Showing posts with label inspiration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label inspiration. Show all posts

Saturday, December 28, 2013

An Homage to the Woosa Work


I'm officially on Art Journal #8 but the truth is, I think I've been cutting out paper and saving it in one way, shape, or form for my whole life.

As 2013 ends, I was paging through these books filled with glue and paint and took photos of my favorite pages. 
You've seen some of these if you follow me on instagram
But...here's an "homage" to my woosa work for the year. 


A link to the video if you can't see anything; HERE.

**Credits** 
Flipagram App--it's free! And super easy to use.
Music by "Commes Des Enfants", Couer de Pirate

Friday, March 8, 2013

Pattern Play: Journal Inspiration

First, I always, always, forget this. (Does journaling help with memory loss?)
 
 
Second,if the music doesn't work (or if it inspires you), something I do when I need to create and just am lacking inspiration is to replicate something.
 
In the below instances, I ordered a scrap bag of vintage wallpaper on Etsy awhile ago, and sifting through them, I was inspired to try copying the patterns, substituting colors that I love. Bring on the paint....
 
The left side is the actual wallpaper sample, the right is my doodle.
 



Forgot the actual, but you get the drift..
I think it would be fun to paint a large canvas with a pattern ---maybe I'll put that on the to-do list.

Oh, and if you don't know what a "kiki" is--you don't watch Glee, do you? Plus I'm completely inspired by SJP's dress.(You can see it here.)

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Flow, Ephemera, & Teachers

 I felt like career counseling in 1992 consisted of selecting one of 4 paths; lawyer, doctor, teacher or psychologist. I had no desire to be any of these.
 
 When I think about it, I often hear my dad's voice telling me, "You'd make a wonderful teacher."
Blah. I had no desire to play referee to a bunch of kids who HAD to be in my classroom. It takes a special patience to do this day in and out. Patience I don't have.
 
 I never took even one art class in high school--why? Because I was too busy trying to be a psychologist? Three letters for you: W.T.F.
 
There is some crazy freedom in creating for me; a calm in the crazy. Do others crave this? I have to believe that they do.
 
Remember we talked about the spirit of "Woosa" for 2013? Part of that, for me, is to help others find it. Sometime this year, I'm going to teach (Yes, Dad. Teach) an abridged art journaling class. 4 week, 1 hour sessions.
 
I like to plan & prepare so I started building the prototype for this class. A hodgepodge of techniques I've learned and a twist of crazy.
 
{Cover}
 
Zee Junk Journal---full of crap from my life.
{the inside cover -you can download & print this very bookplate here}
 
{the inside}
 
{the title page--a must}

 More on this later, but if you are intrigued, stay tuned....

Since we are talking about paper love, I have to share this very fabulous magazine I came across at church (er, Barnes & Noble) the other day...Allow me to introduce my newest favorite mag:

"FLOW"
 
The quote and this graphic had me before I even opened it
 
 This is the first international version of this Dutch magazine--If I were an editor, THIS is exactly what I would create. The pages themselves are also a delight- they are printed on mixed media. Glossy and matte paper makes turning every page seriously fun!

Big Girl Coloring Pages; you've got to be kidding me?
Free paper!! These wrapping paper samples are full-size! Someone, pinch me!
The Table of Contents


All this paper AND talk of mindfulness? SOLD!

 
If you're a paper whore, this magazine is worth every penny....Plus serious material for your junk journal. 

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Union Jack and Beach Houses

I've been unbelievably obsessed with all things containing the Union Jack Flag for about a year now.

I can also smell summer in the air which has me pining for a cabin, a retreat, a place without television or cell phones. A place full of dusty books, sandy floors, and soft, slightly stained, cotton quilts to curl up in.


The two go pretty well together.....in fact, in a perfect little corner of my mind lie these images.
The happy place....




So my friends, another graphic message....I' ll do the same.



Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Tuesday...

Been feeling a titch overwhelmed so I thought I would share one of my "inspiration" blogroll finds...
I thought this was fantastic..found here.

Monday, December 28, 2009

Disbelievers and Freaks on a Whim

Christmas is over-I have a food, snow, and cooped up in the house hangover that I've been nursing with a needle, some fabric, and a little bit of fire.

Google Reader has been overflowing with blog goodness from all the "crafties" I adore--their projects and handmade gifts, the glitter, the bling. I couldn't stand it. These few days off would never come...Ah, but yes, they did.

My reward for wrapping all the presents was to allow myself the time to make these. Tutuorial here (yes, fire is involved.) These are so much better than pulling artificial flowers apart--you get to pick the color and the shape.. You get to play regular old Mother Nature for these.

I added tulle in between the layers of some of mine and of course, not complete in my world without some vintage bling for the middles.


I had a hard time parting with this rhinestone button. I often wonder what the original garment looked like that this was salvaged from.

The green looks sage in these photos--in the real world, it's a vibrant silky lime color.


I've been a sucker for rosettes on anything for the last year or so--if there are flowers, it automatically visits my closet.

I am fortunate (or unfortunate depending on how you look at it) to have some very close family (Sarah, this is you) and friends who- I'll just say it-think I am the biggest freak ever. (A freak in the most loving way, but still...)

They are just people who need to have a reason for things. They have no use for "pretty" without a purpose. Things cannot just "be"-they must have function.

I, on the other hand, have purchased dish soap for the fragrance, really gross salsa because it had a cool label, pounds of paper just because I loved the design, and a magazine subscription for a magazine written entirely in French (which I don't speak) strictly for the pictures. Yes, you can say it, f-r-e-a-k.

Well, for my loving sister who was sporting a Kum & Go sweatshirt (apparently, this is a gas station chain in Iowa) and reluctantly, my flower pin for good measure this Christmas AND my practical friend who just needs minor usage inspiration-a bit of help....

Yes, that's the First Lady sporting a flower pin, and the lovely Sarah Jessica Parker. JCrew also believes me and so does Anthropologie. These are definitely not "matronly"---(Sarah's word, not mine) little sister. Where did I come from?

If the flowers weren't bad enough, you can about imagine what Sarah would think if she saw these? I actually spent time "glittering" clothespins.

The uses are many--to hold your wishes. (Be careful what you use it on...)

A book marker? (Is that one word or two?)
A magnet to hold a favorite photo?
Pretty can have function or just be--it's possible. It's also possible that I may have a small freakish problem with aesthetics.
See you soon at the Market-wearing and believing in pretty.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Pink, Gaudy, and Greasy.

Dressing windows is one of my favorite parts of being a shop owner. I've yet to create a spectacular window but one day..one day, it will be fabulous.

The fair is in town the next weekend I am open so I thought my window should use this as it's theme. Flickr is one of the best places to find inspiration. I searched several terms and created this mosaic of all the images that the word "fair" conjures up. Perhaps this will help when it comes time to pretty up my bare window.

I love the candy colors, the smell of burnt sugar, the neon lights, a warm summer night.


Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Trader Joe's and Robot Love

I went on a "maiden voyage" to Trader Joe's on a special assignment for the job I do for money.

Little did I know, this little place also offers inspiration for the job I do for love.

As a self-proclaimed packaging fool (this means I will generally buy something if it is packaged beautifully), I purchased Kettle Korn (which I'm not that fond of) because of the graphics. Look at the pink and the vintage carnival graphics!





If the pink kettle korn wasn't enough, I looked up from all the fun going around me and see this:

A reusable shopping bag. But not just any "green" bag-A bag that screams "Buy Me!". The graphics, the colors. I've saved the planet and fed my addiction for anything graphic all for $1.99. If there is one in your neighborhood--go visit. You'll find something that delights, I promise.





As if all this grocery shopping wasn't enough excitement for one day, Little Mister's homework for this evening was to create himself a Valentine box.

He's getting older so this will probably be his last year of organized Valentine's celebration. He'll soon be on his own to figure out love...(she says with a sigh)

With help from his creative genetics (and his parents), this family had an impromptu "crafting" session this evening. I forgot how much fun it was to craft with your kids. It's not everyday that an 11 year old will sit down and glue bits of junk (junque) with you.




Some shoeboxes, tinfoil, pipecleaners, and junk drawer scraps and Mr. Robot was born. A door in his stomach ready to be fed with some little professions of love.


P.S. Thanks for all the kind words from your give-away comments...stay tuned on the 16th. Loving your 5 letter words.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

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.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

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.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Others Who Create





I've no profound lessons today. Only a few artists that I love..that inspire (there's that word again)and say things better than I can.


Story People

Kristin Jongen