FRIDAY FAVES - Modello Designs

What a feast for my eyes!  If I ever want to feel creative this is the place to go.

Modello is a design concept that is both a method and a product.  You can read more about it here.

A couple of their designs for you to enjoy:

The Grand Del Mar/Barrel Vault Ceiling

Shanghai

concrete treatment

Gilding Under Glass

glass treatment

Do check out the site.  You won't regret the inspiration!

FRIDAY FAVES - Teabag Coasters

Yep, you guessed it....another craft idea found on a non-scrapbooking website.  This is from The Dieline blog which is all about package design.  

Today's inspiration comes from embossed tea bag packaging which they call "coasters" because you use the package to set your wet tea bag on and the embossed image soaks up the tea-tinted water.  Cool concept that could work with embossed scrapbooking paper perhaps?  I'm planning on giving it a try!

There are more embossed images and photos on the original blog post here.

FRIDAY FAVES - Amy's Puppets Rock!

My friend, Amy, is not only is a frequent commenter on my blog, she may be my only reader.  Hi Amy!  *waves*

No, seriously, she's incredibly talented and always inspires me!  One of her many talents includes making puppets!  (That's a unique skill I'd say!)  Here's one of her latest creations. 

Isn't he adorable?   I wish I could see him in action!  He's like a cute lil' Jack Sparrow daredevil pirate.  Cute, cute, cute!!  

You can stop by Amy's blog for more inspiration by clicking here.

FRIDAY FAVES - Colorful Organization Tool as Artwork

Art project idea!

This project was posted on the Design*Sponge blog back in March.  Although these pieces were geared toward an organizational method for buttons and fabrics, I see it as pure artwork and I fell in love with it immediately.  I would like to recreate the bottom piece using my handmade buttons.  If I ever get the project completed I'll be sure to share!  It might even make an awesome advertising technique on my Etsy shop.  :o)

The full blog post with more photos and instructions can be found here.

FRIDAY FAVES - Vintage Book Page Decorations

I've come across so many unique and clever paper crafting projects over the years.  It is amazing what can inspire you when you venture out beyond the scrapbooking-specific arena.  This project was featured on Chronicle Books Blog back in April and I saved it for future project ideas. 

Window dresser and future Chronicle author, Cathy of California created these amazing hanging decorations out of thrifted paperbacks for Market in Brentwood California.  Stunning aren't they??  I can see so many uses for this idea...

FRIDAY FAVES - Keisha Campbell

I have just recently discovered Keisha Campbell and by the looks of things I'm really out of the loop!  I love her elegant touches and use of everyday products.  Clearly she was made to design for Jenni Bowlin!  She rocks that stuff!  Here are a few of her recent projects that I just adore (and plan to adapt for my own pages).

Don't take my picks for it though, just go check out her blog.  You won't regret it!

FRIDAY FAVES - Package Design

A few of the blogs I visit concentrate on package design  There are concepts, patterns and colors that can be translated into cards or scrapbook pages.  This is one that I'd love to reproduce - a redesign of Penelope facial products by Erin Dameron. 

The designs could be reproduced with some tone-on-tone cutwork, and the patterns could be included as part of the designs.  Sweet for wedding cards right?

You can see more of Erin's work here.

FRIDAY FAVES - Akiane Kramarik

This is a video about Akiane Kramarik, a 12 year old child prodigy who creates amazing artwork.  A large part of interest comes from her claim to be shown the ideas and images for many of her paintings through God.  Putting religious beliefs aside, I am amazed at her talent and that is why I am sharing this video with you.  I hope you are amazed as I am.


I checked out Akiane's website and read a bit about her background.  Painting isn't her only strong point, she can also speak 4 languages fluently.  Clearly this girl is something special.

THURSDAY THOUGHTS - Floating along this creative current

I've been incredibly busy. Work has been busier than usual with extra project and reports. Luckily for me I've been feeling pretty clear-headed and focused the past three weeks. Even so, I feel sooo behind because no matter what, I still have more to do. Today's project is to get through emails. Both work and personal. Weeks have gone by since I've actually sent an email to a friend.

It is also just over four weeks away before I'll be traveling for work and then pleasure. One week in Baltimore and one week, well, somewhere we will have a vacation to remember for years to come. (The kids will not know our destination until we are ON OUR WAY so I can't post it here yet. Such a mean mom, right?)

What makes it stressful is that I'll be arriving home on Saturday from Baltimore at 5:30 PM and I will be leaving again for our vacay on Sunday morning at 9:00 AM. That means I have to be ready for both trips by the 18th of October. I believe I might be a bit insane but what's life without a little bit of chaos!

Additionally, I will be taking a certification exam in Baltimore. I have to study, study, study in all of my spare time.

A good two months or so ago I broke down and bought Lady GaGa on CD. She's got quite a few singles playing on the radio and when I heard "Lovegame" I was hooked. As is my MO, I've pretty much listened to this one CD nearly every day since. I *LOVE* it. Her lyrics aren't what stands out, it is the melody and catchy bits that are intertwined into each song that makes it so special. Each time I listen to it, I just feel caught in this big creative bubble that I want to stay in forever. I caught her shocking VMA performance and was amazed once again at her creativity. Talent is questionable but creatively she's quite remarkable.

I've been working my way through my reading list. Right now I'm listening to Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt. Audio books are an awesome way to "read" while I'm heading to work and back. Frank McCourt has an amazing Irish accent that I just adore. I feel like their way of storytelling, words & accents combined, are a story in and of itself. However, the book, Angela's Ashes, is also fabulous. Although I'm only a little way in I just don't want this book to end....EVER. I am so sad that Frank McCourt is no longer with us and that his lovely storytelling & Irish accent are gone as well. Highly recommend giving audio books a try. You get an even deeper feel for the stories sometimes.

Between Lady GaGa and Frank McCourt I've been simply floating down this creative current that I just don't want to leave. I feel like I'm wrapped in a comfortable blanket. It is such a wonderful place to be!

Gift idea - Catalog of Love

This is a fabulous do-it-yourself gift idea! I must do this!
http://www.designspongeonline.com/2009/06/sweet-idea-diy-catalog-of-love.html

Obsessed with: HOUNDSTOOTH!

I blame Scarlet Lime. They had a kit a month or two ago with some exclusive papers which included a few Houndstooth patterns, one was olive green and white and one was two-toned navy. I'm not a Houndstooth fan in clothing but on my scrapbook pages? LOVE. 'EM. I mean, seriously LOVE 'EM!!

I did some browsing on Two Peas in a Bucket today and searched for Houndstooth which brought up several yummy treats including a background stamp from Hero Arts (pictured above). I saw some stuff from Jenni Bowlin, Hambly, Heidi Swapp Street Smarts alpha....HOW COME I AM JUST SEEING THESE NOW???...and KI Memories sheers. I'm just in heaven!!! Unfortunately trying to stick to my SIMPLIFY theme for '09 and did not buy them. Hopefully I can resist my virtual cart for awhile longer. :D

I did spend some time creating over this cold, cold weekend.



I can't wait for tomorrow. I think it's going to be quite a historical day for our country. I'll be busy at work but hopefully can catch a bit of the inauguration.

INGENIOUS!!

You must check out this unique 2009 Bubble calendar. Each day you get to pop a bubble!!
Bubble Calendar

I totally ******HEART****** this. It's a bit pricey for me though! But it has given me ideas to incorporate into my scrapbook pages.

Just Imagine

It was hard to get a good picture of this. It is Prism's textured paper which has a pearl finish to it. It's fab stuff but it didn't photograph too well. The paper is pure white like it looks in the middle. Maybe I'll get some sunlight and try taking a better pic.


Imagine a blank wall ready to create.
Imagine a world without prejudice and hate,
Or imagine a language no one needs to translate.

Imagine all the ways life could be great.
Imagine enough crops to put food on our plate,
and imagine life without separation of church and state.

Imagine a society not run by government mandate.
Imagine strong individuals we don't need to validate,
or imagine a heavenly home we can anticipate.

Imagine there's no wrong or right.
Imagine a country without angst and strife,
and imagine loving this thing we call life.

Just Imagine.

Copyright 2008 by Penny Brellenthin. All rights reserved.

I'm Having a Relapse

It's been years but finally there's a new Eminem CD coming out! The teaser was just released this week and I'm *TOTALLY* in love all over again.

Relapse

Food in San Antonio

One thing I love to document is prices. It amazes me how much prices can change in just one year. I can still remember believing we were in crisis once gas rose above $3 a gallon and now, just a few years later, we're happy if it's under $4. I love to listen to those "Remember when . . ." conversations.

I want to keep a record of my more memorable meals in San Antonio. I will incorporate this into a scrapbook page somehow. Perhaps you can find a way to do this too?

9/24/08 at 7:17 PM
Joe's Crab Shack-Riverwalk
Cheesecake Sampler $4.69
Mojito $6.99
The cheesecakes...OMG...four small slices of cheesecake on one plate...ALL FOR ME! It was over-indulgent and I couldn't finish them all though I tried my hardest! The mojito was fabulous! Cheesecake and alcohol. Sounds yummy doesn't it?? LOL!!

9/25/08 at 9:37 PM
Boudro's on the Riverwalk
Seared Gulf Tuna $21.00
Prickly Pear Margarita $7.00
Guacamole $8.00 (split into 10)
Boudro's is one of the fancier restaurants I've been too. Each night it was PACKED with people standing along the riverwalk waiting to be seated. Reservations are a must. I knew we'd be in for some great food. A party of 10 - the earliest reservation we could get was 8PM - many others attending the conference weren't able to get reservations at all and had to go elsewhere. It was clear we were at the "IT" spot.

The waitress was extremely accommodating and personable. It's one of the few places I've been where the customer actually gets put first. We ordered guacamole which would be prepared fresh table side. We got to see just how to choose a ripe avocado and each item that was placed into the mixture. My first bite must have included some of the serrano pepper because it was HOT!! I wouldn't take another bite for most of the meal, but eventually tried it again and was spared the heat.

We were told we couldn't leave without trying a prickly pear margarita. Out comes this large margarita glass with a light green and berry colored mixture with a lime wedge on the rim. I did not stir mine but drank where these two beautiful mixtures met. It was a lovely blend of salty with sweet with a little different taste to it.

This was the first time I've eaten fresh tuna steak so I had them prepare it medium rare as the waitress recommended. It was delicious with a slightly spicy sauce on top and steamed vegetables along the side. Service was outstanding.

9/26/08 at 1:15 PM
La Frite Belgian Bistro
Crab Crepe $10.50
Iced Tea $2.50
This was a quaint bistro a few blocks from our training center. It gave me images of small town Italy - just a whole different place and feel to it. The crab crepe was awesome. I couldn't believe how much crab there was for $10.50. The waitress was the cutest little thing and reminded me very much of my cousin, Sue. This is one of the few restaurants with a real hometown feel to it. Service wasn't rushed, conversation wasn't phony but sincere and relaxed.

October's Ad Inspired Challenge

I've posted October's ad on ScrapFriends. I loved the fun colors and randomness of this page. The angled journaling, the confetti floating around, and the uneven title work. Fab.u.lous I tell ya'!

Please stop on by the ScrapFriends message board to get the chocolaty scoop on this month's challenge. The prize is from Flair's Spellbound Collection...just in time to scrap those Halloween photos!!

All entries are due October 31st at 12 midnight CST.

Have fun.

October's Undiscovered Scrapper - Helen Croft

This month I had a really hard time finding an undiscovered scrapper for my monthly feature at ScrapFriends. I searched and searched I can't even tell you how many HOURS. I just wasn't feelin' it until I spotted Helen Croft's work at Scrapbook.com. This woman is amazingly talented and I discovered her! It truly feels like finding a bit of gold among the rocks. Such a great feeling!

Please hop on over to read our interview and see some of Helen's work: Helen Croft

Create everyday.

Inspired....

Every once in awhile I come across something that's just inexplicably and profoundly moving. It's the kind of something that makes me feel extremely creative. Where I just want to sit down and write. I discovered that something in Nikki Sixx's new "soundtrack" to The Heroin Diaries. It's a concept album like none other, filled with spoken excepts from the book of the same title as well as songs inspired by events described in the book. It's like an expression of yourself in multiple forms. And it works, brilliantly.

It's been, oh, 15 YEARS since I've listened to what was called rock music back then (now I think they call it soft rock or, heaven forbid, classic rock??) but listening to this seemed to wrap me up in a creative lullaby that I don't want to end.

It just reminds me how beautiful life can be when we keep an open mind to new experiences.

Total inspiration...

Just came across this wonderful Etsy shop: DecoyLab Shop LOVE this orange blossom clock!!












And check out these large vinyl wall stickers from www.harmonie-interieure.com
I love the kids collection!

And this AMAZING scrapper Irene Tan aka Scrapperlicious. OMG is she amazing!!! I'm totally thinking entering MMM is a joke right now. There's no way I could compete against this kind of talent!

CHA Favorites

Trends seem to be swirls & lots of them! Lots of orange/purple/pinks out there. Everyone seems to have chipboard and an abundance of rub on alphabets and images.

We R Memory Keepers - White Out Collection - Hoopla and Promenade and their yummy embellishments

Tim Holtz masks - this one's my favorite

Bo Bunny Beau Jardin and My Darling






Crate Paper - Prudence (photo not available)

TaDa Creative Studios - Whirly Gig and Fru Fru Frames

Tattered Angels - Glimmer Mist (check out these gift packs!)

Doodlebug glitter and flock cardstock (photo not available)

Fancy Pants - especially love their Happy Holidays Collection

KACo. Mira Collection

American Crafts - Spring & Summer Collection, Travel Collection and new Thicker shapes!

BasicGrey Ambrosia and Eva collections and their chip stickers

Claudine Hellmuth - Studio paints

Inque Boutique Chipboard and Clear Stamps

MAMBI Coastal Culture Collection

My Minds Eye - Laundry Line - I want it all!