finding my muse {again}

it's no surprise that with everything that has happened in the last few months, well... since june when the bean had surgery actually, i lost a desire to create. of course i still had to, with deadlines for kenner road and my other assignments, but honestly i wasn't enjoying it like i had before.

everything felt like it was forced and i wasn't creating and experimenting and feeling like i loved alot of it. it's one of those conflicts that creative people go through, i know this. everything ebbs and flows and sometimes you feel like you are on fire, everything you create is a favorite. and sometimes the last thing you want to do is walk into your studio {or wherever you create} and make something. right? right.

so.

to say that i finally have my muse back i feel is an understatement. i'm finding the process of just cutting and gluing and creating to be such a wonderful joy again.

one of my most precious creations this month is the layout above. last year my mother gave me a copy of our italian family lineage, containing info dating back to my great-great grandfather who was born in grumento-neuvo, italy in 1873.

it is precious.

she typed it in all capitals on her typewriter and although my copy is not the original, i don't care. it is a piece of my history that she created. i can see her sitting down at her desk {which i was lucky enough to inherit} typing out our lineage to give to my grandmother.

click. click. click.

it is a record of my people and it makes me happy.

this was fun.

some of you may recognize that old jalopy as the logo on the kR website. i wanted to create a piece to display it in the studio because that picture makes me so happy. it has been a wild year and a half, full of lessons galore, and this piece is where it all began. with our pictorial logo and a little idea about recording moments & inspiration and creating kits to inspire others to do the same.

the box is an old box i found junking that was tattered and worn {perfect!}. i added the end caps from a vintage piano roll as feet and then lined the front edge with mini glass tiles that i have been waiting forever to use.

my bean. when she was about 3 years old she used to wrap her little raggies {her comfort blankets which are just cloth diapers, lol} around her body for dress-up. i know it comforted her and made her feel good. they are and have always been her go to buddies and the picture just makes my heart smile.

this was a quick display. i wanted to use the negative banner piece that was left after i punched out the banner piece for the lineage layout and i had this antique schoolhouse photo that i have wanted to use for a few months. the stand is a vintage receipt spike and the felt is from the sassafras lass feltie pack from the ramble embellishment add-on. quick i tell you, like 5 minutes.

and last, but not least, the secret garden mini book add-on has my heart. when i put the kit together i had a completely different idea of what i would crate. but then i started stitching and gathering the insides and i realized that the jbs calendar cards {again, from the ramble embellishment addon} would be perfect for documenting one favorite photo from each month of 2009.

i could marry the gcd glass brads.

 

to make the inserts i stitched two months together on front and back and then printed out a favorite 2x2 photo and applied it on top. added some little scrap bits of the 7gs ephemera {in the ramble addon} and punched holes. quick and simple but oh so wonderful.

that pic of the bean above is from when she came out of her surgery last june. i have tried a million times to start recording that but this is as close as i can get still. so many hard memories and when i think about her, and all she went through, her pain. it still hurts my heart.

but in this pic she looks like my sleeping angel, and that's why i adore it.

 

obviously i still need decembers.

have a wonderful & merry tuesday!
xo

 

Comments

[Beth Perry]

wow!! it is all so wonderful and lovely and very much inspiring! I am so glad you back on the "wave" and yes, I know what you mean...about the creative vibe coming and going.
Have a great day!
b

[Vel]

I have to tell you, this post right here, of the more than 300 blogs I follow or subscribe to, is one of my favs. Something about all of this art is so inspiring to me. Maybe the colors, maybe the depth and dimension you give everything, maybe your descriptions and stories...whatever it is, it completely speaks to me. Thanks for inspiring!

[Nicole]

There isn't a post of yours that doesn't capture my heart and make it more alive. Thank you for sharing all of you with us. :) {hugs}

[Leah C]

So glad you found your muse again...because we are the lucky ones who get to enjoy your creative pieces:)

[Helen]

Every time I see a new creation of yours, it makes me want to run and create myself.

[mary]

you know...there may just possibly be...too much beauty in this post...oh my! words and photos both - just wonderful.

mary

[mary]

*gasP* i fell asleep and missed reveal...awoke and stumbled down to the computer. just in time - this kit is almost gone! and no wonder - it is outstandingly beautiful:)

mary

[Mari]

my gosh kerry!!! I love your creations!
that minibook is stunning, I can't stop looking at it!
what you do, is magical!

has your little package arrived yet?

miss you, and see you soooooon:):):)

[anna bowkis]

all so beautiful Kerry

[Robyn]

OH MY this has got to be my favorite of all time! The colors are totally me! I am sad I missed the mini book add on, drats it all sold out so fast, but I will covet everthing in the main kit!

Have a Happy Holiday KL-

XO

[Christine Middlecamp]

I know. I understand. I have been there. My heart feels for you.

[Reija]

It's so great to hear the stories behind the magnificient pieces of art you've created this month. So happy that you've find your inner inspiration again - look what it resulted in!? I can't wait to get my hands on the new kit. Merry Christmas!

[Karalyn]

I saw your project on the 7Gypsies blog...awesome! Wanted to tell you that there is someone on craigslist in my area that has vintage piano rolls for like $3! I can try to get a hold of them if you are interested! LMK :)

[lisa truesdell]

beautiful beautiful beautiful, kl. i'm glad you found your muse again. =)

[Virginia]

*Sigh* I am in love with all of these creations! Your blog is MY muse!