Everyone is born with creativity. But those people who appear to be super creative have a secret. They know that creativity has to be developed and exercised to come easily. I am on a quest to immerse myself in creativity of all kinds. I hope you will join me!

You know that I love it when artists use their gifts to encourage or help others. This story is on the Amazing Helen's blog today. For us, her readers, it serves two purposes. It encourages us to encourage others. And it gives us a great project!


Here are some other encouraging projects and artists. 

• Read about Craft Hope if you don't know about it. You might want to participate in one of their projects.
• 7000 bracelets
• Everything is Ticketyboo!
• Flip flops and felt

 Tonight was Girls' Night In at the rescue mission.  GNI is a women's ministry for the women of my church. Tonight, we had kind of a beach party with a game of beach bingo, popsicles, and decorating flip flops for the craft.

When we go, we hang out with women of all ages, who are there for all reasons. In the last four months, the number of women residents has doubled. Things are tough here in Michigan and not getting better yet. It is not always easy to design a craft that everyone can do with success, but I knew they would like flip flops.

This is the pair I designed.  I layered colors of felt circles and flower shapes, stitched the layers together, and glued the flower to the shoe. I made circle templates for tracing, and we got down to business.

 The only time they get to do projects like this is when we come. Some of the women do not have experience with crafts at all. I found some who had never made a single stitch with a needle and thread. After a couple craft projects with us, they find their stride and creativity starts to blossom. I love this part.

 Oh, the piles of craft materials we have gone through.

 These were made by a young girl. I love that she made the dark outlines.

 Here she is with her Mother. Mom thanked me and we had a chance to chat. Daughter loves to do crafty things, but she never gets the chance. Mom does not craft and does not want to craft. But, Mom hovered watching through the whole project. It is an awesome feeling to see the pride on both faces. Living in a rescue mission with 60 other women, being told what to do and when, there is not much opportunity for pride or creativity. I love that some felt squares and 2 hours of our time can bring real smiles.


This gal went completely to her own design. It may be only felt on a flip flop but there is no substitute for a good job well done.

That goes double for women following God's call to use their skills to encourage those who really can use it.

Take your Vitamin C!

Craft Hope.  Just ran across this web site and I LOVE it. These people see a need and do something about it. They have two current projects running. Take a look. maybe you can pitch in.  I am thinking hard about how to contribute.

Maybe a dose of Vitamin C would inspire...

At the moment, I don't remember where I ran across this. But, if I was just starting out, this would be an amazing opportunity I would have liked to take advantage of.

It is a camp/internship for artists to learn how to use their skills to help non-profit organizations.  How great is that? Each summer, 10 people are selected to come to camp for 10 days. They work on several projects, learning how to make presentations, work with clients, and design solutions.

This is put on by a Chicago design firm called Firebelly Design(a great name!).

Imagine what a different world we would have if every company was socially conscious in some way?

They took their Vitamin C!

It is true. I just love to see artists use their skills and talents to give back a bit to the community in which they live....be it local or global. For the story on this chair made by Zenbecca, go to her blog at Everything is ticketyboo!  Love it!

She took her Vitamin C!