A number of people have been asking me lately “what inspires you?” and I tell them, “blogs!”. I know, shock horror that I admit my creative soul is fed by the creative genius of others, but it’s how the creative world works – we all feed each other. And you all know my mantra by now (beside ‘enhance the everyday’) is: embrace, nurture and acknowledge. So it got me thinking, perhaps its not enough that my favourite blogs are in my blogroll and that I assume you go and visit all of them as often as I do – perhaps its time I show you exactly what inspires me, on a more regular basis. So today I have selected a few of my favourite blogs and am highlighting some of their recent blog posts that have got my creative juices flowing. I just know they will do it for you too…
Starting with Jo from red aprons – not only does she have fabulous taste in stockings and shoes, but she is also a girl who leads an extraordinarily interesting life in Sweden, her new homeland. Having moved there some months back to study, Jo takes us with her on her everyday adventures and shows us what inspires her along the way too. Last week she took us to a tiny island called rörö and I can’t stop day dreaming about this place. Oh, I’m so inspired, just look at that homemade shack above!
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Now this is a new discovery for me – it ironically came just after I recently made the announcement of my dislike for a certain word. Well, I take it all back!! Because I have completely fallen in love with the Brisbane letterpress company called Bespoke Press! Yes, bespoke! You never thought I’d say it, did you? Well, perhaps Bespoke Press is the only time I will say it. They make the most beautiful invitations, stationery and paperie using 100% cotton paper, and they have a love for “deep impressions, graphic design, interior design, and beautiful handmade things new and old.” How could I not fall in love? They have a wonderful website and blog, and recently they went on an incredible journey through Croatia and Italy, giving us plenty of photos to drool over. You simply must go and visit, there is bespoke inspiration galore…
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Then there is Amanda’s photographs. I can never get enough of her work. And this photograph is just so delicate and feminine.
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And my dear Liberty Post! The girl’s got my heart this week – she has surprised us all by posting all about Australia! And I am getting such a kick out of seeing what she comes up with next – I always find it so much fun to see my country through someone else’s eyes, and Liberty has been posting everything from Dame Edna to Akira, from vintage Australian stamps to a splashing of hilarious shots of the Melbourne Cup day. Thank you Liberty Post, you rock!
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Now it’s no secret that I adore the life led by Joslyn from Simply Lovely. With two beautiful daughters Audrey and Millie, Joslyn is always doing the most fun things with them. Recently they painted this cardboard castle and I’m totally inspired… to paint cardboard castles, eat cotton candy, have children, and go to fun fairs on weekends carrying my Japanese parasol. I am also a bit jealous that she gets to wear flip flops and singletops on an Autumn day as we can see above. Oh, also that the sun shines in Autumn for her in Austin, Texas. Phenomenal!
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Nadia’s blog la porte rouge is pure inspiration – front to back, back to front, in between and upside down. Nadia snaps brilliant photographs all over her neighbourhood and home – they are magic to me. The above photos are of some dying gerbera daisies that Nadia couldn’t quite let go. And I just adore them – even flowers die gracefully in her home, like “layered ballerinas” as Nadia so eloquently observed.
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And then there is the fabulous embroidery work of artist Joetta from Little Yellow Bird. Recently she has begun painting on her embroidery, creating the most maginificent textural illustrations. So very beautiful, I can’t wait to see her new works once completed.
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So that’s it for show + tell around the (blog)block for today! Perhaps I should make this a regular weekly treat, what do you think? Maybe not so elaborate, but just an image and a post, like the other bloggers do, what say you? If you like this idea, then you’ve just read the first in the series called…
Tomorrow I will take you on a little wander for show + tell around le petit bateau, and next week I am going to… well, you’ll just have to wait and see. x
These are such wonderful finds – please make it a weekly treat!
November 13th, 2008 | #
what a delightful idea. i saw some that were familiar which made me smile, and some new that made me eager to explore!
November 13th, 2008 | #
so inspirational all of them! i am also very, very inspired by other blogs and the great photography that i find everyday. i am so happy to see my dear friend nadia’s work featured here. she is so talented!
November 13th, 2008 | #
the red and blue tights are just delightful! such wonderful images!!!
November 13th, 2008 | #
me too, you know, from time to time I come here and check all your blogroll. Love to do that.
I’m a fan of Nadia, Little yellow birds and red aprons, did knew Amanda’s photos, already a favorite too 🙂
November 14th, 2008 | #
Thanks for sharing your inspirations. I especially like the work of Joetta at Little Yellow Bird.
November 14th, 2008 | #
oh and Pia…i love your lovely life too!
maybe one day we will meet in person
xoxo
joslyn
November 14th, 2008 | #
thank you for your sweet words…me and nadia inspire each other on a regular basis…and you are a daily inspiration both artistically and humanly to me.
November 14th, 2008 | #
pia. thank you for those incredible kind words. there is days were you kinda walk around wishing for something to lift your spirits and today was definitely one of those days- thank you for putting a smile on my melancholy day! I am a great fan of redaprons, and joetta’work and blog little yellowbird-
November 14th, 2008 | #
Aw shucks im blushing. So lovely to have found your blog. I hope I can help you fall back in love with the word Bespoke. We love all that it means,even if it is a little overused these days!
xox
November 14th, 2008 | #
Someone asked me the other day: what inspires you? and it seems to be a love hate relationship with the computer. the computer can suck every little creative pulp out of me, or blogs like yours and others can fill be up like vitamin b12! thank god i have you! that and books, etsy, the library and my dreaming mind!
November 14th, 2008 | #
inspiration overload. over. load.
November 14th, 2008 | #
This would be a wonderful weekly post and I love the new sources of inspiration! Thanks for sharing!
November 14th, 2008 | #
oh my gosh, pia! blush, blush, i am blushing as well! i have no words to describe how honored and happy i feel! thank you so much. and absolutely likewise, you are, without a doubt, one of the sweetest and biggest inspirations for me too!
hugs!
November 15th, 2008 | #
I hate being away with very limited internet access (bf’s wedding) as I have greatly missed your posts and it is hard to catch up…so I’ll just dive in!!
This list is mesmerizing and gorgeous! Truly inspiring!
November 15th, 2008 | #
magnificent and truly inspirational blogs you have covered here 🙂 i truly agree with your choices, they are all superbly wonderful in their own unique ways !!! 🙂
November 15th, 2008 | #
Thanks so much Pia for these cool new inspirations. I loved the Liberty Post Aussie posts too, and just found Bespoke Press this week (fellow Brissie girl!), and could Jo from red dress be any cooler?!?!?! So fun to go through her vibrant autumn pics with cicadas humming in the background and the fan whirring.
Steph
November 26th, 2008 | #
wow. thank you for that amazing collection of amazing places to peruse.
February 3rd, 2009 | #