Good Night & Delight

I'm not sure if anything could be sweeter at this moment - I love myself some Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Back in Business

I'm baaack!  I'm so happy to be back - actually.  I've missed this space. The last few weeks have defied words - but at times have been shot through with such beauty and laughter it almost brought me to my knees.  It seems like tough times are like that - you keep on wondering why the hits keep coming - and somehow you're still you and the people you love are still the people you love - and you start to pull through.  It's a beautiful, yet heartbreaking, thing.

Let's be honest - in the past few weeks I have not had the energy or motivation to create.  It's been gone from me.  Fortunately - I always have the will to spend.  So...I just wanted to share a few classes catching my eye around the world wide web (I wonder why no one calls it that anymore?).

Patterned Paper Party by Shimelle Laine (already started - still wonderful) ~ I love her classes.

She Art 2 Workshop by Christy Tomlinson ~ I'm currently taking the first workshop and am shocked at the amount of video in the class.  It's an amazing amount of time for the cost.

Reclaiming My Time by Karen Grunberg ~ I'm a devout follower of all things KG.  I've loved her classes and highly recommend participating in ANYTHING she is doing - she's amazing.  She's changed the way I scrapbook - the way I shop.  Or - I think this needs a reframe...she's given me the tools to take control of my scrapbooking style and the way I shop.  A-MAZ-ing!

Move More Eat Well 2012 by Cathy Zielske ~ I'm wanting to make healthy changes in the next year...I'm hoping CZ and the BPC community can help me with that journey.

I have my eye on one more class...but will talk about that later.  I hope everyone is doing well and has a very happy Friday!  Finally it's Friday!  Until then...

Which Way is the Right Way?

Source Image: Morguefile.com

I try very hard to be a conscientious blogger and there has been something weighing heavily on my mind for quite some time.  Exactly what is the etiquette for posting pictures on a blog post?  If I'm posting an image of a book or product - I always assume it is okay to go ahead because it is in fact promotional and I do my best not to bad mouth any product, human being, or otherwise (in print)- unless you're someone like Lord Voldemort who is fictional and seriously has it coming.  So when I saw that Kal Barteski had started an organization/blog called Link with Love, I started to wonder about the fun pictures I use from other blogs and link back to and whether I was actually giving proper credit and respecting my fellow members in the blogosphere.

Based on a very cool flow chart found here - I should actually be emailing and asking permission to use said picture from the original producer of the image or the blogger.  At first - I thought it was a little over the top.  I'm in no way trying to pretend like this information or artwork is my own and I do my best to give credit where credit is due.  However, I have mad respect for both Kal and Ali Edwards and understand their concerns.  Apparently - there were some people out there presenting and selling their work as their own without giving credit to either Kal or Ali.  This is unconscionable to me - but still it leaves a lingering question.  So - I sent out my first email today to a lovely blogger who rocks my world to find out if I could use her images and link back to her site.  This is a whole new world for me and I think a lot of things could be changing around here.  I'm a little frightened to take on such a big issue since it will have a huge impact on the way I post here - but I'm hopeful that I'll figure out something that works for me and makes me feel good about what I'm doing here.  If you have any opinions, suggestions, or advice I would love to hear it.  Wish me luck on this new adventure.  It will require me to schedule posts more in advance - so things might get a little sparse around here while I figure it out.  There might be more random musings and less linkage - but that's where I want to be right now and I hope that's okay.

On a more random note - I tried to figure out the whole who/whom grammar nonsense and realized I have no idea which one to use -  and frankly I think most of the population doesn't know either.  I rank under a dummy on this subject because this post did absolutely nothing for me.  I'm debating using who/whom all the time.  And then...I take a deep breath and remember this isn't a grammar quiz -  and I hope to God my blog posts aren't being judged on word usage and sentence structure -  and most importantly my life's moments are way to precious to sit around wondering if I'm using the right effing pronouns when it comes to who and whom.  Take that run on sentence - grammarphobes.  Case closed.  So - I hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday.  I for one will be spending my last day in bed trying to get my throat to cooperate before attempting a training tomorrow.  Until then...

BTW: I do love grammarphobes.  They are most helpful.  It's just that...honestly,  after taking the time to figure out effect/affect - I just don't have the will or want to figure this thing out.  See previous post on laziness.  Happy Sunday to all!

Friday Fun!

I have only a few things to report today.  I've been concentrating a lot on defining a structure for this blog before school starts in just over a week!  I can't believe it.  I have really enjoyed spending time on this blog over the summer.  I've loved the opportunity to really search around for great things and to use that to create a blueprint for what's to come.  I'm happy to announce that I'm getting a lot closer to having this blog up and running with a schedule of posts.  It should be fun!  BTW: I think Tonks has enjoyed the time as well - she's used research time to sit on the printer and attacking outgoing paper.  Nice!

I don't want to leave you without a few fun finds/inspirational goodness to take a look at over the weekend.  So here it goes...

1.  Check out Jennifer McGuire's card and the explanation of the technique.  Can't wait to try it with one of my new flower stamps!

2.  Check out how Julie Fei-Fan Balzer altered prima colors to give a cool collaged look.  I LOVE her work.

3.  Check out the links to six tutorials on making paper flowers on the new Create: Blog (the new blog for Northridge Media - publisher of Cards and Scrapbook Trends).

I hope today finds you well.  Until then...

Here, There, Everywhere: Round-Up

Today is the last full day of my adventure.  I have to admit I'm a little down about leaving this amazing place.  It feels like home to me.  I've never felt at home so quickly in a new place.  I just love it.  So - I'm a little sad to be doing my last adventure post - but all great things come to an end.  Here are a few fun finds and details about my last few days.

Fun Finds
*I love this post on scraplifting from Julie Fei-Fan Balzer.  I love the idea of being a part of a scraplifting chain.  I'm going to make it my mission to figure out a way to do it.

*I'm very interested in getting this video on collaging from Julie.  It looks amazing.

*I love this layout from Piradee Talvanna.  I wish I could scrap more like her.

*I love this pinhole camera from the Engrained Etsy shop.  I'm absolutely amazed that they are functional.  Wish I knew how that worked.

*I'm in love with this Ikea lamp altered with Hambly overlays.  Love it!

Reading Corner
I've been on a bit of a reading binge over the last 48 hours.  I thought I'd share a little bit of what I'll be taking/sending home with me.

The first two books are fiction - adding them to the summer pile.  I wonder if there's any chance I'll get through both?  The last two books are for my current fascinations - baking cupcakes and writing.  I hope they're all wonderful!

So - that's it for now.  Not much more to report around here.  I have a box to mail home - I always buy too much when I'm away.  I need to take a quick trip to a craft store then back home.  I hope everyone is having a wonderful Thursday.  Until then...

BTW: I'm going to take a short vacation from blogging but I will be going at full force on Monday.  Have a great weekend!

Here, There, Everywhere - Part Deux

Good morning!  Once again I have a few fun things to share with you today.  This is going to be a link/picture/word heavy post.  I hope everyone enjoys! :)

Not Sure What to Do Here!
I'm back with three stamps to share from my personal stash that have me completely stumped.  I'm not sure where the disconnect is happening in my right brain - I wish I could fix it.  Let's start with one more Memory Box stamp.

Inspire Butterfly Collage - Memory Box

I think this stamp is absolutely beautiful.  I made one bookmark with it for a friend from work - but that's where it all ended.  I've tried multiple things - coloring, painting, twinkling H2Os, and distress inks - but to no avail.  So - once again I started searching!  Before I start posting links - I just want to give a plug to the Memory Box website.  They have amazing examples and tutorials to help people like me out. So without further ado...

*Spring Greens Card - Memory Box (with instructions)

*Inspired by a Butterfly Card - Memory Box (with instructions)

*Enchanted Butterfly Collage - Dave Brethauer (tutorial)

*Sponge Inspired Butterfly - Create x 3 (instructions)

Meredith the Teacup Girl - Stamping Bella

Scarlet the Teacup Girl - Stamping Bella

I love these stamps so much.  They're whimsical, fun, and cute.  My favorite thing is that the sweet girls in the images lend themselves to different skin colors - which is pretty much perfection in my book.  So - why in the eff can't I color either one of them to my satisfaction?  I've had this stamp since April and have pitched every attempt at coloring each image - maybe they're too cute.  Who the heck knows - but if you haven't noticed, it's really pissing me off.  So the search began - and I gotta be honest, I'm a little more frustrated by how cool people can make them look.

*Meredith the Teacup Girl - Paper Expressions Blog - I absolutely love the black embossed hair!

*Meredith the Teacup Girl - Jackie Pedro

*Meredith the Teacup Girl - Jodi Collins - I love the clear embossing

*Scarlet the Teacup Girl - Kay's Crafty Corner

*Scarlet the Teacup Girl - Jackie Pedro

*Scarlet the Teacup Girl - Karen Motz

*Scarlet the Teacup Girl - Jodi Collins

Lots of inspiration.  Lots of cool coloring.  Hope I have a little inspiration to color one of the girls up nice today. We'll see!  If you hear the loudest swearing ever - don't worry - it's just me.  :)

Product Love

To be honest, I hadn't planned on doing another product love today.  I thought I had unloaded enough product yumminess yesterday - but not so much.  Only one thing to share today from one of my favorite stamping companies.  

Lizzy Lollipop - Stamping Bella

Meet Lizzy Lollipop from Stamping Bella.  I absolutely love all things bee.  I love bees so much that I've planned to someday get a tattoo of a cupcake with a flower top with a bumblebee buzzing around it.  Love bumblebees - all of them down to the transformer.  But I digress...I have a little confession to make.  I never noticed this stamp on the Stamping Bella site until I saw this card.  I just love what Jeanie Witmer did with this image.  I also loved this card by Paula Tracy.  Just love this image - it must be mine!

Fun Finds & Inspiration

*Check out these new fringe scissors from Fiskars.  I'm still trying to wrap my head around using them.

*I love this Art Grid Calendar from Paper Source.  This is a great product for it's utilitarian function and for making art prints later.  I LOVE the trees.

*I love the design of this kitchen by Sarah Richardson from Sarah's House on HGTV.  I love her style so much.  For more Sarah Richardson love - check out this Elements of Style post.

*I love the colors in this Double Torsade Necklace from Anthropologie.

*I love these invitations from Minted on the Green Wedding Shoes blog.

*Check out this tutorial from Operation Write Home's blog on Paper Punch People.  So cute.

*Check out this sponging technique from Paula Tracy - so great!

*Check out this great canvas art from Lucy Edson - love it!

*I'm in love with Design Sponge's post on nurseries.  I love all things design and this post really hit the spot!

So believe it or not - that's almost it for now.  I still haven't done my daily search for CHA sneak peeks so there might be another post a little later.  Before I go - I wanted to leave you with a tip and a cool resource.  

Tip: When looking at fun blogs on paper crafting be sure to take a deeper look.  Jodi Collins's cards are definitely in the running for my favorite cards of all time.  I love everything about her blog.  I often look at it and want to flog myself for not being so creative.  Recently - I started trying to look at things a little differently.  While Jodi Collins is an amazing artist - there is something more to take from her posts then just envy.  I've started to look more closely at the structure of the card to take away a sketch or the layering of patterned papers.  This has given me even more ideas/sketch resources and has helped my shaken ego a little. :)

Cool Resource: Check out Beate (pronounced mia-ta like the car) Johns blog.  She has great video tutorials on her blog.  

Hodgepodge

Source - morguefile.com

As promised - here are the fun finds I've located in the last two days.

*Video on highlighting images from Jennifer McGuire.

*Great post by Julie Fei-Fan Balzer on overworking layouts - I'm totally guilty of this pretty much ALL THE TIME.

*I love Tiffany Johnson's take on the new cityscape stamp from Hero Arts.

*Totally in love with Katie Watson's take on the new chipboard bumblebee mini album fro Maya Road.  I absolutely love all things bee related.

*Speaking of bees - I love Larissa Albernaz's scrapbook layout.

*Love the background on the second card from this post at The Classroom.  I love the layering and the dandelion frame background stamp from Hero Arts.

*Love this card on The Spotted Chick blog.  I want to attempt to color one my lollipops on kraft paper.  I might have just a little left!

*I love using the lined image for a card as seen on the second card on this post on Cards By Kerry.  I always color my images - love the beautiful simplicity of using the line drawing.

*I love the rose cupcakes on the Cupcakes Take the Cake blog - wondering how I can create that on paper.

*Love this video on Green Wedding Shoes documenting a really fun proposal.  Also makes me think that anyone who doesn't think graffiti is art is deluding themselves.  I wonder how they make those perfect circles.  Hmmmm.

*Love the interior and exterior design of this cupcake shoppe on the "Oh Joy!" blog.   Isn't that the cutest trailer ever!

*Can't wait to listen to this new podcast when I'm reunited with my iTunes.

*I think these cupcake plates are divine.  BTW - Did you notice the illustrations on this blog - exactly like the cuppie stamps at Taylored Expressions.

*The food and recipes on the Taste Spotting blog look so yummy.  I'm not sure who searches all over the internet for these recipes but I'm thankful for them!

I hope this has been an inspiring post on some of the things I think are fantastic right now.  Tomorrow I will be back with the CHA sneak peeks that are currently making me drool.  Hope everyone has a great afternoon/evening.  Until then...

P.S. Sorry the pics from my first post of the day weren't stellar.  I was using an unfamiliar camera.

Need. Coffee. Right. Now. Please.

Source: MorgueFile.com

It's Friday and frankly - I'm exhausted.  I'm not getting good sleep on my adventure at all.  I spent most of the morning trying to tame my mane so I'm a little late getting to the computer - which is a real drain sucker.  I'm really married to my routine - I even have a layout about it. Getting out of that routine drains my enthusiasm - even for this little blog I love - but I will keep on pushing forward.  Warning - this blog post is going to be all over the place.  I hope you find something of interest here today.

Process
I'm really interested in watching creative people's process - both artists and crafters.  The beauty of blogging and connecting in this way is the ability to see each person's process and things that bring them joy/inspiration.  I'm never disappointed when I see a post on process.  Here are three of my favorites right now.

*Geninne's Art Blog (Posts from Friday, June 9 to Thursday, June 15, 2010) - This piece is so beautiful.  I really wish I was her sister Kiki - then this piece of art would be mine.

*Michelle Zindorf's Freedom in Creativity Blog - Really not sure how she does it.  Even with all the great picture and instructions.  I need help!

*Ali Edwards's "I love you today because..." mini album - I admire Ali's style a lot.  It's not anything like mine at all.

Fun Finds
*Stampington Company - Tempting Templates - templates to make fun projects like houses, purses, etc. with paper and fabric.

*Stampington & Company - The Studio - great reference for tutorials on art projects similar to what is represented in their publications.

*Stampington & Company - Video Library - video tutorials on multiple projects.

*Great tutorial by Kirstina Werner on creative use of ribbon on cards.  Love it.

Color Inspiration
I love bold colors and patterns.  I gravitate to greens, yellows, and blues, but am open to almost anything.  I love the bold colors used by these three artists.

*Sankari Wegman

*Michelle Clement

*Larissa Albernaz

That's it for now.  No big plans today.  I'm not feeling so great so I'll probably play it pretty close to the chest today.  I hope everyone has a good day.  Until then...

Off the Map

I've always tried to make a plan for this blog.  And to be honest - I do better when I have some structure to work with.  Now it's time to go off the map.  Why do you ask?  Mainly because I spend a good 2-3 hours each day checking my regular blogs and allowing myself to go where they take me.  This is a luxury I have during the summer.  And I have found a lot to be happy about.  Consequently, I will be blogging more than once a day for a while.  At least I think I will be blogging more than once a day.  Since I'm not on my own computer - another reason to get a laptop - I need to post what I find during my current adventure.  So without futher ado - I bring you Artsyville.

O Coffee Bean

Nice to Meet You

The artist's name is Aimee and she is absolutely fantastic.  I've always wanted to take a stab at mixing words with images in short story form.  I have it written down in one of my idea books.  In my wildest dreams - I don't believe I could have come up with something as beautiful as this.  Let me take you on a long trip of my favorites from this wonderful Etsy shop.

*Nice to Meet You, Identity, Unlearning, Bewitched by Books, Secret Door, & Do the Duty - these all speak to my life or my thought processes in a meaningful way.

*Teach What You Love and Mind Boggling Business - I want these in my office at school.

*Escaping on Paper and Creative Fire - both prints speak to my love of paper and pursuit to be creative.

Love everything about this artist.  Love her message.  Love her typography.  Love her art.  So much.

CHA Finds
*American Crafts - City Park - Love the felt embellishments so much.

*Cosmo Cricket - Togetherness - Love the curly letters and tiny type.

*Unity Stamps - Cosmo Cricket Lines - I love Togetherness Icons, Togetherness Families, Pixie-licious Fairies, & Pixie-licious Blooms

*Prima - The Paisley Road Collection - love the bright colors and patterns.

Scroll down for the first post of the day. :)

Fun Finds

Good morning!  I'm feeling a little under the weather today but have some interesting things to share.  At least I hope they're interesting.  I wanted to take today as an opportunity to share some of the fun things circulating in my little piece of the crafty world.

*I'm a big sucker for any kind of craft video.  Check out Live with Prima for video classes with master scrapbookers/designers/mixed-media artists to learn all kinds of fun techniques.  Both Julie Fei-Fan Balzer and Donna Downey are regular instructors.

*Speaking of videos and Donna Downey - check out her Inspiration Wednesday videos here for some mixed-media goodness.

*I envy Jodi Collins's style so much.  Love the way she made a Twilight card that is fun, cute, and fabulous.  It's a very cool take on the movie.  And let's just face it - I love cupcakes and I LOVED Eclipse.

*I have a real affinity for cool buildings and this did not disappoint.  

*Are these not the cutest cookies you've ever seen?  I love shortbread and buttons.  It's a total no-brainer.

*I found these amazing, unconventional wedding invitations on Green Wedding Shoes.  I love them so much.  Not that I'm getting married anytime soon.  Just love the typography and the non-traditional take on an invitation.

*I love this card from the Spotted Chick.  Love the stamped image and the little black dress.  Not to mention the subject matter speaks to me pretty loudly.

*Totally in love with this sketch.  Looking forward to scrapbooking it when I'm reunited with my supplies.

*Love this printer's tray.  I want one so much.

*So inspired by this tutorial on Lolly Chops.  Her blog has great projects to try.  Can't seem to wrap my head around some of them - but I've revving up to give at least one a try.  

Today: Plans to walk to the nearest store and pick up some steaks for dinner.  My sister makes the best rib eyes.  I plan to craft just a little.  My mojo seems to have gotten lost somewhere in this town.  I'm sure it'll come back to me soon.  In the meantime - I've been coloring and have fallen in love with a new color scheme.  More on that later.  I also plan to do some reading.  Nice, lazy, summer day.  Can't beat it anywhere.  Hope everyone has a great Tuesday.  Until then...

BTW: Another great photo from morguefile.com.

Fun Finds

Good morning.  I've been talking about making things a little more structured on the blog and giving it some of the focus it had when it started.  Fun Finds is one of my attempts to bring structure.  So, how does it work?  It's pretty simple.  I spend a lot of time on blogs and creative sites - especially during the summer. I find a lot of cool things; new products, tutorials, techniques, blogs, etc. that I want to share on my blog.  In the past I've put the blogs in the sidebar and the products in product love posts.  Product love posts will continue - but I'll be sharing some of my other fun finds in this new way.  I also have a Fun Finds category for blogs on the sidebar.  These blogs will eventually end up in their respective category to make room for more fun finds.  I'm very excited about this new change!  So without further ado - let's get started!

*A Million Memories had a blog hop over the weekend.  Each of their design team members created a tutorial as part of the hop.  I especially loved the tutorials here and here.  Let me just say one more thing - Larissa Albernaz rocked the tutorial.  I can barely wrap my head around her project - love it!  This star wand would be a cool project to do with kids.

*52 Lists - Sherri Pellitier has started a project to complete 52 lists in one year.  The project is based on Emily Falconbridge's mini art journaling project - 52Q - and Listography books.  There's also a Flickr group for participants.  What I like about this challenge is it's an opportunity to tell the story of you in a creative way.  Also, it is a time capsule of sorts.  It would be interesting to do something like this every 10 years.  Even though it's a mini art journaling challenge - the lists can be done in a variety of mediums.  So cool.

*Speaking of art journals...I always think of paint, sketching, layers, and collage when I hear or see the word art journals.  Christine Middlecamp has a great art journal that turns my perceptions on their ear - great examples are here and here.

*Ideas for Scrapbookers - Cool site with sketches, techniques and tutorials.  A lot of great ideas and information on this blog.  So glad I found it!

*Check out Clips-n-Cuts Weekend Videos.  I love any chance to learn techniques and see how other crafters work.

*Check out Agata Dag's Flickr photostream.  She makes amazing cards and has opened me up to the idea of using kraft cardstock as a base for coloring images.  So cool.  My particular favorites are here, here, and here.  It is my mission to learn how she made the last card!

So - that's it for now.  I hope these links were interesting.  I will be on the lookout for more as the week goes by.  Not sure how often this post will be happening - but it's sure fun to do - from research to publishing!  Hope everyone has a great Monday!  Until then...

BTW:  Picture inspired by another fun find befunky.com.

Humpday Challenge

It feels so good to write that title - it's been a long time since I've posted a humpday challenge.  Not much to report here.  I'm dealing with quite a bit of stress right now but I'm working hard to stay positive.  I have a really simple card to share with you today.  I completed the challenge from the Stamp Something blog.  I used a stamped image from Hero Arts and paper from Cosmo Cricket.

I also have some fun finds to share from the blog world.  I love to search for new ideas, techniques, and interesting artists.  I found four wonderful blogs yesterday - one for the second time around.  I added three to the links on the side!  I liked them so much. :)

*Smile and Wave by Rachel Denbow

*Polka Dot Robot by Vivianna

*Freckled Nest by Leigh-Ann

*Freedom in Creativity by Michelle Zindorf

I want to make a very large plug to Michelle's site.  She is an expert in brayering techniques and has over 290 tutorials on her blog.  Definitely a must see.  So that's it for now.  I hope everyone has a lovely Wednesday.  Until then...Happy Crafting!