My First Mini-Book

After an initial dry period of ideas, this little mini-book got created for my mom--a Mother's Day gift. It's the first one I've made so far, and hopefully not the last. The time spent making the book was enjoyable. 

A great book on crafting mini-books is called Sharing Your Story. The book helps you capture and document the everyday moments in your life and is a helpful guide on how-tos, showing material needed for various types of mini-books.

More on Handmade Greeting Cards

Oh, what fun it is to create your own cards! This clever greeting card book I found at Barnes & Noble (it's available online at Amazon as well) was a great source of ideas and inspiration. I especially like the collaged cards section--collage has been a mini-obsession since I discovered John Derian's decoupage work. 

There are so many great collage artists, and such creativity in their work! Linda Solovic is one who works with paper and textiles to create incredibly intricate pieces. Meghan Stratman is another amazing collage artist (she had a booth at the Nature's Market that I had an Emmy + Ivy booth at.)

I was inspired to make a few collage cards of my own. These aren't terribly detailed, but I think the baby dinosaurs are darling. I made a pattern and traced it onto scrapbook paper to make the mini-saurs. 

French Paper Does It Again!

If you are looking for unique gifts for the design-lover, hop on over to French Paper's PopInks Gift Store. From notecards to soap, you'll find the perfect and one-of-a-kind design item. 

I love these Decor-a-Boards...and this perky little robin in particular. (Shop the collection here.) It makes a nice addition to home or office decor...the cut-out edges are a perfect final touch. 

A Bird in the Hand

Fell in total love with these place-cards--perfect for a bridal or baby shower or a spring dinner. Yes, you can make them yourself--instructions are found at Scissor Variations. 

The veneer cards are great--you can buy them online or use watercolor paper. I couldn't believe the punch was from Martha Stewart--I'll have to run to Michael's and get one for myself. 

Crafternoon Followup

The Crafternoon was a huge success...Khara, Sarah and Terri came over and we made lovely Valentine's cards together. Techniques were shared, moment were photographed, cookies were devoured and an all-around jolly time was had by all. I can't wait until the next one is hosted....maybe to make mini-books? 

Studio Session

The best place for indulging creativity is a little home for your soul...what some artists call their studio. My photographer friend Khara Plicanic was kind enough to capture mine--it's a little place of solace where I can write, sew, and create. 

There are some great books at Amazon on studio spaces. One in particular, The Studio Book, is a treasure of eclectic studios featuring 36 unique spaces that have emerged from a unique studio tradition. 

There is also a publication from Somerset Press called Cloth Paper Scissors: Studios which showcases everyday spaces from creative people everywhere. I am constantly inspired by these amazing spaces. 

My question is: if you are creative, where do YOU create? 

Zakka Cuteness

So, I don't crochet, but if I did, I'd make these darling crocheted robots. I've been finding the term "zakka" everywhere in the crafts section at the bookstore, so thought I'd look it up (along with "kawaii" and "amigurimi".)

Zakka ends up being a pretty cool theory that centers around anything and everything that improves your life, your home and your outlook. It's a very Japanese idea. 

Kawaii has to do with all things cute and adorable; the term is used generally in pop culture but in Japanese means something more specific: the affection of a parent for a child coupled with protectiveness for the innocent and weak. Thus, Hello Kitty is considered "kawaii" because it exemplifies childlike innocence and evokes protective, caring instincts. 

Amagurimi is the Japanese art of crocheting or knitting stuffed animals. Their predominant feature is oversized heads. 

When you're looking for cute, it seems like three cheers for Japan!