interview: amanda soule
Amanda Soule, author of the recently published book The Creative Family: How to Encourage Imagination and Nurture Family Connections
The Creative Family: How to Encourage Imagination and Nurture Family Connections
Amanda’s new book is a little about craft and a lot about parenting - this book has made me excited to be a parent again.
Amanda: Oh gosh, that’s just about the best kind of ‘review’ words I could ask for! I do know that it is so easy to get dragged down by the mundane of our days sometimes. Surely it was my hope that this book could be one of those little reminders for us (yes, me too) of how amazing this time with our families can be. So, thank you!
Kath: Amanda you have just finished book no. 2 how exciting - can you tell me what this one is about - is it a follow on or completely different? there is so much more you could have included in this book - so I am really interested to see where you go next.
Amanda: I think readers will find it to be a natural second book, though it is quite different from the first. It’s definitely more of a ‘craft’ book than The Creative Family, which is really a parenting book. The second book is full of craft projects for the family home, all with a focus on re-purposing. There’s some ‘lifestyle’ writing in there, as well as lots and lots of photography. I’m still in the process of working on that book, so it will be released in 2009.
Kath: Your blog has an enormous following these days - congratulations - there is obviously a lot of people out there attracted to your lifestyle choices and really interested in knowing more, and your writing style is so friendly and personal it really does get people interested. Do you find it overwhelming having so many readers commenting on your daily everyday life - on the state of your curtains and your children’s gorgeous creativity? your blog has come a long way since the early days when you started it as a homeschooling (unschooling) document? is that why you started it? and has it ever been a chore to keep it going? I know that you have said it has been an invaluable tool in honing your writing skills - do you ever feel it gets in the way of family life and creativity?
Amanda: Oh, thank you! Yes, it has grown quite a bit. I did start it to keep in touch with people, to record our days, and to have a ‘reason’ to write. It continues to be all of those things, and of course, many more now. In general, the number of readers doesn’t overwhelm me – I’m quite honored that so many people spend a few minutes of their day reading it. I don’t really pay attention to the stats much – none of that has ever had much importance in blogging for me.
Blogging fits rather nicely into my day – the time that it takes has found a place in my day that works – often at night when my babes are sleeping. Sometimes, though, I’ll start a few posts in one sitting, so it’s not even everyday that I’m doing the actual writing. When it begins to feel like a chore or I feel uninspired, then I know it’s time to do something different – a photo project, different kinds of posts, a guest blog, etc.
For me the challenges to blogging are a small few: Negative feedback never feels good, though it has become easier to let go of with time and frequency. And the biggest challenge I feel is wanting to have more time to respond to the lovely emails and comments I get each day. Truly – those words from readers are so meaningful to me, and I always wish I had more time to say ‘thank you’ individually.
Kath: Lets talk about the book. I love that it is really your voice that comes through loud and clear - good honest practical advice. Not preachy or overly sweet - just everyday stuff - you discuss a little about your days being filled with your children’s creativity - can you tell us a little how you structure your days - you homeschool the children - unschooling is that right? do you have a daily structure that you follow or does the day does take its own form?
Amanda: Our days don’t really have a ‘schedule’ per se, but I definitely feel a rhythm to them. I feel my role as ‘guiding’ that rhythm along – with a lot of paying attention along the way to feel out what’s working and what’s not working for us individually as a family at home. Every day starts out with each of us talking about what it is that we want to do most that day, and our day weaves around working together to make that happen. Today, for example, Calvin really wanted to build a new ramp for his bike, Ezra wanted to do a Sound of Music performance, Adelaide said she wanted to paint outside, and I said I really needed to wash all the windows (I know, sometimes it’s not always something very thrilling!). So those four things were our ‘focus’ for the day, with some of the everyday things woven around those – baking, cleaning, reading, writing, drawing, etc. “What” we do changes a lot with the season, and whatever outside activities we may have going on.
Kath: I really love how you talk about ’slowing down’ and observing and nurturing and how it is the process rather than the end result that is important. Can you talk a little about how you have come to this … is the way you are raising your children a lot different than how you were raised? and what led you to your current parenting philosophy?
Amanda: I was raised in a fairly traditional home environment, but I think I always had different ideas about how I wanted to do things. Even before having children, I read lots of books on education and child development – it just really interested me as I was forming ideas about what I wanted for my children. That continued as my children were born – lots of reading and lots of talking to other parents. I took bits and pieces of what I liked from many different philosophies…and then just followed my gut, I suppose, about what felt to be the right thing for my family – and now, for each child individually. It feels a bit like a combination of knowledge and intuition – I’m sure many parents identify with that – both are important in parenting.
Kath: I am really interested in how this book is a little bit about parenting and a little about creativity but mostly it is about how it all comes together - and how much we learn from our children - what are the main lessons do you think you have learnt from your children?
Amanda: Oh, gosh. A lot! Rachael Carson said, “One way to open your eyes is to ask yourself, ‘What if I had never seen this before? What if I knew I would never see it again?” And that – children’s ‘seeing’ of the entire world for the first time is such a lesson for me in looking at things differently.
Kath: There are few projects in the book - not as many as i expected - but i wasn’t disappointed at all - there is so much else in this book and in a way i am glad it is not just another ‘craft’ book but a book about living. can you tell me how you chose the projects you did and which ones you were sad to have left out?
Amanda: One of the first things I said about this book when talking with my editor at Shambhala (who agreed wholeheartedly) was that I really didn’t want it to be ‘another kids craft book’ – there are so many wonderful resources already out there for that. I really wanted to focus on the why and how of creating with children, with some practical applications of that sprinkled throughout.
Craft projects won’t ‘work’, be successful, or even fun for parent and child if they aren’t done in a relaxed way that is supportive of children’s creativity. So, yes, the book does include more about that end of it all.
There were only a few projects that didn’t make it into the final book, and the only ones I was sad about were the pregnancy/birth related crafting projects. Looking at the book in it’s entirety, I don’t think they fit very well after all, but I do think I’ll find the right space for them sometime.
Kath: I love how you say ‘don’t be afraid of mess’ and to just ‘be in the moment’ it is so true that many creative ideas get stifled because we are afraid of the aftermath - can you tell me who cleans up in your house? you don’t talk about discipline in this book - which in a parenting book is very unusual - with your life style and slow pace there is no need to rush and hurry everywhere - which is usually the cause of conflict (in our house anyway) can you tell me what your discipline methods or style are - or aren’t?
Amanda: We all do a bit of the picking up. Of course, the older the children are, the more they’re able to do. Meaning, of course, that those over the age of 30, do a LOT of it. While I may not address ‘discipline’ head-on in this book, I do think our parenting approach comes through. I’m not sure that I’d ever really want to write a discipline book. The way we handle conflict is always evolving – I’ve read a lot of parenting books, I talk about parenting with many friends, and we talk about what we’re doing as a family too. As the children grow and as new challenges come up, the specific ways in which we handle things change – taking the best of what we like from the ‘advice’ out there, and listening to our hearts for most of it. My favorite parenting book is Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting by Jon and Myla Kabat-Zinn. In times of need, I find a lot of comfort in their words.
Kath: How do your children feel about this book and being part of your creative project?
Amanda: It was really such a family effort to get this book (and the second one) out the door, so they’ve been a part of the process in many aspects – from inspiration to photography subjects to editors, in a way. They’re a little young, I think, to really understand what it all means, though they’re the first to jump up and down with me when the book arrived for the first time. Or when we spy it in a bookstore. I do hope that when they’re a bit older this book will be something they’re proud of, and something that will tell them a bit of the tale of these years of our family’s life together. I work really hard at finding the balance between sharing what we do, but not sharing too much of ‘them’ in a way that they might be unhappy with in later years. I suppose time – and they - will be the ones to tell if I’ve been successful at that!
get involved: theres a flickr group
My thoughts on this book: I love this book - if you have children then you need this book. If you only buy one book this year - make it this one.
More: see amanda on this online interview/tutorial about the book and one of the projects in the book - she might be embarrassed by this - I think she was a little nervous. but I thought it was really lovely
Win a copy of this book:
comment here about your own family creativity - comments will close Tuesday … and will be drawn wednesday.
Images: images in this post are from Amanda’s blog. The top image is Amanda’s embroidery, second image some freezer paper stenciling and the third image her children creating at the family table and lastly Amanda herself in the snow wearing her own snow beret.
edited: winner announced - chosen by my random number picker Laura Weber
When I was young, my mother was one of those hands-on get dirty have fun kind of Moms. From gardening to cooking to sewing, we would do everything together. Now that I have a child of my own and a hectic full time working schedule, I find myself drawn to same hands-on approach. My daughter and I sit down to bead, or make an old shoe box into a dog house, or bake, and it gives us time to stop our crazy schedule and enjoy each other - while creating something lasting (or in the case of baking, not so lasting!) together. Thanks, Soulemama for giving us some new creative ideas, and reminding us of what’s important.
Explore posts in the same categories: reviews+literature+media, whiplash
April 19th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
I am mastering the art of embracing art/craft mess.
It’s amazes me how incredibly messy even drawing a picture can be!
I hope Amanda has some craft organising tips in her book, I cant wait to devour this book.
April 19th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
My 8 year old was always consumed by the act of creating, pouncing on ideas, bouncing around with her own - always paints, wool, glue, thread all over the place. My 4 year old has been harder to seduce with the world that I love and relate to … but today as I think of it - we all made creatures out of sticks and leaves… and he was excited about his ‘leafy sea dragon’…
April 19th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Growing up we were always making something - from salt dough ornaments to accessories for our dolls to the big Easter Basket challenge. Amazing what you can do with construction paper, scissors and a staple gun to make an incredible Easter Basket! My 3 year old is fascinated by his crayons, and just now getting into the more tactile clay type things - before this he did not want his hands dirty. Am looking forward to lots of dirty hands projects to come!
April 19th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
I love doing crafts with my granddaughter and niece and nephews. I always am amazed at how they come up with a way to do something different than the way I suggested.
Would love to have this book!
April 19th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Such a sweet interview. I am in love with the photo of the cat’s place setting and that sweet little *hi cat* sign. ~smiles~
April 19th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
I’ve always loved arts-n-crafts, and one of the best parts of parenting has been sharing this love with my kids. They are so unihibited in their creativity that it inspires me.
I read Amanda’s blog regularly, and would LOVE to have a copy of her book!
April 19th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
this book reminds me of the kind of parent that I want to be. I hope that in reading it and implementing some of Amanda’s theories and strategies (we’re already planning an art night party and a banging wall), we can be a more creative and happy family!
April 19th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
I’ve been so excited about this book. I’d love to WIN a copy.
April 19th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
My 2-year old twins are a bit young to really embrace craftiness yet, but I’m trying to condition them by having lots of creative playtime with play-doh, pipecleaners, and crayons.
I haven’t had a chance to read this book yet, and I would LOVE to win a copy of it!
April 19th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Growing up doing something crafty was a “norm”. Then when I married I tried to bring this into my stepchildrens life much to their dismay. It took me a while but I figured out that they equated arts and crafts time with me as the worst punishment they could be given:)
April 19th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
We always make a mess when creating and have a great time too. We did some tissue paper and liquid starch art, one evening, covering a big cardboard box. This lasted for about 2 hours of fun, mess and togetherness.
Cleaning up after a project and making it a quick thing (as in, “we only have 15 minutes to clean up, or the ice cream will melt” (offering a reward or getting verbal praise, helps)) is essential. My kids are 4 and 6 and we can really hustle if we want to make the place look nice for ourselves.
April 19th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Growing up, we always had access to all kinds of craft materials. When my parents first got married, they couldn’t afford many Christmas decorations, so they made their own out of blown eggs and egg cartons. That kind of creativity carried through our family life. We were very into paper folding as kids and once we all spent hours and hours making Moravian stars for our Christmas tree that year. My mom worked at a bead store, and a stained art gallery, so we learned beading/jewelrey making and stained glass making too. My sister and I both worked in art, she in photography and me in drawing and painting and have always had our own and friends art on our walls - my nephew is currently the artist on display in her house, and I can’t wait until my 1 year old daughter is old enough to start really creating things. We’ve already done finger painting and drawing, which I then turn into Valentines, etc. I remember having so much fun doing macrame, sculpting with clay or found objects, making dolls out of flowers, paper mache, and so on. I would love a copy of Amanda’s book - I’ve currently got my library to purchase a copy, and now I’m eargerly awaiting my turn to read it.
April 19th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
I don’t know why I have so much trouble embracing the mess–my house is hardly ever clean. One problem I have with getting my kids involved in creating is that sometimes I am more excited than they are. On the other end of the spectrum, sometimes they don’t know when enough is enough. They want the paints in every bright color, then they want to add sparkles, then beads, then something else pretty. How can you teach them that sometimes keeping it simple turns out better? And the only project that I’ve gotten my soon-to-be 12 year-old invovled in lately was some embroidery. That was a surprise. He running-stitched the fleur-de-lis symbol for the Boy Scouts. I’m sure this book could help me out.
April 19th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
My daughter and I love to do some sort of painting together - now that she’s older we’ll occasionally make a trip to the pottery painting store and make a few pieces.
April 19th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Having a child reconnected me with two of the most important things from my own childhood: the public library, and spontaneous crafting. So I, too,am waiting for my turn to read Amanda’s book to come up at the library, and, messy though it may be, we’ve everything we need on hand to create whateve comes to mind in the course of our day. And I’m so proud, my 5-year old recently tried emboidery without any doubt about her ability to master it. She’s an inspiration.
Ingrid
April 19th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
My daughter is my inspiration. She is almost 11, and is so intuitively artistic! She can find bits and pieces of things, and make something out of them! Her imagination never ceases to amaze me. She has motivated me to get in touch with my own crafty side, and we have done some embroidery together, and I even made a permanent place for my sewing machine so it would be on the ready!
April 20th, 2008 at 12:32 am
I only started doing crafty stuff once I grew up/got married… I find it a bit of a struggle to include my kids in it - don’t like the mess, mostly… I’d love to win a copy of this book, though… maybe get some tips on how to lighten up.
April 20th, 2008 at 2:05 am
I started my kids super early on arts/crafts and now that my oldest is four, I am always looking for new ideas. I am excited about this book.
April 20th, 2008 at 2:05 am
I think one of the best things about creating with children is to let them do it limitless. I put out a variety of crafty stuff for my children to work through and they come up with some of the neatest things. Just last night we had friends over to play and the mother was telling me how it has been months since she has let her children craft, draw or create. She said it was because of the mess that she never initiates it. I take a different approach. We have a craft cabinet with all kinds of little bits to get into and create. My children stay happy for an hour or so being free in their minds. That is the best play in my mind.
Carey
April 20th, 2008 at 3:05 am
My 2 little girls (5&4) are forever asking me to do something with them. Knitting, beading, painting, they draw button fairies all the time! too cute, i would love to get a copy of this book, i would imagine it will be a little while before it reaches the shores of little old New Zealand
April 20th, 2008 at 3:06 am
I struggle a lot with making adequate space for creative work with the kids, and so we are currently remodeling our “junk/guest” room to make way for my stuff, the sewing table, and a table for the kids where they can work on bigger projects and make messes! I always get inspired by Amanda’s blog and hope that this will lead me down a more creative parenting path.
April 20th, 2008 at 3:18 am
My daughters and I try to have an art day once a week. We’ve loved using the book Drawing With Children. I grew up with a mom who handmade so many things and I know I didn’t always appreciate them. Now it has come full circle and I’m doing the same. My girls always ask me to make bags for birthday presents and they chose the fabric and buttons.
April 20th, 2008 at 4:02 am
I am having a great time doing the groundwork in preparation for having a creative family! The most fun has been enacting a kind of “craft by stealth” with my partner. If you had asked him before we met if he had a creative bone in his body, the blank look he’d give you would have been a good precursor to the confident “no!” that would surely follow. However, I know that we all harbour an inner craftisan and so have been slowly introducing him to the fun of creativity. We started conventionally enough with Halloween Jack O’ Lantern creations (which was met with doubt and a bit of grizzling) then there was Christmas Craft (which incurred doubt but also thinly veiled enthusiasm), but once there was the unsolicited suggestion to dye Easter eggs I knew we were up and running towards having a creative family. Now all we need do is create the family…
April 20th, 2008 at 4:36 am
I was defnitely the creative child in the family, and this talent was fostered a lot by my father who is a carpentier. His love of trees and nature led me to spending a lot of time outside, building forts and furnishing them with found objects. As i look back, one of my first major crafting expeditions was building a bookcase for my shelf made entirely out of sticks that were interwoven with twine and rope. It was definitely not the prettiest of things, but i was so happy with it. However what i loved most of all was how proud my parents were and how much they encouraged me to keep on creating.
April 20th, 2008 at 4:48 am
My boys (3 and 5) are learning to sew with some great oversized plastic needles, burlap in fun colors, and embroidery hoops (they feel like they’re “doing what mama does”). They’ve embroidered coasters for family, bean bags for friends and potholders. It’s wonderful!
April 20th, 2008 at 8:03 am
My daughter will be three (already! yikes!) in just a couple of weeks, and she loves to make up stories with my husband and me. These days the stories usually involve pirates or Mrs. Tiggy-winkle (or pirates AND Mrs. Tiggy-winkle–anything can happen in a toddler’s imagination, right?), and it’s such a delight to see my daughter come up with creative new additions to her tales.
April 20th, 2008 at 10:24 am
my son is dyslexic and his art and creativity helps with his confidence. He is very creative and thinks outside the box. My other son is also very creative and I enjoy watching what they come up with!
April 20th, 2008 at 10:44 am
embracing creativity in the daily making of home is where it’s at for our little family right now. the making of meals, cleaning up sticks in the yard after the windstorm, the washing of clothes… creativity is where you least expect it sometimes…
April 20th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Hurray for the freedom to make messes. That’s where the most fun comes out of creativity. I would love this book!
April 20th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
I have had this book saved in my Amazon wish list for a long time - I look forward to seeing it. I have two children, 5 year girl and 2 year old boy, and we are always creating art. I am an artist so we have tons of art supplies around - I am also in grad school to be an Art Therapist so I know how important art is in a child’s life. I grew up in a creative family that was / is very supportive and encouraging. I am very interested to read this book and the ideas about parenting.
April 20th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
I am the creative free spirit in my family, so I guess it makes sense that I choose to unschool my kiddos. Art and creativity play a huge part in our day. Both children love to draw and paint. They put on plays and commercials. I have found that the memories created during these often messy creative moments far outlast the memory of the mess. I look forward to reading Amanda’s book, I am sure it will complement our lifestyle nicely.
April 20th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
I have gotten so much inspiration just from reading Amanda’s blog and devouring all the interviews and reviews about her book… I can’t wait to read the actual book. Just thinking about making creativity an everyday part of my daughter’s life has helped me be patient with her ideas (which are sometimes quite messy).
April 21st, 2008 at 12:10 am
This book looks amazing! I remember reading Amanda’s blog when she was working on this book and it’s great to see the finished product.
I am a new mom with a 9 month old and suddenly I am very interested in all sorts of family craft ideas. I can’t wait to have craft time when my daughter is a bit older. I believe that the time spent together will be the most memorable.
April 21st, 2008 at 1:28 am
We have always valued handmade things in our house and the children expect that gifts will be handmade. In return the children make birthday cards and are starting to make presents for us. This is part of a sunday morning rythm when we check what is needed for the coming week and make it ready. We go through different crafts and at the moment everybody is getting something made out of clay as the children love using it at the moment. They see me making things and see it as the “normal” way to make presents.
April 21st, 2008 at 1:30 am
The greatest joy in life is to see my children excelling in creative pursuits. Creativity genes from my ancestry and my husband’s family converge in the most wonderful ways through my children. My son has been endlessly designing boats since his earliest days of drawing, and my daughter wows everyone with her knitting, sewing, embroidery, drawings and beaded creatures at the 4-H county and state fairs. I love how after I teach my daughter some sort of craft she takes off with gorgeous results. Having creative energy around the house, a painting studio, sewing + drafting room, and art supplies in the kitchen enables our family to have tools available for whenever inspiration strikes. It’s a great way to live.
April 21st, 2008 at 2:33 am
I definitely agree with Amanda’s “Don’t be afraid of a mess.” We love to paint here in our household. If I don’t feel like clearing the dining table, I’ll strip my toddler naked and we’ll paint the bathtub! It’s amazing what kids can create when you present them the opportunity. She also learned that it was fun to paint her own body! After we finished painting, we cleaned the shower walls together (what’s more fun that wiping down walls with dripping wet washcloths?). I highly recommend it!
April 21st, 2008 at 3:21 am
As a child we were discouraged to make messes. I struggle so much now that I am a mother to just let go and let my chidren’s creativity happen. I read Amanda’s blog and this interveiw and I just bawl (granted I’m pregnant with my 3rd child atm and I’m emtional). Besides feeling very lost in my own life right now I fear that my children have really missed out that the technology has taken over our lives (computers, my husband is a comuter tech we’ve always had computers around), the wii, the ps2, the xbox 360 the stupid giant big screen tv that we HAD to have. I just want to throw it all away. My kids are 6 and 3 right now and I feel like I don’t know them at all.
Despite all of that I am a creative person, I am an artist and a writer. It’s something that I don’t really share with my children, I’m hoping that this book will help me find some direction to change my life and my relationship with my children. I realize it’s not going to be like a magic fix but it should be help, a be a step in the right direction.
I look forward to reading your book Amanda (if she’s even reading this!!)
April 21st, 2008 at 3:32 am
My kids and I do something crafty every single day. They have baskets filled with a variety of craft supplies so they can pick what they are in the mood for. We all sit around the table together and create. Occassionally I will find something on the web and set it up for all of us to try. On Sundays, we try to bake something together. I would love this book for more inspiration as a crafter and parent.
April 21st, 2008 at 4:10 am
I have been trying in the last year to be more thoughtful of providing opportunities for my kids to exercise their creativity. I think if you aren’t in the habit of it, it can be hard to see where to begin, but I have to admit that Amanda’s blog was a huge inspiration to me.
Today we are having some kids over to make and decorate cookies - finally all my cookie cutters will get a workout :)
April 21st, 2008 at 7:47 am
My children are much older (15 and 12) so our together craft /hang out time is very different to those with young children. But we still do things together, yet respect each others alone time too. We cook, garden, craft , housekeep together - and although the crafting is more of an individual process now we still help each other out when necessary by giving advice, encouragement and practical help.
As my children grew up, I thought I would mourn the loss of our together time - but in fact I love how it has evolved. Depsite popular misconceptions, teenagers are great really. It is just a different approach!
April 21st, 2008 at 8:45 am
As my children get older it’s increasingly hard to involve them in creative pursuits so finding the right motivation is crucial.
My youngest wanted a new knitted hat for winter so I suggested we dye the wool together and that way he could choose the colours and everything. That was my inspiration to find non toxic dyes and learn how to dye the yarn, resulting in publishing a tutorial on dyeing with food colouring and young children on my blog. My son was so thrilled with the process and the final result that he quite seriously told me he wanted a sheep for his birthday so we can spin the wool too.
(God, what have I started?!)
April 21st, 2008 at 9:27 am
Nice interview! Thanks! I too love the “Hi Cat” photo from Amanda’s blog. I commented to my husband just now that I wonder if our kids will do that someday?! If they are are as cat crazy as us I am sure they will!
April 21st, 2008 at 9:36 am
some of my favorite moments when I was growning up happened at the kitchen table; in the evening after dinner, my siblings and I would sit with my mom and make potato stamps, spoon dolls, and lots of other kitschy kid crafts. I guess those evenings really shaped me, because now I’m an artist who’s really looking forward to having her own creative family!
April 21st, 2008 at 11:38 am
During the toddler and elementary school years, my boys and I were creating art and crafty projects most days. Having wooden floors, or setting up a table outside, helped us avoid being overly concerned about the mess. Now they are 13 and 16 years old, and most of the projects I suggest are not enticing them. With some exceptions - anything with skulls involved is interesting to them, cake or cookie decorating, freezer paper tshirts, shrink art. So we still have fun with it, but not nearly as often.
April 21st, 2008 at 1:32 pm
My children didn’t like glue and paper and the usual crafty stuff, but both loved taking photos. DH takes photos as part of his job, so access to cameras was always encouraged, both have “an eye” and my son 13, shows much promise. DD has developed an interest in thread and fabric, and DS has found his medium in clay. Encouragement was always offered, even when it meant the use of a whole roll of sellotape!
April 21st, 2008 at 4:16 pm
My mum taught me to sew many years ago and now I’m teaching her lots of new craft techniques I’ve picked up along the way. I don’t have kids yet but can’t wait to teach a little the art of creative mess!
April 21st, 2008 at 8:32 pm
I’m just trying to introduce creativity to my own life first by learning to sew. My son is still too young (just 8 months). But when he gets older, I would like to have enough experience to get him involved in all sort of different creative activities.
I would love to have a copy of Amanda’s book as it would really help me to achieve that.
April 21st, 2008 at 10:03 pm
In middle school, when we were reading Great Expectations, my mom and my friend Lucy’s mom encouraged us to make something to go along with the reading. We were both fascinated by Ms. Havisham. We decided to make her decaying wedding cake. Our mothers purchased cake pans and we baked, we iced, and we sprayed the whole thing with watered down food coloring in moldy blues, greens, and grays. We topped the whole thing off with little plastic bugs. Although completely fresh and edible, it looked ancient and scary. And we got to eat it with our class. Our mothers always helped us take our crafts in which ever wicked direction we dreamed up.
April 22nd, 2008 at 12:48 am
I first want to say that was a great interview/ review of Amanda’s wonderful book. I am very inspired by the Soulemama blog, her work is infused with soul.
For me creating is so important and I want my kids to feel the power within themselves as well. I am most at ease creating in the kitchen, sadly this has yet to wear off on my two kids, they will help shape pretzels or rolls but that’s as far as we go. We love to create with wool fleece either soft forms or wet felting is great for the younger ones. My oldest likes making his own cartoons very inspired by calvin and hobbes.
http://www.livingcrafts.com is a great resource for family crafting
April 22nd, 2008 at 12:58 am
I recently had a baby, then stumbled across Amanda’s blog. She has re-inspired my creativity and inspired me to get crafty!
April 22nd, 2008 at 2:07 am
I can’t wait to see this book! It looks beautiful. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with others.
April 22nd, 2008 at 3:09 am
The kids and I spent saturday morning making felt creatures, yes is was messy, but when you’re relaxed about it, it all seems to work out. I love that my kids would rather make a big creative mess at whatever level their at than watch cartoons on Saturday morning.
April 22nd, 2008 at 3:13 am
[...] How to Encourage Imagination and Nurture Family Connections and interview with Amanda Soule at WhipUp. I’ve got this book on my “accidentally put in the cart next time I’m shopping at [...]
April 22nd, 2008 at 5:43 am
This looks like an amazing book. Myself, I don’t mind temporary messes a bit. My mother was very creative so I guess I was raised with glitter permanently stuck to my dining room table :)
April 22nd, 2008 at 12:58 pm
As a child from a large family I tended to lose myself in creating things, even from a very early age. My parents always gave me the freedom to do so, always left me to it, and were always enthusiastic with my results.
As a parent, I encourage my childrens’ creativity in a way that’s not dissimilar. I love to see what inspires them, what they come up with and not get in the way of their own processes. Often what they choose to do or make mirrors the things I do which is only natural, but I believe they are both so intrinsically creative that giving them the space and time to make & imagine is one of the greatest gifts I could give them.
April 22nd, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Oh, my I would have loved blogland when my kiddos were young. I had 5 children in less than 9 years and loved doing artsy projects with them. Here are some of my highlights: boys love making gingerbread houses; the girls started sewing lessons as soon as they could read; boys & girls took kite-making classes (4/5 & 7 grade); pottery classes were a huge success for boys & girls; I owned a scrapbook store for 3 years, so they always had paper/scissors/punches/die-cut machine at their fingertips! Visit art & history museums and study the paintings. Take all available local community art classes at your: museums, art co-ops, summer school programs, scrapbook stores, private teachers, kind neighbors, & SENIORS. Retirees who love kids & art are a wonderful resource…ask around at schools, churches, neighbors & other seniors for referrals! As for messes, my kids had to pick-up or clean-up ten items each…..often that put a huge dent in what I was left with…vinyl covered-flannel backed tablecloths on the kitchen table & floor are a MUST. If you don’t have good furniture, then NO WORRIES & more money for art classes!!….to this day, we do not have good china nor a dining room set & who cares!
Love your kids. Holly
April 22nd, 2008 at 6:55 pm
I just love Soulemama’s blog! I do not have children as of yet but I feel like Amanda is an immense source of creative inspiration with or without children;) My little sister (11) and my niece (7) are coming to visit me this week and I plan on planting sweet peas and tomatoes with them and rummaging through fleamarkets with them to find pretty pillowcases to make shopper bags with. I can’t wait for them to get here:)
All the best,
Christina
April 22nd, 2008 at 8:45 pm
This book - and Amanda’s blog - have gotten me excited about one day being a parent again. I get so bogged down in all of the negative energy out there in the world for little ones that I often question whether I should have children. Seeing how much Amanda enjoys her children - and they enjoy her - it gives me hope that I might bring something into the world and it might be GOOD!
April 22nd, 2008 at 8:48 pm
My one year old daughter is just now getting in to finger painting. Amanda’s blog is inspiring and I can’t wait to try her ideas with my little girl.
April 22nd, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Soulemama always leaves me feeling warm and fuzzy and wanting to give my daughter an extra hug. Thanks Amanda for your thoughts and photos!
April 22nd, 2008 at 8:49 pm
I have been so inspired by Amanda’s blog that it has made me think differently about the little things in life. My girls and I have now made it a point to “tour” our neighborhood each evening after dinner and find things along the way. A rock, leaves, or just our togetherness. Also, family is truely important and it’s amazing the impact of the time we spend with out children that will stay with them forever. I love it when my oldest daughter (who is 8) tells of stories of things that we did together when she was 3 or 4.
Thank you so much Amanda for the inspriation that you have given to not only me, but everyone.
April 22nd, 2008 at 8:57 pm
I just discovered your blog, via a craft newsletter I receive now and again. I am so happy they included your new book in their newsletter!!! I will be a loyal reader from now on! I feel like I ‘came home’. Thanks.
Thank you for offering the rest of the world a glimpse into such a beautiful family life! The fact that you share your gift with so many people is very inspiring. I love the reminders (and I need them often with three kids!) to live in the moment, and to take pride in the process, not the end result. Now if I could only unblock my creativity…..which I know is in there somewhere! You make it look very very easy. And it is, isn’t it?
Thank you for sharing your gift.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:01 pm
I’m tapping into my crafty “soul” ever since I found your blog, Amanda…it’s always been there, just playing second fiddle to my 3 children. Absorbing your inspiring words and photos has reminded me of my own creative childhood and has re-awakened my creative connection to my family…it’s a habit that’s sticking and I THANK YOU.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:06 pm
I have only a few blogs that I check on daily, and Amanda’s is one of them. I have two boys, ages 4 and 7, who both love their TV and video games. When I was their age, I was only allowed 1 hour of TV a day (and we didn’t have video games until I was 10!). My mother believed very strongly that kids need to use their imaginations to create and play. Luckily for my boys, I agree with her, and I have put the same restrictions on my kids. We have family game night, which usually only consists of me and the boys (my hubby is a video game addict!), we have a “craft hour” twice a week where we create something. Sometimes I have something specific planned, but I usually just give them a box of items and we see what we can create out of what’s in the box.
The Creative Family is on my constantly growing list of books that I want, and I cannot wait to be able to read it!
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:08 pm
I have two children ,I feel that making things from hand in any way or medium brings a sense of peace and accomplishment. When I was small, I learned to embroider , crochet and knit from my mom. I hope to teach my children some of what I learned to make memories with them of their childhood well spend creatively. I try not to guide much when my son is engrossed in any of his projects(even though the result is not what we had in mind).
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:10 pm
I so look forward to reading Amanda’s blog each day. Most of my friends work outside the home and have a very different lifestyle and parenting style than we do.
Crafting together is a big part of our day. Messes are a part of that but my kids know that messes are okay. They can always be cleaned up. Cooking with me, playing with play clay and painting are the current favorite indoor activities. Biking, climbing, bubbles, chalk painting and playing in the sand are the current favorite outdoor activities. It’s going to be a fun spring/summer!
Thanks to Kath for the great interview and thanks Amanda for sharing so much of herself with all of us.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:13 pm
I love to create things as a result of other people’s creativity. My daughter (almost 7) is working a lot with water colors right these days. My son (14 months) is really enjoying the fact that I am actually handing him a crayon or piece of chalk now. How truly rewarding to have your own children creating art in their own way and then have them present it to you.
Personally, I am currently working on birthday invitations for my daughter’s upcoming birthday. I thrive on birthday parties and being able to create.
I would love to get my hands on Amanda’s book and create more.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:13 pm
My husband and I both got degrees in art, so I feel an enormous pressure to have a creative and artistically driven child. My son so far enjoys “art time” with Mommy, but I don’t want to put pressure on him! I am amazed when he sees me sew that he desires to try, so I am excited when art happens naturally for him!
I think children see what their parents do and so if he sees us love the arts, he in turn will love them too!
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:15 pm
I am charmed by amanda’s example of nurturing the creative side of herself and her family - lovely interview and blog you have here too!!
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:15 pm
That Amanda is something else…. This book is on my wish list, and while I feel compelled to go to every bookstore in town and tell them to carry this book, maybe I will first start by making sure all of my friends have it on their bookshelf. I love creativity and crafting and often find myself falling asleep at night thinking about fabrics, concocting a new quilt scheme, planning a new project. I have a toddler who is already showing her imagination and I can’t wait to try out some of Soulemama’s ideas with her!
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:21 pm
although my son is only 7 months old I have found a way to add art into our lives so far by painting with his feet and also food painting after he is done eating. I am eagerly awaiting the days when we will be doing more art and crafting inside and outside.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:22 pm
I grew up with my father who’s an architect and my mother who’s a painter. Both are really good in what they do. I had no TV at home, and we were always painting, drawing, sewing, knitting, and playing with crafts all around. My house was always a mess.
Now that I have a daughter, I hold myself from putting everything in order, just to let her create in her everyday life. She loves drawing and glueing things…
Amanda’s blog is a treasure I found just recently.
Thank you for this interview!
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:23 pm
With two kids and the third on the way I’m always looking for fun ideas. We are currently planning to move from a townhouse to a home out in the country and I’m so excited to explore and create outdoors. My children amaze me each day and I love to watch them as they explore and discover bits and pieces of the world around them. It truly opens my eyes to more fully appreciate all the joys of this life.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Ah yes, MESS. From reading some of the other comments it seems to be hot topic. I am striving to be a mom who is comfortable with creative messes and dirty kids, which I am coming to see in my circle of friends is rare! So far I am loving it, the cleaning and all. My husband is harder to convince that making messes is the best ‘good clean fun’ we can have. Amanda’s blog also inspired me to turn off our TV 3 months ago. And while it was tough at the beginning with a 3 year old and 6 month old, it is now just our everyday. I love the quiet, space and time it opened up in our days for creative MESSES! :-) Thank you Amanda for all of the inspiration & ideas & the time you take to share them with us.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Creating and working with my hands has always provided a place of sanctuary and peace for me. I am finding that my five year old daughter turns to drawing and creating for comfort as well. We are in the midst of creating a family art area where each of us can retreat to alone or together. thanks for the insipiration
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:25 pm
I love reading Amanda’s blog… it makes me feel so good to know that I’m part of a generation of mom’s who are rekindling the creative spirit within their families! My home is not fancy, but it’s full of beautiful things my children have created with me - and I think that’s the best “style” for us!
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Our family creative time right now has been focused on imaginative play. It’s hard to tear my kids away from their ongoing doll play. I would love to win this book, I’ve gotten so insiped my Amanda to be playful and open and creative with my kids. Thanks for this interview with her.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Our family creativity is always evolving, and we are always looking for new ways to encourage us from becoming bored or lazy in artistic ways. From the kids preschool I learned to set art supplies out attractively, and now that we homeschool, I try to leave project starters around so that they can be picked up and furthered. Amanda always fills me with ideas and hope for the latent creativity our family must have!
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:38 pm
My children are grown now, but my daughter has a little one and another on the way. I believe this book would be a wonderful addition to her family activities - and we both love the soulemama blog!
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:39 pm
I am so excited about this book, having watched the process as (mostly) a lurker on Amanda’s blog. I’ve yet to get a copy (and my daughter and I love creative projects), so I’m crossing my fingers to be the random winner. :-)
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:40 pm
One of the hardest things I had to learn when crafting with my kids, is that it is their project not mine. At first I would be cringing when they added a little detail that was in the wrong spot. Now I’ve realized that the eyes don’t have to be glued to the head…in fact they look better on the belly.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:40 pm
I feel like Amanda’s blog has helped me slow down with my kids. You’re so right about most of the conflict arising from hurrying! We have always enjoyed working on projects together, but lately we are really focusing on the process and not the product.
Thanks for the interview-
Merrill
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:41 pm
My son is “developmentally delayed” and I’m always trying to find something crafty that he is able to do. He loves to PUSH things, so stickers and pictures that have past on them are perfect! We are just now getting into rubber stamping because he can push on those. Messy but fun!
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:43 pm
My kids have never embraced creatiivity without a lot of “creative persuasion” from me. I fret, daily, that the majority of their genes come from their Kiwi/rugbywatching/competitiveve sport-dominated paternal side. I have read small excerpts of the book online and think it would help me a lot to read the whole book. I found the bits I’ve read so far to be very insporing and encouraging.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Amanda has inspired me to start a blog and to encourage every whim of my two boys when it comes to creativity. Our little one is already painting at pne and a half years, something I reserved till our first born was four. The clean up isn’t fun, but it can always wait. Thanks for reaffirming creativity in kids and in me.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:43 pm
I love reading Soulemama’s blog in the morning. It inspires me for the day to come. I have three little ones. The older one is 6 and is constantly making things. He makes puppets, monsters, toys etc. My two little ones are 4. They are both autistic. They love to paint, on paper and on themselves. I have definitely learned that the mess just comes with letting my kids express their creativity.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:44 pm
It was so nice to read the interview with Amanda. I read Soulemama every day! My son is only 14 months old, so a lot of “projects” are beyond him right now, but I try to remember to make time to just act silly and listen to music and let him play with his food and toys without worrying about the giant mess. (That’s hard!)
Amy
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:45 pm
I have to boys who turn things into Art all the time. I am going down to the bookstore this morning to look for this book. Maybe it will encourage me to encourage them.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:50 pm
at 1 and 2 1/2 my children are just starting out in all of thier creative endevors. At the moment our favorite things to do are make cupcakes: the older one helping with the actual cracking of eggs and measuring and pouring and the younger having the time of his life with a bowl of flour and a wooden spoon.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:53 pm
In our house we live by the mess rule! I don’t understand how you can let your children be creative if you are tidying up after them all the time. I never push my children to be creative, but if they show an interest then they join in with what I am doing. I also stand back and let them do their own thing and to find their own interests and creativity. I love the way the internet gives so many ideas of things to do with children - Amanda’s blog is one of these. Sometimes I worry though that at parents evening I am more concerned about the art and music report, than I am about the maths and english!
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:53 pm
My kids are so creative, at 2 and 5. My problem is slowing down enough to be able to be creative with them. It’s not something that comes naturally to me.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:54 pm
I love crafting with my little one. Still really struggling sometimes with the mess and really being in the moment. I can’t wait to get this book since I just love reading the soulemama blog–so inspiring.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Honestly, my family and I have been in a creative slump.
We have had a rough couple of years dealing with a few horrible
situations and our creativity was brought to a crashing halt.
We were always crafting and creating so not only has it been a rough
couple of years but we have been without our creative outlet as well.
We will be reunited this summer after a year apart and we are looking
forward to being together.
When I asked my seven year old what they would
like us to do together, the first thing that came to mind for them…
MAKE ART AND BE A FAMILY!
Make art and be a family we will!
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:00 pm
One of our favorite ways to be creative is playing! We do lots of dressing up, imaginitve play, building with legos and blocks. It is just fabulous!!!
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:01 pm
My brother and I had older parents, which meant that they didn’t know to be “afraid” of things, and also meant that they believed in our independence from them, so we had a lot of freedom in our creativity. If we wanted to build something, we got out a hammer and nails and built it! If we wanted to paint, we covered the kitchen table in newspaper and painted They were there to guide, assist, and answer questions, and they certainly taught us plenty, but we explored a LOT, and I think turned out better for it. I’m determined that my children will have this same experience, down to the real hammer and real nails. :)
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:05 pm
I dont yet have children, but an extended family through my friend’s children. I’m the “crafty aunt” and love to get creative and create a mess with the little ones in my life. Amanda’s blog has inspired me for almost two years now. Thanks Amanda!
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Lovely interview — I can’t wait to read the book!
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:09 pm
Something I enjoy is that my kids like to color pictures in my journal. It adds a certain special feel to the pages as I look back over them later.
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:09 pm
When I was little the best thing we used to do was dress up and play pretend with my younger brother, we were often some type of superhero. And of course, homemade playdo is always a winner.
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:10 pm
Well I tell ya, the children and I are busy being crafty with spring flowers and plants. Making food with the edibles, and sometimes stalks and things become new creations as inspired in the moment.
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:11 pm
I have just recently discovered Amanda’s blog and am there every day now checking in to see what she has been up to with her family. I am truly inspired. My son and I are always creating something together from painting pictures to making birthday cards for the whole family. I would love to own her book. Some day I will! I truly believe that spending creative time with your children is a major part of parenting. Thanks for the inspiration.
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:12 pm
My daughter is 6 and I only wish I’d had your book sooner!
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:13 pm
A great interview to read! For me, as a mom of 5, the best thing I have learned is to “re-embrace” the little things. Things that have lost their sense of newness to me, things that seem basic or pared down can be enthralling to my kids, and in turn, to me again. I mean, seriously, I had forgotten how fun it can be to reach into a huge bowl filled with dried lentils we are using for art, and just squish my hands around in it! Or spray the hose up into the air on a sunny day and watch the rainbows. All great stuff to embrace.
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:20 pm
I grew up in a home where scissors, tape and paper were never to be found when needed. It’s silly, I suppose, but this is one of the main parenting promises that I made to myself—that my kids would always have access to plenty of paper, tape, scissors, markers and paint. And they do.
One of my favorite times as a parent is when I find my children busy with these supplies. It never matters what they are making, or that they are, indeed, making a mess. What makes me smile is that they are comfortable just sitting down and going at it, that I have helped them to become comfortable with creating. What a gift!
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:22 pm
I love that my children are bringing out a more creative, imaginative side of me, it’s like a second-childhood for me in a way…I love being inspired by artistic people like Amanda. Thank goodness for the blogging world, it’s really changing my life bit by bit.
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:25 pm
In about 10 seconds I’m going to make sock puppets with my girls (”MOM, get off the computer!!”) At 8 and 4 they can make up stories for hours with all sorts of puppets they have made themselves.
Amanda - congratulations on the book and thank you for the years of inspiration (I love your blog in the morning with my tea).
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:27 pm
A friend asked me how I teach Art to my child. Both of us have one child, homeschooled. At first I thought I had no answer… that I am not very artistic myself (as she was saying about herself). But then I started and kept going on and on with more and more input about where I get ideas, what kind of things I suggested for her to try etc…. and I realized that although I am not artisitic, I am creative and crafty. So I can’t draw, paint or sculpt very well. I can do so many other ARTISTIC things that I need to stop say “no, I am not an artisit”. I have been reading about this book for a few weeks now and hoping that my library would be purchasing it so I could borrow it soon, and planning to put it on my Christmas list. Amanda is inspiring in so many ways.
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:29 pm
My kids are such an inspiration. They have very few limits and while sometimes the ideas are a bit too grand, it keeps me going out on a limb a bit more. Just last week they brought me a cardboard box and asked if we could make a puppet theater with a curtain. they had picked out fabric, paper and back drops……it took us a few hours to work on, but it turned out great and they have been creating little “plays” ever since. So fun!!
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:34 pm
I am so delighted to have stumbled on Amanda’s blog (I can’t even remember how…I think a divine little internet elf led me there), and I am eager to read her book! Thanks for your generosity, Amanda, in sharing your thoughts and ideas with us through your book. Thanks for featuring her here! I am definitely going to spread the word about The Creative Family!
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:36 pm
I adore anything crafty … creating something of beauty where before there was none. Organizing cupboards & drawers by colours and categories. Taking a found object and reworking it into something fresh and new.
My daughter has Amanda’s book and I have enjoyed looking through it each time I visit her … would love my own copy.
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Our family loves to create together. We will make anything that requires making: a book cover for an ugly book, a book case to hold a set of special books, a drawing to cheer each other up and other basic crafts with yarn, fabric, wood and paint! We love it all!
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:48 pm
When I was young, my mother was one of those hands-on get dirty have fun kind of Moms. From gardening to cooking to sewing, we would do everything together. Now that I have a child of my own and a hectic full time working schedule, I find myself drawn to same hands-on approach. My daughter and I sit down to bead, or make an old shoe box into a dog house, or bake, and it gives us time to stop our crazy schedule and enjoy each other - while creating something lasting (or in the case of baking, not so lasting!) together. Thanks, Soulemama for giving us some new creative ideas, and reminding us of what’s important.
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:50 pm
Well, “family creativity” for me means just me–I don’t have kids, unless you count my four dogs (and their idea of creativity involves figuring out how best to view squirrels out the window). Even so, I visit Amanda’s website regularly, and I’m often inspired by what she and her kids think up.
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:52 pm
We just recently set up an “art corner”, with a child sized table and chairs. I love how one of my kids will just go over there and start creating without any push from me. :0)
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:59 pm
My daughters and I draw and paint together every day and have for years, even though they are only 2 and 5. It’s good for my creativity, too, to be working alongside them on my own creative endeavors. Now my older daughter is sewing and embroidering with me and even helped me with my latest quilt! Creating with each other is central to our lives. I’m glad Amanda’s book is bringing that idea to a wider audience.
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:00 pm
Checking Amanda’s blog has become nearly as habitual as checking my email! I absolutely can’t wait to devour this book and start some new projects and rituals with my three kids.
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:02 pm
my babe is twelve weeks old today and i so look forward to watching her growing creative self claim its space in our home. my boyfriend is an artist and an amazing cook, i am learning how to sew, i make collages, i write and i love to bake. already, she is teaching me to stop, notice, appreciate, breathe. and i read amanda’s blog for inspirational reminders and, honestly, just for the plain joy of her beautiful life.
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:04 pm
Getting over the messy aftermath has been so rewarding! It was such an obstacle to enjoying creative time with my girls (1 1/2 and 3), and now I can really enter into the fun and watch their young minds work. I think the main thing that helped me get over it was remembering that they aren’t little forever–it’s already speeding by so fast–and that if I worry about messes I’ll miss the best part. Amanda Soule’s blog was the main push behind this realization, and I am so grateful to have come across it!!
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:04 pm
Inspired. This is a whole new world for me…one that I kinda knew about, but was unsure of how. After reading this - I can see that I just need to DIVE IN — How fun! Thank you.
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:06 pm
My 7 and 5 year olds and I buy tubes of professionally made marzipan and dye them and roll them into fruit or vegetable shapes. We originally saw this on Martha Stewart. The great thing about it is that for clean-up, you just eat it!
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Turn off the television!
I see what a differnence that makes for my three little girls and me. I get started on a project and invariably, they are right next to me whipping up their own creation. We center much of what we make around what we do- sewed pillowcases to match new slepping bags for a family camping trip, made a scarecrow for the garden, things in preparation for our travels and LOTS of creations for the 15 elderly neighbors on our street.
Looking for more great ideas and excited to spread the word. What a great Mother’s Day gift Amanda’s book would be.
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:16 pm
I love reading the interviews and articles on this site - they always inspire me to get crafty!
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:17 pm
My kids are 5 and 6 years old and we all love to craft. We always are looking for new and exciting things to do. I am afraid many of my ideas are quite stale now, and I would love to read your book to bring more energy to our craft times. I enjoy the Soulemama blog so much, I am sure I would love this book too.
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:18 pm
I’ll be having my first baby soon and right now my creativity consists of working on things for him/her - knitted garments, a quilt - and of looking for a new house to welcome it in! I would love to be able to be a stay at home mom like Amanda, but since that’s not possible, I will strive to be as present for my child as possible when I’m there, and hope to share many many hours of creative play with it in the future!
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:25 pm
I must say that I came across Soule Mama by accident. I was actually visiting another blog that talked about her new book coming out. I have been rather enamored with the blog and the pics and it has really come at a time when I have been feeling a strong need for some type of change in our own home. My heart feels very strongly about living simply and taking time with my kids, but I often am sad at the end of the day as I feel we just didn’t connect the way I yearn for. The only crafting influence I had in my youth was my grandmother. She was a seamstress and taught me to sew. I lost the desire to be creative until I had children and then I began sewing again. Sewing led to the desire to do so much more and then I realized that I am not very creative enough to initiate crafts on my own. This has been a true stumbling block for me as I crave unique ideas and bonding experiences for my children. I’m very excited about reading Amanda’s book and have already started some embroidery with my children. Thank you for sharing your life! I’m hoping to start my own blog to remember all of the tiny blessings of every day that get lost.
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:27 pm
My sister send her kids to my house to make messes :-) . They know that I make a lot of stuff and have great “supplies” for them to have at.
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Really what I love the most about being a crafter with my family is challenging myself to let go of all my “up-tightness” and let myself and my daughter just make stuff. I tend to labor over how to do things right and whether to use my favorite fabric/paper/stickers/yarn for this or that. Reading Amanda’s blog has taught me a lot about allowing the process to take place naturally and letting go of control.
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:35 pm
I have always loved creating things…and since I have had two children I work on letting them help create things too.. My son loves to pick fabrics out for his pjs and I let him help sew on them too…they’re not perfect but he loves the pjs because he help make them. I have a baby girl now and I love making little dresses for her. She loves to be in the craft room playing with all the fabric and fun stuff all over the floor!
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:38 pm
I think creativity blossoms with ones surroundings and children are so imitative that they naturally want to be involved in whatever you are doing whether it is sewing or cleaning or cooking. I love just sitting back too and watching my children in their own world of make believe. The conversations they have with each other when they don’t know you are listening are priceless. For Earth Day we planted trees and the daily watering and care of the trees as made the initial planting activity live on much longer. I love having them fill up their water pails at one end of the playground and let them carry the water across the yard to the patch of trees. Other creative things we love to do is baking bread, family drawing time, playing with a few drops of food coloring in the bathtub, fort building and telling each other stories.
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:39 pm
My son is special needs and we don’t do so much creative projects together as he’s limited to what he can do, however we live in front of the library and it is almost our second home. He’s just started an interest in books. His favorite story right now is Goldilocks and the three bears. Too cute how he likes to retell the story to me.
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:43 pm
I work in a library and we are anxious to include Amanda’s book in our collection. What a resource!
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:44 pm
I have two little boys, 6 and 1, and they love making things especially if they can be messy while doing it! We just finished reading about volcanoes and make one with plaster and repetedly watched it errupt. My oldest loves making up his own stories and telling them to us. instead of listening to the radio in the car we take turns making up parts of a story. They’re so amazing and always keep me guessing as to what they’ll do next!
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:45 pm
I have been learning to knit, and teaching my four-year old how to finger crochet, so we can play with yarn together. I love finding ways to do a craft that isn’t boring for me or too challenging for the little ones.
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:48 pm
I am so inspired by Amanda and her approach to parenting/crafting with children. My son is only 2 1/2 but through reading Amanda’s blog I have realized that it’s never too early to start crafting with children. We made his valentine cards for his friends when he was just 17 months old and this past Christmas when he “needed” more shepherds for his store-bought nativity scene that he received as a gift, we wen to the craft store and came home with wooden figures, pipe cleaners and material from the scrap bin and made a whole community of shepherds! I love learning from Amanda how to encourage creativity and learning through everyday moments. I loved this interview - it answered a lot of questions I myself have had about Amanda, her book and her style of household management.
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:56 pm
Crafting and children are two things very near to my heart. My husband and I will be starting a family very soon and are so anxious to see what little masterpieces are invented by tiny hands.
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:57 pm
I try and incorporate creativity into every day. I want her to experience life and try to make even the simplest activities not seem mundane. We talk about everything we do and try and think of better ways to do them. I make her a part of chores and focus on different things each time. When we are cooking she helps me measure and talk about textures, colors and shapes.
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:57 pm
My Mimie was so creative when we were little. She gave each granchild the chance to explore her art and choose her own path. She always told us that before we started to stop, concentrate, and let our minds travel the tunnel from the left side to the right. Then, we were in the mindset to be creative. It works for my cousin and me to this day. We all chose our own ways: Elizabeth was sewing, crochet and knitting, my sister took up drawing, and I took up paper arts and sewing. It was such a huge part of me that I wanted my children to have the same amazing experiences that were place in my lap. So, every day since Lex was a few months old, we’d play. In water, with bubbles, sand, finger paints, homeade palydoh, you name it. We’d do crafts or art every day. Now that I have to work a little while, our weekends are so creative. He sits on the other side of my desk in his big boy chair and paints, colors, glues buttons to cardstock, and sometimes just watches me do my thing. It’s such a beautiful way to spend time with family, and I get to share my family legacy and pass it forward.
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:01 am
I am getting so much inspiration from the blogosphere about being creative with your family. It’s an internal struggle having our house turned upside down into forts, caves, tombs, etc. and fingerpaint on the cupboards, but it’s so much fun!! I love the ideas!
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:01 am
We have been starting a crafty group with some of little ones, we’re having so much fun. I can’t wait to see this book! It looks beautiful.
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:03 am
After looking at her photos Amanda has inspired me to learn how to sew. For the past month I have been making bags, wall hangings, and I just completed a little girl’s dress, which I have to be honest, is pretty bad. But it’s a start. I feel lucky because my own upbringing was in a very similar style, but I guess I have just grown lazy with my own children. It takes work! Thanks for all the inspirations and ideas.
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:04 am
My daughter is 18 months and she’s teaching me creativity all over again. I’m trying hard not to worry about messes and doing it “wrong”…just live in the moment and think about cleaning up later..
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:06 am
What a fine interview!
I am so pleased that my daughter is getting to an age where she can focus for longer than 2 seconds, we are spending time drawing now mostly, she doesn’t quite ‘get’ paints yet. I’m really excited about the future of crafting with her. Learning to embrace the mess has been big for me, barely keeping up with the chores as it was… well you mamas know.
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:07 am
I apire to do more crafts with the kiddies 4 and 2 years. Mainly its play doh, coloring in, and painting if the house is already a mess. One thing I have learnt is that its about the kids art and expressing, I had to give up on my concept of end product after a few times where the kids lost interest and I was sitting doing some craft……. I have to learn to let go…….I need this book:)
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:09 am
we are just starting down the road to creativity as new parents but now at one i find i can let the twins explore their environment. i figure letting a few leaves and branches slip through those sharp teeth is not the worst thing and i am pretty versed on what can and cannot go into babies mouths plant wise. i want them to be as enamoured of the outside world as we are. the way they handle rocks and twigs is both fascinating and a reminder to get out of the house and play in the nature we have left.
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:10 am
if your kids like dinosaurs, this is a pretty fun activity and it can take as long as you want it to. what you do is get a clear container or bowl fill it most of the way up with water and drop some blue food coloring until you get your desired water color. then get a little toy dinosuar that will fit in the container and drop it in, or use a couple smaller dinos. then freeze it overnight and the next day set up your kids (outside is best) with a cup of warm water (we use hottub water) and an eye dropper and have them take turns dropping the water onto the ice. when we do this it can take them 2 hours but they love it. after they almost get the dino out, they go and put it in the hottub and think it’s the funniest thing.
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:14 am
I can’t wait to get my hands on this book. I am one of the many, many people who have been inspired by Amanda.
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:14 am
My sons have inspired much of my creativity in recent years, and we often work together. My 4-year-old is always asking for elaborate outfits — he thinks I can sew anything. (His confidence is flattering.) He often invites me to linger at preschool so we can explore the day’s art materials together, and has surprised me by reprising at home themes and techniques he spies on visits to the modern art museum. My younger one has only just discovered crayons. I’m going soon on a weekend holiday by myself to refuel, recharge and breathe, and this will be the book in my carry-on bag.
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:16 am
Our family has always done creative things but since following Amanda’s blog and purchasing her book, we are definitely experimenting in areas that we never did before…sewing, knitting, cooking together, photography, creating our own books, collecting natural materials, finding new uses for discarded materials. There are baskets everywhere around the house with different projects we are working on. She has definitely inspired us to make positive changes in our lives, savouring time together, and finding a new appreciation for the world and community we live in.
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:17 am
I haven’t started a family of my own yet, but i have memories and inspiration to draw on from when I was a little girl. My mother taught me to cross stitch when I was 7 or 8, and we spent hours doing silhouettes and paper cutting. Then there were all the Girl Scout crafts and activities. But more than anything, my mom inspired a vivid imagination - a world where Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny were VERY real, where dolls could come to life, and where magical creatures lurked in backyard bushes. I can hardly wait to bring my own little ones into the world - crafting and creativity will be a big part of my parenting!
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:20 am
I love Soule Mama; it’s great to hear more of her.
We encourage creativity by turning off the tv. Our daughter can watch cartoons on Saturday morning, but that’s it.
We play together - dolls, stuffed animals… We tell stories and leave out crumbs for our house-brownie (fairy).
And art projects and inventions are a must.
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:21 am
my mom was really supportive of my and my sister’s creativity in a very natural and easy way. it was a lot about having things about that we could use and giving us the time to make and explore. i hope i will be able to continue that with my daughter as well, when she arrives.
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:21 am
I have 2 little girls and another one on the way. I am amazed how much my little bits of creativity rub off on my kids. I love to sew and really enjoy fabrics. The other day I caught my daughter stroking the textiles in the store. It was such a sweet thing to see. I am attempting to allow my children to explore with their creativity. I look forward to reading Amanda’s book!
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:23 am
Thanks-so-much-for-this-interview!I-think-it-was-the-best-one-that-
I’ve-read-with-Amanda-so-far!I-really-appreciated-the-questions-about-
homeschooling/unschooling-since-that’s-the-direction(unschooling,that-is)our-family
seems-to-be-headed.
Great-job!
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:24 am
Great interview! I love the blog and would love to read the book. I like how many of Amanda’s suggestions also don’t involve spending a lot of money (as we don’t have a ton of resources:)!) I have a 15 month old and have been having fun with “recycled” crafts: using cardboard boxes to make houses and trains, making home made playdough for sensory experiences, using pots and yogurt containers for drums… There’s a lot you can do it you look around the house and try to get creative with it!