In this episode, I talk about creativity. I offer a couple of definitions of creativity and then suggest a few ways you can grow your own creative nature. Then, I issue a challenge!

Creativity Challenge: Use the photo below for inspiration for a project, and send me photos of the results by June 7, 2010 (at midnight Eastern Time). It doesn't matter what the project is, and it doesn't matter how you use the photo for inspiration. You might print the photo on fabric and then do something funky with it; you might be inspired by the colors, the subject matter, the feel/mood...it doesn't matter. You can combine this project with other projects--allow this photo to inspire how you approach some other project that you're doing. Doesn't matter! Just be inspired. Post a comment below if you think you want to join the challenge. Then send me a photo (or a link to your blog where you've posted the photo) by midnight on June 7. Anyone who completes the challenge will have their name put in a drawing for a fun gift!  Here's the photo:

(Remember, if you want to print this on fabric, you'll need to email me and I'll provide a high res version without my name on it. Just please give photographer's credit if you post pictures of your finished project anywhere. Thanks!)

Other notes from the episode

Leah Day of DayStyle Designs' blog: http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/

A Whack on the Side of the Head: How You Can Be More Creative, and A Kick in the Seat of the Pants: Using Your Explorer, Artist, Judge, & Warrior to Be More Creative, both by Roger VonOech (I've used these for years to help inspire me in developing creativity workshops for my job)

Get Creative! With M'Liss Rae Hawley: A Beginner's Guide to Color and Design for Quilters, by M'Liss Rae Hawley (I haven't worked my way through her exercises but I consistently pull this book out for inspiration and reference. This book is one of the first on my list of "things to do" in 2011 when I'm done with all my UFOs!)

Art + Quilt: Design Principles and Creativity Exercises, by Lyric Kinard (I just got this book this week and have already begun working my way through the exercises. I'll do as many as I can fit between UFOs. Just reading through the first couple of chapters--where she's laying the groundwork for future exercises--has already been very helpful.)

Keeping track of your inspirations 

http://www.forevergreenquilts.com/inspiration-journal.html (ideas about having a paper journal)

Microsoft OneNote software--excellent "freeform" software for keeping track of notes, images, websites, and so forth. I use this for work, for my volunteer life, and for quilting.