Inspired by vintage postage stamps

Inspiration.  

I could use some about now.

Just found images of vintage stamps on line, and I'm in love.  

The colors and designs are so great. 

I don't know where this will lead me.  For now I'm just enjoying them and wanting to write letters...

Gorgeous bird on pink.

Bowling!

Love this folk art house and heart.

The Czech Republic celebrating dogs who grow up?  I don't know.

Japanese computer stamp.

What are these guys doing?  Is the family harvesting?  Trying to pull up a weed?  Dancing with a plant?

Coop on orange with circles.  Yes ma'am!

Paper Craft Inspiration

Ok, I admit, I'm a fabric girl.  I'm pretty much obsessed with fabric these days.  I mean, when I made cards recently, I made them out of fabric, and they are really supposed to be made of paper.  

However, with a bit of blog searching this week, I have to say I am newly inspired by these paper crafts!  I can't wait to try them out.  Home--look out!  You are about to be enlivened by some fun paper adventures.  If you want to join me, click on the links under the photos to find tutorials to make each of these awesome crafts.

Thank you to all of you amazing and creative bloggers out there who are 

rekindling my love for paper!

Check out these bright orange snowflakes from How About Orange!  Aren't they amazing.  These aren't your elementary school scissor crafts, y'all.  I have got to make some of these.

Bright Orange Snowflakes

My love for owls continues.  3eyedbear makes the sweetest 3d paper creations!I am going to make some of these little guys this weekend to set on my boys' bookshelf.

Paper Owl

Dozi Design, I am in love with you.  Look at these fun and elegant paper roses.  Valentine's Day is going to feel much more festive now that I've found you.

Paper Roses

Orange and Grey

Color Inspiration...

Recently I've been very inspired by orange and yellow, when mixed with greys and light blue.

Wes Anderson, forever inspiring with color, here from The Darjeeling Limited.

And from Life Aquatic.

One of my favorite records Blues Roots.  Again, bright orange on a muted palette.  

Shall I begin sewing something orange and grey?  Or painting?  Maybe I'm just ready for Halloween.  We'll see.

Ikea fabrics

My mother sent me three Ikea fabrics for my birthday.

They are so much fun.

What will I create with them?

This one is so funky.

Love these houses. It is a light weight material and the houses are so big, it will have to be a consciously thought out project.

This will become some pillows for my couch. Very autumnal motif.

One Yard Wonders

I just picked up One Yard Wonders at my local sewing shop, Glenwood Sew. This book looks amazing. It has 101 different projects that you can make with only 1 yard of fabric! The instructions seem very clear, the projects are fun and practical, and they use some super cute fabrics. Sections of the book include Dwell, Household, Craft Organization, On the Go, From Head to Toe, Carry It All, Outfit Your Small Wonder, Accessorize your Little One, Playtime and Your Furry Friends. My only disappointment is the lack of little boy clothes in the Outfit Your Small Wonder chapter. As a mother of two boys I am always searching for fun things to make them. But, perhaps I'll start with the messenger bag. Two-and-a-half year old Sol would love it in the robot fabric. Here are some of the most intriguing projects to me:

The folklore bag.

Ballet neck Toddler Dress.

Child's Messenger Bag.

Pet Bed.

Tabletop Ironing-Board Cover.

(This I desperately need, as my little ironing board accidentally got paint on it from a stenciling experiment).

Each project shows you exactly how to lay out the pieces for one yard of fabric. This is very helpful to a visual sewer like myself.

I realize this book was published a year and a half ago, so I am way behind the times. But it is never too late to get inspired and crafty. It looks like Storey Publishing is working on a follow-up book, so I better get started now on these projects.

Images of Western Colorado

The drive from Carbondale to Ridgway, Colorado is one of my favorites. There are so many quirky towns and signs along the way. Here are some images I snapped with my camera in my potentially dangerous practice of point-and-shoot photography while driving.