Since I've been gone so long that my friend Carrie felt the need to mention it yesterday, I thought I better post. Sorry for my absence, but I have a good reason. Or not. I've been feeling kinda un-ish, unmotivated, unsatisfied, and the big one, uninspired.It's still cold here, we're not going anywhere next week for spring break & I have an almost 15 year old girl that is doing her best to create havoc around here and it is affecting every aspect of my life. Not sure if I can survive the next few years without developing a wine habit. 'Nuff said.
So, since I am knee deep in my Un-ishness (I'm just creating all kinds of words today), I thought I would try to snap myself out of it by focusing on inspiration this week. I'm endlessly inspired by the pictures I've put in this book. There is no rhyme or reason to how or where I place them. Sometimes they are grouped by color or theme but often because they just seem to want to go together. 
This collage inspiration book is the simplest kind of creativity. The kind you learn in Kindergarten and yet it is so satisfying. If you don't have a book like this, I encourage you to start one and let your imagination soar. Maybe even reverse your case of un-ishness.
I've been doing that since college...I have binders and binders full...I LOVE them and often lend them to friends for some inspiration!
ReplyDeleteHi there! I enjoy your blog, but haven't commented before. I have been tearing pages out of magazines for a while but only recently started pasting them into a notebook. Much better than a bunch of loose pages!
ReplyDeleteI completely understand where you're coming from. My oldest just turned 15. There are (many) days when the emotions she inspires in me just suck the energy rigt out of me. I've heard that this will only last a couple of years. I'm hoping!
Jen, it's so ironic. I come to this very blog for inspiration DAILY! I hope you know that your taste is impeccable and even while you are feeling un-inspired, you are inspiring!
ReplyDeleteYour binders look like great inspiration. I too have binders, binders and more binders. I just recently started weeding through mine because I have so many and some of my pages weren't so inspirational any more.
ReplyDeleteHope your feeling better soon.
A bit un-ish around here too. Your notebook is dreamy.
ReplyDeleteOoooh, I love your inspiration book! I need to start one. I have tons of clippings stuck in file folders. I just bought a nice spiral scrapbook from the thrift store yesterday. This would be perfect. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI hear ya about 15 year old daughters...I told mine yesterday that I don't want to be counting down the next three years waiting for her to grow up and move out but that's what she making me do...and then I felt horrible for saying that and apologized! I'll never have these 3 years back and I really want to make them special...I just wish she felt the same way. She's testing my limits daily...it's quite a challenge. ...I guess no one told me it would be easy. Oh, I've already adopted the wine habit. A glass of red wine is good for you (in more ways than one)!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I bought that Country Home Magazine (on Ebay) that you posted about awhile ago as one of your favorites. I think it was May 2002?? I love it!
I really like this idea and using a spiral binder makes sense. I hope it inspired you today. We all have those un..days. It only take "one moment " to turn it around and reopen the world to your eyes. Things will change, they always do.
ReplyDeleteSmiles,
Heather
Your still inspiring me!!
ReplyDeleteWine is supposed to be good for you anyway ;-)
ReplyDeleteI have so many inspiration pages I couldn't keep them in a binder anymore so now I use file folders and they're categorized. So if I'm looking for say tablescapes I don't have to sift through stuff.
Thanks so much for your well wishes!
xo,
Manuela
I always turn to my scrapbook, too, when I just can't get the juices flowing. Thank goodness for all those lovely magazine clippings. Isn't it nice to get lost in those pictures and let everything else just slip from our minds for a while? ((hugs)) Rosie
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain babe! I think so much of the way we are feeling is due to the weather. It's so easy to be blah and unmotivated when its cold and grey outside. Hang in there.
ReplyDeleteI love your inspiration binder.
Hi Jen,
ReplyDeleteI promise you will get through the next few teenage years, although it may be a bit bumpy.
Hang in there, and may I suggest a nice merlot.
Rosemary
I'm with you, sky is gray, gray, gray! So just hang out until someting inspires you, that's my mottoo--love the book!
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Tara
Hey Jen - Well you may be un-ish but your blog inspired me to create my own...so you inspired me!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea have not tried it but think I will....Mary
ReplyDeleteI have lots of collage books like that and just looking at them definitely helps with inspiration and takes away those un-ish feelings! The images in yours look amazingly like the images in mine! Hope you get some inspiration back soon.
ReplyDeleteLove the pictures in your Inspiration book! I too keep books filled with pics - we've had rain here for the past few days, and I've been sitting down with a cup of tea looking through them :-}
ReplyDeleteWe all go through the "UN's" from time to time! I think I had a whole month of them in February!! Keep your chin up and know that even though you are going through the "terrible teens" with your daughter, one day (before you know it), you will look at her and realize what a beautiful, independent, self-assured, and well rounded young woman she blossomed into.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!!
I have a book like that & love it too. Its so fun to paste in new photos & look through it.
ReplyDeleteI can totally relate. Some days we are overflowing and others on empty. Hmmm, just remember "this too shall pass". love your book!
ReplyDeleteThese teen years can be trying. I have 4 of them (17,16,14,12 yrs. old) But even through all the trials I am keeping my heart thankful and cherishing these last few years with them by my side. I know sooner than later I will be missing them terribly. Trusting God helps me.
ReplyDeleteWe all seem to have that uninspired mood but I can see that you worked through it with this wonderful journal filled with goodies! Feel better soon! hugs NG
ReplyDeleteI've been saving favorite magazine clippings for years, primarily because my stack of old magazines was getting out of control. I own a retail shop and often look to these for inspiration. Thanks for your blog - it's wonderful!
ReplyDeleteJenn, darling!!!
ReplyDeleteHow can you feel un-anything with that rockin notebook of yours.
your such an organized little blogger. I am sorry for the difficulties w/ said 15 yr old. this will pass. Although I do not have any expertise in this field (as of yet) I do know that a good lemondrop martini will cure what ails you. oh yes..yes it will.
Hung in there, girl! "this shall pass too!"
ReplyDeleteHave a great day
Cielo
i've been lurking for quite some time...but thought I should let you know I left you the teeniest little award over at Nesting Instincts this morning, to let you know how much I enjoy your blog! wanted to send my readers your way :-) have a great day!
ReplyDeleteUN-ish!!! I didn't even know there was a word to describe my feelings at times :) Well to be so un-ish...you really have a great idea book going there and I might have to be a copycat. I saw those sketch books on sale somewhere yesterday and almost got one...
ReplyDeleteOh MY! You totally coined a phrase here!! Lots of down-ish/ motivation-napping kind of feeling in blog land lately and YOU named it.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
And you gave me a great idea for snapping out of mine - thanks even more!!
so, is that just a plain spiral notebook? what are you using to adhere the pictures...? inquiring minds want to know. blessings!
ReplyDeletealso meant to say...will you tell me what to do when my daughter's fifteen? please? i think sometimes she's seven GOING ON fifteen! ; ) hang in there with your glass of wine in the other hand! blessings!
ReplyDeletetwo things, no, THREE! #1. thanks for your "un-ish" word and honesty. i make up words and this one just zings me. yes, yes. the whole entire 2008 has been like that for me, so far, VERY un-ish. am looking forward to it getting a whole lot better...it will, it will!! right? right?? #2. my spin on your collage book? i have several notebooks with dividers (okay, so i'm a bit obsessive....) with tags like, "inspiration for paintings", home sections, like "bedroom, bathroom, art studio", one of articles on different artists i find inspiring, "art class notes" and the like. love it. helps to find things when i'm looking!! #3. you WILL survive these teenage days. i have an almost 30 year old daughter. she's planning on coming out to visit me soon and it's a blessing to have her as a friend now. you will make it. breathe and pour that class of wine!! cheers!
ReplyDeleteHere's to ya! I don't have a 15 year old but my niece is 13 and let me tell you...the things my sister n law already has to deal with. She LOVES red wine. HA. Love your blog and warmer days are headed your way!!!
ReplyDeleteSarah
http://vintagelily.typepad.com/my_weblog/
Somehow, the thought of putting them in a book like that NEVER occurred to me. I just have files and files of ripped out pages. :)
ReplyDeleteGuess I have something to do next weekend!
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI just discovered your blog. We all have those UN ish feelings from time to time. I am right there with you. I have a 17yr old.
We do have our moments. I have adopted the wine thing too. Which reminds me, I need to get some. I've been saying that for a week or more!
I love your inspiration notebook. I will have to make one of them. I have seen a lot of pics on the computer. I save them but would love to have them in a notebook.
It's a piece of art in it's own. Wow!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pics. I have alarge collection myself but didn't know what to do with them. But you have inspired me. I think I will start my own! Lovely blog, btw.
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