A SCRAPBOOK OF INSPIRATION: Windows of Inspiration

I am back in North Carolina slowly adjusting to this lovely pace, and finding something new to inspire me. My bluebirds are in the backyard and the weather is beautiful.

The first week back, my daughter Ashley and the boys joined us to enjoy the area and some fun spots, which I will share on Nesting in North Carolina soon.

The eyes of tiny faces always give me hope, and being with the people I love fills my spirit. Here is James Taylor singing In Carolina in My Mind, with beautiful scenes of the Blue Ridge mountains.

As you can imagine, once Ashley, Sarah and the boys left, my heart needed a bit of time to adjust. Sarah flew in to help Ashley with the drive back. Although I will be home for the holidays, I wanted to think of something here that I can enjoy and find inspirational. Something different than I might find back home.

Fabric always inspires me. So my first stop was a visit to the most wonderful fabric shop. The Little General.

The Little General is located in Reynolda Village. I was inspired as soon as I saw her beautiful sign with shabby chic bunting. You know how much I love bunting!

Gina writes a blog and owns the most gorgeous fabric shop.

Gina and I shared some contacts and inspirational books and magazines. I love her Facebook page.

She is such a kindred spirit. I bought this gorgeous book on Cath Kidson.

Gina showed me some gorgeous fabrics and told me about a friend of hers, Bonnie Christine who also teaches classes for Adobe Illustrator. Here is a quilt that Gina made using one of Bonnie's fabric collections.

Bonnie's blog, Going Home To Roost is filled with inspiration. I remembered seeing her on Spoonflower's instagram, sharing her lovely animal masks. I purchased a few of her videos for tips on Adobe Illustrator on her Etsy Shop. Again, I am so impressed by her clever designs and wonderful blog.

Bonnie is having a giveaway, which ends October 27th. You just have to leave a comment, like her on Facebook or share her giveaway. The fabric collection WINGED, shown on Gina's quilt above. Bonnie is giving away 10 yards, 10 pieces of fabric in the colorway of your choice.

All in all, I think that being able to nest in North Carolina again, gives me an opportunity to take a breath of fresh ideas from the windows of inspiration here.

Wherever your travels take you today, I hope that you find oodles of inspiration.

Snap said...: Gorgeous post! I know you will enjoy NC -- so much beauty and some really talented craftsmen/women there. One day, I'll get there to visit the god-children!; October 21, 2014 at 12:37 PM
Kathleen Grace said...: Hi Karen, I was just hopping over from Bloglovin to see if you had posted lately, your most recent post hadn't shown up on my feed yet so I was happily surprised to see a post today! This looks like such a sweet shop. I'm going to hit the links you provided and check these ladies out. Thanks for introducing us. I am missing my girls too, but looking forward to Thanksgiving with both of them:>); October 21, 2014 at 12:44 PM
Castles Crowns and Cottages said...: Karen, I have missed you greatly. I know that blogging takes a back seat to life, and your lovely world has been sprinkled with new hope with these darling grandsons of yours! Your move, your countless trips to lovely places, oh, the things you've seen! And this spectacular little shop is AWESOME!

I have missed you. So nice to see your post! Anita; October 22, 2014 at 5:43 AM
The Little General said...: I'm so honored to be in your blog, Karen! I have loved our little visits and am SO enjoying A Fine Romance. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! You are a true inspiration and your blog is as lovely as I knew it would be! Much love, Gina; October 23, 2014 at 1:42 PM

Windows of Inspiration

Tuesday, October 21, 2014