seeds of inspiration

A couple of weeks ago as I was wandering through the backyard, I stopped to admire this alyssum growing in an old terra cotta pot by the stone pathway.  This plant is a volunteer, a seedling which was planted by the plant itself.  In looking at the ground below the pot, as well as on the other side of the pathway, I noticed tons of little daisy mum plants, also volunteers.  I marveled at how the original plant, which died during last summer's heat wave, could produce so many stong little plants.

That got me thinking about seeds of inspiration that get planted through our creativity.

Several weeks ago, I received a "Make My Day" email from Roben-Marie...she had listed me as someone who inspired her.  I was thrilled...it definitely made my day!

So, I thought I'd write about a few people who have recently inspired me.

Heather Bailey is a textile artist, among other things, and above all is totally over the top creative.  She is featured in the most recent Home Companion magazine...in fact that's her table setting on the cover.  I've always loved her fabric designs and am thrilled that they are now available in paper from Autumn Leaves.  I had the opportunity to meet Heather and her husband, Isaac, at CHA.  Check out Isaac's site as well...he's an amazing photographer and there are some really cool wedding pix on his site.  I knew that the Baileys lived in Arizona but didn't know that they live just a few miles away from me...maybe the winds will blow some seeds of inspiration from their house to mine!

Jenni Bowlin has been one of my favorite artists for a long time.  I was so excited when she began designing her own line of products...and as you will note from yesterday's post on my creatologie blog, her papers will be in March's project kit.  She has some fun birds featured in the most recent Home Companion as well.

Rebecca Sower...she inspires me on so many levels...through her art, her attention to detail, her devotion to her family, her spirituality, and her ability to communicate on an emotional level.  I FINALLY met Rebecca in person at CHA...and it left me wanting more time with her...one of these days, we're going to make that happen!

Roben-Marie Smith...I have to turn the tables on her because in addition to being a great artist and instructor, Roben-Marie does some amazing art journals, some of which were featured in the Jan/Feb Somerset Studio magazine.  I am also the proud owner of many of her rubber stamps...her company is Paper Bag Studios...some of those stamps are extremely well loved, i.e.  black all around the edges :).

I can't mention Somerset Studio without mentioning Jenny Doh, the amazing editor-in-chief of the magazine and the genius behind many of the other publications produced by Stampington.  After just a few minutes in Jenny's presence, you want to take all of the energy she exudes and just race home and create something for publication in one of the mags...I love her style and how in tune she is with her readers...that is evidenced by the growing piles of Stampington magazines in my home.

So there you have it...just a short list for today.  There are so many more out there...maybe I'll list some more in another post.

Maybe you can make someone's day and let them know that they inspired you.  But, more importantly, just keep creating...you just never know where the seeds of inspiration are going to fall...and grow!

Comments

[Judy in Carefree]

Carol, you always inspire me and that is why I love your classes and your kits.

[Melissa Cavanaugh]

Carol
Seriously you inspire me... Love reading your blog, love running into you at SBE and LOVED taking your class. I have been planting some goodness in my yard... the weather has been so glorious, I just love being outside... thanks for inspiring us!
Melissa