Spoonful of Imagination

Add it to a Family for Something Beautiful

What I Noticed From My Social Media Break

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Hello friends!

Most of you probably know that we have closed our non-profit art studio this summer. With that big change, a lot of questions, comments, and feelings from within myself and from people came as a result.

Change can be tricky, right!? It is one of those layered things that can mix both beautiful and hard. I have found that during change is a tender season, which makes you really moldable. It’s all the more reason to protect what voices you listen too and how you invest your time. I knew for this season I needed to pull back from social media and be more present with those who know me… and more quiet to hear God’s voice.

I took two months off social media, and it was a great break. A few things I noticed:

I looked up a lot more. Have you found yourself saying you wish you had more time in the day?

I got so much more time back in my day when I went off social media. I don’t play games on my phone, so other than normal phone calls, texts, and emails, my phone is a camera. When I stopped using social media, my phone time went down from 5+ hours a day to less than 1 hour. I often would pick up my phone in an empty moment and realize I had nothing to do on it, so I would sit it down and go look to see what everyone else was doing. I’ve watched a lot of live basketball 🙂

I processed my own stuff a lot more. When our mind is full so are our emotions.

I found that not seeing and absorbing as much information, pictures, reels, videos, and content my mind was more freed up. I was able to think through my own thoughts, feelings, and emotions; as well as, have energy to do the same for those around me. As an ennegram 4, I am a big feeler. I can feel what others may be feeling in a situation. That can be considered a gift in a lot of social settings, but it also can be a big weight in processing and carrying things that were never mine to carry. In this time of not seeing others lives so upfront, I did feel a little lost at first. I quickly then got to really understand what I was carrying with closing a chapter of my life (with the studio) and where my kids ages and needs are today.

I focused on what I enjoyed. Take a picture of what catches your eye.

For the first time in years, when I scroll my phone’s camera roll, I see my family, experiences or things that I love. I had no pressure in this social media break to “market” something, or showcase the latest at the studio, yet I could be present in what I loved. As I still took a lot of pictures, I found myself reaching out to family more. Another added bonus, my growing teens were more agreeable to take pictures. They no longer had to worry ‘where was this picture going?’ or ‘who is going to see this?’. They knew their pictures were staying on my phone or going directly to family.

I was more present with those I love. We never outgrow the need for friends.

Without interacting with friends online, I found myself getting together with friends and family more. Sharing laughs over meals, drinks, sweat in the sun or swimming in the rain, I was creating real moments and memories of knowing and being known.

I did activities I enjoy! What things are life giving to you?

I love to read, be in nature, and create. You would think if I love it, I would do it more, but life is so busy. As I had more time in my day, I found myself reading more. I also planted flower bulbs and tomato plants. I even re-did a room in my house that started with pulling up the carpet! As I created time in my day to do things with my hands that I love, I was reconnecting with things that build me up.

Life can feel so urgent. The pressure to see something when it happens, to “be in the know” and to respond to messages immediately can create days that feel like riptides pulling you through. What I noticed when I said no to social media, I was saying yes to living intentionally and life just moved slower.

It’s ok to rest. We were all made to have seasons in life just like there are seasons in the year. Some years are more obviously producing and some are more restful (or work behind the scenes) in nature. I hope if you feel a nudge to step back and take a social media break that you too can make it possible. Time goes so quickly as I can clearly see in these time lapse photos of when we opened the studio and when we closed it five years later.

Thank you for all the support. Remember, you can imagine the possibilities! We only have one life. Go out and creatively live it!

_____________________________

 

VLOG Behind the Scenes: The Ultimate Cardboard Box Fort

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Did you ever build forts as a kid? Do your kids build forts now? We often use blankets to create forts and we lay them over chairs and tables to create a fun hideout.

In our latest YouTube videos, we show you how our family built the ultimate cardboard fort.

In part one, we used left over boxes from the holidays and some boxes that were donated to us from a family move to create our fort. The kids actually inspired and launched this project on their own by creating individual cardboard forts. They had so much fun we decided to combine our forces to create the ultimate fort!

In part two of this project, we show you how the kids embellished their city! Although Matt and I helped a lot during the building phase, this step of the project we stepped back. The kids got to work and make it their own! It worked out that each kid had one section to stylize as their own.

At times one child would help another with something for “their” section or they would point out ideas to one another. It was so fun to see their collaboration.

If you haven’t watched the video (or maybe you have but written instructions help you!), here is a list of some basic craft items that you might need to get you started. As always though, feel free to make this project your own. You do not need all these supplies to make a box fort. We have also made box forts with just one box and a marker. That’s it. The possibilities are endless.

Supplies:

  • cardboard boxes
  • hot glue gun (with glue sticks)
  • school glue
  • packaging tape
  • box cutter
  • scissors
  • colorful paper (construction paper, scrapbook paper, etc)
  • markers
  • buttons
  • pom poms
  • regiments left over from other craft projects

Basic Steps:

  1. Use the box cutter, scissors, hot glue, and packaging tape to construct a cardboard fort. Depending on the number and size of boxes you give your child will alter the size of your fort. Moving boxes and Wardrobe work great because they are thick, sturdy cardboard. One box could be enough! Depending on the size and number of kids you can size out your fort as needed. If recycled boxes aren’t an option for you, all of the big box home improvement store carry them. One tip to keep in mind as you build your fort is cutting on the folds/flaps of the cardboard will be easier than cutting directly into the cardboard. You can strategically use that tip as you help build.
  2. Paint your cardboard house. This is fun step in getting creative. The colors of your fort can be wacky and fun. The personality of your kids will also play in to if they want traditional colors or possibly a purple house. We often use leftover latex paint from different house project. You know, those less than half-a-gallon buckets that have been sitting in the garage for a year… those work great. We also buy sample paints from the paint store for about $4. That gives you about 8oz of latex paint that should cover 20-25 sq ft.
  3. The next step is to embellish your fort. Use all the crafty bits you have around your house to cut, draw, and glue onto your fort to personalize it. This process can go on for hours, be built on for days after, or be considered done as soon as your artists are tired.
  4. The final step is to play! Play, imagine, and let those kids enjoy their fort!

 

We loved seeing our kids’ imaginations come alive. Everyone thinks differently and it can be seen in art. I know I would never have thought to rip up blue paper to create water, but Reagan did. Her creativity encourages me and makes me want to create.

Art can be circular and encouraging like that!

What do you think!? Would you paint in your living room too!? Or did you shudder when we did that!?

We had a blast making this fort and we hope you too can make a fort sometime! Save a few boxes for the next rainy, cold, indoor day. This project could help you! We spent two days as a family one weekend dreaming and creating together – and that to us is the biggest win!

If you give it a try, we would love to see your fort! Tag us on social media with #spoonfulofimagination so we can see your creativity at work. Oh and don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel and click on the “Bell” icon so that you can the very first notification when we upload a new video.

Thanks so much friends!

The Roswell Mill

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I love that this is in our backyard! (Not literally of course…but it’s less than a mile away!!)  We can walk there!  Ha not that we do.  If it wasn’t for the HUGE hill that led down from the street to the bridge (and the 90 degree weather) we probably would.  Maybe next time!

I don’t think we have gone since Reagan was asleep in the Baby Bjorn on me.  She was hilarious to watch take it all in for the “first time”.

Hiking down to the river to throw rocks is one of my boys favorite things to do.  We really should do it more!  Caleb had been asking for three days to go, so on Sunday afternoon we went!  We packed a little dinner picnic and had the best time.  There is something so appealing about pulling away from “noise” (and phones) and getting in nature.  It’s simplifying and really makes you feel alive.

I just love that these gorgeous woods and running water is literally in the heart of Roswell.  Once you are back in there, you totally forget that there are streets and restaurants so close by!

My boys were on cloud nine!  Caleb packed his own little pouch with a map and telescope to bring on this “adventure”.  He was ready!

I think J would live in the woods if he could.  He could throw rocks into that river for hours and not get tired of it.

Reagan was taking it all in, but she has her own little spirit and jumped in quickly.  This girl might just be the most adventurous of all my kids.

She learned how to say “rock” on this outing.  She really is picking up new words everyday now and reusing them all on her own.  It’s mind boggling how fast she is learning!  I feel incredibly blessed to be home and get to witness and take in this amazing season in our lives.

This time is going by too quickly.  I read this phrase a while back “let them be little” and I couldn’t agree with it more.  They are only little once.  So allow the sweat, dirt, and messes…even if it means more laundry.  There are memories, discoveries and adventures to be made!

I think she had a great time at the Roswell Mill.  🙂 What do you think?!

We had a great weekend!  I hope you did too!!!