Monday, November 27, 2006

Spreading it around


Well. I hope you had a terrific Thanksgiving vacation. Aside from Thursday itself, the weather here has been spectacularly unseasonable. We spent the long weekend catching up on some sleep, eating delicious food with some dear friends, and taking a couple of local trips (i.e., all the way across the river to Brooklyn on the subway: you'd think we were going out of town!). We even made time to install the track lighting that's been sitting patiently in the bedroom corner for months. Yea for mini-vacations at home!

But there just isn't enough time in any given day, is there? If I try to catch up in one area, I fall behind in another. Thus my lack of blogging. And I've been meaning to follow up on my earlier post about re-coloring vintage prints, so let's forget my messy living room and get going, shall we?


(By the way, today's photos have absolutely nothing to do with anything, but what's a blog post without something to look at?)

First of all, if you haven't seen it yet, I thought I should mention Amy Butler's description of the process and background behind her fabric line. It's an interesting and informative explanation for those of us who have been wondering about the use of older prints in new fabric collections.

Once you've digested Amy's explanation, I encourage you to read this post from Alex the Girl, who has done some visual design work with Anthropologie. She makes an excellent point regarding drawing inspiration from various sources and the tendency we might have to make quick judgments about knocking off other people's work, whether in the case of Anthropologie or Amy Butler or anyone else. (And by the way, I love those trees!) Which is why I am so pleased that we could hear directly from Amy about her design process.


"[Anthropologie has] always disclosed, however, that they are so often inspired by people, places and things from around the world."

"It's why I, like so many others, blog - to share ideas and information that perhaps someone will find useful or interesting."

These two quotes, also from Alex, sum up my primary reason for blogging. I both get and (hopefully) give ideas and inspiration via blogging and reading other blogs. (Plus, it helps me to actually finish the projects I start: must feed the blog!) So thank you for being part of this community. I really love the whole process and appreciate sharing it with all of you.

I was thinking about the sharing of ideas and inspiration when I noticed the leaf garlands that Twelve22, WiseCraft, and Pink Trees were making for autumn and Thanksgiving. They were inspired by each other and by Martha Stewart, and I love how they each interpreted the garland in their own way. It reminded me that we should give credit where credit is due and also keep in mind that crafting and blogging really aren't competitions. We do it because we love it!

So if you ever see something here that inspires you, go for it! I'd love to hear back from you about it. I'm certainly finding inspiration in the same manner. And thanks again for being part of the crafty network!

13 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:24 AM

    I really like how you summed up your reasons for blogging--very well put. I've been reading your blog for a couple of months and have not only been inspired by the projects you share (the quilt you posted in October is just fanning the flames of what I think will be an eventual break down for me to finally make a quilt!), but the beautiful photographs you post. :) Keep it up!! :D

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  2. Anonymous9:28 AM

    I couldn't agree more! Art is supposed to be about sharing, right? We all get our inspirations from somewhere. I am so glad there are people around like you who share what inspires and transpires from it :)

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  3. Anonymous10:49 AM

    What a GREAT blog entry today! I completely agree with you. I've actually been thinking of starting my own blog. It's such a great way to share ideas and get feedback from people. Any tips, pros/cons, or advice you can give me about starting my own blog? THANKS!

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  4. Great post. Like the random photos too.

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  5. you most definitely have inspired me!!

    thank you !!
    xo

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  6. Anonymous4:19 PM

    I love this post so much. You said so well some of the things that I have been going through my brain lately (you said it much better). I'm glad you're here L!

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  7. Anonymous12:29 PM

    Love these thoughts, and these photos, especially that last one, I must admit. . . .

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  8. Anonymous2:47 PM

    I love that we get ideas from each other and people are so kind and sharing. People like you who post tutorials, and others who encourage other people to use their ideas (like the Little Birds soft trees phenomenon that's going on right now on Flickr)... Thanks for posting about this.

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  9. Anonymous10:47 AM

    I love this. It really is, or should be, about sharing of ideas and supporting and encouraging each other to be creative. I love that people can all do the same project and they will all come out differently.

    Very well said...

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  10. Anonymous3:18 PM

    So true. We are all inspired by something right? Anyhow when I originally read the whole 'Anthropologie rip-off' posts I had to laugh because I have always been certain that it was I whom they've been spying on! Just kidding, but boy have they done a great job at co-opting "vintage culture" and selling it at outrageous prices. Anyhow, I enjoy your blog and your quilts are lovely.

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  11. Anonymous4:56 PM

    I really appreciate this post and glad that mine was of use, too. So glad to have found your blog (and your mittens photo!)

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  12. This is very well put.. i have often wandered around with ideas in my head only to see it on another blog or occasionally on several other blogs and two magazines at once.

    Inspiration that comes down on that kind of a level is in the air waiting to be expressed if people see something I make and are moved to express themselves similarly I am touched, so proud to be an inspiration or a catalyst for them to "speak out".. (If they are amazing artists, I am also intimidated and touched.. but that is my problem.)

    I have never done a tutorial before but plan to now.

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  13. Anonymous7:55 PM

    Hi L,

    I posted a letter form Amy Butler regard her new (meaning NO restrictions) guidelines for fabric usage. Thought you might want to check it out.
    Gina
    www.QuiltersBuzz.com

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