by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
I love blogging. (Hope it shows!)
I’m constantly striving to learn new and effective ways to communicate with you, my phenomenal reader.
Enter, the Infographic. Its usage is practically endless! Post it on Pinterest, along with other social media outlets, or insert it in your handouts, bulletins, etc.
I recently discovered Canva, my new go-to for graphic applications. I still like Pic Monkey but Canva, at least to me, seems easier for the newbie. Many of their templates have fonts installed, ready for you to manipulate, if you like.
You’ll need to create an account to get started. There’s no charge unless you use a background or graphic that’s not free (each item is tagged free or $). I was pleasantly surprised by the number of free options across the board. In fact, the last three graphics I’ve created have cost me nada. Each background or graphic you choose with a $ is only 1.00 each.
I created the Infographic below (ahem, I’m obviously still learning) to show you one option I chose from a list of ready-made templates. I kept it uber simple cause, well, that’s how I roll. Want more details? Simply take one of their tutorials to spiff up your skills. It’s all there!
{Click on graphic to enlarge.}
Do you use infographics? This month is all about learning and sharing what we learn. If you post something you’re currently learning on your blog, let me know, along with the url, and I’ll share it here.
Learning never exhausts the mind. -Leonardo da Vinci
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
“I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.” -Picasso
Okay, so the word always is wishful thinking on my part but I am striving to be more intentional when it comes to learning and attempting new things. What kinds of things, you might ask?
During this hot muggy month of August, I’ll share everything from Pic Monkey tips to lessons learned behind the spiritual woodshed. I’ll even throw in the kitchen sink table (how to distress it, that is!)
One thing I’m most looking forward to is learning from you. If you post something on your blog that you’re currently learning, or have recently learned, (hey, is this a challenge?) I will link your blog post here. After all, sharing what we learn is what makes it so much fun! Agree?
So, let’s kick this new series off right. What’s one thing you would like to learn this month, or what are you currently learning?
****Congratulations to Susan Ely {The Shared Table…Breaking Bread, Building Relationships}, the winner of the Starbucks giveaway in July! Watch for the next giveaway coming up later this month.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
A quote often says more than an entire essay. It’s a morsel, rich with perspective, cutting through all the fluff. For this reason, we’re bringing our July series to a close with five favorite quotes on creativity.
“A hunch is creativity trying to tell you something.” -Frank Capra
“It is better to create than to be learned, creating is the true essence of life.”
-Barthold Georg Niebuhr
“The writer who possesses the creative gift owns something of which he is not always master—something that at times strangely wills and works for itself.” -Charlotte Bronte
“Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties.” -Erich Fromm
“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” -Maya Angelou
It’s hard to beat a cup of Starbucks brew (cold brew, that is — my new favorite!) so simply share your favorite quote from above in the comment section below. Your name will be included in the random drawing taking place this Friday morning for a Starbucks gift card. A cup of coffee or tea is waiting to be handcrafted just for you by your local barista.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
Not so long ago I sensed the Holy Spirit gently reaching for the key to my ignition as I earnestly spun my creative wheels in the mud of my own making. Every extra moment was spent working on blog posts and other writing projects, especially on Sunday afternoons. After all, what’s more relaxing than stressing over content?
I don’t know about you, but one way I detect that God’s power has been kidnapped, if you will, by that of the fleshly sort is that I become exhausted—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Working hard is a good thing. Overdoing it for all the wrong reasons is not.
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| Image by Pixabay // Hans |
For me, it always comes back to the question of WHY I write, or do anything else, quite frankly. When I remember that my whole purpose in writing, teaching, speaking, creating, etc. is to bring God glory, a rest envelopes me much like the shade from a sprawling oak on a hot summer day.
“God is more concerned about our integrity than our personal success.”
-Arleen Jennings, Created to Be Creative
If it’s been awhile since you’ve answered the question of WHY you are doing what you’re doing, perhaps today is that day. It has a way of cutting through all the excuses, the when-will-my-day-come questions and getting straight to the heart of the matter.
My refusing to rest, especially on a day God provides for exactly that, was a form of pride. Yes, it was a painful realization but I thank God for it. Now, I set aside Sunday afternoons for true rest (and yes, that includes a NASCAR race!) When I’m tempted to start the next blog post or project (which I do enjoy!) I recognize that God set the pattern for rest. He chose to rest one day of the week, who am I to do otherwise?
“You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by your will they exist and were created.” Revelation 4:11
Your turn. What’s one indicator that flesh has kidnapped the Spirit’s control in your life?
❉ One of our teaching pastors, Kyle Estepp, recently talked on Sabbath Rest. It was by far the best sermon either Brian or myself have ever heard on the subject. If you would like to listen, visit Summit’s site here.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
“And by the way, everything in life is writeable about
if you have the outgoing guts to do it
and the imagination to improvise.The worst enemy to
creativity is self-doubt.” -Sylvia Plath
“Travel writing sounds awesome.” It wasn’t the answer I expected.
If you know me, you know that travel has been problematic ever since a car accident back in 1984. Back roads are doable, to a point. Highways, um, no.
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| Graphic courtesy of Sound Valley |
So, when given the opportunity to pitch three ideas for a monthly column over at A-3 no one was more surprised than me to find that I’d scribbled the words travel writing on my page of possibilities. Surely it was a momentary lapse in judgment!
Instead of pitching three ideas, I decided to agree on the one subject the editor wanted and needed at the time—grammar. I had the email ready to go. Problem was, my finger refused to hit the send button. In doing so, I felt I’d be settling for the known, and not trusting God with the unknown.
Rather than hitting the send key, the one ripe with guaranteed success, the delete key was struck instead. I started a new email and this time, travel writing was included as one of the three pitches. I glanced heavenward with a smile, feeling almost like a kid that had been double-dog dared. With one tap, the email was sent and all I could do was wait.
I found myself delighting in God’s sense of humor. Travel writing, really? I had nothing to offer on the subject
except my own reluctance.
In the hours that passed between the pitch and the response, I was reminded of Buttercup. Remember her? She’s the 1963 Shasta Airflyte my hubby bought me for our 25th Anniversary coming up in October. I purchased a domain name for her the day we were introduced, confident that God was up to something with me and the subject of travel. (We look forward to our maiden voyage very soon.)
As I anxiously awaited the editor’s response, I continued praying that God would guide him to make the right decision for me. Because I prayed this believing He would, I rest in the fact that He did just that—despite the self-doubt and relentless accusations within. For example, How can you, oh reluctant traveler (except for the mountains) be a travel writer?
I don’t know what God is stirring up but I know I’m not afraid to research, work hard, and pray for a mile-long dose of creativity to throw in the mix. So there, Satan! Get behind me.
Join me over at A-3 this Friday, July 24th for my first posting! It is sure to be an exciting adventure.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
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| My choice includes anything literary focused. |
Being an office supply nerd, I confess this Artist Date made me a tad giddy. Thank you, Julia Cameron.
Go to a stationery store. Give yourself time to stroll the aisles. What appeals to you? Do you want classic ivory stationery, or do you want something more zany? Your choice of note card sends a signal telling the world what kind of person you are, formal or casual, decorous or frivolous. Stationery makes a first impression. If you have it, you will use it. -Julia Cameron
Now let’s take it a step further. Purchase the stationery you feel best describes you (no window shopping allowed!) and then turn around and write someone. It could be someone who played a part in your being the zany-fied person that you are or someone who has been on your mind lately. I believe you already know the person who will receive your card.
Your turn. What does your stationery have on the front cover of the card?
“Creativity lies in paradox:
serious art is born from serious play.” – The Artist’s Way
