Mini-Collage Challenge #13

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Authenticity involves acting from one's deepest essence, so that the 'uniqueness' of one's soul awakens and can be 'brought to life.'"  - Michael Meade
Another mini-collage on 2" x 2" watercolor paper.  This one made on a plane from someplace to somewhere.  It's hard to see the texture I created by laying layers of paper fiber petals onto the watercolor paper base and then adding gold washi tape and white gel pen and black pen details.  If I show up with authenticity to each of my watercolor paper squares, I allow whatever comes out of me to develop on its own.  To morph and grow even as the inner critic objects and throws tantrums.  I am trying to allow my uniqueness.  Trying to bring it to life on this tiny piece of paper...

Snowflake Flip Cards & Mini Album

These Snowflake Flip Cards & Mini Album were created by Amanda Corbet.  Are you ready for some snow? Or at least a few snowflakes? This set explores using the Snowflake Flip Card Thinlits set to make four cards that double as gift card holders, a box to hold those lovely cards and a mini album. This would make a wonderful gift for someone special or a fabulous winter class project!  For all the instructions for making this beautiful set, head on over to Craft Project Central and subscribe to the month of November!

Mini-Collage Challenge #12

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  In the end the only genuine safety in this world comes from risking oneself completely in order to become oneself more fully. - Michael Meade
Landscapes seem to keep appearing in my mini collages.  For those of you following me on this journey, I have challenged myself to create a 2" x 2" mini collage each day for at least 30 days (I'm off a bit on the "every day" part, but I am continuing to move forward with the challenge).  Sometimes you will see me using a similar color palette - often this is because I am traveling for work and have challenged myself to use the limited supplies that I carry with me :)  I wonder if landscapes keep appearing because part of this challenge is about trying to become familiar with my inner landscape.  Who am I?  How can I get to know myself more fully?  I get to know myself a little bit more each time I show up to my 2" x 2" square of watercolor paper and risk taking any action to begin to fill the blank square.  Yes, it makes sense to me that landscapes keep appearing - they are nature; they are about my inner exploration; they are me.

Mini-Collage Challenge #11

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  In A House, On A Plane, In A Lounge, On A Train
I am learning to create wherever I can during my travels.  Sometimes that might be in my hotel room.  Other times it is on a plane, in a waiting lounge, or on some other mode of transportation.  I have had to get over the fear of someone watching me - looking over from the seat beside me - the fear of judgement.  I have learned to just take a deep breath and dive in...and soon it as if no one is around me.  This collage I created from some bits of ephemera from my recent trip to Doha.  The patterned papers are a combination of a cut up pamphlet from the Museum of Islamic Art and some pieces of washi tape I had with me.  The dark blue is actually a cut up piece of paper describing the journey through customs at Heathrow Airport in London.  I love that these little collages are filled with the secrets of my trip!  This collage is 2" x 2" and is part of my Mini Collage Challenge that I gave myself - to try to make one 2" x 2" mini collage every day for at least 30 days...(or maybe one collage every 3 days for 90 days :)  Sometimes I do a collage a day - sometimes two - sometimes I skip a few days...but I continue to make progress!  And for me, that's what matters most!

Online Extravaganza!!!!!

Enjoy Stampin' Up!s Online Extravaganza with flash deals on select items and bundles at a 20%-50% discount! But quantities are limited, and this great opportunity only lasts from November 24 through December 2, so get yours before they're gone.

As an added bonus, Stampin' Up! will be bookending the beginning and end of the promotion with door busters on special products—some that have never before been paired together—that are only available for 24 hours and while supplies last! These specific deals are extremely limited, so act fast!  Click HERE to shop now!!!!!

Seasonal Printers Tray by Sharon Maranich

Get into the holiday spirit with this Seasonal Printers Tray by Sharon Maranich.  This Christmas Printers Tray and matching card would make a unique gift, that will be used year-after-year for someone special on your list.  The colors – Lost Lagoon, Soft Sky, Smoky Slake and Pear Pizazz - go together to capture the image of a silent, snowy night.  Head on over to Craft Project Central to learn how to access the full step-by-step instructions!

Lantern & Greeting Card by Monika Davis

This beautifulTriangle Shaped Lantern & Greeting Card was created by Monika Davis.  You can make this triangle shaped lantern and learn how easy it is to make your own template. Switch out the vellum for cardstock and turn it into a gift box for teachers, friends, and neighbors or fill it with some treats as a party favor.  Either way, it would also look great as a party or holiday table decoration. You can also make it in different sizes.  Learn how to make your own heat embossed design, using a mask. Great for class projects, stamp clubs and or camps.  Head on over to Craft Project Central to learn how to access the full step-by-step instructions!

Mini-Collage Challenge #10

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Use Ephemera From Your Travel To Memorialize Your Journey
Today I am sharing my tenth mini collage from my personal Mini Collage Challenge.  For those of you just joining me on my blog, I challenged myself to create one 2" x 2" mini collage a day for at least 30 days.  I haven't always been true to creating a collage a day, but I am pleased with my progress!
This mini collage was created while I was on a layover on my flight back to Denver from Doha, Qatar.  While in Doha I was able to visit the Museum of Islamic Art.  The building itself was gorgeous, let alone the art and artifacts found inside.  I decided to take one of the pamphlets I was given in the museum and cut it up to create this mini collage.  I also added additional pattern and detail with a Sepia marker and a white gel pen.  I love the idea of using ephemera from my travels to memorialize my journey in these mini collages!

Cross The Sea Art Journal Page

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Your Experimentations Can Lead You Further Down The Road
Today I am sharing an art journal page that I created for Paper Crafter's Library.  I was exploring how to color a transparency and use it as a focal image on an art journal page.  The texture and shine of the fish scales are hard to see in this photo, but the actual page makes me feel like the fish is swimming right in front of me!  Experimenting with transparencies in this way has taken me down the road to do some further transparency explorations.  I don't know where the transparency journey will take me. What I do know is that this page was a launching platform for my continued exploration.  If you are interested in the full step-by-step videos for creating this page, head on over to Paper Crafter's Library by clicking on the badge in the upper right-hand corner of my blog and learn about becoming a member!

Mini-Collage Challenge #9

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Do those creative things you love to do, even if their only purpose is to make the rest of your life better. - Jill Badonsky
Sometimes we may ask ourselves why we are bothering to create at all.  Maybe we put off creating because we have a laundry list of things to do and somehow, when we begin to rank things, creating falls to the bottom of our list.  Why do we give it such little credence, particularly if our heart's yearnings are telling us otherwise?  Why do we give it short shrift when ignoring the urge to create leaves us unsettled and even annoyed.  If you need to find a purpose that will bring creating back to the top of your list, consider how much better the rest of your life would feel if you indulged your innate need to create!  As Jill Badonsky says, "Do those creative things you love to do, even if their only purpose is to make the rest of your life better!"
Today I am sharing my next 2" x 2" mini collage from my mini collage challenge that I gave myself.  I've been carrying 2" x 2" pieces of watercolor paper with me when I travel so that I can indulge my urge to create whenever the urge strikes.  In this way, I can do the creative things I love to do no matter where I am :)

A Wreath For Every Season by Amanda Corbet

What a beautiful Wreath for Every Season by Amanda Corbet!  Inside this lovely box are six different card designs using the Wonderful Wreath stamps and Framelits. Get a glimpse of the endless possibilities of this truly wonderful wreath set. This makes a wonderful gift or class project and it’s all wrapped up ready to give to someone special!  Get the full step-by-step instructions by heading over to Craft Project Central and subscribing to the month of November!

Creating Pretty Cards - Card Challenge #41

This month I created the sketch for the Creating Pretty Cards - Card Challenge #41 over at Craft Project Central!  This is the card I created using the sketch :)  Why don't you come join us at Craft Project Central and submit a card for the challenge?!  For every ten cards that are submitted, Craft Project Central will pick one winner of a free month subscription on Craft Project Central! The winner(s) will get to select the month of their choice! CPC really wants to give away some free subscriptions, so please do join the challenge!!!!!

Christmas Tree in an "Exploding" Box Gift Set by Carol Lovenstein

Check out this Christmas Tree in an "Exploding" Box Gift Set by Carol Lovenstein!!!  This gift set is perfect for a hostess, friend or co-worker.  The box is easy and quick to make with the Gift Box Punch Board.  The lucky recipients will burst with excitement when they open the "exploding" box and find the beautiful free-standing Christmas tree ornament inside!  The tree can be removed from the box and used as a desk decoration or kept as a keepsake ornament to treasure for years to come.  The accompanying card makes the Gift Box feel even more like a gift!  Get the full step-by-step instructions by heading to Craft Project Central and subscribing to the month of November.

Mini-Collage Challenge #8

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Themes Arise When They Need To
When I sit down to create my small 2" x 2" collages each day (well, almost each day), I have no idea what will appear on the tiny piece of watercolor paper.  What I am finding is the certain themes arise as I start gluing papers.  This is one of those themes - house, home, landscape.  As I find myself traveling a lot for work, it is no surprise to me that the theme of home keeps coming to life in these mini art pieces.  Themes arise when they need to.  Your emotions will find their way into your art...if you allow them to unfold.  What themes arise in your art?

Trio of Trees Holiday Gift Display by Julie Beltramo

This sweet Trio of Trees Holiday Gift Display by Julie Beltramo comes together quickly, and uses just one package of designer series paper! Plus, with all the leftover designer series paper pieces, you’ll be able to add a bunch more custom little gift boxes – they’re fun and addicting to make! You can frame the card to make a great mantle display, or use it as it’s displayed for a special gift to give someone!  Get the full step-by-step instructions by subscribing to the month of November over at Craft Project Central!

I Carry Your Heart Art Journal Page

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room: Be Open To Surprises
I recently traveled to Doha, Qatar for work and I had all kinds of preconceived notions of what I would experience there.  I am so glad that I remained open to the experience!  It turned out to be so much different than the stories and "build up" I had been exposed to.  Once again I was reminded to be open to surprises - to allow myself to take in what I am experiencing and to not be blinded by assumptions and preconceived notions.  I am so grateful for the experience and for the reinforcement of a lesson that I need to continually be reminded of!
Today I am sharing an art journal page that I created for Paper Crafter's Library.  It was inspired by an ee cumming's poem.  Every month I create a number of art journal pages for Paper Crafter's Library.  If you are interested in accessing the full step-by-step instructional videos for these art journal pages (and the other projects I create for Paper Crafter's Library), click on the badge in the upper right-hand corner of my blog and look into subscribing to PCL!

Recycled Bottle Gifts by Regina Andari

Don't throw those Starbuck's bottles away!  These Recycled Bottle Gifts by Regina Andari are a fabulous way to repurpose the bottles!  Create three holiday gifts by recycling your drink bottles.  This tutorial will demonstrate three unique gift ideas with festive decoration, and the gifts are sure to be a perfect fit for some of the names on your list.  Get the full step-by-step instructions by heading over to Craft Project Central and subscribing to the month of November!

Mini-Collage Challenge #7

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Find Inspiration In The Colors Of The Landscape
We went for a hike about a week ago and I was struck by the yellows in the landscape.  The grasses are drying up in preparation for winter.  The verdant green of summer gave way to the kaleidoscopic burst of Fall color and now the quiet hush of Winter is coming ever so close.  I used a variety of torn washi tape pieces to create this simple landscape.  What colors are in your landscape?  How might they inspire a piece of your artwork?

Festival of Trees Votive Box & Tent Card by Laurie Zoellmer

We all need little gifts to hand out during the Holidays, right?  This Festival of Trees Votive Box & Coordinating Tent Card by Laurie Zoellmer comes to the rescue!  This votive holder is easy to assemble using the Envelope Punch Board!  It makes a great teachers gift, hostess gift or thoughtful handmade gift for anyone!  The coordinating tent-card and envelope add just the right touch!  Get the full step-by-step instructions by heading over to Craft Project Central and subscribing to the month of November!

Mini-Collage Challenge #6

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Allow Art To Help You Manage Your Emotions
I have been a bit stressed about a work trip to a place that is very different from the place where I live.  I want to be sure that I am respectful of the culture I will find myself in - that I don't do anything that might cause offense unintentionally.  The stress has been eating me up quite a bit and I finally decided to pour that feeling into this tiny 2" x 2" space.  It felt good to let it out - to try to acknowledge and manage my feelings by creating something inspired by the feelings.  Art is a wonderful place to work on acknowledging and managing your emotions.  I'm feeling better already :)