I can’t take credit for the cool faces on all of these boxes. I have an artist in my home who learned this technique from a buddy. Since my son took it up, our home has exploded with fun faces that bust up the doldrums of household routines.
Just for giggles, here’s my how-to tutorial for Cereal Box Sharpie Art:
1.) Choose a cereal (or other) box.
2.) Grab a sharpie.
3.) Get creative.
How long has it been since you’ve given yourself complete creative freedom? When was the last time you recklessly abandoned the rules and thought, “What else could this be?” The ingenuity of this art form is its out-of-the-box thinking. Sorry guys, it just had to be punned.
Just in case you think I’m off my rocker, I’ll let you in on a little secret: I’m not a super-great artist. I love art, and I marvel at the classic, great artists who’ve earned every bit of their fame. But I am not, and will never be, one of those men or women.
I’m more of an “art-inspires-me-so-I-create” kind of artist. A lot of my work is just odd. I like it that way. But why in the world do I put it online for you to see and try for yourself?
Here’s the thing: I don’t care what category your profession falls under – healthcare, hospitality, computer software development, or waste management – every job needs innovative thinking. Are faces on cereal boxes innovative? Maybe, but they definitely shake things up, and they’re reminders.
Reminders that things can change.
So, if you’re stuck in any way, shape, or form in life, grab a sharpie and a box. Change it up! Remind yourself that even good things can be a little brighter when you add your creative thinking to them.
Until next time,
Invent your story
This seems like the easy part of creating an invention center – you just get the supplies you need. The thing is, without a method to the madness, it’s just madness. So here are three plumb line questions to keep you stockpiling instead of just making piles.
Does the material fit into the goal of your invention center?
I know I haven’t brought up the term “goal” in the context of your invention center before, but if you’ve come this far, you probably have a good idea of what yours is already. (If you haven’t read the first two posts on creating an invention center, you can read what it is and Part 1 to get caught up.) If you’re woodworking, you’ll need wood, screws, a drill, etc.
This is the no-brainer stuff to have around. Without a stocked area, you’ll get bogged down looking for that lost paintbrush or copper wire. This is why we’re making an invention center.
How much do you need to get started?
Sometimes the zeal to create can take over, and you end up with a lot more than you need – especially if it’s freebie stock. Like toilet paper rolls. There are tons of art and engineering projects you can do with toilet paper rolls. But if you keep saving and don’t use them, well it can just start to get weird.
There has to be a FULL point. Then move on.
Did you throw a wrench in your plan?
If the answer to the last question is “nope” – then it’s time to find that wrench and throw it into the stockpile! Hear me out on this one. If you want to create a maker’s space, that’s great, but this is a defining moment for your invention center. You want to have something in your invention center that challenges you to break the mold. More than something. A fair lot of things. An acorn from last fall’s hike. A bunch of rusty nails. One red sock.
These are the grains of sand that help your creative oyster make a pearl.
Until next time,
Invent your story
Rejection. It’s not really the part of the writer’s life that’s fun to talk about. It’s great writing material – rejection involves conflict! Rejection is interesting! Rejection is an obstacle for the protagonist to overcome!
Rejection stinks.
Sure, it’s expected. Even the extremely successful writers are criticized and rejected by people – or their work is. And it’s a wonderful teacher (that’s for another post). I don’t expect everyone to like my work, but I do hope somebody does.
And since my last post on writing, somebody did. I mentioned WOW – Women on Writing last time because I’d submitted my work to their competition and knew I was a finalist. They liked my work – the question was, would I be a winner?
Drum roll, please….
Runner-up! My story As for Adventure was one of the top ten stories for their Spring 2018 Flash Fiction contest, and it’s so weird to be writing the words you can read my published work by clicking here. You really can. This actually happened.
Every one of us has a story and experiencing this part of mine makes me want to thank everyone in the world who helped me. Because this is something I could never do on my own. I’m thankful to God, my parents who encouraged me, my sisters who’ve always had my back, my husband who’s in my corner, my kids who genuinely care, my amazing friends who’ve walked with me in life, my teachers who gave me tools and encouragement along the way – thank you so much. Without you, I wouldn’t be doing what I do. And so many thanks to WOW with guest judge literary agent Sharon Pelletier of Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. If writers didn’t have opportunities like this one, we’d be missing the challenges that help propel us forward. Thank you!
Because this is my first “real success” as a writer, there’s a something I want to share with you that I hope make a difference for someone out there.
I joined a writing group almost two years ago. My first night there, I brought a poem with me, and I was terrified to read it. Terrified, but I knew if I was really going to do this writer thing, I needed to face that fear.
Before I could get the words out, I said:
This is stupid. This is so stupid.
Then I read it. A leader pointed out some of the poem’s strengths and where it could be improved. People liked it well enough, and I was excited to come back to group again – but in the parking lot afterward, a girl came up to me and said
Don’t ever, EVER call your work stupid.
And since that day, I never have. Because it’s not stupid. I don’t approach writing lightly, and I think most writers don’t. My writing group has weathered many rejections with me. Some of my dear friends edited the winning story for me before submission. And this month, when I walked in the door, the entire group burst into applause to celebrate my placement in WOW’s competition. They are amazing people who I love.
If you’re a writer and you’re not connected with other writers, you are missing out. My writing group helped move me from rejecting my own work, to learning how to weather rejection from others, to celebrating success.
Who you journey with makes all the difference.
Until next time,
Invent your story
If you want to follow some of my amazing writer friends who helped improve my story, check out their websites here!
I like to look at the lives of inventors and try to learn from them. They’re inspiring and worth studying! We live in a world full of wonderful inventions, so it’s natural to point to a computer and ask, “Who made that?” This summer, I went camping, and every night, I took a picture of the sunset. Here’s one.
It’s beautiful. How does it happen? Seeing the water, the light, the air, the earth, and the sun all working together makes me ask: is there an inventive mastermind behind that? In school these days, sometimes kids are told not to talk about religion and science – what people around the world believe – and I think that does everyone an enormous disservice. Learning how to have a respectful conversation about our differences and similarities of beliefs and points of view helps all of us.
Because at some point in life, we start asking questions. How did I get here? How did you get here? Where did all of this stuff come from? How does it work? And there’s endless, wonderful ideas out there. As we study, we get answers that invite more questions.
So, today I’m inviting you to ask the questions, encouraging you to look for answers, and letting you know what I think about it all. I think none of this – not an atom in the cosmos – is an accident or chance. I believe there is a God who created every person and everything. Why do I believe that?
For a few reasons. People who believe in God have talked to me about what they believe and why. I read in the Bible about God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. I talked to God, listened, and started to believe. Here’s where I’m at:
It’s like gravity. Newton studied the force that attracts a body toward the center of the earth or toward any other physical body having mass – and it’s so cool that he did. I believe gravity is a real thing because what he said makes sense, even though I don’t understand it all, when I jump up, my body comes back down to the earth – hopefully, on my feet. It’s a “scientific theory” that’s also proved true over and over in my everyday experience of life – so yes, I believe in gravity.
When I look at the sunset, or smell salt in the air off the ocean, or hear children make up a funny song about macaroni noodles, and I wonder if there’s intelligent design behind it, all signs point to: yes.
What do you think about when you look at the sunset? As you move forward with your day today, I want to invite you to ask questions and explore the answers!
Until next time,
Invent your story
Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Another inventor who saw God in nature was George Washington Carver. Check out a slice of his life here!
In my previous post, I promised to keep you updated on my invention center. Here’s my update: progress was slow. Why? I thought a lot about how to move forward with the space I have. Maybe I’ve been overthinking it. So, without further ado, here’s…
Tip #1.
Don’t Overthink It
Underthinking things in life (Can I afford this? Should I jump?) can get you into trouble. But overthinking is its own beast. Analysis paralysis is a real thing, so if you keep coming back to a space you have to work with and thinking, “That’s probably the best place to start…” it probably is.
That said, here are four more things to consider before making that final decision:
Tip #2.
Consider the Nature of the Work
If it’s electronics, you’re going to want a table and a nearby outlet. If it’s painting, an easel may be your best option. You also will want to consider the kind of floor you’re on. I want to do a little bit of everything and not destroy anything, so I went for a corner of our basement where the floor is painted concrete and an outlet is nearby.
Tip #3.
Remember Ventilation and Safety
Everything we do involves a level of risk, so it’s smart to assess yours and take precautions. If you’re going to be working with chemicals (paint thinners, glues, stains, etc.) that give off fumes, be sure your workspace has a window you can open when needed. Having a nearby water supply is helpful. Take the time to map out an emergency plan, so you are well prepared.
Tip #4.
Lighting Effects Work
When I was a kid doing homework at the kitchen table, my mom would walk by and flip on the overhead light for me. “It’s better for your eyes,” she’d say. Mom was right. Does your space have natural or overhead lighting? Would a small lamp be beneficial for you, and if so, where will that fit into things? It’s worth considering as you move forward with your new venture.
Tip #5.
Give Yourself Room to Grow
Starting small is starting smart, but don’t limit yourself or your imagination. Right now, my invention center is a table in the corner of the basement. Maybe one day it will be a super-techy-inspiring-for-inventors-everywhere place, but today, it’s a simple table with room to grow. And that, my friends, is not a bad beginning.
Until next time,
Invent your story
A couple of weeks ago, I visited the Mount Pleasant Discovery Museum. It’s an inspiring place that ignites the imagination and teaches through hands-on activities. I love the way they use color and texture in art. Check out Saturn!
Planets from Plastic Lids
I’ve seen photographs and paintings of the planets before, but I’ve never seen them on display through reused plastic lids. Maybe I need to get out more. The mosaic effect of this eco-friendly idea is cool.
Touchable Light
Almost every corner of the MPDM had something to climb, count, throw, launch, build, or paint. Above this world of little lights, the sign said “Please Touch”. This display was neat because it was huge, and the cool, smooth textured light was a fun way to explore how color and light work together.
Colorful Cranes in Flight
The Japanese exhibit was probably my favorite. I loved watching kids paint the alphabet with water. The area was covered by a rainbow of hanging paper cranes, and it was absolutely beautiful. When I left the museum, I was ready to tackle a new colorful project of my own.
Every place has something to discover. Things we throw away can become unique art. Electricity is useful, but it can also be fun. A piece of paper can take flight when you get inventive and change its shape to create something new.
We live in a beautiful, diverse world. Every person carries wonderful colors, inside and out, that have a special place in the art that makes up our world. Wherever you go, and whatever you do today, take some time to soak up some of the beauty and be inspired.
Until next time,
Invent your story
If you like repurposed art, check out my experiment with pop cans for a new idea.