The following post is for your creative inspiration. It is good to have some kind of craft or hobby going. It lightens the spirit!
Here are some of the things going on here lately that can whet the creative appetite:

Not able to do much, Rosie CAN crochet! Her lovely doilies will make wonderful gifts!

These nifty cardboard boxes were made by our son-in-law’s sister (who was visiting during the Christmas season) for the kids to play in…

The new granite countertop that our children got for us is lovely. We had to think of a way to put a nice backsplash on that wasn’t too pricey. So hubby took some tile we had laying around, split it in half and all we had to buy was the strip in the middle. It was creative and economical!
Margy is my rosary-maker now. She does a fantastic job and is faster than I am! Between her and Rosie, their crafting “weapons” seem to go so fast, they are smoking! Or at least I tease them about that…
Her rosaries are available here.
Our dear friend, Susan, has an art studio. The girls took a painting class from her lately. Here are a few of Susan’s photos. Susan’s website is here. Her facebook page is here.

This is Susan’s studio that hubby built. It is very unique and quite a piece of art in itself.

Virginia bought the painting class for Margy and they both had fun together under Susan’s expertise!
And now for the post from the past….
Being creative is something that we love to do here!
We all have some sort of creativity within us. Oftentimes it lays dormant because of busy lifestyles, lack of ambition, finances, etc.
This post is meant to encourage you to pick up that needle, that paintbrush, pick that bouquet for the middle of your table, get your camera and go out in nature to take a photo, etc. These things bring joy to the one who is creating and joy to the recipients! It doesn’t have to take a degree, lots of money or tons of time.
I think it is very important to bring back to life the creativity that God has given us! Don’t let your lifestyle get so busy that you don’t squeak in a little something, just a moment or two where you can let those creative juices flow! It is like therapy to a weary soul!
These past few months we have done some creating around here. I love the beauty of such innovative things and so…. I take pictures!!
Some of my girls are not creative in the way you would think of creativity. I tell you this because there are many ways to express ourselves….baking, a lovely dinner, a beautiful garden, etc. It’s not all about a needle and some yarn….Find your niche and begin your innovative path!
Here’s a picture of me with all of my girls. They are all so unique and very special! They have creative streaks, every one of them, expressing them in different ways. I don’t have pictures of each one’s “streaks” but I have included some of them here.
You are familiar with Virginia (far left) and her lovely masterpieces. She is like King Midas….everything she touches turns into something beautiful! Here are some of her latest creations:
Just the other day I took a picture of her mantle…bursting with Creativity!
And here are some sweet handmade outfits:
A wreath and a lampshade for the newlyweds (her brother and new sister-in-law):
Theresa, third from the left, has her own type of creativity. She loves to bake and makes beautiful cakes for others. Here is her sourdough bread. Most of us struggle to get the sourdough right, she gets it right every time!
Her little family just moved and she has decorated her home and is preparing her flower beds….
Rosie (4th from the right in the picture) is the landscaper around here and she does a beautiful job! Here she is working away in the rain.
A picture of her in the flowers and a lovely bouquet!
Hannah (2nd from the left) loves to sing (she has a lovely voice) and she bakes some beautiful bread!
Margy (2nd from the right) loves to paint and crochet! Here are some of her latest projects:
Jeanette (3rd from the left) does some beautiful crocheting and kanzashi flowers! She and Virginia made the fascinators for a friend’s wedding coming up this weekend.
I have been busy, too. Here is my messy end of the table. I clear it off about once a week and apologize for it the rest of the week. (My girls like a clean table). 😛
I tackled a big project this winter, after Christmas. I crocheted a baptismal gown for Jeanette’s upcoming baby. I found it hard to stick to it but I kept plowing away at it. I carried it wherever I went so I could “stitch a few” on the go.
Oh and I forgot Margy’s other talent…..she is very creative when it comes to making people feel special:
And last but not least, here is Gemma’s (far right in the photo) poem she wrote:
If I were President I would say,
“Do good always and please obey.”
I would stop abortions and Planned Parenthood;
So our future would look bright, and hopefully good.
Yes, if I were elected President Gemma,
I would turn things around with no dilemma.
So you watch out, it might happen one day!
When I’m elected president all the people will say,
“Oh no! There’s a darn VanderPutten in the White House!
I better sneak out of America as quiet as a mouse.”
But I’d catch them by the tail, and tell them what is right.
I’m gonna turn this country ’round, without one bad person in sight!
True Love💗 “I look forward to being near you, my dear Louis. I love you with all my heart, and I feel even more my affection when you are not here with me. It would be impossible for me to live away from you.” Santa Zélia Martin
Saint Louis and Saint Zelie, pray for us!
This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support.
What if fun post, Mum! Thank you I needed some inspiration!
Very lovely and beautiful! I hope that Rosie will be able to enjoy her garden again this year, whereever she may be. 🙂
So much to do, so little time…..
Creativity is sometimes a leisure,
but when I am swamped,
little ideas do find there way when I am stumped,
and bring much pleasure. 🙂
Thank you! Very encouraging and inspiring!
Back to my Easter project!
Another source for colouring pages;
http://www.danielmitsui.com/00_pages/free_downloads.html
Thank you!
A lovely post. Thank You for pointing out each daughters special talents. Prayers for Rosie to be able to tend her garden.
God Bless
Marion
What an enjoyable post. Glad to see your beautiful daughters and showing their respective talents. God Bless you and yours. Prayers for Rosie’s continue healing.
Joan
I was happy to see all of your lovely daughters. They are each so talented and beautiful. The little children look adorable in their cute outfits. Rosie will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers for a complete recovery. God Bless all.
Marilyn
Beautiful and so inspiring! I have six daughters (so far!) and I try to inspire them to find something they love to do. The eldest just turned 15 and the youngest is 4, so they still have time to find their talent and joy in creating … some are musical, some are bakers, some are crafters and painters … I think you did a great job raising your beautiful maidens … they follow after their lovely momma’s example … thank you for being a great role model to mothers everywhere.
P.S. We are praying for Rosie -and I would love to buy some of those doilies!!
Thank you so much for a lovely and inspiring post! The Father has used several of your posts lately to shake me out of my blues. I’ve definitely wallowed in a bit of the doldrums lately. New city, not really knowing anyone, and missing the fellowship and opportunities we had in Topeka. Thank you for the reminder that my knitting and crochet is just waiting … as is my sewing machine. Time to turn the melancholy into creativity!