How to Live What You Love

Oh my goodness, it's Monday...and not the favorite day of so many. But why dread it? Sometimes it comes down to this phrase.

Live what you love.

And whether you have your dream job, work in your home, or have a job for your main support along with a side hustle you love, there are a few things you can do to live what you love, take care of yourself, and enjoy every moment a little more.

1. Be good to yourself. You hear that all the time, so how does it work? When you're good to someone, you talk sweetly to them, you treat them, and you wish them well. Are you doing that for yourself? If not, it's time to start. For me, I'd go get a handbag I want and something else I don't need, like a lovely lavender floral artisan soap or a coffee mug I've been wanting--you know, those kinds of unnecessary things that make your every day brighter. Be your own cheerleader and encourage yourself. Believe in your own success. Go ahead, tell yourself you work hard, you deserve it, and you rock!
Tip: Write down something you're thankful for every day, and that will remind you how special you are. 

 2. I'm not bossy. I'm the boss. That's right. You're the boss of your life, your house, your plans, your thoughts, your dreams, and your goals. Do what a boss does. Enjoy life at the top! If you need a break from something, take it. Ask for help when you need it. Work your life to get the most out of everything, just like a boss. I have my own crafty corner, and guess who the boss is there. Me! I make what want, I dream up what I want, and when I need a crafty haul--you got it. I go get one.
Tip: Get a fun new planner, if you don't have one. Planning has become a little like Smashbooking or scrapbooking...it's such a bright way to plan your days and your weeks--better than a boss.

3. Skip the hot bath. Now I often read things like, pamper yourself, be good to yourself, take a hot bath and light candles. That always sounds good, but honestly, I just don't always want to take the time to take a hot bath with candles. I will light a candle or two to make the house smell good, definitely yes. I get a massage every now and then. And I love body butter--my latest is the green tea body butter by the Body Shop. Oh my, you must try it. Anyhoo, I'm a shower girl, but there are other things  that make me feel pampered. Let's start with pretty makeup. I'm not a face-fulla-makeup kinda gal. But it makes me sad when I see some of my crafty gal pals totally rejecting makeup because they think it doesn't do any good, or they're too old. Honey, Imma puttin' something on this face even when I'm 80. And besides that, there is makeup that actually makes you feel happier. Case in point, this gorgeous blush I found by Physicians Formula. It's called Happy Booster Glow Mood Boosting Blush. Oh, it smells so good. It actually has natural plant extracts that promote a feeling of happiness! This compact, complete with a mirror and brush, gives you a blush and highlighter in one, so you look gorgeous and feel happy! And it's cute! I have a  tray full of cosmetics that make me happy each day--and I definitely enjoy cute packaging, lip glosses that smell good, and cute makeup brushes. So indulge a little, because making your face happy on the outside, can help on the inside.
Tip: If you're in a makeup rut, break out of it by educating yourself. There are plenty of up-to-date makeup tutorials out there, and you will be delighted with the fresh new ideas for your gorgeous face.
 

Makeup makes me happy.

Stitching a dollhouse

My newest coloring books

 4. Girl, thread a needle, dip a paint brush, sing, dance or write a word. The point is, if you're creative, create something every day. If you don't think you're creative--try it anyway. Work toward something big, or do a lot of little projects. The point is, creativity just feeds the soul. I don't know why. For me, I absolutely have to thread a needle every day--I paint with thread. But I also have coloring books, paint, and have writing projects going on. Being creative is so satisfying, rewarding, and nurturing. Plus, the more you do it, the better you get at it. Experts say there is a strong connection between being creative and overall well-being. We've become a little bit of a creation nation--just check out all the craft magazines there are out there! YouTube has a whole craft niche. As far as dancing goes--it's true. I'd like to start a fifty-something dance troupe! That would make me happy. Making your soul happy is job one.
Tip: If you need that "creative moment of the day" and you don't have much time, do a little thing. Take a brayer and some paint and quickly create an art journal background. Get out your big shot and diecut for a later project. Pick out a song you want to choreograph a dance for later! Color in your coloring book for five minutes!

 5. Create your own age. Afterall, you're the boss. Don't let anyone age-shame you in any way. Wear your glitter nail polish, dye your hair pink, be over-the-top elegant in black and long pearls, wear purple lipstick, express yourself how you like. Think wearable art! I probably embroider on every pair of jeans and shorts I own! I often say, it's my tattoos--mainly because I don't want a tattoo. But if I did, I'd get one. I don't plan to dress old...ever. That's an old idea. I want to dress and look like me--not how I'm supposed to look at age 55. I'm creating my own double high fives. Also, take selfies girl! Make sure you include you in those Project Life albums--it's your life, and it should be celebrated.
Tip: Remember, don't worry about looking young! Just look like you!

Eat, Write, Dream, Stitch

When You're Not Feeling Creative

When your muse is taking a break and the inspiration is not there, what do you do? I always wonder what causes this in the first place! Maybe too many projects in a row, and you just need a break. Or maybe your energy is down for a plethora of reasons. Maybe you're overwhelmed by your supplies and stash and can't even think of what to sew or glue to what! Maybe you're hungry, or need coffee!

I think matryoshka dolls are my muses!

It does take some creativity to keep busting your stash--but a good way to start is by shopping your own stash.

See my Stash Dash 2015 Right Here

Spending time with loved ones can boost your energy and creativity.

Here are a few more ways that seem to help me get creative again.

ORGANIZING--If my crafting space gets too cluttered and crazy, I can't think anymore. When I start putting some things away and doing some organizing and reorganizing, the ideas start to flow.

 
MAKE A MAKE-LIST--I actually keep lots of lists...that's another story. But my best list ever is what I call my Master Make List. It just has everything on it that I want to make someday. Some things are pretty basic like, "Work on the House Cross-Stitch" which I know is a bunch of cool patterns from El Blog de DMC that will eventually make a whole house, room by room. And I know I want to do it. But I have other things on the list in more detail such as, "Design a pattern for a stuffed cat" and underneath that line, I have indented and put a list of very specific features I want to create on my stuffed cats, like a die-cut heart embroidered with the word "joy" and embroidered eyes and eyelashes, etc. The point is, that list could be your muse when you need it.

CREATE WHEN YOU'RE CLEANING--When I have to break down and actually clean house, do dishes, do laundry, go to work, grocery shop, I still let my mind wander creatively, and I keep a little file of notes on my phone so nothing and no idea gets away from me no matter where I am. It just might make it to my Master Make List.
 

Inspired by junk journals I've seen on Pinterest

MAKE PINTEREST WORK FOR YOU--The whole reason I have boards full of beautiful embroidered projects, craft ideas, jewelry making, art journaling and mixed media is to inspire me when I need it. I had first joined Pinterest long ago when a friend invited me. I thought it was great looking at fun pictures, but it didn't really catch on with me until I realized that a lot of crafters have got on there and you can see some amazing work that cannot fail to inspire you. I'll share a few of my boards right here.

Sandy Leigh's Sew Blissful Stitching Board
Sandy Leigh's Art Journaling Board
Sandy Leigh's Scrapbooking Board
Sandy Leigh's Recipe Board
Sandy Leigh's Mixed Media Board
 

Craft with a child--my nephew wanted to make shell people the other day!

I even have boards devoted to the color pink, bento boxes, matryoshka dolls, gardening, and craft shows. Sometimes, just getting on Pinterest and pinning things to my boards inspires me.

SIP SOMETHING HOT--So I know it's now spring, at least here in the Ozarks, but something about the ritual pleasure of sipping a delicious hot tea makes me feel happy and creative. Keep some flavors of herbal teas you love in your cupboard, and you'll see what I mean. A little honey always makes it better too.

If you have some ideas about how to get the muse back, please share them here! Happy creating!
 

Mix up your media--stitching on paper always makes me feel creative!

Eat, Write, Dream, Stitch

25 Ways to Stay Creative

I believe everyone is creative. To be productive in your creativity takes some work and maybe a little magic. But what is that magic?

For many years my job was to find the magic every single day. I was an advertising copywriter with an emphasis in food writing. The agency liked to move us around a lot, so I don't think I ever sat in the same spot, or even the same building for very long. But there was a time when they grouped all the graphic artists together, and all the writers together. For me, that was a magical time because the writers really understood each other, shared our ideas, thoughts and experiences, and grew so much. One thing I remember about that time is how we talked about the importance of feeling happy and relaxed to be at our most creative. Therefore, we did get irritated when we felt like the account service people were trying to stress us out with deadlines and client issues.

Hello! Divas! Well...maybe we could be divas at times (and that's probably why they separated us later), but I knew we had hit on something important, and now I understand it a lot better. The key is in this quote from Depak Chopra.

"Gratitude is the open door to the power, the wisdom, the creativity of the universe. You open the door through gratitude."

When we realized how much more creative we could be when simply being happy and relaxed, we were focusing on the outcome of what happens when you are filled with gratitude and thankfulness. It really does free you, lighten you, and let your creativity flow.

After that there are some other things you can do to stay inspired, keep your creative energy, and move forward. Here's my brainstorm on that subject! Twenty-five ways to stay creative.


1-Choose happiness and gratitude on a regular basis.
2-Draw and color. It doesn't matter if you use $100 markers or a 5-cent box of crayons.
3- Unplug from technology, unless it's part of your process.
4-Sing.
5-Dance.
6-Stop saying you can't sing or dance and stop editing yourself.  You can rehire your inner editor when the work is done.
7-Love your own art. (It's like loving yourself.)
8-Do a cartwheel (or your own signature move).
9-Always get your beauty sleep--it's for your beauty and the beauty of your art.
10-Have a good time!

11-Look at a cool art book. If you're stitching, look at an awesome stitching book. Visit the bookstore--the magazine racks are full of creative genre journals.
12-Go to an art museum or an art show or a craft fair.
13-Hang out with creative people.
14-Practice your creativity everyday--even if it's just five minutes in your art journal.
15-Enjoy a cuppa (coffee, herbal tea, hot chocolate). There is something about the slow sipping and the thoughtfulness it provokes.
16-Be thankful every day for your gifts and talents.
17-If you're not feeling it, take a break--don't be too hard on yourself.
18-Tidy up your workspace and stay organized--it helps to know where your supplies are, but also

there is something about starting fresh in a clean space.
19-Don't let too many UFO's invade your space (that is, UnFinishedObjects). Finish something!
20-Color outside the lines...leave the rough edges...use any color you want...show the hand of the artist.
21-Exercise every day.
22-Keep your idea list going. It's there to look at when you need it.
23-Smell some fresh herbs for energy (like rosemary or lemon thyme) or light a candle. It is your creative aromatherapy.
24-Go look at a garden. It doesn't matter if it's your garden, your neighbor's, or at a park. Even when I'm on vacation, I always find a garden to look upon. It is very zen.
25-Just color it, write it, stitch it, glue it, do it! If you need to take a class to make that happen, it's easy to find one. Then you'll be filled with more gratitude and more creativity.

Now, I bet you can think of 25 more great ideas. 

Eat, Write, Dream, Stitch, Inspire

Worn...Weathered...and Blooming...

 Stitching...painting...journaling...scrapbooking...singing... these all are things that remind me that no matter how old I may be, I still have a lot of blooming to do. I may be 51 with a wrinkle here and there, but when I stitch a butterfly, I feel pretty.

That's why I love it when I see my mom, who is 86, wearing a fresh, bright and pretty blouse. At this age, yes, she's a little worn and weathered--but she's blooming!

Some of my wearable art on my embroidered cutoffs.

 Maybe this is why some of the most beautiful and colorful needle arts are traditionally thought of as being done by older women--that age-old stereotype of the old woman knitting in her rocking chair. Although I got my first little sewing machine when I was 8, picked up knitting needles at 10, and was well into my cross-stitch career in my twenties, it is easy to understand that looks may fade, but yarns, threads and ribbons can color the tapestry of your life as long as you wish.

Stitching with beautiful colors makes me feel good!

I also think of a friend who owns a beautiful little consignment and antiques shop. She specializes in certain eras, and when she receives something like a very old knotty pine table, dined on for decades, she presents it in her store in a way that it still radiates with classic beauty and elegance.

This glass pendant was recycled to a thrift store and purchased by me for 74 cents. It's getting a new, organic cotton and beaded crocheted cord. Trash to treasure!

So there's something about seeing a beautiful bloom in an old pot or next to weathered wood. Somehow the contrast captures a deep essence of beauty as each shows off the other. This kind of contrast drives me to tear the edges of pretty papers, and tea-stain muslin to embroider on with beautiful new flosses.

Blooming...growing...blossoming...whatever your age, it means don't stop learning, changing, and expanding your horizons. But most of all, don't act your age--just act like you. Eat, Write, Dream, Stitch, Grow!

"Years wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul."
--Actress Doris Roberts