Wheeee!

Maternal Spark is on the move...to self hosted Wordpress. It's a fantastic new template and it's 98 percent transferred. I'm just waiting for a few things to click over and I'm struggling to transfer the RSS feed because if I lost my subscribers I'd just DIE. So please don't mind the dust - and forgive me for not posting a muse this week. I'd hoped to have this complete by now. Tomorrow is another day and hopefully a new great Maternal Spark :D



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Monday's Muse - the Blog Meme for Creative Moms

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"There is no use trying, said Alice; one can't believe impossible things." "I dare say you haven't had much practice," said the Queen. "When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."

Lewis Carroll

This quote, from Alice in Wonderland of course, can say a great deal about creativity can it not? Believing impossible things is the very basis of creating. Because, without believing, how can one possibly set about to dream something up?

Have you written about something crafty, creative or muse-ful? Add your link below!







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Monday's Muse - the Blog Meme for Creative Moms

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Today's post is a bit of an announcement but I'm posting it for Monday's Muse because I'm just so freaking excited that it's put a creative bounce in my step. Beginning now, Maternal Spark will take flash fiction submissions.

I've got some work to do in writing up some submission guidelines but if you have something to submit go ahead and send it in anytime. Just email me at heddy.e[at]gmail[dot]com with "Flash" in the subject line.

So what's going on with you guys? What's got your creative thoughts jumping? A project? A goal? Post about it and leave your link below so we can all see what you're up to!




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Monday's Muse - the blog meme for Creative Moms

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Restless.

Energy zips past my eyes, flows through my mind and finds itself trapped there. It feels cramped and twisted. It wants out. It wants to bring the things it encounters, the things it sees outward so that there is room again to rest.

This energy is not happy to loll and roll and meander. It wiggles out, down, down to the fingertips which tap and dance on the keyboard in front of them. They twist yarns around needles and whisk colors across papers and constantly move, move, move.

And when they are happy those fingers rest. And there is room once more in the mind and there is space to spread out and be comfortable and the energy will be still, if only for a little while.

I don't really know what to call this - just a little snippet that happened as I was thinking about what to write for today's post. I was thinking about my creativity and what it is and how I thought it might work from within me. I sat down to write for Monday's Muse and this little set of words just popped out.

What do you think about your creativity? How does it feel. What does it do?
Think about what your creativity would be like as a person. What attributes does that person have?

If you've written about creativity or maybe written a piece answering these questions please leave your link below so we can see what you've been up to.



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Monday's Muse - the Blog meme for Creative Moms

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You can't tell from the image but this ball of yarn is huge. If I start now, I might have a whole bunch of dishcloths finished by Christmas. The yarn is just plain, simple cotton but I'm looking forward to working with it.

Are you inspired by your raw ingredients? Do you like to pick your project based on what you have to work with? Or maybe you decide on what you want to do and then hunt out the materials to suit.

Share your process in comments and if you've written about creativity, feel free to leave your link below so we can all see what you've been up to.


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Monday's Muse - the Meme for Creative Moms

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I thought I'd post an image today. What do you think of when you look at this scene? What could be happening just outside the frame? I'd be interested to hear your thoughts if you want to share them. What's inspiring your creativity this week? Leave your link below and share with us!





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Monday's Muse - the Meme for Creative Moms

‘Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while. That’s because they were able to connect experiences they’ve had and synthesize new things. And the reason they were able to do that was that they’ve had more experiences than other people.’

— Steve Jobs

I thought I'd post a quote today. It struck me as interesting as I believe strongly in the first part and disagree with the last part. I've often looked at my need to create as more of a need to problem solve. For me, writing or painting is equivalent to completing a complex mathematical problem -only my brain isn't wired for math (nearly failed actually!).

Being creative is a challenge and that's what attracts me. The learning and personal growth I experience keeps me coming back. I think part of it is that I get bored easily, so I start to find ways to entertain myself. I challenge myself to stay engaged with something - anything and when I'm being creative, I get to define what that anything is.

Why do I disagree with the last part? I don't think creativity has anything to do with experience. As a kid, I often felt compelled to draw or paint or organize things (another problem solving equivalent), and I had little or no experiences at that point in time. Yes, the wider your knowledge base, the more things you will recognize and connect but it doesn't mean the process functions differently based on life experience.

So what do you think? Do you agree? Disagree? Have a totally different view altogether? Share your thoughts in comments or share your creative themed post in the Mr. Linky below.

Monday's Muse - the Meme for Creative Moms

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This is a picture of my Little H when she was about six months old (over a year ago, OMG!) Yes, she inspires my creativity and she is stinking cute but I'd like you to focus on the knit bunny in the middle. My cousin made him - Little H has named him 'bun bun' and he is her one and only special toy. The one she takes to bed with her and the one she takes to daycare. She's hardly left her crib without him pressed up against her cheek lately.

It's bun bun that has me inspired to learn to knit. He just has this subtle charm about him and I love that he's made of nothing but wool and some stuffing. I'm a long way from creating a friend for Little H with the few dishcloths I'm attempting this week but I hope to get there eventually.

Do you have any handmade items in your home that inspire you? What's inspiring you this week? Leave your link below to share.




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Monday's Muse -the Meme for Creative Moms

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Today's muse is pretty simple and obvious and cliche but it's true nonetheless. Today and this week, I'm inspired by time away from work. By time with my family and by what is to come for the new year. I'm very optimistic for 2009. I feel like I have some clear goals and I feel like I really know what's important to me. I had really hoped to write something more, but it's gotten really late and I've run short on time. But please, tell me what's inspiring you this week. What are your plans for the new year?




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Monday's Muse - the Meme for Creative Moms

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This week I'm inspired by possibilities.

The possibility that little H's sleep issues will be overcome.
The possibility that little H's sleep issues will be overcome with minimal tears.
The possibility that little H's sleep issues will be overcome with minimal tears from my eyes.
The possibility that little H's sleep issues will be overcome in a short period of time.
The possibility that my nights sleeping on the hardwood floor outside her bedroom door are almost over.
The possibility that I can reclaim my evenings for myself.
The possibility that I can use those evening times towards creative things.
The possibility that I will indulge those creative thoughts and in doing so, will become a better mother, a better wife and a better version of myself.

What's inspiring you this week? Enter your url below to share




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Monday's Muse - the Meme for Creative Moms

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It's quiet in the insulated way the snow brings. I know it's out there before I even rise and make my way to the window. Parting the curtains reveals a white and foreign landscape. It's fresh. Clean.

The icy sheath hides the dirt and dead plants away, hides anything that isn't pure.

All is white but one black squirrel in the center of it all.

The squirrel is digging frantically down to the grass and then through to the earth. It's burying treasure while the dirt will still move. Down goes the bits stolen from bird feeders and brazenly pilfered from outside cat dishes. Peanuts, sunflower seeds and kibble become packed into a musty treasure chest, ready for a later meal.

He works to conceal these pockets of nourishment. He plans for enough to last through to when the snow becomes damp, and the buds form on the trees, and the grass begins to sprout. He plans for enough to last until the nests are filled with eggs and sweet, tender chicks. Until then, he remains busy. Until then, thievery and frozen cat food will have to do and he sits, punctuation in the white, until his job is done.

Today a piece of writing was inspired by the snow. I don't really know what it is, it's sort of 'stream of consciousness' I guess. Just a little bit that trickled down from my mind and though my fingers to the keys. An observation about how when everything seems pure, there is always a touch of the sinister around. Did you know squirrels sometimes eat baby birds?

The snow was my muse, what's yours? Leave your link below to share.



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Monday's Muse - the Meme for Creative Moms

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I am so optimistic about the upcoming week! Last week was ok but Friday at work made me want to drink myself into a coma. Somehow I took all that anxiety and stress and poured it into some fantastic things. These things felt somehow nostalgic to me - maybe it's because we are coming up on the holidays and that always has me feeling nostalgic. Maybe it's because I just finished reading "The Birth House" by Ami McKay. A wonderful book set in simple (yet complicated) times. Maybe it's just because the weather has gotten colder and so I've turned inward on our home...

I've decided to grab onto this lovely nostalgic feeling and take my creative works along that vein. I've started on a simple knitting project, a simple sewing project, something for a Christmas gift. It seems like a lot for a week but really, the projects are not hard. I'll enjoy plugging along with these tactile works this week. Sometimes it's nice to work simply with your hands.

What are you guys up to? What's inspiring you? Post and link below so we can join in your inspirations!





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Monday's Muse - the Meme for Creative Moms

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‘When inspiration does not come to meet me, I go halfway to meet it.’
— Sigmund Freud

I read this quote today and it had me wondering about going to meet your inspiration. Like I said last week, I had very little inspiration happening. I was busy, I was tired, I was mushy headed.

But, going out to meet your inspiration is why I started this blog. I know we, as moms, can have tremendous highs and lows when it comes to creativity. We look at our children and the love overcomes us. We want to capture that emotion and hang onto it forever. But at the same time, we're tired, we're spent mentally and we give all we can of ourselves.

In order to be able to meet our inspirations we need to keep our sights on what is most important to us and where we want to go. Last week I wasn't in any shape to push myself creatively but this week is new. This week I will put on my walking shoes and go down a creative path. I just hope inspiration is there to meet me when I arrive.

Where are you going this week? Link below to bring us along.




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Monday's Muse - the Meme for Creative Moms

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I had a hard time coming up with my Muse for this week. My upcoming week will be very full. We're short staffed at the day job as our receptionist is on holiday so I'll be picking up some of that slack. It's also a short week for me as I've taken a day off to visit with my parents who are coming to visit (can't wait to see you mom!) So I'll be very busy at work. Not to mention preparing for company always involves an extra load of laundry and other random chore type things that mean I'll also be busy at home.

So, in my plans for the week, I hadn't included anything creative as I just know there will be little time and less mental capacity for it.

Which left me in a predicament. What to write?

Looking forward wasn't giving me any ideas so I started looking back at this last week. Little H is finally starting to grow hair - but that doesn't make for interesting reading. I did some housework....nope, still boring. Wait, I did some housework! It's been a while since I really did that. I tackled some big jobs too, like the bottom of the master bedroom closet that had a still half packed suitcase from my last trip out of town (from last February) and I also hand-washed our hardwood floor as it had become too much of a job for the Swiffer Wet Jet to tackle.

I was quite proud of myself for getting these things done and I owe it all to Little H who, has really grown up in the last month. She can now play very well on her own, in her room. She has taken to coloring (so far keeping it on the paper provided!) She has even attempted to help me do things like sweep the floors or clean the big window in our living room.

Yes, I know you're wondering how this ties in with Monday's Muse well, I realized just today that slowly but surely, little H is allowing me some time to do things. She's growing up. While it makes me sad that we're leaving her babyhood behind, I can look forward to more time for creative endeavors...and more time working on creative things with her - together.

What's inspiring you this week? Share your inspirations by linking to your post below!




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Monday's Muse - The Meme for Creative Moms

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Today there is a different kind of muse for me. Not a link, not an image or a quote or a photograph but instead, I have been so inspired by some of the creative moms I've been corresponding with as I write my posts for this week. These moms are writers, musicians and crafters. These moms have stayed on their creative path and embraced it not only for their own lives but also the lives of their children.

I know I'm being kind of vague but I don't want to be much more specific at this time. Today, it's about the general sense of inspiration I'm feeling from these ladies. Because of this, I'd like to ask you not what is inspiring you this week but who?

If you've written a post about your inspirations for the week, please share by signing the linky widget below!


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Monday's Muse - the Meme for Creative Moms

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This is a picture of my daughter with pants on her head. This week, take a look at things around you and think about how they might be used in different ways. How can you translate this into your craft? Can you use something in a new way for a different result? In turning something upside down, can it inspire a different reaction from you?

What's inspiring you today? Share it in a blog post of your own and link below if you do.




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Monday's Muse - the Meme for Creative Moms

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Today is Thanksgiving day here in Canada. So of course this weeks Muse is the idea of thankfulness. I'm appreciative of so many inspiring things and people. My family. My home. My state of being and even pumpkin pie.

Along with thanks, I'm also throwing in the idea of change. The leaves have turned and fallen. The heat has gone out of our days leaving our breath hanging in the air before us. I'm thankful for this change. It allows for me to see things afresh. When I can notice and appreciate things for what they really are, experience them as if for the first time it allows for all the details to come alive. For a creative mind, it's capturing and manipulating those details that counts. That I have the ability (most days) to do so, I'm truly thankful.

What's inspiring you today? Share it in a blog post of your own and link below if you do.




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Monday's Muse - the Meme for Creative Moms

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I like to believe that I'm not a very materialistic person. I don't want for much. In fact, for my birthday (in August) I got some cash and it's still in my wallet because there isn't anything calling to me right now.

On the other hand, 'things' can be very inspiring. You've read about my antique typewriter and there is something wonderful about a beautiful blank notebook full of pages waiting to be filled. Realizing the beauty in objects has great value towards creative endeavors. Today, I challenge you to look at some everyday things and see their special beauty. Look at the design of your pen. The way light bounces off the kitchen window. Find something that you don't normally pay attention to and see how it makes you feel when it is in your hands. What can it inspire?




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Monday's Muse - the Meme for Creative Moms

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Lately, things have been so hectic. We had company last week which was great fun (and they even cooked for me!)but hectic nonetheless. Plus we had one or two late nights as we got carried away with Rockband 2. Yes, I'm nerdly like that. So this weeks inspiration for me is the idea of serenity. How nice would it be to sit beside a calm ocean with nothing but a gentle breeze and the aroma of salty air to awaken my senses? To have a clean mind and the silence with which to hear it. That would be a delightful inspiration. How about you? What's your inspiration for the week. Join in the meme and post a Monday Muse on your blog. If you do, use the Linky below to share.






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Monday's Muse - The Meme for Creative Moms

I don't normally post pictures of my Little H. But this weeks muse for me has to be her. When I became a mother I had no idea how it would change me; the real me, the very core of who I know myself to be. I'd always been a creative person, but now everything has so much more meaning behind it. Little H has inspired so much since her birth - this blog for one. I thought I'd post a pic of her from this time last year when she would sit still for more than 2 seconds! Now I'm lucky to get a blurry image of her butt as she runs away :)



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