A Little Inspiration

Web Design Updates

I am so thrilled to have finally made changes to the web design.  There will be more to come (can we say new photo?!?!) but at least it's a start.  I'd love to hear your feedback on the new look!

French Country Journal

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Well, I hope you aren't tired of the the Bella Bella, "French Flea Market" paper...I just couldn't resist one more project with this beautiful, romantic paper.

I needed a new journal (to keep track of all the ideas running through my head, not to mention to do lists, supplies to buy, techniques to try...).   I stopped in at Aaron Brother's to buy a notebook and nearly swooned when I saw these sepia toned rub-ons (bird & butterflies *sigh*).

I started with this blank journal, carefully removed the cover from the binding and got to work.

Step 1: Paint the edge of the cover (where it fits through the spiral) with acrylic paint.

I found my old acrylics sitting in the closet and couldn't believe that after 8? 9? years, they are still good.  I mixed red, yellow, black and antique gold together, painted the edge and set it aside to dry.

Step 2: Cut and prepare base layers.  I used a watercolor wash (Baja Breeze) along the top edge, sponged/painted clouds with a combo of sponge & small paint brush and found the brush worked much better.

I already had the leaves/trees cut and ready to go (they and the birds were the inspiration for the project).

Step 3: Cut the tags and layer the tags, brads & jute together.

Step 4: Sew the edges and layers together (including the book cover) once the paint is dry.  I also find it helpful to put a little adhesive on the back (inside the sewing lines) to hold everything together.

Step 5: Adhere the tag and trees.  I used Royal Coat for the tree and even put a layer on top.  Since this is so heavily used, I want the images to last.

Step 6: Cover the inside of the journal.  I used a light brown cardstock on the inside of the cover (not shown) to cover up the sewing and writing.  Again Royal Coat works great.

Step 7:  Only when everything is well glued are the rub-ons ready to go.

Last but not least: Fixative.  I like to spray the top with a little fixative adhesive to hold it all in place, prevent smudges and help the rub-on to last longer.

Thanks for your comments and for stopping by.  Have a great day!

Mojo Monday 97 - Thank you

Where does the time go?  It's hard to believe that this week marks the end of July.  Although with today's rain it seems like it is still May/June.  So, the pictures are a little dark, but hopefully you can see the detail.

For this MOJO Monday Sketch Challenge (MOJO97), I continued with the Bella Bella "French Flea Market" paper I picked up the other day and have been playing with for days.  It is just so gorgeous. 

I also tried out some pigment ink (gold - which only shows up a little bit in the picture - it's so subtle), buttons, & Stickles glitter.  I want to learn how to make my own brads but not enough time today...

I started with a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" base of Sahara Sand, layered that with the Bella Bella cardstock, and stamped the tree with Baja Breeze on a 2" circle and layered that on a 2 1/4" circle.
Next, I offset the circles, pierced the edge of the circle and the background and edged the larger circle in Studio G Pigment Ink & Baja Breeze on white cardstock.

The heart in the corner was cut with Accent Essentials on the Cricut

The sentiment is from Stampin' Up!'s "All Holidays" set and the tree from "Very Versatile"

Buttons, ribbon & brads from my stash.

Thanks for stopping by and for your comments.  Feel free to email with questions.  Have a great day!

Live, Laugh & Love The French Flea Market Paper

I am in love with this paper from "My Mind's Eye" - Bella Bella "French Flea Market".  It is just so gorgeous.

When I saw this sketch from the Weekend Sketch Challenge (WSC90), I couldn't wait to get started.

And, I had to use my new paper.  With the recipient in mind (a friend who's birthday is next week), I pulled out the sewing machine, paper & cutter.

I even went a little crazy by adding glitter (it's just so messy - LOL!) and even decorated the inside to match.

Here is a picture of it straight on.  I started with a 4 1/4" x 8  1/2" base of Kraft Cardstock, layered Dark Chocolate Cardstock with "Sweetness To Me Paper" and then a little bit of yellow cardstock that I edged with Kiwi Kiss and washed with dark brown ink using the Aqua Painter.

 

The paper is double-sided so using the back side, I scalloped & pierced the edge for the sentiment background, added a watercolor wash of dark brown that looks pink because of the background paper (the flower too) and a bit of white glitter.

The inside was a simple duplication of the front. 

Supplies:

Paper: My Mind's Eye "Bella Bella French Flea Market", Yellow, Dark Chocolate

Ink: Dark Brown Marker, Kiwi Kiss

Embellishments: Ribbon, Button & Pearls (Stash), Tag from My Mind's Eye

Other: Circut (Plantin Schoolbook),  Scallop Punch (SU!), Aqua Painter

Be sure to check out the other posts.  They are gorgeous!!!

Bella Bella Thank You

This card design comes from CPS Sketch Challenge (CPS:Card Positioning System) and I couldn't wait to get started on it. 

I picked up this BellaBella  "French Flea Market" paper when I stopped at the paper store the other day.  I love the blues and browns...gorgeous.

Although the pictures didn't turn out quite as well as I hoped (and I'm just out of time today!), I love the distressed look, color combo, and zigzag stitch.

I used black thread around the perimeter, cream on the blue, and Sahara Sand for the fleur that I stamped with Baja Breeze and edged with a little bit of brown marker.

Supplies:

Ink: Baja Breeze(SU!), Brown Marker (LePlume)

Paper: Sahara Sand (SU!), BellaBella French Flea Market (My Mind's Eye)

Stamps: Fresh Cuts (SU!)

Other: Ribbon, Button & Thread (Stash), Cricut (Accent Essentials)

Enjoy!

Frogs, Friends & Flowers

I got together with my friend Julie and her 7 month old baby boy today.  I haven't seen her in ages and wanted to bring "a little something" for her.  I put this package together and thought it turned out great.  Isn't it always such a nice feeling when they say, "Wow.  You made this?" with a look of awe and excitement in their eyes.  And, I think it makes people feel really special.

The bag was from a purchase I made at a yarn shop (not too surprising) so I covered the logo with paper to match the card.

The card was based on the MOJO Monday Sketch (click here for close up & info if you missed the post) and just loved the colors so much that I decided to give her the notebook that I made with matching paper weeks ago. 

And, of course I wanted something for the little boy and the frog was perfect.   I knit the frog with some leftover yarn I had in my stash (in case you don't know, knitting is one of my great loves *sigh*).

I used a free pattern by Susan Anderson that I found at the Spud & Chloe website.  BTW: I can't wait to try out their yarn.  The fingering weight looks yummy.

Isn't it too cute???  I really think a pink frog would be adorable.

The center of his body uses a tennis ball which I think is a great idea. 


Caleb loved it and immediately put the hands into his mouth (LOL!).

I got the idea for a tissue paper flower from Lauren Meader's post but didn't have time to make too much fuss (especially if the bag was going to be tossed).

Instead I went for the peony look using the basic "snowflake" technique.  I  folded a piece of white tissue paper several times (making four layers)  and then folded that layer in half.  I cut out the petals and then being careful to keep the layers together, I make a twist in the bottom center of the flower and glued it to the bag.  Imagine with a little ink on the edges...hmmm...

It was a little floppy, so I lightly sprayed the flower with 3M Krylon spray, scrunched the petals and ta da!

Last, but not least, I  made an envelope with coordinating paper inside and this little "sticker" on the front.  I love the idea of using this stamp & punch set with sentiments & images.  Don't know why it took so long to get the idea (LOL!)


Supplies:

Ink: Pacific Point

Stamps: Yummy, Love You Much

Paper: Re-used brown bag, tissue paper, Michael's

Other: Scallop Punch, Krylon Spray Glue (3M), Ribbon (Michael's), Cricut - Plantin Schoolbook

MOJO Madness

WOW!!!  I just love this week's MOJO Monday sketch.  I have generated one idea after another and can't work fast enough.  This card is loosely inspired by Andrea's card.  I loved her huge flower and bold colors. 

After doing the "With Love" card (previous post), I decided to stick with the red, especially when I came across this vellum that I used a few weeks back for the Color Inspiration Challenge.

 

What do you think?  The flower is just a tiny bit too big, but it was already cut and glued, so I went with it.  I'd love to know which of the three you like best. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Paper: Riding Hood Red, Sahara Sand, Vellum (Rust?), Vanilla

Stamps: Flourishes (Pink Cat Studio)

Ink: Platinum (Writer Marker)

Other: Scallop Punch, 3/16" punch, button (stash)

More Mojo to Love

I had so much fun yesterday with the MOJO Monday Blog Sketch Challenge that I decided to make another today.  Be sure to scroll down to see yesterday's too.

Supplies -Everything is Stampin Up! today (except the ribbon from my stash)

Stamps: Love You Much & Yummy

Paper: Riding Hood Red, White

Ink: Riding Hood Red

Other: Ribbon (stash), Heart Punch

Cherish

I just love today's Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge.  There is something about panels that I just love (though I don't seem to use them on my own).  After taking the weekend off to do some climbing and then clean my car (annual detailing - ugh!  but I love it when it's done), I was really excited to get back to stamping, crafting, and card making.

I'm getting together with a friend later this week who had a baby not too long ago and so I made this card for her and her baby boy.

• The base is vanilla cardstock (5x5) layered with Sahara Sand (4 3/4" square).

• The panels are 1 1/2" by 4 7/8" - I used a piece of scrap cardstock so I'm not sure of the name, it matched the blue flower paper I picked from my stash cut to 1 3/8" x 4 1/2.

• The circles were made with Baja Breeze (still my favorite blue) and white cardstock 3 1/4" and 3 1/2".

• The sentiment, Cherish, from the now retired "Illuminations" set from SU! was stamped in Baja Breeze.

• For a final touch (or two), I made some cirlycue images with my Cricut (Accent Essentials) and circled the white circle with jute twine.

• Last steps, a jute knot and a couple of blue rhinestones. 

I just love how it turned out and I can't wait to give it to Julie when I see her on Thursday.   I hope she loves it as much as I do.  I think it would make a great wedding card too.  Don't you think so?

Web Maintenance

Just a quick note to let you know that I am changing the name of the weblog to www.mylovelyinspirations.com . 

If for some reason your feed isn't working, you may have to re-subscribe.  Hopefully everything will continue to work beautifully, but just in case...

Thanks and more to come soon!