inspiration on monday…..dragonfly

one of my favorite things to do 

is just swipe some watercolor across the paper

and see what it turns into.

but i've discovered my challenge is in leaving the watercolor "as is",

and i usually end up reaching for my favorite micron pens and graphite pencils,

because, well, i seem to have a hard time letting 

the watercolor just be what it wants to be.

so, this time i decided to just add little lines and the tiniest bit of micron…..

but let's face it,

 there are times when more lines = more better,

and this is one of those times!

today i'm giving myself permission to stay in my micron-comfort-zone,

because sometimes you just need to do that for yourself on a monday.

:))

{fluid 140 lb. CP paper, winsor & newton watercolor, 

micron pens, 6B graphite pencil}

numbers four and five

the "inspiration collaboration" continues with boxes #4 and #5!

just as we did on monday,  here's how it works:

i have two "inspiration boxes" packed with a variety of barely used supplies (most of it is brand new!) that i'd like to donate to anyone who can use them.  

the "collaboration" part is i'm asking the recipient of each box to pay the shipping cost. 

 i have created a video for each box that shows what's inside.  i've used the "flat rate" boxes from the post office,  and they hold quite a lot!  if you're interested in one of these boxes,  and don't mind paying the shipping fee,  please leave a comment telling me which one.....and

please make sure it links back to your blog or e-mail address so i can contact you!  

i will leave the comments open until saturday night 10:00 p.m. EST, april 27th,  and let the random integer select the recipients.   once the names have been chosen,  i'll contact you to let you know that i'll be e-mailing you a paypal invoice for the shipping costs.
(this "inspiration collaboration" is open to those over the age of 18)

the recipients for monday's boxes have been chosen....thank you SO much for participating!!
below are the videos for two more inspiration boxes!



inspiration box #4
password:  create

                    

inspiration box #5

password:  bookboard

                    

have a fantastic weekend!!  xox

holiday linky-links

'tis the season for little red berries on green wreaths.....

and little vintage red bird ornaments......

and tons of holly, jolly creative inspiration!


thankfully, the sweet little elves over at everything etsy have simplified the season
by offering lots and lots of lovely linkies to satisfy whatever is on your
holiday want-to-do-list this year.....

*for handmade holiday ideas, click here!
*want to create some ornaments?  click here!
*for some fabulous Christmas printables, click here!
* if you're looking for handmade gift ideas, click here!
*and to create a sweet advent calendar, click here!

{be creative, and be merry!!  :))}

perfect day

rain, rain, feel free to stay.  well, for a little while, anyway.  if there's one thing that inspires me, it's a day like today...overcast, a constant steady rain, and a nice chill in the air.  it always puts me in "nesting mode".  what a perfect day to whip up a batch of laura's double chocolate thumbprint cookies, or spoil my dutch boy by making kate's orange and chocolate cheesecakes for dessert. and while that's in the oven, i think a little nesting is in order in my studio (actually, its such a mess, it's starting to look more like "the land of no return").  oh yeah, a little nesting, a little baking,  a little regrouping.  it really is a perfect day.

monday inspiration

one of the easiest ways to become inspired is to visit etsy.  before you know it, you'll have your own favorites list started.  this pendant created by jean skipper,  has been on my favorites list for quite some time. it's simple and it speaks to me.  i'm inspired by this because many times i feel like i'm a wanderer, especially in my studio, but that doesn't mean that i've lost my way.  i'm actually quite happy exploring new artistic avenues, trying to see just how many things can i do with paper (and fabric, and paint, and so on).  it's all a journey...and as long as i've got enough chocolate bars in my backpack, i'll be out looking for new trails for quite a while!

(you can find jean's shop and more great inspirations here!)

listen

it's been a while since i've added to my "so true" collection of art cards.  i really enjoy working in this 2.5 x 3.5" format and i think it's because my style is more "keep it simple" (although sometimes i think it keep it too simple, but that's an entirely different blog post).  anyway, i chose to add this to my series because it occurs to me from time to time that i don't do nearly enough listening. i recently read that it's easy to confuse listening with just waiting for your turn to talk.  and, oh yes, i definitely have the talking part mastered.  it's the being still and the listening that i'm still working on....especially to my heart.

asheville inspiration

i've been reminiscing about the trip that i took to asheville, north carolina last year.  my friend martha and i made the six+ hour drive to the mountains to attend a bookmaking workshop at a place called BookWorks.  and, it was well worth the trip.  firstly, it's asheville, it's the mountains, it's beautiful.  secondly, if your heart starts to race at the thought of vintage letterpress machines, a paper guillotine large enough to take your arm off, wood block lettertype out the wazoo...well, then this place is for you!   and, best of all, the bookmaking instruction is top notch.   it was a great trip.  asheville, i wish you were closer to florida....  

still so true

as i was reading scripture the other day, the words "believe" and "trust" came up in several different passages.  i think that in order to come to the point of believing or trusting, you first have to be seeking.  so...here is the latest in my "so true" series.  as with the others, i lettered this on a piece of canson paper using dr. martin's bleedproof.  i stitched the two open hearts onto the piece using embroidery floss.  creating artwork on these 2.5 x 3.5" pieces of paper forces you to keep it simple...it's challenging, but i'm enjoying it!

believe...part deux

as i mentioned in my post from yesterday, here is another use for the "believe" artwork that i did.  this is a blank journal that i made using italian velata paper (sorry that the photo doesn't show it, but you'll have to trust me that there's paper inside!) and fabric  and a heavyweight stabilizer for the cover.   i sewed the signatures using waxed linen thread and buttons on the outside to hold everything in place.  and...i printed my artwork onto canvas and then sewed it to the cover.  this book measures approximately 4.25" x 7" and feels very soft and organic.  (click on artwork for larger view)

believe

here is another addition to my "so true" series...and i think that it really is so true!  this piece of art measures 2.5 x 3.5", the standard size for an ACEO (art cards, edition and originals).   the lettering was done using dr. martin's bleedproof onto blue canson paper.  to finish the piece, i stitched an open heart that was punched from a piece of decorative card stock that i had.  i'm really enjoying working on these small pieces and have several ideas for making more of them.  this photo shows the artwork framed, however, tomorrow i think i'll try using it another way...details at eleven.

meet molly

allow me to introduce you to my studio mascot, molly.  this photo was taken of her when she was a puppy, but she still looks the same, except her ears are a little longer now.  as far as studio mascots go, she's the best.  she's great at keeping secrets, and even turns a deaf ear when my work isn't going well and i say bad words.  she cheers me on at just the right time and her demands are few, so it's very easy to spoil her...and believe me, i do!