Life is busy! No matter what season of life we find ourselves in, we can guarantee that there are lots of things vying for our time and attention.
A few years ago, my husband realized that while I did the things that were on my plate, I did them with more joy when I had time to go into my making room.
Do you have a making room? Since our move, my making room has been reduced to shared space in the laundry room but your making room may not be a room at all but a space and that is all that is needed to let your creative juices flow.
When I think of creating, I am often reminded of Proverbs 31:13…
“She looks for wool and flax and works with her hands in delight.” (NASB)
Creating involves using our hands and we can do it with delight. I know, I just said that life was busy and now I want you to find more time. Trust me, there are many ways that we can create and not all of them take a lot of time.
The key is finding what works for you and what brings about delight in your heart. How can you take time to create?
COOKING/BAKING
Breakfast, lunch and dinner meals are served in all of our homes. Between television, cookbooks, and the internet you can plan your menu for a week or a month. How about taking time to try something different?
Cook a recipe that you have never made before, try a new ingredient/technique, make bread from scratch – the possibilities are endless.
If you don’t feel confident in your cooking skills, join an online cooking group. Each month the group works through a recipe and shares the results. Gather some girlfriends and form your own gourmet cooking club where you get together to cook and share techniques.
You will have created something tasty and you and your family will enjoy it.
SEWING
If you are like me, you didn’t take sewing in home economics class. Don’t let that deter you. Sewing classes are offered at most local craft stores and sewing stores and there are tons of resources on the internet via YouTube, blogs, and more.
Start easy with a pillow (can be hand sewn), move to a blanket, and as your skills develop so will the possibilities. Don’t limit yourself to the fabric in the stores, scour thrift stores for fabric – curtains, tablecloths, sheets, pillowcases can all be turned into great items.
Hand sewn gifts make great presents at Christmas, baby showers and birthdays. People appreciate that they are receiving something that is unique and that you took the time to make it for them. Moms – teach your children to sew. Yes, I said children…my dad sews better than my mom (just don’t tell my mom).
KNITTING/CROCHET
Who doesn’t like to snuggle up in a blanket? Many of us have blankets that our grandmothers or aunts made for us when we were little. It is never too late to learn how to knit or crochet.
Once again, the internet is full of great sites like Ravelry and YouTube videos that will aide each of us in this process.
Start small with dishcloths (bundled together make great gifts) and then branch out to a scarf and make your way to a blanket. It’s relaxing and it produces a warm finished product.
Like our Proverbs 31 sister, some may be able to take the works of their hands and sell them for profit. What a blessing that is for husbands and households.
KEYS TO REMEMBER
- Your first attempt may not be good, try and try again. By the way, your second may not either but keep at it.
- Don’t neglect your local library – we take our kids to the library for their book needs, don’t forget your own. There are books on all of the above and more that you can check-out. You may discover you like painting, photography, or to make jewelry, soap, candles, scrapbook layouts, silk flower arrangements, etc.
- Balance – just as all work is no fun, all play can lead to trouble.
- Listen to the creative stirrings inside you!
- Creating can be an act of worship that reconnects us to the heart of the Creator.
What’s one way you like to create?
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It appears that I am the first one to post a comment. So I am going to pray for two things. The first thing I am going to pray for is for this site to reach as many women possible. Every day I am inspired to be a better person, a better mother, and a better me.
My second prayer is for myself. I pray every day to become more patient. In the fast paced world my family lives in, it is difficult to remain calm and patient all the time. I work on it every day and pray that someday it will come easily.
OPPS. Looks like I commented in the wrong place!
I recently gave up paper crafting at the Lord’s leading. I have decided to take up sewing and knitting or crocheting.
My making room is my scrapping room, and it definitely settles me and reconnects me! Even if I only spend a moment in there on my way to stir dinner or get the laundry, it gives me peace. Thank you for sharing your words that ring so true!
I like to cook and bake, when I can clean as I go along, but I’m not very *crafty*.
I would say my “making” is my writing and my husband made me a great *making* room last year by turning a guest bedroom into an office with a fresh coat of paint, a new desk and new computer. The thing is, I often don’t give myself permission to indulge in writing, even though I know I am much more balanced when I take time to write.
Thanks for this perspective. “Creating can be an act of worship that reconnects us to the heart of the Creator.” Such a good reminder!
This is so me. I handle all my responsibilities better if I can just get some time to play in the sewing room or with my clay. Clears out my head and gives me peace.
I have to agree with Mary. I enjoy cooking and baking. I so wish I was crafty.
Nancy
I like to be creative with pictures I take in a photo-editing software program.
I “found” knitting last year and have rediscovered crocheting and embroidery and a little sewing. I find creating is good soul food and giving them as special little gifts warms my heart and theirs. I scrapbooked for years and have just recently moved to digital scrapbooking (with a fourth child coming, I just could not keep up).
Cooking too, is so fun, especially baking.
I too delight in working with my hands and love the little oohs and ahs from my children. \
Thanks for this reminder…our creator made us in His image and creating is in our soul.
We were fashioned and shaped by a creative God! I’d imagine that He enjoyed the whole creative design process as He brought the world and us into being …
I think He takes joy when we re-create, have fun, unwind, try something new, and laugh as we explore this often neglected area of our lives.
Many of the women I talk with have no idea how to “play.” Perhaps He’s calling us to be like children – in our personal lives as well as our spiritual lives …
I love the idea of a making room! We are getting ready to move to a smaller home but I will be sure to carve myself a place for being creative! Great post!
I’m gonna have to find a making room! If only my talent was organizing and cleaning, I’m sure I could make one out of the basement down stairs!!
And I love to bake and cook, too. It gives a nice feeling of immediate satisfaction, for sure!!
Great idea – a Making Room! I have always enjoyed knitting and recently learned 2 creative skills – making Iris Folded cards and Tatting. Like Kiva, making something gives a boost.
However, similar to Mary, I am not able to do any of that for a season of time (injury). Please that I see/hear/understand what God is trying to teach me during this time of recovery.
Thank you for your article Kiva. It stirred and awaken something in me that I have been neglecting for so long. This blessed me so much.
We create such busy lives for ourselves that we find ourselves getting away from the things that really matter to us the most.
I have to set up me a making room.
I love my “making room” filled with fabric and books to inspire. It’s my favorite place to be other than the kitchen where yummy inspirations are created.