New watercolor pad I created myself.

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When something doesn’t work, get creative.

My watercolor pads were such a project. I needed to get creative because they weren’t working the way they should. Here was the problem.

I had this huge watercolor pad I’ve had for years. Not huge in the sense of number of pages but the actual size of the the pad was large, maybe 30″ x 40″. It was also very heavy, so I had a tendency to not use it because it was awkward to move and I didn’t have a space to leave it out. So what does one do? Oh, and I bought it many years ago and it’s been sitting under the bed for years.

The biggest problem

But the biggest problem was how they were bound. I wanted the pages to flip over and lay flat. When I was at UPS to return something and asked what they could do if I cut the pad down. They showed me various bindings. So I went home and started to cut down the pages with a box cutter. I cut various sizes. Then I decided they needed to be prettier. I found this wallpaper at an Amazon outlet store we have here. Do you have one?

They are popping up around here. Everything is in big crates and you have to dig through them. I’ve found some great deals. The crates are are refilled Friday and Saturdays and the price goes down each day, from a beginning of ten, down to twenty-five cents by Thursday afternoon. Of course, there isn’t much left by then. Anyway, I found this huge roll of strippable wallpaper on a $2.00 day and used that on a top sheet as a cover.

Spiral-bound notebook with a floral cover design featuring watercolor illustrations of roses and green leaves/creativity
Notebook with a floral watercolor design featuring a variety of flowers and leaves, resting on a white surface.

Here you can see how thick the smaller one is. Also, if you notice, UPS also put a plastic cover on top.They are so much easier to transport and use now. Plus, they’re pretty. I’m a sucker for pretty

Stack of papers with visible floral and fruit watercolor designs resting on a white surface/creativity.

Another creative project

One creative project inspires another. I was bored because I was recovering from foot surgery and so I add to do something. Seeing as I always have blank paper pads laying around so I found one of those cheap composition books you can get anywhere. I decided it was too plain. Here I”ll show you what I did.

Two jars of Waverly Inspirations chalk paint in the colors 'Moss' and 'Plaster' on a marbled background.
An abstract painting with textured brush strokes in shades of white and green resting on a white plastic bag with blue text on a concrete surface.
Textured painting showcasing a silver-green foliage motif with raised leaf elements on a gray background streaked with white and splashes of red. The left border of the image has a pattern with gold and teal designs.
Decorated notebook
Alt text: A textured painting depicting green leaves with splatters of red paint, on a white background showing visible brushstrokes.
A close-up of a textured, abstract painting with broad brushstrokes in shades of gray, green, and splatters of orange on a wooden surface.
Journal with a floral design on a faux-wood background lying on a linen-textured surface. The spine of the journal features a green ornate pattern.

That was just too much fun, huh. Waverly chalk paints are great. I get mine at Walmart. The foam stamps were from the Dollar Tree.

Creativity opens our minds.

There is no question that creativity in one area prompts creativity in another. I’ve always found this to be true. When I get started in one area, I almost can’t stop myself. Yesterday, I started working on my deck. I would love to replace it but that’s out of the question. Refinishing it would also be expensive.

Years ago my husband and I built a Pergola on our deck. I’ve always decorated the space in bright colors as seen here.

Building a pergola
BUILDING THE PERGOLA
pergola
pergola

But this year I wanted something neutral. And I hate the lattice work. My friends suggested I “whitewash” it.

Outdoor patio area with a striped beige and white couch, decorative pillows, and a lattice backdrop under a shelter with hanging plant decorations and a lamp.

That actually was kind of working but the thought of doing this to the whole deck was way too much like work. So-o-o-, I thought of something else. Hope to show you soon. By the way, don’t ever stain your deck red!

Anyway, have you started your spring projects yet? Remember, get creative but don’t get too creative like white washing a deck.

God bless and have a great day.