Expand the mind, perfect your craft

February 19, 2013

Spare time is not something that is in my realm of vocabulary as of late, but I have realized how healthy it is for your mind to MAKE the time to do something you love – even if it is just ten minutes a day. That ten – twenty minutes I steal during nap time or after the kids are in bed, are similar to mental therapy;) I dive into my little creative world. and use a set of lungs that you can’t see but are vital to my existence..
I just finished an online calligraphy course through Melissa of I Still Love Calligraphy. Its an incredibly well done course with printables and demonstration videos (I am a visual learner). She makes it easy and fun to learn and experiment. It felt so refreshing to try something new, and cross of something from my bucket list;)
A few books that are encouraging husband and I to expand the mind, and perfect our craft:) (Mine being hand lettering and typography, his being the outdoors.) 
Gabe and I don’t get to travel together very often (weekend long babysitters are not in our budget), but we do encourage each other to take solo opportunities when they arise. For instance, he was the one who encouraged me to head to New York a few weeks ago. I received this Travel Journal by John Robshaw just in time for the trip, and was able to take note of all the fun spots and divine eats I experienced:) 
What about you?
Something you have been wanting to tackle and learn? Somewhere you want to travel?

Leave a Comment

  • An online calligraphy course – sounds creative!
    I did one in Asia few years ago.xx

  • love the pictures! First one looks so good!
    I’m learning spanish right now and want to learn how to play the ukulele.

  • This is wonderful! It makes me happy that your husband and you encourage one another to do things that you love, even though you may have different interests. That’s how my husband and I are. 🙂 With that said, I still struggle to take the time to paint, read, craft, and even cook! Why is that?!

    Thank you for this encouraging post! I feel encouraged to take the time this week to do some things I love.

    The Brayn of Chalayn

    • Definately makes for a fun relationship! I’ll be honest, it took me a few years to finally make the time, but I feel better of for it! Hope you get to tackle your list!

  • mm! i love calligraphy. always wanted to learn.
    kw, ladies in navy

  • i just like really, really, really want to climb out from under all the disorganization I have myself under.

  • How wonderful! Your lettering is so beautiful 🙂 I so want to (re)learn calligraphy! I took a class a looooooooooong time ago, but never really put it to use (sadly). I would definitely put it to use now! Thank you for sharing the online class information 🙂 XO Brynn

  • Making time each day to do something inspiring is a such a lovely goal. I have been really wanting to learn to cross-stitch, and I need to get started! 🙂 ~Stephanie

  • The list is too long. Slowly carving away at it by trying new restaurants, and traveling more.

    xo Jessica
    http://www.mystylevita.com

  • Oooh…calligraphy would be so fun to re-learn! I remember loving it in elementary school… 🙂 I just started a typography class, so I’ve been dying to have some spare time sit down and draw a bunch of letters: ‘Typography Sketchbooks’ is *so* inspiring – I just finally ordered Stefan Sagmeisters ‘Things I’ve Learned in my Life So Far’ – can’t wait to curl up with it.. 🙂

  • An online calligraphy course, how wonderful! I have so, so many things I want to learn and relearn. I swear that if I won the lottery, I would spend all of my time taking every course at a community college, from Algebra to car repair. 🙂

    XO, Rachel
    http://www.withlove-rachel.com

  • Oh my I was just saying to my sisters how i want to learn calligraphy!!! Thanks for the link!!

  • i totally agree with you on needing that mental therapy break for yourselves after the kiddos go to bed. Since the new year, husband and i agreed to put the girls to bed by 7:30 PM and its been great. We don’t ever get to travel alone together either because of babysitting… and i’m hoping to make a trip away with girlfriends for just one night soon for a birthday getaway…but then again i have a nursing wont-take-the bottle baby, so thats not in our books either. 🙂 But, thanks for the calligraphy link… i’ve been wanting to give that a try for a while!

  • That calligraphy class sounds awesome Anna. That’s great that you guys get to take solo trips. As a parent, stealing those hours or days every once in a while is really important. I think they do help you become a better parent…even if it is hard leaving the little ones behind (or sometimes it’s not). 😉 Hope you are having a great week!

  • i went to argentina solo (3 months was a wee bit long) but i think its SO important.
    i hear jackson hole is kind of the jam…..just sayin’

    xo the egg out west.

  • You have an awesome hubby to encourage you to travel! Mine does too, but thankfully he’s able to come with me most of the time. NYC is the best right? I really want to start taking Portuguese classes.

  • Jewelry making.. I keep telling myself “It’s time” lol

  • Oh I want to try hand lettering! Thanks for suggesting the calligraphy course! I may have to take that one up 🙂

  • what an interesting course to take, i don’t know much about online courses but i think i need to have a look. i’m not sure what i’d like to tackle but i’m interested. any sites to recommend? the MS book looks interesting

  • Beautiful! And, yes, fitting babysitters for the weekend into the budget is something we know all about :-/ But we’re thankful and appreciative of a bit of paid help during the week!

Copyright © 2024 In Honor Of Design powered by chloédigital