About the Book
Creative moms often feel as though they must lay their passions down. But God had something special in mind for the creative woman during this intense season of mothering.
In this Pinterest age of handcrafted children’s parties, Instagram photos of beautifully decorated homes, and blogs filled with poetry and prose, it is clear that we are in the midst of a brand new artistic renaissance. Not one born in Italian cathedrals or Harlem jazz clubs, but rather in kitchens, nurseries, and living rooms around the world. Mothers, working in the cracks and crevices of each hectic day, are adorning the world with their gifts, and they’re showing all of us the beauty of this Life Creative.
In this book, you’ll learn:
—Why the world needs your art
—How this Life Creative begins at home
—When art can turn a profit
—Your part in this modern-day Renaissance
Life Creative paints the stories of moms, just like you, who are fitting their inspired lives into the everyday, ordinary places of motherhood. Women like home decorator Melissa Michaels and jewelry designer Lisa Leonard, author Angie Smith, recording artist Ellie Holcomb, and many more.
Disclaimer: I received this book free of charge from LitFuse Publicity. My review on books will always be 100% honest and genuine. All opinions expressed in this review are mine alone.
Keri’s Personal Review:
I consider myself a creative person and mom. Spending time creating new recipes and baking special cakes for my client’s weddings or birthdays sets my creative side soaring. The high points of every year is hand crafting decorations and that special cake for my son’s birthday party. So naturally when I saw this book’s title I jumped for the chance to read and share it on the blog. Immediately fell in love with the artwork that adorns the cover and goes throughout the pages. It is bright, colorful and beautifully reflects the creative sentiment the authors speak of throughout the book.
I will say that as I started off the early chapters I did feel a little disappointed to read the authors speak about motherhood as being a time of “dark ages” for creatives. Suggesting that we feel imprisoned and confined in our life by motherhood. One can understand where they are coming from of course, that we will have less free time to work on projects, but the words like “imprisoned” and “little jailers” came off a little over the top harsh to me. Maybe this part of the book struck me a little raw because of the struggle I had in having my son and getting to experience motherhood at all. I have cherished every hard moment and late night. Of course I know this harsh tone wasn’t the intention of the authors by any means so I spurred myself to keep reading. I am so glad I kept reading.
Although the first couple of chapters in the book made me wonder how much I would enjoy the rest of the book, I was pleasantly surprised as the book to a turn in direction and began to show moms how they could still fuel their creative sides and passions in the midst of treasuring motherhood.
Finding ways to still be a great mom and still enjoy your personal passions are important and I feel the authors give us some great insight on how we can do this throughout the remaining chapters in the book. Including reminding us that we are not only “artists” in our own ways but we are the “art” of our Creator! How great is it that we can use our creative lives to share “gospel love” with others around us.
I really enjoyed reading the little glances into the lives of the creative women shared throughout the book. It was inspiring to see how these moms not only embraced their family life but also continued to fuel their creative passions. What a blessing to see many of them went on to find ways to turn their passions in to businesses.
So despite the slow start I had warming up to this book, I can honestly say that I am glad I read Life Creative. The book would be a great read for any mom out there that is struggling to balance her creative passions with the demands of motherhood. The authors of this book show creative moms, like myself, that we do not have to give up our creative lives. In fact we can use them to bless our families and others around us.
About the Authors
Wendy Speake is a trained actress and heartfelt teacher. She ministers to women’s hearts through storytelling and life applications, utilizing drama, comedy, poetry and the study of God’s Word. During her career in Hollywood, on shows such as JAG, Melrose Place, Star Trek Voyager and Roswell, Speake found herself longing to tell stories that edify and encourage women. She is the author of Triggers: Exchanging Parents’ Angry Reactions for Gentle Biblical Responses (BRU Press, 2015). Speake is a wife and homeschooling mother of three boys.
Find Speake online at wendyspeake.com, on Facebook (WendyJSpeake) and on Twitter (@Wendy_Speake).
Kelli Stuart is a writer and a storyteller at heart. She has written for several websites including The Huffington Post, 5 Minutes for Mom, The MOB Society, (in)courage and Compassion International. Stuart is the author of three books, including Like a River from Its Course (Kregel Publications, 2016). Stuart is a noted speaker, sharing her encouraging message never to give up on your dreams and passions with mothers who often feel lost in motherhood. Stuart her husband live in Florida with their four children.
Visit Stuart’s website at kellistuart.com or follow her on Facebook (KelliStuartAuthor) and Twitter (@kellistuart).
For more on this book and the Give Away:
You can check out more on this book by visiting this Page. To enter their give away you can click the imagine below. Note: I am in no way affiliated with this give away, so for questions or information please direct all questions through the link.
I am a southern girl through and through that loves to laugh, cook, read and spend time with family. My passions outside of home schooling my son are ministering to those in need and creating art in the kitchen! Every day is an adventure in our little house and I wouldn’t trade it or the chance to share here with you for anything!
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