I am a consumer, there is no doubt in my mind about that. If I spent even 1/3 the time writing as I do reading or watching movies/tv/playing games, I might be a good creator.
Even though while growing up and during the process of aging, I never really learned how to create, I had a lot of fun and did a lot of things and experienced a lot of different things, I never really created much of anything other than a few really nice memories.
I think you are doing the right thing in regards of raising smallsteps, I am sure she will be as independent and creative a person in the future as she is now.
Do you ever wonder if you had been encouraged to be more creative as a child, you would do things differently now? Of course, it all depends on How you are encouraged :)
As a kid I did do a lot/try a lot of things like from piano to violin and guitar. I learned a little bit about photography and drawing, but then I joined the military and I never kept up with any of it. I think a lot of encouragement during childhood is very important, but from 18-25 that is the most important time to try and keep someone active in things they learned or tried as a child. There is so much to do during that 18-25 year old time frame that for me it was hard to stay focused on one thing. Running, swimming and biking took a lot of my time during those years, then life just started to happen to fast it seemed.