Pages from the Inspiration Book

I get bored. I get uninspired. Some days I want to curl up in bed all day, pull the covers up to my chin, and never leave.

Days like these call for the Mr. Sketch scented markers, a pencil, and a blank sheet of paper. A cup of coffee, some goofy kids, and a stack of our drawings later never fails to remind me that warm weather will soon be here and life really is pretty good.


This is my standard "don't think about it doodle" only she never turns out the same. Does everyone have a reoccuring subject when they draw just for fun? Big Mister almost always has "W" birds in his. I tease him and his retort is always some comment on the amount of eyelashes my chick has.


If you are feeling uninspired, like I am, thought I'd share some pages from my inspiration notebook.

-Love cute and unique packaging. I'm also freakishly addicted to this style lately. The collage mixed with a letter..Of course, a quote thrown in.

-French words and clean graphics, a store I'm dying to use my skymiles to visit, and the texture of the frosting on the cupcake mixed with the cupcake holder.

-White/Green mixed together...nothing better. The cupcakes again, but the pink ones..oooh. I really don't even like them that much but they look so cute all dressed up.

It's Monday tomorrow, I'm bringing a red Mr. Sketch marker with me.

A Mind Maker Upper Needs to Make up Her Mind

Been busy thinking, wishing, hoping, dreaming and have decided that I'm tired of it. Planning is good, yes, but waiting for the perfect moment, the perfect conditions, the perfect time...frankly we could wait a lifetime and never have it perfect.

Went to a funeral last week (ugh, I know) but during the priest's homily he said 6 simple words in his Jamaican/South African/South American accent that resonated somewhere deep,

"You're life is only so long."

Profound no, but often the only way I get something is to have it smack me square in the forehead. That phrase stung a bit.

I think sometimes it's just about getting on with it..and listening to the universe the right way.
(Ahem, Mrs. Possibility.)

Cleaning behind the TV cabinet the other day, and I found this little book I had purchased at Barnes and Noble a year or so ago called "Reach for the Stars". I had forgotten about it so I thumbed through it again. It contains little inspirational quotes......

Loved this one for more than the obvious reasons..Also this piece of art from another one of my favorite artists, Denise Carbonell.

"An entrepreneur is someone willing to go out on a limb, having it cut off behind her, and discovering she had wings all the time."

-Leigh Thomas

After experiencing the limb extraction, I think it's high time to see if these babies can fly.

Save a flower, he loves you.

Fred Flare is hosting Snail Mail for Charity. The task is to create a valentine, send it to them. Proceeds go to a program that creates craft programs for seniors.

Right up my alley...creations for a cause. For me, an ordinary card just would not do so I've been trying to create the perfect thing that speaks from my heart.

Bling and Pink and Tussy Mussie says love to me.

BUT.....Remember the games of our youth. The one where if you hear a particular song on the radio, it's truly meant to be. How about ...he loves me, he loves me not. Let's save a flower and make one out of paper that screams the answer rather than trusting the odds.

He Loves You, He Really Really Loves You Paper Flower Tutorial

Supplies:

-Patterned Paper
-Floral Wire and Tape

-Hot Glue Gun

-Letter Stamps

-First, let's make the stamen. (It's the foofy stuff in the middle.)

1. Cut a piece of 2-sided patterned paper about 3" tall by 10" long.

2. Cut slits every 1/8" or so leaving about an inch uncut at the bottom of each slit.

3. Cut a piece of florists wire and glue it to the far edge of the paper you just cut. Place on the 1" bottom you left uncut.

4. Gently start to roll the paper around the wire. When you get to the end-add a dab of glue to secure.

5. Know how to curl ribbon?? Do the same with each 1/8" strip in the stamen. This will create the foof you see in the photo. Note: You can do this step now or later. I did it at the end and wished I would've done it here.

P.S. Your stamen is complete.

Now for the petals....

1. You can draw your own or print these off. Cut out 6-8 of each size out of coordinating patterned paper. I wish I would've used more petals-do 8 if you have time.

2. On each petal stamp (or write, or rub), "He loves you" or whatevever sentiment comes from your heart.

3. Once you have stamped, turn the petal over and glue a piece of florist wire to the back of each petal. I glue abou 1.25" of the wire on the back of the petal. The more wire, the better you can shape each petal.

4. Take a petal, your stamen, and some floral tape and wrap together. Do this for each petal. Use the small petals first, then layer the larger ones. Wrap the floral tape all the way around the wire.

5. Once you have all the petals taped together, gently start to shape your flower by pulling each petal down. Be gentle and make sure you bend the wire and not the petal(the wire will poke through the paper). You can use the "ribbon curl" technique on each petal to make it take shape a little better.

6. If you didn't "curl" your stamen, do so now.

He loves you.

The Jar and Some Color Inspiration

In an effort to cure winter boredom and we needed bread, a few weeks ago I walked around my favorite discount store, browsing as I normally would, and came upon the Christmas crap 75% off... Lo and behold, this large jar winked at me and quickly scurried it's way into my cart.



I brought it home, bragged to Big Mister on my bargain hunting skills, and placed the jar on the counter.

His reply to me was,with a huge grin, "The top looks like a penis." (I've censored his words to use the anatomical label...)

I looked at my lovely little jar and sure enough, it does. Damn, I hate it when he's right.

Now, whenever we have visitors he has to point it out. I've gotten more crap for this thing. I still love it and will pull it out each Christmas and giggle. (Plus, I told Big Mister that if he wasn't nice, this would be his home after he passes on to the next world.)



It never fails that on Sunday nights, I get a wind around 11:00 and want to create something. I've been wanting to start the projects from Bellarama but at 10:00-the option to start is just a bad idea. I thought the supplies looked pretty strewn about my studio...

I looked up and noticed that I can hardly wait to play with this stuff....I see May baskets and Valentines in my future.

The Decision Die

Die-as in plural for dice. I've no desire to discuss the other definition today.

If you've read this blog from the beginning, you'll know that I am a believer. A believer in all things related to karma, to fate, to the rule that things happen for a reason. I believe in "signs" from whomever has their finger on the button of life and I'm always on the lookout. My horoscope is almost always dead on and a red balloon (my "The Secret" visualization) has floated right through my path.

I'm a prime target for the Magic 8 Ball marketers.

Tada! (Trumpets sound).....The decision die-6 sides of my words to myself.

(Deep down inside we really do know the answers but fear keeps us from listening.)

I do believe that the answers to all my questions can be summed up on a six sided block. If I need reaffirmation, I can roll the damn thing and play a little game. Life can be about chances, right?

Yes, No, Maybe, Go with your heart, Trust your head, and Just be patient is all I really have to remember.

One thing a day that matters......

Happy New Year...

Graphic Courtesy of the Graphics Fairy

Happy New Year! What does 2009 have in store for us??? I can't wait to go for the ride. No resolutions-only the promise to do one thing per day that matters.


I love packaging (we've spoke of this before) but what I love more is designing labels. "The Girls" are in the shop and they needed some introduction, don't you think???

"The Girls" are going on a little trip. You see, I found the "Toy Society" and their contribution to the world is to give without expecting a thing in return.

The girls aren't good toys as they are, BUT give them a message and a purpose.... A day brightener.

I'm always looking for some sign, a blinking arrow to point me in the right direction. If I were to randomly find one of the girls and she holds a message that says, "Today's the day." Well, I'm ready to conquer the world from (a clothespin??) a little serendipitous message that I just happened to come upon.

(Don't we all have a 7 year old hiding in us? I'm going to use that as to the reason I am so wanting to make more.)

Here's to being 7 and one thing a day that matters.