It’s been a long time since the last podcast, but we’re back with a very special edition! We have a very special interview with two podcast authors - Philippa (Pip) Ballantine and Tee Morris

This edition of Creative Adventures clocks in at just over an hour! Pip and Tee cover a lot of ground - lots of talk about the upcoming Double Trouble run on the Amazon charts on August 8th, as well as talk about creativity, the confidence to take creative adventures, and the adventure and experience that is DragonCon.

 

 Double Trouble hits Creative Adventures [62:25m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (35)

Pip and Tee have been kind enough to release free pdf’s of their soon-to-be released books. Here are the links for you. Check them out, and if you like what you see, join us on August 8 by purchasing a copy from Amazon.com.

The Case of the Pitcher’s Pendant - A Billibub Baddings Mystery by Tee Morris

Digital Magic by Philippa Ballantine

You can find out more about Philippa Ballantine at:

Chasing the Bard

The Pen and Sword

Podiobooks

You can find out more about Tee Morris at:

Tee Morris

Morevi: Remastered

Podiobooks

Promos:

Double Trouble

Time Well Wasted

A few weeks ago, I posted about using kids craft kits to spur your creativity and curiosity.  I’ve been meaning to post about the last craft kit that I did - a braided silver wire bracelet.

I enjoy creating things and this wasn’t my first venture into making jewelry. It wasn’t even my first venture into wire jewelry - I’ve made wire-wrap rings in the past. But this was the first time that I’ve tried braiding wire.

The Process:
I picked up the kit at my local Hobby Lobby store for about $8. The directions were clearly written and accompanied by photos, making them easy to follow.  All together, the project took me about 90 minutes from start to finish.  It was considerably easier than I expected it to be.

The Result:

My bracelet did not come out looking like the picture on the box, but I didn’t expect it to.  It resembled the picture more than I expected it to, and that pleased me.

What surprised me most:
As I was braiding the wire, I was picturing variations I could do with the basic process. Most of those variations would use remnants from other craft projects, which is good.  Actually creating those variations of the bracelet would result in a problem though - one that I’m already quite familiar with - What do I do with the new bracelets? One bracelet - no problem - I gave it to a friend.  Multiple bracelets - problem. A good problem, but a problem all the same.

Recommendation:
I wouldn’t recommend this project for young children - it requires a bit more attention than they’re likely to have. I would recommend it for anyone over the age of 12 or so who has an interest or curiosity in jewelry. I would also recommend it to anyone who thinks they can’t do something like make jewelry.  In fact, if you look at the picture of the finished product and think it looks too complicated - go out and buy one of the kits.  You’ll be surprised how simple it is to make something that looks intricate!.

Pictures of the process are behind the jump if you’re curious.

(more…)

Create something new.

Easy for me to say, right?

And you’d really like to do it, but –

• you don’t have hours to spend on learning a new creative skill
• you don’t have a bunch of money to spend on supplies
• you don’t know where to start
• you don’t even know what kind of project to start
• you don’t have anyone to teach or help you get started

Excuses. Every single one.

One trip to your local market, superstore or hobby store can negate every one of those excuses. How?

Be a Kid

Wander through the kids’ craft area. In your local market or superstore it will probably in the toy section. Most hobby stores have a specific kid-friendly craft section. Pick up a few of the kits that look interesting to you. You’ll find everything from plaster hand casts to jewelry to soap and candle making kits.

Why kids’ craft kits?

• Most of them are inexpensive
• They come with all the materials you need
• The instructions are designed to be understandable for kids in grade school or middle school
• The projects are designed with kids’ attention span in mind
• The projects are quick introductions to the craft and quick, tangible exercises in creativity

Benefits of Being a Kid Again

• You get to try your hand at something new with little or no pressure to do it well
• You get an introduction to a set of skills and knowledge you didn’t have
• You get to test drive a project before sinking a lot of money or time into the craft
• You can be silly and just have fun
• If you have children, you can use this project as quality time with them
• Successes, no matter how little or silly, make us feel better
• Your inner child gets a chance to come out and play

How do I know?

How do I know that these kids’ craft kits are worth trying out? I know because it’s how I’ve tested a lot of crafts out.

I’m curious. I always want to know how to do the creative things I see other people doing. I’ve learned to crochet, knit, make silver wire bracelets, use an indian bead loom, and many other things. For most of those crafts, that one little taste was enough. But others, like the ones I just named, I’ve since invested more time and money in.

Give in to your curiosity and that inner child that says “wow” or “I wanna try that.” Take a slight detour on the path of your creative journey.

You may find a new skill that you’re good at.

At the very least, you’ll have some fun.

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 “Certificate”

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?

Been a while since we’ve had one of these, but I was playing in the kitchen again and didn’t have absolutely everything on hand that I wanted, so substitutions were made and my partner liked it. And since it’s getting colder outside for some of us I present it to you…

Barley and Lentil Stew with Sausage

You’ll need

Hardware:
Dry Measuring Cups/Spoons
Wet measuring cup
Skillet
Cooking spoon
Crock-pot

Software:
1 lbs pork sausage
.5 cups barley
.25 cups lentils
1 bay leaf
1.5 tbs olive oil
1 medium onion (chopped)
10 crimini mushrooms (quartered – and any kind of mushroom will work)
2 cloves of garlic (chopped)
1.5 tsp marjoram
1.5 tsp oregano
2 or 3 beef bullion cubes
4 tbs dill
2 tbs soy sauce
Salt & Pepper to taste
Approximately 5 cups water

Plug in your crock pot and turn it onto the medium setting. Add 2 cups of water, the barley, lentils and bay leaf, cook for about 40 minutes, checking periodically.

Meanwhile, chop veggies and garlic and place to the side. Fry your sausage with the olive oil until it crumbles nicely, do not drain this.

When the timer for the barley and lentils goes off remove the bay leaf and stir, add in 3 cups of water and 2 to 3 beef bullion cubes. Stir and set timer for 10 minutes.

When the timer goes off add the sausage, veggies and garlic, stirring after each addition. Add spices and soy sauce and cover.

Wait approximately 3 to 4 hours, stirring occasionally, for the stew to simmer and flavors to blend and serve with warm biscuits and butter.

Keep your knives sharp, your marble board cold, your spice rack neatly organized and use your kitchen creatively.

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 skeletons had come out of the closets.

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 “Quote”

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?

“I’ve always found paranoia to be a perfectly defensible position.”

–Pat Conroy

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!

? It was obvious from a glance that it was a skeleton key.

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 “Pie”

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?