Creative Courage

I love paper - journals, cards, invitations, garlands, wrapping - you name it!  And as some of you already know I have expressed a desire to own my own paper shop specializing in paper products - mainly cards and invitations.  In the past I've created invitations for our wedding rehearsal dinner, parties, birthday cards, and other miscellaneous projects.

I had high hopes for opening an Etsy shop in 2011 but throughout the year I felt the inspiration draining from me.  This led to my temporary break from blogging.

Where did all my inspiration and creative energy go?  What happened to my motivation? 

I was feeling overwhelmed with the whole creative process.  Randomly back in November I stumbled across (I do quite a bit of 'stumbling' on the internet, isn't it a wonderful place?!) Stephanie Levy's blog and found myself signing up for her Creative Courage e-course.  This class is all about building confidence and jumpstarting your creative drive!  From her blog:  "Creative Courage is a practical guide that will help you clarify your own unique path and give you the tools you need to start making your goals real...".  This seven week course starts on Monday!

Just what I needed.

I received an email from Stephanie today welcoming me to class and announcing that there are still a few spots available.  I want to pass the word along to you!  I believe this will be a very fulfilling experience for me and I'm hoping to find the "creative courage" to continue on my [paper] path.

Simple and Beautiful

I stumbled upon this gorgeous shop as I was reading another blog and I was immediately drawn in to the simplistic beauty of the products of Oi Soi Oi. 

From their website, "Oi Soi Oi is a Danish company designing and producing interior designs, furniture, clothes and accessories. Our products are made by hand in carefully selected workshops in Vietnam.  In our universe we aim to combine Scandinavian design simplicity with the rich craft heritage of Asia."  

I really love the calming effect of the colors, textures, and arrangements.  I could easily incorporate many of these pieces in my existing rooms and they'd look fabulous.

Crafts, Chatter, & Chai

Yesterday my girlfriend and I got together for lunch, crafts, and conversation.  We sipped on some iced jasmine green tea, munched on delicious organic salad and homemade samosas (I didn't get any pictures of the food - ah!) and finished off the day with a chai float (with frozen yogurt).  Yum!

We also did some crafting - I started an inspiration travel board and Elham made the most adorable cork board (frame and all!).  It turned out fabulously!

We had such a blast and we are so happy to have this be a regular event!

Cards Galore

Anybody who knows me knows that I love paper products!  Especially cards, invitations, and journals.  Recently I've been making a lot of my own cards and invitations - including my wedding rehearsal invitations, wedding thank-you cards, and other various birthday cards and notes.  Below is a birthday card I made for a good friend.

My favorite tools are my Paper Source stamps, Paper Source card stock (which I buy locally at Pulp Papery), fine-tip permanent pens, and my gold gel pens.

Paper inspires me to no end!  I have so many ideas stocked up for cards and invitations that I've been toying with the idea of opening an Etsy shop.  Maybe soon!