Starting off.

So I've decided to put it out there & start a blog.  I don't do resolutions, unless you count the commitment I made last week to use up every drop of lotion in the gazillions of tubes & bottles I have before buying even one more. (That goes for chapstick/lip balm as well).  But I have finally started the blog I've secretly yearned to have.  It'll likely be a bit elementary and maybe even reminiscent of other blogs I follow at first, but once I start tooling around and learn the ropes, it'll be polished & my very own.

My inspiration to blog comes from a few places.  First and foremost my irrepressable urge to create.  Its roots run deep.  My mom was ALWAYS working on a project.  Sewing, doll-making, flower arrangements, gift baskets...she was always at it.  Her collection of ephemera, trimmings, findings and glitter are still of use to me today.  I can shop in her basement at 3 a.m. & find just what I'm looking for to finish a project. My dad was the photog of the family.  His job working 3rd shift at the coal mine meant I didn't see him most school nights, but oh those glorious friday nights when we could stay up as late as we wanted!!  He'd get home at midnight and we'd go to the darkroom to reveal the treasures of his week's shoot.  Thankfully the digital age was still a couple of decades away and developing pictures in your basement was a real event.  Then there's my brother.  He who could draw anything perfectly at any age.  I firmly believe that while your artistic skills can be honed to make you better, you're either born with it or your not.  He was born with it.  I'm proud to say he's a successful, working architect living in LA.  And it's worth mentioning he married a lovely & talented designer so I imagine it's not only in our blood, we're chemically drawn to it.

My second inspiration is my cousin Cassandra.  When we're together the creative think-tank is unstoppable.   I don't have a sister, but if I did, she'd be it.  We're fortunate to share similar tastes, but eclectic enough to introduce each other to different styles.  I credit her with leading me to Etsy years ago and, while I have yet to open my shop, much of the stuff in her's adorns my walls, mantles & tabletops.  To us there's nothing better than a bottle of Merlot (unless it's a bottle of Cabernet, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese or Malbec) and a Saturday night with no plans so we can collaborate on ideas, projects or a bout of "Did you see the ___on etsy today? No, but I did see ______."  Then, invariably the laptop comes out & we're two art nerds trolling E kinda tipsy at 1:30 a.m.  Anyway, I love her, her family and her style and she always inspires, what I think, is the very best part of me.

And thirdly, I think we all like to believe that what we have to say is so great everyone wants to hear (or read it).  I'm no exception.  Hopefully, my little ramblings, ideas, finds & inspirations will tickle someone so much that they'll obsess over catching up on my posts.  Did I say obsess?  I meant leisurely show interest in.  *wink*.