We are thrilled to announce their first-ever 'Remix and Stitch Lab,' a five-day creativity retreat from September 3-7, 2025, at Sunset Retreat Center in Sunset, Texas. This picturesque location offers a perfect escape with luxurious accommodations, accommodating meals, and vast workspaces. Attendees will enjoy a variety of workshops led by inspiring artists, including mixed media sessions with Dory Patrick and improv comedy exercises from McKinney's Comedy Arena. Both Ellen and Catherine will also host their own creative sessions, with Ellen leading an improv quilting workshop and Catherine teaching block printing and mixed media artist trading cards. All-inclusive at $999, the retreat promises to be a enriching, laugh-filled experience for up to 25 participants. Register soon!

00:00 Welcome to Creative Crossroads

00:09 Announcing Remix and Stitch Lab Retreat

00:32 Details About Sunset Retreat Center

01:51 Accommodations and Amenities

04:07 Special Guest: Dory Patrick

05:14 Creative Mischief Workshop

07:09 Additional Workshops and Activities

08:32 Registration and Costs

09:47 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Thanks for joining us at Creative Crossroads! Keep creating and we'll see you again soon!

Creative Crossroads: Season 1 Finale and Reflections

In the final episode of Season 1 of the Creative Crossroads podcast, hosts Catherine and Ellyn reflect on key learnings from their journey exploring creativity with various guests. They identify common themes such as the essential nature of creativity, the importance of the creative process over the final product, the role of community, managing creative blocks, balancing structure and spontaneity, and the evolution of creative practices. The conversation delves into individual episodes, highlighting insights from guests like Dusty, Amanda, Dori, Mel, Charles, and Amelia. Catherine and Ellyn also announce an exciting upcoming creative retreat, Remix and Stitch Lab, scheduled for September. This episode is packed with valuable reflections and sets the stage for a broader exploration of creativity in future seasons.

00:00 Introduction and Overview of the Season
01:16 Identifying Key Themes in Creativity
03:56 The Importance of Process Over Product
06:06 The Role of Community in Creativity
10:15 Managing Creative Blocks
12:48 Balancing Structure and Spontaneity
15:14 Evolution of Creative Practices
20:26 Inspiration in Everyday Life
22:37 Deep Dive into Dusty's Interview
26:56 Exploring Amanda Dunbar's Creative Journey
28:17 The Butt Phase and Knowing When to Stop
29:03 Perfectionism vs. Completion
30:20 The Feedback Loop of Creativity
30:55 Meeting Dori: A Fun Conversation
31:34 The Essential Nature of Creativity
33:39 Transitioning from Dreaming Bear
35:55 Self-Judgment in Art
38:58 Mel Beach: The Importance of Play
43:07 Charles: The Analytical Creative
47:13 Amelia: Art Therapy and Personal Expression
52:33 Inspiring Creativity: Upcoming Retreat
54:30 Season Recap and Future Plans

Thanks for joining us at Creative Crossroads! Keep creating and we'll see you again soon!

In this episode of Creative Crossroads, we welcome Amelia Knott, a registered psychotherapist and art therapist based in British Columbia. Amelia shares her rich journey from childhood art experiences to becoming a multifaceted professional encompassing art therapy, content creation, and authorship. Her first book, 'The Art of Thriving Online,' emphasizes navigating the digital space using creativity as a tool for well-being. Amelia discusses her creative process, the importance of focusing on the experience rather than the outcome, and how she incorporates unconventional materials into her work. She also elaborates on art therapy sessions, highlighting the intermodal shift and the importance of process over product. Amelia's insights examine balancing structure and spontaneity in personal and professional creative endeavors.

Find Amelia:
Her website: Art Therapy in Real Life
On Instagram: @art_therapy_irl
Amelia's Book: The Art of Thriving Online (Amelia's Book)

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:55 Amelia's Creative Journey

02:41 Family Influence and Early Art Experiences

04:32 Art Therapy and Professional Path

05:03 Creative Process and Evolution

11:39 Balancing Art and Therapy

14:25 Creative Space and Environment

17:33 Morning Pages and Overcoming Creative Blocks

22:40 of Structure and Community

23:58 Collaboration in Art and Life

26:31 Finding Inspiration Beyond Nature

30:00 The Role of Art Therapy

35:39 Navigating Creative Blocks

40:28 The Art of Thriving Online

44:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Thanks for joining us at Creative Crossroads! Keep creating and we'll see you again soon!