Monday, February 25, 2008

Productively Unplugged

Last Tuesday I stayed away from the computer. Rebecca issued a challenge to unplug for a day and be creative. It was harder to stay away than I thought it would be. But in the end it was a great day.

Seeing tangible results of time spent is so valuable for me. Although I'm a writer and spend a lot of time on the computer, I also need time to read and to think. I find that when I create with my hands, my brain is able to recharge and new ideas come flooding in.

When I realized how valuable the time spent away from the computer was, I spent less time on it for the rest of the week. And I accomplished a lot of things in my spare time...

- sewed a set of curtains for the guest room
- painted the guest room closet
- cleaned out and reorganized the linen closet
- made four sets of note cards and some bottles for future gifts
- made a spring banner
- read two books
- did some serious thinking and journaling about goals and dreams and how to put them into place



I decorated a few glass bottles to use as gifts for the future. Spring and summer are coming and I love sharing a flower or two from my garden with friends. These bottles are all recycled - they used to hold everything from pancake syrup to coffee flavourings to vanilla. When I purchase a product at the grocery store I now evaluate the shape of the bottle it comes in to see if I'd like to use it in this way.



I had a sheet of old wrapping paper. It decorated a gift given to my daughter several years ago and at the time I thought it just too pretty to throw away. I used it to make these cards and the banner below. For the cards, I just tore rough shapes of the flowers and words and glued them to cardstock - blue, green, yellow and pink. I like the mosaic effect. They are all different and I've packaged them in groups of four cards to use as gifts.



The banner uses the same gift wrap - it covers the bottoms of the card stock triangles. A simple ribbon threaded through the top, letters printed on pale yellow paper and voilĂ , a banner to brighten up the mirror on the landing.


Posted by Picasa

5 comments:

  1. Yes it is hard to leave b logging for a while. We do become addicted. It is fun though and one learns so much.
    Congratulations on all that you achieved.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous1:03 PM

    Wow. You really did accomplish much! A wonderful feeling, isn't it? Thanks so much for sharing. (btw, Peace Like a River is one of my favorite books too :) Blessings, Rebecca

    ReplyDelete
  3. Gorgeous cards and banner with that fabulous spring wrapping paper. What a great idea. Your handiwork is always lovely... I would never have thought to take ordinary bottles and dress them up as I have seen you do. These latest bottles are wonderful.

    :)
    Christi

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love all of your creations. The banner is a perfect breath of fresh air for spring!
    Karla

    ReplyDelete
  5. Congratulations on a fulfilling unplugged day! It sounds like you made good use of the concept :)

    Love those beautiful bottles!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for your comment. I read and value each one, cherishing the connections we can make although far apart. Usually, I visit your blog in return, although if you ask a question I try to contact you directly.

A Wander Through my Mind

  Nothing is so beautiful as Spring -  When weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush; Gerard Manley Hopkins When I opened my bedroom...