Make & Do Monthly Creative Challenges

Hello! Are you still feeling charged up and inspired by this fresh new year? I guess I'm a little bit crazy (or maybe just carried away by the new year) because I decided to tackle a bunch of projects all at once. A simple rearranging of furniture in my studio suddenly morphed into repainting my studio and as long as my studio was out of commission and I had the primer out I decided that I really needed to cross "repaint the living room" off my to-do list (its most recent deadline was that I finish it before Christmas... ooops!).

I couldn't help writing my word of the year beneath the primer on my studio wall

And yet this morning it's so cold and I'm so sleepy. Going back to bed sounds like a good idea. That's the problem with January. There's plenty of inspirations and good intentions, but the weather makes me want to hibernate.

This year I'm going to try something new -- actually, I plan on trying lots of new things -- and I'd really like you to join me. Do you remember back in December when I wrote about DIY Joy? I shared some of the things I had been crossing off my creative to-do list. My list is very long and some of those things have been on it for a LONG time. I started thinking that if I could hold myself accountable I'd be better motivated to get going. So that's just what I'm going to do...

Let me introduce the Make & Do Creative Challenge.

The plan is that each month this year I am going to tackle one of the things on my creative to-do list. I'll write about it on my blog near the beginning of the month. Part-way through the month I'll report back on my progress and at the end of the month I'll recap how things went overall. I would love if you would join me. Choose something you've been wanting to try and then try it this month. It doesn't have to be big. It doesn't have to be scary. For me, I've chosen making handmade books for my January challenge. I started a Pinterest board for some ideas/inspiration and I ordered some books from the library. I think I'm ready to get started (well, as soon as my studio is functional again).

Are you in? Think of something that you've been wanting to try (or to simply do more of... it doesn't have to be something you've never done before. For example, later on in the year I intend on challenging myself with some sewing. Hand lettering and making terrariums are also both on my list). Maybe you even have the materials for what you want to try but are still hesitating. What's stopping you? Whatever it is, we can overcome it together.

If you want to join me in my Make & Do Creative Challenge this month leave a comment on this post sharing what creative endeavor you're planning on tackling. Or you can leave a comment on Facebook or Instagram or even just email me, whatever you're most comfortable with. I'd say that you can do it on your own without sharing your intention in a public way, but I think that might defeat the purpose.

Let's get busy!

Oh, and are you still wondering about the secret project I mentioned back in December? Soap!

I was a little bit nervous. Ok, a LOT nervous. But everything worked out perfectly. I didn't hurt myself or make a big mess. And the soap turned out wonderfully. Or at least, I think so. (Curious about soap making? I watched this class on Creativebug back when I had a subscription and it was so helpful).

So what are you waiting for?!? Choose something new and try it today!