Adventures in Illustrating...

Okay, I'll admit it, I signed up for the class because it was called "Pretty Paper Products".  I have an absolute obsession with paper.  I love paper.... I love looking at it, designing with it, collecting it.... I may be obsessed, yes. Seriously, do NOT take me to a scrapbook store. Ever.

So I happened upon these online classes one day.  And I thought, why don't I learn to design my own paper, patterns and art work for myself! Anyone who knows me knows I love design, but graphic design honestly scares me to death.  Maybe it's because I'm such a hands on designer? Truly, it's hard for me to imagine creating something on a computer screen and "trusting" that it's going to look good in real life.  So, I decided to overcome my fear and I signed up for some Illustrator classes.  OH.  MY.  GOSH.  

Why did nobody tell me how cool this was before!!!!

So, I started out small by designing a pear. I honestly never thought it would turn out so cute.  Well, what I learned is this... it was fun, it took no time at all to learn how to do, and ultimately I've probably just exchanged one obsession {paper}, for another {graphic paper}. Wouldn't the smaller pear make the cutest stamp?

So..... the "pretty paper" class lead to the "making a pattern" class, which of course lead to the "ornaments & embellishments" class... and if I take those, naturally that means I really should just stick with it and take the "Illustrator ~ Illustrating" class right!?  

Did I mention I might be obsessed?

If you're looking for creative inspiration, you really should check out nicolesclasses.com... it will not disappoint.  And I promise... you don't need to be a trained artist to draw in Illustrator.  I did it. :)

Paper Banner {inspired by Gratitude}...

I may or may not have an obsession with paper.  I love creating with it, I love collecting it, designing with it, crafting with it, looking at it... you get the picture. I am in l.o.v.e with paper!
So, I have this fabulous little archway that leads from my entry into the kitchen/dining area.  I fell in love with it when we first looked at the house.  It's just a small simple archway, but I guess I never looked at it as just an archway... I saw it as a blank canvas to personalize, restyle and accessorize my home.  The archway gave me those giddy little creative butterflies as I dreamt about the super fabulous ways in which I would transform it and give my home that personal touch I love and long for. Yes, I'm kind of a design dork, I know.

I would never call myself one of those fabulous DIYer's. I do however love to make and create the simple handmade item.  There's just something really satisfying about handmade simplicity {at least there is for me :) }
So, for Thanksgiving I came up with this {simple} banner.

Simply put, I found 8 coordinating sheets of paper {I used double sided paper since you can see the backside of the paper from the kitchen}.  I also prefer to use a medium weight paper so the banner keeps its shape and form better.  Cut each sheet into a rectangle.  Mine were 6"x8", but you can of course customize yours to the size you'd prefer. I then used a Pottery Barn type font for my lettering and chose a recycled ivory "flecked" paper to print on just to give the banner a little texture.  Trim your lettered paper depending on the desired thickness of the boarder.  I wanted a lot of the patterned paper showing, so I went with a 1" boarder, which meant I cut my lettered paper 4"x6", 2" smaller than the patterned paper.

Next, I distressed the edges using a dark brown ink pad, "notched" out the corners of each rectangle with a paper punch {easy peasy}... you could also use a round object as a template if you don't have a notched paper punch.

 And finished it up by attaching each piece with a bronzed brad.  It couldn't be more simple than that right!?

So there you have it... the simple yet pretty Thanksgiving banner.  I loved the way it turned out.  Hopefully every time my children pass through the archway they will be reminded of all the things they have to be grateful for.  Okay, who am I kidding?  But at least it will give ME happy thoughts as I walk under it every day.  There is so much to be grateful for...