Inspiration

Hazel cajoles, "Wake up! Wake up!"

A prince awaits his princess.

Inspiration has been on my mind of late. "What inspires you?", is a question that is often asked of artists and artisans. Answers are all over the map: books, music, poetry, nature, life and more. When it comes to the mundane, however, we also need to find inspiration or risk living life in a mediocre way, going through our days as robots and finding little joy. Finding inspiration for all we do often times brings not only creativity but happiness in the every day.

Columbine dances in the sunshine.

I find that of late my inspiration is out in the garden. I really adore digging in the dirt, the smell of the flowers and their bright shining faces are enough inspiration to set me afire for days if not months!  I also find it in the colorful birds that flutter about eating up the bugs and seeds that are abundant here. I also adore my small garden pond with its flowers, fish and frogs. In truth I would have it just for the frogs if necessary! I enjoy their little faces for some reason and really love seeing them sunning themselves. They are already the princes of this garden space without having to be kissed and I find them in surprising places. Just today one peered at me from a small fountain in the front yard where he had decided to go for some "alone time," apparently.

My friend, Hazel, has been helping me with my inspiration, as well. She has been busily awakening the flowers in the garden these past weeks. Forsythia, Lilac, Plumeria, Columbine, Tulip, Hyacinth, Apple, Daffodil, Crabapple, Pear, Bleeding Heart, Candytuft, Spurge and the Pasque Flower are all blooming thanks to her gentle prodding. Poppy, Peony, Lupine, Iris, Rose, Allium and several others are at the ready, waiting to pop open in the coming days and weeks. I look forward to their inspiration, as well, and will be sure to post the creativity that comes from that inspiration here at that time.


With that in mind here are a couple of the things I have been making these past weeks. Hopefully you will love them as much as I loved making them.The birds, flowers and leaves are both a reflection of my garden and my blessed life.