The new year always brings new resolutions, a list of goals or a special word to define the year ahead of us. It can feel like a blank slate and a refreshing start! I love this, but then a blank slate, well is blank.

How do you purposefully seek inspiration to fill this blank slate? While looking for inspiration for new crafts and projects to do with my children (to yank them away from the TV and Xbox) I came up with a few ideas to remain creative and keep my mind active. Please take look below ;)

1:Collaging

Gather random pieces of paper, experiment with textures and materials and put together a collage. I was inspired to do this after I saw this wonderful artist’s collages. This is an activity you could do with a friend or kids.

2:Try a new medium of crafting

I have never taken a jewelry making class but that didn’t prevent me from trying making a few pieces of jewelry. My favorite spot to shop for beads is Ben Franklins’ beads department. First, I set an amount of dollars I can afford to spend. Then I’ll choose a few stones, beads and gems to work with. Here you can also find alligator clips, headband settings, ring settings etc. The staff at BF is very helpful and knowledgeable whether you are an expert or self-starter like me.

3:Start a new collection

When I was child, I had a huge sticker collection I loved to organize and admire. Nowadays, I “collect” cupcake liners. I bake quite a bit these days (my kids have nut allergies) so I had to learn to bake cupcakes from scratch. There are so many cute designs for cupcake liners out there and I’ve found many at the $1 section of Michael’s craft store. Other ideas for collections could be: buttons, beads, old vintage books, washi tape, baker’s twine.

4:Get a coloring book

This sounds a lithe childish, but coloring is very therapeutic and this is another activity you can do with kids. Look at these gorgeous coloring books. I’ve colored this one and this one. Actually I’d like to start a collection of unique coloring books and I have my eye on these ones: The Secret Garden, Rosie’s Flo Coloring Fashion Show, Outside the lines: an Artist’s Coloring Book for Giant Imaginations.

5:Start a separate blog for impromptu ideas, dreams and such

I have many little notebooks where I write ideas, doodles and future projects. These are scattered around the house and I wanted one place to keep my “dreams” nice and tidy. So I decided to put together another blog and post fun projects, designs, moodboards etc. I named my “online sketch book”: “Pinkblush“. I don’t plan to publicize this blog much but if I have a craft that originates from “Pinkblush” I plan to link to this blog.

What do you think? Did I inspire you to craft or try something different? I hope so! As always I LOVE hearing from you and your comments make my day!

I’m linking this post to the following blogs:

The Golden Sycamore

Krystal’s Kitsch

Serenity You

Green Willow Pond

Credits: Illustration by The Inknest. Graphic Design by kraft&mint ©