Inspiration - Seahorses at the Book Fair

One of the most frequently asked questions I receive is "What inspires you?"  The truth is I get a lot of inspiration from my garden, and nature in general, because of the amazing color combinations, lines, angles and textures.  Nature isn't my only source of inspiration of course.  Life happens and brings with it experiences from travel or the simple day to day activities.  Recently a simple visit to a local library book fair provided me with my latest inspiration!  I took my twelve-year-old son to have a look (since he's our resident bookworm) and he discovered a lovely old book that is a collection of stories translated into Japanese.  He wanted the book not for the stories mind you, but because he was interested in the Japanese writing inside as well as the illustrated pictures.  When he showed me the book I was immediately inspired by the illustrations on the cover.

 

I love the whimsical grasses, shells and seahorses.  The drawings remind me of a recent trip to the New England Aquarium in Boston where I was able to get a few photos of their seahorses as they wrapped their "tails" around the wispy grasses.  It just so happens that seahorses are one of my favorite sea creatures and perhaps the reason I was so attracted to the cover of the old book.

As a result of the trip to the Aquarium and the discovery of the old book, I have created two new birth announcements featuring a seahorse among some sea grass.  They are printed on the most deliciously smooth, heavy weight vellum card stock and their envelopes feature a euro point flap.  Both will be available on my website at the end of August when I launch my new birth announcement line!