Inspiration is really quite magical.
It’s funny-and the people who are closest to me know this best, but there are times, every so often, that I totally feel like I creatively BONK. Nothing. No ideas. And pretty much, I figure that I am out of ideas forever--and.that I have had my last good idea, and I am completely tapped out. At this point, the cycle has happened enough times, that it’s clear to EVERYONE but me, that I am just in one of my ‘slumps’. I have to make conscious efforts to find inspiration. As long as I am totally focused on new product, or a new class, or show ideas-they seem to come. That is why my ‘inspiration trips’ are so critical. Sure, it sounds like fun…shopping, driving up the beautiful calif coast, eating in cute little cafes and staying in charming, coastal inns… but it’s really a ton of work, and we simply had our noses to the grindstone!! (who am I trying to kid! LOL!!)
The trip totally rocked. I had such a great time. It had all the necessary ingredients for a perfect inspiration trip:
1. small agenda, but NO schedule.
2. open minds
3. packing LIGHT
4. creative people-easy going creativty
5. great shops- clever shops
6. a little familiarity(I didn’t totally get lost)
it was so fun to check out the shops in the little casual beachy towns, like balboa and hunington… then the contrast and similarities in the ritzy, glam shops of Santa Barbara ands Carmel. We totally lucked out with our accommodations. We got to each of our overnight spots around midnight, so it was fun to wake up and see what it looked like! ~ so totally beautiful along the California coast. Carmel was my favorite. It’s so totally amazing. We took Capri along, and she was an absolute angel. I wound up LOVING the metrowrap, for carrying Capri- and she loved it too.
Of course I can’t divulge any of my ‘top secret’ finds… but I am SO excited with where things are going next. I can’t wait! I can see it in my head, it’s so refreshing and exciting to have a jumpstart on the direction and a vision for the next release. Alright, well, I better not get the expectations up too high…
I think we only got one photo of all 5 of us. Me, em, liz and janet.
Janet Hopkins just came on board as our education coordinator. She is so awesome-and I am thrilled to have her insight and help. She has done a lot of teaching, designing classes, scrapbooking and is totally so organized and on top of things. The more people like that, that are surrounding me THE BETTER. Thanks for coming Janet… and of course, I appreciate all the em does for me, and for the brand. No one works like she does. And lastly, despite the fact that liz no longer works for the brand, it was great having her on board for the inspiration trip- I enjoy her insights and her thoughts.
And having the little angle Capri along- she was her own kind of inspiration! She is very inspiring. As are all my children.
You know, it’s good to go away, just long enough to miss them. And for them to miss me. –so my last thanks goes to Eric, for understanding how much I need that. Escaping reality just enough to in fact, be inspired. He is a key part of my ‘team’.
this is my first-ever attempt at creating a photo collage in photo shop. for whatever reason, i am completely intimidated by photoshop... so don't judge me too harshly, i was in a race against the lap top battery (em i need that cord back!) but, i have all these cutie photos that i thought woudl be fun to share...dang... that was a great trip!
Great collage, great photos! Looks like you had a good time! That pizza looks yummy!
Posted by: Stefanie | October 02, 2006 at 12:04 AM
Glad to hear you are indeed inspired.
Great pics. Capri is such a cutie. And I can't wait to see what you have in store next ;o)
Love Kel XXX
Posted by: Kelly | October 02, 2006 at 01:39 AM
great pics - i love the font on the collage - what is it? looks like capri is very happy and laid back!!
Posted by: robin | October 02, 2006 at 03:57 AM
Sounds like you had a wonderful time! Capri looks so adorable "wrapped" up. I love your collage ~ that's next on my list to learn... I have to admit, the pizza looks absolutely yummy ~ and YES, I am hungry!
Can't wait to see what you have up your sleeves! As always, it'll be fantastic!
Posted by: Nita | October 02, 2006 at 03:59 AM
Sounds like an amazing time, Heidi! So glad you were able to get away and find the inspiration you were looking for. Can't wait to see what awesome new products/ideas you churn out next! You are AMAZING! (And ya know, you LOOK amazing, too! No one would ever know that you just had a baby. And she is an absolute doll!) Blessings to you!
Posted by: Sarah | October 02, 2006 at 05:35 AM
I think the only thing missing in those photos is ME! {wink} Thanks for sharing...and for Photoshopping. =)
Posted by: Jody | October 02, 2006 at 06:16 AM
So are their roses in our future ? Love the collage, tried it for the first time a few weeks ago myself.
Posted by: DisneyCyndi | October 02, 2006 at 06:21 AM
Looks like you had such a fun trip!!! Love the photo collage (a great, easy way to share all those photos!) and I love little Capri in her sling!
Posted by: cheryl | October 02, 2006 at 06:26 AM
it is such a wonderful feeling to be totally inspired! you do that for sooo many-thank you! can't wait for your "big picture!"
-p
Posted by: patty | October 02, 2006 at 06:30 AM
oh heidi, when i heard you talk about these trips during your scrapetc class in birmingham i thought they sounded fantastic. but now, with photos, gah! even more than fantastic. i think i need to remember to give myself some inspiration trips -- even if it's just a half hour in a new store in town. thanks for sharing.
Posted by: marci lambert | October 02, 2006 at 06:51 AM
Hi Heidi -- I know exactly what you mean about hitting the creative wall...when that happens to me while scrapbooking I usually walk away and come back to it later...usually that works...or I look to you and your pages for that dose of inspiration!! :o) Everyone looks to you for inspiration and that must be a heavy load to carry--but we appreciate you for blazing that trail!! Glad you had such an awesome trip -- I won't hold it against you that you liked Carmel better than Santa Barbara!! tee hee..Keep up the good work....Cathy
Posted by: Cathy Vargen | October 02, 2006 at 07:24 AM
Looks like a wonderful adventure! Can't wait to see what's in store!
PS. Could you tell me who makes the Metrowrap....it looks sooo comfy, and would love to try it out! TIA!
Posted by: Bree Ross | October 02, 2006 at 08:36 AM
Love the sharing that you do with all of us. Can anyone please tell me what version of photoshop will allow me to do a collage? Inspired, but not sure where to turn to/ Have the basic version, obviously need to upgrade. Thanks for the help.
Posted by: mom78968400 | October 02, 2006 at 09:17 AM
check out that awesome wrap! Looks like fun!
Posted by: Rachel | October 02, 2006 at 09:23 AM
Love this collage, and that baby is just adorable!
Posted by: mutthoni | October 02, 2006 at 10:48 AM
It looks like you enjoy using the Metro Wrap, and Capri looks so snug and safe. Do you prefer that over a Baby Bjorn type carrier?
Posted by: Tami | October 02, 2006 at 11:50 AM
Looks like you had a great trip! Can't wait to see what inspiration you will share with everyone!
Posted by: Kim | October 02, 2006 at 01:42 PM
i love that you can recognize what inspires you...i have to admit, i do the same thing. i live near to seattle, so if i am feeling blah (whether its physically, emotionally or creatively...)i take a little trip to a few different districts and just let inspiration abound. i am sure you gals had a fabulous time. those pictures are so wonderful, such sweet happy smiles. can't wait to see whats new. you never disappoint!
blessings,
Posted by: Sarah | October 02, 2006 at 02:57 PM
Heidi! I used to live just east of Laguna Beach in SoCal!!! One thing I did on a regular basis was drive the PCH and clear my head! There is nothing more cleansing and inspiring than the beaches and the ocean breezes you get out there!!! I love all your products! They are very inspiring! Thanks for sharing where you get some of your mojo! You can certainly feel it in your product lines! Anyway.....I actully scrapped this weekend and thought I would share since you probably passed through Santa Monica where these photos were taken! Keep the great products coming!!! ~Shanna http://www.mynextthirtyyears.com/
Posted by: Shanna | October 02, 2006 at 03:38 PM
What a fun trip...I think all women need to do this kind of trip with girlfriends...just for a refresher in life.
love the photos
peace
Kim
Posted by: Kim Bolyard | October 02, 2006 at 03:47 PM
what awesome pictures!! i can't wait to see what you have in store...capri looks so cute in your wrap!!
talia:)
Posted by: Talia | October 02, 2006 at 09:22 PM
Fantastic photo collage--love all the flowers in bloom and you look great wrapped up with Capri. Count your blessings for a supportive husband...mine doesn't like it when I go away, esp. if I spend money. One CKU I ate canned spam and crackers to save money. Yuck, have you ever tried that stuff? You have the best job in the world and so does Em and Liz. Can't wait to see what you've come up with for new products! From all of us scrappers, Thank You for taking the trip.
Posted by: LenaS | October 03, 2006 at 12:26 PM
Heidi, I went straight to the photo and just by looking at the pics I KNEW where you were! HA! That is how much I love that area....CARMEL.....Monterey.........ahhhhhhhhhh the life!!
Glad your trip was GREAT!
Posted by: Sonda | October 06, 2006 at 10:37 PM
love your photo collage!! you did a great job!! And don't be scared by Photoshop. It's such a wonderful tool and once you get used to it you will find yourself wanting to do more and more in it. And there are lots of good books out there and even a magazine with tips and tricks (I highly recommend books by Scott Kelby - he has a great one for Photographers - very helpful for getting your photos to look their best). I'm a digital scrapper and designer and can't imagine life without it! If you ever have any questions feel free to email me. And I sometimes post tutorials on my blog so if you have questions, I'm sure others would benefit from knowing the answers too. :-)
I can't wait to see your BPS class description!
Posted by: Lisa Cohen | October 07, 2006 at 07:03 AM
what a wonderful collage. love all the color. great photos. welcome to janet. i know she will do fine with all the creative talent already existing. can't wait to see what is in store for us.
Posted by: vicki | October 07, 2006 at 08:04 AM