Inspired by...

This morning I was reading Jane Devin's blog about inspiring women. Her latest interview is with Linda Woods. Her book Journal Revolution is one of my top three books in pulse racing, creativity raising, holy cow inspiration.




My top three books are:

• Life Artist by Ali Edwards



• Journal Revolution by Linda Woods & Karen Dinino



• Alphabetica by Lynne Perella

Ali (pictured here with me) was the first scrapbooker/life artist that made a lasting impression on me. She is constantly stretching to find a way to document and celebrating life's little moments - really important stuff that gets lost in the big moments. She changed the way I viewed scrapbooking and life. Little is huge when it comes to moments. She introduced me to "being present" in an understandable "ooooh, I get it!" way. Her book is both scrapbooking idea book, inspiration how-to's and life lessons all rolled into one. Hello, Bargain.

Journal Revolution is about permission and bold, raucous encouragement. It pushes you outside the lines, off the page and into the messy parts of life. Its rebellious message of "Rise Up and Create" inspires you to do it and do it differently. No rules baby - Just Create - NOW. It's kinda bossy and I like it!

I was introduced to Lynne Perella through my friend, Angela. I opened her book and gasped. This was a whole new world to me. I was into scrapbooking in an orderly way - rulers, grids, measurements. But this world of eye popping color and mixed media? Sorry, never knew it existed and wondered HOW do you DO that?

All three of these women authors and their books pushed me into worlds that were strangely unknown as if I had stepped through the wardrobe and entered a fantasy land of permission, inspiration and awareness. Whenever I visit, I leave behind old messages, expectations and creativity numbing rules.

Oh, to buy a cabin in this land and stay forever. Thank you Ali, Linda and Lynne. (And Jane for reminding me)