In the Studio...Musings

This painting covers the heart of what the Adventure Journal is all about. An online notebook to cover all of the adventures and ideas that I come across. I painted this over the weekend. I love the texture that I can get from the dimensional paint when it dries. I used the idea from Kelly Rae Roberts book to collage using a sewing pattern (that forms the base of the painting). Sadly, since I can't really sew, I had to actually purchase the pattern...

I hope you like the paintings. Even though most of the ideas were taken from things that I have found online, it takes a lot to post them.

Inspired By...

Donna Downey's Inspiration Journals. The video instructions are sold here. So Awesome! I made my own with fabric from my stash. Or you can also buy them here. It's a great place to keep inspiration of all types tucked inside. I love it! Thanks for the awesome idea, Donna!

Create-Valentine Book

This is a Valentine book that I made this week. The basic directions can be found here. Ali Edwards has some awesome directions. I used the Bind-it-All 1.0 to bind the book when I was finished. I also used the Making Memories paper line "Sabrina." The circle punched Valentine embellishments are from designer digitals here.

Ali's Love Circles are pretty awesome because Ali includes a .pdf form so that you can print and go without even opening Photoshop Elements (unless you want to...) It was super fun and easy and fast to pull together. Loved using a 12x12 transparency cut into 4 6x6 sheets and sewing them. Sweet! Happy early Valentine's Day!!! More inspiration tomorrow-I have been busy in the studio this week!

New Blog Header

I am really excited! This is my first try at creating my own blog header and I love it! I spent some time painting in the studio this weekend and the background is from part of one of the paintings that I created. Yay! Loving the warm weather today {22 degrees ABOVE zero instead of below-pretty sweet!} Have a great rest of your weekend!

Does it get any better than this?

What could be better than Star Trek Pez? I mean really. This is probably the BEST birthday present I have ever received. No kidding! Why? Not because I collect Pez, and not because I particularly like to eat it. Because I LOVE Star Trek. No doubt. When Weird Al sings, "The only question I ever thought was hard, was do I like Kirk (Captain Kirk) or do I like Picard (Captain Picard-Next Generation)?" in the song White and Nerdy-I am so there. Although I do kind of lean more towards Jean-Luc Picard. Anyway-the Pez. Sweet. Thank you so much to my sister-for knowing EXACTLY what I would want! Thanks, Sari! Love ya.

More Inspiration for 2009 {Innovate}

I love these Heidi Swapp Mirror Albums! I created an album of quotes about creativity and how to be more creative. I will post more photos later. Happy Thursday and stay warm!

Real Birds

I learned over the weekend that 3 families of Cardinals hang out in the trees outside my bedroom window between 10 and 11 am. I don't usually look out this window unless I'm in bed, so I never noticed it before. Isn't he handsome? Happy Wednesday!

Birds and Snow

2 of my favorite things. I love love love these birds from a kit that I bought on Jenni Bowlin's website. Unfortunately, when I went to post the link to order them, they were sold out.

The first bird is attached to a transparency in the Junk Binder that I made using a pdf from Janet Hopkins Etsy shop. And the other is so cute that I just couldn't bear to put it inside anything. It is sitting out in my studio leaning up against a photo of my husband and I. It is snowing like crazy outside right now. Yay! Bundle up and Stay warm!

More One Word Inspiration

I have my word plastered all over my studio. Well, ok, maybe not ALL over the studio, but I am using my word, Innovate, in many of my projects. This is the front cover of my organizer, reminding me to remember my word...and the year... Stay warm-it's gonna be a cold one in Iowa tonight!

Silly String Fight

This is a candid photo of a silly string fight in progress in my living room in December. Yes, you bet they cleaned it up after they were done. Fun to see them playing together though. With something that cost a couple bucks. Guess I can return those more expensive gifts...

Mom's Notebook

This is a notebook that I created for my Mom using the Bind-it-All that she was generous enough to buy me for Christmas! I made pages for the inside using regular white cardstock and then I printed wallet size photos on my printer from our celebration back home. Good times!

One Word

My word for 2009. So tell me, is it obsessive compulsive to take 10 photos of a word that I've written down on a piece of paper in order to get the one shot with just the right lighting and focus? Probably. It may depend on the person... Anyway, the reason I chose my word. Innovate...Create...I am looking for ways to be more creative in all areas of my life. To come up with new and innovative ways to solve problems. To think before reacting and find an innovative approach to my reaction. I am looking forward to incorporating my word into my daily life. Happy Monday-ooohh and I almost forgot-Happy Birthday to me!

Happy New Year!

Hello 2009!
It is so nice to see you!
I have big plans for you, so we should get started right away!