Recharging with Nap Times

My creative space during a nap time art making session

Many of us relate to the feeling of relief that happens when a fussy child finally falls into peaceful rest.  Many women run around like headless chickens while their babies are napping or having a quiet rest time. While this is effective for keeping up on the housework, it may not be the best use of these hushed moments.

When my boys were small, a wise women told me not to use nap time to accomplish work that can be done when the babes are awake.  Now, every mother reading this immediately thinks, “Okay. I understand that. That means I should fold the laundry and sweep the floors and prepare dinner. I certainly can’t do those things with littles underfoot.”  Guess what? You CAN do those things when your children are up and with you.

Read the rest here.

Where Does Inspiration Come From?

I been thinking about where I find inspiration to create art and I've discovered it to be much more varied than I would have thought. The easiest place for me is in photographs because I am having so much fun making personalized collages with photographs.

But where else do I find it? Yesterday, I was totally inspired by the movie, Bright Star, about John Keats. It was absolutely visually beautiful. Awesome. I'd like to go again just to check out the backdrops more carfeully.

I also find inspiration in songs- a line of a song will trigger a thought or a picture or an idea of something to chase creatively.

So.... look around you, listen, observe... find inspiration. Then write or draw or pray or glue or decorate or plant flowers... get creative and get yourself out of your mommy brain!

love you!

Another One of THOSE Days...

We seem to be having a string of difficult days around here...I decided we would take a couple weeks off school while we were in the process of moving my grandparents to san diego, but I think that plan backfired. It seems I do better and have more energy with a bit more structure to my day. The boys seem to handle life and each other better then too.

So today at nap I determined I would do something restorative for myself. I went back an art project that has been in progress for many moons. I can't wait to show it to you, but I can't yet. Because it's for a dear friend and she should be the first one to see it. But I like it. I think. It's always hard after the fact to evaluate one's own work. I think that must be one reason that many actors never see their own completed films. The joy is in the process of creating, being inspired and hoping to be inspiring. So, get out there and create something! Do something restorative for yourself. Your family will thank you. :)