Drawer Treat Box & Greeting Card by Monika Davis

Drawer Treat Box & Greeting Card! by Monika Davis
Make this cascading Drawer Treat Box for your crafty friend. Fill it with treats, craft embellishments, needle work supplies or/and office supplies and make your friend’s day. After emptying this little treat ‘heaven’ it can be re-filled and re-used over and over again. It is the perfect desk accessory. Learn how to add a water color look to your flowers without being an artist, and find out how you can Partial Die-Cut with your dies.  Great for a stamp camp, or as a class project.  Get the full step-by-step instructions by heading over to Craft Project Central and subscribing to the month of February!

Mini-Collage Challenge #27

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Of all places, art is a spot where mistakes should be considered honored guests. - Melanie Rothschild
I am very excited to read Melanie Rothschild's book The Art of Mistakes!  I love a book that is based on the fundamental belief that mistakes are a beautiful thing!  If we are too afraid of making mistakes, we freeze up.  Or worse yet, we never even start.  If we can think of our art as an open invitation for mistakes to come and pay us a visit, we will react to them differently as they occur.  As a matter of fact, we may begin to see our mistakes as the reason why we are creating!  The mistakes are the places where we learn and grow!  The mistakes, if we are inviting them to the play date, are where we can abandon the critic and have fun!  How can you open the door to mistakes today?
This is mini-collage #27 in my personal challenge to create 30 mini collages (in 30 days....but I'm ignoring that part of my own challenge!).  I created the background by sticking down a lot of different pieces of tape that I had painted.  The words were cut out of a book.  I hope you like it!  Now go make some mistakes :)

Creative Fire Art Journal Page

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Quench The Fire!
The only way I have found to quench my creative fire is to just make something!  Artist Dina Wakly says, "My challenge to you is to just make. Don't worry about finishing, just make. In my classes I always say, 'No thinking, only doing.' Eventually pages get finished as you go from piece to piece. When you create in this organic way, your art evolves dynamically.  Have fun!"
Today I am sharing a page I created for Paper Crafters' Library.  A combination of cheesecloth, packing tape, alcohol inks and other sundry supplies came together to create this bonfire of a page!  Interested in seeing the full step-by-step videos for how I created this flaming page?  Head on over to Paper Crafters' Library by clicking on the badge in the upper right-hand corner of my blog and explore subscribing to Paper Crafters' Library.  You'll be glad you did :)

Book Box Card Set by Christy Fulk

Book Box Card Set! – Christy Fulk
This is an easy and attractive way to store a set of cards on any desk or shelf. The card box is shaped like a book with two pockets inside. One pocket holds eight cards and the other pocket holds eight envelopes. The card set includes two card designs, four of each design. The book box is held closed with a ribbon tied into a bow. The box and cards are made with the Sheltering Tree Stamp Set, Best Year Ever Designer Series Paper, and the Best Year Ever Accessory Pack. This would make a great card class, too.  Get the full step-by-step instructions by heading over to Craft Project Central and subscribing to the month of February!

Mini-Collage Challenge #23

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  If What You Read Inspires You, Turn It Into A Work Of Art!
Today I am sharing mini-collage #23...slowly, but surely, I am making it to #30!  This mini collage was inspired by a daily meditation I read awhile back in The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo.  The message was about living outside the tank that we put ourselves in - the limitations we create, that society creates.  What if you moved beyond those limitations and boundaries?
Have you read something inspiring lately?  How might you turn what you have read into a work of art?

Paper Expressions 7: A Video!!!!

 

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  It Takes Courage To Honor What Your Heart Is Telling You

The voice is getting louder - more insistent.  It was a whisper for awhile.  A faint cry from my innermost being - the call to be an artist.  And for so long it felt as if the faint cry was coming from behind a closed (and locked) door.  But instead of trying to break down the door and burst through to the other side, in many ways I have spent time piling things up against the door - placing obstacles in my way - not allowing myself to even see the possibility that the door can be opened and I can walk through.  But now the faint cry has becoming a yearning - a scream - and nothing, not even everything I have piled in front of the door, can keep me from moving forward.  So with brush in hand and puddles of color before me I have been painting.  Painting because I have to.  Painting because I want to.  Painting because the colors are flowing in my blood.  I am becoming more courageous - even in the midst of my fears.  I am listening to what my heart is telling me.

Today I am sharing another Paper Expressions video.  My process with paint, brush and paper - as I learn to listen to my heart.  Enjoy!

All About That Easel Base by Regina Andari

Easels are easy, and they add interest (and convenience) to a variety of projects.  This All About That Easel Base ensemble by Regina Andari features a handy calendar stand with a pocket for note paper that would dress up any desk.  There are two greeting cards—the first one features four easel panels to display four mini stamped creations—art and/or sentiment—and would make a pretty conversation piece.  The second card features a fun twisted easel.  Lastly, the generously-sized gift box (drawer style) has an attached greeting card with its own easel and a subtle, elegant decorative design.  Get the full step-by-step instructions by heading over to Craft Project Central and subscribing to the month of February!