I like to look at the lives of inventors and try to learn from them. They’re inspiring and worth studying! We live in a world full of wonderful inventions, so it’s natural to point to a computer and ask, “Who made that?” This summer, I went camping, and every night, I took a picture of the sunset. Here’s one.
It’s beautiful. How does it happen? Seeing the water, the light, the air, the earth, and the sun all working together makes me ask: is there an inventive mastermind behind that? In school these days, sometimes kids are told not to talk about religion and science – what people around the world believe – and I think that does everyone an enormous disservice. Learning how to have a respectful conversation about our differences and similarities of beliefs and points of view helps all of us.
Because at some point in life, we start asking questions. How did I get here? How did you get here? Where did all of this stuff come from? How does it work? And there’s endless, wonderful ideas out there. As we study, we get answers that invite more questions.
So, today I’m inviting you to ask the questions, encouraging you to look for answers, and letting you know what I think about it all. I think none of this – not an atom in the cosmos – is an accident or chance. I believe there is a God who created every person and everything. Why do I believe that?
For a few reasons. People who believe in God have talked to me about what they believe and why. I read in the Bible about God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. I talked to God, listened, and started to believe. Here’s where I’m at:
It’s like gravity. Newton studied the force that attracts a body toward the center of the earth or toward any other physical body having mass – and it’s so cool that he did. I believe gravity is a real thing because what he said makes sense, even though I don’t understand it all, when I jump up, my body comes back down to the earth – hopefully, on my feet. It’s a “scientific theory” that’s also proved true over and over in my everyday experience of life – so yes, I believe in gravity.
When I look at the sunset, or smell salt in the air off the ocean, or hear children make up a funny song about macaroni noodles, and I wonder if there’s intelligent design behind it, all signs point to: yes.
What do you think about when you look at the sunset? As you move forward with your day today, I want to invite you to ask questions and explore the answers!
Until next time,
Invent your story
Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Another inventor who saw God in nature was George Washington Carver. Check out a slice of his life here!
In my previous post, I promised to keep you updated on my invention center. Here’s my update: progress was slow. Why? I thought a lot about how to move forward with the space I have. Maybe I’ve been overthinking it. So, without further ado, here’s…
Tip #1.
Don’t Overthink It
Underthinking things in life (Can I afford this? Should I jump?) can get you into trouble. But overthinking is its own beast. Analysis paralysis is a real thing, so if you keep coming back to a space you have to work with and thinking, “That’s probably the best place to start…” it probably is.
That said, here are four more things to consider before making that final decision:
Tip #2.
Consider the Nature of the Work
If it’s electronics, you’re going to want a table and a nearby outlet. If it’s painting, an easel may be your best option. You also will want to consider the kind of floor you’re on. I want to do a little bit of everything and not destroy anything, so I went for a corner of our basement where the floor is painted concrete and an outlet is nearby.
Tip #3.
Remember Ventilation and Safety
Everything we do involves a level of risk, so it’s smart to assess yours and take precautions. If you’re going to be working with chemicals (paint thinners, glues, stains, etc.) that give off fumes, be sure your workspace has a window you can open when needed. Having a nearby water supply is helpful. Take the time to map out an emergency plan, so you are well prepared.
Tip #4.
Lighting Effects Work
When I was a kid doing homework at the kitchen table, my mom would walk by and flip on the overhead light for me. “It’s better for your eyes,” she’d say. Mom was right. Does your space have natural or overhead lighting? Would a small lamp be beneficial for you, and if so, where will that fit into things? It’s worth considering as you move forward with your new venture.
Tip #5.
Give Yourself Room to Grow
Starting small is starting smart, but don’t limit yourself or your imagination. Right now, my invention center is a table in the corner of the basement. Maybe one day it will be a super-techy-inspiring-for-inventors-everywhere place, but today, it’s a simple table with room to grow. And that, my friends, is not a bad beginning.
Until next time,
Invent your story
A couple of weeks ago, I visited the Mount Pleasant Discovery Museum. It’s an inspiring place that ignites the imagination and teaches through hands-on activities. I love the way they use color and texture in art. Check out Saturn!
Planets from Plastic Lids
I’ve seen photographs and paintings of the planets before, but I’ve never seen them on display through reused plastic lids. Maybe I need to get out more. The mosaic effect of this eco-friendly idea is cool.
Touchable Light
Almost every corner of the MPDM had something to climb, count, throw, launch, build, or paint. Above this world of little lights, the sign said “Please Touch”. This display was neat because it was huge, and the cool, smooth textured light was a fun way to explore how color and light work together.
Colorful Cranes in Flight
The Japanese exhibit was probably my favorite. I loved watching kids paint the alphabet with water. The area was covered by a rainbow of hanging paper cranes, and it was absolutely beautiful. When I left the museum, I was ready to tackle a new colorful project of my own.
Every place has something to discover. Things we throw away can become unique art. Electricity is useful, but it can also be fun. A piece of paper can take flight when you get inventive and change its shape to create something new.
We live in a beautiful, diverse world. Every person carries wonderful colors, inside and out, that have a special place in the art that makes up our world. Wherever you go, and whatever you do today, take some time to soak up some of the beauty and be inspired.
Until next time,
Invent your story
If you like repurposed art, check out my experiment with pop cans for a new idea.
We are creative people. I believe everyone benefits from making something good, but creating takes time, space, and energy. As a person who’s embracing the creative life, I’ve discovered something very important.
Creativity can take over.
I’m not saying it’s a bad thing, but it’s the inherent nature of this marvelous beast. When you want to paint with watercolors, it sounds simple enough. But after you hunt for brushes, paints, paper, a clear table, and a kid or two, the mix is overwhelming. Where do you put the paintings that aren’t dry yet? Where do you put paintings when they are dry?
When paintings end up sharing the dinner table with you, their charm can wear off.
Fuel your creative life with an invention center in your home.
A home is a powerful place. One of the best things you can do for yourself and the people you live with is give everyone the opportunity to develop their talents and contribute to the family. An invention center does that.
So, what is an invention center?
Think of your favorite creative hobby. Maybe it’s tinkering, building, pottery, painting, mosaic, writing, chemistry, electronic work, or whatever thing you like to do. An invention center is a place where you get to do that thing, guilt-free and supply-ready.
Your invention center can live in a box under your bed that you pull out each evening. If you have a corner of a room, your invention center can hang out in that space and be ready to tackle a new project with you. An invention center can be a building, but if you don’t have a building, don’t let that keep you from inventing. Start small.
I think a lot of us tend to neglect creative endeavors because of the perceived work involved. Or we dive in without a plan and get frustrated. Your invention center is going to look different than mine because our interests are unique, but we can still learn from one another. I plan to keep you posted on how things come along with my invention center, and I’d love to hear about the strategies you’re using to fuel your inventive life.
Until next time,
Invent your story
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When I searched encyclopedia.com to deepen my understanding of Beethoven, it opened with a succinct yet staggering line:
The instrumental music of German composer Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) forms a peak in the development of tonal music and is one of the crucial evolutionary developments in the history of music as a whole.
This man was an inventor who changed the world of music as we know it. I love how kids who are learning to play the piano (even informally with friends) will start with “Mary had a Little Lamb” and “Chopsticks” but if they really want to impress, will play the first few haunting notes of Beethoven’s “Fur Elise.” And that’s when friends flock to the keys for an impromtu lesson.
Beethoven was different. Even in today’s world, with so many wonderful varieties of music, he makes us pause. We can’t help but listen as the piece of his soul transports us to an ineffable unknown.
As a young music prodigy, he longed to study under Mozart. He traveled to Vienna with famous composer Joseph Haydn. Beethoven blossomed in Vienna and launched his career.
Publishing practices at the time were not like today. Encyclopedia.com states, “Publishers paid a fee to composers for rights to their works, but neither copyright nor royalties were known….this initial payment was all he could expect, and both he and his publisher had to contend with piracy by rival publishers…”
There’s a lot more to Beethoven’s story, but this part made me pause. Can you imagine what that was like for him? History, culture, and technology when Beethoven left his mark on the earth harbored many obstacles. As honored as he was for his brilliance, I’m sure it was hard for him to hand off those precious pages.
Even after he became deaf, Beethoven continued to compose music.
We’re human, and so I think it’s natural for us to want our lives to be easy. Sometimes we look at a bright, polished copy of “Fur Elise” and don’t think twice about the joys and pains the hands that penned those notes endured. If you’re inventing something today, obstacles that are unique to your story will arise.
Trials come in many forms: technological, financial, health limitations, and other countless avenues for trouble. There are many lessons to learn from every story, but today Beethoven encouraged me to remember that I am living a piece of history today. So are you, my friend. As long as we’re here, we are making a mark one way or another. Let’s be different.
Until next time,
Invent your story
April showers bring May flowers, and I’ve been in a flower-making frenzy all month. These pop can tulips are a unique way to kick off summer and jazz up any empty corner of the house or garden. Let’s get growing!
What you’ll need:
- A backdrop (I used painted 2×4’s)
- Pop cans (I used Coca-cola for the flower heads, and Verner’s for the green leaf cover)
- Aluminum foil
- Acrylic paint & brushes
- A sawtooth hanger (optional) & hammer
- Hot glue (I tried Elmer’s and even superglue, but I had the best success with hot glue)
Paint Your Backdrop
The first thing you’ll want to do is set the stage for your flowers. If you want to replicate a real flower (like the ones featured) be sure to consider the shape of the leaves that grow on the plant. Tulips have nice thick leaves, so they were easy to paint. I like to mix colors for variety, so I mixed yellows, blues, and greens together and accented the leaves with a metallic acrylic paint.
Twist Your Stem
After your leaves look the way you want, it’s time to make the stem. I ripped 3-4 inches of aluminum foil off of the roll and folded the edges in until I had a strip about 1 inch wide. Then, I started twisting in the middle of the foil all the way out to the ends. This created that nice 3D effect I was hoping for. You can also paint the stem if you want to – I did a light brushing with the metallic green.
Attach Your Sawtooth
If you plan to hang your artwork up, be sure you have the sawtooth hanger (or whatever works best for you) attached to the back before you glue the flowers on the front. Aluminum is fun to work with because it’s versatile, but it also can get bent out of shape, so planning ahead is great.
Cut Your Petals
I wanted a variegated look for my tulips, and the white swish on the coke cans was a perfect fit. It’s also one of my favorite beverages, so that’s fun. As you choose your colors/cans, look for a solid part that you can cut out and create a repeating pattern with. I used a Verner’s ginger ale can for the green leaf that covers the stem at the bottom of the flower.
Glue Your Flower
When your stem, leaf, and petals look the way you want them to, go ahead and glue it all in place! I started with the stem and attached it to the wood at the top and bottom of the twisted strip of foil. Next, I used the green leaf to cover the foil edge. Finally, I glued two tulip petals over the top of each foil stem. Holding the flower head in place and using a LOT of glue helped to secure the petals.
That’s it! Five easy steps to a foil flower frenzy. If you like this project, check out my first attempt at pop can art for a different spin. The best part about this artwork is each flower is unique. As your flowers come together, enjoy the fact that every one is an original work of art. Just like you.
Until next time,
Invent your story
Many times, we don’t set out to start a tradition. They just seem to happen along life’s way, and as the road bends, we turn with it. This is how our tradition at grandma’s house came about.
I remember Mom and Grandma drinking coffee, but because coffee was gross, my sisters and I had tea. My grandmother’s taste was eclectic. She liked what she liked, and that was that. The tea cups didn’t match but looking at them was like drinking in a painted garden.
Of course, we didn’t like the tea. We liked the sugar cubes. I loved watching the little white crystals turn light brown and dissolve. We’d hold them on the surface of the hot tea, and once they were soaked through, we’d slurp the sweet liquid out of cubes before they disappeared. We were very lady-like.
Growing up is a funny thing. There isn’t a day we decide to stop sipping tea from a sugar cube and start driving a car. Somewhere between forever and a blink, everything changes. For awhile, we didn’t drink tea together with Grandma often anymore. We chased boys and dreams and things I don’t remember.
If you’ve been with me as long as Chocolates and Writing Advice, then you already know she passed away. Many years before that happened, we started an annual tea party with Grandma. The menu changed every year, but one thing didn’t: we always had sugar cubes. I didn’t realize until then that she loved the tradition of the sugar cubes as much or more than we did.
This year on Mother’s Day, I used some of the pieces from her china garden at our breakfast table. When I called my mom, we decided to have our annual tea party again. We’re making plans together, and sugar cubes will be in attendance.
The sweetest things in life are often the little pieces we don’t expect. A tradition doesn’t have to be a grand event or an expensive vacation. All it needs is love to grow the memories that last a lifetime and beyond.
Until next time,
Invent your story