Day 208: Lazy Days

Happy New Year everybody!

I always feel like I should do something noteworthy on New Year's Day. You know, something to start the year off. But, to be honest, I'm just too tired. Last night I went to bed at 3am after bringing in the New Year, so I don't really feel like doing anything other than sleep right now. Know what I mean?

So, what could I put on a creative blog to inspire you all today, as a sleepy, lazy lady?

As I sit here thinking, I can see this:

My lazy cat, Bracken. Now that's what I want to be. If I could be any animal for a day, a cat is what I'd be. What do they think about? Do they have a craving for mice? Are they actually asleep when they're all curled up like that, or are they really listening to us all...?

Here's my other cat, Bramble, being equally lazy upstairs. What a life eh?

Why not have a think this New Year's day? If you could be any animal for a day, which one would you be? Those thoughts might be useful one day...creative thoughts usually lead somewhere, so go on, have a lazy thought day with me...

207: Creative New Year's Resolutions

The question comes up every year; what is your New Year's resolution? To be honest, I hate this question. I can never think of anything I could keep up. I should really say things like, 'well, I'll write every day' or, 'I'll call my family more often.' But from past experience I know these just won't be kept up (rubbish I know). I really need another one on top of these ones.

So this year, I am going to set myself a creative New Year's resolution. Maybe I'll set myself a knitting challenge, like knit something for each member of my family by next Christmas. Or I could make a photo album of my year with my new camera! Or volunteer with a creative charity. Finishing my novel would be a really good one...

Let's do it together! I'll have a creative New Year's resolution if you have one too. Get your thinking caps on people. What creative skill do you have? How could you use it this year?

Write it down, stick it on your wall and get it in motion!

206: Sing Star vs. Just Dance

Around Christmas time everyone tends to do the rounds, visiting family, opening presents together, eating food together and, at least with my family, there's a game or two shared together.

My family is pretty big, which means lots of games (like Epic Mickey, as I explained yesterday). The whole family gets involved with some games, whereas others, only the kids play. Take Just Dance, for example. First the kids have a go, then the teens and then a willing parent/auntie/uncle have a go. (You know they secretly wanted a go the whole time!) Just Dance seems to be one of those games where most of the family eventually join in, even though it's potentially embarrassing.

But what about Sing Star? You know the one. You pick a song and sing along, trying to reach the right notes for the right amount of beats (basically kareoki). My experience with this game is, only kids are willing. None of the adults in the room will budge. Maybe it's different with your family, but that's certainly what I found this Christmas.

So, what does this say about singing and dancing? Do people find singing more embarrassing in public? What about in the shower? Is dancing around like a prat really less embarrassing?

I think yes, dancing is less embarrassing than singing in front of people, but why is that?

It would seem that some creative things are more 'acceptable' in public than others. Is this something we should change? Is it something we want to change...?

Feel free to ponder these creative thoughts for a while. Oh, and let me know your thoughts...

205: Epic Mickey on the Wii

For Christmas the family got a Wii game called Epic Mickey. Basically, Mickey Mouse has to go on a quest to save a world created the Sorcerer (from Fantasia). Mickey ruined the new world by spilling paint all over it, releasing a evil paint monster that he now has to find and destroy.

I have to say, I'm pretty rubbish at it, so my sister does the controls and I tell her where to go! We make a good team I think.

So, why am I telling you about this? Well, I actually think it's a really creative game. For one thing, a new world has been created (which I think is supposed to represent Disney World). Plus, when Mickey's in the world, his weapon is paint. That's how he makes enemies his friends and how he breaks down walls to pass through...what would be your creative weapon of choice?

Games are amazing. There are so many varieties, something for everyone. The cool thing is, it's some one's job to make and design them. Could it be your job?

Something to think about...

Day 204: Gingerbread house

It's a bit of a family tradition of ours to get a gingerbread house and cover it in icing and sweets. Then eat it, of course. So, here's this year's effort:

I did say it was on my list of creative things to do over Christmas, so one by one I'm ticking them off.

How's yours coming along...?

Day 203: Decopatch

Do you like my hearts? Well, actually, mine is the middle one and the other two were decorated by my sisters. Amongst Boxing day's festivities, we took time out to do some Decopatch.

What the heck's Decopatch, I hear you ask? Well, basically, it is covering stuff in little patches of tissue paper to jazz them up. Find out more on their website.

It's proper easy, so if there's a scuzzy old ornament you need to sparkle up, why not try to Decopatch it? You can do it on anything; lampshades, boxes, bowls, chairs...

Chose your colours, patterns, shapes, sizes...see how creative YOU can be...

Day 202: Boxing Day

A very Merry Boxing Day to everyone this afternoon!

I thought it only appropriate to talk about presents! All of us will have opened at least some present yesterday. Did you get anything creative? I thought I'd share a creative present or two...

This is a super cool crafty book I got from Steve, my Boyfriend's Dad (thanks Steve) called Meet Me at Mike's. It's full of 26 things you can make like this:

A notepad cover. I mean, who doesn't need one of these? It's full of instructions and stencils for making...I can't WAIT to get started!

And...I got a camera too (hence the sparkly new pictures from my camera) which means if I see something creative, all I need to do now is whip out my camera and walla (I'm not sure how you spell that, but you get the point), I can share it with you all right here...

Watch this space for more creative inspiration!