Inspiration

Inspiration....It comes from so many places. I was reading an article in Simple Scrapbooks the other night about how as 'artists' we go through cycles of creating. As a scrapbooker we can go through major slumps. But we never really give up that creative process. While we aren't actually working on things we are always checking our surroundings for anything that may inspire us. By reading magazines, organizing, pursuing other ventures or creativity etc. It's so true. The article really struck a cord with me.

I have been in a scrapbooking slump for a long time. I can create for other people but when it comes to doing my children's books I just sit and stare at blank paper. I don't know why. I have been slowly trying to get my groove back. By doing my friends alubm I have had so many ideas fill my head for my own books. I have been sketching and writing things down. I have also really taken a liking to cards. I never considered myself a cardmaker or a stamper but as of late I have been completely enthralled by it. I know I have mentioned it before but Jennifer McG's blog and the Hero Arts Blog/Site and Tim Holtz's blog has really helped me get those creative juices flowing again. These are some extremely talented people with a wealth of knowledge and a talent for teaching. I have learned so much this week.

I have started making cards, playing with new techniques and just having fun. It's really been a learning process for me and I have never felt more creative. I am hoping to do a page full of photos about our weekend this week. It's been a long time and I really need to do a page start to finish to feel like I have completed my creative process. I have so many ideas swirling in my head that I am not quite sure where to start at the moment. I am going to take a long walk with my boy today, take some pictures and come home and create something. In the meantime, here are some cards that were inpired by others...



This was inspired by the paper towels that I use in my daily life. I loved the colors and the design of circles and flowers. I recreated those paper towels in a card. I love this. It's so simple and who would have thought a paper towel could inspire something like this?


This is a technique that I picked up on Tim Holtz blog. The whole thing is an entire lift from his March Challenge. His is so much better than mine. His tree is cooler and his birds are better. I made a few bloopers along the way and they are evident up by the birds but shhhh....don't tell. It was a lot of fun to do and I loved the quote. It was perfect for a college graduation card. I gave it to my little cousin this week when she graduated from Boston University. I am so proud of her! :)

This was inspired by the Hero arts blog. It was Bloom week. I wanted to enter it into the contest over there but felt funny about posting a card without a thing produced by Hero Arts. So I'll just post it here.

My challenge to you. Find something that inspires you. It doesn't matter what it is. Then create something using that inspiration. I can guarantee you won't regret it.

A little Something.....

There is a challenge on the HeroArts blog this week to make something with blooms. I did this. I had a ball. The little black and white flowers are all over the back of the card too.That was a cool tip I picked up from Jennifer McGuire. The girl just oozes talent. I am in awe of her! ;) I am having so much fun with this stamping thing. I am hoping to pick up my favorite new background stamps this week. If you have any favorites post them in the comment section (you could link me to some examples too if you would like!). Like I need more enabling...lol! :)

Eye Candy.....

I am making a baby's 1st year album for a friend. She chose the Basic Grey Sugared line and I have to say I love it. I love scrapbooking her beautiful little girl too. It's so fun and it's coming together so easily. I am using some PageMaps and I am using my Designing with Calendar to help me along. I asked her if I could share and she was kind enough to let me share with you all.

I am working on some cards tonight while I listen/watch Dancing with the Stars! Geek, yes, I know. I love reality TV though! :) Happy Tuesday! :)

New look, New Blog.....

Ok, so it's been a very long time since I posted here. I have since stopped my business. I will still do special orders and I will still be doing craft fairs but the store aspect of it is on hold for a while. I am sad about it but it's what has to be done. I have very serious back issues and I will be having my spine fused in the near future. I want to create but right now I want to create for ME and my children.

I have really been inspired as of late by cards and stamping. I can credit this new obsession to the one and only Jennifer McGuire. This girl is ubber talented and incredibly sweet. She puts a smile on my face every time we "talk". Every time! If you have yet to see her blog please rush as fast as you can click to HERE. You will be obsessed with this thing called stamping. Seriously! :)

Also, click your way over to Hero Arts. Who knew....seriously! I had no idea. I have to tear myself away from this site lately. I have a wish list the length of my arm and the gallery and blog are full of inspiration so rush there too! :)

And if those 2 sites haven't filled your need check out this site here, I think it's part of Split Coast Stampers. I found it the other night while perusing the web looking for a tri-fold card idea. She has a really cool folded card on there that I will be trying this week. I love new style, funky things. So fun!

So anyhow, I plan on creating a ton (as much as my back will let me) and uploading them all here. I just did these 2 cards the other night. Nothing spectacular one was for my mom for Mother's Day and the other is for my Dad for his birthday.

Inside my dad's it says: "I may have married my Prince but you will always be the king of my heart". I also have a really nice stamp that says "I love you" and I stamped that inside. It's very simple. You can't really see it but I took a corner flourish stamp with brown ink and stamped it on the brown cardstock. It looks really nice in person.

I have been playing with my water color pencils and my stamps this past weekend too and have make some great images with it. Hopefully, I will get them uploaded this week.

So enjoy. Come back when you can. I will be trying to upload stuff every couple of days. Let's say a prayer that my back holds out long enough for me to get some more done this week and to finish the album that I am making for a friend. :)

Michelle