Since being back from the Philippines, my creative side seems to have flourished more than ever before. Not only has my mind been taken captive by craft blogs, and searching local stores for good cheap finds to turn into restored creations, but my friends are on the same frenzy, especially one, who you may know… the writer of ifamily in this paper!

Emails pass to and fro about the newest website we have found, or a new idea, or when fabrics go on sale. She even began a craft girls’ night that has been quite successful so far. We even turned our self-confessed “non-crafters” into crafty people.

I am in the process of making a reading chair out of wooden pallets, creating pom pom lights from microwave covers, restoring an old chest of drawers and rocking chairs. It really has become quite the hobby!

I say all this because as I was watching an American chat show, one of the guests said that they were removing arts programs in public schools across the states. I personally think that is shocking! I am not sure on the validity of how far they are removing arts, but I know it can only be a bad thing.

If schools didn’t have any art programs, music classes, or chances to join clubs for your favourite hobbies, I would not have had an outlet to express that creativity in me. It would have made my imagination dry up, and I likely wouldn’t pursue making things myself. I think it even leaks into lacking learning initiative and hard work in everything that we do.

I believe a growing imagination heightens your ability to dream bigger, and therefore accomplish more. With creativity, we can engage our minds to whatever it is that we are doing. It does not necessarily mean painting, singing or dancing; it can be so much more than that.

I believe everyone has a creative bone somewhere in their bodies. Maybe this week when you see something you want to buy, just think “hey I could try and make that instead.” See what happens; if anything it will be fun!

Make something. Read a book. Write a poem. Paint on canvas. Photograph a thing of beauty. Tell your children a bed time story that you made up. Arrange your garden flowers in a vase at home. Make a bag from discount fabric. Bake cupcakes. Use your computer to create your own birthday cards. Restore a dollar store product. Hit up the thrift store and make something old become new again! Try anything!

Be creative this week!