Monday, August 1, 2011

a year of inspiration

Inspiration.
That's what I think of when I think about this wonderful wild ride of a year. One year of inspiring Muse posts, one year of inspired companion photos. One year of amazing and inspired photos in the Mortal Muses flickr pool, one year of lovely inspired views of your Everyday Beauty and over six months of inspired photos of your Life in B&W. Collectively that's over 53,000 inspired views of your world. I can't thank you enough for participating and sharing that with all of us.

I mentioned in one of my early posts, how much I enjoyed surfing the MM flickr pool, glass of wine in hand, Dave Matthews Band playing in the background and I still enjoy doing just that. The Mortal Muses flickr pool is my favorite source of inspiration, admiration and downright awe.

inspire 264/365
inspire 264/365 by jan@twoscoopz

But inspiration alone wasn't the initial reason we came together as the Mortal Muses. We wanted to create a collaborative blog, a place to support and encourage other photographers. Hopefully a welcoming place where you can make connections, new friends. I sincerely hope that you have made those connections, found new friends. That's the part I treasure the most. The sweet friends I've made this year. From the Muses, to many of you who join us week after week, sharing photos in the flickr groups and commenting on the posts, and photos in the flickr groups. My life is so much richer for having met all of you. And hopefully, through the different themes you have been challenged to learn and grow with your photography as we often were. (Heh, the behind the scene discussions we've had about some of those themes. Often they were just as challenging to us.)

158/365 Waiting for the dawn…
158/365 Waiting for the dawn… by Tina M89

I will also admit that when Tammy first contacted me about becoming a Muse, I was excited beyond measure. And then a little terrified. However, not surprisingly, it was simply an answer to a dream of mine. I had written down a list of dreams just a few weeks before, and one of them was to participate in a collaborative photography blog, even though I had no idea what that would look like. I'm grateful that Tammy did. Thank you Tammy, for making a dream of mine a reality and giving me the opportunity to contribute to the Mortal Muses. Thank you fellow Muses for making this such a fun ride. {Oh. My. Goodness. the fun we have had.} And thank you to our followers for your participation, without you, it simply would not have worked. I love that so many of you embraced the idea and have joined us along the way. It has been an amazing year full of so much fun and beauty and I can't wait to see what the second year of Mortal Muses brings.

happiness
happiness by life stories photography

As you have probably concluded, some of us founding Muses are stepping out, making room for new Muses, new visions, new inspiration. After much thought and consideration, I have also decided to hand off  my muse spot.

Untitled by soulaperture

I couldn't be happier to welcome Christina of Soul Aperture as one of the newest Muses. Like me, she is a midwest girl, she has a love of vintage, textures, still lifes, a nice glass of wine, and she's also been featured in Artful Blogging magazine. But she is so much more than that. Christina has an amazing eye for details and her blog and photostream are full of beautiful,  slice-of-life everydayness photos.  Her photos inspire me to pick up my camera and look at my world a bit more thoughtfully, seeing the beauty in the simplest things. I'm sure she will continue to inspire as one of the newest Muses. Welcome Christina.

{i wanna drink with you all night until we both fall down...}
{i wanna drink with you all night until we both fall down...} by tumbleweed.in.eden

I won't say goodbye, as I plan to continue to participate with this wonderful group. I look forward to challenging myself with the new themes, contributing to the flickr groups, and continuing to support and promote the Muses as they move forward into an exciting second year. I also plan to enjoy all of the inspired photos added each day to the Mortal Muses flickr groups and I look forward to staying in touch with all of you as I enjoy the everyday beauty in your photostreams. And, of course you can also find me irregularly posting to my own blog, joyfully continuing my collaboration with fellow Muse Michel on our blog Mo&Mi, continuing my 365 project on flickr (perhaps now I'll get it all organized and posted) sharing my purple finds in the Happy PurpleTuesday group, and you can follow along with my newest obsession documenting my daily life on Instagram.

champagne
champagne by 2 peas and a blueberry

Waiter! Champagne for everyone! Cheers to another inspired year!

much love *sniff*
xo
maureen

20 comments:

mosey (kim) said...

I love you. x

Eileen said...

Oh, Maureen, hate to see you go!!! But I look forward to seeing Christina here. I love her blog and photography! Best of luck to you, Maureen. See you around the Flickr world.
XO

janjan0000 said...

You will be missed!
I'm only glad I know where to track you down ;)
xoxo

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

What a wonderful post and a gorgeous selection of photos. You have always been a source of inspiration for me and will continue to be one.
Hugs my friend!

Unknown said...

you've been an amazing muse and online pal, i can't wait to see what's next for you. so glad to have mused with you! much love. xoxo

Ron said...

What a great accomplishment you have made. Congrats old friend!

esra said...

Such a wonderful post and images! Your work is very beautiful; looking forward to seeing more of it on flickr and on your blog. Best wishes...

Tammy Lee Bradley said...

That last photo represents me raising my glass to you, my dear Muse. Thank you for taking this journey with us. We have all been touched by your kindness and collaborative spirit. xo. Love ya to bits. Tam

Ashley Sisk said...

What a great post Mo - I've been so inspired by you over the last year and I look forward to seeing where life will take you. I also find it funny that each of us had some sort of pull to be a part of something more and that Tammy answered that call.

christina said...

i came back after i wiped my tears. you are amazing... couldn't even begin to tell you on how many levels you inspire me. i am honored to walk beside these girls on this journey.

thanks so much.
XO

Cindy said...

Congratulations Christina, it is my first time here, the blog looks lovely.

Kirstin said...

Goodness me, Maureen. I am literally a puddle. I will miss you more than you will know. Thank you so much for musing....xxxx

Anna said...

Maureen, so sorry to hear that you are leaving MM! Your work and words are aways so inspiring. Welcome to Christina! Love your photos and thoughts on your blog - you'll be a great MM!

Anyes said...

Congratulations Christina
xo

GailO said...

I wish I had been able to participate more here but I have always been here getting inspired. It certainly has been a wonderful year and I have enjoyed getting to know you and the other muses. It is fitting to see that Christina is replacing you....she has been one of my muses for quite some time already:)

Steph said...

Best of luck with everything Maureen. Your work has been beautiful! Welcome to Christina :) Can't wait to see what's in store...

Marilyn Miller said...

Welcome, Christina!

jackie said...

Touching post. As they say, one door closes as another opens....can't wait to see what's next.

Deb said...

What a lovely post, you never cease to amaze me :)
Love ya girl

urban muser said...

Mo, I will miss you. Your photos and your textures always inspired me to try new things. And welcome Christina!

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