“Indulge your imagination in every possibly flight.”
- Jane Austen
For Christmas this last year I had to be creative, I wanted to do something extra special for this very best friend of mine. I decided we would make something, together. She’s one of those friends, you know, the one who appreciates this type of gift (and oh how thankful I am for this). So I gathered the supplies and we sat down on my living room floor together, embarking on a project that would evolve and become more beautiful with time.
We made inspiration boards.
The project itself was quite simple, we merely covered cork board with yummy fabrics that were absolutely perfect for our very individual styles. We giggled and grunted as we nearly broke a sweat getting the staples and push pins in. Together we dreamed of what inspiring things we would place on them, and of the places these boards would follow us to. It was between then and now, and it is between now and forever that these boards will become what they will – unique, beautiful, and inspirational.
I found that filling my board isn’t something that can be forced. I’m a creative creature by nature – so there are a hundred random things I could stick on it, just to fill it up. That isn’t what I wanted however, I yearned for something I could call my own in this home full of matchbox cars and rattling toys. My inspiration board is just that. Nearly six months later it sits near me as I write, adorned in handmade push pins. I’ve covered it in pages I tore out of magazines, a letter from my sister, the pockets of my children’s first pair of jeans, quotes that move me, and inspiration for this blog. Next week it might have something completely different. That is the great thing about this, as with so many things in our lives, it becomes more precious as it evolves. Realize that there are no rules, you mold and create it into something that is absolutely you! The greatest thing? Inspiration boards are virtually cost-free and as I’ve learned, make for a fabulous DIY project between kindred friends : )
I’d love to know if you have a place or object that inspires you – if so, what sorts of items do you include, or would you if you could?
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
i love this idea…and can’t wait to make one of my very own! inspiring objects of mine include pictures (of course!), letters from my sister (like you), lil surprise notes from my hubby when we were dating, silk gerbera daisies from my wedding (i could make pushpins from a few of these), a pic of a clock (to remind me of how precious time is), rare coins that my dad gave me, doodles from college notebooks (something fun to represent 4 educational years of my life), charms from old necklaces i wore as a child/teen, tiny crosses i’ve collected over the years, coloring pages and drawings from my lil cousins, & last but not least, i’d display a plastic gray dime & a plastic red heart charm given to me by my precious ex-step son and daughter. :)
This is a good idea. I think I will ask my SIL (are you reading, Em?) is she would want to make one together.
i have a box of mementos from childhood through mother’s day 2009. i think this might be a good way of displaying many of those items. as always thanks for letting me share your creativity!
Hey…I love this idea! I have a small cork board I usually tack my ideas to, along with photos of the kids and drawings. I have been wanting to make a huge cork board on the wall, but we may be moving. Also, for some time now I have been looking at a box of cards (birthday, mother’s day, etc) that I have been collecting since middle school or high school and thought it would be nice to display them somehow. I love looking back at them:) I was thinking of possible cutting them and putting them in a scrapbook;) Have any ideas? What do you do with all the cards you receive?
Being inspirational is great! And for a while there I was searching for inspirational quotes online and I would type them up, print them out and put on the fridge to inspire the hubby! But I have to admit that I always come up with great ideas…I just never seem to get around to them:(
so far, my inspiration board is….in a folder waiting to hit a board. i have a list of projects. i love my list of projects!
stephanie bean i love your idea of putting a picture of a clock – what a great reminder!
Rebeca & Jamie – I know what you both mean! So many ideas float through my head, but getting them OUT and actually doing them is a different story! In time my friends, in time :)
This is a FANTASTIC idea! I have tons of little clippings all over the place, this is a perfect way to display them so I am continually inspired.
PS – I absolutley love your boys’ jeans pockets! Hailey’s got the absolute perfect pair of jeans (ok, she’s only 11 months, but she still has the perfect pair of jeans :) and I’m forcing the poor thing to wear them until they’re capris on her! lol
This is great! Even though I am not a “packrat” like my hubby, I do preserve some special momentos in sweet hatbox. Now I can display them…plus this inspriational board will help keep my ideas and creativity, visible!! Maybe, then I will actually begin and complete these projects. Thanks for inspiring me!
I love this idea. And I love your blog!
So glad I visited tonight :)
I have two medium sized bulletin boards hanging on a wall of my laundry room. They hold favorite cards, tiny drawings from my kids, a few favorite ornaments and a variety of other items that make me smile.
REBECA, if you read this…i have an idea for cards you just can’t bring yourself to throw away! here’s what i do: i punch a hole in all the cards (upper left for cards that open from the side, and upper right for the cards that open from the top). then take a loose leaf binder ring and string them all together (the ones that open from the top are giong to be sideways). depending on how many cards you have, you could use different size rings. i use small ones for birthdays, and i used an extra large for my wedding cards. i take a piece of card stock, decorate it w/ the info (date, event, etc), punch a hole in it, and place it on top the cards…with some ribbon and/or charms. oh, and i always put my favorite card first! these are a lil “clumsier” than putting them in a photo album or scrapbook, but cuter (in my opinion), and they’ll still fit easily in a book case if you’re wantin that.
I LOVE this idea, and I have to do it because, unfortunately, my “inspiration” tends to take over the entire house *eeeek* My Choleric husband (God bless Him!) is a very patient soul- most days.
I have a cork board or two kickin’ around.
OH, and Stephanie: I LOVE that card idea…