My One Little Thing "Hero"

I had a few ideas for this weeks challenge.

1. There was an idea that I had that used stamps... but I seem to have misplaced my stamp stash (a whole flipping tackle box!) and so that I idea was squashed.

2. Next I thought about doing a piece focusing on the many women that inspire me... but the idea was scattered and not coming together. 

Then I found this picture of Picasso...

... and I knew exactly what had to happen...

P-man standing guard over the Saturday morning coffee and peanut-butter.

I wouldn't exactly call Picasso a hero. He is one of the greatest artists who has ever lived, but he was also a bit of a dick. However, I could not pass up the opportunity to make a pocket sized Pablo in tights.

So what's the lesson this week? It's okay to be silly in your work. Being silly is a valid way to explore a concept/challenge and opens the door to even more ideas. As an added bonus, it can remove fear and gives you freedom over your own work.

P.S. I watched the documentary Blood Brother this week (it's on Netflix). Ahhhmazing! Rocky Braat is a real hero.

Morning Visitors

I've been wondering where my feathered friends have gone. The feeder was hanging half full... yet no visitors for ages. Today I went out to inspect and discovered that all that was left was dried corn which was clogging the holes. I felt badly for not realizing sooner so set out a feast this morning. In no time at all my friends returned.

We're located on a migratory path and see a lot of different birds here. It's lovely to see four or five totally different birds sharing the goods. Sometimes they get a bit bossy and dive bomb one another, but mostly everyone gets along.

Yellow birds in winter are like a wisp of summer.

The bird above is one of my very favourites, a dark-eyed  junco. They prefer scattered seed over the feeder and enjoy the spoils that fall from the feeder.

The sweet girl above is a downy woodpecker. You can tell her apart from the boys because she is missing a patch of red feathers at the back of her head.

Everyone was having a grand time and having their fill until this cheeky thing came bounding along. 

I've been watching a family of squirrels poking in and out of a hole in the tippy top of one of our old black locust trees. Lucky for him they've been entertaining or else I would have shooed him away.

Collecting Nice Things with Graphic 45

I'm sure I've asked this before: Have you ever seen the movie Amelie? 

It’s wonderful, and filled with so many delightful little details. Many of those little details were from a journal that directorJean-Pierre Jeunet, used to keep. A collection of things that made him happy. I’ve wanted my own collection of nice things ever since. And so, my new years resolution is to take special notice of lovely things.

Using an inexpensive coil bound notebook and Graphic 45's Once Upon a Springtime, I’ve created a special place for my collection. It has loads of pockets where bits and pieces can be tucked away… but it’s also practically embellished so that I can toss it in my purse. 

Although I may not have gone over the top with embellishments, I think every snip of Once Upon a Springtime is cute as buttons.

When not making notes it closes up tight and is secured with a length of jute affixed with a brad on the spine. It has quickly become my favourite book to write nice things inside :)

To make your own, I've created a snapguide HERE to help you. Don't let the number of steps put you off, a few of them doubled for clarity sake.

And the supply list...

G45 Once Upon A Springtime Tiny Treasures

G45 Once Upon A Springtime Cut-apart

G45 Once Upon A Springtime Enchanted Forest

G45 Once Upon A Springtime Woodland Fantasy

G45 Once Upon A Springtime Frames

Graphic 45 Stamped Metal Brad

Graphic 45 Ornate Metal Keys

Core'dinations G45 Darks Antique Moss

Blank Journal

Adhesive

A few collages

I've been a total slacker this week. I don't know if it's the weather, or maybe recovery from the holidays, or I'm just burnt out, but I haven't felt like doing much other than veg on the couch and watch foreign horror films.

I dragged my bum up to my crafty cocoon last night and created a few little collages...

First this little girl in the wind. The image of the gal is from The Graphics Fairy, a great resource for free images. That greenish paper in the background has a beautiful iridescent quality... I wish I had bought more of it because I don't think it's available any longer. The little striped bit by her feet is a lovely thin Red & Cream Stripes Paper Tape*

Below is my favourite of the bunch.

I like how serene and surreal it is. I like the colour pallet too, it's like a dream. Warning: I'm about to sound pretenious... I like the spacial quality, the economy of embellishment most of all

And then the moon. Sometimes I sit and chop out words and phrases from discarded books then peice them back together into phrases... sort of like little poems. It's a lovely exercise.

One Little Thing - Hero

This week's prompt is "Hero"

Have you always wanted to be a super hero? Maybe you know a real life hero? This week take a few minutes to create one little thing with a 'hero' theme.

Design a super hero costume, write a list of essential utility belt gadgets, take a photo of your every day hero. There is no incorrect way to complete this task. The important thing is to focus and think creatively about the theme... and enjoy yourself!

**You DON'T have to make something big or elaborate. This challenge is about removing the excuse "I don't have time" and dedicating few minutes to being creative. It's also about giving value to, and recognizing, creativity and inspiration in all it's forms. A poem, photograph, idea list, ATC, doodle, inchie, sketch, card, painting, inspiration board, altered something-or-other... ANYTHING you create from scratch with the theme in mind is a success. **

My One Little Thing: "Era"

For my own 'one little thing' for last weeks challenge, I created this ATC...

I started out doing a few sketches and making some notes while my kid was at curling practice. I had thought about doing a British Victorian card with a lamp post and carriage. Then maybe a sort of art nouveau inspired something. I also toyed with a 70's theme.

But this is what I ended up with... wanting to create something with the feeling of a past era but my heart kept being tugged by the little French bits in my stash. A tiny nod to the French and a little 'Je suis Charlie' I suppose.

The lesson this week? It's ok to go off track. Just because I didn't follow through with those first ideas doesn't invalidate them. They're still there, waiting for another opportunity to be used.

**Image used from Large Victorian Corsets Collage Sheet**

Graphic 45 Precious Memories Box

Graphic 45 has been revealing their sneak peeks and I was lucky enough to get my hands on them early and create with their new product line-up. Hop over to their blog to see all of the new goods (some seriously cool stuff there!). Here's my first project with their new goodies :)

Browsing the pages of the Precious Memories collection for inspiration, I sort of fell in love with image of the little boy and his rabbit. The fellow with the curls nuzzling his stuffed bunny reminded me of my son when he was toddling around with 'Mr. Elephant' (don’t tell him I told you that!) I still have that little elephant. It’s tucked somewhere, not completely away, so that I stumble across it once in a while, causing memories to flood back.

For this piece I created a little needle felted bunny, just like the one in the image, to create a sense that that moment had actually existed. Don’t be frightened off by that little woolen bunny! This little sentimental vignette would be even sweeter created with a real photograph and small childhood memento.

Precious Memories Cuddle TimePrecious Memories CherishPrecious Memories Baby’s Breath
Precious Memories Pat-A-CakePrecious Memories Precious MemoriesSmall Matchbook BoxShabby Chic Ornate Metal BradsOrnate Metal Label Holder
Needle felted bunny
White Picket Fencing
Twine
Wheels
ButtonsAdhesive

Want to see more? Check out the Sneak Peek Re-Cap on the Graphic 45 blog :)