Amy Bell on Creativity

Amy Bell has created a "haven of crafting and DIY inspiration, and a place where creative people of all skill levels can come and feel right at home" with her awesome DIY blog, Positively Splendid. A mom of four, and a crafting guru, Amy takes the time to share tons of step-by-step tutorials because she wants everyone to be "equipped to create something beautiful on their own."  As part of our Creativity Made Simple campaign, Amy took time to talk with us about her love of crafting and sewing.

Creativity Made Simple is all about finding the time do what you love even when life is busy. Have your own question for Amy? Share in the comments below, and she will select five to answer.

Check out Amy's guest post and awesome free project - a fun & functional study pillow!

1. How do you make time to craft?

With four small children, I have quickly learned that the best way to work in creative time on a daily basis is to make it a family affair. When I sit down to sew or craft, I try to get my children involved in something creative as well, be it by coloring, painting, drawing or doing easy craft projects. Of course, I also do a fair amount of crafting and sewing during nap time!

2. Who/what was your influence to sew or craft?

I grew up in a home brimming with sewing notions and paintbrushes, as my mother is a gifted sewist, and my father is an accomplished oil painter. A day rarely went by in my childhood that I didn't witness something artistic and imaginative happening in my midst, and the creative heartbeat of our household is something that still imparts a rhythm to my life today.

3. What's a crafting item you can't live without?

Difficult question! I would have to say, more than anything, I simply couldn't survive without my beloved sewing machine. In fact, during our family's recent cross-country move, an entire suitcase in our family car was devoted just to my machine, as I couldn't bear the thought of it being packed on a moving van. There is no telling how many thousands of stitches I've completed over the years with that machine!

4. Someone says, "I'm not creative." How do you respond?

I firmly believe that everyone, regardless of skill level or experience, possesses the ability to create something beautiful with their own two hands. It has always been my hope that Positively Splendid be a place where people can come and feel like they are learning something new from a trusted friend who will guide them through the creative process, because I know that the intimidation of failure is something that prevents many, many people from ever embarking on a creative project. I recently heard my incredibly talented father giving some sage advice to my youngest daughter, words that I really hope to live by: "You are always going to make mistakes as you try, but the biggest mistake would never be trying at all." Without a doubt, you will never know how much latent creativity you possess until you negotiate an abundance of ripped seams, smudged canvases and other blunders! 

Follow Amy's guest pinboard on our page, and make sure to stop by her guest post! Make sure to follow Amy, too! 

Read posts from our Creativity Made Simple influencers Vickie Howell, Tim Holtz, Kim Byers, Tori Spelling, and Rachel Faucett too!