For Your Inspiration

Inspired By...Ruby Slippers

2009-11-10T14:29:00.004-06:00

For Halloween this year my daughter went as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. I found her sparkly red slippers at Target during the summer and immediately knew her costume, which I made! (This was my first sewing attempt. It was no where near perfect, but she wore it at dark, so the mistakes were hard to see.)

The favorite part of the outfit for both me and little Dorothy were the red shoes. As I watched her prance around in those glittery red shoes, I was reminded how much I love red. It is my favorite color, always and forever. Adding a touch of sparkle just gives it a new twist.

This inspiration board incorporates both red and sparkle, sometimes together, sometimes not. A few of the images remind me of the small glitter trees and red wreath I use as Christmas decorations. Mmmmmm, maybe it's time to pull out the boxes!

clockwise from top left:
my daughter's red shoes from Target
Moulin chandelier from Brocade Home
glittered double acorn ornaments from Birch Hill Crafts
red rhinestone and pearl necklace from Luxe Deluxe
dressing room image from Living Etc.
glittered burlap banner from Funkyshique
crimson garland from Martha Stewart Weddings
holiday pettiskirt from Metta Creations

Pumpkin Crafts In Time For Halloween

2009-10-28T15:35:00.017-05:00

It all started with the adorable snowflake pumpkins on Mer Mag. As soon as I saw them, I knew I would make them, lots of them.

The first Saturday in October was designated as Halloween Craft Day in my house, attended by me and my sidekick, who also loves these paper pumpkins. (I hear her counting each one and saying, "Pretty eyes, pretty mouth, pretty nose," several times a day.) We also made a wreath, dressed up some candy jars, created bunches of other toddler holiday crafts and baked cookies. It was a fun day, and, hopefully, a tradition that continues.

Here is a glimpse of our day to inspire your own pumpkin craft day. All of them are easy and require materials you probably already have, so it's not too late to decorate for Halloween!

candy jar treats from Martha Stewart
mini pumpkin wreath from The Magic Onions
paper pumpkin snowflakes from Mer Mag

some of our finished projects

candy jars (I tied ribbon around one and taped scrapbook embellishments to the front)
monogram pumpkin wreath (I wrapped a grapevine wreath with orange crepe paper and stuck in mini pumpkin picks. The "P" is cut from felt and is hanging from fishing line.)
paper pumpkins (We made these from scrapbook paper following the instructions from Mer Mag.)

Here are three more easy pumpkin projects I'm saving for next year, although you could easily incorporate them into Thanksgiving celebrations right now.

paper lantern pumpkins from Martha Stewart
pumpkin stitched card from Make and Takes
yo-yo pumpkin from Crafter Without a Cat

October: The Month of Orange

2009-10-16T14:49:00.007-05:00

Orange is the color for fall. Though I've never really been fond of it, I seem to be drawn to all things orange this year.

With the exception of the orange wall, all the items in the inspiration board below provide a burst of orange in just the right dose, and they are easy to switch out as the seasons change. Use orange whenever you want to add a little spice to your table, sofas or outfits.

images clockwise from top left:
magnet set from the b-line
orange dressing room photographed by David Bagosy for Wish Magazine
paisley pillow from Pier 1
Colin chair from Jayson Home & Garden via Lonny Magazine
autumn boutis tablecloth from Williams-Sonoma
striped cardigan outfit from What I Wore via Bryn Alexandra
save-the-date card from Elise Blaha
pumpkin chocolate chip cookie from Joy the Baker
corner bookmark from Lasting Memories via Little Birdie Secrets

What To Do With A Blank Wall

2009-07-30T14:31:00.004-05:00

photo by hownowdesign

We have a huge wall in the living room that I've never been happy with. I'm dreaming of a gallery and wondering if I can get away with filling the whole thing with pretty frames?

Friday Favorites

2009-07-17T14:49:00.002-05:00

Yay! It's finally Friday, which means it's time for Friday Favorites. You'll find my favorite links below, and I hope you like them! First things first, though...

As you can probably tell by the infrequent posts this week, I've got a lot going on including rethinking the content/direction of this blog. Many of you write blogs, and you know how exciting, rewarding and, yet, demanding it can be. It's ironic that a blog about inspiration is severely lacking in it. I'm taking some time to think and, hopefully, come up with fabulous new content.

So, that explains the picture posts throughout the week. They're easy and sometimes it really is true -- a picture is worth a thousand words -- so you'll find many more of them in the coming weeks. As I step away, I do want to thank you for reading For Your Inspiration. I love that you stop by here, especially when you comment on something I've posted. There's no better way to make a blogger's day!

A special thanks to Sandy, Paula, Laura and Maggie who have surprised and delighted me by coming back again and again to motivate me with your always kind words!

...and, finally, my weekly favorites. Have a great weekend!

DIY Basket Pendant Light from Two Ellie

Cheerful and Colorful Writing Room from Mama Without Borders

Price My Space Party at Nesting Place

Sesame Street Candy Buffet from Hostess With The Mostess

Vintage Skirt Roundup from Lovely Clusters

Flowers As Inspiration

2009-07-15T19:51:00.000-05:00

photo by mamako7070

Wall Of Inspiration

2009-07-14T12:58:00.001-05:00

photo by indierocket

Friday Favorite: Link Love

2009-07-10T13:49:00.009-05:00

Here are a few of my favorite finds from around the blogosphere this week. Hope you enjoy them, too.

the joys of sidewalk chalk on Inchmark

Indulge! Chocolate dipped strawberry cupcake from Wasabimon seen on Cupcake a Day

create a family mission statement on Simple Mom

adorable girl's room on Tania McCartney

an ice cream party, just because on Polka-Dots and Pirates

Have a fabulous weekend!

Can We Talk About Talking About Inspiration?

2009-07-09T13:42:00.011-05:00

photo by Sabino

For the past six weeks, I've had so much fun posting the series, "Talking About My Inspiration." You can read each of the interviews here. I've enjoyed working with each blogger and finding out what inspires them and how they handle the mountains of inspiration that come our way daily.

However, I know asking the same questions over and over can get monotonous. If I were answering them for the first time, I'd have a difficult time trying not to sneak a peek at what other people said and then feeling like I need something brilliant and unique to say.

Maybe that's just me.

I am wondering if it's time to take a break from the series or change it up (maybe ask different questions, make it a monthly column) or just leave it alone. But, I'm terrible at making decisions.

So, I'm hoping you will help and let me know how you feel about this series. I have three simple questions...

What have you liked best about the series, "Talking About My Inspiration?"
Would you like to see more interviews from fellow bloggers?
If so, what would you like to see differently, if anything?

I would love it if you would leave a comment and let me know what you think. Shoot me an email if you'd like.

Thanks for reading, and I can't wait to see what you have to say!

Photo For Inspiration

2009-07-07T12:47:00.005-05:00

photo by Sarah Kennon

What's inspiring?
Sunlight streaming in, paintings casually propped against the wall and a stack of girly umbrellas. I wouldn't mind walking in the rain if I had one of these to hold over my head.

July Inspiration Board

2009-07-06T13:44:00.007-05:00

Here is a glimpse of what comes to my mind when I think about July. It looks like the theme is color and heat, heat and more heat!

Hydrangeas of any color are my absolute favorite flower. They have big, beautiful blooms and they can last forever.

I want to sip this raspberry lemonade by the pool or on the beach, because sometimes water just isn't good enough.

I'd pack the lemonade in this colorful, washable picnic basket and head outside for an early lunch.

The tomatoes from our garden are coming in by the handfuls now. I know it's summer when my husband tells me every day, "Don't forget you've got plenty of tomatoes to eat."

The first thing I reach for during the summer is a t-shirt. These bright options are comfortable and cute. A quirky necklace amps up the style.

I included an old-fashioned fainting sofa in a sunny hue. It would be awesome to have one sitting in my entry, because sometimes it really is that hot.

hydrangea photo from mamako7070
raspberry lemonade from Joy the Baker
woven picnic basket from Target
tomatoes photo from gwen
t-shirts from Old Navy
bubblegum necklace from Anthropologie
fainting sofa from Urban Outfitters

Friday Favorite: Independence Day

2009-07-03T09:16:00.007-05:00

I’m trying something a little different with Friday Favorites. Instead of talking about one blog every week, I’ll start to share some of my favorite finds from around the web. Some weeks will still feature a blog I just have to tell you about, but I like the flexibility of posting different things I’m loving at the moment.

Since tomorrow is Independence Day, this Friday Favorite is all about easy and quick ways to dress your tables and buffets for a patriotic feast. And, they really are easy peasy – all you have to do is download and print, or decorate pieces you already have with a little red, white and blue.

I adore the classic style of this (1) picnic from Country Living. It reminds me of summer days at my grandparents complete with picnic table, flags and pickup truck.

With this great idea from A Soft Place to Land, everything guests need to dig in are all in one place – silverware, bandana napkin and mason drinking jar (2).

Talk about last minute! What could be simpler than printing out one of these 4th of July party sets from (3) Twig & Thistle (matchbook wrappers, drink tags and labels for sparklers) and (4) Paper and Cake (complete tablescape).

Give any cake stand festive flair with red, white and blue crepe paper bunting (5) from Better Homes and Gardens.

This cookie pizza (6) from Pillsbury is simple to put together, pretty to look at and even better to eat.

Finally, these cupcakes were intended for Father's Day but are oh-so-perfect for any summer grilling. I didn't put them on the board, but I just had to include them in my favorites this week, because who doesn't love cupcakes, especially when they are this amazing. fyi:These are still easy to make; they use packaged ingredients.

Hamburger cupacakes and (sugar cookie!) fries from Bakerella...

Happy 4th of July everyone!

Talking About My Inspiration With...Sandy Ng

2009-07-02T13:20:00.012-05:00

Sandy Ng of Cookie Cutter gives us her thoughts for this week's Talking About My Inspiration. She calls it {inspiration} her "Aha!" moment when everything starts falling into place, but also doesn't hesitate to talk about when she needs to be inspired the most.

I love the point Sandy brings up about needing to step away from a task, to stop searching and let inspiration find you. With so many influences from magazines, blogs, bookshops, artists, etc., it's easy to become overloaded with things that inspire. Take it from Sandy. Go do something else when you feel the creative juices have just stopped.

On her blog, Cookie Cutter, Sandy covers all things design, personal projects, experiences from Japan and, my personal favorite, wedding planning (don't miss her wedding series or wedding journal). She writes with a unique perspective, and I know you'll enjoy reading about Sandy's inspirations here today and on her blog.

Sandy's dear grandmother passed away recently, yet she was kind enough to participate in this series. A very special thank you to Sandy and a special prayer as you move through this difficult time.

wedding magazine photo from my eye sees; all other images from Cookie Cutter

Quick, without thinking, what does inspiration mean to you?
Inspiration is when I get the “aha!” moment, my heart beats a little faster, related ideas start to pop up and swim around in my head, and I get all excited. It translates into energy in me and I usually can’t wait to put this energy into action.

Is there one task that always requires some inspiration to help you accomplish?
Blogging! Ha ha, being a blogger, this is the first thing that comes to my mind. I’m sure fellow bloggers out there understand this because coming up with interesting posts everyday is no easy feat. I want to share with my readers content that appeals to myself and to them, and that hasn’t been blogged by just about everyone else. The greater challenge is to make the post my own, containing my own voice. I know it myself when my post is not a great one. And I usually feel awful about it. That said, I do enjoy blogging, discovering beautiful finds and it’s always wonderful when readers respond and comment. I read every one of them.

When you’re in a creative rut, where is the first place you go/look to be inspired?
I first need to step away from my laptop to take my mind off what I was trying to do (also to ease the by-then achy shoulders!). Doing things totally unrelated, e.g. jog, snack, watch the TV, etc., helps. I find that at moments like these, if I just stop focusing on trying to churn ideas, they naturally come to me through these various other activities. I get to derive inspiration from everyday things around me and my daily life.

I am obsessed with inspiration boards. Do you keep anything like this (board, journal, etc.) to help you catalog bits of inspiration?
I have been wanting to have an inspiration board for ages, especially after seeing all the beautiful ones out there. Sometimes I think I want things too perfect that I never start doing it at all (it’s lame, I know). But I do have magazines, printed materials, fabric, etc. stashed away in a corner in my room. I also have a journal which I jot down not only creative ideas and plans but just about everything else. Recently, I started a wedding journal and I’ve been having fun with it! I’m glad I did it because it not only contains inspirational ideas but also serves to document my own planning process.

What are your top 5 sources of inspiration?

blogs/websites
magazines
my experiences
my family and friends
books, bookshops, indie lifestyle shops

The Perfect Summer Plates

2009-07-01T18:46:00.008-05:00

As I worked on yesterday's summer picnic inspiration board, I really wanted to include plates. The problem was that there were so many to choose from, so I decided to do a little round up instead.

All of these options are melamine, which seems to be a hot material right now. Every magazine I flip through is featuring these durable, inexpensive plates. I can see why. They come in tons of colors and patterns. They are great for outdoor entertaining, and you can even personalize them.

Here are just a few of my favorite picks for summer. There a many more styles available, just click on the links below.

1. floral dinner plate by Boatman Geller from Fine Stationery
2. stripes dinner plate from Jonathan Adler
3. pink paisley plate from French Bull
4. aviary plate from Thomas Paul
5. purple flower salad plate from Target
6. orange flower plate from Crate and Barrel
7. birdcage plate from Fred Flare
8. striped dinner plate from Freddy & Ma (choose from different patterns and colors to create your own plate)

Going On A Summer Picnic

2009-06-30T17:31:00.008-05:00

So, here it is Tuesday and I haven't posted since last Thursday. I didn't intend to take a mini-break, but sometimes life happens, you get busy, you have some fun and you just gotta roll with it, right?

I don't usually post inspiration boards on Tuesday, but I am today because I've had the idea for a summertime picnic floating around for a while now. I first saw the image of the bicycle with picnic basket over on Oh, Hello Friend and knew I wanted to create a board around it.

This summer picnic is great for a warm July afternoon. There's a handmade quilt to lounge on while you sip cool lemonade out of a glass drink dispenser using cool striped straws. The food is simple: Greek salad roll-ups and fruity meringues. There is even a sweet little oilcloth bag to carry any leftovers home.

Sometimes I'm amazed at how well these boards come together. As I started putting things together, this red and green color scheme just sort of developed on its own and all the images I liked amazingly fit right in. I'm so glad the look doesn't come across at all Christmas-y. Instead, it's more like the perfect ripe watermelon -- summery and fresh.

olive rings quilt from Tiptoe Studio; recycled glass beverage dispenser from Target; bicycle picnic from Oh, Hello Friend via Oh So Beautiful Paper; oilcloth lunch bag from Martha Stewart; Greek salad rolls from Sweet Paul; picnic basket from CSN stores via Country Living; strawberry and kiwi meringues from Joy the Baker; gingham cloth napkins from Williams-Sonoma; straws from Kikkerland via Oh Happy Day

Talking About My Inspiration With...Raina Moore

2009-06-25T14:15:00.005-05:00

Today’s Talking About My Inspiration interview comes from Raina Moore of Frozen Brooklyn. I can’t think of a better interview for this poolside, summer-themed week than Raina, who writes about her experiments with a new ice cream maker and the tempting treats that result from them. (Molasses ice cream, anyone?)

Raina shares all of her yummy recipes, and gives a detailed look at the people, places and things that inspire them. Here’s a little taste of those inspirations, and be sure to check out her blog for more.

Thanks, Raina!

clockwise from top left: an untrained eye; the cherry blossom girl via Apartment Therapy; RejiK(Away); kunstlab

Quick, without thinking, what does inspiration mean to you?
For me, it’s usually being so moved by something beautiful or innovative to the point that you must do something.

Is there one task that always requires some inspiration to help you accomplish?
Organizing/cleaning. For creative tasks, I force myself even if I’m not feeling creative because otherwise it wouldn’t get done. Eventually, always, it comes.

When you’re in a creative rut, where is the first place you go/look to be inspired?
Blogs or music but not usually music blogs. I like design blogs. Everything looks so pretty and possible on design blogs.

I am obsessed with inspiration boards. Do you keep anything like this (board, journal, etc.) to help you catalog bits of inspiration?
No, although I think I might benefit from it.

What are your top 5 sources of inspiration?

Walking the streets of New York, NY – all five boroughs
Design blogs
Listening to music
Watching videos on You Tube – anything directed by Anton Corbijn, early Kate Bush (videos or live performances), or Food Party – she’s amazing – I am charmed by people who simply do the work.
Going to the museum

A Tropical Pool Party

2009-06-24T19:09:00.008-05:00

If you're hanging out by the pool every chance you get, you might as well make a party out of it. Here's an inspiration board for a pool party that has a taste of the tropics from the vibrant colors to the little drink umbrellas.

Throw some inexpensive floats in bright colors into the pool to encourage everyone to jump in. photo by Amy
Serve light appetizers that are easy to make and eat. Pork Lettuce Wraps from Food Network
Decorate the rooms leading out to your pool with vibrant textiles, whimsical art and fresh fruit centerpieces to match the party. photo from Coastal Living (Troy Campbell)
Give table settings for this casual party a tropical punch with solid table cloths and napkins in bold hues. photo from Amorology via All Things Lovely
Every pool party, beach party, summer party needs drink parasols...so fun! cocktail parasols from Oriental Trading Company
An old-fashioned soda bar keeps you cooled off in the summer heat. photo from Jordan Ferney
Your pool party invitations don't have to scream "pool party." Make the simple, graphic and bright. pool pinwheel invitations from Paper Source
Hibiscus-print dinnerware. What could be more tropical than that? hibiscus outdoor bowls from Pier 1
If the party lasts past dark, hang these votive holders to add some sparkle. moon garden votive jam jar from Anthropologie
Pass out striped cocktail napkins to guest lounging in the pool. napkins from Plum Party

Inspiration By The Pool

2009-06-23T13:17:00.003-05:00

photo by kagey_b

What do you do when you have a day with nothing to do?

When it's ridiculously hot outside, the best place to be is a swimming pool. Can't you just imagine those are your feet lounging poolside, the cool water just waiting to be jumped it?

What To Take To The Pool

2009-06-22T15:49:00.003-05:00

It has been H-O-T, hot lately. I’m talking 100 degree heat here. The only place to be comfortable outside is in a swimming pool, not laying out beside it, actually in it.

In honor of the extreme heat, I’m designating this week as Pool Week on For Your Inspiration. Today’s post shows a simple, but pretty look for hanging out poolside. It covers just the basics for a day at the pool: suit, towel, sunglasses, sandals, bag and tunes.

This inspiration board starts with the swimsuit, and while I would probably never pay $80 for a suit, the cut is too forgiving and the style too classic not to show. Choosing a solid color means you can have fun with all the accessories, and fun is all you should expect when hitting the pool.

clockwise from top left: photo by kagey_b; swimsuit from j.crew; bag from Old Navy; Apple iPod Nano; sunglasses from New York & Company; sandals from Payless; towel from Target

Friday Favorite: Birthday Edition

2009-06-20T13:37:00.006-05:00

photo by D. Sharon Pruitt

So, today is my birthday! I wanted to save my Friday Favorite post and give you a list of my go-to blogs for party inspiration. Some of them are strictly for kid's parties, but you can find ideas from all of them to throw a great birthday party for anyone.

Imprintables
Party Perfect (read more about this favorite here)
Lollipops Events and Designs
Celebrations at Home
Bake It Pretty
Birthday Girl
Polka-Dots and Pirates

Talking About My Inspiration With...Maggie Morgan

2009-06-18T06:00:00.005-05:00

Today, I’m excited to let Maggie Morgan talk about inspiration. She likens it to the concept of muses, both ancient and modern, and it’s one of the most original descriptions I’ve heard (and not just in working with this blog). The answer took me by surprise, yet it is so, so true, don’t you think?

From muses to magazines and catalogs to design blogs, Maggie has fantastic ideas on finding and storing inspiration. My favorite is the glimpse at her impressive notebooks stuffed full of tearsheets (but super organized, by the way) just waiting to inspire a new outfit, a table setting or a blog post.

And what fun it is to see how all this gathering and sorting translates into her blog. Maggie covers it all on magchunk – fashion, art, design, entertaining – you name it, she’s probably written about it in her straightforward style that is genuine, humorous and, well, inspiring. mmmmm….just like her answers here.

Thank you, Maggie!

clockwise from top: A Cup of Jo; Musas by Baldassare Peruzzi from Wikimedia Commons; Etsy; .leila; wearitdotcom

Quick, without thinking, what does inspiration mean to you?
I immediately think of the Nine Muses from ancient mythology. I think the idea of the modern muse is so dreamy too. Marc Jacobs calls Sophia Coppola his muse, and I love the idea of having one person serve as the embodiment of your imagination. It's so old-fashioned and romantic.

Is there one task that always requires some inspiration to help you accomplish?
I think shopping for clothing takes inspiration. It would be so easy to get stuck in a jeans and tee shirt mode, or just buy what's "safe." That's why I love fashion magazines. I start thinking about how I could use those shorts I already have, what would make them look new, or what shoes have I been wanting to wear that I don't, and flipping through the latest trends always helps me breathe new life into what I already own.

I don't know that I could come up with some looks without someone like Rachel Bilson or Camille Belle experimenting first. I can't copy them since we have totally (and completely!) different body types, but I can see how loose layers look, or tunics with shorts, or dresses with ankle boots... and that opens up a whole new window of imagination for me. I see the racks with new eyes!

When you’re in a creative rut, where is the first place you go/look to be inspired?
When I get stuck for ideas for magchunk, I can always count on my own apartment to be a great source of inspiration. What item or system is missing here that would make my space more enjoyable? What art or display have I created that I think others would be interested in doing? Since my home is a work in progress, it provides a wealth of ideas, even if the ending post doesn't feature my apartment at all (dream kitchens, for example, because of my lack of such).

I am obsessed with inspiration boards. Do you keep anything like this (board, journal, etc.) to help you catalog bits of inspiration?
I don't keep a board, but I do keep two huge and overflowing binders (NOTE: pictures attached!): one for home decor and one for fashion/hair/makeup. I've been tearing pages out of magazines and printing photos from online since junior high. In fact, some of my fashion tear sheets are from the teen magazines I read back in the late-nineties and I still love them! The interior ones are newer, although if I got my paws on my mom's stash of Metropolitan Home that I used to read over and over, they would probably fatten up the decor binder quite a bit.

While these notebooks aren't hanging in front of me day in and day out like a bulletin board or something would, I love pulling them out for an evening and flipping through the pages, rearranging, adding new and pulling out old. It's at once soothing and invigorating. I keep the pages in clear sheet protectors. The fashion binder is VERY loosely organized by mood or type (office, dressy, etc), sometimes by person (Natalie Portman). The decor binder is officially categorized by type of room, with full homes (like Jenna Lyons' from domino) in the back.

What are your top 5 sources of inspiration?

My collection of Vogue magazines (late 2001 through 2008).

Maggie's Vogue magazine collection

A Cup of Jo for beautiful images and to find new fun blogs.
Desire to Inspire for new-to-me photographers and designers. The first design blog I ever read.
Catalogs: I love flipping through beautifully styled catalogs like Anthropologie or West Elm. I love to see the objects they pair with their products (vintage phones!) or the cheap art they come up with (driftwood above the fireplace).
Etsy. I love browsing around by region or poking around the forums. I always find something new. The creativity is contagious!

Birthday Inspiration

2009-06-16T14:03:00.004-05:00

photo from A Field Journal

I've had this fabulous birthday party photo saved for awhile. It floated around blogland earlier this year, but I just had to use it today. My birthday is later this week, and this is the perfect inspiration for a happy, intimate celebration.

The chairs, the colors, the cupcakes...lovely!

A New Favorite Color

2009-06-15T15:56:00.002-05:00

You know how you have one color that you just love, love, love and it will always be your favorite? Me either. There are just too many colors to choose from and my number one usually changes with the seasons. (See my obsession with green back in March.)

Right now, I only have eyes for hot pink or fuchsia or raspberry. I’m not really sure what the exact name should be, but I know that it’s happy, vibrant and oh so summery. Everywhere I look I see it whether in pops of pink (like the chairs in the kitchen below) or entire walls swathed in the juicy hue (like in the July issue of House Beautiful).

I’ve never really liked any shade of pink until I had my daughter a couple of years ago. Now I can’t seem to get enough of it.

What do you think? Do you love this hot pink shade as much as I do?

clockwise from top left: kitchen photo from Living, Etc; pink party lanterns from jek in the box; pink peony from it's pretty good; floral wallpaper from Romo; macarons from Louis Beche; hot pink tutu from tutu love; hot pink chrysanthemum earrings from Candy's Art Designs; rose glassware from Z Gallerie; fashion color thesaurus from See Jane Work

Friday Favorite: Inchmark

2009-06-12T06:30:00.004-05:00

Have you heard of Inchmark? If not, you’re going to thank me for introducing you to this week’s Friday Favorite.

Inchmark is written by Brooke Reynolds, a former senior art director at Martha Stewart, who now balances staying at home with freelance projects. From the first glimpse of the simple and fitting design, you know it’s going to be a good read. It is a great blog full of crafty, handmade goodness with tales of childhood and family woven in.

Brooke writes about everyday life with two small kids, shares her journey through quilting and sewing and gives tutorials for fabulous craft projects. Many of the crafts on Inchmark deal with celebrations whether birthdays or holiday. Highlighting Brooke’s simple, chic style, these projects are creative, clean and classic.

all images from Inchmark
birthday party; color story; book bag

I’m always inspired when I visit Inchmark thanks to great projects and friendly writing. I love how seamlessly craft and design projects are mixed with posts about library routines and birthday parties. If you haven’t visited Inchmark before, you need to go see for yourself what I’m talking about. Remember, I said you would thank me.

Talking About My Inspiration With...Laura Gaskill

2009-06-11T07:37:00.011-05:00

Today is a great day because we’re talking about inspiration again. This week, Laura Gaskill of Lolalina fills us in on what inspiration means to her and how she finds it. She compares it to a spark, which is a great description, because really all you need is one small flicker to kick you into gear. I also love her perspective on creative ruts, her carefully edited lists of inspiration sources and her charming workspace.

Much of the inspiration Laura talks about here helps to fuel her blog. Reading Lolalina is like talking to a great friend because Laura writes as if she has known you forever. This makes her blog a joy to read and a welcome respite from everyday work.

You’ll find tips to live your best life; reviews of enticing travel destinations and beautifully decorated spaces; and photographs of lovely little vignettes Laura styles herself. You'll probably even come across a few links to new places you have to add to your own sources of inspiration.

I hope you find something here that inspires and then visit Lolalina to start living your sweet life.

Thank you, Laura, for sharing with us today!

SCholewiak;RISD Museum of Art; The Gentle Art of Domesticity; Paris: Made by Hand

Quick, without thinking, what does inspiration mean to you?
To me, inspiration is awareness. When you are inspired, you feel filled-up and alive, and you notice the beauty and vibrancy around you. I think that inspiration can be found everywhere - but when you're feeling down, you can't see it. It's like a spark - something out there in your world that catches you by surprise and helps you make a new connection. An "aha!" moment.

Is there one task that always requires some inspiration to help you accomplish?
Yes! Writing/blogging always requires inspiration. I think no matter what you're writing about, you need that spark of inspiration to get you started - otherwise, what's the point? The inspiration can come from any source - something happening in my life, a memory, something I've read about, or a conversation with a friend.

When you’re in a creative rut, where is the first place you go/look to be inspired?
First of all, thank you for asking this question! I think it's so important to realize that you are capable of breaking out of a rut. I hate the whole idea of "writer's block" because it doesn't help anybody - it's important just to recognize that you are in a rut, and then do something about it! As far as I can tell, there are two kinds of ruts: those caused by a lack of inspiration, and those caused by inspiration-overload. Sometimes I get so overwhelmed by the amount of information out there that I start zoning out, and then it's hard to come up with new ideas. When that happens, I know it's time to step away from the computer. I'll take a walk, do yoga, curl up with a mug of hot tea, or clean or declutter something.

Other times, I get into a rut where I just feel flat and dull - and that's when I need to seek out a jolt of inspiration. The first place I go is the bookstore. I love bookstores. I could practically live in a bookstore. I like to browse the whole store, picking up whatever looks interesting - whether it's a novel, a book of poems, a design book, science, history, etc. And I always bring a little notebook in my bag in case I need to jot down an idea while I'm browsing.

I am obsessed with inspiration boards. Do you keep anything like this (board, journal, etc.) to help you catalog bits of inspiration?
I have kept inspiration boards from time to time over the years, and I love them. There's something really relaxing about fiddling with the pictures on an inspiration board. Usually I tape up a sheet of pretty wrapping paper on the wall above my desk, and gradually add little bits and pieces as I find them - but I've never had a big bulletin board, and I really want one! I also keep journals and notebooks for writing down ideas & thoughts to come back to.

Laura's workspace with inspiration above

What are your top 5 sources of inspiration?
Oh, man! This is really hard to narrow down, but I'll try.

Books and magazines I love looking through my Domino mag archives (I saved every issue, much to my husband's chagrin, and now I'm really glad I did!), Persephone Books are such beautiful little treasures, and I am always picking up books and magazines on art, design, and travel - actually, it's sort of a problem! I am also really inspired by books written by bloggers like Paris Made by Hand, The Gentle Art of Domesticity, Stitched in Time, A Homemade Life, and It Sucked and Then I Cried. I absolutely love that more and more bloggers are getting published - that in itself is inspiring!

Laura's Domino collection

Blogs I have way too many favorites to list, but a few that I go back to again and again for inspiration are decor8, Creature Comforts, Melissa Loves, and Soule Mama. Whenever I visit these ladies, I know I'll come away feeling refreshed and inspired.
Art Museums I love the RISD Museum in Providence (where I live now) and the de Young Museum in San Francisco (where I used to live) - there's just something about spending the morning in a museum that never fails to make me feel better.
Films I am a huge fan of old movies, especially Hitchcock & Audrey Hepburn films. Such style! I also love quirky movies like Amelie & The Science of Sleep. And if all else fails, The Sound of Music!
Travel I have the travel bug, big time. It's addictive. I love the excitement of being immersed in a different culture, falling into the rhythm of a place, exploring, and having adventures. Even though travel can be stressful at times, it's totally worth it to me. Just try sitting in an Italian cafe, sipping an espresso and not be inspired!