I have been without my computer for sometime and even now that it sits back on this old pine table of mine I am struggling to find the words to satisfy a post! It happens now and then...the words just don't seem to flow. The good thing is that I am finding so much to be inspired by. The simple beauty in the things around me! The wonderful good things I find shared by others.
Here are a few of my favorites!
Ruffled Cake
I found this beautiful image on Pinterest.
I love ruffles but I have never seen them on a cake! Is this not the prettiest cake you have ever seen?
I love cake!
and
Roses!
Ruffled Roses
Our neighborhood Walmart has had the prettiest ruffled roses available. I Love taking photographs of pretty blossoms and they bring a touch of spring indoors!
(Texture from the studio collection)
The Studio Collection
A beautiful collection of textures created by the talented Kim Klassen. I had so much fun testing some of these wonderful textures for Kim. You can check them out at the Cafe'. If you have a passion for adding textures to your images- you will LOVE these! Amanda from Every Day Elements is hosting a giveaway for these lovely textures!
Baby Bird Ella
This tiny wool bird was handcrafted by Julie Collings. So cute! I think a few of these sweet birds hanging on a branch would look SO darling in a babies room. You can visit Julie's wonderful blog to get all the details about Ella.
Sweet Spring Nest
Julie sent me the link for this sweet nest. I love it! It is on my list of artful projects. I think these spring nests would be so pretty on a plate setting for Easter. You can find the tutorial to make the nests at Treasures From The Heart Gifts.
Beautiful Journal Art
I found this beautiful journal page from Shiela of Halo Hill.
I think it is wonderful and it has inspired me to create my own art journal.
"She Carried The Light"
I love this painting that I purchased from Katie Kendrick. Katie is a sweet spirit and I am so inspired by the art she teaches. She will be taking some time off her year long sabatical to teach a class in Malibu California. I can't imagine anything more wonderful than painting by the beautiful sea. To learn more about Katie's class you can read more here at Artinfusio. If you feel compelled to paint and don't know where to start, this is the class to take. Come paint with me by the sea!
Paper Butterfly
Another sweet link that Julie Shared with me is from the beautiful blog of Anneke. I found this paper beauty there. The original blog it came was Idemakeriet, a lovely Scandanavian blog filled with inspiration. I love creating things from vintage papers. This little butterfly is sweet and would be so simple to make.
How wonderful is it that there are so many good things available to us that lead to inspiration and rekindle our inner spirits that help us learn and grow. I am SO thankful for this sweet gift.
What's inspiring you today?
![](<a href="http://www.kimklassencafe.com/art-of-texture-the-secrets-r/" target="_blank"><img alt="Kim Klassen Cafe" src="http://www.kimklassencafe.com/storage/aoftii/secrets-button.png" /></a> ){kind=link}
![](<a href="http://kimklassencafe.com" mce_href="http://kimklassencafe.com" target="_blank"><img alt="inspiration-studio" src="http://kimklassen.squarespace.com/storage/graphics/button150.png" mce_src="http://kimklassen.squarespace.com/storage/graphics/button150.png" /></a>){kind=link}
So much inspiration here in this post, Lorraine. From the fluffy ruffled cake to the vintage paper butterfly - love it all!
Posted by: Zita - Mlle Magpie | March 25, 2011 at 11:08 AM
oh my creative heart has been fed in just this ONE post....only one of the many reasons why i love you and why i can.t wait to be neighbors in your neck of the woods...i am sooooo excited.
i love you truly.
xo
c
Posted by: chrissy | March 23, 2011 at 09:14 PM
oh my, there is enough deliciousness to keep me busy for days....
i wonder if that cake has lemon curd on the inside. baby ella bird never looked so cute.
thanks so much for the link and for the sweet little package in the mail today. adore the great pink crepe paper and the tiny velvet blossoms.
xo julie
Posted by: julie collings | March 22, 2011 at 07:14 PM
Oh my goodness my friend...I am in love with all these Spring lovelies. That CAKE...what a stunner!
Hugs for a great week. xoxoxo
Posted by: koralee | March 22, 2011 at 06:33 PM
Inspiring me...hmmm...the thought that nice weather is on it's way...oh...and your beautiful rose photo...that too is inspiring me ;o)
Posted by: andrea | March 22, 2011 at 03:30 PM
Oh Lorraine! Thank you precious for your kind and sweet words to me!!! I was away from my computer yesterday, so I missed this lovely post, but ALL THE THINGS YOU SHOW HERE ARE INSPIRING ME THESE DAYS! I pulled out a darling little wool bluebird that someone sent me, I have some paper flowers to arrange and I am making a FAIRY UNDER GLASS with paper, glitter, branches and sparkles. The cloche I got is a large and beautiful vintage one sitting on my sofa table. Oh, the beauty to create, n'est-ce pas???
HAVE A FABULOUS AND BEAUTIFUL DAY! Anita
Posted by: anita rivera | March 22, 2011 at 02:42 AM
I love the cake..Enjoy your class with Katie, I've taken a class from her and she is a wonderful teacher, such a gentle spirit.
Posted by: lilylovekin | March 21, 2011 at 07:50 PM
You've given us so much to be inspired by! thank you thank you :)
Posted by: rebecca | March 21, 2011 at 02:40 PM
Lorraine,
Thank you for your concern for my daughter. She is not injured...and that is all we care about. They do take us through alot, don't they? Her older brother really took us through some stressful years. Thankfully he has grown and matured from his mistakes. I have been busy trying to get my Etsy shop open. Do you still have an Etsy? If you do, I would like to list it as one of my favorites. ox
Posted by: kerrie | March 21, 2011 at 12:13 PM
Oh goodness I would never be able to dive into that cake. Too pretty to eat...okay, so I'm lying, I'd have a finger full of frosting before you know it! But then I'd hate myself later!
You have shared some amazing talent here today. The photo of the roses you took is stunning. I hope all is great with you Lorraine. My daughter just called me from Layton and I think she is trying to console me when she says that Utah's weather has been a little iffy for Spring as well.
But it will come, and when it does, we'll be ready.
sending hugs
Posted by: June | March 19, 2011 at 09:19 PM
I am constantly
inspired by women
just like YOU,
Lorraine! Seriously!
I am hoping to play
with my camera when
the kids are off for
spring break. My
daughter is the artist
in the family, but as
the word-lover, I am
intrigued by the idea
of art journals and that
is now inspiring me ~
thank you, sweet friend!
Happy Weekend,
xx Suzanne
Posted by: Privet and Holly | March 19, 2011 at 01:58 AM
Hi Lorraine,
Many thanks for sharing so much beauty and inspiration with us.
Love the sweet little bird and spring nest.
Also the pretty cake ( would be too nice to eat) and your roses are gorgeous.
Have a happy weekend
Hugs
Carolyn
Posted by: Carolyn | March 18, 2011 at 02:57 PM
Love this....everything says "spring"! That ruffled cake.... *sigh* (is it real?!)
Have a wonderful weekend sweetie!!
XOX
Posted by: Lolo | March 18, 2011 at 10:14 AM
oh my, so many lovely things! i'm passing that ruffled cake on to the hubby's sister, next in line for a wedding. gorgeous!
Posted by: nic | March 18, 2011 at 09:33 AM
Oh my...that cake is fabulous. I am a ruffle girl too and loving all the ruffles in the stores. Thanks for sharing your favorites.
Posted by: Lisa | March 18, 2011 at 07:48 AM
Thank you so much for sharing my flower nest link
I do hope someone will make it and let me share it with my readers.
blessings
barbara jean
Posted by: barbara jean | March 17, 2011 at 09:18 PM
I love this cake, it is so delicate and girly! Simply elegant~ I love your rose photo; I so want to take a class! Your photos are so beautiful. They speak to my soul; I have a green thumb and dream of growing lovely blooms like these~ Ella is sooo cute, the bird, lol! I have a huge smile thinking of her gracing a baby shower! The journal, painting by the sea, the bird's nest and paper butterflies, these all are favorite things, but especially your roses! Thanks for supplying so much inspiration! You need to sell your pics; Spectacular!
Posted by: Ellen | March 17, 2011 at 08:31 PM
So much inspiration. I have been dipping my toes in the textures and am now a member of Inspirational Studio. I signed up for the skinny mini photoshop class but my daughter got in a car accident on the first day of class and I just couldn't focus. I will sign up when she offers it another time. I have been so inspired by the lovely hearts of the women involved in Kim's cafe and i-studio. Thank you for all your encouraging comments on my blog...they mean so much. You have a gentle spirit that makes me smile. ox
Posted by: kerrie | March 17, 2011 at 06:51 PM
What's inspiring me today? YOU! Thanks!
Posted by: Emily | March 17, 2011 at 05:58 PM
Thanks for your visit and for the inspiration here today. I too LOVED the ruffled cake, prettiest cake I have seen! And I loved the little pink bird..I will have to check all this our! ;D
Posted by: Julie Harward | March 17, 2011 at 03:48 PM
Lorraine, wow, thank you! You put me with amazing company on this post. :) She is the 2nd lady I've ever drawn, so that means the world to me. The other ladies are so talented, I can't wait to see their blogs too!
Hugs,
Sheila
Posted by: Sheila | March 17, 2011 at 01:40 PM