Single, tall, white, thin......this is what I am looking for!

Those that are closest to me know that I love sculpting art out of Styrofoam. I am not sure if my passion is in the ease of the use of the Styrofoam, or the tool that I use to cut it. You can only say the words "hot knife" if you make a noise of a horn as royalty enters a room. Yes, I feel it is THAT amazing! You would be amazed at what you can make out of this tall, white, thin, single sheet of carvable goodness.

One of my favorite places to be artistic is creating a set design. I am quite sure I have burned quite a few extra brain cells burning the midnight oil carving Styrofoam in my garage. Letters can be carved like buttah! Here are some fun things that I have had a blast creating. A 7ft x 8ft LOST, 15 ft tall swirls and paisley pieces, endless words, names and what not. I am working on a set right now for our upcoming series at my church called the Rising. The whole backdrop will be a urban city setting made completely of Styrofoam! It will be painted all black and backlit to look like the sunset.

I feel like a piece of Styrofoam at times. Never tall and that thin, but can look pretty stereotypical. Here is the surprise....I can be molded. I do melt down once and a while and break. When I am smokin', I can be toxic! I like to blow in the wind and see where I end up! I am protective and try not to let the ones I am surrounding get broken.

On your next trip to the hardware store take a look around. You might just find art waiting in the aisle when you expected to find just a piece of Styrofoam.

Creative + Dry Erase Board = Love

I love brainstorming! It is what I thrive on! There is a part of me that would love to be a teacher. Summers off would be my main goal and that is what always stops me. Shouldn't the main focus be to see children grow and learn? Here is truly my biggest fear, that I would get so caught up in the dry erase board and all heck would break loose. The dry erase board is a beautiful thing. Large open space with the sole purpose to be created upon over and over again! When I get started on an idea I can not stop! If you are a reader it would be comparable to when you sit down with the perfect book and nothing will suffice until you read that last page. While Mrs. Umbaugh is in her own world of creation, the kids would be as my friend Dave says "OFF DA HOOK!" Once again, I would be fired.

Chalkboard, magnetic, and dry erase board paints have become really popular now to be used in the home setting. We painted our interior garage door about 4 years ago with chalkboard paint. It has been one of my favorite spots in our house. I constantly find notes and drawings from my children, I am leaving myself notes to not forget something as I fly out the door to work, and my husband REALLY enjoys the random honey do lists that appear every now and again. It is a great space for family planning and teaching moments when trying to work out that never ending division problem. I think my favorite part is when I am dusting and my dust is not black, it is usually orange! Now when was the last time you smiled while doing housework? Always looking for the joy!

While our focus is on the economy I would also like to point out that if you already own a paintbrush you can do this home remodel project for under $10 including the chalk! Smiles and organization....priceless!

The over used right side of my brain.

There are many times in my life at the ripe age of almost 37 that I questioned what I was meant to be, do. I have tried to "fit in" on the mainstream desk job and have always found myself searching for the next creative outlet. I was fired...okay...let go from one administrative position due to the fact that my boss did not like the little drawings at the top of his phone messeges. "Where is the joy?" I asked him and myself as I turned in my keys. Well, here it is. This is my path, my passion, and my creative outlet to life, and not decorating my house....again. It is a hard ecomnimic time for almost all of us so I thought I would start sharing some creative thoughts and tips on how to bring joy into your life by bringing those around you closer together in a fun and creative way. You can have a get together....or a planned get together, it is all in the details! Having no funds does not mean having no fun!

Hey! Let's "Survive" Tonight!
If you are a fan of the hit TV show Survivor, why watch it alone? Send out an E-Vite and you are on your way. With this theme who cares if your home is a mess... call it atmosphere! Set the scene... If you have clothes sprawled everywhere just call your Island .... Hamperless! As your guests arrive welcome them to "Hamperless Island!" Make them go barefoot! If you have left a chip on the floor it is fine...could have been a shell! (or a cockroach!) Lay out a few snacks with crazy names and you have found some joy.

Here are some snack options: goldfish crackers, bamboo stix (pretzel rods) Make it simple.
If you wanted to have some fun, put the snacks in out of the ordinary places to make them go find their food.

Just remember, life's what you make it, so let's make it rock!....I have daughters and Miley came to mind. I apologize, but really, make the most of the moments.