INSPIRATION & AN ACCIDENT!

I was surfing the Martha Stewart craft website one day and saw these beautiful monogramed coasters and I loved the font. I went out and found the font and downloaded it then printed the lowercase "b" and "w" but I wasn't sure what to do with them, so I pinned them to my inspiration board in my studio. Several weeks later I dumped an entire package of black buttons on the floor and as I was cleaning them up the pile that formed looked like a lowercase "b" - an idea was formed - a button monogram throw pillow! I searched for the right black and white damask fabric and could not find one I like in the right scale, so I stamped the white fabric I purchased with this Classic Fabric Design cling stamp from Hero Arts and Lamp Black Americana acrylic paint from Decoart. I enlarged my "w", cut it out and traced around the outline with a special fabric pen that disappears. Then I went to sewing on my buttons. It didn't take as long as I thought it would and I got caught up on some TV shows that I had saved on my DVR!




I was very pleased with the end result of a project that started out with some lovely typography and a happy accident!

Thanks for stopping by! -Beth

DESIGNER CRAFTS CONNECTION - WEDDINGS

Spring is in the air and the Wedding season will be here before you know it, so all of the Designers in the Designer Crafts Connection web ring have decided to post some Wedding inspiration! Visit all of the Designer's blogs by clicking on the FORWARD or BACK link in the Designer Crafts Connection navigation box on the left-hand side of my blog.

My Wedding Inspiration for today actually took place over 50 years ago when my parents got married - October 8, 1960. They celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary this past October with a vow renewal and fancy dinner. I created this special canvas for them.



I used Claudine Hellmuth's Studio Multi-Medium Matte from Ranger to transfer the photo copied image on to the canvas, decorated with antique buttons and lace from my Grandmother's stash and other vintage embellishments to finish this keepsake.

I hope I have inspired you to create something wonderful!

Thanks for stopping by -Beth

CUTE CRITTERS FOR SPRING!

I have the pleasure of having two of my designs featured in the April 2011 issue of Crafts'n Things Magazine. This magazine is jam packed full of great projects in a wide variety of mediums to please all types of crafters - LOVE my Crafts 'n Things magazine when it arrives in my mailbox!



Both of these projects are great to do with the kiddos!

First, is the Spring Critter Treat Cups - party cups, Americana Paints by DecoArt, craft foam and some embellishments are all that are needed to complete a whole forest full of these cute critters!



Second, are cute Bunny & Chick Placecard Holders. I used STYROFOAM Brand Foam Cones, great textured yarn, some wiggle eyes, ribbon and wire. Use them for placecard holders or insert a photo for a fun gift!



If you don't subscribe to Crafts 'n Things, pick up the April 2011 issue today and be INSPIRED for SPRING!

Thanks for stopping by! -Beth

MIXED MEDIA CHUNKIES

In my last post I spoke about the Flora and Fauna collection by Brenda Walton for K & Company being a trend setter by featuring nature themes. I recently acqired some paper and embellishments from this line and created these "Chunkies". Made from chunks of scrap 2 x 4 lumber I found in my brother's garage.



A coat of Americana Paint by DecoArt in Hauser Light Green and Winter Blue, with the Flora and Fauna Papers and Ephemera Pack, random clock parts, buttons and sewing items from my stash - all attached to the chunky blocks with Continuous Glue Lines and Ultra Thin Glue Dots. I topped one with a crumpled paper flower and the other with a "finial" made from an old bobbin and a wooden bird's egg.

WELCOME TO AN EARLY SPRING!

Thanks for stopping by! - Beth

Designer Crafts Connection - Trend Spotting at the CHA Winter Show 2011

Today launches the first Designer Crafts Connection blog hop! You can click on the "forward" and "back" links in the icon to the left to see what all of the designers are up to.

Our overall theme for the month of March is Weddings and we will all be posting inspirational projects on the 13th.

There is also a great giveaway - a Cricut Expression! As you hop around, watch for the green Cricut logo on nine of the Designer's blogs. Write the blog names down, then go to Julie McGuffey's blog www.juliemcguffee.blogspot.com and leave a comment with the list of blogs where you saw the logo. You'll be entered to win the Cricut Expression! The winner will be announced on Julie's blog on March 14th.

Recently I attended the CHA Winter Trade Show in Los Angeles California. This is an exciting week of creativity, inspiration and innovation for me. I will share a few of the trends that I observed.

NATURE
Birds, nests, eggs, cages, butterflies and the like continue to be a strong theme in our industry. From paper to stamps to chipboard to home decor items.

The Flora & Fauna Collection by Brenda Walton for K & Company

ZIPPERS
Zippers are showing up everywhere and not just as flowers anymore. I love how this designer, Jennifer Beason, outlined her letters in this album with zippers - FUN!

Zipper Trims by Maya Road

CAMEOS
A very vintage item making a very large comeback. Not just the traditional female profile, but horses, flowers and ballerinas, too! Look for Cameos to show up in home decor, on scrapbook pages and cards as well as jewelry.

Cameo Silhouettes by Webster's Pages

BANNERS & PENNANTS
Large special occasion banners to small stamped pennants are showing up everywhere. The styles are as diverse as the designers who have created them. I love how this card features stamped pennant images with decorative paper banners.

The Soiree Collection by Pink Paislee

BOLD VINTAGE
Shabby Chic this trend is not! Fun colors and iconic images can be found in papers, embellishments and even stamps. Nostalgia is the key word in this continuing trend.

Crate Paper, Hero Arts, October Afternoon & Jenni Bowlin

Hope you have enjoyed my trendy share. Hop around to the other designers to see what other trends were spotted at the CHA Winter 2011 Trade Show!

Thanks for stopping by! - Beth