Positive thought

This is the quote that got me through the hard times when we had all of our miscarriages, fertility issues and wishing so much for a baby of our own. I spent a lot of time in a dark place. A sad place. A place filled with fear and doubt. I started to believe that nothing was going to work out for me. The pit I was in felt deeper and wider with each day. It was hellish. Then, I discovered the power of positive thinking. Not as a magic pill, but as a way to make myself feel better while waiting for the great things to come my way. They say that sending out positive thoughts and energy will bring positive things back to you tenfold. I'd tried everything else, so I figured this was worth a shot. It took a lot of practice, but I forced myself to try and turn every negative thought into a positive one. Over time, I began to find myself thinking in positive ways from the start. I felt so much better! Life felt full of possibility! And having this quote to stare at every day really helped. In our darkest hours we cannot see it, but there is a lot going on behind the scenes in our favor. We have to have faith that our dreams are coming to fruition and they are simmering there. That the stars are aligning just right to bring us our dreams. We have to believe that there is a host of wonderful treasures just waiting for us around the corner. Assume it is so and let the powers that be do their work. It takes time to create your miracle. This quote continues to help me and I wanted to share it with everyone else. So, I designed this piece of art so that it could be hung up proudly. It's 8 x 10, but I could also make it in 5 x 7 if you'd like. Would you like a print of your own? You can get one here.

color love

I just love the colors here. Endless inspiration for lots of projects that live in my mind.

Scallop!

Image from Frolic
I'm a big fan of the scalloped edge. I think it adds a lovely twist to something classic and can give things such a nice retro flair. I'm considering making some of the elements for Little P's birthday and giving them a scalloped edge.
I saw this post today on Frolic (you should check that blog out! It's got great visual inspiration; She has great taste) and it re-ignited my scalloped-edge interest. I just love when shelves and/or hutches have edges like that. So charming. I know it's not for everyone though. I especially love when I see scalloped siding or shingles on homes. I have a thing for Victorian homes in general, but I love the detailed siding. Perhaps someday I'll have a Victorian house with a big giant porch and maybe some scalloped siding?

Retro Straws

I love these retro paper straws. These would be great for around the house for for a vintage-themed party. Hmmm. I'm considering them for a little party I'm planning for a certain someone. Get them here.
Image from ModernLola.

Party Hats

Wouldn't these baker's caps make great birthday party hats? Particularly if you have a baking/cupcake theme or a soda shop theme. You can find them here.
Image from Bake it Pretty

2 blue

2 blue, originally uploaded by m a v.

I love this photo; it's been a favorite of mine for a long time. It's by Mav...
She resides in Portland, ME (by where I grew up) and something about it just reminds me of home. Maybe not MY house, but just home in general. I think it's the old painted door and the patchwork looking curtain. There's a weathered look about it that is so homey and so "Maine."

Color Inspiration

Image of cupcake liners on stand from Darlybird.

of measure

Isn't this a cool measuring cup? Goes up to 600 ml for measuring. You can find out more about it HERE.

A Cut Above

My friend Carson sent me this link to Peter Callesen's website... a huge selection of his romantic work can be found. Let me tell you, it is endlessly inspiring to pour through the pages looking at his paper creations. Based in Denmark, this amazing artist has exhibited in galleries and shows around the world through the past several years. I love how detailed the paper cuts are and how each one has an underlying message or theme. On several occasions I found myself having to look at a piece 2 or 3 times as I discovered it's special traits. This artist's site is definitely worth spending time discovering...the hauntingly beautiful sculptures took my breath away and they just might take yours!
All pics on this entry are from Peter Callesen's website.
As an aside, I have been hard at work on various client projects. I'm sorry I've been absent from this space! Today I plan on photographing a few weddings I've been working on..I will post a pic or two soon so you can see.

In dreams...

Hello everyone! Things are still busy over here. For the past while I've been working on some exciting projects. A major stationery/card company had approached me and asked me to do some freelance design work for them. Of course, I jumped at the chance. So, I've spent lots of time brainstorming, sketching, and trying to articulate what my brain sees into actual designs. This has always been my dream and its actually happening. I keep having to pinch myself. Sometimes I worry that a lot of what I like, the company might not want since it may not be right for their brand. But I know that all I can do is my best and just see what happens. In the meantime, I'm loving it! I've also got work of my own in regards to birth announcements and weddings so I find I'm having to juggle lots of little things...and that's a great way to keep my mind focused and off the roller-coaster of my journey to have a child. One thing I've learned though: never let work become your respite or focus of distraction. It turns work into more stress than it already is. And soon, you wonder where the fun in your life went. This is particularly true for those who work for themselves doing their passion. While it is ok to have fun with your job or hobby, remember to take time out for just plain non-hobby or non-job-related fun. (sledding, movies, shopping, dancing, dinner, sewing lessons, singing lessons just for fun...whatever...)It will revive you and refresh you when it matters...and keeps life from becoming the same ol' thing day in and day out. I need to remember this all the time, and want to make this concept a bigger priority this year (once I get through these deadlines I have).

For today's pic I thought I'd show you a few inspiration wires that hang in the corner of my office. I'm making use of a little corner behind a chair...thought it would be more interesting than just hanging one framed picture. And this way, I get to easily change it whenever I want. Hope everyone is having a great day...I'll be back tomorrow with some more design-y things I've been up to.

Inspiration

Today as a little inspiration bit: a favorite photo I found on flickr belonging to wikstenmade. Her photos are very inspirational for me: lots of colors and textures to see. This photo is a favorite of mine...I just love the colors in it. We all have favorite photos that call out at us, and this one grabbed me right away. She has a great blog too! Check it out. She's very talented and her clothes are just gorgeous; featured in her etsy shop too.

Am working today to clear up the basement studio area because it is actually being furnished and redone. We spent yesterday at Ikea (our first time!) rounding up the elements from the kitchen section that I want in my studio. Everything needs to be counter height...and today I picked out a robin's egg blue to go on the cement walls. We are going for a more industrial look down there since we aren't putting in walls right now. Anyway, I'll post before and after photos when applicable. Off to clean the walls and get going on the primer!

Passing Notes

I was paging through my latest issue of "How" Magazine (it's the 2007 Design Annual) and stumbled on a gorgeous wedding invitation featured. I went to the designer's website and was AMAZED. The firm is called "Passing Notes". What beautiful work!!! For anyone who loves invitation design and loves eye candy this site is for you. The work there took my breath away. I was sad when I had finished looking through everything! The studio showcases designs that truly reflect the people they are for. And the thinking is very "outside the box" and refreshing. I was starting to think that all invitation design was starting to look the same! This gives me hope that new ideas exist, we just have to spend a little extra time to get there. Note, the site is in Flash so you'll have to have it installed. Also, I noticed that if you click each number, a new project comes up. To see all the images/parts from one project you have to look over to the right...you'll see a ": next" link. Click on that to remain on the same project and see all its different parts and pieces. That's where the fun is! All I can say is, I'm completely inspired! I hope you enjoy viewing it as much as I did! Let me know what you think! I'd love to hear opinions.