HTT: Inspiration Calendar

My new calendar in my journal with spots for notes.

I use Stumble Upon pretty much everyday and recently found this article on ivillage. Now, more confidence is something I could use and I loved that there were 30 exercises, so I made myself a little December homework project and came out with my Inspiration Calendar. Here's how I made it:

You will also need something to glue the pieces onto. I used my journal.

1. Select your magazine pages that you like. You could also use scrapbook paper for a more uniform look or newspaper. Choose at least two pages for a variety. I used some pages out of fashion catalog, but for the tutorial I used pages from a cooking mag.

2. Next fold the magazine in halves until you get a size that you like. And tear or cut them into their pieces. Don't worry about measuring them. We will need to trim later.

3. Next glue all of your squares onto a sheet of white paper, or you could use a nice piece of lightly patterned cardstock for a more decorative look. If there is a square that you don't like (for instance has too much text or an obvious logo) try flipping it over to see what the other side looks like. This will also give you a bit more variety. Cut out all of those pieces.

4. Now we get to trim. How much you trim depends on how big your journal/support is. If you are making a 30 day month, you will want either 5 pieces across and 3 down per page or vice versa. I set each piece out onto my journal and saw I only had 4 rows of three, so I trimmed them until I had 5 rows. I also don't care if my measurements aren't exact. I like that each rectangle is a little different. If you want uniformity, break out the ruler and paper cutter.

5. Now that we are all trimmed, time to get gluing! First fold up a little tab, then apply glue and stick to page. Pretty easy, right? 

6. And finally....

Write all those little steps you will be doing on the front of each square and don't forget to add the day. Doodle to your heart's content. Slop some paint over things. Glue some tinsel. Whatever, just make it you.I really like how mine came out. My only regret is that my ribbon tape is packed up. I would have liked to put some of it vertically on the tabs. it would have added some extra support and also tied things together nicely. Oh well, maybe next time right? Send me a pic if you make one, and let me know how you like the tutorial.

How-To Tuesday: Magazine Poetry

This week I thought I would show how to make some poetry. This is not an original idea, I have seen it done many times over the years, but it's so much fun and the possibilities really are endless. I think it's less intimidating than sitting down and trying to write a poem for scratch. These are great for journal entries, or gifts for someone special. You could even turn it into a card, or if you want a HUGE project try altering an entire book. So here we go!

MATERIALS

1. Choose a topic (or don't, just let words organically jump out at you)

2. Start blacking out words and letters with your pen/marker.

3. Leave some words and phrases unscribbled until you have a sentence.

4. Keep going until your have said everything you want with your poem.

Yeah pretty simple I know.. I probably didn't need to write a tutorial on it, but whatever. Here's an example of one of mine:

It reads:

Heave.

Impossibly steep road.

Breath in the weight of the mountain.

Destination.

Nettles waiting; stinging bare skin.

Gentle urge.

You run.

 Have fun. Let me know if you make any and I'll post.

How-To Tuesday: Paper Flowers

Today my roommate/best friend had a pretty lousy day, and If I had tons and tons of money I would have gone out and bought her flowers, and completely decorated the house, and set up an elaborate dinner. But I don't and I didn't. However, anyone can use things around them to brighten someone's day. Even if they don't have money/time to buy a bunch of stuff. So here's what I did.

I have a bunch of art magazines that I read, and usually I tear out the pages I find inspiring and the rest I will use for art projects. If like me you don't have the money to buy a bunch of flowers, make some out of paper. They last longer too. Here are some great tutorials on how to make paper flowers:

rolled paper flowers
Paper Cherry Blossoms

I decided to vaguely combine elements from each of those tutorials to come up with these huge flowers.

The magazine I used was Sommerset Studios 

Tutorial Tuesday!

I once thought I would go into English for a career. I just can't resist a good poem, metaphor, onomatopoeia, or alliteration. Thus, we have Tutorial Tuesday.

 While I was working in New York I always had a lot of co-workers comment on my hair styles; which was a huge surprise considering I am so uncoordinated I can't even blow dry my hair and use a brush at the same time. Fortunately, there are many bloggers that post hair tutorials for the uncoordinated people such as myself. So, if you are often mystified by a seemingly elaborate do, here is a great site. Maegan is a pretty stylish lady. Love Maegan.

Someday soon I will put up my own painting tutorials here, however that will have to wait until I find an apartment of my own. All of my painting supplies are still in boxes :( Enjoy!

Waterfall Braid

She also has fun DIY projects. I like her side french braid a lot too. Let me know what you think!