Observation is Inspiration

Today (or tomorrow) when you walk out your front door, take ten steps then stop. Look to the right for ten seconds. Look down at the ground for ten seconds. Look up at the sky for ten seconds. Look to your left seconds. I would bet your morning coffee that you noticed something beautiful and inspiring that you would have normally walked right past. We all get caught up in the day to day, but taking time to observe and enjoy your surroundings is a great way to recharge and revive up your creative juices. Taking pictures of your usual surroundings is also a great way to narrow in on those quietly amazing moments you normally miss.

The below photos are from a school project involving circular forms. For two days I walked around with a camera in my hand, and these are just a very small sampling of the everyday beauty I encountered during that time. Try it for yourself - what will you rediscover?

MoMA Lecture at GWU

Next week GWU's Interior Design program is hosting Paola Antonelli from MoMA. The lecture is free and open to the public, so if you are in the DC area don't miss it! Plus there will be tasty treats and fancy balloons at the reception (I should know, I'm on the planning committee). 

Upcoming Craft Shows

Purple Clover's fall craft show schedule is set! If you are in the DC-area, come visit at one of these upcoming shows...

Saturday, September 29
Fenton Street Market
10 am - 4 pm
Veteran's Plaza, Silver Spring, Maryland

Sunday, October 14
Oktoberfest at the Kentlands
12 - 4 pm
Kentlands Village Green, Gaithersburg, Maryland

Saturday, November 3
Handmade on Hamilton
12 - 7 pm
Hamilton Street & Queen's Chapel Road, Hyattsville, Maryland

Saturday, November 10
Trash to Treasure: A Green Craft Fair
10 am - 4 pm
Watkins Nature Center, Upper Marlboro, Maryland

Saturday, November 24
Fenton Street Holiday Market
10 am - 4 pm
Veteran's Plaza, Silver Spring, Maryland

Exploring Other Genres of Art

The regular readers of this blog are familiar with the upcycled collages I create for Purple Clover, but have you ever wondered what other type of artwork I do? Probably not. But that's ok! Many artists may have a certain style or medium they are known for, but generally artists love to explore all of their creative avenues even if it's outside their normal box. Here are a few examples of my "out-of-box" work. I hope it inspires you to try something new!

Charcoal and Conte Crayon on Paper, Summer 2012

Conte Crayon on Paper, Summer 2012

"Pattern makes Pattern," Original Photograph Collage, Fall 2012

"Light and Shadows on Water," Original Photograph Collage, Fall 2012

Inspiration Fix

An end of summer sunset...just look at those beautiful pastel colors courtesy of mother nature!

Bright Textiles

Hi there blog readers! My apologies for the extended absence. A few weeks ago I started grad school - an MFA program in interior design. The downside is the seemingly unending amount of work. However, now that I'm a bit more adjusted to bring back in school full time, I will be regularly posting once or twice a week again. The upside, at least as far as this blog, is exposure to inside world of interior design which I will be sharing with you!

Today I have a few of my new favorite fabrics for your viewing pleasure. The bright, bold colors in these fabrics will stand out in an otherwise neutral space or pair them together for a look that won't soon be forgotten. Enjoy!

Above two textiles from KnollTextiles

Above two textiles from Clarke & Clarke

Above two textiles from Holly Hunt

Inspiration Fix

Today's inspiration fix is from the Finnish Embassy in DC. I went on a tour earlier this summer, and came away feeling very inspired. Between the oxidized copper, glass panelling and lush greenery (yes, lush greenery does occur in DC) the exterior of the building almost looks like a building forgotten by time.

Fun Finds: Back to School Bags

I'm in the market for a new messenger bag. In my search for the perfect one, I came across lots of great options on Etsy. Here's a few of my favorite back to school bags for your viewing (and shopping) pleasure. Highlights are below, and be sure to check out the full collection. Enjoy!

Elessa Bag by milloo

Gray Messenger Bag by ZeroBags

Purple Messenger Bag by sineminugur

Design Your Own Wallpaper

I recently saw this on Apartment Therapy and fell in love with the idea. DesignYourWall.com gives everyone the opportunity to design wallpaper perfect for your personalized space. Their designers can take any pattern, photograph, drawing, etc. you provide and turn it into custom wallpaper. Customers can also choose the type of wall covering (removable wallpaper, grasscloth, etc.). The images here are some of my favorites from their existing collection, just to get your creative juices flowing!

DIY Painter's Tape Projects

Recently DesignSponge asked readers to submit innovative DIY projects using painter's tape. The finalists are have been selected and waiting for your vote! Best of all? Each entry has one final picture and one in-progress picture, so you can see just how easy it is to do the project themselves. Many of the projects are simple enough to do at home and unique enough to show off your artistic skills!

The entries that earned my vote are below. Voting closes tomorrow at 7pm EST.

Ombre Stripe Pillow - Erin Souder

Geometric Painted Wall - Donna Yu

Inspiration Fix

Today's inspiration fix. Feel the sun. 

Fun Finds: A Retro Summer Picnic

There are still a few days of summer left,  so enjoy them by picnicking in style with goodies from this collection of handmade and vintage picnic gear. Highlights are below, and be sure to check out the full collection on Etsy. Enjoy!

Vintage Picnic Plates by krankyk

Antique Picnic Basket by DACAIS

Picnic Blanket in Chevron by LemonSqeezies

Inspiration Fix

Today's inspiration fix, can't you just feel breeze?

Fun Finds: National Lighthouse Day

Lighthouse Watercolor by yankeegirlart

Here in the U.S., yesterday was National Lighthouse Day. Of course, I had this special post all ready to go and then life got in the way and it didn't get posted. Anyway, it may be a day late but what's wrong with giving lighthouses another day of honor? :)

Lighthouses hold a unique place in America's history. When American relied heavily on the ocean for transit and trade, lighthouses served a vital function in the community. For the lighthouse keepers and their families, it was dangerous and difficult work with little reward (Have you ever visited a lighthouse? They aren't exactly roomy.).

To me personally, lighthouses are a reminder of simpler times and are worthy of preservation and attention. Enter the American Lighthouse Foundation. The organization behind National Lighthouse Day is also leading the fight to save and restore these aging structures. Learn more about the lighthouse way of life at ALF's website. And, take a look at this collection of handmade finds celebrating the lighthouse. Highlights are below, and be sure to check out the full collection. Enjoy!

Lighthouse Ring by tadastudio

Lighthouse Photography by SeeWorldThruMyEyes

Lighthouse Print by jennasuedesign

Celebrating the Seahorse

Tale of Love Print by kellybermudez

Seahorses are one of the quirkier creatures created by mother nature. Among their interesting traits there are a few worth mentioning: seahorses are lousy swimmers, their eyes move independently of each other and when mating they are known to change color and swim with their curly tails intertwined. Not to mention the fact that they are only one of two species where the males birth the young. Their uniqueness has made the seahorse a darling of the ocean, so let's celebrate the quirky seahorse with these beautiful artworks! 

Seahorse Painting by WhitSpeaks

Seahorse Print by GreenGirlCanvas

Seahorse Print by DianaMartinStudio

Seahorse Watercolor Painting by anitarogulj

Don't be Afraid of the Floor

One of the newer trends in home decorating is beneath your feet - bold, bright patterns on the floor. Below are a few of my favorites. but with enough tape, paint and imagination the sky (or the ground, ha ha!) is the limit. 

Via HuesAndCues

Via Things That Inspire

Via Curbly

Via CRAFT