I am all of those things. And it’s all thanks to a fabulous e-course I’m doing run by the lovely Holly from Decor8 and her always-inspiring co-teacher Leslie from A Creative Mint. It’s called Blogging Your Way and is meant to be about blogging, but I’ve found it’s much more than that. It’s like a personal life coach/therapy session/creative brainstorm/great chat with friends and other creatives. And it couldn’t have come at a better time. As I touched on before, my excitement about the new year somehow didn’t happen and it was like all the stresses, frustrations and over-it-ness that comes with the end of a year didn’t magically go away when January 1 ticked over and instead multiplied. By lots. Then my blog and email disappeared, I got sick and in-between it all I also had a little case of the mean reds (Breakfast at Tiffany’s anyone?!). But it’s all gone and my new year, new energy, new hopes and new goals all begin now. And it was mostly due to inspirational words, informative podcasts, creative homework and fantastic tips, advice and information that has got me all enthusiastic about a lot of things – and of course, my blog is a big part of it! And so, I’m back to getting creative. I have projects planned, a lot of (re)decorating to do around here, I’m helping my sister style her wedding, I’m trying screenprinting and playing around with Photoshop, I’m forcing myself to look at my camera’s manual to take better pictures and I’m having fun doing it all. Which is the main thing!
Back to the course, this week’s homework was to create a moodboard – by hand; no digital tricks allowed! – that represents how you see your blog or how you wish for it to look and feel. It had to be in a folder, a book or on a pinboard – somewhere you can keep it and refer to it again, so it’s a little less 3D than I’d probably normally make it (but I had to keep a few things in there for the picture!). It features my own work and some of Zak’s (he wrote “family” and these are some of the many drawings I found throughout my Amy Butler journal!), samples I’ve used around my home, images that I absolutely love, a few bits and bobs I use in my crafty projects and my fave ever magazine cover (the first issue of Domino). If I could incorporate a little of all this in each of my posts, I’d be happy. Here is a little close up of each side.
I think it sums up what The Happy Home is about – or what I hope it’s about. I hope you come here for a little inspiration, for projects and creative ideas, for renovating and decorating processes, before/afters, successes and disasters, and I hope you enjoy a few snippets of my family life. It’s a little more colourful than my home (!) but I’m starting to work with colour a teeny tiny bit more. Especially because I want to paint my living room floor white and have been given the ok by Steve as long as I “do something about the lack of colour”. So I have been warned! I’m going to try and use this moodboard to help me with colour and pattern…
So, do you think it’s a close representation of what you see here? Or am I off with the fairies?!
{all images by Belinda Graham for The Happy Home}
I think your moodboard is very accurate! It certainly sums up the look, feel and content I get from The Happy Home!
I love your mood board! I’ll be posting mine tomorrow!
I love moodboards but have such a hard time doing one myself. What inspires me changes with each client. I love how you have done one that is just about you and your family. I think I shall try the same:)
I can’t wait to see the white floorboards. They always look fantastic but I worry how practical they will be. Let us know:)
off with the fairies! lol
Perfect. Simply perfect. When I saw it the first thing I thought was that is Belinda’s style exactly. I recognised some of the images in your moodboard and I think it is the sweetest ever to have Zak write on it too.
And what’s this about white floorboards??? Im so jealous. It’s going to look great. Please tell me, how did you convince Steve? Matt won’t budge on it. I could use some tips
I love your Blog. It is lively and fun, but super-stylish and interesting, too! I’m glad that you’re ready to tackle 2010 with your usual energy : keep up the good work!
Tanya, Queensland.
Love your moodboard Belinda – definitely reflects your delightful blog which is always such a wonderful source of inspiration and ideas for me x
I love all the details you put into your mood board, it is so you! Just beautiful! I have a little boy named Zak too.
I think you’ve hit the nail on the head – and so beautifully styled. sheila
Motivated, energised, inspired, I’m guessing that’s how most people feel after reading your blog! It’s always inspiring and a great source of ideas. Love the moodboard as well. Good to hear you’re getting out of your funk – it’s nearly Chinese New Year, so consider that your new year mark instead of January 1! All the best in the “new year”.
I have to agree with everyone, it’s an inspiring board that really encapsulates the style of your blog – lovely,
Allison xx
So excited for you and your creative juices! And did you just say Photoshop!?! Impressive. Welcome “back”! Looking forward to future doses of THH. xxxx
this is one of my favorites from this week’s HW postings – tactile and it ‘tells’ me something. great work!
That Ruthie Sommers first Domino cover has stuck in my brain since the first time I saw it – it made such a strong impression on me. I love this inspiration board!
…oh its fantastic…love the paintings of your children…and your writing is so touching…i feel a little bit the same at the beginning of the year…and holly and leslie gave me my motivation back…so fine to share…thanks…;)…cheers ines
the moodboard reflects your style perfectly. i might have to try the BYW course if it is offered again, sounds fantastic. love that you are trying screenprinting, it is so much fun! i am itching to get my table at home ready for printing. Jx
Belinda, I knew your board would be an amazing collection of beauty and you really exceeded my already high expectations. This collection is so so so pretty and really clear in telling a story about what you love. You and your little ones are gorgeous. The second image from the bottom is really inspiring, a diverse grouping of things that works really well together. Bravo to you and it looks like your New Year just started!
ps. great lighting and shot to perfection.
I loved what you said about the course. And I LOVED your board even more. Its so pretty and whats brilliant about it is that its very focussed, while being happy. I’m really inspired!
This sounds so fun and fabulous… is the course still open or will they be doing another???
Hope you are feeling better, dear!
xx
beautiful, sweetie. x
Hi Belinda! I love your mood board… it’s so soft and calm and lovely. I especially like the kids’ drawings – those are always the best! xo jessie (a BYW classmate)
Yup, that was inspired to get the kids to contribute – wish I’d incorporated some of my daughter’s work in mine..great board!
I love your inspiration board. I’ve been quite inspired by a few I’ve seen around the blogs lately from the Decor8 class. I’m inspired now to create my own. I really like the idea of creating a board about where you are now and what direction you’d like your blog to take. Great for getting out of a rut too.