Creative Experiments #14: July

"Summertime, oh, summertime, pattern of life indelible, the fade-proof lake, the woods unshatterable, the pasture with the sweetfern and the juniper forever and ever . . . the cottages with their innocent and tranquil design, their tiny docks with the flagpole and the American flag floating against the white clouds in the blue sky, the little paths over the roots of the trees leading from camp to camp. This was the American family at play, escaping the city heat."
~E. B. White

The July Experiments
Daisy Yellow
For tracking purposes, each experiment is valued at one creativity point unless otherwise noted.

For July, I've decreased the number of experiments to 6, in the hopes that more folks will get involved. For August, I'll do another 6 and then back to 12 in September.

So, about the number of experiments. Believe me, the goal is not to do all of the experiments. I wouldn't do that to you guys! These experiments are designed to push you to expand beyond your regular routine. The initial idea is explained in the intro. Look at the experiments as a creative buffet. Walk into to the cafeteria and grab what piques your interest. Blueberry muffins? Tangerine omelette? Quinoa tabbouleh? Try new things, new flavors. I want you to be realistic when you pick which projects you'll do - your energy level, work space, physical health - but I challenge you to do at least two. So when you see 12 experiments (in September), don't freak.

♥ Write a description of your day from your dog or cat's perspective. Then write a description of your pet's day from your perspective.
♥ Sketch or locate a photograph of the facade of the building you live in. Label each element, humorously or literally. What parts need a repair, what's way too retro, which room is behind each window, what's your favorite part?
♥ Collect one of each type of flower from your garden, and organize them in rainbow order in an arc, then photograph.
♥ Create something artistic for your garden. Like vegetable markers, garden wish flags (at Maya*Made via The Artful Parent), birdfeeders, painted terra cotta pots. Curious to hear what you create.
♥ Write a micro-story in 140 words or less. Include the words hummingbird, coast, dice, dollhouse, fringe.
♥ Create a painting or art journal page with no images, using any color + black + white + words.

This is a personal challenge, not a competition:

1. Decide how many experiments you want to do this month as your personal goal
2. Work toward your goal
3. Grab an ART=HAPPY badge and share the love

{I kindly ask that you not copy/paste the experiments to your site.
The content is copyright Daisy Yellow.}

Add creativity to your life, one little idea at a time. Check out the other creative experiments!

More...

• I'm so excited about the new blog header at Studio Mothers. It's such a wonderful and though-provoking creative space! If you are interested in a custom blog header, let's talk!
• At Spiritual Evolution of The Bean, Stephanie shares the results of creating a mandala using "frisket" as a mask to maintain white space within her mandalas. Something new to try.

Comments

[sophie_vf]

thank you, as always! I haven't participated in May and June because I was away on holiday for much of May, then despite all best intentions June was almost entirely consumed by catching up on work! But I really miss doing this, and I'm glad to have a shorter list (though I often shortened them myself anyway).

I love the dog/cat idea especially.

[Jeannine]

I've always wanted to create a facebook page written in my cat's perspective (such a geek, I know) so the pet prompt is very compelling! Great ideas, as always!

[MissKoolAid]

I haven't participated in a few months but I will for this one. The only experiment I definitely can't achieve is the flower one since I don't have any flowers in my balcony garden but I will certainly try to do all the others.
Sophie

[iHanna]

I have this plan to take one close-up photo of all the photos for a spread in my next photo album book, and then learn their names, so it is kind of similar to your suggestion to take photos of them as a record of the time. not all are in bloom at the same time. the jasmin is already loosing it's lovely smelling flowers and I will miss them! :-)

My favorite are the writing prompt, I will try to remember to do that one!

[Idea Girl]

Today we did a new food project. It is the type of creating I like to do because there is no question about what should be done with the finished product. We made the flour by grinding Hard White and Kamut grains (Given to us by some Crunchy friends). Made the dough. Marveled at how quickly it doubled in size. Spun balls of dough around our thumbs to shape the bagels then boiled, baked, and flavored the bagels. My girls loved how the poppy seeds "stuck" to the egg glaze. They were delicious.

[MissKoolAid]

Already one experiment done! I did the art journal page one and you can see it here: http://misskoolaid.blogspot.com/2010/07/green-black-and-white-vert-noir-et.html

Sophie

[Millie]

I love the idea of doing a journal entry from my pet's perspective! I might do it today for my cat, Archie! Thanks for the great idea!