Creativity at Play

The Go To Magazine Any Beginner Knitter Should Look Into Getting  One look at my well used copy of Knitting for Beginners magazine and you'll surely realize that it's got it's fair share of usage. From the marked, dog eared and post-noted pages to the definite worn crease on the spine; my copy of the magazine -which really could be considered more of a book- has definitely become a go-to manual. One I've had since starting to knit in February and kept amongst my knitting needles, extra yarn and other knitting magazines for inspiration- which you or I could find anywhere- but Knitting for Beginner's is more provides more than just that, because amongst it's pages lies invaluable how-to's tips, tricks and different stitches along with a glossary of terms when feeling stuck. Which makes it's an essential resource for any one to have- whether you already know the basics or not- looking to learn some new stitches or are starting from scratch this magazine

My Thoughts and Review on Using Cotton versus. Wool Yarn... so far! After feeling becoming pretty confident with my knitting skills using wool yarn I decided it was time to try something new and take on a knitting project that calls for cotton yarn. After all, a girl can only work on one major project for so long before wanting to explore and conquer new challenges. This weeks particular project was in making two small dish clothes using a cotton yarn in Neptune Ombre. I chose these colours because they remind me of the mountains with greens being like the trees, blues representative of the sky and lakes, while white resembles the white peaks of snow covered mountains. First Impressions: At first glance, cotton yarn looks like any other typical skein sold until you give it a closer look and feel. As the cotton has a more stiffer feel and string like look to it which is best for more durable and house ware knits such as the dish cloths I've made (in the image below) because

Becoming an experienced baker myself over the course of two years I have learned a lot about baking and what it can teach any curious soul willing to try it out. Many of these lessons I've already written on in past posts but have decided to combine all those lessons in this one post to make it an easy one stop read through for any reassurances or tips fellow bakers may be interested in hearing or knowing about. From one baker to another- this is for you: The Rules of Bake Club: 1. Do it for yourself because it is something you enjoy and want to share (not for other's approval): This could probably be considered a common lesson in many of my recipes but especially those that I've tried out for the first time on family and most recently. I've always enjoyed the process of baking- it's very therapeutic to simply follow along and come out with something delicious after trying a new recipe but somethings it can be hard not to look for that confirmation/approval fr

This is a continuation of Part 1: The Top Ten Things Every Beginner Baker Should Know , and the final five tips of that list. Seeing how the last list got a little long, I decided to break it into two parts so it's easier to read and hopefully follow. Also these tips may be more practical and simpler when it comes to the actual application of baking: Final Rules of Bake Club: 6. Sometimes recipes won't specific what the temperature the butter should be at when incorporating into recipes . Most will though- i.e. let butter softened at room temperature or melt butter in microwave. If it doesn't though and the recipe calls for butter in frosting the general understanding is that it's easier to mix in with the other ingredients if it is at room temperature soft before adding in other ingredients and mixing. 7. I f the recipe specifics both systems of measurement (i.e. grams and teaspoons) chose one and stick with it for all ingredients because the conversions may not

An Update into What I've Been Doing and Notes on a Fresh Start! (P.S. This is mainly for myself)  It feels good to be back after not posting in a while. There is lots to catch-up on and that I want to write about even for my own self that seems worth noting. First off I intentionally chose to take it easy in May as far as any new or big projects. There was a lot I had to deal with and survive during that time that putting the extra pressure on myself won't and just didn't make sense. It wasn't easy, with creativity always being a great outlet for myself and the ability to express or want to express my experiences having to say "you know what this isn't the time to worry about this" but it was the best thing for me to do at the time. Doing so allowed me to recuperate and get the added rest I needed after the month's rough start and made moving forward easier. Now occasionally I was able to do a bit of creating during that time, for instance I lear

Lessons in Creativity and Gardening; and the Connection between the Two! I hadn't realized this until taking a good look at my struggling plants desperately in need of water and my squelched recent creativity that there is a connection between the two, and that is both need to be cultivated. I've learned through taking care of the greenery that by doing this it's not just one type of care for all plants- each has it's own type of care instructions and therefore needs to be tended to differently. For some plants- such as succulents, they don't take as much care or water- whereas others like flowering plants need a little more TLC and sunshine. Both in the end need these three things from you: love, a certain level of commitment to keep happy, and most importantly patience . I've learned through the years that being creative takes similar efforts and considerations to grow our gardens as it does to cultivate a creative life. When first starting out it can t

"The Creative Mind Plays with Objects it Loves"~ Carl Jung Given the fun and light-hearted experience of this year I thought this would be a great quote to pass onto any intrepid and curious creatives out there to inspire your own adventures and endeavours in creativity as it has inspired me. What I like best is that it hints that being creative is best as a "fun" "light-hearted" experience or exploration because the creative mind plays with what it loves; not studies, perfects, or beats oneself up over but rather plays with those things . It has served as a good reminder to me that my project (the Creative Challenge) is a fun thing, and therefore something not to take too seriously or beat myself up if things don't go exactly as planned because it's supposed to be fun and playful thing. Although it can be hard to remember in the midst of trying to figure things out, plan, fit everything in, get everything in on schedule and make it a huge

A Trip Down Memory Lane, Experiencing the Group of Seven first hand, and an aspiring artist's reward Written for: Wednesday March 29 With March being a great month of exploring the world of using pastels and experimenting I found it about time for a reward and burst of inspiration to help further explore this form of creativity and what better place to visit than the McMichael Art Gallery- home to the Group of Seven's artwork and much more. So with that decided I put the plan in motion to head back to there and revisit the gallery a second time. I looked forward to this trip after it being so long since the first time a second visit I'd hope would give me a greater chance to appreciate the artwork and doing it myself to appreciate the artist's styles and efforts.   Group of Seven The feeling of familiarity came almost instantly as we drove down the long driveway into the art gallery as if it were almost yesterday I was there. Now it wasn't just the b

Introducing Dabbing and Creating Clouds Well as intended I finally got the chance to learn a new technique for the month of learning pastels. This time it was experimenting making clouds and applying a dabbling technique to make them look light and fluffy (that same interesting term used in baking, now appears a part of clouds I wonder which came first...). Having it be a while since I first took a lesson in between experimenting on my own and learning techniques I was nervous about returning but decided that since growing as a pastel artist means being open to improving and taking on techniques it was time to learn more on how to expand on my own style. Feeling more comfortable using them on my own and less intimidated by the pastels it made sense to transition into another technique. My pastel hands were ready to take on another experience.  Morning sun, created March 22/2017, first attempt using dabbing effect to create clouds. An intimidating second-err-third step, the

Exploration into Making and Baking Tarts: Recipe from The Messy Baker cookbook/baking book, pg. 138, look under the Sloppy Section of the book While I did it. Finally I began my foray from cakes and cookies to pastry making starting with tarts. Although for my first recipe -Raspberry Butter tarts- I went with store bought pastry shells being shore on time, and a little intimidated on the process. Next time though I'll try it out. Anyways, they were delicious and the recipe was surprisingly easy to follow.  I've already decided it's one I would make again! (More on my thoughts, and review of this in another post) There is however an important lesson I'll share out of this experience and that is in baking patience is a key ingredient/step to follow. No matter how delicious they are smelling or impatient we may be if you want successful tarts or anything else it's best to wait . Now this has never been my strong suit with anything- waiting for Christmas, f

The creative's difference between pastels, baking and knitting- a brief run down-. Have I mentioned how much I am enjoying playing around with pastels and getting comfortable with them... probably not since March technically started last week but settled into a good knitting routine and winding down for my "almost" baking break I decided to dive right into the medium only in preparation for March (in case it took me more time to adjust/get used to this part of the challenge.  This is a first experimentation draft using colours called "Stained Glass"©, Done: March 3, 2017 from this I got the idea So I've been trying my hand at this technique-  since February 14th- but heck! it's my challenge so why not. I must admit that before beginning I was quite intimidated with the prospect of having to learn this art. Which might have had something to do why it was third on the list. After all I always enjoy it from afar, appreciating others talents, an

A More Comprehension Observation and Plan on How I'm Tackling It:  Well guys, earlier on I mentioned that I'd come up with a loose plan to make March successful and one part was continuing to be open during this process of learning and experimenting with a new medium, much like I've been for baking and knitting. Although this time around I'm more prepared, with two months behind me of this challenge and entering into a third everything has been turning out great- I haven't given up yet, all baking has turned out delicious, the knitting has come along (I continue to learn and learned so much from this experience) and have even embraced imperfection. I still try my best but don't get too discouraged if it doesn't always turn out perfectly, I'm happy just to finish it or learn from it. The Plan: Step 1 (paired with above):  Pre-entering February I've been testing out my pastel prowess, doing different shapes and sizes, concepts and techniques. J

Guess what?!? March has quickly approached and I can hardly believe it. All at once I'm nervous and excited, eager and anxious to get started. It's form of creativity is learning how to use pastels . I chose pastels as a medium for a few good reasons. Firstly, I have selected a mentor who works in that medium to help me learn a few techniques and tricks along the way. Secondly, they are easier to maneuver than paints or water colours and hopefully less mess to clean up. Still. Yikes! Although this was my chosen medium as with any of these experiments and experiences it's still new. So to prepare for the iminient month of March I've been amping up and doing some experimenting on my own. With supplies at hand I've been trying different abstract shapes and idea, shading, blending and smudging, rubbing, grunting and learning.  This is a messy craft! Which has helped me know how to plan out March when it arrives- as I write this it's a day away-. "The Spark&

An Update on my month of knitting in February  Hello All, here we are a little halfway through February (already!) and my month of knitting is a great success so far. With that said, I thought it would be a great opportunity to update folks on how things have been going and the scarf's progress.  As the month has gone by much faster than I could have anticipated I've continued to work diligently and patiently on what I've lovingly called my " mulligan scarf ". Which looking at the project this way has really helped, I've loosed my grip (figuratively) on trying to frantically knit, been willing to explore some more new techniques and allowed discouragement to stay at bay. Heck! I've even embraced looking at my errors (which have been few since that time) as authenticity marks in my other endeavours- which are baking and now coming up in March doing pastel artwork (which I've started to briefly playing around with). I don't expect to finish thi

My Thoughts on Resources:  Here's an interesting tidbit, and perhaps this is just me thinking about it, but there seems to be a lot more options out there to find inspiration. You can look online if you're tech-savvy or at least familiar surfing the internet. Or go to the library to test out possible cookbooks/how to books on knitting before buying more books or if you don't have anymore room on your bookshelves for more inspiration. There also has come great inspiration through magazines , many that are filled as well with interesting articles, information, interviews and tips from the experts and most recently you can borrow back issues from the library these days so there's no need to worry about filing those either. Though,  if you are like me and find yourself with absolutely no room to store more magazines or books and can't quite find the time to borrow from the library Pinterest is full of inspiration too.  I won't blame you for preferring it as

So I discovered that for a first attempt, perhaps my scarf isn't as bad as I thought. It may have a few mistakes here and there, with a valuable lesson that knitting is best when we are well rested or have the energy to focus our best but isn't that what this whole experience is about, learning. It's not about the scarf coming out perfectly, yes it would be nice but since there's much to learn this time around it's become more about practicing the technique of knitting and simply seeing this one through. Which is why I've called the first knitting project- a hefty two ball scarf- my "mulligan scarf". When I take on other projects I'll have it down pat and be more careful. For now I am learning: learning how to fix my "boo boos" as I refer to any mistakes made, when it's best to knit- during the early parts of my day- and when it's not such an opportune time- later at night. Which is equally important to curbing any possible mistak

So in honour of my month of baking wrapping up (although not ending), and as way to test my progress as a blossoming baker I decided to take on a completely NEW type of recipe, one that is not muffins, cakes, or cookies. A donut recipe a first for me both in baking and doing. As I did this one all on my own for the first time. So exciting, little intimidating and greatly adventurous undertaking- nothing like proving to yourself the skills learned have paid off. Earlier during that day- which was two weeks ago- there was an initial plan to do with supervision but on a whim and a burst of energetic confidence I found myself ready to dive right into this endeavour while the inspiration lasted. So out the necessary equipment and ingredients came in flusters of activity and preparations. It wasn't the ideal way to prepare for baking but when taking the first leaps into solo baking experiences there's also a great deal of nervousness that comes with the territory. And a lot more to

So it occurred to me just now that I've mentioned the "how" and "what" of the creative challenge but hadn't really explained the "why", which I'm realizing is the most important part of the whole thing. If there's no particularly compelling reason for me to do it for myself than is it still really worth. Also you may be wondering what spurred this sudden burst of "I'm going to take on something different throughout the year." Well my friends, I figured out it's actually pretty simple. I am doing this to help me stay positive, creative and inspired at times when I am frustrated and am feeling stuck, or bored or uninspired. This is a way for me to create my own source of JOY in life when it may be tricky to point to in other areas. It's also a way for me to stay inspired when the weeks are long, and I don't really feel like writing that much. I'll have several other outlets I can turn to, to keep the juices flo

Early insights, pleasure and obsessions in knitting Well... guess what, we are now officially in the month of February which means it's time for my next added challenge. In full admittance I was skeptical of this months plan- mainly it being knitting- and the success rate but leading up to the month and new creative experience I summoned up all my courage, openness and patience potentially needed to make it a positive one. The project (since you only need one to keep busy and learn) is a simple scarf and bought supplies yesterday (there's no backing out once you have what's needed) all set to take up my first lesson (with my Aunt). The knitting itself at first seemed intimidating and finicky, the type of thing that I thought might need all my patience but actually turned out quite well as it turns out I'm quite the natural at knitting despite popular concerns (including my own). As I first those first few stitches on the row, then the next few came I surprised even

A "Yum"-clamation of my month of baking and cooking (so far) Hello everyone! Can you believe it's the end of January?!? I can't, it seems time has flown by while I've been busy baking, writing, learning and having fun. Keeping in mind that it has been a new project which has taken some creative thought to figure out what the actual project would look like, how long it would last and how many recipes to test but I've figured it out and the answer is however many I chose to do throughout the year as well. Sometimes though life or other commitments got in my way or you just need a break. To Review: I set out at the beginning of this month to tackle two recipes a month and for January I already have surpassed that- making a total of FIVE recipes (can you believe it!). Which when you look at January that's almost one recipe per week (AWESOME!) Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts, not quite like the original picture but good enough All in all, it ha

The Recipe: Oatmeal Cookies (via: Pinterest.com, look under my board "baking recipes"  ( https://www.pinterest.com/pbutterfly234/baking-recipes/) When you are first starting out it can seem quite intimidating, and may take a lot of courage and practice before feeling competent in the kitchen. As with anything, there's much uncertainty in how it will come together, which is much like starting a new project for the first time. So a little faith can go a long way in helping keep a positive attitude . It does get more easier, and I've learned that the more you try out new techniques or re-attempt the recipes the more confident you'll get. It also takes a fair bit of patience and practice- patience in just waiting for the recipe/baking to be done; and practice in executing the experience itself. It may not be right away that you'll get it right, sometimes it can take 12 recipes/attempts for your baking to turn out picture perfect. (Hear that Kylie, have patience

Insight Through a Workshop:  Motivating the Creative Mind, by MindShift Ninja. (Review to follow) Diving right into my theme of being creative and learning about it throughout the year I decided to checkout a workshop on the subject this past weekend.  With the year well into January and me into my Creative Challenge  both in reading/learning and doing it, it seemed like a great opportunity to hear a new perspective on the creative process, how it works and strategies to help us become more comfortable with it. After all, just as I have signed up to be open on trying different ways of creating it's just as fair to be open to different perspectives on how this process can work. Though I'll admit that I was hesitant at first to go, that perhaps could be explained in disbelief. A disbelief that I actually had the chance to say "yes" and go, that it seemed like some creative force or perhaps it was my own creative genius was pulling all the strings, making sure eve

There is nothing better than the feeling of preparing your own meal for the first time. That sense of accomplishment when it is finished simmering, and baking, along with the pride that comes from saying "I made this myself." This which was once potatoes, leeks and water now is deliciousness, now is soup. This which is the feeling I want out of trying this crazy experiment for a month, and growing myself from a beginner baker to home cook and more experienced baker fuels my determination in taking on such a challenge. Along with pride, my new cookbook "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" by Julia Child, Simone Beck and Loiusette Bertholle and perhaps some other inspiration, might just inspires this flourish of excitement in the kitchen rather than dread and intimidation. (See picture on the right) This is where I'll be keeping track of new recipe ideas to try, how I plan to maneuver them and the ones I've done- successes, failures and all but let&#

An Introduction: So this year I've decided to explore creativity on my own with open arms and more in depth. Which means not only do I plan on just expanding it in my writing, but I'll try my best to learn more about it and actually experience some new ways of being creative . After all why limit myself to just 1 area when there's other to try out such as:   Baking,   Sketching,   Painting,   DIYing,  and many other fun crafts to try out there all creative and worth while.  So why be limited to just one? To begin with though, I'm starting with baking since I've tried it before which makes returning to it easier, this time though I'm adding cooking into the mix. There may be sometimes when it's just baking needed to be done while others like in the instances of making a meal can add several elements to be balanced out. My goal here is to familiarize myself in the kitchen with the hopes of it becoming less intimidating with each new and upp