Artists to Know - Laurent Laveder

The amazing photographer Laurent Laveder has created a series of moon photos that are unique and inspiring.

Here's a quote from Laurent Laveder "For years, photography is my passion. This media fascinates me: freeze a moment in eternity, it's magic! What I like is to find a scene in the view which allows me to convey the emotion or meaning, or simply to give an interest in familiar scenes that touches our eyes without seeing them, without understanding the nature. My combined interest in science (I have a scientific training) and photography lead me to seek in all things the expression of many physical phenomena and to capture. There is so much to see for those who know where and when to open their eyes. "

Source: rhythmandritual.wordpress.com via Penny on Pinterest

  Click her to see more of Laurent Laveder's work.

Click here to purchase Laurent Laveder's book or postcards of this amazing series.

Motivation Monday

You are the architect of your business.

Just like an architect you have the vision
It’s the vision that inspires hope when the struggle gets too hard. It’s hard to move forward confidently without having a good idea of where you are going.

You Create Structure
By creating order, the architect can enhance productivity and decrease stress. For all of us, there is an environment where we function best. If you aren't already there, then search for or design the environment for yourself.

You Oversee Your development 
 We must hold ourselves accountable for acting on our visions; otherwise, they may remain pipe dreams.

You have the blueprint you need for success, it's up to you to do the work and challenge yourself to reach your goals.


Have you created your blueprint for success?

Quick Poll

I am designing a new collection and I am trying to decide what pieces to include.
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I have a poll on the left side bar and I would love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks for sharing!

DIY Friday

Why throw away the cardboard toilet paper rolls, when you could recycle them into inspired designs. Start saving your toilet paper rolls and try these easy to create fun projects.

Source: Uploaded by user via Amanda on Pinterest

Source: creativejewishmom.typepad.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: kiflieslevendula.blogspot.com via Miki on Pinterest

Source: pureandnoble.blogspot.com via Robin on Pinterest

Source: suzyssitcom.com via Michelle on Pinterest

Have you created anything with your cardboard toilet paper rolls before?

It's Not To Late

It's been three weeks since the year started, and we started working on the goals we created for ourselves. This is about the point when some of our goals get forgotten, or put on hold for other projects.

It's easy to not think about those goals again, because the month is almost over and you think it's to late to start.

It's not to late to start!

Consider February 1st as new beginning, and if you don't accomplish what your want in February then try again March 1st.

Consider each new week a chance to start working on your forgotten goal, as well as each day. If you don't get to it one day then try again the next. Don't let excuses like "I didn't get around to it" or "I don't have enough time", stop you. If you want to make it happen then it's time to start. 

There is no reason to give up on your goals, everyday is a new beginning. 

Are you still actively working on all your goals?

Be Inspired - Amazing Sun Rays

Words to Inspire

“Today a new sun rises for me; everything lives, everything is animated, everything seems to speak to me of my passion, everything invites me to cherish it” 
 Ninon de Lenclos

Idea to Inspire

Try to catch the morning sun rise or evening sunset and click a few photos of your own. Having a photo of beautiful sun rays is the perfect wayto add a little inspiration to your studio.

Photos to Inspire

No matter how your day is going their is always a ray of sunshine to lift your spirits. Enjoy the beauty of the sun in these photos from Pinterest.

Source: bluepueblo.tumblr.com via Valerie on Pinterest

Source: tumblr.com via Latice on Pinterest

Source: moonlightrainbow.tumblr.com via gracemb on Pinterest

Source: piccsy.com via Derrilyn on Pinterest

Source: myfotolog.tumblr.com via Valerie on Pinterest

Office Art

Today's collection is not art for your office, but art made with things found in your office. This collection of creative and inspiring artists have turned our everyday objects into amazing recycled/upcycled/repurposed art.

Sticker art by Alison Foshee

Push Pin art by Ran Hwang

Packing tape art by Mark Khaisman

Pencil Mirror by Karen Johnston

Pencil shaving sculpture by Helga Nicola

sticker art by Alison Foshee

What office supplies would you try to create art?

Monday Motivation

                                  Source: google.com via Valerie on Pinterest

DIY with KZieglerDesign

Have you ever had a stack of scrap paper that you just wish you could bind together somehow, with minimal effort?

Well, it's super easy, and takes about 5 minutes. I was making up a to- do list for myself (which you will get a digital version of for FREE when you sign up for my newsletter, or buy it in my Etsy shop next week) and wanted all the pages to be stuck together, so I whipped this up...

  What you need

- Glue - I used ModPodge, but I'm sure something like Elmer's would work just as well
- Stack of papers to glue together - A piece of cardboard the same size as your paper
- Black binder clips
- Paint brush

  Here's how you do it

  1 Line up all your papers and cardboard (cardboard on bottom), and clip them all together so nothing can move

  2 Use the paintbrush to apply glue to the side you want bound

  3 Attach another binder clip on the edge you glued (but don't let it touch the glue), and let it dry

Voila! I don't think it gets much simpler than that.

What would you use your glued memo pad for?

Blog ♦ Etsy Shop

Take a Risk

I recently read a blog post from new follower Lisa of Soul Stokes Studio, about taking a risk. 

She shares in her post  how she is going to take a risk in 2012 and commit to building her business from the ground up.

Take a risk by soulstrokesstudio

Lisa's post got me thinking. I am good about planning for my business and coming up with big ideas, but sometimes I just have take bigger risks to see growth in my business.

In an article I recently read about being a better risk taker I found some great tips to putting yourself out there and achieving success.

So next time you are unsure about a project consider these 4 tips:

Create your own rules - Figure out what will cause you to stop your activity. Knowing that you can back out if you get that iffy feeling, lets you move forward without any hesitation.

Mentally prepare - Take the time to mentally look ahead and see all the steps involved, and all the details. By the time you are ready to start you will feel totally prepared.

Think for yourself -  Tune out anyone telling you not to try, or it can't be done. Use your own common sense to reach a conclusion that is best for you.

Don't go overboard - Only take on one risky project at a time. If you invest your time into one project at a time you will increase your chances for success.

Step out of your box, set big goals for yourself, and don't hold back. Success can be yours in 2012.

Are you a risk taker?

Be Inspired - Sunny Yellow

Words to Inspire

“When you have a rainbow deep down in your heart, your smile will shine bright. You know you're a part of that colorful, magical, feeling you'll find, when you have a rainbow inside.”

Idea to Inspire

Use a lot of yellow today, it's the perfect color to brighten up your art.

Photos to Inspire

Today's collection should add a little brightness to our longer nights. A sunny collection from Flickr.



Sun Setting by GemmaMcA


Day Twenty: When Life hands you lemons by Just Amber


Yellow by Seayard

 
yellow tunnel by Benjamin Haak


yellow 2 by budjoni

Cozy Accessories

It has been a relativity warm winter in the Midwest until this week. With all the cool air rolling in it makes me want new warm and cozy accessories. I put together this collection of some of my favorite cozy finds on Etsy.

Purple burgundy colored fingerless gloves by doknitting

Upcycled Sweater Necklace by GarageCoutureClothes

Felted Scarf Nuno Felted silk and wool scarf by sesenarts

Hand knit Scarf Shawl Cowl Wrap by peacefulpath

Chunky loop infinity scarf by loopdeedoo

Custom Made Chunky Crochet Slouchy Hat by sedruola

Visit each of theses Etsy shops and find your own cozy accessories to keep you warm this January.


What is your favorite accessory to keep you warm?

Motivation Monday

DIY Friday

Want to spruce up your office for the new year? Here are some cool ideas you can craft yourself and the last idea just to make life easier.

Source: papercraftsconnection.com via Put A Little Umbrella on Pinterest

Perfect use for scrap paper and making files more fun to look at.

Source: marthastewart.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Pipe insulation to keep your cords tidy.

Source: dollarstorecrafts.com via Kellie Medivitz on Pinterest

Use a permanent marker to add color and designs to your staples

Source: google.com via Heather on Pinterest

Make your book shelves spin with a lazy susan

Source: bhg.com via Dawn on Pinterest

Tin cans or paint cans would be perfect for this project

Source: teamimhoff.com via Martie on Pinterest

Best idea ever! No more bending down and looking for the cord.

What have you done to your work space for the new year?

Stop Planning and Start Doing

At the beginning of a new year we are full of ideas, plans, and goals.

After a few weeks we loose our luster and some of our plans fade into the background or are forgotten all together.

Today I have 5 ideas to help you to get from thinking about starting a major project to actually completing one.

• Work first thing in the morning - it's the perfect time to work on projects before the metal clutter of daily life sinks in and consumes your thoughts.

• Work in short blocks of time - 15 to 30 minutes at a time. A daily commitment will make you feel less under pressure and more in control of your time.

• Break down larger goals into smaller ones - start with small steps and gradually work towards bigger achievements. This will give you more momentum to succeed.

• Reward yourself - small rewards like a piece of chocolate, coffee with friends, or an afternoon off, will encourage your to do more with the time you have.

• Make yourself accountable to someone else - sharing your project or goals with a friend or family member will make your work harder, and want to share your success .

All of these suggestions you have probably heard before,  they are practical and easy to do. I hope this post encourages you to actually try one or all of them to start and succeed on your own personal goals.

I have done each and everyone of these tips to help me with my business and they have contributed to my growth. Working in short blocks of time is my favorite and I do this everyday.

Which idea will be easiest to incorporate into your day?

Be Inspired - Amazing Architecture

Words to Inspire

“You are not discovering yourself, but creating yourself anew. Seek, therefore, not to find out who you are, seek to determine who you want to be.”

Idea to Inspire

Do you have any amazing architecture where you live? Maybe you saw a place you loved online. Take a few minutes to discover one of those buildings and all of its details. Look at it from every angle, study the shapes you see, and  analyze the texture. This study of a building could inspire lots of new ideas.

Photos to Inspire

I find architecture very inspiring. These amazing photos from Pinterest are a unique collection of architecture from all over the world.

Source: ball-nogues.com via Valerie on Pinterest

Source: vi.sualize.us via Valerie on Pinterest

Source: zaha-hadid.com via Valerie on Pinterest

Source: pics.livejournal.com via David on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Jamie on Pinterest