Life in Focus

Inspired Spaces :: The Garden

I've been thinking a lot about my word for this year and how it has helped me consciously live a happier, more energetic and creative life.  I now look for this inspiration in my daily routine and have been working on surrounding myself with those things that speak to me, fill me up, and make me happy. Ultimately, I want to come home to inspiration every time I walk in the door...even when the laundry is piled high and the dishes are dirty. All of this has translated to different areas of my home that I call "Inspired Spaces".  Periodically, I'll be sharing glimpses of these spaces that I've created on my blog and would love to hear about your inspired spaces too!

Our 1st summer vacation weekend was spent watching fireworks, eating ice cream, and digging in the dirt creating our very special inspiration garden. 

We wait all year through changing seasons including very cold, stark winters to see this space come alive again with vibrant colors, sweet smells, and singing birds.  I love to see how it changes from year to year and also how it remains the same. At the end of an active summer day, it's where I usually find myself sitting with a cold drink while I soak up the inspiration and energy this little garden provides.

It doesn't take a lot of space to enjoy this touchstone to nature.  A simple pot with colorful flowers and a special adornment that you find at a flea market will do.  To sit by it daily and feel grateful is good for the soul and highly recommended!

I hope you enjoy an inspired Tuesday!

Happy Strap

Lately, I've been so busy with and totally focused on my photography class that I've been wearing my camera as an accessory more often than not.  So, I took a break from studying and learning and practicing to jazz it up a bit because bright colors are a lot more fun than just plain black, don't you think?

With the help of this tutorial, I now have a super swanky new camera strap and I'm ready for fashionable photo shoots. :)

Just a little something making me totally happy right now.

OK...gotta get back to studying..hoping you have a creative day!

colossal cupcake surprise!

Since my birthday boy was going to spend his day away from home at his first boy scout camping trip, he requested a cupcake to have after his dinner.  Little did he know, that I got a hold of one of the super huge cupcake pans and totally surprised him with a colossal cupcake!  I completely forgot to take photos of it before I packed it up, but was so glad that Kevin took the camera with him for the weekend and caught this shot as the boys are about to dive in!  Apparently everyone asked if it came from Costco because it was so big...too funny!!  Such a fun (and tasty) surprise.  

Have a wonderful Monday!

spring break canvas

Over the break, I took some time to play around with paint.  Originally inspired by Donna Downey, I've been so interested in keeping an art journal for some time now and finally just took the plunge. It really is as much fun as it looks!! Right now, I'm just working on making textured backgrounds with gesso and love the process.  After playing around in my book, I got hooked on painting and decided to pull out a 12 x 12 canvas that I've had for a loooong time! I bought these beautiful Prima flowers a few weeks ago and was excited to give them a home on my canvas. 

I love the way it turned out and so did my daughter!  She saw it and immediately snagged it for her room! We're both so very grateful that it's finally spring!

Turning 40

So, since I just had my 41st birthday this month, I thought it was time to make a layout from my big 40th last year. :)  For my birthday,I bought myself these super awesome colorful and fun shoes.  Whenever I wear them, I get compliments and they make me feel so happy!  I guess it's kind of a symbol and reminder for me of the life I'm designing and living...colorful,fun, and happy!

By the way, I absolutely love the new Fresh Print Clothesline collection of papers and embellishments from Little Yellow Bicycle.  There is no way you can create with them without a smile on your face!

jewelry crafting kits - part 2

The jewelry kits were so much fun and seriously simple to put together!  I had a great time just listening to my music and stringing charms and beads. 

First up...the Vintage Groove necklace by Making Memories:

Didn't it turn out cute?  I absolutely love it! It went together so fast (like within 20 minutes fast!) and the only tool needed was a pair of pliers to open and close the clasps.  Now I've got ideas for new designs swirling around in my head and want to get some gifts made!

Next up...the Scarlet Lime watch art:

This is the Citrus Splash band and...

this is Cotton Candy.

These were a little more involved but still super easy and so much fun!  The kits don't come with directions so you need to take a look at the video tutorial on the website.  The only other tools needed for these are a pair of scissors and a straight pin.  Cool, huh?

I would give both kits two thumbs up and it was just the crafting detour that I needed to spark some creative energy!  :)

jewelry crafting kits

As soon as I read this article by May about the new Making Memories Vintage Groove jewelry, I was inspired! Lucky enough for me, I found the entire line at my local Target store and was so excited to give it a try.  I've only dabbled in jewelry making in the past but thought this would be a fun change of pace and give me a boost of creative energy.  So, I easily could have purchased many more charms, etc...but I settled on this kit to get started and see what I thought of the process.

I also recently ran across these bright and fun colors and styles of watch kits from Scarlet Lime.  I have these waiting to play with too.

I can't wait to spend some time putting these kits together and wearing my creations! I'll be back to share the results and let you know what I think of them.

For now, I'm off to spend the day at 5th grade camp with my youngest, where I get to ride the zip line through the trees!  If you hear screaming...that will be me!

Have a happy crafty day!!

Birthday week :: creating

I'm still having fun creating with graphic 45 papers and especially love the Botanicabella collection! It's filled with so many inspiring designs and speaks to my nature loving heart.  With all of the time that my family spends outdoors adventuring (and the stacks of photos that I've collected), I'm sure to get a lot of mileage out of these beautiful papers. :)

This week is all about celebrating for me!  My birthday is on Sunday (the first full day of spring) and my family has a tradition of making the entire week special!  So, each day this week I'll be doing something fun to celebrate.  Today I'm happy to be breaking in my brand new running shoes with a long run, browsing the book store for inspiration, and then I'm off to meet a good friend for a yummy lunch! 

Birthday weeks are highly recommended and so good for the soul!

daddy's girl

Remember all the beautiful and irresistible graphic 45 papers that I scooped up last week?  Well...this is one of the projects that emerged from all of the playing that I did with them!  The hanger was purchased last summer at an antique market and I've been keeping it for just the right inspiration. I cut some of the flowers out of one of the papers, made some tags and the dress, and had fun with my sewing machine making paper ribbon. This ended up being the perfect project to showcase "daddy's girl" and all of the sweet memories that come to me when I look at her.

Wishing you a creative Wednesday!

Having fun with photos

I love to surround myself with some of my happiest memories so I enjoy decorating this way...and creating some unique "life art" for our home.  Although I also enjoy making pages for our scrapbooks, having these photos out where I can see them as I go about my day simply inspires me and makes me happy.  It's always so much fun to find new ways to showcase our favorite memories!

This is a project I created recently and I love, love, love it! 

This is my sweet little daughter at one year of age, who's already 13!!  Since she was just a toddler, she has always connected with nature and loves to be outside, enjoying every little wonder. So, I turned her into a nature fairy and captured her in a jar! :)

This little creation makes me smile every time I walk by.

Have a happy and inspired Tuesday!