Sponsor Spotlight + Giveaway: MisterGandMe

1. Don’t be attached to the outcome. This is a big one! It’s easy to start on a project and want your work to turn out perfect. Don’t! Crafting is all about the process– just like life is all about the journey.

2. Stop comparing! Comparing yourself and your work to people you admire and look up to can cramp your creativity! Your personal style and skills are one of a kind! This goes for creative endeavors and life as well! Just be you!

Tina Fey is a huge role model for me. If Tina tried to be like everyone else and imitated other people – the world would sadly miss out on 30 Rock, Bossy Pants, and everything else she has touched and turned to gold! (and please! What would I watch while I’m knitting at night?) When I feel self-conscious about my blog, photography, or projects– I remember that there are people really enjoy what I do. I have a responsibility to be me and stop comparing myself to people I admire.

3. Non-judgment / acceptance – I haven’t always allowed myself to experience my creativity. In my teen years I began judging my and eventually let my self-criticism rob me of my creative joy. I let my insecurities run the show and stopped making art and crafting. In the past few years I’ve started to overcome the crippling self-criticism and strengthen my creative (and confident) muscles.

Don’t judge others either! You never know where your next big idea might come from. Be open to inspiration. Don’t close your mind and your heart and stifle your creative flow. You never know what will inspire you! This goes for people, places, and things too! The really “annoying” girl at work might one day have just the words you need to hear. Colors might speak to you at a really “stupid” party! The skirt that doesn’t fit after the holidays might be the perfect fabric for something beautiful! With an open mind, anything can happen!

4. Reduce! Reuse! Recycle! Crafting is an amazing opportunity to turn trash into treasure! It’s so rewarding to create beauty from something ordinary. There are so many crafts you can make with recycled and reused materials! Making something from reused items is great for Mother Earth too—and that’s something to feel good about!