Cartwheels In My Mind

Photo Of The Day, October 20, 2010.

© elizabeth mudge

this handmade goodie was a combination of fabric scraps, thrift store glass frames and a super cute {super vintage-looking} rub-on sticker.

Kitschy Digitals, Wall Art & Pendants.

I love Kitschy Digitals; have for a long time now. Every design is unique and fun! I must say, I went a little overboard creating my projects with the digital kits, because I just could not chose one kit. I was really inspired and needed to play with them all. Mixing them up was the best part. I have found that I am really liking digital elements a little more now. Since I was inspired to step out of my box a little, I made two projects, Chalkboard Photo Wall Art & Kitschy Pendants.

Chalkboard Photo Wall Art

 

I Mixed & matched a variety of Kitschy digital kits with my wall art set. I selected a few of my favorite photos of my daughter, that showcase her personality and I am so excited how they turned out. It was really fun making these. I resized the Chalkboard papers down to 6x6 size, printed them out on the back of white cardstock & adhered them to black poster board. I used the Vintage Photo Frames digital kit to print out my photos on regular photo paper, each of which are displayed in different tones (color, b&w & the Seventies action by Pioneer Woman). Then I embellished each piece with a mix of digital elements from the Woodgrain Frames, Monotone Fresh Feathers & the Watercolor Doilies Paper Collection digital kits.

Kitschy Pendants

I wanted to make something super simple and easy to wear necklaces when the mood strikes. So, I decided to make some pendants. I made three in different sizes and shapes. When making each of these, I resized them to fit the shape without distorting the design of the images. The large circle pendant displays the pattern paper 'Patchwork' from the Calico Dream Digital Kit. I just love the bright & bold, vibrant colors and the pattern was just perfect. Then I continued with the same kit and made a rectangle style pendant using Mustard Gingham pattern paper & Red Calico Flower die-cut elements. Last one is my favorite!! I used a small square glass shape using the "Hearts" Chalkboard papers digital kit for this one. How cute would it be to make a bunch of these and give to your mom or best girlfriend as a gift? Even lovely for Valentine's!

Thanks a so much Danielle for sharing your amazing digital designs with us!!

Art Shoppe Interview: Elle's Studio.

Do you remember these Say What Birdie Bubble Tags? I bought those way back in 2007 at Elle's Studio shop on Etsy. I couldn't resist them, they are the cutest tags ever. I've used a few on layouts and some as gift tags. So, when I emailed Elle's asking her if we could feature her amazing shop, I was over the moon excited when she said YES! I have been a fan of her products for quite some time and really enjoy creating with them. Her tags the perfect "staple" to have on hand.

I am so pleased to introduce you to Elle's Studio! Elle is a graphic designer who creates a fabulous assortment of tags, stamps, embellishments, mini pattern papers and more. You can find a variety of them in different shapes, sizes and for all seasons and special occasion. Perfect for all of your crafting needs. Elle answered our questionnaire and has shared with us her advise and a little about herself and her business.

Tell us a little bit about yourself:
Hello! My name is Elle and I’m 27 years old. I’ve had a passion for arts and crafts ever since I was a little girl and have had tons of different related hobby's in the past, but scrapbooking has always been my favorite! I also like to cook and bake, hang out with my family (I just became an aunt!), drink coffee and blog :)

Describe your business:
We make paper, tags and embellishments for scrapbooking!

What made you decide to open an art business?
I was trying to find tags to journal on for my scrapbook projects at the store. When I couldn’t find any I started making my own. Then, my family and friends started encouraging me to sale them online! We started selling them on etsy and then after a year we opened our own website, too!

Where does your inspiration come from?
I get inspiration from everyday life. I love flipping through magazines and viewing photographs on flickr. I seem to get inspired by combinations of colors and patterns.

What kind of music do you enjoy listening to while you create?
Most of the time I have my TV on in the background… I love mystery/suspenseful shows and movies!

What and/or who are your influences?
My mom and grandma are very crafty women and were always working on craft projects of their own. And, both my parents were always encouraging me, from a very young age, to do what I loved!

Please share with us your favorite childhood memory...or one that includes art!
Going to the art’s and craft store with my mom! She would take me about once a month and give me some money to spend. Then, we’d spend the rest of the afternoon, and weeks after that, crafting away! It was always something I looked forward to!

Do you have a motto you live by?
I have to admit, I love that “keep calm and carry on” slogan! I have a poster of it in our workspace!

Where do you see yourself & your business in the next 5 years?
Hopefully, we are still selling tags and paper goods! I love paper so much, that I always see it in my life somehow :)

Any tips and tricks to other artists/business owners?
Take care of your customers by having excellent customer service!

Advice you would like to share for someone looking into starting their own art business?
I never truly understood how much time everything takes, and in the first years you are usually doing everything yourself, so… make sure you LOVE it! You’ll be doing it 24/7 and if you don’t truly love it, it will be easy to get burnt out.

Elle's Studio Blog: http://ellesstudio.blogspot.com/ is updated daily with amazing artwork by her creative design team, step by step tutorials, free classes and challenges. You'll sure find inspiration and want to create using her products, which can all be purchased at her Store: http://www.shopellesstudio.com/. Be sure to follow Elle's Studio on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ellesstudio and become a fan at Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Elles-Studio/170888608911

Elle's created a beautiful mini album, which tells the story of nicknames given to her family pet. The photos are adorably sweet and her layering style is wonderful. Products used in her mini album can be found in her store. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elle’s Studio has just released a ton of new 2011 calendars and tags, along with some really fun Mix &  Match Vintage numbers!These would be great for your December Daily projects and more. Also, if you didn’t catch their amazing 3-week free journaling class, head on over to their blog to see what you missed. Bonus! They’ve complied all the information into a downloadable pdf booklet! Print it out and keep it handy for those times when you need an extra boost for your journaling!

Giveaway: One person will receive some 2011 calendars and a package of Mix & Match Numbers from Elle’s Studio. Leave a comment on this post now and through Sunday evening and the winner will be randomly chosen. Good luck everyone!

And, if you’re into digital scrapbooking, Elle's Studio also just started selling some digital and hybrid items! They are available at Jessica Sprague's site! http://www.jessicasprague.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=77&Itemid=85

Be on the lookout for some sneak peeks of their new Christmas designs coming VERY soon.

Thank you so much Elle for sharing thoughts and amazing designs and for sponsoring the give-away to our readers.

Digikit "Maddie Embellishments" by Erica Hernandez

Jumpstart On A Wednesday...Type Love Edition.

This week's project to get your creative juices flowing is inspired by the font that I shared this week. Remember how I mentioned that it's perfect for graphic art pieces around the house? Well I decided to try it out..and here's what I ended up with:

We have a little space in between our dining/sunroom and living area that has been empty up till this point, so I decided to frame this little EAT YOUR CAKE graphic for that space...I felt like it added color but wasn't so much that it took away from either room.

I actually debated with whether or not to add a little cupcake graphic, but couldn't find one that I loved, so I decided that the words by themselves were enough.

Now that I created my first one, I'm thinking I need to make a bunch more and possibly print them on canvas instead of photo paper the next time. There are endless possibilities as to what you could create with this...

SUPPLIES:

FONT: fabianestem by Esteban Muñoz Grunge Brush: MaryAnn Wise for 2peas; Frame: Target.

What are YOU working on this week? Aside from this project, I'm working on some graphic changes for the site and adding new photo albums (which means new girls!) as well as contacting new artists to share with you. I'm so excited with all the stuff we'll be sharing over the next few months!

Photo Booth Wall Art.

I keep a lot of unused canvases in different sizes around the house. I'm sure I had an idea for them at the time I purchased them, but needless to say, I don't get around to making as much with them as I would like. A few weeks ago I created some CHA projects & decided to cover an 8x10 canvas with pattern paper for one of them. I loved how it turned out so I decided to make another one to share here on the Cartwheels site.

It literally takes only 5 minutes, at the most to create this. Just wrap a 12x12 sheet of your favorite patterned paper and secure it with a staple gun. I did add some craft adhesive to the base of the canvas frame to keep from bulking...not a lot though. There were a few areas where the staples needed to be hammered, but that's not a big deal. You can add all sorts of fun embellishments on our finished project: like hand stitching, random photos or a few items you have hanging around the house.

I dressed mine up with some silly photo booth pictures of me and the kids from our trip to the movies last week. (By the way, if you haven't seen Despicable Me, you MUST! It is hilarious!!) I made a little felt banner and stapled it over the twine.

Gosh, don't pay any attention to the one photo strip with my twisted facial expression...my timing & the camera didn't seem to correlate very well. ;)

Another option is using fabric remnants. Just add some batting between the canvas frame and the fabric and you're good to go. Think I may make a larger size one next time to store my collection of photo booth pictures & use fabric instead.

Hope you are inspired to create something fun :)

Digikit "Maddie Embellishments" by Erica Hernandez

Weekend Challenge

 

It's Friday....and that means it's time for a weekend challenge!  This weekend we are going to think back to our childhood.  Remember all the fun pop culture phrases you would repeat as a kid....quotes from commercials, or quick come backs, or just silly kid things that really made no sense?  When I was little one of the phrases used over and over was "Take a picture...It'll last longer"....which was usually used as a quick and witty come back when someone was staring at you.  I decided to use that phrase to make a quick little art piece to display on a shelf in my scrap room. 

 
Materials used:    font = Another Typewriter, film ribbon = Tim Holtz, blue camera rub on = Studio Calico

CHALLENGE:  Use a popular phrase from your childhood or present day and create something using that phrase as the focus. 

Have fun with it....and be sure to share your creations in the gallery in our flickr group!!  I can't wait to see what you come up with.