Amanda Blake Soule - Creative Family Manifesto.

The work of Amanda Soule has weaved its way into so many of our homes, and what was a pioneering proclamation ten years ago, The Creative Family Manifesto has circled back once again to restore its rightful place on our nightstands, motivating us to live more fully.

ASHLEY YOUSLING, CREATOR OFWOOLFUL

When The Creative Family was published ten years ago, I was a mom of two young children. At that time, Amandas lovely words inspired a new level of appreciation and discovery that helped guide me through those simple (at times monotonous) days I spent with my little family. The simple prompts reminded me to stay present and curious. My original, dog-eared, bookmarked copy, along with this newly released version, will be passed on to my son and daughter as they begin their own families.

BLAIR STOCKER, AUTHOR OFWISE CRAFT QUILTS

Amandas original book, The Creative Family, was my blueprint as a young mom. It helped shape my approach to parenting and our value system as a family. Her simple projects and activities became part of our daily lives and helped us start our own traditions. My kids are entering their teenage years now, but their unplugged, imaginative childhoods set the foundation for the thoughtful, creative people theyve become.

ERIN BENZAKEIN, AUTHOR OFFLORET FARMS CUT FLOWER GARDEN

Amanda Soule has been a beacon of light for so many of us creative, full-hearted women. Through her blog and her books she inspires, teaches, and shows us how to bring creativity into the every day. The Creative Family Manifesto is gift to us all.

CARRIE-ANNE MOSS, ACTRESS AND FOUNDER OFANNAPURNA LIVING

Roost Books

An imprint of Shambhala Publications, Inc.

4720 Walnut Street

Boulder, Colorado 80301

roostbooks.com

Text 2008, 2017 by Amanda Blake Soule

Foreword 2017 by Kirsten Rickert

Illustrations 2017 by Julianna Swaney

This book is adapted from The Creative Family (2008).

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Designed by Allison Meierding

Cover art by Julianna Swaney

Cover design by Allison Meierding

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Soule, Amanda Blake, author.

Title: The creative family manifesto: encouraging imagination and nurturing family connections / Amanda Blake Soule; foreword by Kirsten Rickert; illustrations by Julianna Swaney.

Description: First edition. | Boulder: Roost Books, [2017]

Identifiers: LCCN 2017006074 | ISBN 9781611805031 (pbk.: alk. paper)
eISBN 9780834841079

Subjects: LCSH: Handicraft. | Creative activities and seat work. | Family recreation. | Creative ability in children.

Classification: LCC TT157 .S6363 2017 | DDC 745.5dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017006074

v4.1

a

Dedicated, on the tenth anniversary, to Annabel, Harper, Adelaide, Ezra, Calvin, and Steve.

CONTENTS

FOREWORD

S pending time with the Soule family is an enlivening experience. After a few days at their farmhouse in Maine, my spirit was energized, and I came to know for certain that it is their connection to creativity that keeps their family well. From the meals they cook to the methods they use to soothe emotions, they have a great intuitive depth when it comes to nurturing their children and themselves. It is not so much a question of how they do italthough The Creative Family Manifesto will share thatit is an understanding of why they do it, which very clearly is an endless well of love. Love can make anything happen, and as parents we must embody love mindfully. When we distill what is important, without a doubt it is the time spent with our children that forms the ultimate foundation of life. Time together anchors our childrens souls, and it is then that the question arises: how does one fill the time? Well, one gets creative!

As Amanda and I strolled through the paddock, we found ourselves reminiscing about how our days of early motherhood unfolded. Amandas intuition led her to look to traditional seasonal routines and rituals and see how they could serve childhood within a contemporary life. It was through the process of drawing on the past that Amanda came into herself, forming a unique and dynamic presence in her home, selectively exploring old-fashioned activities in new ways to enable her family to thrive. Like trying on shoes to see which are the most comfortable for walking long distances. A few creative activities each day will bring sentimental souvenirs to the journey and will, more importantly, help a family travel far and wide in good spirit. It is through The Creative Family Manifesto that one can be inspired to spend time wisely as a family.

Sitting by the Soule family hearth, it was so very clear that the energetic currents of creativity from each family member flowed together to fill the space with a harmonious sense of companionship. Life was being expressed and enjoyed with revelry in any number of mediums all at once. It was like when chaos and divine order collide, a universe is created. Everything wonderful the world has to offer really can be felt in ones own home through creativity.

Calvin, now largely independent, was out in the world, exploring the material of his own making. A strong natural fiber, influenced by the warp and weft his parents wove into the fabric of childhood. With delightful confidence and ease, Ezra played the guitar and ukulele, singing songs and making up games to entertain his younger siblings. Adelaide baked muffins from scratch, and knitted pink hats for a political movement, entirely on her own. Ive never seen needles fly so fluidly in one so young. After baking, she came full circle, cleaning up the dishes. Harper played the piano and chess repeatedly and consistentlyat least five chess games in one afternoon, which certainly requires an expansive mind to beat his father and elder brothers. And littlest Annabel with exuberance that overflowed like a fountain: her commitment was wholehearted in everything she did. Like a fledgling, she would swoosh out into the house or yard alone and then find herself pulled back, checking in with Mama to sit and chatter while painting pictures or adorning her body with ribbon and yarn. Then, just like that, something would strike her light and she would dash off to select fabric for a skirt she intended to sew. Annabel applied her ingeniousness from dawn till dusk, squeezing every last drop out of the day. When Soule Papa came down the stairs, threading the needle of patience after trying to stitch Annabel into bed for the night, Soule Mama sat her knitting aside and ascended. Almost instantly there was sleepy silence above, and a moment later Amanda returned.

She wanted a Portuguese Kiss, Amanda said with a smile.