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Monday, November 28, 2011

inspiration monday


the holiday season is upon us, and i can't think of a more inspiring time of year!  to celebrate all the things i love about the season, i thought i'd create a little booklet......here's how i did it:  take a piece of medium weight paper (i'm using arches textwove that measures approximately 4"x20").......




then fold it in half, and fold it in half again accordion-style until you have a booklet with four sections.
(you can adjust this any way you like and it will still work.....use any size paper, and the more you fold it in half, the more sections, or "pages" you'll have!)





now add some lettering and illustration to your front cover.....





along with some color around the edges, if you like. 
(i'm using some green pan pastel here)




and before you know it, you've created a cover for your new accordion book!





when you open your book up, there will be lots of empty space smiling at you, so
go ahead and start filling it up using your favorite supplies!





i added this Christmas tree on one of the paper folds (because i truly love all those twinkly little white lights!).   i think it'll look kind of neat when the book is folded.......





because you'll be able to see half the tree on each page!

it's going to be fun filling up all that blank space by adding a little bit of artwork here and there throughout the holidays.....and it will be a great way to be creative for just ten or fifteen minutes at a time!

welcome to the holiday season......the most wonderfully inspiring time of the year!!

{this accordion book was created using arches textwove paper, koi watercolors,
micron pens, pan pastel, graphite pencil, uniball signo white gel pen}







40 comments:

  1. Beautiful! I love your ideas and blog and I'm loving the Letter Lab class! I used your idea for the Thanksgiving menu and posted on the fridge for all to see! Thanks for the great ideas!

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  2. This is an adorable project!! I absolutely adore your style :)

    Linda
    http://lasteve1.blogspot.com

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  3. Lori, This is so beautiful and sweet - it brought tears to my eyes. Love the creche. Grabbing a few creative minutes amongst the hustle and bustle is priceless. What a lovely, fun, inspiring way to commemorate it. Can't wait to see the rest of the pages...Ho, Ho, Ho!
    xoxo, Jeanette

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  4. I can't wait to see how all of this unfolds!! You are off to a great start :D

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  5. Such a terrific idea to leave some blank space for later. And your tree is truly beautiful.

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  6. Precioso!!! Buenas ideas, buenos trucos que nos muestras. Eres GENIAL Lori!!!

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  7. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! Inspiration Monday posts are quickly becoming the highlight of my day :)

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  8. So simple and so adorable Lori!

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  9. Oh what a lovely little book and idea! I've just started to follow your blog and will also visit your pinterst... :-)

    Take care!

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  10. This is a wonderful inspiration to begin a busy season of hectic rush rush. Just seeing your simply beautiful art is calming. Lovely little book you have begun dear Lori. Jingle Bell Joys...

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  11. Lovely idea! May I ask what tool you're using for the pan pastels and where you got it? I can't seem to find a good sponge- or foam-tipped applicator. Thanks! :)

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  12. Oh my... that is just the sweetest thing! LOVE love LOVE it!

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  13. Hi! Just wanted to say that I am SO happy that I found your blog today. It's absolutely amazingly inspirational.

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  14. You come up with the *coolest* ideas! I'm so inspired by this and I can't wait to see how it comes together.

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  15. Lori, now that's I've taken your wonderful class and learned so much (thank you!!) I'm going to try to do a project like this with my new skills. You're such an inspiration.

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  16. I love this Lori! I can't wait to see it after it's all filled up :)

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  17. i am now ready for christmas!

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  18. Aboslutely beautiful. I may have to give it a try:)

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  19. I TOTALLY love this, Lori. oh gosh...precious. Thank you for always inspiring. :) Hugs

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  20. Such a great idea, thanks for sharing.

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  21. LOVE THIS AND WILL BE ATTEMPTING IT SOON.
    I AM LOVING MY LETTERING CLASS.
    SO SAD WHEN I WORK FOR A LONG TIME AND FIND OUT MY INK PEN BLEEDS AND I THOUGHT IT WAS PERMANENT!!!
    BLESSINGS!

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  22. A lovely idea which will be going into my "Things to try" folder.

    How are your on line classes going? I hope everyone is having fun

    Margaret xx

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  23. Wonderful idea!! I want to see your little book all finished! So cute!

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  24. There you go again being all cute and darling and awesome and did I mention cute? Well, totally..cute.

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  25. Lori,
    I just love your blog! You are so talented and I love your lettering.
    I am currently taking your letter lab and love it. I love your printing and how it all fits together and looks so whimsical and fun! I will be making the little book tutorial from today's post. What a great idea! Keep the wonderful ideas and lettering coming!
    Nancy :)

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  26. sweetness!
    it's like glimpsing
    into your very
    ** heart **
    xox

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  27. Too cute Lori! I love X-mas time - am creating some cards for myself! xx

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  28. Such a beautiful and meaningful project!

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  29. Oh my goodness, these are sooooo incredibly wonderful! Just beautiful work :) and I'm jealous of your lovely lettering :)

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  30. Love Love Love when you post your step by steps! You never fail to inspire, thanks, Lori! Clare

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  31. I love this! Your images are great along with your beautiful lettering. How do you get the nice deckled edge on each side of the paper? I like that touch.

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  32. I love your little book!! inspiring.....completely inspiring!

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  33. I love it.... so sweet baby Jesus!What an amazing christmas creation, gorgous idea. Thanks for sharing your inspiring photos.
    Have a nice day,
    hugs Anja

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  34. Hi, Lori, I love the little accordian Christmas book. Especially how the tree peeks in at both pages. So cute. Thanks for all your wonderful comments on my blog. xoxo

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  35. lori...seriously, you are killing me! please could you tone down the talent a smidge? ;) thanks, i would appreciate it. i am beginning to have trouble breathing.

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  36. Your cards are very joyous and creative. Beautiful and fun work.

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  37. these are wonderful tips. I didn't think to use chalk on the paper in that way. Thanks for this tidbit:) Have a great day!

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