Words of Wisdom

If you wait to do everything until you're sure it's right, you'll probably never do much of anything.

Win Borden

Success is doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.

Unknown

I am LOVING Tim Holtz's new book- Compendium of Curiosities. This is the book that is inspiring me now and to be honest since I saw it at CHA back in January. It is now out in almost all scrapbook stores. (Treasured Memories brought in tons of copies so I know you can get it there)

This book is packed full of his product with explanations of what it can be used for, tons of techniques and examples of finished project. I have already taught a class from an example shown in the book and it was a huge hit- probably my most popular class! Remember this project, it's from the book!

I have more class ideas from the book so keep you eyes open. Have a great week!

You Tube

Yes, You Tube. This is what is inspiring me today. Videos and videos of scrapbooking techniques! It is amazing how many hours one can spend watching these things! It's kind of addictive! I have had a few very fabulous ladies send me emails with links or user names to check out and it all snowballs from there. It's also very easy to navigate but I will warn you, give yourself an hour (at least) to get started. My fav videos are the Tim Holtz techniques. I watch one, go to my room and try to recreate what he made. When I can't figure it out, or it just doesn't turnout like I want it to, I re-watch the video until I get it right! A lot of back and forth, but somehow worth it in the end. If you're in need of some inspiration, try You Tube out. Go to the site, type in your favorite designer and go from there. Or if you're looking at something more specifically that can be searched too. For example if you type in "grunge board tim holtz" videos will pop up from Tim Holtz himself and from others who are sharing their inspiration and ideas using grunge board. Pretty awesome! Possibilities a plenty! Check it out and have fun!
xoxo

Meet Lisa!

Sometimes you don't have to travel very far to find inspiration, sometimes it's right in your own backyard. I have a friend who is constantly creating, constantly inspiring others and constantly being true to herself. She is often my inspiration in art and in life and I hope that she can also be yours! Please meet Lisa, she is beautiful, creative, ridiculously talented, she is also a wife and a fabulous momma to her adorable son Lucas. On top of all that she is also a scrapbboker, painter, artist, thrift shopper, friend to the earth, and all around wonderful woman. Lisa is the brains behind Treasured Memories' Trends and Techniques. She has put an insane amount of time into this blog to get it user friendly for all of you. You will find tons if inspiration, ideas, tips, tricks, trends & techniques at this site. She is constantly updating and coming up with new ideas to share with all of you. Things that often make me go, "why didn't I think of that?" Be sure to check it out, there is something there for everyone!
Have a great week friends!
xoxo

Inspiring Me Now

This magazine, Where Woman Create, is most definitely my source of inspiration these days! The pages are full of inspiring, creative & artistic woman whom are sharing their spaces and their stories with us! I bought my first issue two weeks ago and thought to myself, "this is the best magazine I have ever bought." I read the magazine's opening message and was hooked! There are no layouts, no how tos, instead there are stories about real women and how they created a space that they love, how they follow their passions! Where Woman Create is out in stores now and can be found at Treasured Memories (I think they sold out but I can't be sure), at Michael's and I do believe at Chapters & Indigo. You can also check out their website here. If you're looking for something new to get lost in while you're taking some down time (which you should all be doing) then I really do recommend this magazine.
Enjoy!

Art Journal Inspiration

Art Journals! My inspiration for you today is coming from a lovely lady named Ingrid Dijkers, who's all about mixed media. Back in January I took a class from her on art journals, how to get started, what to use, what to do an art journal about, etc. It all came down to "anything goes"! The best part of class was looking at her books, and examples that students had brought. They were fabulous and they made me want to do this. It was different than scrapbooking but it incorporated so much of what we all already do. Do you doodle? Do you save random bits from your outings with family & friends? Do you love to tell stories? Do you want to just play regardless of where you are? Do you want to just get your story down and not worry about coordinating your pattern paper, cardstock and embellishments? If you answered yes to those questions or even some of those questions then I think you might just find that creating an art journal is what you've been missing. It is basically an illustrated journal, whether it be your daily personal journal or a journal you take with you when you travel. It's a collection of your thoughts, sketches, doodles, notes, magazine and newspaper clippings, photos, ephemera, etc. It can be used as your brainstorming outlet or a home for your thoughts. Before you know it you'll have a scrapbook of your hopes, dreams, wishes and daily musings! Like I said earlier, anything goes. You don't need much to get started, a notebook and pens- the more colors the better. You can add in paints, pastels, markers, pencil crayons and pretty much anything else you can get your sticky little hands on! I get my inspiration from a few sources but this link here to Ingrid's website is wonderful! From there you can find her blog and also find all sorts of other talented altered art and altered journal ladies! Most importantly, have fun, enjoy the process of making your journal and do not stress about what your page looks like. I promise that when it's done or full you will love it!
Here are a few page I started, I blended pastels to create the back grounds for these three pages and I will have you know that when I started I had no idea what I was doing, I just played and before I knew it I had a finished page!
Have Fun & Be inspired!

Give Away Time!

There are 2 draws, one for Glitz Design product and one for a Making Memories apron & a Heidi Swapp Mega Mask (brackets). To enter Email Me (delitedesigns@live.com) and tell me what, who or where inspires you. The giveaway will be open until midnight (mst) Sunday April 25. I will announce the winners Monday. Good Luck!

Draw #1

Draw #2

Easter Inspiration

Easter weekend begins one month tomorrow and I am feeling inspired by these images! The colors, the flowers, the fresh feel, this makes me happy- spring is on the way!

(source)

(source)

My inspiration for you today comes from these images and from the very fabulous Martha Stewart! Go check out her website here. There are so many great ideas, from crafting, to baking, to decorating- she seriously has something for everyone! I was checking out her holiday section where she has a "Decorating for Easter" section with 51 do it yourself decorating ideas! 51! There has to be something for everyone with 51 different ideas! Be sure to check that out too! I'll be sure to post pictures of my Easter crafting and baking when I get it all done!

Have a wonderful week friends!

Monday Inspiration

I have been playing with and discovering new techniques with canvas. I get a lot of inspiration from my friend Lisa, Donna Downey and Kelly Rae Roberts. If you're interested in books-Kelly Rae Roberts has some fabulous ones out there that are jam packed with gorgeous, creative inspiration. This is one the canvases I finished. I love this quote and find a lot of inspiration in it. If we all only looked around a little bit more....

Have a fabulous, beautiful & inspiring week!

Inspiration Monday- Canvas

This really isn't inspiration Monday but Inspiration Tuesday but either way I am excited to share a simple, inexpensive, fabulous little project with you. I made this canvas for my friend Laurie who celebrated her birthday last Friday and decided it would be the perfect little inspiration kick. To get started you really only need a photo, a canvas and what ever fun goodies you have in your collection. I'll give you the details below for this one...

Supplies

canvas ($1 from Dollarama)

white paint

glimmer mist (I used Coffee Shop)

glimmer screen (same idea as a mask)

brown ink

gem swirl or gems

ribbon

flowers, I put pearls as the centers of the flowers

word or label (family is a label)

ornate plate (frame)

scrap paper

picture mounted onto card stock

fabri-tac or other strong liquid adhesive

glue gun

How To

1-paint canvas with white paint, let dry

2-place glimmer screen into desired position

3-cover canvas with glimmer mist, let dry

4-ink edges of canvas, just like you're inking paper

5-add photo

6-add gem swirl

7- add ribbon in accordion fashion, adhere each fold with liquid glue. I place my stapler over the ribbon to hold it in place while it dries

8-add flowers

9-add paper to back of frame, add label

10-add frame to canvas over ribbon with your hot glue gun. These frames are heavy and I did not want it falling off!

There you have it friends- you're all done!

You can always make substitutions, pretty much anything goes. For example if I didn't have glimmer screens and mist then I would just paint the canvas a color other than white. I also used embellishments out of my stash rather than going out to buy something specifically for this project. Use up your goodies, they may not be brand new to you but they are to anyone else. Have fun creating!

{xo} Nadine

Inspiration Monday = Love

With Valentine's Day this weekend I thought I'd give you a few ideas to get you into the spirit and don't cost you a boat load of money. One website I go to that has a bunch of sweet Valentine projects for you to make is House of Three, they are an online company that offers downloadable & printable projects for a very decent price. I buy from them often and think that the ideas are great! Click to check out all there Valentine's projects.

(image source)

Be sure to go and get the printable of these Valentine Love Coupons that is absolutely free! You can print them out, cut them out, tie them together with ribbon and give them to your sweetie. Or if you'd rather, you can make your own coupons to give to your sweetie with custom offers and "suggestions" ;-) Same idea, print them onto cardstock, cut them out and tie them together for a quick and very inexpensive treat.

Coupon ideas for you for your sweetie, whether they be your kids or your significant other:

This coupon entitles the bearer to......

- Movie Night (their choice)

- Massage

- Fancy Dinner Night (think Christmas dinner without the holiday)

- Get out of Jail / the Dog House Free coupon

- Chocolate Cake Coupon (the bearer can have a cake baked or bought for them for no special reason- this one is popular in my home)

- Stay up late

- Bubble Bath

- You don't have to clean your room today.... even though you really should!

Anything goes for these coupons, have fun with it.

Another great gift idea that I love to do is Top 10 lists. They are such a wonderful way to tell your loved ones just how much they mean to you and what it is that makes them so stinkin' great! A few of my favorite Top 10 lists are:

-The Top 10 Reasons I Love You

-The Top 10 Reasons You Make Me Laugh

-My Top 10 Favorite Things About You

To finish off the day you can settle down into your couch, cuddle up under a blanket, grab a bowl of popcorn and watch a love story. Sounds nice doesn't it. This is my pick for you, Up from Disney & Pixar. The most wonderful love story I've seen since in a very long time. I will warn you though, it will probably make you cry but it really is wonderful!

(image source)

I hope that this gives you a jump start on your creative energy for the weekend! Have a wonderful week and Happy Valentine's Day!

{xo} Nadine

Sharing my Inspiration

I'd like to think that I come up with all my ideas for layouts and classes all on my own but that just isn't so. I blog hop, check out my favorite product's websites and flip though many a magazine. That doesn't mean I'm not being creative, the end product is always my own. Something I whip up but I get inspired by all of the above. I see a paper flower on a layout and I think- I can do that. So I do. That's generally how it happens. Today I wanted to share some of those places that I visit to get my creative energy moving. Enjoy!
Donna Downey
Heidi Swapp
House of 3
Elizabeth Kartchner
Ali Edwards
Big Picture Scrapbooking - I have taken quite a few classes here and they are always so great
The magazines I read- Canadian Scrapbooker, Creative Keepsakes and the book that I am loving right now is 52 more Scrapbooking Challenges by Elizabeth Kartchner.

There's more but we'll start there, you can find more links and ideas on my personal blog- All of Me
Have a fabulous, creative week friends!
{xo} Nadine

Inspiration Monday

Today I am sharing a blog that I love love love! Apartment Therapy! I go and check out this blog and am always inspired to get busy! To get busy cleaning, organizing, rearranging. No, it doesn't have anything scrapbooking (that I've seen) but it makes me want to go into my room (and the rest of my apartment) and make it a better place to hang out. Before you know it I have cleaned, purged & rearranged my stuff and I then find myself inspired to create. My room is full of positive energy and that makes me happy. I find this blog and all it's contents hugely inspirational and I hope you do too! See you all on Thursday for a new technique!
{xo}

ps. Check out my favorite house tour on Apartment Therapy! So gorgeous!

New Year, New Me, New You

[source]

My inspiration comes today from this book. Available here for purchase. I bought this book a couple of years ago and every time I come across it, it's like I'm reading it for the first time. It is full of questions that make you think, really make you think! What you're doing, what you should be doing, where you're at in life and where you want to be- stuff like that. The book makes me think about every aspect f my life, questions in it make me question myself personally, spiritually, professionally- there isn't a side of my that isn't inspired. Inspired to be better, to do more, to give more. Questions that make me want to get into my scrap room and create. Questions that remind me to be present in my life and not just going through the motions. Here's a glimpse at some of those questions. I recommend this book to everyone! I don't think there is anyone out there that couldn't find inspiration in the pages.

How do you want to be remembered?
Is not every end a new beginning?
How many ways do you know to free yourself?
If you’re not happy with what you have, how could you be happy with more?
Are you making new mistakes or the same old ones?
Have you begun today what you wish to be tomorrow?
Who are “they” that hold so much power over our lives?
What is the one thing you think of that always makes you smile?

Have a wonderful week!

{xo}

Inspiration Monday

My inspiration today comes from Starbucks, from their holiday campaign this year. The theme was Wish and it made me smile every time I went into the store (which was a few time too many).

We invite you to listen to your desires and renew your hope. To see the world not as it is, but as it could be. Go ahead, WISH. It's what makes the holidays the Holidays.

(taken from side of their holiday bags )

I love it! This holiday, wish. No limits, just wish. Put your wishes onto a layout, onto a canvas, into your journal, write them on a stickie for your fridge, just get them out!

Have a very Merry Christmas!

See you in 2010!

{xo}

Inspiration Monday

And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow,

stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so?

It came without ribbons. It came without tags.

It came without packages, boxes or bags.

And he puzzled and puzzled ‘till his puzzler was sore.

Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before.

What if Christmas, he though, doesn’t come from a store?

What if Christmas perhaps, means a little bit more?
Dr. Seuss

As we approach the holidays and find ourselves pushing through all the hustle & bustle, running from one store to the next, from one event to the next, think of this quote. Take some time to reflect on why we celebrate this day. Have fun, enjoy the process of getting ready for the holidays and remember that perhaps Christmas doesn't come from a store.

{xo}

Inspiration Monday

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by the spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lightened the flame with in us.

Albert Schweitzer

Sometimes someone, whether it be a friend, family member, teacher or a complete stranger, says something or does something that makes you pause and think. I came across this quote on this blog (check it out she is fabulous) and had to smile. I was smiling because I had just finished reading an email from a good friend thanking me. Thanking me for be part of the process in helping her finding her creative self. This email made my day... correction, made my week. It made me sit back and think about who or what that was for me, what helped "light my spark". In the process of thinking about it I found myself buzzing with fun, happy, creative energy. Take sometime to think about this quote and if someone pops into your head.... let them know that they're important to you, call them, email them, send them happy mail, just let them know. Trust me it will mean so much to them and in turn might just rekindle their spark.

Happy Monday Friends!

{xo}

Inspiration Monday

Inspiration comes in all forms, for myself it is usually from a quote. I'll read or hear something and then hear the light bulb turn on. I write them on my bulletin board, in my journal, I make cards to put up (like the one above), I put stickies on our mirrors, anywhere that I can easily read them and pull energy from them.

This particular quote really hits home for me and I imagine a few of you out there. Sometimes we don't do something whether it be scrapbook, write, craft, sew, bake, etc because we fear that others won't like it. But who are we working for here- them (the public) or for ourselves? We're working for ourselves and we need to turn off our inner critic and just create. That's what makes us happy. So next time you hear those inner voices talking to you, saying things like- "Why bother? You're not as good as so & so." or " I wouldn't do that, no one will like it."- take a deep breath & kindly tell them that they can leave, their services will not be needed. Then have at it. Create. Create. Create.

Have a wonderful week!

{xo}

Halloween Treats

I don't know about you but I love to give out Halloween cards. Who doesn't love getting "fun" mail? These are the cards I made this year as well as the invitations I made for a dinner I am having.

Supplies: Making Memories Halloween pattern paper, black glimmer cardstock, black Kaiser Kraft gems, "Happy Halloween" is made from paper that I put through my Dymo label maker and inked over with black ink, the skeleton stamp is from Tim Holtz and is stamped onto acrylic and then cut out and adhered with mini glue dots.

Win Me
I am giving away a set (4) of these cards, all you'll have to do is fill them in and mail them! Email Me and tell me what you love about Halloween. I will be drawing one winner this Sunday Oct. 18, I'll mail them to you on Monday and you'll still have plenty of time to get them out before all the Ghosts & Goblins come out to play.

This decoration can be hung anywhere in your house, I hung mine on the bathroom mirror. I stamped onto acrylic, let dry, cut out the images and then put it all together with jumps rings and chandelier crystals. Supplies: acrylic sheet (Bazzill), Halloween stamps, Stazon ink (it will dry on the acrylic while other inks will just wipe off), Heidi Swapp chandelier crystals, jump rings and black tulle.

A website I love to visit during Halloween is Love Manor, check out their blog and gallery for some fabulous spooky inspiration.

Autumn Inspiration

I discovered the new SEI product at my LSS and fell in love! The colors, the patterns, the textures.... love, love, love! Here's a little More Autumn inspiration for you. A metal star (purchased at Michaels) and 4 cards for Thanksgiving. EnJoY! {xo}