I have mentioned previously that I am taking Holly Becker’s {decor8} Blogging Your Way classes, and each week we get a homework assignment. This week was an inspiration board. I have a couple of noticeboards with things haphazardly pinned on but this is the first time I have done something like this, which is inside a manilla folder {which is actually lime green ~ natch}.

Close-ups: 1. byw board 2, 2. byw board 4, 3. byw board 3, 4. byw board 1

Interesting process and quite fun, too. {Although a tad rushed at the end for me ~ spent yesterday, when I planned to do my homework, at the vet’s with the mutt who ate rat poison. Thankfully, we are very lucky he will be fine.}

I think I might put one together for a living areas which are, as I type, being painted and have been entirely cleared out for a couple of days. A makeover and some decluttering is in my future.

1. Dance, 2. Deceptive, 3. Pear II, 4. Fairytale Meadow

I came across the beautiful, soft photos of Kimberly of create, love laugh on flickr. I love her bokeh shots and the lovely soft hues. Further investigation reveals Kimberly is also a talented artist and designer, and a landscape arcitect by day. And a very busy one at that with shops for each of her mediums, as well as a vintage shop, Grandma’s Fridge.

She also has the sweetest printable shop, Apples and the Aardvark {and such cute names, too}

1. Ready for the Rain?, 2. Fly Away, 3. i.f. similar, 4. Reach for the Moon

Not forgetting, some of her illustrations.

blog | flickr | photo shop | printables shop | illustration shop | vintage shop

This is one of my favourite blogs ~ a quiet moment in an otherwise busy day.

Habit captures and celebrate the bits of the daily lives of emily and molly as well as a parade of guests.

1. Make your own 3D portrait thanks to the brilliance of Eric Testroete {via scissors + paper rock}
2. I love these chart designs and this “imagination” print definitely caught my eye ~ ha, ha  {via oh so beautiful paper}
3. Designer style for your pushbike from Beatrice Holiday {via design*sponge}
4. Entertaining egg timer Eggwatchers {via swiss miss}
5. Love the idea and the sentiment ~ perfect for Valentine’s Day or any time of the year. Love print from Little Brown Pen

{images from their respective sources}

{flowers for your weekend}

• Hate having your photo taken, why not try this ~ or just pop over and have a laugh {thanks Piper}
• The New York Public Library is on flickr {via swiss miss}
• Getting all sorts of internet buzz for their humorous take on the modern world, the Unhappy Hipsters
• A new online magazine hits the computer screens ~ the wedding themed Nonpareil Magazine
• Amazing photo art by Waldo Lee

So Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and the internets have been full of lots of hearty fun. But here is a collection of my favourites.

1. Vintage Valentine from Ruffled
2. Love this heart clip at Zakka Life
3. I wish I could sew for this adorable polaroid pillowcase at Kind Over Matter
4. I would never have thought of putting paper bags through my printer but Twig and Thistle has this idea complete with the pdf.
5. Printable garlands available at Whisker Graphics.
6. Colour your own Valentine’s from Up, Up, Creative.
7. Paper n Stitch has this super sweet idea
8. Shutter Sisters have a sweet photo template especially for Valentine’s Day.

ps. and don’t forget my “kiss me and carry on” cards you can get here

{images from their respective sources}

Well, this week, it’s all about … um. The problem: lots of things to do, lots of things I want to do, plenty of time {now sans kids from 9 till 3 weekdays}, but I can’t get anything done.

Intertia.

My ideas are a great big jumble in my head. I have completely lost anything resembling an attention span. But I feel, once I get it done on paper, the world will magically fall in to place.I had great plans for showing projects in progress today.

And instead I just have this.

Hoping that it’s true ~ from little things big things grow.

Here endeth the creative confessional.

Head over to Kootoyoo’s where I am sure there is a whole lot more going on.

1. cotton, 2. pinecone, 3. apple, 4. love, 5. from little things
ps. this has, unintentionally, become part of a series of “simplicity” shots. I might put them together as a series and pop them in the shop soon.

So already we are one month into the new year, and I know I’m not alone in thinking it’s running away a little too fast.

This week, I am inspired by this quote seen over at the lovely Daydream Lily.

“February is the new January.”

Absolutely.

As well, a lot of mums and dads are saying goodbye to their small ones and saying hello to a chunk of free time and feeling like this is the start of their new year. It feels like the year has really only just begun.

In the spirit of all sorts of fresh beginnings, I’m revisiting the goal setting and resolution writing that normally accompanies January 1. Hopefully, this will provide that inspiration boost to get organised and motivated to make the most out of 2010.

“People with goals succeed because they know where they are going.” Earl Nightingale

{via Perfect Sentiment ~ go here to get Erin’s fabulous quote files you can download and print out for more inspiration}

So where do you want to go? If you are like me, you might need a little help and a little push along the way, so here are some tools to help you get there.

If you are looking for some inspiration for resolutions:

• Joslyn from Simple Lovely has some great ones here
• Some “indie girl aspirations” at You Are My Fave
• And I love Casie’s idea of 10 things in 2010

If you are looking at a theme, you might like:

• to work around a word of the year
• or maybe work on your photographic goals
• maybe make just one small change a month
• tips for organising your online business at The Storque

If you need help documenting or staying on track:

• try this progress chart at The Small Object Steno Pad
• track your goals at Buttoned Up
• write down your resolutions with this pretty print out from Benign Objects

Every day presents an opportunity to start anew. Who said new year resolutions were only for January?

I may have mentioned once or twice [or perhaps many times even] I love paper goods. So I was a little giddy when one my of new bloggy friends opened this adorable etsy shop ~ mr rabbit, sir.

All these lovely items, and lots more, are available in her store.

Not only that, until Valentine’s Day, Katrina is donating 5% of all Mr. Rabbit, Sir proceeds to the Haiti Relief and Development Fund at the American Red Cross.

etsy | blog

Bring a little bit of beauty into your every day with the photo diary of small stump & studio choo. This blog is a collaboration between an art studio and florist and features their gorgeous floral stylings as well a little of their everyday. You can also find studio choo’s work regularly over at design*sponge.

blog | shop studio choo | shop small stump | flickr