Blog It Forward

Today is the start of the Blog It Forward mash-up organised by (the very lovely) Victoria over at sfgirlbybay. As there are 300 of us taking part, Victoria's divided us into ten groups, and i'm honoured to be kicking off the Group 5 posts! Other starter posts can be found at Creature Comforts, Design for Mankind, Heart Fish, hula seventy, oh hello friend, The Paper Pony, Poppytalk, sfgirlbybay and Smile & Wave.

For this mash-up we're each going to write a post about what inspires us personally; tomorrow the next blogs on the list will do the same, followed by the next on the list and so on; from now until the last posts in March there will always be something inspiring to read, and some new blogs to discover. 

As I mused on what inspires me I knew I wanted to share with you the bits & pieces i have around me as I write and create. I spend my days sitting here in my living room so it's essential to have inspiration around me; apart from anything else it's so easy to get lost on the internet, so when i disconnect and knuckle down to work, i appreciate having nice things to look at; it makes working from home a true pleasure.
The top photo is a little vignette on my sideboard; the globe is from Alameda Market, brought back in my suitcase after my recent trip to San Francisco. The little wooden deer were found in charity shops; the zebra print is by Elizabeth Soule. The vintage Gerald Kelly print and clock were found on eBay; the clock doesn't work, but i just love the colour.

Above is some knitted magic from my sister, gifted to me for my birthday. Abby has turned into a knitting machine - i am in awe of her skills! Once my nephew is here, and family life has settled down, she'll be working on her own designs; for now she's enjoying exploring Donna Wilson's creations. The twins are perched on my 50s sofa covered in the crochet blanket my mum made me - my crafty family inspires me every single day.
It probably goes without saying that books dominate the room; this is a corner I've filled in behind the TV, and it includes:

The Polaroid Book
Trust Agents
Instant Light
Style Statement
The Leon cookbook
Dirty Blonde: The Diaries of Courtney Love
Life is a Verb
Women Who Run with the Wolves
Tribes
The Creative Habit
Bazaar Style
I have artwork dotted around the room; the print above (by Paul Michael Dellostritto) lives on my mantlepiece with type blocks found in Alameda Market (yes, my suitcase was ridiculously heavy flying back ;). Other art in the flat includes prints from Cori Kindred, Mati Rose, Freya Cumming, Jen Altman, Amanda Gilligan, Jen Causey, Abby Powell, Andrea Jenkins and a San Francisco screen print from the Curiosity Shoppe.
And then there are the flowers - these anemones were a birthday treat from my brother-in-law. Thanks Stevie!

Be sure to visit K.I.D Collective tomorrow for the next installment of mash-up inspiration!

Comments

[kristen]

i just pulled out style statement last night...thinking i need to work on it some more.

love the polas. xo

[victoria]

beauitful, susannah! i love that you were able to bring your globe home, all the way from san francisco. i feel like you have a part of us there with you. :)

i can't wait to check out some of your reading material, too. and of course, you've made everything enchanting through your images. thanks so much for starting this off with so much inspiration! xoxo, v.

[Ez]

It is easy to see how you would find inspirations amidst so much loveliness Susannah! Thank you so much for sharing your creative space with us. xo Ez

[Julie]

This is why I love this blog. Thank you Susannah, from a hippie who can own no personal possessions..

Just love it! Julie

[Jan]

wow, i'm imagining you carrying that globe on the airplane. did you? i love things around one's environment to inspire, and your's are beautiful!

[Susannah]

LOL! no, i didnt (although i thought about it!) - i managed to fit it in my suitcase :)

[Catherine]

Great idea and great post ! Lots of inspiration indeed ;o)

[Tenacious Textiles]

I posted about anemones too! They are just so beautiful it's hard to not be inspired by them.

[Jessica]

I love the list of books in that corner and now I am really craving a trip to Alameda. March can't get here fast enough! Gorgeous flowers! I am loving BIF, I am hoping to comment on every single post. :)

[Amisha]

Books are my vice too! When a certain family member visited me and advised not to waste money on books, I was appalled. Can't think of life without books.

[Amanda {Mocking Bird}]

I'm most intrigued by why you sit the 'S' blocks backwards. :P
Gorgeous inspiration and I can't wait to look over some of your book recommendations./

[Susannah]

Amanda - even if i turn them the other way they are still reversed! they are old printing blocks ;)

[Sandy]

What a lovely post! I'm really getting into all things crafty such as sewn and knitted items so this was great to see!

[Belle]

Loved your post. When I first visited SF I had to buy an extra suitcase just to bring all of my treasures back in. In fact my partner even threw away a pair of his old shoes he had packed to make room for new stuff. We learned out lesson. The next time wer go out, we are taking empty suitacases so we can fill them for the return trip.

[Van Kapeghian]

I love that knitted thing with all my heart.

[charlane]

what a beautiful kick off - I can't wait until it's my turn. love the blocks and the globe for sure...and i especially love your mother's afghan.

[Hijiri]

you are surrounded by such inspirations! love all the photographs, too!!!

[Helena]

I love your work so much, you are so talented x

[Lisa]

What a wonderful environment with which to be surrounded...your home and your talented family! Goodness, you must have inspiration coming out your ears.

Lovely!

[andrea]

oh, love. love love love.

p.s. totally honored to be some of the art that peppers your lovely walls.

xo

[rachel denbow Style Feature]

Beautiful! Alameda Flea Market is the best.

[casey]

you've truly inspired me! loving your photography and I can't wait to check out some new reads!

[jenny]

I just have to say that the first polaroid is totally mesmerizing me...

[Alena]

Just missing an E up there: YES
Gxx

[robin]

thanks for listing some of your fave books

[Sonya McCllough]

Love that book Life is a verb. Love your concise simple approach....

[Michele Fischer]

So wonderful! It's always nice to see what inspires others and to receive a peek into their world. Thank you for sharing!

[Carol]

I love that Paul Micheal Dellostritto print, it's awesome. I want one! Thank you for sharing little bits of your home Susannah :-)

[Leisa A. Hammett]

Fun! Felt like I was there in your abode. So glad Chookooloonks has brought me back here to you. I'm LOVING & sharing what you wrote there. With proper credit of course and according to protocol. No copy-copy all. And those deer? I've got some,too. Mine came from Kenya.

[Tina]

I have a nice new list of books to collect! Thank you for sharing your inspirations!! Absolutely lovely just like you.

[tifanie]

amazing. love this. :::

[jen]

But how do you have flowers at this time of year?!

[Susannah]

I guess they were grown in a greenhouse somewhere? not ideal, i know, but still nice to receive from my b-in law

[Shanon]

Your place is pure genius. How do you ever leave to get shots outside? =)

[.girl ferment.]

the knitted twins are sensational,
thank you for the share.
xx