Inspiration Elevator challenge- what do you find inspiring.

You may recall that the purpose of this challenge group is to take our scrapbooking to the next level, to stretch our creative process and to grow as artists by embracing challenges that make us think, work and grow. You can view all of the challenges our new Inspiration Elevator Blog, here.

Our challenge this month comes from the very talented Cathy Harper. Here's what she had to say in her very own words:
"I want to know what inspires you to create. As I was driving home the other day from my trip back to Black Hills, I saw a really cool billboard...clouds, the sun, and a few hearts. I immediately thought how great the design was and how I could transform it into a card or layout.(No, I didn't get a picture of it as it was the week of the annual Sturgis Bike Rally and no way was I pulling off the side of the interstate with all of that crazy traffic.) Even the other day, as I was walking through Target, I saw a couple of cute Baby gift bags that had great design principle that I could use as inspiration to create with too! Then it hit me that this would be a great challenge for my IE teammates. We recently had Sue's challenge where we were inspired by another teammate and lifted their style..but I want to know what else inspires you besides other designers cards and layouts. Are you a Pinterest addict like me? And find great design ideas there or in a magazine with a brilliant ad!? Find something inspires you, pin it or take a photo and create your work from there...you must include a photo of your inspiration and a link (if there is one) with your project for the challenge!"

What inspires me?

My family. 

This is central to my life because I grew up in a broken home where my father and mother, although very loving towards their children, fought all the time. 

Eventually they divorced. I feel like I'm still dealing with the ramifications of their break up.

My husband and I met one warm summer evening in 1998. It was not love at first sight or anything like a romance novel.

It was like a kid's movie- "Up" to be exact.

We were fast friends and enjoyed each other's company immensely.

I like to say that one day I was watching him practice his salsas moves when it struck me;

"Damn! He's a sexy beast."

Funny how that goes- before he was just good 'ol Dave- best buddy- best pal.

Next minute I'm mauling him like a "twilight" vampire.

Good thing he was ok with that. 

Ten years later (don't ask- it was New York- no one thinks they are ready to marry till they hit 40) we married.

11 months later Lola was born- early due to severe complications but alive, thank goodness.

These days our friendship and patience is being tested by every financial issue imaginable.

But the trust and respect is still there.

We won't break.

We won't surrender to self pity or blame.

We will make it through this.

Two best friends and the talking spark plug they made...

And their whole crazy Latino extended family.

What? Did you think we faced these problems alone?

Never!

Since I'm working from an iPod Touch I can't link to the website that inspired this page (thank goodness for copy paste or else I wouldn't be able to give you the blog hop list at all) but you'll find my favorite scrap blogs right there on my side bar.

This page takes inspiration from Louise Nelson's style.

I couldn't find a family portrait small enough to fit area I was willing to cover in this page!

I really got to like how the magenta, yellow and blue-green paints mixed.

The feather stamp and chipboard are from Scrap FX. Flowers from Prima and Petaloo. Acrylic Paint from Martha Stewart. 

Please try to swing by the rest of the blogs linked below to see what the other Inspiration Elevator designers have created:

Cathy Harper

Lisa Spiegel
Laurel Seabrook

Joanne Burton

Jodi Wilton

Michelle Hernandez

Ann Jobes

Laura Whitaker

Sue Sykes
Lisa Moen
 Christa Uttley

If you feel inspired to play along with my challenge this month, please share it using the linky tool on our Inspiration Elevator blog and/or our Inspiration Elevator Facebook page. We'd LOVE to see what you made!

Until next time, keep doing what you love.