I know it's Blue Monday...

But I am going to use this inspirational day to share some pictures I have come across lately that inspire me (many of which do include blue).  They are the newest additions to the "Inspiration Board":

First off- I found this picture in a magazine and it looks just like my dog (Iggy) when he was a puppy (I'm reeling you in with the cuteness factor- how could anyone resist this?)

I am always inspired by interior design magazines- after all- I did go to interior design school.  Lately (for the past year or so) I have been particularly drawn to Swedish design although, I must admit, I am not necessarily sure that I could live in a home where white is a main factor (refer to cute picture of The Iggyness above):

So white and clean!!  And- someday- I will own a Mora clock...

Don't you just love the tile floors?

I truly love the use of color in the next room- I have always been drawn to the combination of red and blue (I know- how can I love the simplicity of Swedish design and also love the boldness of this room?  Welcome to my mind...)

 And finally- my other favorite- the beach house.  Who wouldn't want to live here?

May your Monday be filled with puppy thoughts and beach house dreams...

How to Be Alone

                                      How to be Alone

Fabric-palooza!

One of the most difficult things in making my dolls different is the choice of fabric for the clothes.  I am drawn to more of the home decor fabrics- which are usually the most expensive (between $20-$40 a yard).  In discussing my dolls with a friend, I was delighted to find out that she had a garage full of decorator sample books that she had inherited from her mother (who was an interior designer).  And when I say a garage full- I mean it literally!! 

She graciously allowed me to go through the stockpile and pick what I wanted- and I could hardly contain my excitement!  These sample books are just enough material for the dolls I make...

And this isn't even half of them!  Here are a few of my favorite patterns:

Thanks Jamie!  I cannot thank you enough!!

Blue Monday

For today's Blue Monday post (where we celebrate all things blue) I am posting some  pictures of my hometown of Grand Haven, MI.  This week residents are celebrating that wonderful time of year known to all Grand Havenites:  the annual Coast Guard Festival. 

 Picture courtesy of Wsilver

Perhaps my love of blue was inspired early in my childhood by Lake Michigan- the way the cerulean sky (remember last weeks post!) melds into the blue waters. 

      Picture courtesy of Daniel Marchese

I used to spend a lot of time in cottages along the lake- and I still remember how I felt connected to the world just by listening to the methodic sound of the waves hitting the beach.  I have tried to recreate the feeling with my "environmental sound" alarm clock- but it isn't the same.  I now live on the other side of the "Big M" in Chicago, but deep down I am still a Grand Haven girl.  And I will always have a spiritual connection to this place...

Picture courtesy of RKramer62

Blue Monday

For today's Blue Monday post I am sharing some of my favorite blue-related words.  I think we can all remember learning some of these words from our crayola box when we were kids...

My favorite was always "cerulean"- the color used to describe the blue sky on a clear bright day.  Other sky blue words include "azure" or "cyaneous".  "Cyaneous" also has a more sinister origin from the poison cyanide, which is found in the seeds and pits of apples, mangos and peaches.  Cyanide was also a compound found in paint used in old paintings called "Prussian Blue" (which used to be a blue in older Crayola crayon boxes) and is used for the making of blueprints.

Other blue words are derived from gems or minerals such as "aquamarine", "lapis lazuli, "sapphire" or "turquoise".

Then there is the colder hues of blue consisting of "steel blue", "cobalt" or "chalybeous".  Or even "cesious" for blue-grey.

"Royal Blue" is the color traditionally used to symbolize royalty.  And "ecchymotic" is the color used to describe the color of broken blood vessels in a bruise ("black and blue").

"Mazarine" is a dark blue originating from the Mazarine Blue butterfly and "Cornflower blue" (also in the Crayola box) is rather obvious:

 Picture courtesy of ptc24

But I have to say, my favorite has always been "Robin's Egg Blue" (also in the Crayola box)...

Picture courtesy of PleasantPointInn

Blue Monday

Photo courtesy of D. Sharon Pruitt

Today's Blue Monday post was inspired by a discussion with my friend Carrie.  I grew up in Michigan and spent many a childhood summer day picking blueberries.  I have always loved them- and we Michiganders can be quite the blueberry snobs.  But back to my friend Carrie.  She also grew up in Michigan and has since moved to New Mexico.  During our discussion, she made the bold statement that Texas blueberries are better.  Now- I have never had a Texas blueberry- and I will keep it as an open challenge- but for now- Michigan blueberries get my vote! 

My grandmother used to make a blueberry dessert (we actually call it "Blueberry Dessert"- not very creative, huh?) that was my favorite thing in the summer.  It consisted of a graham-crackery crust with sugar and blueberries with whipped cream on top.  Sometimes the simplest things are the best!!  And don't get me going on blueberry pancakes...

  picture courtesy of Cherrylet

                          

Guest Artist- Mark VanHoutum

For today's post, I am sharing some photos my friend Mark took on his travels.  I find his photographs amazing and inspiring with an exceptional eye for detail and subject matter. 

Netherlands

I find this picture especially amazing- since it was taken through the keyhole leading to an area in St. Peter's Cathedral not accessible to the public.   

Moon Over Rural France

Netherlands