I’ve got to agree with Katy Elliot, this English Bedroom (via Coco + Kelly) is to die for.  The anglophile in me is swooning over this peaceful-looking retreat.  Also, this photo shows one of my dreams: to have a fireplace in my bedroom (wouldn’t it be lovely to fall asleep to a crackling fire in the wintertime?).  Having grown up in a Cape Cod style home, as much as I say “someday I’ll live in a house with lots of room and plenty of space,” I definitely am attached to cozy little rooms like this.

{image shown via Katy Elliot and Coco + Kelly, originated from House to Home}

Browsing through photos on Flickr, I came across this set of photos by Nickolas Muray.  Muray is considered to be the master of the three-color carbro process and I love the rich, oversaturated colors of these images.  I have a love for music, movies, fashion, and culture from the 1930′s-1950′s and these photos are just the right amount of classy and kitsch.  I think I’d love to be that model with the cats all over her… lol.

{images shown via George Eastman House’s Flickr account}

These are so fantastic!  What a simple way to completely transform a room and bring translucent color into it.  (Found via Oh Happy Day!)

{images shown belong to Jordan Ferney and Project Wedding}

I’ve been keeping up with all the guest blogging going on the past few weeks on 100 Layer Cake, and this recent post by Indigo Bunting definitely caught my eye.  She has such lovely work!  My favorites are the vintage “note passing” invite and the cupcake and science lab invite.  I’m excited to see more of her posts this week!

{images shown belong to Indigo Bunting}

Andie Edwards Flickr photos remind me a bit of my morning walk through the park this past weekend: flowers in bloom, a soft mist coming from the grey overcast skies, and plenty of fresh, clean spring air.

For more of Andie Edwards work, check out her Etsy shop and her website.

{images shown belong to Andie Edwards}

I’m a bit behind on purchasing Martha’s latest books (I still want to pick up a copy of Cooking School and The Encyclopedia of Crafts), but this is one I’m definitely adding to my list: Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts (found via WREN handmade).  The bird quilt especially looks like something I’d love to make and have on my bed!  I’ve got to make more time in my life for sewing (and take that sewing class that I’ve always wanted to take!).

{images shown via WREN handmade, but originally belong to Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia}

These watercolor bicycle wedding invitations from Bird and Banner are too cute for words!  I have quite a few bicycle-riding friends who would love these indeed.  (Found via Oh So Beautiful Paper)

{images shown belong to Bird and Banner}

Such a gorgeous collection of photos from stephaniecb (little birds) on Flickr called outside.  Makes me yearn to go camping for a week or stay in a little cottage in the woods.

{images shown belongs to stephaniecb (little birds) on Flickr}

So many gorgeous accessories from White Owl… the lace and bow necklaces are my favorite.

{images shown belong to White Owl}

This past weekend I had a get together with female friends who are pursuing their own creative line of work, either working for themselves or for others.  I’ve found over the past two years of exploring my path as a designer and letterpress printer, I’ve often needed constructive feedback, business advice from someone who’s been there, or just need that support to keep pursuing my goals (and dreams).  For me personally (this is not obviously not the case for everyone), I’ve found resources such as S.C.O.R.E. or my local chamber of commerce to be very lacking for my line of work.  Most of my experiences with these organizations were all with men that could’ve been my grandfather, and none could really give me the type of support that I was looking for.  I’ve found that networking with other entrepreneurial women to be the most rewarding.  I realized I already had a network of women from different careers and backgrounds who were going through similar experiences as I was, and it could be not only helpful, but incredibly motivating and inspiring to meet and discuss our visions for our careers.  This past weekend for our first meeting, we each discussed our short and long term goals as well as any current projects that we were working on.  We’re going to try to meet monthly, and I’m excited about a group of creative women coming together to help support each other as each of our careers blossoms and grows.

What do you do to stay creative, inspired, and motivated?  Do you belong to any groups or organizations?

{image from my in the garden Flickr group}