This week we get to find creative inspiration in the VERY creative chick, Carrie Lundell. And today I want to especially wish her a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, since her birthday was yesterday (too bad it wasn’t on a wednesday this year, huh? lol.). Oh my goodness, this girl is SO creative! I recently had the privilege of designing her blog, ThisMamaMakesStuff.com. She was completely delightful to work with. My children have LOVED her This is Me Journals (will be writing more about that later in another post, though, since they are just too dang fabulous to squeeze in here today).
A little about Carrie:
Before the minivan, Carrie Lundell designed little girls clothing for a little company that rhymes with “Cold Gravy” in NYC. Now, instead of working at a creative job, she lives a creative life with her husband and three kids in Orange County, California and records it all at her blog, This Mama Makes Stuff. When she’s not at the sewing machine, you can find her mountain biking, thrift shopping, advocating for public school, and promoting her first publication: This is Me – a kid’s first keepsake journal. Find Carrie on Twitter @thisiscarrie..
1. Why is creativity important to you?
It is part of who I am and comes from such a deep place in my soul, I can’t deny it a masthead position in my life.
2. What do you enjoy creating the most?
I love creating beautiful clothing out of things other people have discarded. And dreaming of the potential of an old dress or a thrifted sheet is my favorite part of the entire process.
3. Do you have any fears when creating?
For me, the fear comes when creating overlaps with business. Which is why 95% of my creative endeavors right now have nothing to do with making money and I don’t want that to change.
4. Are your family & friends supportive of the things you create?
My family and friends are very supportive. Hearing my girls proudly tell people “my mama made it” always makes my day.
5. How do you find time to create?
I schedule time. I work it into the days plan like it’s just as important as making dinner or picking up the kids from school because for me, it is. I also try to incorporate creativity into other responsibilities I take on at church, my daughter’s school, and in my other hobbies like running and biking (can you say sparkly running skirts and a bike cozy?). Sometimes it will be a project I can do with the kids and sometimes I do my own thing during naptime, or playtime, or at night when my husband has to work late. And I always keep a knitting or crocheting project in my purse to work on whenever I get a second.
6. Words of inspiration to creative chicks:
Comparison is the enemy of creativity. Be inspired, but be yourself.
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Of all the creative chicks I’ve featured here, I think Carrie’s words of wisdom to creative chicks is my favorite: “Comparison is the enemy of creativity. Be inspired, but be yourself.” Amen, sistah! Absolutely, perfectly said. Thanks for inspiring us today, Carrie! xoxo
p.s. Comment love for our creative chicks is always appreciated, too! 😉
p.s.s. Know someone creative who you’d like to see featured? Nominate them by sending me their info (name, email, website) and 200 words or less about why you’d like to see them featured. My email: quinn {at} createdbychicks {dot} com.
I too believe comparison can kill creativity. Even though I’m not “creative” in that sense of the word, I think it kills desire to grow and learn and create in other ways. Great feature!
I’ve only met Carrie one time, but I’m excited to get to know her better. She has great advice and is loaded with creativity!
ps. Fun to see you last night, Quinn!
I love Carrie’s site and all the inspiration I find from her creations…to who she is as a person! Awesome feature!
Ali
Carrie is one amazing lady!
She seems to squeeze way more than 24 hours out of every day–I suspect, like Martha Stewart, that she must have a secret cadre of employees helping her. That’s the only way I can figure that she manages to volunteer at church, school and other worthy causes, while taking care of three adorable kids, making most of their gorgeous clothes from thrift store finds, organizing creative activities for the neighborhood, running her own business, and, oh yes, mountain biking, triathlons, and lately, training for a marathon run. In the middle of all that, she takes time to be a great wife to her busy husband and a fantastic friend to her many friends (and admirers!).
I have to go lie down now. Typing that made me tired.
Quinn! Thanks so much for the write-up and for my new website design. I love it so much.
And those comments are making me blush. Thank you.