creative threads

 my fingers got a little restless for something a little different,
so i pulled out my needle and thread and this darling sampler
by charlotte lyons.....i think it will be the perfect weekend project!

xox


{you can find this sampler here in charlotte's etsy shop!}

inspiration monday

i've discovered that one of the quickest ways to find inspiration is to pick out 

three or four of your favorite colors, open your art journal,  

and just start making some marks!

because once you start doodling around,  fun things start to happen.....

and before you know it,  you're painting happy little blue flowers.....

and inviting sweet little blue butterflies......

to join you in your very own doodled-blue-garden!

favorite colors + doodling around =  journal page inspiration!
:))


{this little blue garden was created in my wings journal using
derwent inktense pencils, waterbrush, micron pens, and a 4B graphite pencil}

word power.....and giveaway winner

i wish i could tell you how much inspiration i find in each one

of your sweet comments.....they truly make me feel jubilant!

you are all creative rock stars,  

and i SO appreciate all of your bloggy love!

the random integer chose number 39....

so, the recipient of the creative lettering giveaway book is

fran pascazio!

woo hoo!

thank you SO much for your overwhelming response!  

you are the bloggy best!!!

xox

{if you'd like to join in another giveaway,

my friend martha has a creative lettering book that she's offering,
along with copies of her fabulous versal exemplars,

so head on over and put your name in the hat.....

you can find her here!}

inspiration monday.....and a giveaway!

a little over a year ago i received an invitation from 

the very talented jenny doh asking if i'd like to participate in her upcoming book,

"creative lettering".  

well,  it took me about 30 seconds to send her my response!

and now after a lot of hard work from her design team,  publishers, and

 all the other contributing artists,  this dream has become a reality! 

i am absolutely giddy-as-a-schoolgirl,  and so very honored to have 

my artwork appear with these 15 fabulously brilliant lettering artists!

(one of whom is my very dear friend martha lever!)

inside,  there's a reminder to always follow your heart, 

and my little thumbuds even make an appearance..... 

along with one of my favorite quotes by benjamin franklin.

but the best part of all is i'm in the mood to celebrate, and
i have an extra book that i'd like to share with you!
so let's give our monday a shot of inspiration
with a creative lettering giveaway!!

:))

to enter, all you have to do is leave a comment here on this post 
(just one per person, please!) by 10:00 p.m. EST on wednesday,  february 20th. 
a name will be chosen using the random integer, 
and i'll announce it on thursday, february 21st. 
please make sure that your comment either links back to 

your blog, or you leave your e-mail so i can contact you if your name is chosen!

(this giveaway is open to all bloggy sweeties who are 18 years of age or older.)

{you can read more information about "creative lettering" here,

along with a list of the other contributing artists!}

edited:  comments for the giveaway are now closed!   thank you!

the way to my heart

whether it's candy coated.....

or slathered over a salty pretzel......

or paired up with peanut butter.....

or disguised as a little chip.....

or in a simple foil wrapper.....

chocolate will always be the way to my heart!

sending you big, big choco-hugs,

and wishing you all things that make your heart happy!

enjoy your Valentine's Day,  sweet bloggy friends!

xox

inspiration monday

now that all the pages in my "elvie journal" are filled,  it's time to create a new

journal!  but this time,  i'd like to do something a little different,  and the great thing

about putting together your own journal is there really are no rules!

 you can use any paper you like, and fold as many pages as you want......

you can add your own artwork to the cover

 (for mine,  i've taken inspiration from my "orange journal").....

you can sew it together however you like

using your favorite color of thread.....

and once you're finished,  you can add any artwork you want
to all those fabulous pages inside!
voila......your very own custom journal!


{this "wings journal" was created using davey board,  
scrapbook paper,  silvertone eyelets,  waxed linen thread,  
140 lb. fabriano artistico HP and CP paper,
pitt pens,  pan pastels,  8B graphite pencil,  
and winsor&newton workable fixative}


{if you'd like to learn how to create your own
coptic journal with a sturdy watercolor paper cover,
please join me over at creative workshops 
for my "life stuff" online class!  you can read more here!}

winter's masterpiece

ice.
it's water frozen in time.  
it's white,  it's blue,  it's a million shades of gray. 
it's fun to skate on,  but not to drive on.
when it catches the sun, it sparkles like diamonds.
it's beyond freezing cold 
(like no-feeling-left-in-your-fingers-and-toes kind of cold).
it's winter's crowned jewel.
it's mother nature's masterpiece....

and it's so tremendously beautiful.

inspiration monday

sometimes i'm down-right terrified of a blank page.....

there's just so much blank.

and then i remember that when you follow your heart, 

blank pages invite possibility.....

and inspiration.....

and blank-page-miracles!


"Believe in miracles.  In a world where research is the basis for drawing conclusions and
reason is rewarded, allow yourself to believe the unbelievable in life.  The word itself,
miracle, often seems magical or childish.  But don't let the unexplainable just slip by without 
at least a nod of recognition.  Believing in miracles allows these experiences to be much
more valuable.  Help them along by allowing your imagination to get involved."
Carolyn Rubenstein


{artwork finished in my walls notebook using pitt artist pens, pan pastel,
derwent inktense pencils, 8B graphite pencil}