Spoonful of Imagination

Add it to a Family for Something Beautiful

  • Home
  • Our Family
    • Our Home
  • Courses
  • Shop
  • Contact

The Making of a Mini Mural

August 29, 2022 By Erica Deuel 2 Comments

Mister Rogers. Was he a part of your childhood?

I watched the show a little growing up, but I think Mister Rogers really became a hero for me more as I was an adult. His philosophy and perspective for children and their development is one that I just really respect.

I recently read Fred’s biography, as I was wondering what made this man into who he was.

I have been in a season of change with my own work. As we worked to close down our non-profit studio, I have been thinking through what do I want to do now!? I really still want to help people tap into their imagination, be creative, and feel empowered to bring their ideas to life. So, not much has changed in my passion. I just want to go about it differently.

You can imagine how encouraging it was to read about Fred’s life and how every 5-6 years he changed the work he was doing. Did you know that!? I’m not going to get this perfect but in a quick summary…

  • He left a growing career at NBC to work on a free children’s program in Pittsburgh.
  • He began and worked on the Children’s Corner for 6 years
  • He stopped that and went to seminary
  • He then did not get a church after seminary, but he wanted the TV to be his pulpit
  • He then moved to Canada to begin Mister Rogers in a 15 min show
  • He moved back to Pittsburgh to begin the Mister Rogers Neighborhood that we know
  • He quit that to work with adults -wanting to help them, so they can better help kids
  • He went back to Mister Rogers Neighborhood

I’m not sure how you sum up Fred Rogers work, but I tried. One theme that I took away from his life is he stayed true to two core principals.

  1. He knew who he was and what he cared about and loved.
  2. He had a passion for children development with education.

He might have changed how he went about his work, but he never stopped trying to help children imagine, learn, and walk through big emotions and situations of life. That was so encouraging to read, as I still want to do a lot of the work I used to do. It just needs to be different in this season.

Fred’s mom often said to Fred, “Look for the helpers. There are always people helping”. That phrase helped Fred through scary times and he used it to help others. As I process the world and how many people’s lives have changed drastically the last few years, I wonder how ok people really are? This concept can go lots of directions, but without talking politics, pandemic, or work force, we still know there are heroes all around us. Heroes on the front lines.

The concept of a “hero” can be a big pressure to feel or believe is impossible to reach. How do you become a hero? Maybe you don’t want to be a fire fighter, nurse, doctor, policeman, or teacher, but you can be a helper.

We can be helpers by doing simple acts like…

smiling at a stranger in the supermarket.

holding the door for an older citizen.

taking the trash out for your family.

pushing the shopping cart.

playing a game with a younger child.

making a meal for a hurting family.

sitting with someone grieving.

writing someone a card.

There are so many ways we can be helpers. In this simple ways of being helpers, we really are being heroes too. I love how Fred used easy words to say powerful concepts.

This quote stuck with me and I imagined how inspiring it could be to live on a big wall in a community. I took Fred’s whimsical, childlike heart and paired it with his mom’s powerful words and dreamed up this mural.

I had to get the idea out of my head, so I painted it on a sign and got my talented friend, Beth, to do the words. It’s our mini mural.

We can all be helpers. We all have that power. Being a hero might seem intimidating, but we can all do simple, everyday acts to show the people we interact with that they matter. Taking the time to really “see” people is what can help heal whatever we all just went through these last few years.

We are better together.

Now, don’t you see this painting on a city wall!? Where should it go??? Do you relate your life to books and back to real life again? Go out and be a helper today. I am off to make my family dinner ;).

Share this:

  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

The Creative Process Can Teach Us Life Lessons!

August 22, 2022 By Erica Deuel Leave a Comment

Hello friends,

However today is going, I hope in this little moment, of this post popping into your day, it brings a smile to your face -or just the feeling of being seen. Life can be oh so hard. After sewing dozens and dozens of cards last week, I had this thought how all the cards were layered with so many colors and different movements. The stitching was not perfect and each card had little quirks all over. Yet, when I step back, I see how beautiful the finished cards are all together. Our lives can be seen like that too.

Life can be heavy, hard and also light and whimsical. We have awkward bends in the journey, yet this is OUR life to live.

In being real, it has already been a Monday over here. I recently read that “we” as a people group are in transition. One month last summer, 4 million people quit their jobs. Wow. I’m not the only one trying to figure out what’s next. It’s a messy place to be. I often turn to creating and creating with my family to ease the thought sorting and help me find a refreshed perspective.

What about you?

This past weekend our Jeremiah finally launched his YouTube channel. He’s been asking for a while, but it just now became the right time. Hearing him dream, laugh, and process what could make others laugh was so fun.

We don’t have to be perfect and have things all figured out to have beautiful lives. We just need to keep moving and I’d also say keep DREAMING. One step at a time.

The creative process can teach us powerful life lessons like how our point of view can impact how things turn out. Check out this short reel where I walk you through this thought.

So, wherever today is hitting you, get out and create. The process will be so good for your mind and heart!

If you happen to need a colorful heart to help yours, use one of mine.

Share this:

  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Handmade Greeting Card {send out love}

October 23, 2013 By Erica Deuel 16 Comments

DIY_homemade_greating_cardsHave you ever had a day where you feel defeated?

I’m talking about the kind of day where it’s 10:00am and the coffee didn’t work and you want to go back to bed.

There are days where I just want to press the reset button. Too bad we don’t have that option. In moments like these we have to find the inner strength and little whisper in our heart to say, “We can do this. Keep going.”

I’m on a mission to be real and vulnerable with all those in my life, yet at the same time balance the beauty and truth that I am privileged to live another day. Each breath is a gift and I want to use mine to love and encourage. I find that when I’m down I can go one of two ways. Just stay down and wallow in my frustrations. (Trust me, I go there a lot.) Other times though, if I can remember that there are other people out there struggling and I can do something to encourage them it ends up pulling me out of my funk. Rather than just focusing on myself I get to turn my attention to loving on a friend.

I made these simple little cards this week to help a few friends that I get to hang with on Saturday join me in this mission.

If you would like to create your own greeting card to #sendoutlove, here is how I made mine.

I bought a bunch of blank card stock cards, envelopes and pretty sheets of paper. I then cut hearts out of the paper that would fit onto my card stock card.

cutting_paper_heartsI picked up one card at a time and centered a heart onto the card by eye balling it in the middle. I then used my sewing machine and sewed the heart into place, just like I would sew any other fabric project.

making_a_homemade_card

sewing_paper

Heart_greating_cardThat is it! The card can be done then or you can get creative and use decorative scissors to trim the edges. I have several pairs of these fun scissors (thanks to a sweet reader for this gift ;)). I played with the different edges on my cards. I also played with adding more sewn lines to my heart. Both of these options let you get more creative with your greeting card. I had fun making mine with my trusty crafting sidekick.

DIY_paper_cards

Heart_greating_cards

reagan cuttingNow since my cards are not for me to send out, I created a small little tag that I wrapped around each card and envelope. I love how they came out.

send_out_loveI mentioned this idea in my last DIY greeting card tutorial. I want to be sending out handmade, written cards regularly. It’s easy to text, facebook a message, or Instagram a sweet comment. BUT, all of those ways can also end up adding more “noise” and distraction to our day. A hand written note is simple but says so much. I am going to send out five of these cards next week to encourage those around me, but I am also giving most of these ones away to help encourage others to send out love as well.

I think this idea would be an awesome way to start a movement of people wanting to inspire, encourage, and challenge others to think past ourselves and to love one another well. Image what this world could look like.

If you would like to be on this mission with me, send out some cards to encourage, then please feel free to download my tag so that you can make cards for others to send out. I use this Uchida Tag Punch, but you could simply cut these out and wrap around your own cards. A set of handmade cards would be an awesome teacher gift, birthday present, hostess gift, stocking stuffer, or simple “I love you” present.

handmade_greating_cardsWith a little time and colorful paper we can brighten someone’s day and make those defeated days a little sunnier. If you follow me on twitter, instagram, or facebook and use this idea to send out love, please use the hashtag #sendoutlove on your pictures and cards. I would love to connect and see what you create to encourage others as you #sendoutlove!

Share this post somewhere (with a friend, neighbor, email, facebook, twitter, IG, etc) and leave a comment below telling me where & you will be entered to win 12 of my tags already punched out for your greeting cards. The winner will be drawn and contacted on Sunday.

***Registration is open until tomorrow night, if you would like to attend my Spoonful Lab this Saturday! Register here to reserve your spot!***

signature

Share this:

  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
YouTube-Channel
Erica Deuel

Subscribe for Weekly Updates!




Most Popular Posts

Wood Slice Valentine Art
DIY {easy} Burlap Wreath
DIY Outdoor Checker Board
The Encanto, Madrigal's House Craft For Kids
Painting Flower Pot Party Tips
DIY Bookends (what you can make for being a hoarder)
Chiffon Flower Tutorial
Engraved Wood Sign Tutorial (and Dremel Micro)
Cheap lamp to Industrial Beauty
Repurpose Old Kitchen Chairs

Categories

  • All About the Kids
  • art journal
  • Blogging
  • Christmas
  • Craft Projects
  • Dancing Zebras
  • DIY
  • Eddy's postcards
  • Embroidery Journal
  • Family
  • Featured
  • Foster Care
  • Giveaways
  • Guest Posts
  • Home
  • Homeschooling
  • Kid Activities
  • Kid Craft
  • My Heart
  • Our Outings
  • Project Spotlight
  • Send Out Love
  • Shop
  • Sponsored Posts
  • Spoonful Lab
  • Spoonful Tribe
  • Tips + Tricks
  • Traveling
  • Uncategorized
  • Vlog

Favorite Categories

Subscribe for Weekly Updates!

Favorite Categories

© 2023 Spoonful of Imagination, Inc.