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Monday, August 8, 2011

inspiration monday


i'm a true believer that when you're looking for inspiration, look no further than your very own artwork!  there are lots and lots of ideas hibernating in your art journals, and they're just waiting to be turned into something brand new!   for example, you might find a little sketch that you did a long time ago and wonder, "how can i use this?".




one idea is to take your design and carve a stamp!
(i carved this stamp from a piece of speedy carve.....)




 then stamp it all over a blank page in your journal. 




 add some journaling and other doodles using your favorite pen, 
and finish it off with pan pastels or watercolors.
now you've gone from old design.....to  new inspiration!




but don't stop there!  change up the colors on your stamp......




and you never know...... a fun little rainbow garden might sprout up!  
(when an opportunity to draw cute little flowers with smiley faces comes your way, you've gotta take it!)




and after all that gardening,  treat yourself to some frozen happiness.....
all you need to do is change the direction of your stamp!

when you're looking for some new ideas, think of your art journals as little treasure chests......there's lots of inspiration bounty in there, i promise!


{all journal pages were completed using a hand-carved stamp, colorbox stamp pads,
micron pens, pan pastel, and a 4B pencil}







44 comments:

  1. Love it....great example of idea to reality. I love the many ways you used the stamp you made, so clever!

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  2. Lori you are genius! You took something so simple and made such beauty from it. You are such an inspiration!!

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  3. Lori, this is so cool...look what came out of you, you are so creative!

    You are making me want to play with carving stamps!!!

    xxoo

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  4. Lori, I love this!! Clever girl you!! The flower garden blew me away and then you just had to make ice cream!! Unbelievable! And yes, I will have to remember to pull out my little stash of journals when I'm clueless about what to draw next!! Neat post :D

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  5. It amazes me how far you can take an idea....and in so many directions....

    You are becoming a stamp craving extraordinaire.....

    Have a wonderful day

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  6. So now I guess I must start trying to carve my own stamp from one of my 'things'. How cool is that? Thanks for inspiring me. I just found your blog-can't wait to see more.

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  7. you are an encyclopedia of creativity...it just keeps pouring out of you to bless us all. Thanks.

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  8. Just what I needed this morning....your inspiration and enthusiasm helps get me out of the i'm-not-creative-set-of-mind! I can feel your smile coming through my computer screen!

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  9. This is just ALL sorts of awesome! I really need to start carving stamps. The way you apply color to them makes my heart sing!

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  10. you are ***amazing***
    xoxoxo
    so clever. and an awesome idea for creative block. tfs!

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  11. Wow! It's pretty clever!!!;)

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  12. What inspiration--VERY cool! Thanks!

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  14. Oh Lori! Your cleverness makes my head hurt! love it all! I want to be just like you when I grow up! ( Ionly 57, still plenty time,right?!)

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  15. Okay....this is so over-the-top cute!! I'm thinking I need to get some stamp carving supplies!!

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  16. Who woulda thunk?? You, that's who! And now you're teaching us all to "thunk" about what we "see" and what we CAN do :-)
    Thanks....

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  17. I love those pages! YOu made me smile so! thanks!

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  18. I shake my head in utter amazement. Other than that, I'm speechless! (sigh)

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  19. Wow what great ideas from one hand made stamp. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  20. I think it's great to have found you . Your ideas are extremely beautiful and excuse my english !
    Hugs from Austria
    Heike

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  21. You are sooooo talented!!!! And you got tons of inspiration!!!! I'm jealous!
    Isa :-)

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  22. Wow, Lori, you are so incredibly creative, I love the little flowers and the ice cream cone. I would have never thought of doing those. SO cute. Your artwork always makes me smile!!!

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  23. ok, i gotta try this. making your own stamps looks like fun.

    love your little ice cream painting.

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  24. You are just flat out amazing!!

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  26. This is wonderful..I recently bought a whole bunch of rubber stamps at the dolar stor..(the big ones 2 for 1 $) and did exactly this...your post about it is wonderful..I looove what you came up with...just delightful..!

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  27. You truly have the greatest inspirations on Mondays. Love your handcarved stamp...border or texture. However, the magic begins when you paint a flower garden and a multi dip frozen treat cone from the very same stamp. Over the moon brilliant my dear...

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  28. Wow, these are so fantastic. You are so imaginative!

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  29. All I can say is, you are a clever, clever woman, Lori! Love it!!

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  30. i can't get over all the things you worked out of that cute stamp! darling!

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  31. so many ways to use your design !! love it
    isa

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  32. How awesome! I get inspired by your creativity! I am always blown away by your lettering, too. I sure need practice there. Have a wonderful day! Twyla

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  33. as always....LOVE!!!

    thanks for the inspiration.

    hugs,
    tara

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  34. what a fabulous post. Love the way you think. Love the way you can see flowers and ice cream from odd little circles.

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  35. I love how many different ways you used the same image - all from a doodle in your journal. This has sparked some creative ideas for me - thanks! ~ Karen

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  36. I LOVE this! The finished pieces you made are all so darling! Ice cream & flowers, so perfectly summery!

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  37. I know I'm a late commenter but I just have to say ... you are so creative! I just love what you created. Amazing!

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  38. Ohh, c'mon! Only you can do that, that's for sure. I saw your doodle and I went - fine. Carved stamp - what's she gonna do with that? That will get old in two prints! Yeah, right, nothing gets old with Lori!! Flowers and icescoops! You're head is wired in a wondruous way!

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  39. omigosh this is so darn creative!!! I am so glad I found your blog :)) I need a kick in the pants inspiration-wise. I am ready to pull out my lino stuff!

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