Way back when, I worked in corporate America in marketing and advertising. And for several years I tried my very best to fit in and pretend it was a good thing for me. But as you can imagine, it just wasn't.
Anyway, one of my bosses at the marketing firm had me set up a 'swipe file'. A big chunky file where we stashed other ads and ideas we'd see and wanted to keep handy to trigger our own ideas. So if we were trying to come up with a color scheme, for instance, we could go to our color combo swipe file and get some ideas.
I'm sure I learned a lot of things in my years behind a desk, but this swipe file thing is pretty much all that stuck with me.
So I've recently begun my own swipe file (sort of). For example, I do a lot of small textile art pieces. Many times I've done an embroidery technique or whatever, sold the piece and, you guessed it, the technique flew away on the wind like all the ideas that pop into my head.
I keep sketchbooks where I've hand-drawn a lot of my ideas. But I recently began an 'idea cloth'...a piece of linen where I sort of 'draw' with threads and trinkets and come of up with ideas I can later use in my art pieces. And it's evolved into this really cool piece that's come in handy many times for me. Really a big source of inspiration, just looking at it and holding it in my hands.
So I just wanted to share...and there you go.
Its beautiful - no wonder you find it inspiring!
Thank you for sharing
Posted by: Bekka | 03 September 2008 at 12:31
I SO adore this! Love the idea and the result!
Posted by: Joanna | 03 September 2008 at 12:59
This is such a good idea. It makes me think of the old 'stitch samplers', but so much prettier. I like how not only do you remember the technique, but you also have colors to inspire as well. So cool.
Posted by: Joy | 03 September 2008 at 13:20
Who knew a swipe file could be so artistically lovely.
Posted by: Laura Ingalls Gunn | 03 September 2008 at 13:36
I also have been doing that for years, in my own way, keeping track of my creations,and others that inspire me.
Diane
Posted by: Diane ( Crafty Passions) | 03 September 2008 at 13:55
Love this, Rebecca.
It's all good.
:)
Posted by: Dawn | 03 September 2008 at 13:59
Truly a work of art in itself...wow!
Posted by: Tami B. | 03 September 2008 at 14:08
OH, Rebecca...you have no idea how much I love this. How inspiring it must be to look up and see this each day. I have a few inspiration pieces, photos, color swatches, etc. but they are thrown into a bowl. I love the idea of putting them on a swatch like this.
Jennifer :)
Posted by: Jennifer Stewart | 03 September 2008 at 14:31
Truly appealing - Lovely
Posted by: Jackie K | 03 September 2008 at 15:31
Your stitchery is beautiful-love all the beads. Also, you don't give yourself enough credit-I think you took more with you from your marketing days than you think. I love the way you have really branded your products. Your packaging is so professional and good looking.
P.S. Glad you're back to blogging. I love visiting with you. :)
Posted by: psmullican | 03 September 2008 at 16:13
I just love visiting your blog! You are truly an amazing, inspiring and beautiful woman! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Sheila R | 03 September 2008 at 16:39
That is awesome, really good idea to keep those techniques in sight for reference and inspiration! Thanks for sharing!
~Amber
Posted by: Amber | 03 September 2008 at 17:32
What a fabulous idea. Like someone else mentioned - it reminds me of the samplers girls and women used to stitch to practice new techniques.
Lorrie
Posted by: Lorrie | 03 September 2008 at 17:33
COOL, COOL and COOL. Joy joys.
Posted by: joyce | 03 September 2008 at 17:48
well, that is just a piece of ding-dang-doodly art all in and of itself! beautiful and great idea...now if only i sewed (yep, still haven't made that leap, sigh. but, i'm getting close ~ bought fabric, made paper log cabin quilt squares...) xo
Posted by: Heather Bradley | 03 September 2008 at 18:45
Absolute Perfection!
Posted by: cammy@freckledfarm | 03 September 2008 at 19:06
Rebecca,
Let's hear it for something hand-made and beautiful that we can hold in our hands from time to time. (Even though I'm posting this comment on a blog on the internet...A little ironic.) It's the texture and the smell and the colors and the dimension...gets me every time.
Anne-Liesse
Posted by: Anne-Liesse Ankeny | 03 September 2008 at 19:52
In a word...BRILLIANT!!!
Posted by: Barbara | 03 September 2008 at 21:12
Very cool Rebecca.
Posted by: Carolyn Peeler | 03 September 2008 at 21:14
WOW! What amazing inspiration! Thanks so much for sharing these real snippets of life and creativity.
Posted by: Juanita | 04 September 2008 at 08:17
oh my that is stunning! I would frame it, lol. The art of sewing intrigues me, I just love the beautiful things you can do with a needle and thread and a tiny bit of fabric! I am awed buy your talent!
Posted by: Heather Prins | 04 September 2008 at 08:53
this is beautiful - what a great idea!
Posted by: angie | 04 September 2008 at 09:07
I had to laugh...I've had a file like that for years---only mine was called a snitch file. I used it more when I was in athletic marketing, but still have one now that I'm in educational marketing. I guess I've had the same thing for scrapbooking too-but it's more of a binder than a file!
Posted by: Mel | 04 September 2008 at 09:42
What an inspiration piece... this would get anyone's mojo going! Beautiful as always...
Posted by: sharron | 04 September 2008 at 13:14
Beautiful, beautiful creations! I'm so glad I was pointed in your direction!
Posted by: sylv | 04 September 2008 at 15:32