Tea Party, Jackpot, Idea for Us: Three Part Post

Part I Tea Party
Yesterday Cordelia and I went to a dress up tea party at our friend's house. I used it as an opportunity to have Cordelia wear this over-the-top dress she had been given (lace, bows, beads, etc,). I dressed up too! We had peach tea and blueberry muffins. Fun was had by all!









Part II Jackpot!!!
One thing I LOVE about blogging is meeting so many wonderful new and interesting people. I have made lifelong friendships. I have been moved by so many of you. I have been inspired by you as well.

Recently I was contacted by Elissa from On My Way Home. She said she had some fabric scraps that she thought I might enjoy. I was caught off guard by such a thoughtful gesture and accepted her generous offer.


The box

Well the box arrived this week and it was, as the title of this blog implies, a jackpot! Elissa was so thoughtful, but also very intuitive! I was incredibly excited about every little item I pulled out. I took a good hour just to unload the box as I kept getting sidetracked with ideas and inspirations!

There was a package filled with paper, photos and vintage postcards.


Paper. She must have remembered that I do a lot of art with paper. I am completely excited to use this!


I loved the hilarious collection of postcards of Lawrence Welk's home! Look at that carpet!


Stickers for Cordelia.


An adorable journal. I think I will use it for my gardening notes!


A Japanese newspaper. I can think of a zillion ways to use this. Elissa said she uses it for wrapping paper!


Also in the box were a ton of awesome vintage patterns! Right up my alley.


And of course there was fabric.


Lots of fabric!!!
I can't wait to dig in! Thanks Elissa!!

Part III Idea for Us
Elissa's awesome gift box got me thinking. I have tons of crafting and sewing bits that I love, but can't seem to use and I am sure you do too. Wouldn't it be great to get a little mutual inspiration going? My idea is that I could gather the names and addresses of those interested in a little swap (fabric, notions, craft items, etc.) and pair everyone up. I think we could all agree upon a standard size box and then fill it up! Then we could all exchange and find new inspiration...what do you think? If you are interested please email me---my email address can be found on my profile page.

Finding Inspiration

Eric and I were recently talking about creative inspiration and where it is found. Do you find your creative inspiration within yourself or do you pull it from external sources?



Here is where I find my inspiration:

My own juicy brain. I have a very active interior world. I have a long running inner monologue (which never turns off) and sometimes I manage to get myself inspired.

My husband. Eric and I talk all of the time. He is often very helpful when I just need to talk out an idea, to figure out the next step, or just to get motivated. He is really good at pumping me up to get to it, whatever it may be.

Nature. Being outside is like this never ending source for inspiration. When I really let myself take a good look at the little things that make up the big picture I can hardly contain myself, I feel like I must get to work. I am inspired by patterns created by light, pebbles on the ground, the smart eye of a robin, anything.

Books. I love to read and often I find my interior world influenced by the voices of authors. I wonder how the author would describe a situation, what it would look like, how that translates into reality. Other times I am influenced by art books, just seeing what other people have accomplished gets me gung ho to do something myself.

Profiles. I know this one is weird, but when I see someone with a unique nose I want to memorize and paint it. Hooked noses always have me eager to get to a canvas. I am not sure why I am so interested in noses and profiles in general, but they really make me feel like painting or photographing.

Other People. When I have a friend, or see a fellow blogger who has been really productive I feel like I should answer the call as well.

Winter. When I am trapped indoors I find that I have two options 1. Be creative 2. Go stir crazy

So, where do you find inspiration to be creative?

PS What do you think of the new header that Eric made for me?