Here’s an exercise to get your thoughts moving. Pick a number (it has to be equal to or greater than 5) and write down something having to do with Pets that matches each number in quantity.

If you’d like to see an example, take a look at the Gratitude Countdown.

An inspiration tag is just a phrase or two meant to give you a jumpstart on your creative expression. So read the tag below and interpret it in a creative way. There are no limitations on the medium. In fact we’d love to see a visual or listen to an audio interpretation. Admittedly, some of the tags will lend themselves more to a written format than any other. So here it is - Tag! You’re It! Have fun!

S/He didn’t recognize her reflection in the mirror.

The idea behind Break Away is to let your mind go and see if it will break away from your normal thought patterns.
The word is “Security”
Here’s how it works:
1. Write the Break Away Word in the center of a paper (or if you’re lucky - a whiteboard).

2. Write/Draw the first thing that comes to mind when you look at the Break Away Word.

3. Write/Draw the next thing that comes to mind.

4. Continue the process for 10 minutes or until nothing new comes to mind
Let your pen or pencil find its own way, don’t try to force any associations into a pattern.
When you’re done, take a look at your paper/whiteboard. Where did you end up? Are there any connections that surprise you?

Here’s this week’s Say What?

“Most human beings have an almost infinite capacity for taking things for granted.”
–Aldous Huxley

Why I thought this would work to make cookie bars I don’t know. But I did try, and as soon as I finished mixing the batter and was presented with a rather crumbly mix that I had to push into a baking pan for solidity, I knew these bars just weren’t going to work.

If you do manage to make these into bars that don’t fall apart, please let us know.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream Crumbles

You’ll need
Hardware:
13×9 baking pan
Wax paper
Ziplock bag
1 small mixing bowl
1 large mixing bowl

Software:
1.75 cups flour
.5 tsp baking soda
1.25 cups white sugar
.75 cup of peanut butter
.5 cup butter
1 Tbs vanilla (more or less per your taste)
1 egg
1.5 cups chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350
Line pan with wax paper, overlap on two sides
Combine flour and baking soda in a small bowl
Beat peanut butter, butter, vanilla and sugar in large bowl until creamy
Beat in egg
Gradually add flour mixture
Stir in chocolate chips
Add batter to lined pan and use overlapping wax paper to press the batter into the pan
Fold excess wax paper to rest on sides, leaving the batter bare
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes
Cool for 2 to 3 hours then remove from pan using the folded wax paper edges
Insert cooled mixture into a ziplock bag and break down with hands

Store for approximately 2 weeks for use on fruit salads, ice cream or other desserts

In the immortal words of the Chairman “Allez cuisine”

Here’s a simple, but not necessarily easy exercise to expand your creativity and attention. For each letter of the alphabet, come up with the name of a beverage.

Can you complete the list without looking at an online database? How many can your friends come up with? Which letter was the most difficult to find?

Which letters spawned mini-lists? How many are alcoholic? How many of the names evoke strong feelings for you?

An inspiration tag is just a phrase or two meant to give you a jumpstart on your creative expression. So read the tag below and interpret it in a creative way. There are no limitations on the medium. In fact we’d love to see a visual or listen to an audio interpretation. Admittedly, some of the tags will lend themselves more to a written format than any other. So here it is - Tag! You’re It! Have fun!

The shadows were alive.

Now that we’re a year old, we thought we’d point you to some earlier posts and prompts that are buried in the archives.

Challenges

• Character Challenge: Update - May 22, 2006

The idea behind Break Away is to let your mind go and see if it will break away from your normal thought patterns.
The word is “Words”
Here’s how it works:
1. Write the Break Away Word in the center of a paper (or if you’re lucky - a whiteboard).

2. Write/Draw the first thing that comes to mind when you look at the Break Away Word.

3. Write/Draw the next thing that comes to mind.

4. Continue the process for 10 minutes or until nothing new comes to mind
Let your pen or pencil find its own way, don’t try to force any associations into a pattern.
When you’re done, take a look at your paper/whiteboard. Where did you end up? Are there any connections that surprise you?

Here’s this week’s Say What?

“Knowledge is power, if you know it about the right person.”
–Ethel Mumford