crisp morning

After a week of rain and low, gray skies, today dawned clear and crisply cold here in Seattle.

By the way, Lorinda had a great idea to share the individual cards from the inspiration deck exchange we participated in gradually throughout the year.

The first two in my deck are these lushly layered cards from Connie @ Connieartz.wordpress.com (left) and MaryJane @ desertdreamstudios.com.  Thanks ladies!

inspiration deck

A little while ago I showed pics of the inspiration deck I received from the swap hosted by Jess at In Search of Dessert.  Now I needed a place to keep them handy and enjoy a new card each week.  I've taken to saving every small box of every size cuz you never know when you're going to need to decorate a small box, right?!  What do you know, I have two jewelry gift boxes that were the perfect ATC/inspiration deck size!

I'll keep one on my desk next to my computer to keep me creatively motivated......

Choosing the next card in the box each week to inspire me - don't they just fit beautifully?

I even have a place holder thanks to my swap with April Cole (thanks!) - reminding me to 'bravely make her believe'!

Since I had two of the boxes, I decorated the other and it will be the home of my ATC card collection (now only two from Jessica Sporn) that will grow this year as I participate in swaps.....  I'd been avoiding ATCs for some reason....now I can see how versatile and fun they are to make so I'm in.....I'll use it as my art warm up activity!

Let me know if you want to swap ATCs - I'm busy making a supply so I'll be ready to trade.  I'll share some pics soon.
[ED:  Already I'm forgetting to put my name on the photos so I made myself delete and reload all the photos - if I do that enough, eventually I'll make it a habit, right?]

inspiration deck

In the hubbub of holiday activities I'd totally forgotten about the inspiration deck swap I participated in (hosted by Jessica at InSearchOfDessert).  Then my newly shuffled deck showed up in the mail.  What a treat!  I LOVE this swap and ended up with some beautiful, inspiring, delightful mini art pieces!

I love that each is SO different and most are very different from anything I would think of. My plan (as of now anyway) is to make a little display box for them so I can keep them on my desk and each week pull out a new card to inspire my week's creativity.  As I pull a new one each week I'll share it in more detail here.  For now, I'm in the process of sending each of you a heartfelt personal thank you - and I can't wait til the next swap!

P.S. with Pinterest playing such an active role in the creative community and images being pinned right and left, I decided it was time to start claiming my images so am going to try to remember to add my name to everything I post.  Key word: try. :)

AEDM #1-4

Art Every Day Month (hosted by Leah at Creative Every Day) starts today and runs for the WHOLE ENTIRE month of November.  I'm in.  I think that what's behind this commitment is the fact that I haven't been in my art room in over a week as I've been dealing with computer issues.  I miss it.  I need a kick in the pants to get back in there. [ed: my computer issues have continued and I was without for several days so I'm playing catch up]



Like all challenges, Leah is providing a link place each day where you can show off what you've been up to. I absolutely know I won't be able to visit everyone - there's just not enough hours in the day.  But I figure if I visit 6-8 new-to-me folks every time I link in, I'll meet some new people, find some inspiration and stay connected.  Wanna join?

Let the creative frenzy begin! :)

Day 1 & 2:
I am working on completing my inspiration deck for the challenge hosted by Jessica at InSearchofDessert.  It goes in the mail today!

Day 3:
I work at a large custom cabinet/wood shop and bring home all sorts of scraps of various materials. I've got quite a stash of various veneers and I'm toying with several projects to make that incorporate veneer. I made a mock up to see how sturdy it is and how much abuse it can take.  This is about 3x6".

Day 4:
Time for long overdue mail art - here's the beginnings..........

My intention is to make time EVERY day this month and not let the computer suck up all my free time....we'll see how I do. :)