Friday Favorites: Journaler's Gift Guide

Here are some cute gifts I've discovered for my fellow journalers out there.  Enjoy!

 

1. Delightful Green Washi Tape ($8), Freckled Fawn - they have such an awesome collection.
2. Pitt Journaling pens ($11.95 set of four), Two Peas in a Bucket - I use these everyday and love them.  Artwork by Mou Saha.
3. Life Banners Stamps by Ali Edwards ($14.99), Technique Tuesday.
4. Vintage Finds Mini Buttons ($7.50), ShopEvalicious

How's your Christmas shopping going?  Are you done yet?  Let me know how you're doing!

Ali

Friday Favorites: Vintage Book Lover's Gift Guide

I've recently come across some adorable gifts for my fellow vintage book lovers - enjoy!

 

1. Beautiful photographic print from f2images called In The Study ($8). 
2. Rustic Word Earrings ($22), created by Paper Memoirs. 
3. Vintage Book iPhone Charger ($68), designed by Rich Neeley and sold at Anthropologie.
4. Vintage Book Snowman ($22), made by HiButterfly.

Friday Favorites 9/21

I haven't shared any Friday Favorites for a while.  So, here are a few things that have inspired me this week:

Tutorials and Free Downloads 
I recently discovered Pugly Pixel  - a great site with lots of photoshop tutorials and free downloads.  I downloaded the photo frames I used in my last three posts from there.  It's awesome!

Inspiring Reading
I've enjoyed the writing of Leslie Green on her blog Trust Life Today this week.

Cool Project
How clever is this Canning Lid Pumpkin by Kristen at Simply Klassic Home?  I love it!

Yummy Recipes
I stumbled across a recipe site via Pinterest called Skinny Taste.  I love its clean design and simple looking recipes.  The first on my list to try is Asian Edamame Fried Rice.  It looks yummy!

Fall Decor
I can't wait to try this Fall decorating idea from Better Homes and Gardens.  I love its rustic simplicity.  And it'll give me a good excuse to clean up all the acorns accumulating in my back yard!

I hope you enjoy visiting these sites.  Thanks for stopping by.

Ali

Friday Favorites - Writers & Graveyards

Last Saturday we spent a lovely day exploring an old graveyard in Concord, MA and nearby Walden Pond with some new friends.  The graveyard is called Sleepy Hallow and is home to the graves of some famous writers, such as Emerson, Thoreau and Alcott.  It was an awesome place to take pictures, so I thought I'd share a few of my favorites today.

Hope you have a fun weekend planned!

Ali

Five Friday Favorites - new blogs

What have I been up to this week?  Mailing out these little babies to a team of designers who I know are going to knock my socks off with their creations!  You'll be hearing more soon.......

 
I discovered some new bloggers on my travels this week and I thought you might enjoy them too.  Why not stop in and say 'hi' to them.

• Lainey at Craftyacts - I particularly like the dress form card she made!
• Carol at Creative Miscellany - her playful beer mat is fabulous!
• Aisling's Hobby Blog - you have to check out this amazing thank you card!

And here are two scrapping blogs that are new to me.  They have some amazing work that I'm totally in love with and I bet you'll love it too!

• They Call Me The Scrap Nut
• Encza

Have a creative weekend!

Ali

5 Friday Favorites - Pinterest Boards

I purchased a blue version of this print late last year and I have it pinned up on my studio wall.  I need to be reminded it of this fact every day!

I thought I might share with you a few of my favorite Pinterest Boards today.  Enjoy!

Humor & Inspiration by Julie Norton

Fine Featured Friends by Heather Locklear 

(the talented lady who designed my blog banner!)

Organized Creative Spaces by Abi Garvey

Handmade Books & Journals by Inge Falappino

Hanging Around by Vintage Rose Brocante

If you have time, take a peek at my Pinterest Boards.  Want to share yours?  Just leave a link in the comments - I'd love to take a look!

5 Friday Favorites

I've found so many favorite projects this week, it's hard to pick just 5!

Janice's card really caught my eye because of the designer paper background that she antiqued - I love this look!  Check out more of Janice's lovely work on her blog Inkee Paws.

 

Vada's creative use of scraps and the layout of this card just blew me away.  I really need to try this design!  There's lots more to see on her lovely blog, Vada's Blog Stamps Ink and Paper.

And as for these little beauties - I thought I was going to fall off my chair when I saw them.  Trisha's Twinchie books are unbelievable! And so is the rest of her work, which you can check out at Easily Amused, Hard to Offend.

 

This little princess by Electra really captured my heart!  I adore the text in the background and those lovely bright colors!  Check out more of her inspiring work on her blog Wishin' I Knew How to Blog.

 

My final Friday Favorite is a link to some art journaling videos.  Don't ask me how I came across Samantha Kira's videos, but you should check them out - they are great!

I'll be back tomorrow with some cards I made using up more of my patterned paper!  Don't forget to play the challenge...

Ali

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5 Friday Favorites

I want to share with you some favorite projects I spied online this week:

Check out the stunning mixed media work of Mary Ann Potter on her blog, This Country Life.  It's so beautiful!

 

Debbie Reid's diamond fold cards just about knocked me off my chair this week. Here's one, check out the others on her blog, Scraps from Abroad.

I love how Anna Scarpino altered patterned papers to create this beautiful card.  Check out her Splitcoast gallery.

And finally, Petra Berendsen's altered book made my heart leap for joy this week. How much fun is this?  See more details on her blog, Kunterbunt Cottage.

And my 5th favorite thing is a quote I came across this week and really like it. A gentle reminder to remain in the present:

Stress is caused by being 'here' but wanting to be 'there' - Eckhart Tolle

Come back tomorrow because I have something fun planned...remember I mentioned about de-stashing in March.  Well, I finally took the plunge - get ready to join me for a challenge :)

Ali

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5 Friday Favorites - Sketch Challenge Blogs

One area I struggle with in card making is sketches or layouts.  I often seem to create cards that are square with one central image, which is fine some of the time, but it can get boring.

 

I thought I'd share with you today my go-to sketch challenge blogs that always inspire me and get me out of my comfort zone!

1. Clean & Simple Stamping

2. Stamping 411

3. Card Positioning Systems

4. Technostamper's Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge

5. Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge

I'm always looking for new sketch inspiration - where do you go?  Let me know your favorites in the comments and I'll check them out!

5 Friday Favorites - Creative Business Links

I know that some of my readers are also Etsy sellers or other small business owners, so I figured I'd share some creative business links that I found useful this week.

There's so much good advice in this post by Jess Van Den that I think I'll need to reread 10 times to take it all.  Whatever size your business is, her tips are great!

10 Steps for a Successful Handmade Product Launch by Jess Van Den

I stumbled across this 2009 piece this week.  It's a really good post about how to get featured in the press.  The advice isn't specifically for creative businesses, but I think what she says is useful for any kind of small business.

How to Get Featured by the Press - Celestine Chua

I love Megan Auman's blog posts, videos and e-books.  Here are some more amazing ideas from her:

How to Network Like a Rock Star - Megan Auman

These 10 tips on the Moo website are common sense really, but I know I don't do all of them consistently, so they're worth repeating:

10 Tips for Making a Great First Impression - Andrea Hubert

Last but definitely not least is a really cool interview with Rich Neely of Rich Neely Designs.  He makes the most amazing iPod and iPhone docks from old books - they are amazing - you have to check them out!

Interview with Rich Neely of Rich Neely Designs

Hope you enjoyed the links - happy weekend!

Ali