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Jennie Moraitis - Dedicated to helping you nurture your God-given creativity
Jennie Moraitis
Dedicated to helping you nurture your God-given creativity
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Creativity

I love to make art, but I don’t always like to set it up and clean up afterwards. But that doesn’t mean my kiddo can’t create on her own! Here are some of the many ways I make art and creativity accessible for her on a daily basis.
Posted in Creative Life, Creativity, Easy Crafts to Make, Homeschool

Art All The Time—Create Opportunities for Your Child to Create

We love to make art projects of all kinds around here. But I’ll be honest, sometimes I don’t want to deal with the clean up…

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One of my favorite creative prompts is to simply use what I already have on hand. I open up my craft drawers and start playing. It's the best ever.
Posted in Creative Play Challenge, Creativity, Resources, Tips

Creative Prompt: Use What You Have

This week on The Creative Play Challenge, we’re going to do one my favorite things. Our prompt is to use what you have to make…

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Such a great way to get remind myself of what really matters in life. I'm going to try this for Thanksgiving this year.
Posted in Creative Play Challenge, Creative Retreat, Creativity, Holiday, Resources, Tips

Things That Make Me Happy {An Exercise in Thanksgiving}

Have you ever written a “Things That Make Me Happy” list? It’s a great exercise to develop a more thankful heart! As I’m writing this,…

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Here's a list of great ideas on how to be a tourist in your own town. Don't wait until someone comes for a visit; you can have a mini-vacation whenever you like!
Posted in Creative Play Challenge, Creative Retreat, Creativity, Resources, Retreat Ideas, Tips

How to Be a Tourist in Your Own Town

So . . . this post on how to be a tourist in your own town has literally been sitting in outline form in my…

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I'm trying idea number 4 in this list today. So many great ideas to try—I'm so glad I found this post on living more creatively!
Posted in Creativity, Tips

10 Ways to Keep You Going Creatively

When we have time to get into a creative flow, it’s pure bliss. Ideas flow, projects feel great, fulfillment fills our hearts. Yet, other times…

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Have leftover paint? Here are a few of my favorite ways to use it up!
Posted in Creativity, Tips

My Favorite Way to Use Leftover Paint

Today I’m sharing my favorite way to use leftover paint, whether it’s a puddle of acrylics I have leftover from a larger scale painting or…

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Yes! This is why I go on a walk or run every day. That time outside really helps to refresh my spirit and gets those creative juices flowing. I had a feeling I wasn't the only one. :)
Posted in Creative Play Challenge, Creativity, Resources, Tips

How Walking Helps Creativity

Today’s prompt for the Creative Play Challenge is simple: go on a walk to gather inspiration. If going outside is not a possibility for you,…

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I need these in my life! This is a simple tutorial on how to make artist powerup cards—you know, just like the powerups you get when you play video games! These cards will help you get out of the creative doldrums and can be personalized to no end. Where have these been all my life?! :)
Posted in Crafts, Creative Play Challenge, Creativity, Resources, Tips

Make Your Own Artist Powerup Rewards Cards

Artist Powerup Rewards Cards might just be the key to getting out of the creative doldrums! They’re also just plain FUN to make! Welcome to…

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Learn how to write a creative manifesto to remind yourself to silence your inner critic and keep on doing the beautiful work of creating. Love this.
Posted in Creative Play Challenge, Creativity, Resources, Tips

Write a Personal Creative Manifesto

Have you ever written a personal creative manifesto? I love writing these because often, they’re the exact words I need to hear when I’m feeling…

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Explore your inner artist with our FREE 52 week Creative Play Challenge! Every week, we'll have a prompt to work on as well as a private Facebook community to cheer each other on. You can participate every week or whenever you feel the creative urge. Let's do this! :)
Posted in Creative Play Challenge, Creativity, Resources, Tips

Introducing: The Creative Play Challenge

Update: Hey guys, The Creative Play Challenge is now finished. However, you can still access many of the prompts we completed here on The Creative…

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This crafter saves BIG time on her art and craft supplies. I had never heard of several of these ideas—so cool!
Posted in Crafts, Creativity, Tips

17 Ways I Save on Craft Supplies

As an artist, I’ll admit to going through a fair share of art supplies in my lifetime. I’ll also admit to my happy place being…

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Choose Your Internet - How focusing your social media feeds will help you find more joy, contentment, and creativity in your life. For reals! via littlegirldesigns.com
Posted in Blogging, Creativity, Life, Tips

Choose Your Internet

You know that feeling. You’re scrolling through your feed on Instagram and suddenly, your self-worth begins to fall to the floor in shambles. You look…

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Sometimes we need permission to create, right? So here's your gentle nudge, a bit of encouragement, and my story (since I need it too!) Plus a peek into my NEW book! via littlegirldesigns.com
Posted in Creative Retreat, Creativity, Tips

Permission to Create

Have you ever felt like life is too busy to take time to create? Like you actually might need permission to create and to work…

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Posted in Creativity, Tips

Have Fun (In Your Creative Life)

I drew the above letter for my sketchbook letter friends a few months ago. It felt apropos for so many of us, myself included. Much…

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Make a Summer Bucket List with this free printable! What do YOU want to do this summer? (Also some tips on making this list FUN and not another to-do list!)
Posted in Crafts, Creativity, Kid-friendly Crafts, Life, Tips

Make a Summer Bucket List

Ah, summer! My favorite time of the year is finally here. My parents were both teachers so summer meant a collective sigh of school being…

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How to Make an Artist Scratch-off Coin - Have you ever wondered how to make your own scratch-off coins? The recipe is so easy! (You probably already have the ingredients.) Make a bunch of these to bring life, adventure, and FUN into your creative practice. These would also make a great gift for your creative friends!
Posted in Crafts, Creative Life, Creativity, Creativity Prompts and Tips, Easy Crafts to Make, Tips

How to Make Artist Scratch Off Coins

Learn how to make artist scratch off coins to add spark to your creative life! I recently checked out Oh Joy!: 60 Ways to Create…

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Have you always wanted to journal but don't really know where to start? Here are some ideas of how to get started with journaling plus two journaling myths that might be holding you back. Click to read more. P.S. Bullet journaling and art journaling totally count as "keeping a journal"! :)
Posted in Creativity, Journaling, Life, Tips

How to Be a Journalista | Journaling Myths & Writing in a Journal

I’ve been writing in a journal since I was six years old, and in that time I’ve encountered a lot of surprised comments, random thoughts…

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Have you always wanted to journal but don't really know where to start? Here are some ideas of how to get started with journaling plus two journaling myths that might be holding you back. Click to read more. P.S. Bullet journaling and art journaling totally count as "keeping a journal"! :)
Posted in Art Journal, Creative Journaling, Creativity, Journaling Prompts, Tips

How to Be a Journalista | Writing in a Journal and Dispelling Myths

I’ve been writing in a journal since I was six years old, and in that time I’ve encountered a lot of surprised comments, random thoughts…

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Join the 2030make 30 day creativity challenge! I'm busy, you're busy, we're all busy...BUT that shouldn't keep us from creating, should it? Join the #2030make challenge and you'll receive a printable workbook, four lessons on creativity, and 7 videos from our live sessions for the challenge. You'll also enjoy the fun of being able to work on your creative projects for the next 30 days. Whoohoo!
Posted in #2030make, Crafts, Creativity, Tips

#2030make is BACK!

Several years ago, I created a little challenge to work on my creative projects for 20 minutes every day for 30 days. My only fear…

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Ah, perfectionism. It's the bane of creatives, right? It's something most (if not all) of us have to deal with, so how do we get past it so we can get down to the business of creating? Click through to read my thoughts (and some great insight from a reader!)
Posted in Creativity, Tips

What To Do When Perfectionism Comes Knocking

Perfectionism. It stops creativity in its tracks and yet, it seems like it’s the bane of many a creative person. Last weekend I was bitten…

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Copyright

I love it when you pin and share tutorials and articles that resonate with you. However, please remember that everything on this blog: articles, photos, drawings, and artwork are created by Jennie Moraitis and are under copyright. Please do not remove watermarks, crop, or edit any of my images or artwork without first receiving written permission from me. You may use one photo to share but please link to the original post on my site. The printables I offer are for personal use only. Please do not email the pdfs to others. Feel free to share the original post link for the printable with your friends and family so they can come over and download one of their own! Thanks so much for stopping by!

“But soon there breathed a wind on me, Nor sound “But soon there breathed a wind on me,
Nor sound nor motion made:
Its path was not upon the sea,
In ripple or in shade.

It raised my hair, it fann’d my cheek
Like a meadow-gale of spring—
It mingled strangely with my fears,
Yet it felt like a welcoming.”

—Samuel Taylor Coleridge

I probably read The Rime of the Ancient Mariner in school…the fact that I can’t quite remember when or if proves it didn’t make an impact on me. 

But, with Malcolm Guite’s guidance in his work of a book, I now love this poem. He interweaves Coleridge’s life and faith with what became a prophetic poem for STC’s own life. I am so grateful for this book. 

I wanted to make a little painting for my dad for his birthday but having been steeped in the Mariner, I kept painting the sea. Thankfully, my dad loves the ocean. :)

This is a book I will come back to again and again—I think it will make an excellent mid-winter read. :)
I admit I sometimes schedule creative time. I don’t know why something so relaxing and fun gets pushed off to the side so very easily, but it does. So…onto the “to do” list it goes. 

Today we decided to try a project in a fairy and mermaid activity book. It is one of those books you buy with great intentions of doing all the projects and then you forget about it. But not today! We painted, waited for the paint to dry (five minutes), and then drew our details. My kiddo drew a picture 4x the size of mine and managed to make me two late Valentine’s Day hearts, a flower for Mother’s Day, and several additional art presents by the time I finished. She also gave me advice about who should get a heart wand, etc. in my picture. 

Now that I’m finished, I’m reminded once again of why I do this. Happiness abounds. 

#creativeretreat #happyjournal #happyjournalhappylife #poscapens
Just a reminder to be kind to yourself. 💕 Just a reminder to be kind to yourself. 💕
Summer means more time for art journaling. The bac Summer means more time for art journaling. The background for this girl has been waiting for years in one of my older sketchbooks. I thought it was time to finally finish it. 💗

Hope you're all able to get some creative time in this week. It does wonders for your 💗!

#mycreativeretreat #happyjournalhappylife #artjournallove
I asked my daughter how she would illustrate this I asked my daughter how she would illustrate this verse from the Psalm of Ascents. She picked up her sketchbook and whipped out the second picture within minutes. I love how she thinks—the first image shows a girl sitting inside while it rains and the second one shows her outside with sunglasses enjoying a sunny day. 

I don’t know if I’ll illustrate each one of these Psalms as I do this 21 days of prayer with @revelationwellness but it was fun to sit down and sketch a bit today. 

#happyjournalhappylife #rwwalkingprayer #psalmsofascent #sketchdaily
I love June. Walked in the forest. Found aphids f I love June.

Walked in the forest.
Found aphids for our ladybug larvae. (Priorities, people.)
Bought watercolor paper + new paints. 
Painted.
Ate dark chocolate.
Finished Tom's Midnight Garden (one of my favorite kids' books that I never read as a kid!)

And other things too.
I love June.
Two posts in a day because this quote from @sarahw Two posts in a day because this quote from @sarahwanders must be shared. Her new book comes out in a couple of weeks, and it is so breathtakingly beautiful.
One of my favorite verses. I’m thinking about ha One of my favorite verses. I’m thinking about happy journaling some of the Psalms of Ascent as I do the 21 Days of Walking by  @revelationwellness this month. Sketching and writing and doodling (which is the same as sketching, I know 😂) are how I process things so I might as well. 😊 

Hope you all have a lovely {and creative} week!

#happyjournal #happyjournalhappylife #mycreativeretreat #psalmsofascent
This book. @sarahwanders poured her heart into thi This book. @sarahwanders poured her heart into this one, and it is a treasure I will keep coming back to again and again. If you struggle with mental health challenges or wonder where God is in all the mess of our broken world...if you just need some light in your current reading that leads you to beauty and hope in a new, healing way...this book is for you. 

I’ve written this caption over a series of days, trying to find the words I want to use...especially since it is so beautifully written by Sarah. All I can say is give your soul a gift and retreat away with this book. You will not regret it. 

I received an early copy as part of her launch team for this book, but I’ll be rereading my good old-fashioned copy as soon as I get it in the mail. Can’t wait to highlight and underline all the things!

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