Creativity....

As a youngster I had a very narrow understanding of what it meant to be creative. In my small world the term was reserved for my artistic friends. Jackie the painter, Susan the sketcher, and Heather the sculptor. I was Erin the writer, the organizer, the planner. I never saw myself as the creative type. We all know Jackies, Susans and Heathers who are incredibly talented in ways that we can only aspire to be. Hello! Reality Check! We are all someones Jackie, Susan or Heather. We all hold particular gifts and talents that may shadow those around us. It is my hope that as I walk out in my own creativity it inspires those around me. It lifts them up, inspires them, and draws the best our of them. It has only been recently that I have realized that every part of my life has a vein of artistry. The way that I decorate my home, the way that i interact with my students, the way I see the world through the lens of my camera, the way that I write. All embody what it means to create something beautiful. To look at something new, to learn something new, to see some one or something in a new light. Below is a hodgepodge of moments, vignettes from my daily life. Things that I am proud of, that bring me joy. These are my creative moments.

My wedding was a huge blessing. It was a tremendous time in my life emotionally and creatively. I saw the vision of what I wanted and saw it transform before my very eyes. I learned so much during the process. I know it may seem trite, but one of my favorite new skills is embossing. I stamped and embossed all of my place cards  It was truly one of my best days! 

Creating spaces is one of my favorite things to do. Balance, beauty, and depth are all things that I strive to achieve in my spaces. I love finding unique pieces and placing them with unexpected partners.        

                OLD and NEW
is also another one of my favorite combinations. My home is full of hand-me-downs that are coupled with new things. It combines my voice with the voices of those that have gone before me. It adds the    d  e  p  t  h    and the richness that I crave in my spaces. 

       Not only do love to create my own spaces at home, but also at school. While they take on a totally different form they are my way of expressing creativity in a way that is accessible and inspiring to my students. As an elementary school teacher your ability to create and innovate is put to the test every day  you walk into the classroom. I am constantly changing up the way that I explain something, the way that I interact with a student, the way that I communicate to my students that what they create is important and  unique. Here are some of the things that I have down with my kiddos.  We do projects that take what they are learning and translate it into something that is meaningful to them. It amazes me how hard it is for some kids to let go and create. They are so used to getting an answer right or wrong. It is ingrained within them. I remember being that kid, who was always afraid to make a mistake. I never trusted myself enough to create with abandon. 

As my kiddos float away in the hot air balloons of learning. I am constantly learning new things. Aspiring to new levels. Recently I realized that I not been investing enough time creating and feeding my soul. I can't just do it in my classroom. I can't always do it for other people. I have to do it for me. What is interesting to me is that as I fill up my creative cup I can intern pour it out onto others. Which is by far my favorite thing to do. Like throwing a wedding, I love throwing parties for my friends. I have become the resident party planner. The go to party girl. I think the good rule of thumb, whenever you talk about your life: do what you love and then pour it out onto those you love. Cheers! Let's Honor the gifts that we each possess and spur one another on to the greater things!