A Friend in need

So here's the deal. We all get creative block of some kind or another. It stinks. What do you do when you feel like giving up? Tell a friend, a friend will be there to encourage (& push lol). 

My uber talented friend Natasha Connolly is thinking she may stop scrapbooking. Gasp. Please don't fall off your chair. Sometimes we all reach the point in a hobby when we are fulfilled or ready to do something different. 

 ( my layout of the 2 of us last summer)

I couldn't let her separate from her scrappy life without a last burst of creative momentum at the crop she is attending this weekend. So I challenged her. 

I know she has 2 large pizza boxes perfect for packing, and oversize ziplock baggies. Suggested she get photos in order (or at least know orientation and size she plans on using) and pack 30 page kits, including sketches. 

Oh there's more...

She has to: 

1. Use a product she was so in love with long ago, but drifted apart from. 

2. Create a layout with hearts.

3. Travel the galaxy. Could be as simple as stars, or a misty background reminiscent of the Milky Way. 

4. Journal heavy. Could be short, but heavy in meaning; or long story. 

5. Find inspiration in her fellow retreaters. I know some of the ladies in attendance, they are fabulous. Crazy talent. Talk to them, look at their work, and let them inspire you, and follow where it leads. 

My hope is Natasha either rekindles her joy in scrapbooking, or goes out with a bang. And invites me to her yard sale. 

In all seriousness, it's what I hope a friend will do for me when I lose my way creatively. 

That's what friends are for, to help us along the way on the path of life. 

Check back to our blogs to see the outcome. Better still, join the challenge yourself, leave a comment to let me know your blog or email and I will link you up too!

Enjoy!

Mini book madness

With my upcoming yard sale, and closure of the coffee shop, I am preparing mini books for sale. I am having so much fun working on them. The paper parts are complete, but the embellishments are yet to be added. Here's a sampling of some I have done.  What do you think so far?

All at once

*Crop Circles spoiler* don't want to ruin sbd reveal? Stop where you are and bookmark for later!
 

 

Blogging beside these flowers from my garden,

and a homework completing Missy B.

I know, I know, I haven't been blogging. 

With being busy, yard sale preparation, and a stomach bug, I haven't sat with coffee in hand to type an entry. 

That doesn't mean I haven't been working on projects...

I made three yoga may bags (similar to this post) for sale.  
 

 

 I am working on simple mini albums to sell. 
They will range in style in price,
but I have yet to complete a full one (or take photos). 
Y'all know I work in stages. 

The Crop Circles "same but different" hosted by Kymberly.

 I based mine on the lovely work of Prima Artist Finnabair.

 

 

To make this I simply kept layering and adding pieces until it felt right.

Once I was happy with the arrangement, I gave it all a coat of Gesso.

 

The seed beads look fantastic, but were a royal pain in the neck.

  

 Once I let the Gesso dry (normally I heat gun to dry, but let it air dry this time) I added Ranger Distress inks and stain, Tattered Angels mists, and Smooch spritz. I blended and brushed the sprays, and even poured it on instead of spritzing in some spots.

 

This project is great for those misters that have barely enough liquid left to spray, but too precious to toss in the trash. 
 

My sewing machine has also been incredibly busy.

 Aprons for the kindergarten concert,
 

 

clutch wallets (similar to these, from this pin with alterations),

 

and Christmas stockings.

 

Have you seen Tim Holtz's Eclectic Elements?

Oh my. I want it all!

Can you imagine the purses, yoga bags, skirts, stockings, tree skirts, mini albums ...

 

I still have another day to clean

 and create before it's time to go to work again.

Hope you had a great long weekend. 

Enjoy!

Handmade presents!

I love getting handmade presents!
Giving them however is a different story. I feel as though they won't be enough or of the value that a gift should be.
This year my friend Alison had a special birthday (I'm not telling the number) and said her present from me had to be handmade.
So I stayed up all night and made the yellow bag in the first 2 photos (sorry, phone posting). Warren wasn't as impressed as I was with my colour choices.
I found a different fabric, and in 2.5 hours I had the finished project with a day to spare. She loved the orange bag, and said she would have liked what is now known affectionately as "the ugly yellow bag".
I plan to whip some up to sell in the coffee shop, or online, who knows.
Enjoy!