I think one of the most important tips I can pass on to anyone is that of keeping an inspiration journal. It helps creativity in so many ways from interior decorating to card making. It helps with choosing colour schemes, images, sketching ideas and looks pretty too. Go to page 2 to learn more.
I think in a previous life I must have been a magpie or something because rarely do I come home from a walk without a few leaves, a stone, bit of rusty metal or stick in my pocket. I may be a little obsessive about it even to the point where I carry a little bag with me just for that purpose!
These things usually end up on my inspiration shelf until a time when I might use them in some project. Alot of the time I might photograph them or scan them into the computer to keep as collage images, especially if they’re fragile like leaves or obviously bulky like wood. I take lots and lots of photos when I’m out too, mainly of trees and things from the forest floor, or like here, mosses or rusty posts.
All of these things can become colour schemes or shapes and patterns.
I use these as inspiration for colours or themes in my journals and sketchbooks.
For example, I took the little collection above and created a colour palette with my watercolours.
Another thing I like to do is create collage papers to use in my journals too either using the scanned images or the colours as inspiration. The collage papers are made from tissue paper, brown paper, book page, anything really which I can paint on and is thin enough to use on a journal page. This idea isn’t mine I have to add, I’ve seen lots of people on the internet do the same thing so I can’t take the credit for this one! For example check out the work of Laura Horn on Instagram or Pinterest as I love what she does.
I really like the colours in these two mossy photos. When you look closely enough you don’t just see green but pinks and purples too. If I was smart I’d have a colour generator app on my phone perhaps to make the process faster. I’m sure it must exist?
I work abstractly most of the time and the journal page below is an example of how I’ve taken inspiration from the mossy photos above.
I decided to go with more of the pinky purple tones and use the green as accents which is the opposite of the photo. I added my collage of papers, cut some of the photo into thin strips and the washi tape ended up being a perfect match not only in colour but after tearing it up I found it almost looked like the moss, happy accident!
So inspiration is all around you, all you need to do is look.
Have a great weekend
Jaine x
Today is World Card Making Day and together with my team mates at WOW! Embossing Powder and organised by our team leader Jo, we’re hosting a fun and inspirational blog hop to celebrate.
Card making is more important than ever right now. Sending a few words just to show someone you’re thinking of them, especially if you can’t say it in person, the thought will always be appreciated.
I thought I’d use one of my favourite stamp sets from WOW! Flights of Fancy to create these three cards.
In this first card below, I’ve used Glassy Ocean from the Dockside Trio and Serene from the Riviera Trio both of which are gorgeous sets of powders.
On the card below I’ve used one of my favourite Trio’s, Forever 13 which features a beautiful glittery turquoise, a purple and delicate pink. I just love using these together.
And finally for my third card I used All That Jazz from the same Forever 13 trio but on its own this time. I’m just a sucker for a turquoise colour.
I do hope you’ve found some inspiration here and throughout our hop. Do continue on and visit us all. Comment along each of the Design Team member’s posts for a chance to win a $25 gift card to either our UK or USA stores. (One comment per blog please). You have until Wednesday, October 7th at 11:59PM British Summertime to leave your comments. Winners will be announced on Thursday, October 8th. So here’s the full line up below.
Jaine – That’s me! The next blog to visit is…
Thank you so much for visiting and leaving a comment, it is truly appreciated and could win you a great prize.
Jaine xx
It’s a real treat to be able to create outside, I relocate to a shady spot at the bottom of the garden as often as possible. Inspiration is all around me and when it’s too hot to stay indoors, the shade of a tree is the perfect place to be.
On this occasion I put a few bits and pieces in a tray along with some pre-cut gel printed papers so I could put together this little gel print micro journal.
I say little, it actually turned out to be quite chunky by the time I’d added all my pages. Once I’d sewn it all together I thought it was so cute I didn’t want to cover the binding or bright print up, so left it as it was simply adding a little collaged embellishment on the front. The quote on an old book page jumped out at me and begged to be added to the front. After all it did sum up the afternoon quite nicely!
On another occasion I took out my sketching supplies and sat under the tree. I used the flowers in front of me as inspiration for this page in my watercolour journal adding doodles and paint.
I hope you have a little outside space to sit and reflect or use as an inspiration spot. It’s great for recharging the batteries.
Have a good weekend
Jaine x
