to be in a good mood??  I'm loving the cooler mornings to take the puppy out, give the chickens fresh water, and hose down the garden.  Oh and today I decided to pick the first two tomatoes to see if they are ripe enough....not quite sure they are, but I couldn't wait any longer.  I can't believe how many tomatoes we are going to have with just four plants that started out so small!!

Today's #CultivatingCreativity Conversation is with Dianne West.  Dianne shares some great tips and thoughts on how to keep moving on Creativity - take a listen:


Cultivating Creativity with Dianne West from Rachel McGough on Vimeo.

Talking with Dianne reminded me of an idea we had years ago.  I am totally going to host a Handmade U semester one day soon where we just work on unfinished projects!!  Wouldn't that be fun?!  Who is in??  Don't we all have stacks of them in the corner or back of the closet not seeing the light of day!?  I think we need to bring one or two out - put it in that front and center position to shine some light on it!

I'm with Dianne on having tons of projects, and we love to get excited about a new technique or medium and go all in.  I love Dianne's suggestion of checking out some of the free classes, Youtube videos or tutorials before you go nuts with buying supplies and spending time on big classes.  Spending a little bit of time watching someone else doing what you are thinking of doing might clue you in on if you might like it.  Get in touch with those things you think you might really enjoy doing and then move forward on trying those new things that you need more supplies for!

Also let's keep in mind as Dianne mentioned, that it is not always about the finished project, that it is the creative process that there is always something to be gained from!  Wise words!!

Thanks Dianne!  Go find her over at these many sites!

Tending Your Heart and Soul - {brand new site and more to be added soon!}

Web site:   http://www.tendingyourheartandsoul.com/

Facebook:     https://www.facebook.com/tendingyourheartandsoul

IG:   @tendingyourheartandsoul

IG:   @dianne_west

Widowed Village:  http://widowedvillage.org/

Soaring Spirits International:   http://www.soaringspirits.org/

Now go be creative....
Rachel


Join us for our Fall semester of Handmade U!  Details and Sign up HERE.

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Day 27: Cultivating Creativity with Melody Ross

We only have a few more days of July left, can you believe how much we've packed in so far??

And we aren't done yet!!

Melody Ross is our special guest on the blog today chatting about Cultivating Creativity!

Melody is married to a man she is madly in love with, they are parents to 5 creative fabulous kids, a full time artist, writer and forever seeker of all things beautiful and true.  She is the co-founder of Brave Girls' Club and all the amazing things that come from that!  She is coming to us from Idaho where she is a 4th Generation Idahoan!

Thanks Melody for joining us today!


Cultivating Creativity with Melody Ross from Rachel McGough on Vimeo.

Are you all hearing a trend with these Creative women? The way to be Creative is to "Show Up" as Melody says. If time is your excuse, is there a way you can make better choices with your time so you can fit in being creative? Why don't you try Melody's recommendation today and add PLAY to your checklist of To-do's. Let us know if it works and what you make fun today. Let yourself do it for you and see how the ripple effects cascade over other areas of your life.

Does it also make you feel better to know that an Artist such as Melody let's us in on the knowledge that she may have 5 bad paintings underneath a beautiful Masterpiece? Every piece of art, every project, or even every recipe we make won't be a masterpiece people. Let's just all take a minute to say that out loud and let it sink in. "Everything I make WON'T be a Masterpiece." Does it lift a little weight off your shoulders? Let yourself be free to make some bad stuff. Laugh about it like Melody suggests! Then move on to your next attempt!!

Thanks again Melody for your thoughts today!!

Have a FUN Day!!

xoxo
Rachel



Join us for our Fall semester of Handmade U!  Details and Sign up HERE.

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Day 26: Cultivating Creativity with Vanessa Kiki Johanning

Happy Day 26!

If you aren't having a good day or need a reason to smile today you have come to the right place!  I was lucky enough to have some time with this next special guest and my cheeks hurt after our chat from smiling so much, for real guys!


Vanessa "Kiki " Johanning is an international full time Mixed Media Artist with more than 20 years' experience who loves to find the sparkle in your eye while embellishing every surface of life!
A passionate collector of embroidered doilies, smiles, and experiences. She plays at a wonderful Imaginarium Design Studio, and is represented by several galleries in the Midwest. She is a published Trendspotter, Designer, Art Event Teacher and Inspirationalist. Everyday..looking for happy life changing moments!

Find her at her website HERE
And on IG @vanessakikijohanning

Please join in on this colorful - FUN - conversation on Creativity!


Cultivating Creativity with Vanessa Kiki Johanning from Rachel McGough on Vimeo.


So there is a lot in there that inspired me! First I have to say I love that Kiki carries glitter with her. I am thinking it could really diffuse some boring or frustrating situations in your day!



Also I think I need some pom poms!



Also consider your little creative work area as a safe space that you can create - no one has to be watching!

Don't take yourself so seriously - remember as Kiki says - It is your one and only life!

Put your hands on your supplies! You can't create anything if you don't!

Make something - share your true self!

Thanks Kiki it was such a joy chatting with you!! xoxo


Hugs,
Rachel

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Day 25: Cultivating Creativity with Jennifer Allred

Welcome another Nebraskan to the conversations on Cultivating Creativity!  MY sweet friend Jennifer Allred is a Mom of 3 boys, so you'll find her on the Baseball Field more often than not!  She is also mom to Gracie Allred, our puppy Cora McGough's sister.  She is an avid stitcher, and owner of The Turquoise Tomato that offer beautiful Leather Cuffs.  Her stitching skills earned her a spot on the Handmade U Stitch Team as well!!

Find Jen on IG @theturquoisetomato and @jenniferallred

We chat about Seasons of Life and what that means to creativity, and how we can fit in tiny bits of time to create something that will remind of us of that season we were in while we created it.

My kitty BOLT makes a special appearance at the end too ;)

It's a good one:

Cultivating Creativity with Jennifer Allred from Rachel McGough on Vimeo.


So are we all going to go shopping on Etsy and support our favorite makers?  I'm thinking a fun handmade item might be in order!  Thanks Jen ;)

I decided to reopen my ShopHandmadeU Etsy store with some Quitdori's,  Quilted Heart Planner Clips and some beaded bracelets.  Special Word Cuffs might be going up today too in my Etsy shop HERE.

What are your favorite Etsy shops with Handmade goodies??

Cheers,

Rachel


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Day 24: Cultivating Creativity with Marci Welcker

Happy Sunday All!

I hope you have a fun-filled day planned with friends and/or family and a little Creativity and rest.

We attended Mass, then breakfast and we'll be doing Yard-work next!   I'll be working on my class prep for the Fall Semester of Handmade U a little later today while Jim works on some Pulled Pork, and a smoked Chicken to make into Chicken Salad for the week - YUM.

It's about that time I start getting excited for all the women that will descend upon our homestead and share our Barn and Land with us (and some Pulled Pork.)

I also need to reach out to our right-hand Nicole to start chatting about desserts and snacks too!  Makes me hungry just thinking about it.

I want to share with you a lovely conversation I had with Marci Welcker of Find Your Wild Heart.  She is a retreat hostess and Certified Soul Restoration Instructor for Brave Girls Club.  You can find her on FB at the link above.  On IG @findyourwildheart and at her webpage www.findyourwildheart.com  She is coming to us from the beautiful state of Utah where they are building an amazing little Art Cabin for upcoming classes.  Swoon!

Take a listen to what Marci shares with me today!



Cultivating Creativity with Marci Welcker from Rachel McGough on Vimeo.

I love the insights that she shares about going to the things you love when you are stressed or need the creative outlet. That sewing or art journaling for her are forgiving projects so that helps with her need for perfection because it can always be adjusted or redone. We don't always have to be learning something new, we can go to our "soothing" projects that we know how to do and just enjoy to allow ourselves the confident joy.

Also remember that we are all creative in our own unique ways. I love that Marci acknowledges her sister in law is the best gift giver and that is how she is creative. Isn't it fun to recognize and find those things in your friends and family? Let them know that you appreciate those unique gifts in them.


Thank you Marci!!

Enjoy your day All!!

Hugs,
Rachel




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Day 23: Cultivating Creativity with Sherri Welser

We are getting close to our last week of Cultivating Creativity!  Still so many wonderful ladies are here sharing what their thoughts are on why we aren't being creative, how to get over those blockers and what some fun ideas are to be more creative in our daily lives.

Sherri Welser is a mixed media artist and jewelry artisan who combines wonderful textures ,vibrant colors and inspirational messages in her work.  She is located in the Fingerlakes Region of NY State and has been featured in many national magazines including Somerset studio and Jewelry Affair to name a few. She also hosts Art Retreats and just recently hosted her latest retreat " Art Of A Gypsy" in her new art studio in the woods.

You can find her on IG @wildheartart
and FB @WildHeartartSherri

Also her website www.indigoearth.artfire.com

Thanks to Sherri for joining us today!  She has some fun tips- listen in!


Cultivating Creativity with Sherri Welser from Rachel McGough on Vimeo.

I appreciated the thoughts Sherri had on creativity. We need to celebrate our creativity, we are all creative and we need to celebrate that in each of us. That getting frustrated when you aren't in the mood to be creative isn't worth it - you don't need to force it, to just find another time when you are in the flow more freely. Remember this is suppose to be FUN!

Be someplace you love, be with people you love! Enjoy the world around you.  You will be inspired. Be kind to yourself and don't be so critical.

Great tips, simple and practical.  Just keep reminding yourself of these each day!

Hugs,

Rachel



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Day 22: Cultivating Creativity with Sandy Glass

Hola Everyone!!

Our conversation today is with the colorful, beautiful Sandy Glass.  Sandy is the brain behind Crafty Brains, living in Miami with her husband and two kiddos.  Sandy teaches classes in English and Spanish in her home, and has a new class on Brave Girl University.  Sandy is also a Certified Soul Restoration instructor for Brave Girls Club.  You can find her on IG @craftybrains.

Come take a listen as we chat about creativity.


Cultivating Creativity with Sandy Glass from Rachel McGough on Vimeo.

So are you going to take Sandy's advice, pick one thing and just try it?  What's the worst thing that can happen??  If you don't like it, cross it off your list and move on to the next thing!

Be inspired by what you see and think about how you can make it your own, put your own style to it and see what you can come up with!  Surround yourself with positive, good energy people for you and you will be even more inspired!

Thanks Sandy for all of your thoughts!!

Be Crafty!
Rachel


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