CreativeSteph13: 2026

Halloween Decor Favorites

When Cousin Time Turns Into Art

You never know where inspiration is going to come from! While hanging out with my cousin and visiting shops in the cute town of Lebanon, Or, we started tossing around funny little sayings and phrases. The more we laughed, the more I kept thinking, Okay, these really need to be on ART!

Before long, I was picturing colorful fruit, patterned papers and lots of playful mixed-media details.

And that’s how this cheerful collection of art was born! 🍒🍋🍉 Bright fruit, happy sayings and plenty of personality—perfect for adding a sweet splash of color and fun to a kitchen, breakfast nook or pantry.

Sometimes the best ideas really do come from simply hanging out and laughing with someone you love.

**Moral of the story: Be careful what you say around an artist—we may turn it into home decor!**

It's all for the Birds - Soar with your Decor

Not every crack is something to hide.
Not every mess means you have to give up.

Back to School Favorites

Kick off the school year on a bright note with classroom decor, learning tools, fun school supplies, gifts for teachers, and creative ways to celebrate new memories.

Celebrate the Special Dad in your Life

Celebrate the special dad in your life with unique gifts from small businesses.

#fathersday #giftsfordad #funnydad #happyfathersday
#shopsmall #handmade #bestdadever

More DAD Favorites

Happy Father's Day!

Encourage the Graduate in Your Life

With Graduation fast approaching, I've curated some special gifts to Encourage Your Graduate. {And all from small shops throughout the US} #shopsmall

Here's to encouraging the special grad in your life!

Love, Steph

I love sharing the work of other creative artisans.
These are just some of my favorites and I do not earn any commissions from them.

#artisanssupportingartisans

Conversation Techniques to Building Deeper Relationships

My dad ordered a book and we received it a week after he passed away. It was called Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being by Dr. Martin Seligman. FLOURISH - what a perfect word to sum up the life my dad wanted to live. He was all about looking at life through "positive" eyes. And even with all his health issues, he chose to live a life full of joy, full of enjoyment, full of laughter....just full!

I read this book and it was so powerful. Part practical wisdom, part self-help with a lot of scientific studies to back it up. It was slow going for me (felt like I was back in college studying), but I was able to pull out many helpful gems that both reinforced my focus on a joy-filled life and opened my eyes to several new things.

One of the most interesting things I learned was... how we respond in conversations can strengthen or weaken our relationships.

How to deepen a relationship with one Conversation Technique.

When people we care about tell us about a victory, triumph or good thing that happened to them, how we respond can build the relationship or undermine it.

Active/Constructive Acknowledge, be excited for them, celebrate with them. Ask questions so they relive the moment with you.
Non-verbal: Smiling, Enthusiasm.
Passive/Constructive Passively say, 'that's nice'. No further interaction or conversation.
Non-verbal: Little to no active emotional expression.
Active/Destructive Critical, negative words, pessimistic, find the fault or potential downside in the victory.
Non-verbal: Display negative emotions, frowning.
Passive/Destructive No acknowledgement of the success/victory, change subject.
Non-verbal: no eye contact, leave room, etc.