What Inspires You Wednesday: Take A Walk With Us

Nature, As Always

I am always and utterly inspired by nature. It never bores me, it always has a surprise in store, or a new way to show you something. It's glorious. Even when it rains.

I put my wellies on this morning and Lucan and I took a short walk around the yard, to see what was popping in the gardens.  First to the corner woodland garden.

One of the easiest things I've found to grow, are tiger lilies.  Transplanted from my sister's garden, divided and divided again in my own gardens. No fuss, no muss, just thrives. That's the kind of plant I'm looking for.

OK, I admit it, this buttercup was in the grass, not the garden.  I'm glad G missed it with the weed whacker.

This is a funny plant, fragaria or non-fruiting strawberry.  They were all pink like this when I planted them and then a couple of years ago, they started to turn white. This year I see a few more pink again which makes me happy because it was pretty spring color.  Just look at the center of that flower. Too cool.

Behold, the wild honeysuckle that planted itself.  The bees were really buzzing around this on Monday.

 

Perennial geranium.  I love the veining in the petals.

 

Jacob's Ladder, one of  the earlier spring flowers in my garden. It's still happily blooming away.

This Solomon Seal was here when we bought the place. I've divided and replanted in the woodland corner garden and it's quite happy there too.  It's very tall and quite showy in a vase because of it's dramatic height.

Look what's coming!

Peonies. A transplant from my mother's garden. Big beautiful white blooms with the slightest trace of a burgundy highlight.

Soon.


The only thing that has buds on it yet in the poolside garden, a lowly weedy-wildflower I let grow. I have no idea what it is but it's a great cover that laces it self through everything else without strangling anything. It blooms the sweetest white flowers.

Now, I'll let you in on a secret. It's called the wonders of a close up.

Because in 'non-close up' reality, this is what the corner woodland garden currently looks like.

And that's after working in it a good part of the weekend.

Sure things seem pretty happy, well the lilies are certainly happy, but the weeds! The damn weeds have taken over my path. Yes, all the stuff from the rocks on the edge of the burm to the front bed of the garden.......weeds. Oh, what to do.

For now, I shall ignore them and choose to look closer. At least until I can spend another day out there. Oh, and get a big jug of white vinegar. Did you know white vinegar diluted with some water will kill weeds if sprayed on them? Be careful though, because it will kill everything it's sprayed on. But on a walkway, it's a perfect non-chemical solution. 

Isn't it amazing what you can find if you look close enough?

I'm so glad G and I brought more lilacs in yesterday. It happens sometimes.........they bloom and then we're saddled with wet days. That's what has happened this year. BUT, we filled the house with one more round of their intoxicating smell.

That's the largest vase I have in my collection. It's Waterford and it's seriously heavy once it's full with water. Had to have G help me put it on the windowsill! Yes, that heavy.


Nature and looking close are what's inspiring me today.
What's inspiring you?

Hey, don't forget if you're participating in CREATE challenge no. 1 and want me to include pics of your creation in tomorrow's post, shoot me an email to pbates (at) speakeasyinfo (dot) net.  And if you're doing a post on your blog, shoot me a link (or be ready to post it...see below).

Though, I may do as Andrea suggested and just post a link up, that way people can link up whenever they are finished. Keep your eyes open!

Have a great Wednesday in your part of the world and I'll do the same in mine.

Ciao for now,

Create: challenge no. 1, The Beginning

Pulling It Together

We're a week into Create: challenge no. 1, and for me it's been all about thinking, and mulling, and formulating an idea.

Not to put the pressure on myself, but I wanted to create  something I really hadn't created before and that would have some meaning.
I think I've finally gotten somewhere. At least the start of somewhere.

I'm collecting bits of bobs that I have.

Some things that may speak to me in little ways.

I've entrusted myself to endeavor to create something that separate, may not be that much, but when together, form something that will be close to my heart.

Has anybody else made progress?

Want to join in? Check out this post. Create to live, live to create!


I'm a girl with a mission this week, checking things off the list left and right. Here's to the trend continuing today because it feels rather nice.

What's happening in your world?

Ciao for now,

What Inspires You Wednesday: ArtPlay

Watercolors & Patterns

Since Easter morning, when I took my Mom's big old paint supply box out to the backyard and sat and just gave watercolors a try, I've been creating something with watercolor just about every day.

I am a girl obsessed. It feels like a stress relieving mental vacation for me, when a real vacation is far off in the distance. It is giving me a much needed burst of creativity away from the mouse, that in turn makes me more productive at my desk for having had the time away. I often start and end my day this way and it only inspires me to do it  more.

Right now, I'm just trying to create for creating's sake. To see what feels right. What looks right. Whether it's flowers, or experimenting with colors, landscapes, or a lot of patterns I feel like I just need to produce and I'll find my groove and style and I don't want to limit myself at all. That itself feels incredibly refreshing when by day, I'm creating for business purposes and it can be an entirely different process. As a creative person, sometimes I just need the freedom to create whatever strikes my fancy. The watercolors feel like they're all about letting the business stuff of the day go. Making mistakes, trial and error and simply going with the flow and just creating. Period.

I've really been having a blast playing with patterns, among other things.  I finally took one of my watercolor patterns and imported it into photoshop and then into illustrator where I created a bigger, overall pattern.  I must admit, I'm quite like it and am inspired to do that with many more of the patterns I've already painted.

I think what I'm really liking is that there are no rules. Yeah, I'm not the kind of gal that's into rules.

I also painted my first two watercolor buildings last night. I took a trip to New York and the Empire State first and then ended my mental vacation in Paris before I hit the sack. If you follow me on instagram, you may have seen it already, but there it is again.

Did you know that the Eiffel Tower was built in a matter of two years? Before the turn of the last century? No kidding. It was also criticized by many architects and designers of the times, but in the end I think this icon has had the last laugh. Someday I'll see it in person.

Not half bad for a first go. The funny thing is, I really didn't like how it was looking at the beginning, but I stuck with it and was pleased with it in the end.  There is more forgiveness with watercolors than I would have thought. I'm feeling inspired by that too. Not judging too soon and letting things unfold. It's a good lesson.

If you're like me and love patterns, be sure to check out all the inspiration on my patterns & texture pinterest board. Gorgeous stuff.


Tonight I doubt there will be any painting at the end of the day. It's playoff hockey between my Bs and our rivals, the Montreal Canadiens. In game 7. At home. I'm hoping my boys look like themselves on the ice tonight. The President's Cup winners- the team with the best record in hockey this year.  The last game we looked like a different team all together. Of course, when we win the Stanley Cup this year, we'll be able to say, 'it wouldn't have been the same without beating the Habs in a game seven to get there'. I'll close the windows, but you still may hear me all the way from here.  Nothing like getting the heart racing........

I know I can count on you to make it a great day, right? I'll do the same.

Ciao for now,

What Inspires You Wednesday: Moodboard

Client: Devi Women's Health

If I want or need a little creative inspiration, often when working on branding design projects, I look no further than color to get things rolling.

That is certainly the case with one of my branding design clients, Mimi of Devi Women's Health Care, a contemplative women's whole care practice in New York City. 

Mimi isn't afraid of color. In fact she embraces it and sees it as an extension of herself and what her brand should reprsent: her desire to provide embrace women with genuine 'whole care' to foster wellness and good health at every stage of life.

The color palette for this branding project is all of that and more. It's colorful like the many personalities, faces, backgrounds, and cultures of the women that Mimi is sure to care for in the years to come.  Mimi herself (pictured below right) is the embodiment of the kind of encompassing brightness and light that we want her logo exude. 
 

 sources:
lanterns via plumo ; lotus flower wall paper via osborne and little
mother and child painting via patty fleckenstein ; lotus flower necklace via perfect
Sarong via Calypso St. Barth ; Buddah hands via plumo
Buddah hands photo via little republic

In addition to color palette, branding design will be directed by Buddhist beliefs and symbols focused on the the enlightened spirit, something Mimi hopes to instill in the clients and patients of Devi Women's Health, helping them to embrace their lifelong journey of their own health and its inevitable stages and changes.

Suffice it to say, there is a lot of inspiration going 'round and 'round my head.

What's inspiring you today?

Hope it's a great one on your end. I'll do the best to make it the same on mine.

Ciao for now,

What Inspires You Wednesday: The Seriously Mindblowing & The Seriously Silly

Blew My Mind

Get your thinking caps on. Or not. I'm not sure that even if you ponder, contemplate, and muse about this for a long time, it will ever sink in. I mean, really sink in. I find it nearly unfathomable.

G and I were watching a program the other night and it touched on space.

You know, the space 'beyond our planet' kind of space, not the 'I don't have enough space to put my stuff' kind of space. The program included some pictures from the Hubble and the host pointed out that this picture..................

via hubble.org

..........showed not what may appear at first glance to be a bunch of stars.  It didn't even show what could possibly be planets. 

No.
No sir.
Not even close really. 

What it does show is over 1500 distant galaxies!  All those bright lights- each is an entirely different galaxy.

Say what? 

I turned to Gar, 'Did you just hear what he said? That was more than 1500 distant galaxies in that one little picture!'

I sat there shaking my head, absolutely humbled by all we do not know and all there is to still discover.  

Here's just one galaxy.  Perhaps the size of the one we live in, or maybe bigger.

 

 via hubble.org

As if our own galaxy doesn't offer enough mindblowing amazement.

I know you can guess this one.

via hubble.org

The unmistakable Saturn, shown with ultraviolet light.

This one, perhaps a little more difficult.

 

via hubble.org

It's Urananus. Who knew that it too had rings?

So let's consider this, these planets are part of our solar system which is a small part of our galaxy, The Milky Way.  Close to our galaxy you'll find another, Andromeda.  And if all of the above didn't make your jaw drop in utter amazement, it just so happens that the entire galaxy of Andromeda is hurling itself through space toward The Milky Way. 

Hang on there just a second..........what?

Yes. Andromeda is moving at 300,000 miles an hour. 100 times faster than a speeding bullet.

And we were worried a bout a meteor? Ha!

I know. It's all completely mindblowing and it inspires me to learn more. It's like the biggest mystery ever imagined, and if that doesn't inspire you.............well......I don't know what would.

Want to blow your mind some more? Check out the Hubble site here and check out this little video about the aforementioned cosmic collision course.

The Seriously Silly

Now, let's lighten things up a bit. OK, a lot.

Let's bring it back down to earth.  
Way back down.

Trying to find an exercise that you love?

Here's one I could totally get into to. I mean, look how happy these people are when the try it.  Click here if you're reading via email.

Love this reporter's attitude and I love Nameless Dancewalk Guru Master the most. Smiling ear to ear and dancewalking through Manhattan, being himself and loving life. Just one of the things that inspires me about the city and people.

What's inspiring you today?

Ciao for now,

 

What Inspires You Wednesday: Small Things That Make A Difference

Growing Businesses, The Right Way

 

Hey gang.  How's it going today? Here in Stratham, I'm currently caught up in a ton of work. This is good. Trust me. Challenging on the juggling front, but good. (a little more on that later)
owned my own business I've been focused on many different aspects of branding.........from marketing planning and exectution, ad planning and design, copy writing, press releases and kits, communication assessments......the list goes on and on and on. The one thing they've all had in common is that they help businesses establish their brand, which in turn helps them communicate to people about what makes their business special.
I came across a  quote that I think sums up branding pretty well. Whether we're talking about branding in relation to your business advertising, your marketing, your identity design, your public relations efforts, or if we're getting down to the nitty gritty about how you express your beliefs and how you incorporate them into your business.

"Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room” - Jeff Bezos, Founder of Amazon

Here's a perfect example that was right in my instagram feed last week.  The story of Lagusta Lucious Chocolates doing what they believed in, rather than doing what was easy.

Saying No, When Yes Might Be Easier and Better For Your Bottom Line

I follow Lagusta's Lucious on instagram and Lagusta shared a blog post she had written, called 'saying no (when you've decided to say yes)'. You can read it here. Quick synopsis. Lagusta's Luscious is all about "chocolates that are heartbreakingly delicious and painstakingly made by hand with truly artisanal ingredients".When considering what artisanal ingredients really means, think: ingredients that are fair trade, not made by people working as slave labor, and ingredients that honor and respect the earth and all its inhabitants.

That said, Lagusta was confronted with a big decision when Free People, owned by Urban Outfitters contacted her about selling the company's chocolate bunnies for Easter. Now, although the chocolate company could have used a big huge account to make a lot of things easier for the business, Lagusta said no. She said no, quite simply because she doesn't believe in Free People or Urban Outfitters brand of business. It's not aligned with her own.  However, she didn't just say no. Instead, she said this:

"Dear xxx,
Thank you so much for thinking of our products. I’m honored, but we can’t bear to work with a company owned by Urban Outfitters.
All of our chocolates are organic, fair-trade, and handmade, and we pride ourselves on our high ethical standards. I don’t personally shop at any stores owned by Urban Outfitters (though I have a great Free People dress I got at a thrift store I adore, sigh), so it wouldn’t feel right to have my chocolates sold there.
I’d love more information about the conditions under which the workers making your clothes work, because the consensus on the internet seems to be that they’re pretty much your typical sweatshop-made clothes.
Even more saddening is that so many of the clothes sold at Urban Outfitters further a troubling and problematic vision: from seeming to advance eating disorders and insensitive stereotypes to cultural appropriation (“Hipster Navajo Panties” etc.) to making clothing that only fits one type of body, it’s not a chain we want to align ourselves with.
Not to mention that over and over you have been shown to copy designs from smaller independent artisans, and that your founder has given large donations to right-wing politicians like Rick Santorum, whose politics we’re not fans of.
I’d love to work with you on a bunny project, but sadly I just don’t think I could sleep at night.
All the best,
Lagusta"

Oh yeah. That's what I'm talking about.

So in support of Lagusta's Lucious' stand to say no to a brand she didn't believe in while upholding her own, I ordered some chocolate.

Let me just say..........divine. The vandanas are a new favorite.

A Pencil Gives Hope

So, as you can see, one person can make a difference (if even it starts with simply being true to yourself and your beliefs) and if you still don't believe me, check out this interview that was on Marie Forleo yesterday, with Pencils of Promise founder Adam Braun. Wow. What a story. This one guy has made a difference to himself, his beliefs and many children all around the world and it all started with one pencil. So incredibly inspiring and AWEsome.  It's well worth the time. Click here if you're reading via email.





Back To Helping Other Business People

When I'm working with my clients on identity design and branding collateral (i.e. logo, business cards, letterhead, brochures, point of sale, rack cards, post cards, packaging, etc) the basis for all of it is 'who they are as a person, as a business, their beliefs, the benefits their product or service offers their customers'. The trick for me is: how to express that in a way that will help them grow.


Yesterday my clients in North Carolina posted this review on etsy, and it really made me smile and made me feel inspired by the work I do on a daily basis, all over again.

"Pam was amazing! Her logo designs are of such high quality that you realize you are getting design work comparable to what I've received from design firms in major cities for exponentially higher prices. She listened to our desires and goals and designed unique logos that captured those wishes and more! Her logos were exactly what we were looking for and required none or minor revisions. She did so incredibly promptly and provided exactly what she indicated she would provide and when. I cannot recommend her highly enough and will use her for all future design needs!"

Holy moly.

Thank you Melody. Really. Thank you.


It's a back and forth process with myself and my clients, and when things click through good communication and effort, it inspires me to continually strive to do better work.

And that's what I'm all about today. Doing the best work that I can as I handle revisions for some clients, finalization of designs for others, marketing for others and checking lots of jobs off the board.

What's inspiring you today?

Ciao for now,

FREE Friday

 Ever Had One Of Those Days?

Months? Year? Years?

Yeah, I know. We all have.

Sometimes, in the midst of the challenges that life throws at all of us, it is easy to get sucked up into that black hole.  Often life's challenges come with a lot of soul searching. New perspectives. We come out the other side knowing ourselves, even just a little bit better for it.

My friend came across a quote that speaks to that and thought it would be a keeper for a print.  I'm glad she sent it to me.

The quote by Eckhart Tolle combined with an absolutely stunning photo by Todd Quackenbush, (whose work I found over on unsplash) makes up today's FREE printable wall art.  [I know I've mentioned it before, but it is worth repeating.  unsplash is a site that shares work from photographers around the world, who have decided to offer their images royalty free, to do with as you please, for personal or commercial use. How great is that? If you haven't checked out unsplash yet, I highly suggest you do.  The level of work is amazing.]

Can I get a hell yeah?

Hey, did you notice the colors go perfectly with my kitchen back-splash? How serendipitous.

If you'd like to print it off yourself and hang it on your wall, you can download the pdf here.

And, if you feel like sharing on pinterest, that's cool too.

One more thing, Todd is such fantastic photographer, you should definitely pop over to his site and check out his other work. I love all of his work, but his pictures of NYC really capture the city in a way I can appreciate.  His perspective in some of his shots feels sort of  like 'a day in the life'.  His landscapes are incredible, and if you want to see a drool worthy food photo, check this out. I want a piece. Right. Now. I didn't even come close to capturing the deliciousness of G's pear bread, in comparison. Holy moly.


Freeform Friday

I was wandering around youtube last night and discovered a group I'd never heard of before. The Overtones. These 5 guys can really sing. You want harmony, they've got it up to their eyeballs and then some. On a side note, it sure is nice to see five young guys dressed like they want to be taken seriously. The Overtones are sharp dressed men. Kind of refreshing.  So is their sound.  Click here if you're reading via email.



How about a little something old school. A capella. Yup. The men can sing.
Click here if you're reading via email.



Any plans for the weekend? I'm going to be creating away working on some designs (including my own). In between housework, that is. No real plans I'm afraid.  G will be spending time working on his truck with the neighborhoodlums. I won't be joining them in that little adventure.  I know, I know. We're really pushing the fun-limit this weekend.  The good news? I think we've gotten above 30 on the thermometer today, and tomorrow we're supposed to hit the mid 40s.  This is incredibly exciting and welcome since we've been a frozen arctic tundra with no real signs of hope for spring. Except for my day in Boston, which was wicked lucky weather-wise. Then it went right back to polar vortex. So tomorrow, I will get outside at some point.

What's shakin' in your world?

Hope you have a great weekend. Thanks, as always, for being here.

Ciao for now,

What Inspires You Wednesday

Dancing With Others, For Others

I saw a story on the news last night and knew I had to share it.  Incredibly inspiring.  Penn State students took to the floor and danced for 46 hours straight. Why? To raise money to fight childhood cancer.

Guess how much money the Penn State students raised by participating in what they affectionately refer to as THON.

I'll give you a second.

OK, maybe two.

You ready to be blown away?

By dancing 46 straight hours Penn State Students raised $13.3 Million dollars for pediatric cancer research. I don't know about you, but I find that not only amazing, but downright inspiring.

Do yourself a favor and see what happens when people put their minds to, shake a little tailfeather all in the name of helping others and check out this story.

Click here to view story on THON.


What do you think about that? Doing my best Dr. Evil impersonation........$13+ million dollars!!!!!! 
And all it took was some dancing.

I love that story.

The polar vortex is back. I'm so glad I was able to walk around Boston this past weekend and enjoy the spring like temps, because it is now officially COLD again. We've got about a whopping 25 degrees today, and that's not counting the windchill. At least the woodstove is cranking.

Working on logo designs and revisions today. What's on your plate?

Ciao for now,

What Inspires You Wednesday

Other Artists

Today, some inspiration from other artists................



Beautiful woodcuts from Bryn Perott/DeerBrain.. Wow.

 

The amazing mosaic and beadwork by Heidi Kummli. 

 

 

Paintings by Manabu.

  

 

 Photography by Steph Mel. Dreamy.

 

  

What's inspiring you today?

It's so damn cold this winter. It just won't give us a break. Luckily the fire is going. Everyone is getting ready for the next storm, coming in overnight. Looks like we'll get another good bit of snow. I'll take that over the arctic air anytime, as long as we don't get the ice!

Today I'm in design revision mode. What's happening in your corner of the world?

Ciao for now,