inspiration

Pinterest Top Five Thursday

I find that every few months the crafting world is completely taken over by a new pattern. We've seen the damask, the chevron, the stripe, the polka dot... But the past couple months I have noticed that there seems to be Honeycomb's on EVERYTHING. Now don't get me wrong, I am not complaining, I am loving this phase and all of the amazing creations that come with it!

I have shared a few of my favorite projects from Pinterest that have been pinned, I hope you enjoy the collection!

Studio Calico

Just Made From Paper

PhotoBucket

JBS Mercantile

American Crafts

Have a great week.

Website Wednesday

There are times when my mind and eyes get tired from overstimulation on sites like Pinterest.

This site offers are more relaxed collection of images that I find calming and inspiring

http://neutralnotes.tumblr.com/

For easiest viewing check out the Archive

Month Kit Monday - Romantic Rendezvous with Lisa

So now it's my turn to share with you what I did with my portion of the kit. Essentially, I got Jill's leftovers to play with!!

 

And that is Romantic Rendezvous! Jill and I together made 7 layouts using the kit! It was a fun kit to play with...but I can't wait to see what Nadine has in store for us for March! Stop by next Monday for a sneak peek of our March Kit.

Happy Creating!

Love Lisa

New My Mind's Eye

Get it while the getting is good! I think we have already sold out (in store) of most of the Rhonna Farrer lines, but there are still loads of items available online. I pre-ordered a bunch for myself so I wouldn't miss out, and boy am I ever glad I did! MME never disappoints with their new releases, and this one was full of amazing colours, patterns and embellishments!

I made these layouts using some photos I took of the wonderful Miss Scarlett at the store the other day. She is always up for a quick "photo shoot" with me, and she likes to get goofy as well, which is just fine in my books!

I really like how versatile the honeycomb paper is. You can use it as a whole or cut it up and mix it with other patterns like I did here. Try using a shape like this repetitively on a layout, maybe mixing it up with a circle mask (see my background) or a grid pattern. It's a simple way to add texture, movement, and enhance your photos without distracting from your overall theme.

 I also really like using the Jilli Bean Sweet & Sour Soup paper as an extra fun text element. It works great as journaling or to help with the theme and title. I took the "A is for" idea and ran with it!

The text for the titles ("Scarlett" and "goofballs") was made using a Sharpie and my Copic Markers. Copics really allow you to customize your extras to match your layout colours and theme.

Stop by the store to see these bad boys in real life, and to check out what's left of our My Mind's Eye selection!

Happy Creating!

Love Lisa

Website Wednesday

Question, what's the opposite of Audubon?
Answer, Charley Harper (the artist not the guy from two and a half men).

There is so much talent available for viewing online today that it’s difficult to be amazed or impressed by a new style or technique. This weeks website looks at the work of an illustrator/artist who started work in the 1950’s with a style and look that is still fresh today. His style was clean and simple (anyone who’s ever tried to successfully create a simple look will realise it’s actually difficult), a famous quote of Charley’s is “I don’t count the feathers I just count the wings.”

 

https://charleyharperartstudio.com/

Technique/Product Tuesday

Happy tuesday, I am very excited to share a layout I have created using the brand new Authentique Celebrate line and some wonderful Alcohol Inks by Ranger.

If you have never played with alcohol inks before, you are in for a treat, they are so easy to work with and can create some amazing looks. First off, you need a Ranger Ink Applicator Tool and some felt, you apply the alcohol ink randomly on your piece of felt and rub it on your surface (in this case a sheet of metal).

To coordinate with the paper line I am using, I have chosen a red & a mixture of 2 different blues. I think that the colors turned out perfectly, I love it when that happens!

Now all that's left is to turn this sheet of metal into something that will work on a layout! :) For that I have turned to my handy dandy butterfly punch, which I use on EVERYTHING, and punch out a bunch of beautiful, perfectly colored butterflies.

And then just embellish your page until your satisfied with the finished product.

And if this technique has  peaked your interest, check out Lisa's upcoming Alcohol Ink Class, where she will go over multiple techniques for how to get crafty with this incredibly versatile product!

Month Kit Monday - More Romance!

Here are a couple more layouts that Jill made using our February Romantic Rendezvous kit.

Here is a nice close up of some of the fun vintage elements you receive with your kit! It's like  getting a TM Instant Collection with a bunch of other amazing coordinated paper and embellishments to go with!

I love how Jill has made this kit work for a wonderful masculine layout, a beautiful feminine one, and she has added a little humour as well! This kit is so versatile!

I'm back next week with some more layouts, this time from me!

Until then...

Happy Creating!

Love Lisa

Staff Feature Friday

February 9th marks Jills 3rd (dating) anniversary with her now-fiance James. Each year she makes him a little project full of pictures and memories from the past year.

Year One was a 7Gypsies envelope mini album.

Year Two was a 7 Gypsies painters tray.

And Year Three is this 7 gypsies mini album completed using book covers and journaling cards.

Seems as though Jill really likes those 7Gypsies projects...

 

Each page is a testament to all the fun times, romantic moments and special dates (they got engaged!) for Jill and James' third year together. She kept each page simple, showcasing the photos more than getting caught up in all the embellishment possibilities.

Check out these products online for some 7 Gypsies inspiration of your very own...

Elizabeth Book Covers

Ruban Book Covers

Conservatory Book Covers

and Red Label Book Covers, if you're looking for a mini mini album!

And to keep the embellishments simple, and keep from adding too much bulk to your album stick to rub-ons (these butterfly ones are beautiful!) and stickers. These labels are the perfect addition! Or maybe these, to add a little more than just the date.

I hope we gave you some ideas on potential Valentine projects you can complete in an afternoon (or two), that will provide lasting enjoyment and a perfect place to house your memories!

Happy Creating!

Love Lisa

 

 

Pinterest Top Five Thursday

This week I wanted to share some great Valentines that we have found on Pinterest, for those of you who are like me, and still need to get your valentines made before Tuesday! :)

There sure is nothing like the last minute to get that inspiration going...

Diary Of Two Crafty Girls

Design Sponge Online

The Pink Couch

Lily Pad

Must Have Cute

Enjoy!

Website Wednesday

Nick Bantock's book "Urgent 2nd Class" published in 2004 was an early source
of inspiration into postal collage (we have several of his books in our library which you are free to come and flip through).

His website http://www.nickbantock.com/ showcases some of the beautiful work he has created, in particular look at
his "Mail Art" & "North African Collages" galleries

http://www.nickbantock.com/original_art/Mail_Art_for_sale.html
http://www.nickbantock.com/original_art/North_African_Collages.html