Hello and welcome to MINDFUL CREATE CONNECT and space to share a love of creativity.

Creativity can sometimes feel overwhelming. Where to start?  What tools do I need? How can I be creative? I’m not artistic? These are all questions we can ask ourselves and I certainly have done in the past.

I believe we can all be creative in our own way and I love that creativity can help us so much in so many ways. It allows us to be in the moment as It is difficult to do other things or worry about what happened yesterday when we are creating something. Whether that is with paint, sewing, glass making, or with just a pencil drawing a doodle. For me most of the time its scrapbooking and painting with the occasional bit of sewing.

Why I love creativity especially scrapbooking

My passion with recording memories and stories through scrapbooking started in 2003 when a friend introduced me to this hobby. I got the scrapbooking bug and haven’t wanted to stop since. It has since helped me through some different times in my life. When anxiety and the pressures of life felt too much, creativity has been a safe haven where I could find some time for me, slowing down, focusing in the moment and producing something in the process. Together with mindfulness, it has allowed me to reconnect with myself and allows some time where I can focus on something I love.

As a mum and wife there are lots of pressures on us to show up for everyone else. This can be on top of juggling employment to. Time is precious and seems to go by so fleetingly. Before I knew it, I have a six year old. Feels like just yesterday she was born.

Part of the joy of scrapbooking has been for me, being able to document and look back on the photos and record the stories of her growing up. The little moments that can sometimes get lost amongst the busy hustle of life. It helps to encourage us to pause and notice what is going on around us. And the bonus, I get some me time. Its that During this time that I can put my other roles on pause. Or if that’s not possible, I can share it my little one, who at 6 already loves to create. She is happiest with her crafting supplies.  

What is this all about, you may ask

I have designed this space to share my own creative journey but also to connect with others who share a love of creativity and to encourage others to try something creative. It can be anything you want. There is no right or wrong. Part of creativity is being curious. Looking around you for inspiration, letting yourself go and just seeing what flows out.  Letting your imagination loose.

It doesn’t have to look a particular way and isn’t for anyone else. It is just for you to explore and wonder with no judgement attached from others and especially ourselves. Growing up there are so many times we are told how things should be, follow a certain formula, do this, do that, fit a certain box or style. This can be so inhibiting and restrictive and cause us to question how we create or whether we choose to at all. We can end up being so self-critical. This is something I have had to challenge so much. It is so easy to go down the avenue of telling ourselves what we have created is not good enough.

This is your moment to let all that go.

Let’s take a moment to notice our breath, pick up a paintbrush, pencil or anything that is calling

 It could be some finger painting. I did this with my daughter recently and it was so much fun. Messy but fun, and that is okay. It is all part of the experience. You could even make some pretty papers with paint and add some photos to it to produce a collage or your very own scrapbook page. Make a loved one a card maybe? Getting a card through the post is one of the most exciting and nourishing things and can instantly lift someone’s day. As a beginner card-maker I love seeing the joy it brings when people see a personalised card. Let’s spread some love.

Gift yourself time to create

It is okay to let the pile of washing wait a bit and give yourself freedom and time to create. Reflect on how it makes you feel. I would love to hear how you get on and what experience you have by leaving a comment or sending me a message. And if you feel you want to, I would love to see what you create, but again remember that is not a requirement and certainly no pressure to. The final result is not important here, just the act of creating and the connection you feel.

With time I hope to hold creative sessions, where anyone interested in doing some crafting/creating can come together In an online forum. To hold friendly and welcoming, non-judgmental space for collective creativity. If this would be something you would be interested in joining in with, please let me know by sending me a message here or a message on my Instagram page.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my page.

Happy creating x