Inspiration

The other day, my girls and I were talking about "inspiration"... Things that move us and make us want to create, sculpt, write, run. The things we come across in our daily lives that may trivial and unnoticed by others, but hold a special place for us.

It made me think about the things that made me hum...

• Idea Books. I was given a beautiful empty journal with thick card stock pages and that was the beginning of the end. I cut, tear and rip out photos, magazine articles, draw, trace and make photocopies of unique things. Now, three overstuffed Idea Books later, if I ever get into a creative rut, I reference my personal inspiration books. My girls love paging through the journals, taking in all the sketches, pictures and eye popping colors.


• I surround myself with pictures while I work. I cram as much as I can on my bulletin boards. These look neat, because we just moved and I haven't had the time to mess it up yet!
  

• I get inspired by others that have gone before me. Below is a collection of my grandmothers Bridge cards she hand made for her girlfriends for their rousting games of bridge. I also have bits of her crochet work, her favorite yarn and old knitting needles. She definitely help to plant the seed of creativity in me. (That's a picture of my mother in her wedding dress with my grandma - she looks stunning!)

• I love repetition in objects. I love making statements with things... big or subtle.

• I love shiny metal and sparkly gems. It doesn't matter if it is gold or silver, I just like it bright and pretty. I picked this chandelier at Ikea and always have it hanging over my work space. It makes me feel very grown up and sophisticated... in a make-believe sort-of-way.

• And lastly, I completely surround myself in color. I was picking through my bobbins today and thought this collection of spools looked so cute. The colorful collection makes you want to try experimenting with all sorts of new combinations.