All of us editors here at Simple Living Media have a common love for books. We love being able to share (and, whenever possible, give away) those of them that have inspired us in one way or another. Maybe you’ve seen Aimée’s Bite This Book series?
Well, I’ve put together a new category for book reviews here on Simple Homemade where you’ll be able to view the archives at any time if you’re looking for something new to read. And Inspring Books is a new series that will feature a book with some Simple Homemade-type flair (hopefully each month).
The inspring book I’m sharing about today is super special. It’s written by one of my favorite bloggers, Renee Tougas, of FIMBY, and it was literally the perfect book for me, for the season of life I’m in.
Let me tell you a little about Renee’s first ebook, Nurturing Creativity, and also give you a chance to win one of five copies.
Like Renee, I believe we humans were designed as creative beings. I honestly feel like it’s part of who I am, and if you’re not sure about that for yourself, this little book is just the thing to change your mind.
“I’ve come to describe what I do simply as creative living, not defined by any one craft or activity but an overall approach to life,” says Renee, and that’s how I want to live life as well.
I love how Renee encourages us moms to adapt our creative living to whatever season of life and motherhood we are in. Reading Nurturing Creativity really expanded my definition of what creativity looks like and encompasses.
Sure, I love to sew and craft and even paint with my kids. But this book left me thinking outside the creativity box per se. Making do with what we have in the kitchen or adapting a recipe? Oh, yeah, that is getting creative. I never before thought about how great it is when I do something creative (and fulfill one of my own needs) while also doing something practical for my family.
Being a mom can be a busy job, and we can find our time is fleeting. This easy-to-read book is almost more like an encouraging letter from a friend, nudging us gently to see opportunities for creativity we didn’t notice before and nurturing that instinctive desire in our hearts to create, and giving us tips and tools for finding and using our own creativity.
And isn’t the cover art just beautiful?
About the book
From Renee:
Nurturing Creativity is about embracing the seasons of motherhood and appreciating where you are while helping you to make creativity a priority in your life.
It will encourage you to let go of perfection, to start small, and to find inspiration in everyday living. This little book will challenge you to make the most of the time you do have.
Time you can spend creating beauty and meaning – with your head, heart, and hands.
I know you’re a busy mom so this book is short (just under fifty PDF pages). You can easily read it in one sitting or savor it slowly.
Nurturing Creativity is available directly from FIMBY, where you get three different file types (PDF, .mobi (for Kindle), .epub (other readers such as Nook) to download for the amazing price of just $3. It is also available as a single download through Amazon for Kindle.
Giveaway
This giveaway has now ended.
Renee has been kind enough to offer a copy of her ebook to 5 lucky Simple Homemade readers today.
To enter this giveaway, simply leave a comment answering this question: how do you like to express yourself in creative ways?
Giveaway ends Thursday May 18th at midnight PST. Good luck!
Thanks, Renee, for the review copy!
About Nicole
I love to make music and pull weeds in the garden. The weeding may not sound “creative” so much as “destructive,” but really I’m creating a peaceful outdoor living space where the beauty of the plants that we want is able to shine!
Hi,
I’ve just gotten out of a severe depression recently, and I now want to get my life back…But what’s missing in this life is precisely creativity, which I never know how to express…I know I have something inside that just want to be told or written or painted or knitted but I don’t know how to make it get out of me…I would love to read this book! Sincerely, Stephanie.
I like to create a peaceful home environment, one full of love and laughter. It’s one of the hardest creative jobs there is, in my opinion, but also one of the most satisfying.
When I can, I like to sew or knit. When it’s been awhile since I’ve taken the time to do something creative (for me), I start to feel it and have to purposefully make some time to do something that engages me in a creative way
After searching for years for a creative outlet, I found photography. I love capturing the fleeting moments of a beautiful day, the pensive look on a person’s face, the laughter and joy of a small child discovering the world. A photojournalist at heart, I carry a camera with me everywhere I go, eager to share my vision with the world.
It depends…I like writing, crafting, knitting, cooking, gardening and decorating. I tend to jump around from one project to another as my mood or inspiration changes. It makes my husband a little crazy because I tend to leave multiple, unfinished projects in my wake!
I’d love reflection on creativity!
I definitely get creative in the kitchen when we don’t have all the perfect ingredients, but two of my three favorite hobbies are sewing and knitting! I have knit a sweater per child every year for Christmas since they’ve been born.
Sarah M
Sounds intriguing. I enjoy reading Renee’s posts. I don’t do crafts anymore, but try to be creative with my resources and time.
I got to express my creativity unexpectedly when I wanted to match my daughter for my first Mother’s Day as a mother… the top I wanted to wear was stained! So, with help from an instructional video on youtube and some material, thread and buttons, I was able to make another top do and actually had a much nicer outfit. We both had cute matching flowers (that I liked so much I wore the flower the next day as well with another outfit)!
I like to send cards or notes out of the blue to friends and family just to tell them I love them, or am thinking about them or to just let them know I think they are wonderful individuals. It’s fun and allows me to build my relationships in an easy, simple way.
Right now, I’m loving the art of putting together a cozy spot on our new deck! Full of thrifted ‘junk’, flowers, plants, etc. it’s becoming quite a little sanctuary. I’m looking forward to knitting and embroidering in my rocking chair while my kiddos play.
Any type of craft is how I express ny creativity. I am practical though so I tend to make things that benefit my home or that I can give as gifts.
Music and knitting and cooking, oh my! I think above all, music is my favorite way of creative expression…followed closely by my love of creating healthy delicious food for my family. Love this book! I hope to win and gift to my sister-in-law
I express myself through creative ways by quilting, preparing meals, and dancing! I would love to read that book!
Great ideas here! I bake with my children – we’ve made frog cake pops for “F” week, apple cake pops for teacher appreciation, handheld apple pies for Thanksgiving, and so on. We love to cook around here
Making up stories for and with my children to enjoy.
I am one of those that doesn’t feel like she has a creative bone in her body, but I would love a book that would give me some inspiration! I want to help my daughter discover her creative side.
Cooking in the kitchen…I’d like to start sewing though.
Knitting, and writing.
I love the concept of “creative living.”
Lately I’ve really felt the need to create. I am definitely NOT a naturally creative person, but I’ve been wanting to add things to our home that I or one of my family members have made. Latest project I’ve completed is a monogrammed canvas to hang on my daughter’s wall. This sounds like a great book, and I’ve enjoyed the FIMBY blog as well.
in my cooking….I love trying new things, printing lots of recipes but never following them perfectly
I thought this would be a difficult question for me to answer because I’m not really creative but more practical. I’m encouraged by the responses of so many to see creativity in their daily tasks as well as hobbies. I do enjoy cooking and making up new dishes, as well as trying to make things more useful and efficient around the house in terms of storage, availability, etc.
I am enjoying art journaling, though drawing is not something I’m great at…. I’m liking the “anything goes” aspect;I also like to find time to play piano and try out new recipes
i scrapbook and craft
Funny enough, I think I have my best ideas when I’m out running! (Time to execute those ideas is another story, though!) My creative outlet usually involves taking photos or making some type of craft for the home – a canvas or something to hang on the wall.
I love to write, sing, and cook.
Ive recently enjoyed gardening, cooking, decorating house and photographing my baby boy.
Cooking!
I am a graduate student in a scientific field and I have found that I need creativity in order to solve scientific problems at work. I don’t have time to express my creativity in other ways but I am enjoying teaching my little one to be creative and we both enjoy looking/reading/watching other’s creative works
I like making gifts for people. It seems so much more personal and heartfelt when you create something specifically for the recipient. I also love to cook and try new recipies.
I like to try all creative endevours but the one that comes the most natural is anything in the kitchen.
I express my creativity through gardening, sewing, singing, and of course, mothering.
I danced growing up – and I still love the art of it. While I’m not on stage or doing performances anymore…..my kids and I have been known to bust a move right in the middle of the kitchen
And writing…..that’s where I’m most creative (Or that’s where I try to be!)
I want to read this ebook…sounds awesome
- Kate
I think I am most creative in cooking. I like making up recipes and using up leftovers.
Thanks for a the giveaway!
I like being creative in decorating, especially in a couple of specific “places for beauty” – my piano and the mantel above the woodstove. I can’t make my house look like better homes and gardens, but I can make it something that is clean, comfortable and a refreshing place to be. 
Oh goodness. I do so much…sew, craft, draw (okay doodle), cook, dance, scrap, garden. I firmly believe in injecting creativity in to every aspect of my life. Thanks so much for the chance. This book sounds incredible!
I’m a landscape designer and busy mom of two, and would love to read this book! Thanks for the opportunity!
I love to do anything creative. I love music, and making my living area more beautiful and productive! I would love some insight on how to live more creatively though!
I have to be creative everyday or I feel ‘off’. It can be in simple ways like play-acting with my kids or cooking something new, or more elaborate like scrapbooking, crafting, drawing, writing, photography, or any number of other projects I enjoy.
I love gardening with my daughter, sewing, scrapbooking, crocheting, and rearranging furniture in the house.
I like to express myself creatively through cooking, gardening, writing, and textile arts!
I like to express my creativity through unique gift giving whether it be something off the beaten path I have found to purchase or I chose to make something. I feel like gift giving has become so impersonal with big box stores and so I like to try and make it just a little more special and personal.
I get craftsy in the kitchen!
It’s been awhile. But I do love to paint and draw. Nowadays it seems like I do so through cooking
I make dolls! It’s very enjoyable and not always useful..! Which is a good aim for creativity, I think.
Thanks for the opportunity.
I love to sew. Take a piece of fabric and transorm it into something beautiful and fun.
I’ve begun a creative rennaisance of sorts in the last 5 years, creating new recipes, writing poetry occasionally and indulging in craft projects. When I got married, somehow I thought I had to leave crafting behind and just focus on housekeeping and hospitality.
Now the challenge is to find a reasonable balance between creative pursuits and keeping up with each day’s responsibilities.
I love to bake! I usually try to be creative when I bake. It’s hard making the time but I always try!