A tasty collaboration

When I'm asked about great sources of inspiration, I sound a bit like a broken record. I want to shout this from the rooftops because I truly believe it - "You can find inspiration ANYWHERE!"

A few weeks ago I was meandering the aisles of Target and stopped dead in my tracks when I spotted this über cool collection of kitchen appliances. My stainless-steel-loving husband did not share my enthusiasm, but I was over the moon at seeing these French Bull designs up close and personal! 

I think this is what's been missing in my life...and how much fun would it be to have an explosion of color like this on wedding stationery???

 

Emi Ink on Instagram

I'm "officially" on Instagram. With real pictures. That I'm purposefully posting. 

I actually signed up for my Instagram account ages ago, and unbeknownst to me I had posted a single, obscure photo of my TV. It was a random shot snapped from the comfort of my sofa; probably a test photo to see how my app worked. Apparently it worked so well, and so seamlessly, that I didn't even know that this raw, unfiltered, blurry-as-hell photo of my TV was exposed for all to see. Thank goodness that my assistants brought this to my attention, albeit months later, so I could delete it. Ahhh, the joys of technology and an inept user.

Anyway, I'm back and trying to post stuff daily. Since I was already in the habit of photographing anything and everything that I find even remotely inspiring, Instagram is surprisingly perfect match for me. Another little window into my world...at least until I pull the shades down!

inspiration anywhere: gummy bears!

Apparently I needed to take a six-month hiatus from my "inspiration anywhere" project, but sometimes you just can't force it. So, no apologies, just my latest inspiration:

Gummy bear key chain designed by Bit of Sugar

This oh-so-cute key chain by Bit of Sugar dangles off the side of a porcelain cup that holds all of my pens. Every time I reach for a pen, the pastel gummy bears make a clinking sound against the porcelain. In the afternoon, around 3:00pm, the sun bounces off the beads and creates a little light show on my desktop. This sweet creation inspired this yet-to-be-named invitation design:

What should I name this invitation design?

I stand by my belief that you can find inspiration anywhere! In case you'd like to check out our past inspirations:

Curtains

Socks

Wedding gown

When You Wish Upon A Star

In Full Bloom

inspiration anywhere: in full bloom

I purchased this huge flower pin from The Wedding Cafe a few years back. It's big, it's brown, it's fuzzy...it's totally impractical and that's why I love it. This flower has adorned everything from my tote bags, to my clipboards, to the wire shelving in my office. I often stare at this flower and wonder what spot it will inhabit next.

Today, it finds a home here, as my "inspiration anywhere" muse:

Decided to design a place card today, with the flower hanging off the left edge to leave room for the guest name. I chose a romantic script font with fun flourishes (oh, how I love fonts):

 

inspiration anywhere: when you wish upon a star

I took a very roundabout way to arrive at today's design. Are you ready? I was reading a blog in which the writer had received a teapot charm for her birthday. The teapot reminded me of Mrs. Potts from Beauty and the Beast, which made me think about other Disney movies, the older ones especially, like Pinnochio. Once my thoughts turned to Pinnochio, "When You Wish Upon A Star" began playing in my head...and thus, this design took shape:

I think the stars were a much better inspiration than Pinnochio himself, don't you?

inspiration anywhere: vera wang

I was wondering what I was going to pull for inspiration this week when inspiration came to me via Mona Hirata of Weddings by Grace and Mona. At the end of a brainstorming lunch meeting, Mona mentioned that she had just written a blog for The Knot about wedding cakes inspired by brides' gowns. What a perfect idea to piggyback on! First stop for me was the Vera Wang site where I spotted this lovely gown from their 2011 bridal collection:


Flora by Vera Wang

I was immediately drawn to the beaded/embroidered bodice of this strapless gown. My interpretation of the design on paper would feature layers of translucent blossoms accented with Swarovski crystals and a pale mauve ribbon that mimics the fabric sash on the gown.

inspiration anywhere #2: socks

Today's inspiration comes from a sock. This sock would feel incredibly out of place in my dresser drawer amongst my white, whiter, and whitest socks. It would also feel out of place in my husband's dresser drawer amongst the sea of black socks. But here, where inspiration abounds, it feels right at home. Here's the glorious red and white striped, knee-high sock:

And the invitation design that it inspired:

I started with the vibrant red color and the crisp white stripes first. Then I added in the curved lines on the top and bottom. The pairing of red and white gave off a Valentine's vibe to me so I just went with it and used a playful font and added a heart embellishment for an added touch of whimsy.



inspiration anywhere #1: curtains

As much as I'd like to be able to have a flash of creativity at any given time, it just doesn't happen like that - for me, at least. I can sit in front of my laptop for hours, eyes fixated on the screen, mouse in hand, "mood music" piped in via Pandora, and nothing happens. When I'm unable to find inspiration within myself, I always look elsewhere...someplace outside the world of weddings or stationery, someplace that's visually appealing or someplace that just makes me happy.

I had a little creative letdown yesterday and I started thinking about all the brides out there planning their weddings. I always tell my own clients to bring along magazine tear sheets or online photos that they've collected as inspiration for their wedding, as these images speak volumes about their personal style and taste. Ninety-percent of the time, brides will bring wedding-related photos - reception decor, flowers, dresses, etc. Once in awhile, I'll get to see something completely different. In recent months, one bride brought in a photo of a henna tattoo, another bride brought in a wallpaper swatch, and another bride wore a collection of beautiful bangle bracelets that reflected the subtle shades in her wedding color scheme.

It's not always easy to think outside the box and allow yourself to be inspired by everyday things, so I thought it was time to start a new weekly series on the blog called, "inspiration anywhere." I hope it helps to unleash some creative possibilities!

First up, I spotted these ombre curtains on the Anthropologie site and instantly realized how it could translate into a beautiful wedding invitation. Here's the ombre curtain in blue:

Wavering Ombre Curtain via Anthropologie

And my interpretation for a wedding invitation:

 And the ombre curtain in coral:

Wavering Ombre Curtain via Anthropologie

And my take on it:

These invitation designs represent very literal interpretations of the curtains, but I could have taken it in a number of different directions. Instead of filling the whole card with color, I could have applied the ombre effect to a large flower in the corner of the invitation. Or, I could have translated the crocheted paillettes (they run vertically on the curtain panels) as a background watermark pattern.

If you see something that catches your eye, in colors that you love, don't be afraid to take wedding inspiration from it!