by Linda | Jul 6, 2016 | my creative journal
There’s pretty much no question about it. Artwork and creative play make this world a better place. Do you agree?
I know I’m not the only one who gets a bit down at times regarding creative work. I mean, it’s not life saving or world changing directly like a doctor or firefighter’s efforts. Sometimes I can be made to feel like my work is extra fluffy stuff that isn’t very meaningful. That isn’t exactly the best motivation to get things done!
But the demons in my head are all nonsense! It’s the monster in my head making up stuff, because creative work most definitely makes a positive difference in this world. I design a lot of printables and it may seem important only for hobbyists, but ultimately it means a lot more to me and you.
Let’s me share why I believe art and creativity make a difference in this world, whether it’s your job or just your hobby!
Aesthetics matter.
We don’t live in a black and white world and life would be horribly boring if there wasn’t decoration, clever design and just plain beauty. In fact, psychologically the experience is always better when it’s more aesthetically pleasing. Imagine getting a takeaway meal in broken, dirty, ugly box with a few flies buzzing around. Umm… immediately, your appetite is ruined. Instead, if you have a pretty, clean box with a clever cartoon on it, suddenly takeaway pizza night isn’t so bad! Aesthetics matter and make this life better.
Creative expression for you and for me.
When it comes to makers, those of us who create art whether for work or hobby, receive a whole lot of fulfillment in the process of creating. Again, it’s proven that making art is good for your soul and health! And for those who enjoy the final artwork, that’s a whole lot of enjoyment there as well? Sparking thought, conversation, emotion – all that good stuff.
Creativity for change and improvement.
Most of the discoveries of this world came from creative play, experiments and accidents. It’s only with curiosity and creativity that we can make change in this world. We all know it’s supremely important, so we can’t discount this “skill” for our children and ourselves. I think it’s just as important and reading and writing. We must learn to follow our creative instincts, experiment, try, fail, try again… be curious and go out and explore the world. That’s how we create amazing things, see the possibility and really change this world for the better.
There are many more reasons, some personal and some universal and I think we can come up with a pretty big list on this topic, no doubt. When you need some motivation for your line of work, don’t forget that all these reasons apply, no matter what you do.
If you are an artist or lover of art, I’m sure you know that art makes a positive difference in this world. There’s a great episode of MarieTV on this very topic as well.
Do you have ideas on how art makes a positive impact on our world? Please share in the comments below 🙂 Cheers to all of us that art and creativity exist!
by Linda | Jul 4, 2016 | DIY printables
A happy independence day to my fellow Americans and happy 4th to everyone, because each new day is a new opportunity to do good, right?
I’ve been blogging for quite some time, but never stuck to a schedule as it’s always been a side hustle (even now) – but in after combining my blogs I’m know a lot of cleanup is required to clear out old links and old useless content. I’m taking the opportunity to do so with a super old post that I am rewriting here and including an old design I have as a FREE printable.
A while back, I fell in love with printable graphics, because little mini embellishments were perfect for me to print at home and use in my papercrafting. I didn’t need a huge kit of supplies, just a little something. I made a lot of scrapbook pages with printable supplies back in the day.
For this 4th of July holiday I wanted to share a page of printable designs called Let Freedom Ring. It’s a mix of printable designs from journaling cards to little embellishments that is great for scrapbooking, art journaling, decoration of your planner and paper crafting projects. You can certainly include a little tidbit in your snail mail packages and letters, too!
LetFreedomRing-LETTER
LetFreedomRing-A4
Download your paper size and print away. I hope you enjoy for your personal use only use.
Sign-up for my email newsletter if you want to keep updated on all my printable posts!
by Linda | Jul 4, 2016 | DIY printables
Need some pretty snail mail stationery for your next correspondence? Be sure to take advantage of this free printable snail mail stationery set download!
To promote the fine art of letter writing, I wanted to create a set of printable stationery for my fellow Letter Writers Alliance members (and all stationery lovers out there) to use in their letterwriting hobby.
There’s something amazing about taking the time to sit down and handwrite a letter. Whether you are sending it across town or across the globe, your chosen envelope, paper and decorations with your handwritten words will be transported into the hands of another person. It’s magical! These letters create connection that no email, text message or even video message can do. It’s just not the same, right?
I have always written to my friends and family, but only just recently started various other pen pal related experiments and realizing there’s a real need for more stationery. I’ve created a stationery set for LWA last year, but thought it was definitely time to share again.
This time around I created a full-color and designed a cute little birdie snail mail illustration with matching envelope as printable stationery set. You can download and print as many copies as you need – that’s why I love printable stationery! There’s the option of Letter and A4 paper size PDFs to download as well, so good for everyone across the globe.
The stationery paper design is two on each sheet and if you can print up to the edge of paper with your printer that is great, if not just select “Autofit” in your printer, so it’ll automatically size the PDF to fit in your printing area. Then you can trim away the excess white if that bothers you. The envelope template is on the second page of the PDF download.
Download Snail Mail Stationery Set LETTER
Download Snail Mail Stationery Set A4
I hope you enjoy this snail mail stationery printable for personal use only. I’m always happy to hear that snail mailers enjoy using my designs and it feels great to do my little bit, since my thing is design. This is how I can contribute a little bit of good in the world.
These days it’s easy enough to print your own stationery at home. However, you can also send these files to your local print/copy shop if you want professional services or lots of copy to stock up on your favorite design. Your stationery cubby will be full of goodness 🙂
Sign-up for my email newsletter if you want to be updated of my printables! Enjoy!
by Linda | Jun 27, 2016 | DIY printables
Write a letter with rainbow stationery to make a difference!
There have been a lot of crazy, shocking and sad news lately in current affairs. Often I stay pretty quiet about such topics, because I really just don’t know what to say or do. One feels so small and helpless at times. But I’ve come to realize that we must all do whatever we can – however big or small it might be.
I’ve been thinking about how writing a letter can make such a big difference. It’s no surprise that formal communications are always written – it makes more impact! If you want to voice your opinion consider writing to your representative as LetterMo.com posts here. Write a letter and send more mail, because I believe it can make a difference.
I decided to do my part and also design some printable stationery to get you writing as well! I realize that I can do a little more by sharing more printable stationery – something that I love to create. So please enjoy the rainbow stationery download below and #sendmoremail.
Rainbow Stationery LETTER
Rainbow Stationery A4
For those outside the USA, you can also write letters to promote happiness and positive action. That also makes a difference in this world – and I think that’s why there has been such a trend of sending #happymail because it really does make folks happy. Think of your recipient and how it can change the course of their day! Small gesture, big return.
If you like printables, be sure to sign-up for my email newsletter here.
by Linda | Jun 23, 2016 | DIY printables
Today I really needed to create something and post it. I’ve been on a bit of a low lately, frustrated with not producing as much as I would like and wondering why I can’t be more grateful for the wonderful life that I have. It’s hard to NOT focus on the stuff we are missing or wanting… sigh.
So I’m trying to break through the blues by creating something – anything – and sharing it here. It’s all about the heat wave – so here is a super colorful and bright, for the love of summer printable. What do you think?
It’s simple and not really an earth-shattering, change the world kind of thing. But hey, it’s what I can do. Create something from nothing. And share it.
I hope you enjoy!
Summer Haze Printable LETTER
Summer Haze Printable A4
Want more?
If you like printables, be sure to sign-up for my email newsletter here.
by Linda | Jun 19, 2016 | DIY printables
It’s not too late for Father’s Day and never a bad time to give Dad a thank you card, right? So I designed this card because I love the idea of kids giving their old man a thank you card, because they turned out awesome. Clever and funny! However, I couldn’t find one that all the kids could give to Dad together. Everything out there was singular, so I had to create my own version.
This printable greeting card says “Thanks, Dad. We turned out so awesome.” So it’s from all the kids in the family (furbaby included in our case) for a Happy Father’s Day wish. Perfectly cool and cute, don’t you think?
You can download this design for your own personal use below – choose your paper size and right-click to save the PDF on your computer. Feel free to share with your friends as well, because all Dads deserve a big thank you.
Thanks Dad Card LETTER
Thanks Dad Card A4
If you like printables, be sure to sign-up for my email newsletter here.
by Linda | Jun 9, 2016 | DIY printables
This month my contributing post is a set of bug themed stationery printables on the Petit a Petit blog. It was inspired by Celina’s bug pinterest board and themed around all the critters you see in the wild during summer camp!
I would love to see how you use these printables this summer! You can create a science journal with your kids or send the stationery with them to camp, so they will be sure to write back. Perhaps you’ll come up with another interesting DIY project for the bottle page? Think of how you can craft away with these stationery printables. You can also tag your photos #pinandcreate on social media – go on and download the freebie bug stationery here. Enjoy!
by Linda | May 31, 2016 | my creative journal
This month I decided to watch the video interviews on CreativeLive by Chase Jarvis and get some daily inspiration, motivation and wisdom. I’ve decided to blog about the series, logging my thoughts and takeaways…
Day 30 creative genius – Adrian Grenier.
So I’ve seen Adrian Grenier here and there in hollywood films but never really looked into his career or work. I didn’t know much about his beginnings but was delighted to find out he started in making documentaries.
One thing that is always respectful is when he says that he was lucky to be in the right place and getting his break and with his position now, he is using his money, fame, power – whatever you want to call it – for good. An ambassador of goodwill! I really respect that!
I’ve also heard of the Lonely Whale before, but again never really delved into the story and now I’m intrigued and wanting to find out more. Again, I love that folks who are able, are working towards the greater good – which is fantastic! That’s what makes this world a better place.
Finally, there is talk about a music group that Grenier is managing… I mean, talk about a guy doing a whole lot, because he sees talent and just wants to help. He says clearly he doesn’t need the money in managing, so it’s not about making a business out of it. Fabulous. It’s like when you mentor kids and help them out for the love of it. Good stuff.
You should definitely watch this interview and you can get all of them by signing up for FREE – 30 Days of Genius at CreativeLive. No doubt this video series has taught me some new nuggets, reminded me of many of the truths of living in general, not just creatively – and really perked me up to get thinking about what I want to do with my life and what I CAN do. I hope you watch this series and get something out of it- just like me. Enjoy!
* Please note there are affiliate links in this post. That means if you purchase after clicking through, I might receive a small commission (at no cost to you). All opinions are my own and thank you for supporting me!
by Linda | May 30, 2016 | my creative journal
This month I decided to watch the video interviews on CreativeLive by Chase Jarvis and get some daily inspiration, motivation and wisdom. I’ve decided to blog about the series, logging my thoughts and takeaways…
Day 29 creative genius – Caterina Fake.
As the founder of Flickr amongst many other notable achievements, Caterina Fake can be said to be an important figure today. As mentioned, she’s on Time’s list of the 100 most influential people. Wow, that says something, right?
It was amazing to hear about her humble beginnings and the variety of jobs she has held. It’s not like she knew what she wanted to do since the beginning. It really was a journey of following her instincts and ultimately, just keeping at it.
I really felt like it’s a real story of someone just hustling and doing their thing… and happened upon something great and kept at it. In listening to all these CreativeLive interviews, I’m realizing that everyone’s story is different, but there are common threads. Working hard, failing a lot, keeping at it and just doing it anyone to find that right path… ultimately results in something… perhaps something great even.
I suppose the key to everything is taking action? Even if it’s bit by bit! Caterina mentions a video by Ze Frank – your life in jellybeans and that really touched me for sure.
You can watch this interview by signing up for FREE – 30 Days of Genius at CreativeLive. Enjoy!
* Please note there are affiliate links in this post. That means if you purchase after clicking through, I might receive a small commission (at no cost to you). All opinions are my own and thank you for supporting me!
by Linda | May 29, 2016 | my creative journal
This month I decided to watch the video interviews on CreativeLive by Chase Jarvis and get some daily inspiration, motivation and wisdom. I’ve decided to blog about the series, logging my thoughts and takeaways…
Day 28 creative genius – Elle Luna.
I discovered Elle Luna through her essay and eventually book – The Crossroads of Should and Must: Find and Follow Your Passion – and I think anyone who reads will be instantly captivated. There’s just something about the way she share’s her adventure that pulls you in and starts to stir up your own passions. It’s not a new thing – finding your creative spark and going for it kind of journey – but for some reason, her story is really inspiring and her book is amazing in terms of how she tears it all out and explores the journey with you.
It was great to hear this interview and I love that she talked about having to deal with the “shoulds” of life in order to be catapulted into the “musts” of life. She also shared a little tidbit that made me curious to look up.
The Alexander technique.
In a nutshell, she says that it’s when you stop doing the wrong thing, the right thing will do itself. Hmm. How enlightening is that?
Throughout the conversation Elle Luna brings up many different ways to think about something – a shift in perspective. I found her to be really delightful and I really enjoyed listening to the interview as I had never heard her speak before. She comes off extremely calming and serene. A definite treat for your ears and for your soul!
You can watch this interview by signing up for FREE – 30 Days of Genius at CreativeLive. Enjoy!
* Please note there are affiliate links in this post. That means if you purchase after clicking through, I might receive a small commission (at no cost to you). All opinions are my own and thank you for supporting me!
