Day #22: Sharing the Love (& another give-away!)

Some of you may remember that I discovered Yarn Bombing this past summer.  I love anything that involves spreading goodness anonymously - so it must be why May Day was always one of my favorite holidays growing up.  (Does anyone do May Day?)

Well, my mother-in-law, secretly known as the "yarn doodler," is one creative, inspiring woman - that is for sure.  On her last visit she...er...um...I mean...the "yarn doodler"...dropped a yarn bomb at our neighborhood park at Kestan's request.  After I left a felted flower at our local farmer's market, Kestan started making his own knitting creations (balls of tangled yarn) to be secretly dropped in locations of his choosing.  So he was more than ecstatic to share this experience with his cool grandma.

With hammer in hand, together they discovered a new happy home for this felted flower - in perfect view from the swings and slides so Kestan could see it each time he visited the park. (Unfortunately it was gone after a few weeks, but that is the exciting nature of "yarn bombing" - you just never know where it will travel to next.)

So today I'm thanking the "yarn doodler" (due to her sleuth yarn bombing international skills - her name must remain anonymous.)  YOU...knitting-felting-painting-dancing-full-of-joy-and-love-beautiful-woman...are such a source of happy light in our lives.  Thank you for all you do for us and thank you for being YOU!

And as a thank you to one of YOU, the "yarn doodler" herself is giving away a hand-made flower like this one - ready to be dropped anonymously at a location near you.

For your chance to win, simply leave a comment here and I'll announce the yarn bomb winner this weekend.  And you can still enter to win yesterdays give-away HERE.

Make sure to visit the Yarn Doodler on Facebook and Do Dads For You to see more of her fabulous creative crafts.

Your Personal Reflection:  Have you ever dropped an anonymous gift to someone before?  How about giving it a try this week?

Nurture Your Inner Artist (and a chance to win!)

Today marks the first in a series of "free spirit spotlights" with some of my favorite creative and inspirational people.  Also, in honor of November and giving thanks, I thought that it would be fun to host some give-aways to express my gratitude for all of your visits and great comments.  (So keep reading for your chance to win a fabulous prize!)

Amelia Critchlow is an artist, writer and educational practitioner.  Last year she launched her first e-course, Experimental Art, and due to its popularity, she has created more opportunities to help you express your inner artist.

I recently asked Amelia to share with us what it means to live a free spirited life-style.

1) How did you come to a place in your life where you embrace yourself as a creative person?
I would say I've always been a creative person and encouraged to be so from childhood.  As an adult, I often found art and creativity slipping as it's not deemed practical or job-worthy, however, I made a decision to take that part of me seriously in my late twenties by going back to art school and doing a degree (10 years ago now) and it really has been the best decision I made.  I have definitely made it work as part of my earning life and of course it's my passion too!

2) What's your favorite art medium for self-expression?
I find it hard to choose one particular medium.  But my favorites are: collage, hand-stitching, and wild experiments with paint, and ink.  Currently I am exploring photography, but mainly where I can set up a scene though assembling, and also acquiring props - creating an imaginative reality and grown-up play really intrigues me!  See my latest post here on play.

3)  Where do you get your inspiration?
I get my inspiration from artists:  the amazing, wonderful, abundant resources of active artists who have chosen to embrace and honor their passion by doing art and being artists.  I go to exhibitions regularly and am an art book junkie!  Plus, of course, there is now a haven of art and creativity just by looking on the World Wide Web.

4)  How do you manage to find time and make space for your creative projects?
I have to treat my art and creativity as a professional and honored part of my life, otherwise it gets very easily side-lined.  It is not a hobby, it is an intrinsic part of my well-being, life and profession.  As dramatic as that may sound I have chosen to make it that way in defense of people telling me it was neither viable, sensible, money-earning etc.  I chose not to listen to them and instead listened to my own intuition calling.  I set aside 'making' or 'art' days and they are as valid as house-cleaning, any other paid work, or parenting.

5)  What is a free spirit to you?
I feel like a crazy free spirit and it feels good!  My definition is a person who does not conform to the norm without questioning themselves, life, and what it may be about.  A person who chooses to live life by their own rules and discovers and explores what works for them and honoring that without compromising others.

*******

Thank you, Amelia, for sharing YOU with us.

I've been a participant in Amelia's e-course and it's awesome!  Visit her blog to learn more.

Your Personal Reflection:  What inspires you?  Share here by leaving a comment.  Everyone who leaves a comment will be entered for a random drawing to win a spot in the January session of Experimental Art E-course.  And if you want a double shot at winning, join my Facebook fan page today and you'll be entered twice!


I'll announce the winner on Monday.  Good luck!