The Ladies are Back in Town!

That's right they are back together and crafting!
I am super happy to announce that the Cardoholics Anonymous group, a local paper crafting meet up, is back to cutting, gluing, embellishing, and folding this winter!!!  I have to say that if any of you ever have the opportunity, you should seek out a group of crafters to join.  Bouncing creative ideas around and problem solving together, really, really help you unleash your creativity to the fullest extent.  Many times they have struggled with the same materials and will tell you what has worked for them and what they find does not work at all.  Plus you can introduce them to new materials like washi or deco tape.
I know many in this group are focused on mail art, but do not discount the creative talents and ideas of scrapbookers, traditional card makers, rubber stampers, and book binders.  Just ask to bring your own thing and be amazed at the suggestions that roll your way!  I think the true spirit of crafting groups should be to inspire one another to play outside the box or try something different. 

Doing my best to generate positive and creative energy,
-b

Mailart- What Blew Inn with Hurricane Irene

Hello all,

I think I'm known for budget and finding stationery.  (At least that's the perception I feel others have of me)  Anyway, with all this crazy weather, I found my creative juices flowing.  I mentioned this surprising collage book I found at a thrift store that looked at a variety of artist and how to take their ideas and create your own.   Well Matisse is very friendly to my artistic taste and I have made several with his influence, but I was hoping to branch out.  So here are some others I've been experimenting with. 

Stupid me made a few others and forgot to take a pic!

Then I went cupcake mad!  Making several cards for Operation Write Home.  But I really truly love the paper confections I made!

 

OWH doesn't mind multiples, but recommends no more than 30 of a theme!  I love these so much I might change the saying and make a few more!

I liked making these as I could use up scraps of hoarded paper!  Plus anything I can add bling to is just fine with me!

Here are a few mailart pieces that I have recently received! 

the amazing Annabell's work

From Viola and a surprise on Postcrossing from Belgium!  Love the lady popping out of the frame.

For everybody out there, the hurricane was fine.  We are experiencing flooding locally, but nothing too terrible. We'll see how they fair up the coast.

I hope this finds you all creating your masterpieces!

-b

Some Inspiration

Hello all-

Recently I feel like I want to grow and do more making of my own stationery.  So I trekked down to the library to scout out the paper crafts section.  I also looked around at a few bookstores and here are some of my recent inspirations.

First book was found at the Moravian Bookstore and its on the old art of papercutting.  Apparently both the Germans and Japanese have a long history in this art form.  Who knew?!?

Next was an accidental stumble!  Mr. Matisse in his old age and poor health turned to paper art! Hmmm- not a terribly hard thing to mimic and very beautiful fluid imagery!

Here's my attempt- a postcard to my lovely Chantel!

Then I found these lovely books at the local discount chain and they make me smile.

The collage book looked crappy and cheap at first glance.  I was looking at it last weekend wondering why did I buy this- then I looked inside and was very very happy to find a plethora of ideas!  The book gives both the history on the artist and demonstrates how to create a work inspired from their art work.  I found Mr. Matisse here again!

The second book is a sassy card making book.  These cards aren't your traditional but very fun.  I'm not sure how many of their designs that I will recreate, but it's interesting!

So next time you find yourself short of motivation- remember that you don't have to spend a lot or go very far, just look around for a good book!

Any other points of inspiration out there!?!

-b