Creativity Tips: 5 Tips for Kicking Winter Blues

It may be warm where you are. It is not warm in Kansas City. That's a problem for me. After a few days of freezing weather, I can feel my creativity freeze up. Since it's cold a lot here in the Midwest, I've developed quick ways to jumpstart my creative batteries. Who knows? They might work for you too!

1. Watch a silly/funny movie. Something that makes you laugh. I like The Producers, with Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder. Just looking at Zero Mostel makes me laugh. I met him once. What a hoot.
   
2. Admire someone else's creativity. For example, look at the cool stuff in the Handmade Olympics at the Rikrack Studio. While you're there, vote for the Sew Inspired quilt in category 2. (Yes! Vicki made the Handmade Olympics!)
   
3. Eat an orange. It will remind you of summer, which reminds you that winter will end. I'm currently in love with clementines. They're oranges my size. (You. Stop laughing. It's not nice to mock short people.)
   
4. Write down the names of your elementary school teachers. (This requires more effort for those of us over 25. I am a tad over 25.)
5. Draw a snarky Valentine. Something rude. Play off the old "letters are written, never meaning to send" concept. Draw the Valentine you'd like to send ... but won't. We'll never tell.
   
6. And here's a bonus idea: Remember that you don't have to be creative in a vacuum. We have an amazing team here! Speaking of which ... Happy Birthday, Jody!
   

Creative Query: Movie Magic

Here's a quickie. Tell me: What's your favorite movie?

I'm going with "Sliding Doors." Why? Because it tells me that life works out the way it should. That's also the case in "Before Sunset," another one of my favorites.*

Oops. I just gave two answers. I'm not good at following directions. I am good at giving them: Post! I'm trying to figure out what movies to watch next.

*For the record, neither of these films have a talking animated animal or George Clooney. I am not nearly as shallow as I look.

Creativity Exercise: Valentine Love Letters

Chocolate, love, lust*, creativity. It all comes together in a perfect writing exercise, thanks to Bernstein-Rein and Christopher Elbow. You're 45 characters away from a prize!

*No, they don't mention lust. I'm mentioning lust. I really, really, really crave good chocolate. And there are no calories in chocolate during Valentine's Day week. Everyone knows that.

Food is Love: Nestle Tollhouse Cookies

We've lived in the same house for 23 years. Many of our neighbors have been here almost as long -- we've shared in each others simchas and sorrows, watched the kids grow up, we're pretty much family.

And when I bake these classic chocolate chip cookies, the family shows up at the door.

There are a couple of secrets to my version of the recipe:

1. You have to use unsalted butter. Seriously. It makes a difference.
   
2. Add a bit more vanilla. I just hold the measuring spoon over the batter and let it spill. This is probably not the recommended baking tactic, but it works.
3. Take the cookies out before they're "done." If they look done, they're overdone. They continue to cook while you cool them. (Mary is better at this than I am. She recommends 8-9 minutes in the oven, but that will vary with your oven.)

By the by, if you need further proof that "Food is Love," the cookie jar photo is for my sister Eva. It's the same cookie jar our Mom has had since we were kids; it's in Mom's apartment now. I found the image on a site called "Collectibles by PJ." The Internet is amazing.

Creative Critic: (500) Days of Summer

This week's Oscar nominations overlooked one really great movie. (500) Days of Summer should have scored for screenwriting.

For those of you who don't know my movie-watching rules, it basically boils down to this: No violence. No hideous story line that will give me nightmares. Talking animals and/or George Clooney improve any movie. (OK, not really. But I do like animation*. And George.)

Given that, my husband humors me now and then and agrees to watch a "chick flick" with me. We both thought that's what (500) Days would be. It is so much more. It's a wonderful movie about love and life and work and possibilities. Amazing script and script structure -- worthy of Creative Critic praise. Terrific soundtrack. Rent it. Watch it. Enjoy!

*One of the scenes in (500) Days that made us both laugh out loud does have a moment of animation. Gotta love it.

Creativity Tips: Kudo Cards

I went to the Johnson County Imaging Center yesterday for an annual appointment (in honor of the men, we won't discuss that part of the visit). Suffice it to say, what is generally a hideous experience was almost pleasant.

Ashley, the woman who conducted my exam, was a gem. Friendly, comforting, with that yoga-teacher approach/voice that makes you feel like everything in the world is going to be OK.

On the way out, I asked to speak to the office manager, so I could pass along my compliments re: Ashley. Rather than having me wait for the manager, the receptionist handed me a Kudo Card. I was able to write a quick note to Ashley on their pre-printed "thank you" postcard. The card went to the office manager, then to Ashley. The whole process took about a minute.

It's a great idea. Make it easy for people to give and receive praise. Kudos to that!

Site Seeing: Making Art

People amaze me. There's always a new way to express creativity. Check out Seed Magazine's article on Life Imitating Life.

Then, take a look at Pigeon: Impossible. Fun stuff, with a "Behind the Scenes" report that reminds us of the creativity rule re: cheap, good or fast.

Creativity is wonderful ... unending opportunities to learn.