In this chaotic world, where do we find inspiration? As a graduate of "The Artist's Way" and various other motivational-inspirational-abundance tones, getting to focus on inspiration is not always easy. Yes, I like to look at nature - but wandering in NC's woods in August is not advised against temperatures of 100 degrees or more. And sitting by the freezer in TCBY won't do it either. Many of my inspiring sources come to me via the mail box or the web. See how much life has changed in the last two decades!
In the mail box this morning, PAPER SOURCE, http://www.paper-source.com/cgi-bin/paper/indexb.html; whose subtitle is "Do something creative every day." Their catalog is like Basic Design 101, and note the updated color palette on page 26 of the new catalog. Designated NEW colors just added are persimmon, sunshine, paper-bag and peacock. Overall the palette is bright, rich tones; suggesting that prosperity survives somewhere if not in the daily news reports. Just the visual feast is a delight to behold, turn each page with increased anticipation and forgive yourself for not buying one of everything.
Another similar paper source found online is JAM (see http://www.jampaper.com), a source I used in NY and NJ for years BEFORE they went online. Most endearing to me are the no. 10 envelopes made from old maps. A winner!
One of my long-time favorite catalogs is GUMPS of San Francisco. See: http://www.gumps.com. Often referred to as the "Tiffany's" of San Francisco this company presents the serene look of Asian influence as achieved with a great deal of money. Besides the 'rich look' of the layouts, the Oriental inspiration survives mass market selling. What do I enjoy most? The table-top layouts always intrigues me and I admit to reproducing more than one of the table runners and making coordinating tea cozies, place mats and assorted dining items.
The 'other' oriental store I treasured closed in April 2010. Shocked to see "Sayonara Takashimaya" http://www.hauteliving.com/2010/03/sayonara-takashimaya, somehow I lost trak of time. The harmony of retail display exhibited by Takashimaya has never been equalled, but after the bubble of the new millennium, such upscale shops did not survive. Send good thoughts to the gods of imported elegance.
Close in inspiration but the opposite world away from San Francisco is Pendleton Mills. See : http://www.pendleton-usa.com/home.jsp. Competing in the high school "Make It With Wool Contest," many years ago I used Pendleton yard goods. Now the company offers clothes for men and women plus a line of 'Home & Blanket' products. Click on Table Top and see pages of rusticanna as mixed between Native American and Hispanic influences. This is where I turn to create gifts for relatives 'west of the Mississippi.' The web pages lists both retail and outlet stores across the country.
A recent find the Boden, Autumn 2010 catalog just arrived last week. What struck me was how retro '70s the catalog looks. I think I have aged out of this market but I now know where to buy my niece the clothes she will love. See: http://www.bodenusa.com. No need for me to look 'retro;' I was there the first time around.
Daily emails from DesignerDigitals keeps me on my 'Photoshop toes,' increasing my skill set with every new "video tip of the week." See: www. designerdigitals.com; and parallel to that site is Ali Edwards blog , http://aliedwards.typepad.com/ Designer Digitals is a group-force of young moms with graphic and I.T. skills, most of whom work at home while raising young children. What they as a group have done to promote the journaling and scrapbooking industry is extreme design -business.
I look at their weekly specials and tips and wonder "if they can sustain this level of ingenuity and business working at home, what's wrong with me?"
Or course my nearly addictive blog source is that of Bonnie K. Hunter, quilt teacher, author and self confessed " fabricalholic. " Find her at : http://quiltville.blogspot.com./
Summarizing all this makes me ask "What's my style?" That's the question I have been asking myself for four decades and am still evolving to find the next, big "direction"?
Stay tuned, bb
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