Inspiration comes from the strangest places (and things!)

Earlier today I was lamenting my lack of inspiration.  It's been quite a dry spell for me, creatively speaking, and I was beginning to worry that I'd never create anything ever again! (Please pardon the "woe is me" moment...)  So I set out to break out of this rut.

I've been toying with the concept of a new Upcycled bag collection, whereby I rescue beautiful pre-loved fabrics and create something wonderfully new and chic. Today, I thought, was the day to begin this new journey in my creative adventure. I decided to take "before" pictures of all of the amazing treasures that my Mom (aka Mamaramadingdong) has gifted me from her never-ending stash of drapery and home decor textiles, as well as some luscious suede jackets that I came upon.  At the very least I would enjoy the gorgeous fall weather, and hopefully have some pix to include when I finally start listing new items in my Artfire shop.

Little did I know that inspiration was hiding in one of the many bags of goodness that I hauled outside!  Finally, I felt the familiar creative juices starting to flow through me again.  It has been way too long!!

Here's a peek at the "before" life of my soon-to-be created XL Tote:

Ooooohhh...I'm in LOVE with the grommets!!

In the house I went, my head full of ideas.  Before I  knew it I was cutting and pressing (and turning a deaf ear to the cries of "What's for dinner?")  I was so excited that I had to take a few "in progress" pictures, to commemorate the return to my studio.

Who knew that a bag full of drapery samples had the magic ingredient that I was missing?