Creativity Challenge #3

Posted on January 21, 2016 by prairiemoonquilts in Creativity Challenges

Shredded money . . . foliage . . . some of you got really inventive with the materials you used to make your initial! I love looking at what you’re doing. And I’m having lots of “what a great idea” and “why didn’t I think of that” moments — haha! You all are inspiring!

I haven’t gotten my barbed wire initial made yet, but it snowed about 4 inches here, so my chances of finding a random piece of rusty barbed wire were covered up for now — but I still plan on doing it later.

I’m also making one out of fabric and cardboard, and I’m thinking one from buttons might be neat, but I haven’t decided just yet how I’m going to go about that.

But it’s time for this week’s challenge. I want you to:

Write down random words you hear

This might sound really weird, but once you get started, I think you’ll find it’s kinda fun!

This is a good one to do while you’re in a waiting room, or while boring TV is on, or while listening to the radio. (I used to do this during staff meetings — it looked like I was busily taking notes!)

Here are some of the reasons I’ve chosen this assignment:

  • It’s a way for you to practice your handwriting or lettering, in several different styles. Just have fun with it!
  • You’re writing, but you don’t have to think about what to write — it’s coming to you from what you hear, and you just take one word at a time. It doesn’t have to make sense. In fact, it’s really not supposed to.
  • If you’re doing this with your kids, it’s a good way for them to practice their spelling, and their printing and cursive handwriting, while spending time with you.
  • It’s a lot like doodling, only with random words!

Just like the doodling you started off with, I want you to keep at it. Start a page, then add to it whenever you have a few spare minutes. Make several pages!

And keep what you’ve done, because we will most likely be using it in a later project down the road.

Here’s mine:

randomwords

I did this one while listening to classic rock on the radio. I used a fine Sharpie Pen and a page from my sketchbook. I put a lined sheet of paper behind the sheet I was writing on, so I’d sort of have some straight lines to go by, but you can see it’s still a little crooked — this does not matter. Just write!

My handwriting has suffered greatly since the common daily use of computers has come along. Just as I still practice my shorthand skills regularly so I don’t forget them, I like to spend time just hand writing. My father (who is left-handed) has the most beautiful handwriting of anyone I’ve ever met — still, at the age of 81! My handwriting more closely resembles my mother’s and grandmother’s, even though they were neater than I am, but it’s probably because they didn’t ever use computers!

You can use whatever utensil you want to for this project, but I recommend using a pen or pencil that moves easily on the paper. If you have to fight with a pen that skips or drags, you’ll end up annoyed, and this is supposed to be fun!

So there you go — gather your pen and paper, and go start writing down random words you hear — I’m interested in seeing what you come up with.

If you want some inspiration to improve your handwriting, go check out this guy: Jake Weidmann. I’m so in love with his art, in every form!

8 responses to “Creativity Challenge #3”

  1. Meloney says:

    My daughter did a couple of initial pictures, but I only came up with an idea. I’ve not implemented it yet, so I guess that is another day.
    I like listening to people, so I just need to have something with me to write on. 🙂

  2. randy says:

    gack! ( like bill the cat) I am still on my doodle and initial. I tried yo join Yahoo and Flicker… it was not successful… and I don’t instagram… So I will just send photos..
    gack… some how i am making Christmas tree skirts and they aren’t on any list.

  3. Carol Smith says:

    I do not like writing. This will be a challenge.

  4. Karen says:

    I managed to get last week’s challenge done…a monogram knitted dishcloth. post found here: http://fortheloveofneedleandthread.blogspot.ca/2016/01/knitted-dish-cloths.html
    This is fun and motivating. Thanks!

  5. Becka Meyers says:

    Can someone help me? I seem to have figured out, but then forgot how – to download pictures onto Flickr.

  6. Terri says:

    This is such a great challenge – love the idea! I am definitely going to try this, probably at work and at a coffee shop. Fun to follow along your with your challenges this year!

  7. Becka Meyers says:

    I’m curious. Did anyone else find themselves getting a little bored with just writing words normally? I found myself writing backwards, upside down, and also coming up with other ways of writing.

  8. Hi Shelly,
    Got my words done. I’m planning on adding more to the page. I’ve also started another doodle. I’ve posted at my blog. Have a great day!

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