Golden Books

While doing my course, I have been looking at illustrations with such a different eye. Beside admitting I have been feeling completely overwhelmed with the brilliance of others, I have become kind of obsessed with my old golden books. Just looking at how old they are makes me smile, but the endless detail & expression on the faces of the characters is just so amazing. The added icon details, the colours that are mixed together, so many artistic styles makes my heart race with inspiration. I actually had to put them away at one stage as I was being so overloaded with inspiration & ideas I was feeling twitchy & anxious. Don't panic they are normal feelings for me when I get like that. I just get too consumed that's all.

It's also been a lovely little trip down memory lane looking at the inside covers where I have signed my name. In some cases I have had a go at signing my brothers too. Obviously the top one I could write. the bottom one makes me smile, as I believe I would be about 4 or 5yrs old, just learning the letters. I am assuming it's an attempt to spell Kylie?

Did you check out the print date?? I think I am considered vintage, it was the year I was born.

What I am reading

Reading owl print here

I LOVE to read.

I don't do it as much as I would like to, only due to time restraints, but I am making time lately as part of my "What makes me happy" journey.

Some may think this is a tad boring but I am a fan of a self help or business book.
I also love a bit of romance, nothing too heavy, & lots of arty design books.

What I am reading right now is, "Getting things Done" by David Allen. I am feeling the need for some better business organisation so I can free up some time to spend on some new art I want to develop & experiment with. I can be a bit of a procrastinator if the task at hand bores me. So I am hoping this is the  guy to steer me in the right direction.

Since having my ipad, I have utilised the kindle app to my advantage, & buying so many, so very cheap books. I am happy to spend money on lovely art or interior books, even certain novels, but definitely not business books. The digital way is the best way now for these books.

Here are a couple of other business books I have bought, that are on my "to read" list.
Daring Greatly - Brene Brown
50 Pinterest Marketing Tips - I figured I spend enough time on there I should try & use it properly.
MYOB for dummies - yep such a damn boring read, I have started it to many times. It kills me. Every time I start I stop & just pay my accountant. One day I will master this! To be honest I wish I bought the actual book as I would have been able to use my sticky notes better for reference points.
Accidental Organiser - everyone needs this.

If you have some other books that you think I may need to read, please let me know.

Another design book full of inspiration to drool over

One thing I love, as mentioned before are my design books. I am starting to be a little bit obsessive. As soon as I see something I love, I am constantly buying when funds permits. Slowly, book by book, my collection is growing.

My new book is by the extremely awesome and talented Grace Bonney of "Design Sponge". I can not wait until I can focus on reading this from cover to cover, as well as absorbing all of the inspiration & D.I.Y's to attempt. It still blows me away how the most simple things can look amazing.

I am excited just typing here, can you tell?

Here it is.

Pages that grabbed my attention already.

MMM I wonder how I could adapt these ideas to my own house?

Ha......a quilt cover made from old shirts...Who would have thought?

Here is my tiny collection. Most I have flicked through without being able to give all of my attention. Along with design sponge the other book I am still obsessed with is Holly Becker's Decor8. Definitely reading these slowly over Christmas.

If you have any other wonderful design books that you think I would love PLEASE tell me I love to discover new books. Makes me squeeeal :0)

One of many things I do when searching for inspiration

I like to be as honest as possible about my business. I would never let anybody think that the ideas 'just flow', or 'oh they just come to me so easily'.

Guess what? It doesn't always happen that way for me.

Lately I have been feeling a little bit flat on the ideas creative front. I think it's actually called 'hitting the wall'. I have been so busy with orders which is just awesome, and I am not complaining about that by any means. I just haven't had a lot for time to focus on developing new things. I am learning through out my business journey that it is really important as a creative being, to just stop. It doesn't matter if you have 30 pending orders, just stop. They won't go away if they are ignored for a few hours or an evening. I know they will still be sitting there later on for you. I have had to learn this myself as I was becoming a little frustrated as I wasn't enjoying the creative side, as I wasn't allowing it to happen. As I mentioned before, it was making me feel a little flat. My ideas felt like they had hit the wall, so I went looking for it instead.

I love books and magazines, they are my addiction of choice, so I decided to buy a whole bunch of design ones. Gotta love my favourite book home 'Book Depository', to feed this bad, bad habit. With great prices & free shipping, it's crazy not too go a little mad once in a while. I bought 6 the other day & 4 have arrived.

1. Print & Pattern

2. Pattern & Palette source book

3. Flowers & leaves

4. 2000 colour combinations

I think it is really important to remember this, especially those who create for a living. It is so easy to get wound up in the orders, invoicing, relisting, emailing, networking on face book and twitter, and any other responsibilities. Sit back and set aside an hour or two, you may need half a day, and let your mind wander naturally as you immerse yourself in inspirational materials. Whether is be books, store visits, surfing the net, or going through op shops, as this is the only way to allow you mind to come up with those imaginative sparks, that are at the end of the day, the most important facet of your business. Without those, there won't be any more orders in the future.

I know after flicking through some of these book, I have a few light bulb moments happening.

Happy creating, xx

FREE Easter Inspired Magnetic Bookmark

I have been really enjoying working in my business the last 6 months, without speaking too soon, but I feel like things are starting to fall into place. It's a wonderful feeling knowing that everytime an order is posted to someone, they will be enjoying the design and product I have handmade, either for their home, or they are giving it it to somebody else for enjoyment.

For the next 2 weeks I wanted to say thank, well I actually always say thank you with this original Easter inspired magnetic bookmark.

Every order placed between now (5th April), and 20th April, in my Etsy and madeit stores will receive one of these.

Thanks xx