Inspiration: color, material, blog giveaways

I've been stuck at my sewing machine for several days, so yesterday I drug out my Twinkling H20s and went to town making art that was inspired by some of the blogs I read each morning. I began by trying to add a bit of color to my world.

I always get inspired to create color by Terri Kahrs at Pringle Hill Studio. Just visit her blog and you will get that daily dose of vibrant, intense color that warms your soul and brightens your projects.

I got carried away, making color messes until all the Twinkling H20s were devoid of water.

In the process, I got out some deli paper which didn't absorb the highly pigmented watercolors. I should have known better (deli paper is designed to resist liquid), but I've been inspired to find ways to use deli paper in my art ever since Marilyn Rock (In My Room) inspired me to revisit this medium after she posted a great video on its use earlier this year.
And as I was cleaning up, I painted the newspapers the project had sat on. For some reason, these colors and maybe even the designs reminded me (in the photo, but not before) of Diane Salter's (My Art Journal) art.

I was further inspired by Halle (Halle's Hobbies) who sent me the code that added the space between my daily posts. I never knew I could specify the space, so I was tickled when we talked about it that it was something I (well, Halle) could change. She even talked me through the process so I didn't add the code in the wrong spot. Any way I can make my blog easier for others to read, makes me happy. (EDIT: I changed the picture, so people wouldn't think this was the end of the post)

I was further inspired to rant about blog giveaways today, based on a questions asked by Susan at Pieces of Fate, my blog pick of the day. Susan asked (copied directly from her blog, and her colors, not mine):

and a burning question or thought that I'd like your FRANK thoughts on...

When bloggers offer giveaways...what requirements do you think are just and fair, and what is too much, or "making you jump through hoops"?

So it got me thinking as I visited a couple of the people who I already mentioned today. One is Diane who just completed a giveaway, the other is Marilyn who has just started a giveaway. What requirements did these giveaways require? "Please leave a comment on this post." PERIOD. No request for followers, no requirement to add their link, no requirement to put their photo on your sidebar, no requirement to jump through hoops, a phrase I often use. Diane got 134 comments and Marilyn had over 20 in the first few hours of her giveaway. I would say she is off to a great start.

What makes these giveaways so successful, while others that offer big ticket items are less successful? Because people who want to follow a blog, will. In my opinion, most people don't want to be coerced into following someone's blog. I sure don't. I also don't want to take the time to copy their photo and html link for my sidebar. It's cluttered enough as it is. I don't want to tweet about it, put it on my (nonexistent) facebook page, or write a dissertation about their giveaway. People who are truly successful at giveaways get people to comment because they have blog friends who respect their art, and don't attach any strings. They give from the heart. They appreciate followers (as do I), but, also like me, they don't have to "buy" anyone through gimmicks.

Bribery never won any friends, just followers who want to win a big ticket or perhaps a nicely handmade prize. That's why I love joining One World One Heart each year. People aren't allowed to use gimmicks, but MUST offer their giveaways from the heart.

So Susan (Pieces of Fate) sparked a conversation on her blog and now I'm hoping to continue it on mine. Who inspired YOU today? Did they inspire you through color, a certain material, technique, or product, or maybe a question they posed on their blog? I'll be showing other artists who inspire me over the next few days and weeks, too. There are some pretty awesome ones, who I call my friends, even though we've never met in person. Hope you will join in and let me know what inspires you this wonderful Thursday.