When the warm weather arrives each year, my soul longs to spend more time outdoors enjoying the sunlight and fresh air. You, too? You know, just because you like to be outdoors during the summer months doesn’t mean you have to neglect your creative side. It’s easy to keep your creative juices flowing with these 10 ways to take your creativity outside this summer!
It’s easy for me to settle into the warmth of my home during the cold winter months and work on my indoor creative projects like sewing, painting, and crocheting. Once the summer months arrive and temperatures rise, I begin to crave more time outdoors soaking up the sunlight and inhaling the fresh air. Guess what happens then?
My creative projects get put on the back burner…
You see, the more time I spend outside, the more I tend to neglect my indoor creative projects. But the truth is, we really don’t have to choose between spending time outside and being creative. There are plenty of ways we can foster our creative skills while spending time outdoors. Here are some ideas to get you started with 10 ways to take your creativity outside this summer.
#1 – Plant a garden
I love planting new flowers in my garden each year, moving plants around to make sure there are flowers of varied heights and colors spaced throughout for a beautiful appearance. Cultivate the artist in you by planning and planting a flower garden in your yard or by sprucing up the landscaping around your home. Not only will you get to spend time outdoors while you’re creating the beauty, but you’ll be able to sit out on your lawn or patio all summer long admiring your handiwork.
#2 – Take your sketchbook and easel with you
Enjoy painting? Set up your easel outside and spend some time painting the nature around you. If you like to sketch, grab your sketchpad and head to the local park or waterfront to find something new to sketch.
#3 – Move your projects outside
Behind on your furniture transformations? Take them outside! I like to paint furniture on my back patio sometimes so I can enjoy hearing the birds chirp while I work. If you like to work indoors, set up your work station in the garage or shop, but open the door to let some sunlight and fresh air in!
#4 – Put those home decor skills to use outdoors
If you enjoy home decorating, use your creative skills to design a fun space for your family to gather outside. Decorate your patio or porch with an outdoor rug, pillows and patio furniture. You can even be more creative (and thrifty) by building some fun furniture pieces of your own with pallet wood. Plant flowers in containers and display them alongside your patio. Make your space a beautiful, comfortable area for your family to spend time together.
#5 – Gather Mother Nature’s crafting supplies
Enjoy some time outdoors while planning for future projects by collecting items you can use later. Maybe spend a day at the beach collecting seashells, or an afternoon hiking to hand pick flowers, or a morning in the garden collecting herbs. You’ll be prepared with items needed for the seashell mirror, dried flower arrangement or scented rice packs you want to make later.
#6 – Document your outdoor time with photography
Now is the perfect time to brush up on your photography skills. There are so many beautiful trees and flowers in bloom, and they are always up for a photo shoot. Grab your camera and head to the parks and gardens in your area for a peaceful afternoon snapping pictures of nature.
#7 – Shop outside!
Do you like to shop at thrift stores to find items for your craft projects? Why not trade in thrift store shopping for yard sales and outdoor flea markets? You you can enjoy the fresh air while scooping up the good deals!
#8 – Create an outdoor living space for your family
Don’t have a space for your family to hang outside, but you’d like to have one? How about putting your design skills to use and make one? Plan and build a wooden deck or fire pit area for your yard. If you already have a deck but would like a change, give it new life by applying a new stain or paint color.
#9 – Get inspired outdoors!
Need some project inspiration? Research the festivals in your region and plan to attend the ones that have arts and crafts vendors. Visiting these vendor booths can provide you with inspiration for future projects, plus give you the chance to talk shop with some talented creators!
#10 – Make items for outdoor use
Spend time creating items that you can use outside. Make a birdhouse or bird feeder to hang outside, make decorative stepping stones for a path, paint a trellis for your garden, design a new flag to hang outside your home, or paint a new mailbox. These items will help personalize and add some character to your yard.
I hope these ideas inspire you to use your artistic and creative skills outside so you can enjoy the warm sun and fresh air. How do you plan to take your creativity outside this summer?
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