Need a little inspiration, a nudge to start a project or just a moment to refresh your thoughts? Every now and then, we all get stuck in that situation and need some help to get going again. I want to share with you a website that I love to go to and be inspired. Leslie Shewring, at A Creative Mint has put together beautiful photos, craft projects, inspiration boards, and color schemes to encourage the “can do spirit” in us.
A little history about Leslie Shewring and A Creative mint
Below are excerpts from interviews that Leslie have done over the years. (Click continue below each section to read it in-depth)
Tell us a little about yourself
Leslie: I grew up on the idyllic Vancouver Island in British Columbia. My mother is an artist and avid gardener so our family home was always a laboratory for creative ventures. At any given time we were doing art projects like painting ceramics on the dining room table and having flowers pressing in books on the kitchen table. My mother and father had an eclectic group of friends, which also influenced more critical and creative ideas.
While working on my interior design degree in Northern California I decided I wanted to go further and study architecture. Even though I did not practice architecture, it was incredible design training. Immediately after finishing grad school I had the opportunity to team up with a manufacturing and distributing company. In collaboration with them I developed, designed and did packaging direction for lots of products sold in many of the major retailers in North America. However, the products were very masculine and utilitarian. I would not call much of what I designed through those years feminine or pretty in the least! I guess I am now trying to get back to what I love which is more female, color, and pattern driven. In the last three years I have only done a few projects and my main focus has been my two little children. continue >
Why did you decide to start a blog, and what’s the story behind the name?
Leslie: I decided to start a blog because I was inspired by reading other blogs. I thought what could I add to this amazing, creative conversation that is going on right now. As well, I wanted to start doing something creative and I thought a blog would be a good way to commit to that journey for myself. The name was decided over a weekend as I was in a rush to start producing something! Once I get started on something I want it done yesterday… continue >
Describe the kind of creative work you do.
Leslie: I do photography and styling work these days. However, I am trained as an architect and used to do product design for many years!
Briefly describe your creative path that led you to the kind of work you are currently doing. (Early influences, former jobs, former versions or iteration of your work)
Leslie: I love photographing flowers and color stories. These interests came from growing up in my mother’s garden and being around visual arts at a very early age.
What are your creative goals for the future?
Leslie: To be a creative role model to my children. continue >
Thank you Leslie, for sharing your works, photos, and creativities with all of us. It was a joy to put this together and get to know you a little more.
In our house, the supply of paper bags is always plentiful and the kid’s creativities with them are endless. Paper bags are inexpensive, available at most general stores and they come in many different colors, sizes and shapes. Here are a few simple ideas to do with basic brown/white paper bags.
This is a quick and easy way to wrap flowers using basic brown paper bags. Cut off the bottom of the bag with scissors, slip a bouquet of flowers through and tie it with twine.
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These marigold flowers (from my little garden) are all wrapped up and ready go.
This outdoor space is quite inviting. A wonderful spot to do nothing… maybe a little reading, drinking or napping. At night, it’s a cozy place to sit by the fire and roast a few marshmallows.
the outdoor gathering place
the fire pit
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flowers along the garden borders
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the swing at the garden shed with the view of the creek below
Vern, a retired teacher and Ruthie, an interior designer have worked tirelessly transforming their outdoor space from grass and overgrown rhododendrons to a place of entertainment and relaxation. They kept the color pallet simple, using mainly white and shades of green and mixing in other plants and flowers. For more inspirations and ideas, you can follow Ruthie on Pinterest.
Thank you Vern & Ruthie Cook for sharing your garden with us.
paper broom
gift bag
containers for s’mores
