new views

for the past month, i've been cleaning, organizing, and trying to keep the house "show ready" while we wait for that special buyer to walk through the door.  our house hasn't sold yet (fingers crossed that it will soon!) and to be honest, while i've been keeping the cobwebs at bay in the house, i think they've set up camp in my head!

so my sweet little dutch boy has brought me up to the mountains for some rest and relaxation!

 there's nothing like a complete change of scenery to clear the cobwebs out of your head, and give you a new boost of inspiration!  i hope you find yourself in one of your favorite inspiration places this weekend!!  enjoy!

inspiration monday

 repurposing your artwork can be as easy as 1-2-3!

first, choose a journal page or other artwork you've done that really inspires you.  scan it into your computer and print it out using a high quality setting -or- take it to a nearby office supply store and they will make a good quality copy for you.  then gather some of your favorite art supplies!

(today is Memorial Day here in America,
so for my project,  i'm using this artwork that i did three years ago)

now here's the 1-2-3!

1- use one of your favorite elements in your artwork..
(for example,  i really love this star, so i cut it out.)

2- now take another element of your artwork and try to think of a new way to use it.

(for mine, i really like those red stripes, but instead of painting them, i'm adding stripes to my new project using red twine....)

(and if you use a small hole punch on the edge of the paper, it will create a notch that's perfect to hold that twine in place!)

3- look for ways you can use your supplies to update elements in your artwork.
(for example, i liked the border scallops in my artwork,  but instead of drawing them, i updated the look by using a scallop paper punch with this stamped sentiment)

now put everything together, and you have a brand new project inspired by artwork
 that you've already done....and it was easy as 1-2-3!

✰ ✰ ✰

this card is dedicated with gratitude to all those brave men and women who have served our country, those who have given their lives in the line of duty, and those who continue to guard and protect our freedoms.  you are our true heroes, and we honor you today....and every day!

✰ ✰ ✰

{supplies:  memorial day artwork, white and blue card stock, doodlebug twine, colorbox stamp pads,
thank you rubber stamp, ranger archival stamp pad, scissors, adhesive, foam dots}

paint flowers

"I perhaps owe having become a painter
to flowers."

Claude Monet


{here's to a weekend filled with lots of time to paint flowers!! enjoy!}

inspiration monday

once you've made a brand new journal, and decorated the cover, 

it's time to tackle all those blank pages inside!  if you're like me, this can be both exciting,

 and a little intimidating.....how do you know where to start?!

that's where inspiration will take the lead and remind you that the best place to start with any new project is at the beginning......

and at the Crawley house, the best place to start is the front door!
(and as a result, no more blank page!  woo hoo!)


{created in my downton diary using koi watercolor, derwent inktense pencils,
pitt pens, 6B graphite pencil, waterbrush}

paper flowers and heartstrings

i received these beautiful flowers for mother's day!  but they weren't created by Mother Nature, they were made from magazine pages by my sweet son spencer and his adorable girlfriend tatiana.  as the story goes, he was in charge of cutting the flowers and the leaves, and she was in charge of the gluing and arranging.  i think they make a fantastic team, don't you?  

and while i absolutely love the flowers,  what really tugs at my heartstrings is they shared their imagination and gave so much of their time to create this for me.....and speaking of time, our sweet daughter melissa drove a five-hour-round-trip on sunday just so i could spend the day with her!  our kids have been adults for several years now, but as a mom, i think you always keep them under your wing, no matter how old they get.....and when they give such gifts of themselves, there's no greater joy in knowing you are so abundantly blessed!

thank you to my little dutch sweetie,  melissa, spencer, and tatiana

for a truly fabulous mother's day!!  love you, xox