I don’t think I have posted a welcome fall post, so I think this will be it!  Fall is (one of) my favorite seasons.  (In the spring it’s spring, but in the fall it’s fall!)   But in honoring all the things that I love about fall, I wanted to share some inspiring images with you to make you feel the crisp air, celebrate the vibrancy of the turning leaves and the nesting that occurs as the temps turn colder. 

As you move into this new season we are in, take a moment to celebrate what you love about fall.   Because that’s what one of the things life is really about isn’t it?  Being grateful for each moment and realizing that the small things are the big things. 

Set some time aside for doing the things that bring you comfort and serve others.  Make a cake, press some leaves, light some candles, carve a pumpkin… most of all…spread joy.

Stop by and let me know what your favorite thing about fall is and how you plan to celebrate!

Yes!  This is where I will be later this coming week.  Will you join me?

Some classes are full, but there are openings still available….

The Creative Connection Event is 3 days packed full of  inspiration, creative businesses, women and so much passion for their craft … you will come away thoroughly inspired. The collaboration of Jo Packham and Nancy Soriano, it has attracted some of the biggest names in the business for Keynote Speakers, Class Instructors and Attendees alike.  Last year was the 1st Annual Event, which I also attended and it was just fantastic.  I met so many creative, wonderful women.

It will be held at the Crowne Plaza in St Paul.  So please head on over to the link and register yourself for 1, 2 or all 3 days.  When you do, leave me a comment so I will know you’re attending and we can hook up at some point.

So… come get your creative on and join me!

After you all have waited so patiently…

I finally have a few moments to show you a bit around the new studio space!

I have been blessed with so many wonderful clients these last 6 weeks, I have had to focus on them and not the blog.

I do have some fun things planned to share with you over this summer, so I will try to post those more timely

!

Without more ado… here is our new little creative workshop!

In this space we will host creative events, workshops, shopping events (our first one is being planned right now!), meet with clients and create unique finds for home and life!  It is a small space, but we will use it very efficiently.

This shot is looking out into our entry vestibule and our changing inspiration board.

Here are our desks… this area will have some color added to it soon, (some creative painting techniques from Alicia), along with a place to hang fabric swatches.

One of my favorite fabrics…. reinventing a dated chair.  (I also have this fabric in my other office!)

The place were creative projects get done….

Some of Lulu & Lilly’s merchandise that is for sale.  Custom pillows, vintage pieces, artwork, frames, and little treasures.  There is even more coming…. wait until you see what we have planned for fall!

Maybe the perfect thing is waiting to go home with you?

Our past projects board in the vestibule of our entryway.  Alicia and the Studio were featured in the Twin Cities Metro Mag during the month of April… a delightful article about my artistic partner and her business… written by the uber talented Cy Winship!

Thanks Cy for the wonderful kudos…

Lastly… when you come to visit us… this is your view into our space. 

So… welcome!

Please come by to visit us soon… we are by appointment only, so please call first to make sure we will be at the Studio.   We’d love to show you around our little space and introduce you to all of the current Lulu & Lilly projects!

Thanks for stopping by and thank you even more to our fabulous clients, friends, and associates who has helped make this new creative playhouse a reality.  We couldn’t have done it without you.  We are blessed!

Erica

Happy Winter Day!

Today we are going to think creatively with all this winter that surrounds us.  I think it’s so easy for winter weather to make us less creative, so today I want to use it for INSPIRATION!

Yes, today I would like you to ‘think outside the box’ and be inspired by snow, shades of gray and simplicity of landscape.  At first glance, it seems colorless and almost lifeless.  But… wait… there is beauty and inspiration there, we just have to slow down to take in all of the details. 

Okay, I know there are some readers who do not have snow outside their windows.  If that is you, I envy you a bit… but I believe you can still gain some inspiration from this post, so, please read on.  (Maybe consider remembering a time you were in a snowy landscape or browse some online resources- photos, blogs or the like, to find some wintery scenes to pull inspiration from. Try here at Anna Malin’s blog or here at haus maus .)

Now, for the details that will allow us to create in a new way….

In a typical winter scene, there seems to be lack of color, but it’s really abundant in color, one just has to spend some time really looking.  The twigs, trees and wood that are exposed have many shades of gray, brown, gold, tan, and even some purple or red hues in them.

Where there is snow that has fallen, it can be heavy and wet, icy and hard, or soft and clumped.  What do those textures represent?

Look at the sky… the various shades are determined a bit by the time of day.  Maybe some early morning pinks and purples, afternoon blues and grays, and possibly some evening color with a bit of orange or magenta.

How does the landscape lay?  Are you looking at fields of softly blanketed white, a backyard of greenery laden with heavy snow, or a city boulevard with homes and buildings lined up like soldiers along a snowy avenue?

Now that you’ve really spent a few minutes looking at the details, how can you use that information to inspire your creativity today?  What did you gain from looking at the scene outside your own door or window?

Can you imagine creating a piece of art with those colors, textures and details?  Would you like to take a photograph to capture the beauty?

Would you like to pull your gardening books and make plans to update your garden areas to better compliment a winter landscape?

Would you like to gather some friends and enjoy a day outdoors sledding or going on a quiet winter walk?

Are you compelled to plan a menu to incorporate hearty comfort foods to share with friends on a cold winters eve?

Would you like to nestle in and knit a sweater for someone special with the colors of winter?

Are you inspired to redecorate a bit, embracing the hues and textures outside your window?

Creativity can take us to new places.  When we take the time to really look at the details around us, we take those details with us to other parts of our lives.  We can be changed by nature and our surroundings when we slow down and take the time to welcome those bits of beauty that can often go unnoticed around us.

What beautiful things did today’s winter scene inspire you to do today?

We are Celebrating a New Year and all the new things that are to come!

As you new year begins, what dreams and goals do you have planned for 2011?

What new adventures will you be taking on?  Where will you change habits?  Where will you stretch and transform yourself?

What parts of your life will you be focusing on?

Most importantly…. what steps or goals do you have planned out to lead you to success?

Changes can quickly get overwhelming if we don’t focus on the small daily steps that become our new routine.  Create short routines to keep you focused on your real reasons for change and the everyday moments that make that transformation possible. Create a mission statement for yourself.  Post it somewhere you can see it everyday.

Some other tips to keep you on track:

Start a journal: keep track of progress, frustrations, joys, ideas

Share your journey with others: being accountable is important for success

Don’t try to change everything at once: pick several new changes to focus on for each 3-4 month period, implementing more throughout the year, as those goals become routine

Treat yourself: set small rewards for yourself each time you reach a milestone in your journey- it will keep you motivated and reward your efforts

Be gentle with yourself: Don’t be too hard on yourself if you slip-up.  We are all human.  Re-focus and get back on track

Remember…

The things that don’t come easy or challenge us beyond our comfort zone, are those that are most worth the efforts.  Nothing of value comes without some effort.  So keep focused and surround yourself with those willing to support your dreams and steps along the way.  So go ahead, dream big and remember you are fabulous!

Let us be one source of support for you here on this blog… let us cheer you on and dream big with you. 

Share the steps you’ll be taking for 2011 here…

(photo from Southern Accents entertaining)