Wednesday, June 15, 2011

pretty messy



Tonight while sorting through my iPhoto library, deleting photos to make room for new ones, I came across a bunch of pics I had taken of messes.



Not all-out crazy messes but the pretty messes that happen when creating. The above photo was snapped during a recent snipping session that included coffee and brownies. My youngest sat drawing across from me. {I treasure afternoons like this.}



This little mess was likely made during preparations for an annual craft show.



Like many bloggers, I enjoy the process of staging and styling mini photo shoots -- last minute tidy-ups and positioning things in view just-right -- but sometimes it's fun to document the flip side of creativity -- the glorious mess-making of it all!


Photo by Dan Mayers

It's important to remember that not every day looks like this ...



or this ...



but more like this.



Happy mess-making ...

xo
elyse

39 comments:

Alyssa said...

creative messes are play~Looks like a fun loving house full of creativity! Alyssa

Jill said...

Elyse, I really, really love this post. Really. I can't tell you how often I look at my creative (and not so creative) messes on my kitchen table and think, "Oh, if my readers only knew...". Sometimes I call my messes "Creative Chaos" and sometimes I just call it "The Storm Before The Calm." He he.

Hugs,
Jill

Olivia said...

Oh your messes are so pretty thank you for sharing! HOpe your week is fabulous.
Hugs,
Olivia

Patty Marker said...

I love beautiful messes. The kind that come with something created at the end are the best. My grandson will sit and play with my buttons in my craft space while I'm busy making cards or sewing. Sweet memories for both of us.

Heirloom treasures said...

very pretty messes x

Melinda said...

I love making messes!!!!
Just not cleaning them up!


Melinda

Deb said...

Pretty being the key word here. Nice blog you have.
Hugs, Deb=^..^=x4

Into Vintage said...

Can I tell you how much I relate to that coffee table/sofa mess?! Makes we want to take a pic of my dining room as it is at the moment. No dining going on in there! ...unless you'd like a can of paint and some gorilla glue with your meal. :-)

PS *Love* coffee + brownies.

The Feathered Nest said...

I just love your messes Elyse!!! You just know when there's a mess there's gonna be a wonderful by-product!!! Messes mean creativity and I just love it ~ hope you are doing wonderful sweet friend, hugs and love, Dawn

Simple Home said...

I love this! Especially the little creations at the end. I'll bet your kiddos made those :)
Blessings,
Marcia

SLR said...

i really like this post, elyse! i would love to see all the goodies you've got up in those messes!!

Jen Kershner said...

Your messes are gorgeous and inspiring! Also I have that Anthro coffee cup in the first picture.

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

Oh yes, I can soooooooo relate to this! Who can say that they create neatly? LOL...

xxoo
Becky

debi said...

Elyse, your messes are so pretty and colorful! Hugs

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Ha! My spaces look much more like mess-making most of the time, even when I'm not making anything. :/ Right now I have things gathered round me on the loveseat where I park myself in my pajamas to blog, crochet and be inspired! I have so many cans that need to be spraypainted and made over now that I have time, but it is dusty and windy outdoors. Will have to wait for things to calm down. :) Have a terrific Thursday. Tammy

Gem said...

So very very true, thanks for this post, in all honesty we all wish we lived a tidy and organised life but surely this just wouldn't be possible without the occasional mess making : ) xxx

hilary@oldhousetruelove said...

Mrs. C would not be happy ; ) your messes are "cute messes" : )

NanaDiana said...

Hi Elyse,
Oh-I love a good mess...and I am so good at making them!!! Even your messes look pretty to me-much better than my own~

I have to ask you-in the next-to-last photo...where are those plates from? Is that a pattern that can still be found? Please...please....please say yes! xo Diana

Cottage 1945 said...

I wish my messes were that pretty!

Claudia said...

Very true, my friend.

xo
Claudia

Scrap for Joy said...

Right on Elyse! I can't craft in a neat and orderly way. When I'm finished with a project I always look around my room and think "What happened in here?" Creating is what happened and I'd rather have some messiness signifying that something fun is going on than a neat space that I never enter. That being said...I must add that your messiness is much prettier than mine :)
xoxo
Joyce

shabbyfufu said...

Oh boy....I can relate with the mess in my studio and dining room table most of the time, lol!

I need to go thru my iPhoto & delete, delete, delete too...umm, thanks for the reminder:-)

xoxo

Lorrie said...

Without messes, little would get done. Looks like lots of creativity goes on at your place.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for showing me your messes, Elyse! I can't wait till my back is better so I can clean up mine and make new ones! ♥

Jessica Rodarte said...

Even your messes are pretty! How do you manage that? ;)

Jenny said...

Even your mess is gorgeous! xx

Suz said...

Love your messes, Elyse! I am such a messy crafter and I never get better, no matter what I try! So keep on showing me the messes so I feel better, OK?
Hugs,
Suz

Carly said...

I do admire your staging mini shoots. They look lovely! As a new blogger, its something that I'm working on!

Anonymous said...

What a sweet messy post Elyse!! Your messes are even wonderful! Believe memy messes look well, like whirlwinds sweeping through living everything in disarray!

It looks like your children are following in you creative foot steps with their drawing and making star trek figures!!

bee blessed
mary

koralee said...

Oh yes my dear...right now I am sitting in a huge mess..not a fun one though...a messy kitchen..dishwasher full kinda mess. Wish I had a pretty one like you.

Happy weekend my friend.

Twyla and Lindsey said...

He, he, we can so relate to that. Your messes are very pretty, too! Have a nice weekend! Twyla

Kit said...

You have inspired me to take a "messy" pic! Like you, I keep my messes to myself, but it is fun to see the "real" life of creators. Kit

Bring Pretty Back said...

Elyse, Thank you! This post makes me feel a little better about myself! Haha!
Have a PRETTY day!
Kristin

Cindy@Cutepinkstuff said...

What a pretty mess, Elyse! Not bad at all, but once you get going on crafts, the supplies take over! Had fun at the French Flea today. Glad you're still enjoying your sign!

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Truly beautiful messes Elyse! The little star trek tinkerings pulled at my heart~strings...precious. Gotta LOVE those boys!

Love,
Maryjane
xox

~*~ saskia ~*~ said...

That is a very very pretty mess, Elyse. It makes me happy just looking at your teeny tiny treasures.
Have a sweetest of Sundays and a wonderful start to the new week o xx o

Anonymous said...

Oh I loved this post! Boy I'll tell ya though your messes look a lot more pretty then mine end up turning out to be! lol xox

Anonymous said...

I loved this post, Elyse! BTW ~ your messes are waaaay prettier than mine! :)
Wishing you a lovely one,
~ Zuzu

Affordable Medical Insurance said...

Your messes are so pretty thank you for sharing! HOpe your week is fabulous!