PLEASE NOTE:

photograph by Pia Jane Bijkerk

my heart wanders: a collection of subtle hearts in special spaces is a collective book project where ANYONE can create and submit a photograph. This is a book of inspiration with a twist - created by all of you, for all of you.

Each photograph must display a tiny heart shape within an interior setting, and the heart shape must be made or found by you. This is a book that will showcase artists and creatives from all corners of the globe - filled with inspiring photographs, it will be one of the most beautiful and freshest reference guides for interior and design lovers worldwide.

The My Heart Wanders Judging Panel:

Victoria from the blog we refer to as lost

Josyln from Simply Lovely

Joanna from A Cup of Jo

Jen from Simply Photo

Pia from right here in da (blog)house

The final deadline for all submissions is June 15, 2008. To submit, click here. And to follow the project post announcements and updates, click here. All criteria and guidelines are listed below. Here is the first round of selected images for the book to inspire you…

Left image by Sofia Barão, right images above and below by Michelle.

all 3 submissions from 22 butterfly.

Left images by Deborah, top right by Irene Vermeij , bottom right by Alyson

Left image by Sofia Barão, top right by Sharon Vos , bottom right by Josephine

Thank you to everyone who took the plunge and made a submission in this early stage - you have set the direction and style for the book and you should be very proud as it has taken shape beautifully. And congratulations to those who made the first round, please note that this first round will be judged along with all new submissions and may not make it to the final publication, so don’t hesitate to make more submissions in these coming months!

the criteria of your photograph:

Some ideas:

I won’t go into too much detail here but just enough to get you thinking about your own direction…

Some tips:

If you are a crafty person but feel you are no good at photography then ask a friend who is good at photography to help you to best display your piece. The image is very important as the final picks will be chosen from the quality of the image that best showcases your work.

Use the first round of submissions above to inspire you with the colour preferences - images will be chosen and edited with these colour preferences in mind. The look will be neutrals with splashes of colour, but if you feel you just want to send something in anyway that doesnt fit the colour preference do so - I will consider it on its ability to fit into the project as a collection and it just may fit perfectly. And you can give me permission to play with the colours in post-production or if you want the image to remain true to your original then state so.

Use your strengths - if you have a passion for drawing then draw, if you fancy yourself a painter then paint, if you cook then cook, if you love woodworking, then woodwork!

Think of your heart as a ‘happy accident’ and work with that in mind.

Use inspiration from all the ‘my heart wanders’ posts (click here to see all of them) - I have included links to some great flickr collections and photographers that are very inspiring. And have a look at some of your favourite magazine spreads and interior books, and take a look at your own inspiration boards too. Have a think about your favourite spaces in your home, however big or small the space is, and start thinking about where your wandering heart might fit in that space.

Multiple submissions are accepted, as well as multiple images as the best of the best will be chosen. Close-up images of your piece will also be accepted if it is with an image of the object in a setting. Series are also accepted, as is text.

Put your heart into the work. Sloppiness or laziness, or simply just entering something to get your name in the collection is easily recognised by myself and my team, and most likely will not be chosen.

I will endeavor to offer advice and guidance when I can to individuals through posts and comments.

Final Notes:

Not all work will be able to be in the final compilation, but all work submitted that is of a high standard I will display in posts and you will always be linked back. The final compilation will be submitted for publication once the selection is complete. Entries are open to ALL, with or without blogs but people with ease to internet access and good contact details for readers to be able to purchase your work displayed in the book will be preferred. All photographs will be credited accordingly and a reference guide will be included at the end of the book so that all readers can contact you, your shop, or company. The purpose of this collection is to showcase creative individuals to a worldwide audience, to promote handmade and the reuse of materials, to promote and to bring awareness to sustainable growth. This is a not-for-profit project. Any profit generated directly from funds of the book will go to the curator’s chosen foundation for promoting basic human rights. Details of this will be posted about in the lead up to publication.

And the more who know about this project the better it will be, so please post about this project and send to your friends, family, colleagues, and whoever! This is a collective project which means it is about sharing and giving, it will shine with each of our input.

Thanks everyone, I am so hoping you will participate, it is going to be alot of fun and I’m more than excited to be creating something that involves each of you. Happy hearting!