Then, after mentioning my frustration in a blog post, all of you dropped by with supportive, empathy-filled messages!
I still have to admit that art is a matter of waiting for Ms. Muse to reappear, but it sure is helpful in the world of art blogging to know that you understand and commiserate and, best of all, can forgive me the occasional disappearance.
This time 'round, as in the past, all of you made my disappearing inspiration situation less stressful. You helped to bring me back to a creative state of being!
And since I find myself so often inspired by the wonderful creatures at Lily Chilvers' Octopode Factory, I'm going to show my appreciation to you by offering a couple of Octopode blog candies!
This blog candy is designed as a sort of First Prize and Grand Prize situation. The Grand Prize winner will receive five Octopode Collage sheets, and the first prize winner will receive a single collage sheet!
OK. To be entered into the drawing leave a comment on this post before noon June 9 telling me what most inspires you when you're not feeling "It." If you're an anonymous reader, make sure you leave an e-mail address where I can contact you if you win.
Also, everyone who reads this blog knows that I always treat my prior friends and followers to a VIP pass. In this case, the VIP goes to everyone who left encouraging comments on my May 17, 2011 post. VIP friends who leave a post here will receive an extra collage sheet, if they're one of the randomly chosen winners.
Tell your friends and followers that I'd like to know what inspires them, too: If I receive more than 50 comments I'll add a third Octopode prize!
Winners will be chosen randomly from comments received before noon June 9, 2011 (PST) and announced on June 10, 2011!
Hi sweetie - when I feel a lack of inspiration I go shopping! LOL But seriously, when you get out and start looking around wherever you go, you are bound to find some inspiration :)
ReplyDeleteWow this is so generous of you. Would love to win an Octopode sheet.
ReplyDeleteWhen am not feeling It, I surround myself with gorgeous colours and let them lift my spirits, plus visiting my friends blogs always spurs me on. Enjoy the weekend, Annette x
I am with Netty! When I am lacking in enthusiasm, I go visit friends blogs. Sometimes, I think we just need that break. I put your BC on my sidebar and will blog about it with my next post. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteSee, I knew it would return. Everyone should just listen to me! lol! Well, I guess when I'm not feeling so inspired, I either a) clean up the craft area or b) just totally walk away and do something else for a while. And visiting blogs helps too!
ReplyDeleteCleaning up or reorganizing my stamp room! I find all kinds of supplies I forgot I have, and stamps I didn't remember I'd purchased, and it makes me think of techniques I wanted to try. Before I know it I am off on a whole new tangent. I call it "shopping at home"! Nothing like a fresh direction to make things (including mojo) new again! I love Octopode, so thanks for the blog candy opportunity!
ReplyDeleteYou are very generous offering some fab blog candy, these are such cute little folk. Like the others my inspiration comes from browsing blogs, working on a challenge or two. If all else fails I close the craftroom door, get a coffee, then do something completely differet, like baking cakes. It never gets so bad that I feel I have to do housework. Yvonne x
ReplyDeleteSaw your work on the Altered Alice blog and had to jump over to say congratulations. Your work is darling. This is just as awesome.
ReplyDeleteYour octopode is fabulous! I was coming by to thank you for the comment you left on my Christmas tag post. It instantly lifted my spirits.To enter your generous contest I will say that when my creativity is gone I have to make something just for me. Not for a challenge/ or a birthday or anything. Sometimes there are just too many ideas in my head so nothing works (It took me 3 days to make a birthday card last week). Doing something just for me usually involves painting messy backgrounds. hugs..Donna
ReplyDeleteWell, I just found you, but I'm so happy you got the support you needed when you needed it! That is one of my favorite things about blogging! Great friends who really do care about you even if they've never actually spoken to you irl! Your work is so wonderful!!!! Thanks for this fun giveaway! I am going to follow your bog, 'cause I heard (from a little Terry bird) that you are GREAT!
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful and generous block candy. Beeing in a creative hole I'll walk around my favorite blogs or take some inspirational stamping magazines. Most of the time it helps.
ReplyDeleteNothing like Octopode to get those creative juices flowing! I've been feeling a bit down having only the time to do my DT stuff and then having to turn around and do it all over again. Never any time to do something just for fun. If I actually do have a day to just play, seems like the mojo just flies out the window. That's when I start looking to challenges and my fave blogs for inspiration. Looks like your mojo is back in SPADES! xxD
ReplyDeleteWhat inspires me? You do! And many of the other talented artists that share their techniques, talent and selves on their blogs and in their posts. Everyone I've "met" has been so supportive and positive. But, when I'm in that "hole" I encourage myself to start with just the simple basics - reall routine stuff that doesn't require thought - cut out the tag, distress the edge, color a piece of ribbon.....sometimes, the bits start talking to me and I'm off and running.
ReplyDeletehope ms. muse will make a comeback to your studio soon as it is always such a joy to come and visit your fabulous blog filled with gorgeous pieces of art!! =)
ReplyDeletehugs, SannaS
Love your Octopode piece. I find that looking round the challenge blogs, I eventually find something that gets the brain cells going and the fingers inky !
ReplyDeleteMarilyn
My inspiration comes from my family, when I am not sure what or where to go with a piece. I start stamping and inking. I hand them to my wife and see what she says or how she reacts. Also my daughter is a fearless crafter, she does not follow any rules, and makes things up as she goes along. Watching her work is inspiring. Hope you start feeling your groove.
ReplyDeleteNot here for the candy but just to share my thoughts on your question. when I'm not inspired, I take a break. try to look at the world around with fresh eyes. anything from mismatched shoes to graffiti posters
ReplyDeleteHi Tracy, I get most inspired when I'm not able to create. LOL, seems like alot this year.
ReplyDeleteI find lots of inspiration on blogs and thumbing thru magazines!
hugs Lynn
Oooooh, difficult question. It depends on what's blocking me, sometimes music helps, or maybe a bird-song, a line in a book or some other small thing that makes my muse suddenly wake up and have me crafting when I should be doing something else.
ReplyDeleteBut mostly it's people, either the ones at the Cubby Hole, or the amazingly talented folks I've met in blogland.
Hi Tracy, great piece of art with The Octode image, love it. My garden inspires me, colours, form, shape, colour combinations. Other blogs inspire me, fashion inspires me. But if I am not inspired I take a break and luckily inspiration comes flooding back eventually. Enjoying seeing your work on The Altered Alice. Tracy Evans x
ReplyDeleteHi Tracy
ReplyDeleteI hope you found a recipe for marzipan, if you were not lucky, all it is, is ground almonds and honey, mixed together rolled in cinnamon....perfectly delicious.
I am not in the least inspired at the moment; so no help I'm afraid.....you will get back to it!!!
Sue xx