A funny thing happened on the way to the craft store.

View of our front field before an early summer storm.

If there is one thing you should know about me it is the fact that I don't get out much. Seriously, my interaction with the outside world off a computer or gaming console is usually limited to the quarter mile walk to the mail box, in which my only companions are the butterflies, bees, and dragonflies I stop to admire as I pass the fields and two overly excited catahoula/labs. So getting out and going to town is a big thing for me.

Today was one of those day long trips to town that I love to much. Not only did I get out of the house, I got to spend actual time with my fiance. By actual time, I mostly mean time together that one or both of us isn't glued to aforementioned computer or gaming console! I even had a list of things I wanted / needed to purchase on top of a list of places to go window shopping.

Fast forward pizza for lunch (second thing you should know about me, I love pizza) and the endless wandering at a bookshop, comic store, and pet shop, and you've found me at a craft store. I won't lie, I do purchase the bulk of my supplies online, but there's nothing like running into any random craft store real quick and walking out x amount of hours later wondering what just happened.

Today's random craft store happened to be Michael's.

Today's check list of things to buy was a new hole punch and a collection of vases and mason jars.

Craft version of Chop anyone?

While I didn't spend much at all, I certainly did end up distracted by all the pretty seasonal decor. How distracted was I? Well, take a look for yourself...

Black faux feathers, color googly eyes, light bulb buttons, cork rounds, one vase, and a hole punch.

If I hadn't written down what my plans were (five different projects going on here), I'd swear I gave instructions to a complete stranger to pick up a few random items. But you know what? I'm actually pretty happy with what I bought.

The feathers and googly eyes? A Halloween picture frame I've been dying to get started.

The light bulb buttons? The missing ingredient for my Holiday themed necklaces.

The cork rounds? I'm not really sure at this point but you can't tell me they aren't freaking adorable!

The vase? Vase painting experiment for a possible craft show display.

The hole punch? A much needed replacement.

(This entry of course has been exaggerated a little. I do get out much more than I let on, but those are usually tedious trips to the grocery store, post office, or midnight pizza runs.)

Geo cubes all dressed up.

Look at them. Just look at them!

Why is this seemingly crazy lady telling you to look at a bunch of wooden cubes? I'll tell you why, because these are what started a passion. Okay, I probably seem a little crazier now but hear me out. 

On a whim I purchased some little wooden cubes, not really knowing what to expect. I needed something to paint, anything, to paint. I know, I know, I've got to be kidding you but the moment my first blocks came in, I knew I had found exactly what I was looking for.

I originally turned these adorable little cubes into simple push pins. But it wasn't until I received a special request from a fabulous soon to be repeat customer that I started turning these beauties into magnets. They're tiny and bulky but cute and different. To me, they're perfect and I can't wait to get this batch above all dolled up in autumn and winter colors.

Here's a little sampling of some previous colors that are available for puchase. Would you believe I've made over 500 Blue and Orange Wooden Geometric Push Pins.

Green packaging loves.

 It may seem silly but I am extremely excited about the new packaging design for my wooden magnet sets. The kraft cards are  100% recycled (20% minimum PCW) and the labels I use are actually 100% recycled (100% PCW). For me, the simplicity of the kraft card and label only enhance the subtle beauty of the wood I like to highlight with my geometric magnets and the little bit of paper tape used for decorations adds a bit of whimsy and color to compliment each set.

I would like to thank Green Earth Supplies for offering such a wide variety of eco-friendly alternatives. Not only does Jennifer offer recycled flat cards and printable stickers, she also sells folded cards, envelopes, mailers, adorable little seed packages, and custom printing for invitations and the such among other things.

The inspiration behind Lorraine Inspired.

Welcome to Lorraine Inspired, the blog. Many would guess that my name is Lorraine but in fact, my name is Kathryn. Kathryn Lorraine in to exact without giving away all my secrets. While I wasn't technically name after my paternal grandmother, had my mother not already have my name picked out before she met my father, I most likely would have.

Lorraine is taken from myself. Inspired is from and for my grandmother, a woman who never let the struggles she faced in life stop her from crafting smiles for her grandchildren and using her skills to help those in need.

Lorraine Inspired was originally Little Misc Kitty from January to July of 2014. Unhappy with the name I so cleverly thought of, it took me awhile to pinpoint what I wanted in a name. I had already established a line of colorful and bright painted thumbtacks with the clear intention of sharing a little sunshine with my customers. As I slowly started branching out to magnets, key chains, and jewelry (spoiler for items that will be coming soon to my Etsy shop) I knew I wanted to keep a positive focus on everything I made.

There is nothing that sets me into a more comforting, loving, and positive state of mind like the quilt my grandmother created for me so long ago. As an adult, I still partially take this quilt with me whenever I go somewhere overnight. Made by my grandmother from old sheets and curtains from when my father and his siblings where children and patched countless times by my mother, this quilt is my INSPIRATION.

When I told my mother of my decision for the name change she told me just how fitting she thought it to be. While my creations might not be anything like my grandmother's, the fact that we didn't just give up and waste away doing nothing is our common bond. I started Little Misc Kitty and later Lorraine Inspired out of the need to do something, anything, to turn the negativity in my life positive. While every day is still a struggle and each blow life takes at me, a battle, I refuse to give up. Lorraine Inspired is my inspiration and motivation to stay positive and in my own way, share that positivity with the world, one tiny little decorative thumbtack, push pin, and magnet at a time.