Creative Need

I became creative out of need.

I was hand sewing clothes for my dolls by age 5 and making a lot of my own clothes by age 12.

I couldn't afford the things I wanted , so the only way to have them was to be creative and make things for myself. My mother was my greatest  inspiration growing up, as well as my grandparents (my mom's parents). I remember my mom sewing things for me with an old treadle sewing machine, refinishing furniture and incorporating recycled materials into our home. My grandmother was an amazing fiber artist and my grandfather was always making something out of nothing.

Although life was kinda tough back then, I am grateful for that creative lifestyle that is with me still.

I don't think I would have this creative spark within me today if life would have been easy then and I can't imagine life without creativity.

I've come a long way and I no longer NEED to make the things I want.

Now, I want to.

My day doesn't feel complete if I haven't done something creative and if I create something by repurposing or recycling, that's even more satisfying.

I've made a few Valentine cards by recycling parts of old cards and scraps of pretty papers that I've saved.

And some card holders made from wire and repurposed shakers.

The bows were made from torn strips of recycled sheets.

I like these so much more than store bought ones.

Sometimes I wonder if I would have been creative if life had been easy.

How about you?

Karen