Creativity Takes Courage

Title creds, belong to Henri Matisse.

 I recently watched a really interesting ted talk (those things are the best right?  Easily accessible inspiration), this one was called 'How Schools Kill Creativity' and I heard Ken Robinson talking about how in schools mistakes are stigmatized and why this can be detrimental to creativity.

Altogether it was a really interesting talk (by all means have a listen if you're interested) but it made me think about this Henri Matisse quote.  As the French painter so famously said, 'Creativity takes courage'.

Until reading this quote and watching Ken Robinson, I'd never thought about it much before.  You see, sometimes or all the times, following through with creative ideas means subjecting yourself to people who won't hold your work with as high a regard as yourself.  It means, subjecting yourself to potential failure.  It means making mistakes.

Sometimes that's scary.  We don't create because we don't want to be judged.  We'd rather create nothing than something worthy of ridicule.

However, the truth is that eventually mistakes are essential to innovation.  As Albert Einstein said, "A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new."  I don't know about you but I really like trying new things.

Your desire to innovate and create new things must outweigh your fear of making mistakes in order for you to truly create and innovate.

Creativity takes courage.

This quote isn't just about paintings, it's about all forms of creativity.  Sharing a song you wrote with a friend, starting a new organisation or writing a book about something your passionate about.  All these things take courage and creativity.

Stay creative and courageous.

-Madsyroo xx

DIY Letter-Writing Kit

I was recently inspired to put together a little box for, letter writing utensils, partially because my room is still recovering from a minor stationary splurge I had at Walmart.

So.... this morning I ventured into the garage and found a little biscuit tin, wiped it out and made a little letter-writing kit.  Since it's National Letter Writing Month, I thought I'd share it with you all.

I put all the mail I have yet to buy stamps for and send out at the bottom and all my other supplies (like those 5 million gel pens) on top.

Here is a little list of suggestions, for what materials might come in handy...

1. A biscuit tin/ cardboard box
2. Pens and all kinds of writing utensils
3. Washi tape
4. Glue
4. Stamps
5. Ink
6. Scissors
7. Envelopes
8. Room for outgoing mail
9. Creativiiiiiity

I wanted to add a few envelopes that were a little more interesting than, you're average business envelopes so, using Secret Pie Shop's envelope template.  I made envelopes out of magazine pages.

The letter-writing box was a success, I even got my little sisters to test it out.

They're the cutest.  

So they're you have it.  I look forward to using my biscuit tin, gone stationary haven.  A kit like this, could even be a fun gift for someone you want to write back and forth.  All you need to add is stamps.  Hope you enjoy!

-Madsyroo xx

Snail Mail

Who doesn't love an envelope bearing paw-some cat puns?

My DIY postcard

Dear.... YOU,

Let's write letters more and maybe send a postcard or two?

Sincerely yours,

Madeline :)

It's spring break, and with more free time, I've spent a little bit of time writing letters.  I even made a postcard!  (I was inspired by this lovely article by Prada for Breakfast)  It's easy to forget in a world full of emails, texts and snaps, the power of a handwritten message.

Don't get me wrong, I am so thankful for the wonderful world of technology, that's at my disposal when it comes to long distance communication but I love the feeling of opening a mail box, to a letter with my name on it, in familiar handwriting.

Snail mail says, I've been thinking of you.  Snail mail says, you're worth the effort of writing this thing, driving it to a post office and buying a stamp.  Snail mail says, I care.

So, as you can see I'm all for occasionally spreading love via snail mail.  I hope you are too. :)