I’ve mentioned that I’m taking Holly Becker’s Blogging Your Way class and I am loving it. Actually – Loving it, capital “L”.
This week’s assignment was to make an inspiration board, pulling together images, patterns, colors, things, that we love.
The thought behind this work being that whatever naturally inspires us is what we’re passionate about. And, we should listen to that as we think about our blogging. I won’t go into more detail because you really, really need to take Holly’s class to get the whole story. If you’re serious about blogging, either as a business, or purely as vehicle for self-discovery and expression, her class is a must. (And, honestly, it’s also just super fun.)
As nerve-wracking as it is, I’ll show you my board here. I don’t consider myself classically “creative”, so doing something visual like this was fun, but scary, too.
And, oh, boy, my Penelope ways really came into play here, hugely.
- What if it’s not good enough? What if people snicker to themselves?
- What if the edges aren’t all perfectly straight?
- What if the colors don’t look right?
- What if my photography isn’t doing it justice?
- What if I worked longer and harder on it – would it be better?
Ugh and double ugh. I have to get out of my own way sometimes. So, with a big breath, here you go, Holly, BYW Students and Penelopes.
My inspiration board. You can click on the image to get a larger version:
Penelope's Inspiration Board
- Penelope’s Favorite Websites: Paper Source for pretty office supplies I love it when I hear about another great website...
- How This Blogger Stays Organized: Meet Benita from Chez Larsson Since I started blogging, I’ve loved Chez Larsson. It’s author,...
- Notes and Notebook for Blogging Your Way class I’m taking an online blogging class called Blogging Your Way...
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
This is a fantastic board! It seems to perfectly represent you and your blog, from what I’ve seen
What sweet birds! And such a good idea to actually include your own handwritten lists with the other elements!
Love your board! I am working on mine now, and it really IS nerve-wracking!!! I’ve never made one before, argh! Okay better get back at it.
I love your board and your blog! Definitely appeals to the list-lover in me
Meredith, your board is really great and I had a little laugh at your 5 ‘Penelope ways’ as I can relate to every single one of them! … I’m sure most of us can. I just wanted to let you know that I am really enjoying your blog … and I love your blog design,
Allison xx
yes…really a good representation of your blog style…;)…like the nature feeling on it…with this two birds…yes, really great work…cheers ines
Dear Miss Pen,
Pipe down. Meredith’s board is lovely – and she used my current favorite color scheme – red and turquoise-y blue.
I love it! The colors, the birds, the way you have arranged everything really reflects your site. By the I love your blog! I am an obsessive list maker, and now I have a new place to visit.
You did an amazing job on your inspiration board! It really says what you are conveying. I love the colors you chose too! ~Theresa
This is absolutely perfect for your site, which is lovely by the way.
I’m so impressed with how well you’ve represented the essence of your blog. Fun, bright, organized and real. Beautifully executed.
I am not an organizer, but if anything was going to inspire me to get organizing, this would be it! It’s so bright and beautiful. Really nice. Off to check out your site…
What I love most about this post (apart from your lovely, lovely board of course) is that despite all the reservations you had, you did it anyway!!!
Also, I like that you’ve included some of your own lists and that I see a few of my favourite books on one of them – The red tent and Water for elephants… great stories, great storytelling
Really inspires me to get organized.
HI Meredith, I had to smile when I looked at your board as it seems so organized which is perfect for your blog, of course. Lovely!
Great board and great blog! I’m so excited to look around and read through your blog, it looks so beautiful and organized of corse! (I’m also a fellow BYW student)
wonderful! I love what you say in your post too about “getting out of your own way”…Such a great insight…I too have to remember to get out of my own way, in order to let the light in!
I love this board… thanks so much for sharing! I too adore all things organizing, so was ooh-ing and aah-ing over the See Jane Work items & the gorgeous workspace… a girl after my own heart! I also like how you pulled in some colors & patterns you like – both very important in making organizing beautiful and inspiring.
Nicely done Meredith!
Hi Meredith, your board is great and seems to totally relate with what you have going on on your site. The background patterns and those sweet birds are colorful and graphic and speak to how organizing can have fun, creative and have inspiring results. Great images too!
oh yes and I loved you list in your post…
I love the board Meredith! I don’t know about you, but I found translating the abstract aspects into visuals for my time management board quite challenging. I love how you incorporated organization visuals and words into your board.
Lol! I was two secs from calling you Penelope, but alas, I have read through the comments. I am in love with lists as well and I love anything organization centric! Beautiful site (Brooke is our designer as well!) so obviously you have great taste;)