Color!!!

I had planned on writting a little post about all the color I've been noticing lately as I unpack and organize my studio... Then I went to my EtsyPaper Street Team Ning site (http://www.etsypaper.ning.com/) and saw a forum post asking "What inspires you?"

I responded COLOR! of course... LOL

Crayons! I so enjoy melting these little beauties onto paper. As a little girl, my favorite thing to do was color in my coloring books. When I was in Jr. High School, I'd often get out my crayons, turn on some music and just doodle in rhythm to the music.

Beads! I've been trying to organize some of my beads by color. It is kinda relaxing to sort them and drop them into glass jars and just looks at them! Almost like watching fish in an aquarium. :)

Today is a dreary day in Jacksonville. Little bit of rain, lots of clouds. I am not complaining at all. I've been living in drought conditions for so long I had forgotten how enjoyable rain can be! I don't have a whole lot of flowers planted around my new home yet, but, these beautiful yellow flowers bloomed just after we arrived.

Brilliant color on a cloudy day. :)

Orange Mood

I think I am in an orange mood. LOL! I was making crayon paper last night and just kept pulling out orange crayons from my big bag of crayons. After I made the first page, I found an orange glitter crayon and decided to give it a try. I love adding sparkle to my papers! The glitter crayon really added some shine to the paper. I'll need to find more glitter crayons because I couldn't find any more in the bag...

I also have a nice little burn mark on my arm from reaching over the iron while it was still hot... Silly me!

We have moved from Lubbock TX to Jacksonville NC. I am not working yet and am really enjoying having time at home. :) Lots of time to make paper! LOL!!!

Handmade Paper Swap

I am a member of the Etsy Papermaker's Guild Street Team on Etsy and some of our members participated in a swap. We each sent in a set of sheets of our own paper and got back one of each of the other members. I am so happy to see all of these papers! They are all just so fantastic! There are papers made from cotton, plant fibers and of course paper that would otherwise be in the trash. Really beautiful!
This is the sheet I sent in:


And these are the sheets I got back:



If you want, you can search "epgteam" on Etsy and find the wonderful work of all of these fantastic papermakers. :)
I am inspired to make more paper before I move. LOL! So today I will be in the kitchen pulling paper. So much more fun than cleaning. :)

Using Dried Flowers

I am not a big fan of using botanicals in my handmade paper. The color of the flower always bleeds and then usually turns brown. Even the petals turn brown. But, I have been using dried dyed daisy petals (say that 3 times fast) in my papers and I like the results. The dye bleeds, of course, but the color stays. I recently tried just using one color of petal instead of mixing the colors together. Here is the result when using the blue petals...

I like how each sheet has different results. The streak of dye goes one way on one sheet and another way on another sheet. And the color will stay which is exciting for me! :)

I can't wait to use the other colors!

Using Handmade Paper

I love to make handmade paper (as I am sure you know by now) but I am just not great at actually using my paper. I enjoying seeing how other people use my papers but when it comes to me using it for a project, I am just at a loss sometimes. So, I am trying to using my papers more. I have a bunch of pink paper right now so I decided to stay in the Valentine's Day spirit and make cards. These are just very simple. I covered the front of a blank card with my handmade papers and then added my die-cut hearts from paperpeddler.etsy.com to the fronts. I like the way they turned out.

I also made matching envelopes by altering commercial envelopes using the same hearts. I inked one up with a dark red pigment ink, then turned it over and pressed it to the envelope. A very subtle way to enhance the plain white envelope.

It is a beautiful day in Lubbock Texas. I was surprised by the temps outside though. I think it is only about 35 degrees right now, but the sun is shining bright and there is no wind (for a change!). Just beautiful! I have to say I will miss the wide open sky when we move, but I won't miss the wind. LOL!!!

Yes, a Valentine's Day Post

I always seem to be so behind when it comes to preparing for holidays. I am trying to do better! :) I did manage to make 2 Valentine's Day themed items...

Handmade paper:

With matching hearts:

And some Crayon Paper:

Lots of fun! :)

I am also working on actual Valentine's Day cards too! I haven't made those in so long!

Heart Day will be here before we know it... I need to get in gear and make my hubby a card too! :)

And the Award goes to....... Me!

And a bunch of other wonderful people!!!

My dear friend Angie gave me an award. She is such a sweetheart! You can see her blog here: http://angiehallhaviland.typepad.com/angiesartfulllife/

Here is my Award:

I am to name 7 of my favorite things:

1. Summer (my favorite season!)

2. Iced Tea

3. Playing with paper

4. My daughter's Artwork

5. My Husband's eyes

6. snacking on Avocados

7. Dark chococale Hershey kisses

Now, to pass this award on to 7 people...

1. http://ragqueensblog.blogspot.com/

2. http://shellyraewood.blogspot.com/

3. http://paperpeddler.blogspot.com/

4. http://papercreationsbynicole.blogspot.com/

5. http://kisforcalligraphy.blogspot.com/

6. http://clearpink.blogspot.com/

7. http://thelittleillustrator.blogspot.com/

Wonderful blogs from some very creative people! :)