inspiration

How often do you see something on flickr or someone's blog and wonder how in the world they came up with the idea for that doll, character, photograph, peep, wall art, desk drawer, or closet door? I do it all of the time. Sometimes I get panicky because I love the thing they made so much. Sometimes I feel silly: "Why didn't I think of that!" And many, many times I'm in awe: "I could never in a million years have thought of that." Yep, I mostly go through my day bemoaning all of the ideas I'm not having. But, once in a while, the images that usually taunt me inspire me to action. For example, here is the inspiration behind my blog's new look. I wanted to create a look that was simple but, slightly more sophisticated than my old design. I also wanted to keep the abundance of white space but, make it colorful and fun, too.

I was inspired by...

1. My ongoing obsession with Blueprint magazine, specifically, the page on the right:

2. Purl Soho's shop: www.purlsoho.com + blog www.purlbee.com

3. Gladiolus from the farmer's market:
(another picture here)

2. Stones I found in my dad's yard:

Is anyone else game to share? What inspires you? I'd love to know!

Comments

[africankelli]

Wow! This is fabulous. And I can't tell you how many times I've that that same internal dialog. And then I feel silly copying others.
I would say nature inspires me quite a bit. I look at plants, rocks and scenery and see new color combinations.

[vegasandvenice]

Oh gosh I am always thinking the very same things (oftentimes when I am drooling at your bloggy goodness). Sometimes it is overwhelming. I love the new design ... I am certain that I would not have thought of something sooo cute!!

Hugs Lovely!

[Casey]

I'm the same way! *giggle* I am constantly amazed by other's creative ideas. Thanks for all the lovely, inspiring links, btw... *sigh* So many beautiful things!!

What inspires me? So many things--it constantly changes (depending on my mood, the weather, little things...)! My biggest inspiration is definitely the blogs I read! Old photographs, antique magazines, vintage clothing, my sister's artwork...

[stuffed]

I *love* those stones. My only inspiration at the moment, exhaustion and loved ones.

[Roberta]

This post seems to come from my mind! Hahahahaha! Exactly what I think, word by word, all the time!!! I have such a huge list of links on my site, feeds on my Google Reader and favorites on my flickr and on my etsy account that it is hard for me to keep up with so much cuteness! :-D I love other people's work!

[Liz]

I think this same thought (almost) daily. and I am betting that many many other people do too... mmmm, I have lots of things that inspire . . . other artists, I think is the big one for me, and not so much in the "oh I want to copy" (though I definitely have a lot of those "I wish I thought of that" moments) but in the way that other artists inspire you and then motivate you to finish a project that is stalled or take a big leap and try something I've wanted to try, and haven't... thanks for the food for thought... and love the new banner and look.

[stephanie]

hi there!
i tried to email you my address for the fabric swap, but it keeps bouncing back to me!
help! ;)

[Bari]

Wow. Thanks for the insight. I love seeing the process. Cheers!
Bari

[Megan]

Beautiful inspirations. I love the look of your blog, I think it achieves exactly what you wanted it to. Fun to see the inspiration behind it.

[amandajean]

your blog looks great. I loved reading about what inspires you.

[Karen Ross Smith]

You! I am totally inspired by your work. Do you still make the elf ornaments for sales? I really REALLY want one.

[rebecca]

It changes so much. Sometimes inspiration is just a feeling when you look at something, not the color or shape, just wanting to make that *feeling*.

Other times it's very very specific. There's a pic of a desk in Denyse Schmidt's house on Design Sponge that I'm obsessed with.

And the collective conscious of craft blogs, what people do, how they do it.

Sometimes it's the "necessity is the mother of invention" process. I need something, so all the flickr photos that I can remember churn into inspiration for something completely different.

And silly things like some mention in a movie or a book (why I have a 1922 silver peace dollar and a small blue glass vase - one is a novel reference and the other a movie).

Sometimes it's just the feel of a particular thing in my hand that sends my thoughts off elsewhere. The weight of a wooden tool, or wanting the absence of whatever is there (clearing the clutter and mess). That can turn into a mini-research process on the japanese aesthetic of beauty and that spins off.

I guess I'm saying I have insprirational ADD.

:)

[Kajsa]

Such a great idea! I will try it one day!

[paula]

Hah! This post is spot on - my blog-hopping sends me into alternate bouts of inspiration (maybe I should try that..) and depression (is there anything left to try??).

I think I'm most inspired when I go internet-free for a day or two and spend more time creating than looking at what other people have created. When I get on a roll, I don't need any more inspiration than what I can find in my home and backyard.

(Love the new look, by the way.)

[laurie]

Thanks to everyone who's commented so far about what inspires you -- lots of you mentioned things that I forgot to put on my list!

[dawbis]

you of course!

[judy]

Bowls of stuff inspire me. Right now, it is a bowl of acorns on my kitchen table.

Always, old school books. There is something about Dick, Jane and Sally that
make my heart sing.

[Miss Jane]

I think you did a great job of weaving your inspiration into your blog. I agree that a white background allows the photos to 'POP' and looks much cuter than something busier. If you see my blog I have done the same!I like simple, clean, modern lines with bursts of color! In fact, thats how my home looks too and that is why i LOVE Amy Butler's new book Modern Midwest. As for the frustrations you feel, I am with you! I too look around and could kick myself for not thinking of an idea but then sometimes I think all the ideas have already been thought and being a good artist is taking those ideas and making them your own, putting your own flavor to them. So if nothing else just know you are not alone in the creative process!!

[Teva]

Usually I create anything whimsical or just plain fun and am inspired by anything that keeps my imagination going. Even something as simple as stars, or snow give me so many ideas (I love glittery things!) And my pets, because of their silly antics, nature for it's color schemes, old world type artifacts and antiques, and anything I find that is whimsical or cute.

[Diane Schuller]

This is exceptional and "I wish I would have thought of that first" :-) ... I love your inspiration, the end result, all of it. I only wish I knew html so I could create something as lovely and as simply lovely as this.

Diane