Saturday, July 16, 2011

Creativity and design

Hi there lovelies,

If you are like me, you love to spend hours and hours (even until 3 in the morning while hubby snores in the background) designing and thinking up ideas to create. 




To me, it comes naturally.  My brain goes on and on and on in many different directions leading to many different ideas.  Creativity, I believe, comes from God and is something that is part of His character and He has placed it inside of us, His ultimate creations.  To let it flow through me is an amazing process.  It doesn't matter if I'm writing poetry, a song, designing a card or something on my computer, thinking up solutions to decorate my very small spaced apartment or thinking up stories to write about if I let it flow it makes me feel like I am reaching my potential and purpose in life.  I am always searching for that ultimate solution or idea that will lead me into the centre of Gods will for my life...my true purpose.

I want to invite you if you are reading this, to explore with me.  Comment to this post and share your ideas.



Currently, I am learning all about digi stamping and making cards which has been a passion and hobby since childhood (cardmaking that is).  I love every minute of it.  A quick creation that gives you the satisfaction of completion within a couple of hours.

I have been digging in the archives and found these photos to share with you (Post updated 22 March 2019) We lived in Oman at the time and I made cards for my colleagues. I loved making these and designing them from scratch and then printing and putting it together. That seems to be my process if I look back now and it was a natural progression to what I am doing today at Ivytree Studio.

This is Alison and she is a lovely South African friend who made our time adjusting to the new culture and work environment much easier. I will always remember our first day at the office. Henry borrowed her charger to charge his phone and at the end of the day when she came to fetch it back, she said: "Well, you charged your phone. That is already a successful day" or something to that effect. I miss my friend and wish we could see each other again. She is still in Oman and we are back in SA.


This card was for her birthday and it is more than just a card...it is a whole little scrapbook. 



I tried to incorporate all the things I knew about her and what she loved into this card.




She loves diving

I added a little bookmark








Next up is Nashma. She is a flamboyant American with Latin and Middle Eastern heritage. She has a PHD in folk art and music if I remember correctly. So lots of colour and dancing in this one.  











I made her a hanging poster (laminated) that she could hand either in her office
or in her little apartment (our employer didn't provide much in the way of decoration) 

Next up we have Mark. He is a musician and teacher and is Welch. He turned 60 when we first arrived at Rustaq Collecge in Oman. 









When I look back, I can see how my love of art and design grew over time into what I am living out today. It takes time to grow, so be patient with yourself.