Locket love, project # 14

  Ever wonder what to do with the photo processing order sheets? I'm talking about the ones with all the pictures you ordered in really tiny images.  I think they are the perfect size for your lockets.  I hope to pass this on to my girl when she's older. 

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I am in love with PAPERMAN!

  Paperman is a fantastic reminder of the beauty of animated films and of hope and fate.  I absolutely loved it! I came across the Disney short film when I read this article from Thefoxisblack.com.  I love the simplicity of the story and how much you see the man try his hand at finding again the magic of a brief encounter with a woman.  If you fall in love with it, you can see the amazing Disney animation technique if you click on the link.  Anyway, it makes me feel like making paper airplanes... 

Happy February! 

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Happiness jars, project #13

One of my favorite writers, Elizabeth Gilbert, who wrote a little fantastic book called Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia and it was so inspiring that I could barely put it down.  I think I did a marathon reading session for a few days on my bed and my hammock until my hand hurt from holding the book open.  Anyway, I started to follow her Facebook page when I was looking for inspiration.  She talked about Happiness Jars.  The thought behind them is to have a visual reminder of being happy or being grateful.  The jars help to focus us on the regular act of writing down moments or things that make us happy.  I decided to make one for myself on my desk.  I've been putting my gratitude notes inside of it.  It started me out of my funk with all the big changes in my life. 

Anyway, I used a pink vase from when my husband sent me flowers, since I love pink and it reminds me of him.  The heart origami is to remind me of being happy and that love is the key in life.  On the back, I put a series of pictures I took from a video of my husband, myself, and our friends doing a flash mob of Gangnam Style for our friend's birthday party.  Every time I see it, it cracks me up.  Hubby was such a good sport to dress up as Psy and really go for it with all the moves.

 Gummychild, if you're reading this, stop reading! ;-)  
 You can read the rest after I come by your place for craft night. 


So I thought I would make a few for some friends...

I used a jar from home.  I found this cute little angel photo holder and decided this little angel belonged inside the jar.  I used museum putty to affix it to the bottom.  A little note to declare the jar and its new owner...and it's ready for Gummychild.

I hope you had some fun looking at these jars.  I'm grateful that I get to share these projects and feel like a little kid again.  Thank you.  MUAH!

Heart balloons!

I saw this idea from Oh Happy Day blog. 


from Oh Happy Day blog
I just felt so giddy like a little kid seeing those beautiful, vibrant pictures of heart balloons pouring out of the closet with so much love and fun.  I can't wait to do this for our daughter when she is old enough to put her cute little chub hands over a doorknob and open up the door. 

I wonder what my husband would say if this happened once he opened the door.  Or maybe I should pop out of the closet (doing one of my favorite things) and blow a bunch of bubbles his way.  Gummychild, if you are reading this, I will help you do this (bubbles or balloons) for your Aiva when I come over in a few weeks if you want to surprise her.  I would love to capture the look of surprise on film!

Bookcase update, project # 12

 

Since I've been studying a lot in the past few weeks in our den area, I keep staring at the bookcase.  I thought I needed to update the drab bookcase in the room.  It was all black.  I saw other magazines and blogs as well as designer shows (like Home with Lisa Quinn on the Live Well Network) with this similar project.  I took my cues from them.  I took a wrapping paper I liked and just used double-sided tape against the backboard of the bookcase.  I think it gives it a fun pop of colors.  I used the same paper to cover a regular, old cardboard box to hold more books.  I took pushpins to create a little latch for that box.  It was cheap and easy enough.  I wonder if you can tell how much I love books from the pictures.  ;-)

Shoe house picture, project # 11

 

  My husband and I love this shoe house ceramic piece my sister-in-law made in high school.  I think it's so memorable and unique.  We had a hard titme getting the girl who could get herself anything.  I mean, she is very independent and resourceful.  The shoe house is at her parents' home, so I took a picture of it for her to have it in her craft room.  I wanted to make something for her craft room at her place to give her inspiration to make more fun items.  I hope this gives her a sense of being a true artist because someone else adores her work.

Studying inspirations

  It's January.   It signals a new start of the year.  It also causes anxiety in me since I now need to buckle down 
and concentrate on my boards for May.  It always nice to have some inspiration when you need to focus.  

Here's my set of inspirations today.  I hope they will inspire you in your own life.  

1) http://www.chicagonow.com/pace-of-chicago/2010/10/worth-1000-words/#/. (I have this article on my bulletin 
board to remind me of why I'mbusting myself to learn this material.)

I have met this kid and he is every bit of sunshine as he runs around the room.  Nothing will stop him!   
If you want to support him and his family, click on this link for team jj or PossAbilities. 

2) http://mda.org/. 

I remember some of those cute kids being so proud to race me down the hallway.  One kid was so happy
to go to camp and be with kids like him.  I miss seeing those guys.  
Kids with muscular disorders and their families need our help and if you can, visit their website to see how.

3) http://www.utterlyengaged.com/contest/

The fabulous girls of Utterly Engaged are Lucia and Henny.  I knew them before there was this amazing wedding 
magazine called Utterly Engaged.  Their dreams did come true to set the wedding beauty scene ablaze with their 
creative and keen style, not to mention their good hearts.  Their charity work is so beautiful and touching.  

What inspires you? 
Maybe I'll try to do a monthly inspiration post if it helps someone out there to feel excited or learn something new.