MOTHERS OF INVENTION...

...are my biggest muse.

I love the creativeness out there. Sheer genius in the form of recycled goods, felt confections, wooden toys, you name it. For reasons I've yet to understand, I seem to lack the mindset required to dream up the next newest, cutest, fashionably-eco-minded "it" thing. Whether it be a kids' toy, clothing item or must-have trinket, I have no new ideas. And another thing, talk about feeling insanely overwhelmed, insecure and intimidated by the talent out there! Those Etsy mama's will give you a serious run for your money.

My strength lies in mastering a knock-off. Show me something remotely, or not-so remotely hand crafted and I will tell you how to recreate it with a fraction of the cost. I can re-draw, re-sew, and recycle ideas with the best of them.

I know to some, this may sound like cheating, or copyright-ish infringement. As would be case should I try to make a profit off said knock-off, but I'm not. If I see a great print, painting, what-have-you...and can't drop $120 on it for my kids' bedroom (because I just bought the HOTTEST leather coat) why not just repaint it for the cost of a canvas and frame? It's not that I don't respect and admire the artist or designer. Truly, I do. I just don't have much liquid assets right now to invest. And I can't leave my walls bare now, can I?

I often spend free time (yes, I do find some occasionally) scouring sites like Etsy and Land of Nod for my next artistic "inspiration". I see these knockoffs as a jumping point of sorts...not only to further increase my artistic skills but they've also been known to rev up my own imagination and sometimes I end up creating something original. Yes, believe it. Surprisingly, I have little free time left to actually complete the amazing project.

Anyhow, my point is that we don't need to spend big bucks to stylize our kids' room, clothes, whatever in Pottery Barn's latest say-so. And what better than to actually pour your own sweat and tears into bedspreads, prints and decorations?

That being said, I get quite giddy and artsy feeling when I find a new website that offers cool, lesser seen ideas. Like this site I just stumbled on today while blog-hopping: Inhabitots. I can't be the first to steal an idea. My heart flippity-flopped over these beautiful cut mats. Natch.

After all, you know what they say... Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.