My husband loves to watch Do-It-Yourself programs.  I think some of the most creative people in the world take one thing and use it to create something else entirely.  For example you can install beautiful counter tops made from recycled glass.  We watched a show where a man built his own company turning old composite shingles into driveways.

Last weekend my husband and I were on a mini-vacation, and my mom kept our children.  While she had her five grandchildren for days, she opted to do fun things with them.  They played Wii games, they began putting together a hard puzzle, they made masks, and they made popsicles.  But the most incredible activity that she did with my children was making beads.

Jake and Kyla love to make and design jewelry.  Both of them have an eye for design and have sold several pieces.  They wait for places like Hobby Lobby to hold sales so that they can stock up on supplies.  Now they know how to make their own beads from reusing #6 plastic and/or #6 styrofoam.  If you are wondering what #6 means, simply look at the bottom of plastic containers, bottles, etc.  There will be a triangular shape with a number inside.  For making beads, you need a “6″ to be in the triangle.

You need your #6 plastic/styrofoam, markers, a whole punch, scissors, parchment paper, and an oven preheated to 350 degrees.  Your first step is to cut the plastic into the desired shape.  Decide where you want the hole, and then punch it with a regular hole punch.  Using markers, color the entire area or make a design.  Use as many colors as you want.  Highlighters work, but permanent markers make a more opaque color.

Know that when you are cutting out your plastic you need to make a large version of it.  It is going to shrink in the heat of the oven.  For example the hole might seem too large, but when the bead is made, the hole is perfect for stringing on wire.

Place a piece of parchment paper on a cookie sheet.  Space out your completed designs of plastic or styrofoam shapes onto the sheet.  Bake in the oven for exactly 5 minutes.  Then, they are ready to be used to make jewelry.

Not only is this a fun project for children, but it is reusing what would have been trash into something useful and beautiful.  Making beads is a great way to encourage recycling and creativity.  The possibilities are limited only to the extent of your imagination.

Andrew and his new handmade stick horse.

The Grimes County Fair begins Saturday, June 4th.  For one week, the county is extremely busy as kids show off the best of their animal projects, cooking abilities, and creative arts entries.  The community comes out to support the youth as spectators and as buyers of both animals, food, and art.

As the mother of five children, this up-coming week is going to be hectic.  The weeks leading up to the fair are just as busy at my house.  Why?  Because I have two children who like to enter all sorts of creative arts entries.  Kyla and Jake are busy knitting, crocheting, making jewelry sets, matting original art work, mounting photography, and trying out new recipes to enter in the county fair. 

I have felt like I live in a creative workshop for the past two weeks as they finalize their projects.  I have different colors of yarn sititing on top of our entertainment system.  I have a collection of crocheted coasters from which each child will pick out his or her best one to enter.  Crocheted dishcloths fill my kitchen drawer.  Beautiful jewelry sets are being mounted on black felt. 

Kyla made a wall hanging with silk flowers which now hangs on my dining room wall replacing the painting I once had there.  The only reason it is hanging on the wall right now is so that her little brothers do not destroy or harm it before Saturday.  It does not match the decor of the room so she said, “Mom, we need to repaint the walls.”  Oh, she has to be joking.

 As crazy as these past weeks have been, it has been so nice to see my children engrossed in what else they can make.  To explore other skills they have to showcase at the fair.  Their hands have been very busy.  They have not been idle at all.   

Every entry that they are entering is creative yet practical.  Every kitchen needs a dishcloth.  Why not a handmade one?  One that is soft and exactly the size and color you want.  Coasters can save the finish of your table.  Why not one made with love?  Do you have a bare spot on your wall that is calling for a decoration?  Fill it with a photograph, painting, or a flower arrangement. 

During this fair week, my two youngest boys are participating in a Kids Rodeo.  They will compete in three events.  Dummy Roping, a Boot Scramble, and last but not least a Stick Horse Race.  I realized yesterday afternoon that they had used their stick horses so much that they were both broken.  I had to find two more stick horses.

My step-dad heard our needs and delivered.  He made the coolest stick horses for my boys.  Using what he had on hand, he was able to create a one-of-a-kind stick horse for each child.  I was impressed! 

Sometimes we think of creativity as this lofty thing.  Something only the extremely talented can atttain.  We think of it in terms of masterpieces like Michelangelo or DaVinci.  In the musical world, Bach and Mozart come to mind.  These men were creative.  They were also geniuses in their area of expertise. 

As great as their creativity was, it is easy to feel inadequate.  Why even try?  If you are like me, you will not be invited to paint the Sistene Chapel.  However, do not knock practical creativity.  It is what makes a house a home.  It is way you express yourself.  It is rewarding and freeing. 

The county fair encourages practical creativity by having a huge creative arts section of the week long event.  The fair is not only about raising animals.  It is a way to showcase your creativity in many different areas.  From welding to baking, from quilting to watercolors, children, teens, and adults enter their best creative entries. 

Check out your local county fair.  Plan to enter it next year.  Spend the next year exploring areas in which you can be creative in practical ways.  Practical creativity makes great gifts.  Most importantly, it gives you an outlet to be more creative in your everyday life.

Most of you realize that Sunday is Mother’s Day.  Commercials, television shows, and store displays remind us of this up-coming day constantly.  Regardless of what you decide to do for your mother this weekend, it is going to involve some creativity.

We all want to show our mothers how much we love and appreciate them.  Many will make phone calls and send cards and/or flowers.  Some will cook for their mothers, while others will take them out to eat.  As a mom, I can honestly say that it does not really matter what you do for your mom as long as you thank her for all that she has done for you. 

We don’t need fancy gifts or expensive presents to have a good Mother’s Day.  Like the saying goes, “It’s the thought that counts.”  So put some thought into the gift.  What does she like?  What does she need?  What are your talents?  These are the questions I ask myself.

What does she like?  Is your mother a huge Houston Texans fan?  Does she prefer going to a ballet?  Does she enjoy coffee or gardening?  Has she been wanting to learn a new language or read a new book?  Is she interested in coins or collecting shells?  By considering what your mother really likes, you can focus your gift-giving ideas.  Just because advertisements say that all moms want jewelry and roses, it is not necessarily true.  Show your mom that you thought of her and plan something based on her unique tastes and interests.

What does she need?  If you are into practical gifts, this question will really suit you.  Does she stand for hours in the kitchen and end up with aching feet?  You could get her a chef’s mat.  Everytime she stands on it she will think of you.  Does her car need a tune-up or the oil changed? Or, does she have a broken door knob that she hasn’t gotten to yet?  Surprise her by taking care of it.  Taking even a small burden such as these off of her busy day will be greatly appreciated. 

What are your talents?  It might feel strange to think of yourself when trying to plan a gift for your mother, but this is where truly unique gifts begin.  Your mother spent her life trying to help you realize your gifts and talents.  She was and probably still is your biggest fan.  So what better way to thank your mother than to incorporate your talent into her gift.  If you are a potter, make her a beautiful vase.  Use your jewelry-making talent to create a special set for her.  Paint a picture, photograph her or your family for her, bake and decorate her favorite cake, build her a picnic table, write her a poem, etc.  The possibilities are literally endless. 

Hopefully I have gotten your creative juices flowing.  The best gifts will be ones that incorporate all three questions.  Giving your mother something that you create and that she needs or wants will be a winner.  Make this Mother’s Day memorable.

Do you ever think that “creativity” is only for artists?  Talented men and women who make their life’s work about beauty, form, texture, etc.  Sculptors, painters, and sketch-artists come to mind when I hear the word “creative.” 

My family loves to watch the TLC show “Cake Boss.”  If you have not seen the show, Buddy Valastro runs a bakery in Hoboken, New Jersey with his family.  Buddy and his crew are artists.  They are completely creative with all things cake.  From the flavors, to decorating techniques, to hand painting intricate designs, the bakers on the show prove that creativity has a place even with edible art.

Last night I watched him make sugar flowers for a cake.  The flowers were so beautiful and realistic that I honestly wanted to smell them.  It is amazing what gifted people can do with their medium of choice, whether it be modeling chocolate or marble.

I think most people would agree that the above examples connect creativity with art.  But does creativity always have to be connected with art?  Can you be creative without being an artist?  I submit, absolutely!

My step-father just turned a pasture into a scaled-down golf course.  Using pieces of pipe and a lawnmower, he designed the course to suit the lay of the land.  It is not an 18 hole course by any means.  It has four or five holes.  He took the time to make flags for each hole with the number of the hole painted on it.  Not only is the idea creative, but he made it his.  He put his personal touch to the project.  He not only created a mini-golf course, but he did it creatively. 

My husband and I recently worked together to build a fence for a neighbor.  As soon as the last board was secured and the gate was hung, I was done, but not my husband.  We stood back to admire our work, and he began talking about using his router to make the wooden fence posts more attractive.  He is currently trying to figure out the design he is going to cut using his router. 

How many of you like me are in the kitchen everyday?  You can only make the same recipes for so long before you ache for a change.  This morning I changed a basic muffin recipe into an apple-cinnamon cake.  It was delicious.  I have written down my new recipe.  Last Sunday my sister-in-law and I made a marinade for venison ham steaks.  We were limited by what we could use and faced with an interesting array of possible ingredients.  Working together we came up with a recipe.  After we received so many compliments on it, we had to write down what we had done for future use. 

Well the last three examples are not earth-shattering, life-altering art; however, they are examples of everyday creativity.  You might not be able to relate to the creative genius of Michelangelo or Buddy Valastro, but certainly you can relate to using your creativity in the kitchen, at work, on your hobbies, etc.  Using this kind of creativity might not win you worldwide fame, but it is something that enriches your life at a very personal level.  For that reason alone, everyday creativity is arguably more important.

When you find yourself in a creative slump, when you have no new ideas, when you are frustrated and blocked, take time to step back and notice all the examples of creativity at work in your life on a daily basis.  I promise that you will amaze yourself.  One of the things that makes your life unique is everyday creativity.

Essential oils are highly concentrated oils extracted from a plant or fruit.  They are essential because the oils carry the “essence” of the plant and its distinctive scent.  For centuries people have been using essential oils for medicinal purposes. 

Most essential oils have to be diluted by a carrier oil like olive oil or diffused by a nebulizer.  When my children get a chest cold, I stir five drops of eucalyptus oil into a teaspoon of olive oil and rub the mixture on the soles of their feet and chest.  Essential oils have other uses, too.

Many believe that they can increase creativity, especially when used as aromatherapy.  You can simply breathe in the essential oil directly from the bottle.  Using a diffuser will help spread the oil through the air.  You can also heat the oil in a little water over a candle.  You can purchase an inexpensive set-up from Wal-Mart for less than $5.00.

I personally prefer the simplest option.  Open the bottle and breathe in the scent.  Close your eyes.  Breathe in deeply with both nostrils.  Think about what you want to accomplish.  What is your project?  What is your goal?  Breathe in several times.  When you are ready, open your eyes and begin.

Some people prefer to use one essential oil while others prefer a combination.  Aroma Stress Buster produced a chart that describes the purpose of the most common essential oils.  Find an oil that is suited for your needs. 

If I am stressed, cinnamon (cassia) is a good oil to smell.  It is invigorating.  Lavender oil is very calming.  Sometimes I find it essential for my hyper son to take a moment to breathe in lavender.  I usually take a few sniffs too.  Rosemary essential oil boosts creativity according to the chart. 

This simple aromatherapy technique can make you feel better, allow you to focus, and boost your creativity.  You might get really creative and mix the perfect blend of essential oils.  If you do, please share your favorite oil blend or your favorite single oil with us.

The Art for Homeschool February Show is impressive.  If you have not seen the entries, go to Art for Homeschool.  Talk about creativity!  Children from ages 5 – 13 have entered a wide variety of art projects.

If you want to be inspired to be more creative, simply look at their work.  Almost every genre of art is represented.  From photography to collage, pastel to watercolor, pencil sketch to colored pencil, young artists are fearlessly entering their best works of art.  I don’t know how the judge is going to choose one over another. 

Are you stuck in a rut?  Do you only work in one genre?  I challenge you to try a different medium in which to express your creativity.  If you prefer watercolor, try colored pencil.  If you are a great photographer, try a collage.  Step out of your comfort zone. 

Even if your first attempt is less than wonderful, at least have fun branching out and expanding your repertoire.  Since I try to practice what I preach, let me give you a specific example.  I am most interested in watercolor.  However, I have done several colored pencil paintings. 

The other day trying to inspire my own children to be creative, I grabbed an empty canvas I had in my closet.  I bought it years ago on sale and just never knew what to do with it.  I had no acrylic or oils paints.  Watercolors nor colored pencil were suitable.  However, I did have some leftover interior house paint.  I had blue, teal, and white.

What do you do with those colors?  I wasn’t exactly sure, but I went for it.  I picked a simple composition.  Then I let loose and had fun.  It was actually the most fun I have ever had painting.  The end result was better than I imagined.  The painting evolved as I worked on it.  Shading and highlights developed.  Nothing was planned but the outline of a horse. 

I felt such a sense of accomplishment as I stepped back to admire my creation.  My husband said, “Wow!,” when he laid eyes on the completed canvas.  As great as that was to hear, it was much more rewarding to know that I had given in to the creative process.

I had stepped way out of my comfort zone working with two things I had never used in art before: a canvas and interior house paint.  I did not start with a complete plan, but instead allowed myself to truly be creative. 

While most Americans are making resolutions to lose weight or to quit smoking, I am resolving to be more creative in 2011.  As an entire year of possibilities lies before me, I am excited just thinking of the many opportunities I will have to create.

December proved to be an above-average month in my creativity.  Why?  I had a purpose.  I was creating gifts for Christmas.  I learned how to knit, how to crochet, and how to make jewelry.  I had such a good time creating.

I have to admit that seeking to be creative can be intimidating.  As you stare at a blank canvas or a variety of beads, you can be overwhelmed.  Where do you start? 

Do I know what my end product will be?  Not necessarily.  I liken it to when I begin to write an article.  Do I know every word I will write and the order in which they are written?  Absolutely not.  I have a vague idea and just begin.  I have the freedom to change my mind, change my direction, etc.  Why?  Because I am the creator of the work.

If you are like me, you have many different areas of interest.  I enjoy photography, watercolor, sketching, colored pencil, sewing, knitting, crocheting, making and designing jewelry to name a few of my interests.  I also like to cook and make new recipes.  I teach my children at home and enjoy finding different ways to teach.  All of these areas of interest require a certain degree of creativity. 

Luckily I am not a perfectionist.  I do not restrain myself with the fear of making a mistake.  To me being creative is a freeing experience.  Give yourself the freedom to try and fail.  Most of the time you can just start over.  Delete the photograph, unstring the beads, or remove the stitch.  Sometimes it is not so easy to correct our mistakes, but it might take you in a different direction. 

Years ago, I was reading Drawing with Children by Mona Brookes.  In the book, I was initially surprised when she advises that children should learn to draw with a marker.  A marker?  Really?  But what if they mess up? 

She believes that if a child messes up by drawing the line in the wrong place, they need to learn to use their creativity to change the drawing.  Artists need to learn to adapt.  Not only is it an exercise in creativity, but this method also teaches students be more precise when putting marker to paper. 

My personal encouragement comes from God himself.  He is the Creator, maker of heaven and earth and the sea and everything in them.  God is the epitomy of creativity.  As He is busy creating in Genesis, the Bible tells us, “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.”

If God, who is perfect in every way, can stand back from His creation and admire it, then I can stand back and admire my creations.  He did not call His work perfect.  He was content with very good.  Likewise, I can be content with my work being alright.  It does not have to be great or a masterpiece.

Regardless of your abilities or level of creativity, resolve to be more creative this year.  Keep yourself open to learning new skills.  Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.  Just create for the sake of being creative.  And who knows, you might surprise yourself and your family in 2011.

The crochet-edged fleece blanket for my nephew.

I love to give homemade gifts for Christmas.  I devote the last part of the year to being creative.  I don’t know if you can schedule creativity, but necessity breeds invention. 

The first thing I do is really think about the person.  What do they need?  What do they like?  The last thing I worry about is what I know how to do.  This might seem backwards to some people, but I do not want to limit myself.  I can always learn a new skill. 

Once I decide on a gift, then I purchase or find all the required elements.  Then I begin researching different methods for making the gift.  Knowing that my twenty-one month old nephew will most likely not be reading this article, I am going to use his gift as an example. 

I made him a fleece blanket.  I found the cutest cowboy print fleece at JoAnns.  I purchased a yard and a half of the material.  I have tied two pieces of fleece together many times to make baby blankets, but I wanted to do something different for my nephew. 

I began researching different kinds of fringe on fleece blankets.  For those who don’t know, fleece creates many no-sew projects because the edges do not unravel or fray.  You can simply cut fringe and your blanket is complete.

While I am researching creative ideas, I almost always end up on YouTube.  There are both professionally-made and amatuer videos to watch on seemingly every topic.  One video caught my eye.  It was a crochet-edged fleece blanket.  Do I know how to crochet?  No, but no worries.  I can learn.

I watched the video and I was convinced that this is how I wanted to make the blanket.  I began working on the blanket yesterday evening.  Before I went to bed, the crochet-edging was complete.  All I have to do now is embroider my nephew’s name on the blanket.

Not only do I have an awesome, hand-made gift to give my nephew, but I spent just under $10.00 on it.  I also have learned an invaluable skill- how to crochet.  So really it is also a gift I gave myself.

This is an economical time to be creative.  With Christmas twenty-three days away, you have time to channel your creativity into homemade gifts for your family and friends.  Armed with a YouTube education and a will, I have no doubt that you will surprise the recipients of your gifts, but yourself as well.  Get those creative juices flowing!

I grew up watching my mother, who happens to be Terry Holliday,  create beautiful works of art.  Look at her work at Watercolors by Terry to see how talented she is.

I remember one painting in particular from my childhood.  It was of my brother, my cousin, and myself  playing on the beach in Corpus Christi.  It was outstanding!  It now hangs in the Museum of the Big Bend.  I don’t know many people who can say that they are a subject of a piece of art in a museum.

My mom did not always know she was an artist.  She was not painting masterpieces in elementary school.  In fact one of her favorite stories is how she entered a watercolor in a 4-H contest and received 2nd place.  That is not bad until she explains that she was the only one entered in that class.

Growing up as I watched her sketch and paint, I simply thought “I can’t do that.  It’s too hard.  I don’t have any artistic ability whatsoever.”  Most people don’t need critics; they can psych themselves out without any help from anyone else.

My daughter is very interested in becoming an artist.  She loves to paint and draw.  She likes to design jewelry and sew.  All these avenues allow her to be creative.  But as her mother, I felt the need to inspire her to do more art.  How?  By doing art myself.

For the first time in my life, I truly tried to draw and paint.  Was it easy?  No, I had to fight the voice in my head.  I had to fight negativity.  Like the little engine that could, I repeated, “I think I can,” over and over.

The end result was a colored pencil painting of some cannas in my front flower bed.  I actually impressed myself.  From there I did another colored pencil painting of a plumeria flower for my mother.  Talk about pressure.  Giving a work of art to an accomplished artist.  I am brave.

Again, I was impressed with the end result.  Then I decided to try my hand at watercolor.  I had taken a beautiful photograph of the Statue of Liberty and wanted to try to artistically portray her.  I really like the monochromatic look of the Lady Liberty.  Now, I have tackled a portrait of my husband in watercolor.

Each time I see improvement in my work.  Each time I realize how much more I have to learn.  But “I think I can!”  still repeats in my head.  It is trying to drown out the self-doubt and fears associated with putting yourself out there with your art.  I never realized how vulnerable artists felt before.

Here is my art work in order as I completed them.  I hope that you too can see the improvement in my work.

Cannas by Lara DeHaven

Plumeria by Lara DeHaven

Lady Liberty by Lara DeHaven

A Father in Uniform by Lara DeHaven

I love the Pablo Picasso quote, “Every child is an artist.  The problem is how to remain an artist when he grows up.”  Even though I don’t think it quite fits me, I agree with the principle.  I never considered myself an artist growing up around artists, art, and gallery showcases.  However, I do believe that every person has an artist in them waiting to grow.  It cannot grow until you at least try.

Try to complete a work of art this week.  Seven days should give you plenty of time.  Work in any medium, but try.  When the negative comments are trying to drown out, “I think I can!”  Imagine me yelling at the top of my lungs, “I think you can!  I think you can!  I think you can!”

Every year at this time the church I attend holds a Matthew 25 project.  It is a fundraising technique based on Matthew 25.  It is a parable in which a master has entrusted money to three of his servants.  After an appointed time, he returns to see what they have done with the money.  The first makes tenfold what he was given.  The second makes half as much as the first, but still makes good money.  The third servant just holds on to what he was given and does nothing with it.  He is chastised and then his money is taken away.

Our church does a reverse offering.  They place offering plates filled with $20.00 bills.  You can take as much as you want.  Then you are challenged to make it increase so that you can return the money plus some back to the church.  In other words, the church is investing in the creativity of its members.

The Matthew 25 Project certainly requires creativity.  The entire church enthusiastically takes on the challenge.  Some people team up to pool their money together.  Some go at it alone.  Some do raffles.  Some hold dinners or movie nights.

Last year my family made pork tamales.  We made almost 100 dozen tamales and sold them to our friends and fellow church members.  Needless to say, making that many tamales was a lot of work!  We were exhausted, but we were able to return $400.00 to the church from the initial $40.00 investment.

That is just our family.  Add to that all the other families and teams and you end up with a great fundraiser.  The best thing about the Matthew 25 Project is that people are inspired.  It is not just about the money.  Most importantly it is about using your talents and gifts for the church.

This year we decided against making tamales again.  We spent a good deal of time discussing what we could do.  Our goal is to not only make money, but to really enjoy what we are doing.  We brainstormed and discussed various projects.  Then all of a sudden, my mom suggested that we take family portraits for a charge.

It was like Archimedes discovering displacement so many years ago.  “Eureka!”  It was pure genius.  We were all agreeable to the suggestion and excited about it.  It was a good fit for our family.  My mom is a professional artist and every year I depend on her to take our family portraits.

My husband was trained in photography in high school.  He enjoys the art of photography.  I am an amateur photographer, but I love capturing images of my children, animals, and flowers.  My oldest three children all compete in photography contests and are really gifted.  Therefore, taking photographs for other people was a great idea.

Even if your church does not do a Matthew 25 Project, the idea can be adapted for clubs or families.  I always advise my children to discover what they really enjoy doing, and then find out how to make a living doing it.  This advice involves being creative.  Using your God-given talents inspires and uplifts your spirit.  It makes you feel great, which is  not bad for such a small investment of time and energy.