If you’re into any sort of creative endeavor, I suspect, like mine, you’re eyes are always open trying to find new sources of inspiration. In my case, I find the muse in all sorts of places including:
- nature, especially here on New Mexico’s high desert;
On the road to Taos there’s all kinds of inspiration to see. - poetry and other literature;
- music;
- Pinterest (also a handy place to park stuff I find online);
- trade and other art-type books;
- the works and designs of others (seen in person at museums and markets as well as online); and
- magazines (I have a serious, serious addiction much to Tom’s chagrin).
So, I get all jazzed when I find something new, especially something interactive. Because, of course, I have all sorts of time for new things to do – NOT! Nonetheless, my new inspiration habit-in-the-making is completely worthwhile for a couple of reasons.
First – what am i talking about?
If you’ve liked my Facebook page, you’ve probably noticed that I try to share daily blog posts that I receive from, amongst others, rug hookers and other fiber artists. One of those is written by Kate Gillery of Briar Cottage Studio in Pittsburgh. No, I’ve never met or even corresponded with her, but she creates some nifty punch needle projects, and I know that many of you are into punch needle. Don’t know why, but one day I delved more into her website, noticing a page entitled SKETCHBOOK. Turns out it’s a blog of sorts itself!
In Sketchbook, Kate provides a one-word prompt each day. Here’s today’s:
Second – what am I getting out of this prompt?
Here’s the thing: While I dutifully grab my journal and pen each morning, I don’t necessarily draw anything. Rather, these prompts are pretty much like many I’ve done as writing exercises, take the prompt (be it a word, phrase, photo, whatever) and free-write for fifteen minutes. Or more, if the going is good. Sometimes you might extract a decent story from it all.
That’s it. Simply that I’m enjoying something creative that’s also inspiring me. Take a look at Kate’s page and maybe you’ll find a muse in it too.
Sun, trees and birds are a few of my inspirations. Like the tip of working 15 minutes each morning. Thank you for the post and info about Briar Cottage Studio in Pittsburgh.
You’re very welcome, Syl. Fifteen minutes a morning seems like nothing, yet I find it very much something. Now if I can just do my 15 minutes of yoga too. 🙂
I am SURE you can find numerous teddy bear mugs! Teddy bears are everywhere…
I have way too many ideas and not enough time to do them all. And I am so diverted by all the fiber crafts I do that I don’t get much of anything done as you know. Just when I think I am wanting to weave a lot, I take a quilt class. And then I read one of your posts and I want to hook. Right now I am knitting a poncho (at night). It’s luscious and I hope will be a good weight for down here.
I hear you, Deb. Currently, I’m finishing mug rugs and little burlap bags AND the nit small tree of life. Plus I’m trying to design a piece for May’s fiber fiesta. Oh, and Espsnola Fiber Arts Center asked me to teach a class, so doing a proposal. Weren’t you the one who first told mr about them? They had a great fair a couple of weeks ago up in Santa Fe. Money was spent. 🙂
No, I don’t know that area very well. Just as a tourist!
I forgot to comment about the teaching gig! It’s always so nice to get a request like that out of the blue. I hope you asked how they found you. I want to hear all about how you teach the class. I have trouble with RH. The hoop, or whatever you use, is an issue. I dislike hooking on a hoop (my teacher’s husband made nice frames). Gene Shepard uses big bull clips on stretcher frames and I’d like to try that out. Dorr used to make nice, inexpensive frames that needed tacks to secure the fabric, whihc is how my original farme works.
I did ask her how she got my name. She said someone that I spoke to gave her my info. Funny, as I never talked High on Hooking when I was at the fair, even asked my compadre who went with me if we spoke about it. Nope. Frames, yes. I’m going to borrow one or two from my guild and some hoops from a fellow member. I have some that Tom made for me to punch on. They’ll work. Myself, I typically use my Puritan which I have because they were made in Franklin at the Mill Store. Last January at the Tuscon hook0in I picked up my Anderson frame but haven’t used it a lot yet. Nonetheless, it looks lovely next to the fireplace. 🙂 I’m about to start a larger, long-term rug that can sit on it, waiting for me to have some time to work on it between other projects.