Is Pinterest not the grandmother that we have always wanted? You’ve read the Laura Ingall’s books and all that she created. You see how all these rustic toys and clothing and decor is making such a huge comeback.
Pinterest. We love you.
Thank you so much television for ruining our creativity. And Target? I mean, why sew our own curtains when we can just buy some? It’s so heartbreaking to see so many people not know how to sew a button back on. Or how to even use a sewing machine to sew a straight line. We throw money down the drain every time we take the easy way out and allow somebody else to create for us.
My dears, are we not created in God’s image? Our great Creator! He wants us to create! We’re so paralyzed by perfectionism. We’re ruining our children. Don’t correct them so hastily. And don’t rush them. If they seem to be taking foreverrrrrrr then let them. God took six days to create our world. Your child is not God. He should be allowed to take a week to paint a picture. Let him be a kid who is exploring this great big beautiful world. Let him show you how the world looks to him.
It’s funny, I will give all of my girls the exact same instructions for a chalk pastel drawing. But without fail, they all come out looking vastly different. They are putting their worldview into their art, and it’s amazing!
I will be the first to admit that I have spent a ridiculous amount of money at craft stores only to never do anything with those items. Good intentions, but no follow through. But I will say that Pinterest has turned me into a hip mom. When we’re homeschooling I hop on Pinterest for all types of ideas. From history lessons to art lessons to English lessons. You name it! And I can’t leave out YouTube when talking about homeschool helpers.
Sometimes I think social media is of the devil. But really, it’s all in how you use it. If all I do is sit on Facebook all day then I’ve wasted precious time that God has gifted me. However, if I use Pinterest and/or YouTube to further my children’s education then it’s a win-win! We get to make learning fun and we get to spend quality time together. Not sitting around with our noses in books.
Here’s the trick. You’ve heard of #pinterestfail? Yeah, ignore that. Those photos are set up. I’m a photographer I know how to make something look better than it actually is. But that’s part of the art of photography. That doesn’t mean you’ll be able to make William Sonoma perfect cookies. Or melted crayon art that can sell for hundreds. It’s not about the outcome, it’s about the time spent. It’s about learning. It’s about enjoying your own artistic time or time with your children. It’s about passing on memories. It’s about encouraging a handmade artistic view and driving away from the wholesale cookie cutter moms out there. You don’t stand out if you’re too busy trying to blend in. God made you unique, stop telling Him He was wrong when He created you.
With New Years coming up and a chance to begin again. Find a few new hobbies you would like to learn or would like your children to learn this next year. Write them down. Start with just one idea. Once you do that move on to another. So for example maybe you want to learn watercolor this year. Learn all you can about watercolor off of Pinterest and YouTube. Go to Hobby Lobby and buy your necessary materials. Now that it’s been a month or two try something new! Do you want to learn embroidery? Pinterest. YouTube. JoAnn’s. Do you see how this works? Even if you’re “copying” somebody else you’re still going to throw your own twist into it whether you know it or not.
I want to see your creations this next year! Use #createagain so I can find you!
Blessings!
