Archive for the ‘Inspirations’ Category

Ever-present history

I'm an in-house designer. My official title is Senior Designer/Projects Director. My Art Director works remotely. What that means is that in the past couple of years, I've had to train employees to our way of doing things. In those past couple of years, I've learned something very important—about design, and about my way of thinking—history is ever-present. I could go on and on about De Stijl, Italian poster design in the late 19th century, and illuminated manuscripts, but I won't; that's my soapbox. What I will point out is an example. ...

Inspirations: Home-made handbags

I've been thinking a lot about sewing lately. Maybe it's the nesting instinct, maybe it's because of my son's racecar quilt, or maybe it's because I haven't done something creative for myself in a really long time. Who knows?! On a whim today, I decided to visit a blog I haven't been to in a while just because of its name—Sew, Mama, Sew!—and voila! Inspiration. And a DIY tutorial! What could be better? Check out the tutorial here, and Jennifer's Etsy store

Christina G!

I've come across a fantastically talented photographer today...Christina G! For a while now, I've been fascinated by photographers who specialize in natural light and are able to do almost everything outside of the studio, and Christina's got my full attention. Check her out for yourself at christinagphotography.com. Here's some of her work to get you

Inspiration: Motion?

Belfast sculptor Claire Morgan uses natural elements (like strawberries) to create pieces that are a real-life replica of a stop action shot. Amazing (and delicious)! {photos found

Closer to home

I've never had a natural disaster hit close to home—a coworker of mine has a close friend in Haiti who's missing. Blogger Molly Hightower was volunteering when the orphanage she lived and worked at was leveled by the magnitude-7 quake. Molly's friends and family have yet to hear what happened to Molly, and if she's ok. Her hometown of Port Orchard, Washington, Gonzaga University and her family have been searching for information and holding vigil. Molly's story has reached millions, and hopefully inspired millions to help. It inspired me ...

Planes, trains and automobiles

My son turned one in July of this year and his sister is due in March. After she comes, my little Monkey will get to move to a big boy bedroom all the way across the house (ok, really just on the other side of the dining room)! I'm starting to plan his room—planes, trains and automobiles, yay!—and just need to start his quilt. The basic idea will be a built, chenilled and appliqued race car (the kind with the huge fin on the back), but I think I need some sort of background. Maybe a nine-patch in two very similar colors of blue, or maybe a ...