Fabulous Finds!

I am a collector of all things Paper Crafting related. Not just the stuff you find in the LSS or other craft store, but all kinds of trinkets and treasures. I look for stuff everywhere and recycle all kinds of cool things for my projects. The photo is a couple of examples. The metal buckle was taken from my 3 year old daughters blue jeans. It was a belt and to tell you the truth I'm not sure why you would want a belt on a young child's pants with as fast as they sometimes have to use the bathroom! So I take them off and use the pieces in my Paper crafting. The ribbon in the picture is from a candle package, wrapped neatly around the outside. I took it off and am adding it to my ribbon collection! Anyway, I challenge you to start looking at containers, clothing, and all items in a new way to discover what you can recycle for use in your Paper Crafting!

Inspiration...another look!

So I spoke of inspiration on the blog in an earlier post. Well, as I stated inspiration is all around us and with that in mind I want to share some recent inspiration I discovered.

My family and I went to the Mall of America in Minneapolis this past weekend for a several days of family fun. The amusement park in the center of the mall is being remodeled and it will now be a Nickelodeon theme park. They were busy adding the characters on rides and building new rides and buildings as well. So I got a lot of inspiration seeing the new colors they are adding and the new lines of all the construction projects. Anyway, I now have a couple of new layout ideas based on the inspiration in that area!

Also as we were walking through the mall there is just tons of inspiration! Colors, store window displays, signage, and something I had not thought much about before...people! Just looking at what people wear or how their hair is done, maybe their jewelry, just inspires me.

So I just wanted to say after being away for several days to make sure you are looking for that inspiration where ever you go! Even in places you don't think you will find it, there it will be!

Altering items

I can't even begin to tell you how much I enjoy altering items. I have altered so many things! Sometimes I am very challenged by how to alter a particular item but I think that is what I love the most....the challenge! I find my items to alter in many places such as rummage sales, the thrift store, flea markets, or the local craft store. So my challenge to you is to find something you have layout around the house and alter it! It could be as simple as altering a can of hairspray! But just find something and give it a try!

Color

Color is all around us....everywhere! There have been studies done on color which link it to feelings, moods, and personality type. Color plays a major role in each of our lives whether we really think about it or not. From the clothes we choose each day, to balancing the meals we prepare, to what types of paint and furnishing go in our rooms.

Scrapbooking is no exception. Just think of the choices we make with color each time we scrapbook. Yet I seem to take it for granted in my every day life. So today I am going to really give color some thought as I move about my daily routine and life and really think about how many things I do are about color. Today I am going to appreciate color!

Layouts

Sometimes you create a layout and you think, "oh, that's nice." Other times you create one and you think, "what was I thinking"? Then there are days when you create one and you say, "wow, did I do that"?

This layout is one of those where I wonder if I did it? It is different from much of my work, and I honestly think my style is beginning to change some. I love the soft and elegant look of the layout, and of course the photo is the highlight as it should be! I have to give my sister Sharon credit for the photo. She is a fantastic photographer and took this picture along with many others that I have used on my pages. I have learned a bit from her and have such a long way to go!

I challenge you to do something different today. Try to vary your style, or try to take a photo from a different perspective than usual, or try to use different papers and embellishments than you would normally use. I always get so inspired by moving out of my comfort zone!

Anyway, here is to a variety of layouts and to watching your style change as you continue on your scrapbooking journey!

Word albums

For any of you that have completed a word bloom book, here is one in clear acrylic. This one is made by Clear Scraps and they have just released these at CHA 08! I used Cosmo Cricket Hey Sugar collection to create this Love album. I really enjoy going back and forth from creating a clear page to creating a solid page! You can add so many things to these albums and you will see the ribbon on the book rings as well as some bling. I also used A Cosmo Cricket rub on down the side of the "v" page. You will see both white and brown stamping in various places throughout the book. This adds nice dimension and interest to the pages.

Altered items

Well, CHA is almost here and I have been up to my eyeballs in product creating projects for manufacturer booths. I tell you that I completely love the excitement, deadlines, and project work before the trade shows! I get so enthused and inspired by the new product which always pushes me to new levels of creativity. Stay tuned because I will continue to post some of the projects I created for CHA.

Today I will share with you an altered item I created for Cosmo Cricket. This was a clock I picked up on clearance at Hobby Lobby for $2.99. It was missing one metal leg and I just removed the other 3 and altered in using the brand new Cosmo Cricket Fleuriste line of papers and embellishments. I love the new blackboard chipboard!

Inspiration

Do you ever get stuck in a rut? You know, you feel like you are out of ideas and you just can't seem to make your paper and embellishments fall into place? I have been there so many times!

So today I thought I would blog about the places I find inspiration when I am in a slump. I believe inspiration is all around us. We only have to look or perhaps look at a different angle to see it. I find inspiration on product packaging, billboards, magazine advertising, both scrapbook and other magazines, restaurant menus, and yes I even found inspiration for a layout I created once from a patterned tile wall in a bathroom!

So next time you get stuck, start looking everywhere and at different angles and in new ways. You are bound to find inspiration that will get you going again. And remember, there are plenty of Paper Crafting magazines and idea books out there to help you as well!