inspiration monday....and an artsyville giveaway!

if you've ever received a goodie package from aimee over at artsyville, then you already know that delightful-giddy feeling you get from the moment you pull it from your mailbox.  so when her brand new washi tapes arrived, i was absolutely giggly-giddy, because not only has aimee picked such cute names for these sweet little gems, these are the colors of pure happiness!  and when it comes to washi projects, i say "let's play"!

idea #1:  how about taking a small cork square....
(this one is cut to 10"x10")

and jazzing it up with a piece of scrapbook paper and
some strips of "secret garden" washi tape!
now you've got a decorative canvas just waiting for some more artsy-goodies!

idea #2:
here's a little brown paper gift bag cutesyfied with aimee's "jolly town" washi tape.....
 tuck pizza delivery coupons and other fun stuff inside for your new neighbors!

idea #3: create a cute gift tag for someone special
using the "creative fire" washi tape and your favorite markers!

idea #4:
 here's a sweet little banner using the "happy trails" and "love charms" tape,
shipping tag remnants, chalk stamp pads, cotton string,  and micron pens.

and now my decorated cork square looks super happy, super colorful,
super playful, and super artsyvilled!

{idea #5:  of course, you probably knew i couldn't resist adding some more adhesive joy
to a page in my journal!  this "wild vine" tape makes the perfect roof for my little house,
and i somehow think that jane austen would love it, too!}

{supplies:  moleskine journal, derwent inktense pencils, pan pastel, pitt pens, 4B pencil,
artsyville wild vine washi tape}

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

now here's the best part.....aimee has generously offered to send one of you bloggy sweeties one roll of each design of her cute and colorful washi tapes!!  that's a total of six rolls of wonderful washis!!  woo hoo!!   all you have to do to receive aimee's washi tapes is leave a comment here on this post (just one per person, please!) by 10:00 p.m. EST on wednesday, september 18th.  one recipient will be chosen using the random generator, and i'll announce it here on my blog on thursday, september 19th!  please make sure 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.)


and be sure to check out these other lovely blogs because they're all participating in aimee's blog hop, and some of their giveaways are still open, so sign up there, too!

Monday, September 9  Rachel Awes  http://allididwaslisten.blogspot.com

Tuesday, September 10 Joanne Sharpe http://joannezsharpe.blogspot.com

Wednesday, September 11 Jill Berry http://jillberrydesign.com

Thursday, September 12 Lindsay Hopkins http://www.penandpaintblog.com

Friday, September 13 Traci Bunkers http://www.tracibunkers.com/blog

Monday, September 16 Lori Vliegen http://elviestudio.blogspot.com

Tuesday, September 17  Raine Boyd http://www.limetreefruits.com

Wednesday, September 18 Samie Harding http://www.journalgirl.com

Thursday, September 19 Carolyn Dube http://www.acolorfuljourney.com

Friday, September 20 Tammy Garcia http://daisyyellowart.com

edited:  comments are now closed....thank you SO much for participating! xox

joy in the heart

a quick google search will reveal lots and lots of
different ways to use washi tape.....

but i must admit that one of my very favorite ways to use it
is on a journal page!

it's like instant, happy, adhesive art, and watching it come together with
some fun letterforms definitely puts joy in my heart!  :))

{speaking of joyful adhesive art,  please join me for next week's "inspiration monday" 
for details about an artsyville washi giveaway!  woo hoo!}


{supplies:  moleskine journal, pitt pens, pan pastel, 3B graphite pencil,
artsyville "love charms" washi tape, derwent inktense fuchsia pencil}

inspiration monday

the other day i found myself staring blankly at a stark white journal page.   as i was struggling to overcome "blank page syndrome" i noticed some washi tapes sitting on my desk, and i discovered they were just the inspiration i was looking for!
here's what i decided to do.....

i chose three of my favorite washi tapes, 

and i divided my page into three blocks using a micron pen.

next, i laid down a piece of washi tape in one of the blocks.....

and then i drew a doodle similar to the design on the tape.

these curly-ques reminded me of waves on the ocean, so i painted a little sailboat.....
and now i can float away on the red sea! 

for my next block, i laid my washi tape in a different direction and

decided to draw something a bit abstract.

i love the contrast between the straight lines on the tape and the
wavy painted lines!

for my third block,  i laid my tape around the edges of the paper,  and 

then i decided to draw whatever was on my mind at the time.....

proving once again that choc-o-late really does go with everything!

this was tons of fun, and once you get started,
your imagination will take you to all sorts of places!
inspiration can disguise itself as all kinds of things.....
and it might even be as close as your favorite art supply!
:))

{these journal blocks were created in my moleskine journal using assorted washi tapes,
derwent inktense pencils, micron pens, 4B graphite pencil}


******

speaking of blocks, i recently had the pleasure of crossing online paths with a very talented artist named kevin coffel,  and he works with wooden blocks!  kevin is a very talented woodworker who uses reclaimed materials, and not only has he created a wonderful way to help others tell their story, he has also taken it to the next level through a venture that begins with kickstarter.  i love his idea, and i totally admire his moxie and all the hard work involved in turning his dream into a reality.  you can learn more about kevin and his "modulosi" project here....and if you feel inspired to join him in the adventure, i know he would really appreciate your support!  :))