Doesn't look like a Halloween Design to me!

Well it looks like a winter scene, the one outside my window this morning. Like I said, inspiration comes from all kinds of unexpected places.

At 12 below zero this happy bird came by and deserves to be remembered - I'm not sure he would approve of being a table mat - but I'm happy.

While thinking about the new designs I hope to create for 2010 I took a look at what year's past have created. I've done thousands of these samplers, rugs, pillows, pincushions, pins and I'm sure there are other things I can't remember - or don't want to.

I believe inspiration comes from many sources, books, nature, friends, photography, within ourselves - from our history, colors, graphs, it's endless.

All of these designs in today's post are from previous years, most are mine and a few should be attributed to others - even if I don't remember who.

Today I'll focus on one new design. Once creativity starts, new ideas are no problem -the first one is the toughest.

While working, I'll try to open my mind up to all and not work to hard at it - just draw and see where it goes.

Buttons and baubles and sleeping cats - we all love Halloween

Inspiration, what inspires me on a cold and snowy winter day in Minnesota.

Friends call, what are you doing? Oh, I'm photographing buttons - in every way I can think of. Why? I'm doing my own study of texture. At the same time I'm improving my photography, hoping to get inspiration for new design ideas and having a good time.

Over the years in buying and selling antiques I've acquired a vast collection of buttons. Old buttons, new buttons -every color and shape. Buttons that advertise, buttons that attract attention, buttons that held up somebody's grandfather's pants. They're too perfect to throw out, they line my workroom shelves in bottles, old of course, and give joy to all who notice them.

New Years is over - on to Halloween!

I've decided that my focus this year will be on Halloween. Black cats, scarecrows, witches and moons have been my best sellers for many years. So this year, Halloween will be number 1 on my list of to-dos.

Many of my designs are ones that I've used for years. People still buy them, but I'm tired of them and will start fresh with new ones for this year. This, of course, is easier said than done. Anyone who designs anything knows that it takes many erasures to create a design that is popular.

January in Minnesota is more likely to inspire long underwear than images of Halloween - fall foliage and harvest moons. Where to get inspiration for my new designs?

Look and ye shall find. Sounds simple - maybe I should follow my advice and do it. First I'll look around the house

This year the chicken coop will have vintage Christmas