Spring is here at last (though Mother Nature has been playing games with us, giving us some more snow and cold weather).  If you're like me, you're craving the sunshine, warm temperatures and bright colours of the season.

We've been cooped up inside long enough, and sometimes, it's hard to feel creative when we're still suffering the winter blahs.  So how do you get your mojo back?

Here are 5 things I try when I'm feeling some creative block:

ONE:  CREATE WITH YOUR FAVOURITE COLOUR

Odds are, you have lots of stuff in that colour -- we tend to gravitate to our favourite colours whenever shopping and creating.  This will get your juices flowing and lift your spirits up.

TWO:  CHALLENGE YOURSELF TO USE AN EMBELLISHMENT OR TOOL

We often purchase embellishments just because we like them, or we buy them for a given project but then forget about them.  So go through your embellishment stash and pick out something that speaks to you.  Then create a project around that.

The same can apply to a tool that you have.  Maybe it's dry embossing or heat embossing.  Maybe you want to stitch with your sewing machine.  Maybe there's a stamp set you've been wanting to use.  Start with that tool, pull out papers and photos to go along and start creating.

THREE:  COPY!

Feeling the pressure of creating something original?  Don't.  Pull out a magazine, visit your favourite blog or Pinterest board, or look at something you made before.  Then recreate it.  It's a great way to get started and once you start cutting and gluing, you'll feel your creativity coming back.

FOUR:  USE YOUR SCRAPS

I have a huge box that I keep all my scraps in.  When I want to do a quick project, or just get warmed up for something bigger, I pull out these scraps and start playing.  It's amazing what you can create just by moving some pieces around and layering them in different ways.

FIVE:  CREATE WITH A FRIEND

Good friends bring good conversation and a relaxed atmosphere.  Set aside some time to get together with a crafty friend and create together.  You can share ideas, get ... and give ... advice on a project, and just have a good time.


No matter what you do, setting aside some time to be creative is important.  Forget the laundry for an evening.  Order take out instead of cooking.  Find a babysitter if you have to.  YOU are important and the best way to get your creative mojo back is to "just do it".