fashion book

I have a sister studying fashion design at college. I think her classes sound so fun and creative - like the fabric she is designing right now for a class assignment.

I bought this book on a trip to China earlier this year. It is so fun and inspiring to look at. I love resources that help get you started with creativity. Sometimes it's all you need to get started on the next best creative project. Without this book, I would have no idea how to even think about drawing clothes. I'm using the book to help make the best dressed paper dolls for my little girl. And, if she likes to draw or be creative, I think it'll be a fun book for her to look at and practice with someday.

alphabet hunting

I've seen more and more of these alphabet art companies popping up during the past year. I first saw the idea featured on Martha Stewart with the company Sticks and Stones. I'd love to start looking for letters in everyday life - especially with my little girl.

canvas rug

This project from Martha Stewart looks fun. I'm wondering how easy it is to clean?? I'd love to try it under where my little girl eats in the kitchen.

trick or treat jar

Now that it's October, maybe I can feel a little less guilty about the hundred of candy corns I consume every day. I just can't stop. I'm hoping this candy jar I made will encourage me to just leave them in the jar. It looks so much prettier filled with candy. Sadly, the reality is I'll probably restock it several times in the next 30 days. Oh well, Halloween only comes once a year.

Supplies:

Glass Jar
Black Vinyl
Transfer Tape

Silhouette Cutting Machine
Spiderweb Shape (Mine is available to download for Silhouette from QuicKutz)
Font (I used Old English)

removable wallpaper

Speaking of decorating a wall, I first heard about removable wallpaper several months ago. It seemed to be the perfect solution. You could decorate a wall or room in a fun texture or pattern but not feel overwhelmed that it would be nearly impossible to ever take it down. I spent some time going through books online but didn't find any patterns I absolutely loved. A product development discussion for work brought the topic up again (thanks, Laura!) and I was inspired to search again through available patterns online. There are a definitely a few I'd like to try. It's not cheap, but I think a little would go a long way.

decorative panel

I want to try this home decor technique. I think it's a great way to add pattern, color and/or texture without too much commitment. While I love some of the trendy designs and patterns available right now, I'm not ready for it to be permanently plastered to my wall.

I think there are several materials you could use to accomplish this technique - wallpaper, fabric, patterned paper....I'm not sure what I'll try first, but I'll let you know how it turns out. (I've heard Trupan Ultralight is the perfect backer for these panels - has anyone used it or know where to buy it?)

*Image from Country Home Magazine

a kid's workspace

With my work, I spend a lot of time sitting at my desk. I created this workspace for my little girl so she could sit next to me and have a space of her own. She looks so cute "working" - sometimes only in a diaper! The board is a wood frame with a sheet of metal in the center that I purchased at the craft store. I cut strips of patterned paper and modge podged them to the frame. The board works great for hanging pictures or letting her play with magnetic shapes and letters.

monogram vase

This monogram vase was easy and inexpensive. Simply use a cut out design from vinyl (I used my Silhouette) and adhere to the glass vase. Brush on glass etching cream and then wash off with water. Finally, remove the vinyl. You can create any design or style for the monogram. Perfect to decorate your home or give as a gift!

elum design

I've been in love with elum designs and their letterpress stationery ever since I began my fascination with letterpress. I think these desk sets are gorgeous. I'd love to have one sitting on my desk.

font envy

Fonts consume a substantial part of my work life (luckily, I have a great co-worker, Heather, who does most of the hard work and I, for the most part, just get to participate in the fun part of selecting styles I think will work well for our products). Several months ago I was doing some research on a particular font style and discovered these newsletters. I love the editions that showcase the fonts used in popular products and magazines. It's such great creative inspiration for any project that requires using or designing with text.

so cute

I saw these felt baby shoes featured in Craft magazine. I absolutely love the sophisticated and clever design. I think they would be so fun to make.

noteworthy

I love to look through Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion magazine.  Noteworthy is one of my favorite sections where stationery and cards are highlighted.  Every issue highlights a specific theme (like these address labels above) and lists the companies/designers of each featured product so you can find more of the ones you like.

nie nie benefit - jonathan canlas photography

While I don't personally know Stephanie Nielsen, I knew of her even before this tragedy consumed our thoughts (and blogs!). I stumbled upon Blissful Living Studio a while ago and have checked out the website on a regular basis. I love the design and the concept. Stephanie happened to be an instructor there. When Jonathan Canlas announced his goal to raise $10,000 for the Nielsen through family portrait sessions, I knew it was a perfect way to help. Check out our photos here and book Jonathan for your next family portrait or big event. He has an amazing photojournalistic style and is great to work with. You won't regret it!

alphabet art

My little girl's room is decorated in black and off-white so I created this alphabet canvas for the wall. I love how the letters pop off the canvas and how it matches her bedding perfectly!

Supplies:

Canvas

Paint

Modge Podge or Acrylic Gel Medium

Letters (I created die cuts with my Revolution)

Glossy Accents

flower shoes

My little girl is in a shoe size right that I'm finding it impossible to find shoes. Too big for all the cute baby shoes but not big enough for little girl shoes. It's been difficult to find shoes that I like so I decided to buy some basic black flats and add some simple embellishments. The original shoe had a plain black bow on the toe (a little too frilly for me) so I cut it off and glued on leather flower embellishments I found at the fabric store. It was fast, easy and definitely improved the look of the shoe. The fabric store has tons of items you could embellish shoes with in the ribbon department. Another fun idea might be embellishments you could clip on and off to coordinate with specific outfits. Try it out!

fall wreath

I'm always in search of the perfect wreath to grace my front door. Unfortunately, I never find exactly what I'm looking for or it so expensive I just can't justify it and the voice in my head keeps telling me I could make it - for a lot less. A fall wreath falls into that category. Last fall, I finally created my own and loved the results. It's pretty basic but has the simple, clean, sophisicated feel that I want. And it was as easy as finding products at the craft store and wiring them to grapevine wreath. I ended up with a look that fit my decor and for less than $10! Try it for your door this fall season!

monogram pumpkin

I love the look of monograms. Last year, I wanted to carve an artificial pumpkin with something that would would last longer than just the Halloween holiday. The result was this monogram R for my front steps. This font style definitely has a Halloween feel so this year I may try a more traditional font style. While I didn't necessarily love the look of the carved artificial pumpkin during the day (I still think real looks so much better), I love that it lasts forever and I can pull it out every fall season.

grass terra cotta pots

I love the look of grass especially for spring and summer decor. I would see pieces incorporating this element, but they were never exactly what I was looking for (especially because of the price.) Finding artificial grass (that I really like) also seems to be a challenge so I'm always on the look out. Luckily, I found this chunky bright green grass that I glued to a styrofoam ball and then glued into a terra cotta pot. I've also created the same project with a traditional wheat grass style of artificial grass which turned out great. I'm getting ready to put these away to put up fall and holiday decor, but I can't wait to bring them back out in the spring.

journal on a wall

This home decor project from Martha Stewart is perfect for kids and such a fun way to showcase items, projects, clothing and more that are important in your kids' life.

thumbtack envy

This create-your-own fabric thumbtack project looks so fun and cute. I'd also like to try it with magnets on the back instead of tacks.