DIY Friday - Book Art

I have confessed this before, I am a bookoholic. I love to read books, listen to book, and buy books, but I have never thought to use them to create things. I found several amazing ideas for using old books to create cool things for your home, that are easy and fun.

Create a shelf with books

                               Source: tumblr.com via Diana on Pinterest

Book pages wreath

Book pages shape

Book Planters

Book Clock

Book Page Mirror

Book Art

What have you created using old books?

Random Supplies

When I go shopping for new hardware I am like a kid in the candy store. I dig through the boxes and my creative mind goes into overdrive.

my recycle center

Buying hardware by the pound means that everything I see and love goes in the bag. I realized the other day while I was cleaning up my studio in preparation for the busy holiday season, I have lots of things that I loved when I saw it but once I got it home could not figure out how to make it work.

some hardware on standby waiting for a creative spark

I'm sure that as time goes on, one day I will find a use for all the random hardware I have purchased. Sometimes I just need to see it 2, 3, or maybe 4 times before the ideas start clicking.

Have you ever purchased things you have never used?

Be Inspired - Amazing Flowers

Words to Inspire

“All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today”

Idea to Inspire

Add a fresh bouquet of your favorite flowers in your work space for a little inspiration. The beautiful colors and sweet smell will keep you motivated.

Photos to Inspire

As much as I love to look at flowers, I rarely know their names. Today's collection has a variety of flowers I have never seen, but are very beautiful. So if you are a flower person and know the names of any of these flowers please share!

Source: fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net via S. on Pinterest

Source: orchidflowers.wordpress.com via Karen on Pinterest

Source: fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net via Conqui on Pinterest

Source: via Erica on Pinterest

Source: bing.com via Brandi on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Karen on Pinterest

Source: tumblr.com via Heather on Pinterest

Etsy Finds to Relax and Recharge

Summer is coming to the end and the Fall season will be here before we know it. As the season approaches our business and life will get a busier.

This is the time of year we need to carve out a little time for ourselves to relax and recharge, and it should be something we do weekly.

Today I have found some wonderful products on Etsy the will be great to help create a relaxing environment for recharging our creative spirit.

Decorative Pillow by SeamsToMe23

Coral Orange Flocked Throw Pillow Cover by KainKain

Striped Lap Throw Blanket by TwinkleShines

Navajo blanket Pendleton wool throw by UrbanCamp

Aromatherapy Indulge Eye Pillow by HomemakerMovement

Organic Flaxseed and Lavender Eye Pillow by reDuxGoods

Reed Diffuser by Taromas

Linen Spray by RedLeafBathandBody

Natural Soy Candle by RadiantNaturalsLLC

How do you like to recharge for a busy week?

Motivation Monday

                              Source: pixdaus.com via Valerie on Pinterest

Test Your Limits

To find your real capabilities you must push yourself through your comfort zone.

Don't do it recklessly.

Find what you think are your boundaries, then challenge them by degrees.

When you see they're illusions, push harder.

DIY Friday - T-shirts Fashions

I love the idea of taking something old and creating something new. T-shirts are great to recycle, because they are easy to work with and you can create so many cool things to wear and use. Here are a few links for taking your t-shirts to the next level and creating a whole new looks.

No Sew Ideas

                                Source: bywilma.com via Valerie on Pinterest

Fast and Easy

Easy Vest

Easy Sew Ideas

Baggy to Great 

Create a new look

Super simple great look

Add your own personal touch

Create your own t-shirt with words

Have some fun with a bleach pen

No bleach pin, use bleach

Have you refashioned a t-shirt? What did you make?

Big Risks

I am thrilled to tell you I am finally done with my wholesale order. 400 pieces are packed, shipped, and off to Arizona.

I can't show you the pieces yet, but as soon as the website launches I will share the link.

Taking this order was a big risk for my business. 

I knew I would still have to work on orders that came through Etsy and my shows coming up (I have one this Saturday). So in the mist of making all the pieces for the order, I had to build up my inventory for my shows, and Etsy.

This experience really challenged how I do business, and my time management skills. It inspired a few new ideas for organizing my business, and I will be working on those over the next few weeks.

I will share these ideas with you closer to the end of the year, as I use my new system and make it an effective part of my business.

Taking on this project was risky, but it gave me a greater belief in myself and my business and I now I know I can handle anything that comes my way.

What risks have you taken in you business?

What do you want to try but you don't think your ready for?

Be Inspired - Street Art

Words to Inspire

“As artists, the pleasure is to really have your work resonate and mean something. Art takes its inspiration from reality.”
Yareli Arizmendi

Idea to Inspire

Next time you have the opportunity to visit a city, enjoy your visits to the museum, galleries, and shows, and don't forget to check out all the art on the street. You will be amazed how inspiring it can be.

Photos to Inspire

I live in an area where street art is not common, but when I get to the city I am always amazed by the talent of street artists. Since I don't have the opportunity to see street art all the time, I look at streetartutopia.com to see all the new pieces being created.  Today I am sharing a few of my favorites to inspire you. If you missed the post I did last year about street art last year, click here to see more cool art.

Let Nature be Your Guide

Nature is so inspiring. The beauty of flowers, mountains, water, trees, and plants, can calm the mind and inspire new ideas.

When you are walking through nature you want to take in all the details. You look at things close-up, pick things up, use all your senses to absorb in your surroundings and see new things.

Nature is full of colors, textures, shapes, and an endless source of inspiration. 

Why not look at everything like you look at nature and expand your inspiration well.

Your favorite restaurant, the store, old cars, or even the side of a building can offer the same source of inspiration as you find in nature. You just have to treat everywhere you go as if you were walking through the park.

Just like when you happen upon a beautiful flower that your want to smell, touch, and see all the details, you can do the same at your favorite restaurant. Check out the flooring, fixtures, fabrics, even the way they present your meal. All of these thing can be a great source of inspiration.

Taking your time on your daily travels can inspire new ideas, as you take in all the details around you.

Inspiration is everywhere, let nature be your guide to new ideas.

What is your favorite source of inspiration?

Motivation Monday

                     Source: goawaycomeback.tumblr.com via Valerie on Pinterest

When you reach an impasse with a problem, take a new approach.

Free your mind from negativity.

Explore all possibilities, however unlikely.

Ask "Why Not?"

And follow it to its conclusion.

DIY Friday - Brown Paper

I love wrapping my holiday gifts in brown paper and adding fun decorations and ribbon. Brown paper is easy to work with and affordable. I found easy and cool items you can make with brown paper.

Brown paper basket

Brown paper flowers

Paper hearts

Brown paper wreath

Brown bag basket

Have you created with brown paper? What have you made?