DIY Inspiration

“You have to make room for growth.” It’s a simple sentiment, but it holds some powerful meaning. With every challenge that is overcome, the bad is pushed aside for the new, better you. Dina Wakley Media's new stamp set, Positive Women,...

Dina Wakley's "Maggie" silhouette stencil has been calling to me since she arrived in our office. From her flowing hair to her soft smile, I knew I wanted to use her in my artwork from the moment I saw her. When the time finally came, she vibrantly...

I just can’t seem to get enough of PaperWhimsy’s Amazing Alterables. From the quirky characters to the Winged House Trio, each project brings forth its own personality and unique characteristics. I also love that they are so versatile —...

Who doesn’t love sending handmade or handwritten notes? With just a few supplies, you too can create a set of spring-inspired cards to send a quick hello to that person you’ve been thinking about. Sweet Springtime Cards Project Directions: ...

Mica is too gorgeous of a material to leave in a drawer in your craft room. Adorn your house with this luxurious looking craft supply to enjoy year-round. Mixed-Media Mica Project Directions: Stamp a word onto Vintaj blank. Paint a found feather blue,...

The boho-chic look is trending in fashionable accessories right now, and these spoon pendants are a great starting point for your own metal-stamped, mix and match necklaces. Boho-Chic Spoon Pendants Project Directions: Stamp words onto each spoon using...

I’ve had an old mint tin sitting on my desk for a while now. I’m not one to hold onto items like this, but its rare flat surface kept calling out to me. The other day I was looking at the tin, contemplating tossing it finally, when my eyes...

Working with stencils is still a new concept to me. The more I use them, the more I really want to find new ways to use them in my projects whenever possible. After reading "Stencil Girl: Mixed-Media Techniques for Making and Using Stencils” by...

I love nothing more than learning new ways to paint or collage a canvas, which is why I love art books so much. They are a much more affordable way to learn a new technique than a workshop or online class. When Dina’s book, "Art Journal Courage,"...

I find myself always in search of butterflies. For me they hold a personal meaning and symbolism, not only for my uncle who passed away in 2011, but also because of the magnificent transformation they go through from caterpillar to their new being. My...

She likes to sing, she likes to dance, and she likes to paint, but most of all, she knows that true beauty lies within. Every day she puts forth great effort to find the true beauty in life and everything she comes across. Each day she sets out in search...

We break a lot of plates in our house. Sadly, it's always the plates I really like that crash first, so of course I collect these beautifully-patterned scraps. Given that I'm terrible at making traditional mosaics with grout and planned designs, I made...

Sometimes pushing ourselves out of our comfort zones can be challenging, uncomfortable, and at times, even debilitating — especially when it comes to creating art. The process of creating art is so personal, and those who don’t create art may...

The other day during an art selection we started talking about these great Amazing Alterables by PaperWhimsy. We’ve had a few artists submit their own versions, and they looked so fun that I just had to give them a try! I’m used to doing most...

We were inspired by Angela Cartwright’s clever little set of stylish ladies — The Unruly Girls Club. These eight delightful gals are as spunky as they are charming, and we knew that they’d be the perfect muses to feature on the cover of...

This project is near and dear to my heart because I personalized it with some meaningful song lyrics from "Beyond the Sea" by Frank Sinatra. A few years ago, I was finishing my degree up in San Francisco and my boyfriend was working in Los Angeles. It...

The Promise of Spring was inspired by the Garden Santos Doll from Paperwhimsy. I chose pale pinks and greens as the main palette, because they’re a good representation of this vibrant and colorful season. The Promise of Spring Project Instructions:...

One of the things I want to work on in 2015 is organizing my craft projects. It seems I’m always looking for the right supplies for whatever I’m working on. Seeing how a lot of knitters organize their WIPs (works in progress) inspired me to...

With a little washi tape, themed stamps, and lots of love, you can create these simple but sweet mixed-media Valentine’s Day cards. Tuck one in a bouquet of flowers, or hide one in a box of chocolates! These little cards are a darling way to add an...

Create the perfect tiny, treat bag to give to a friend or loved one this Valentine’s Day. These charming bags are pretty and simple, and they’re the perfect DIY project to help add a one-of-a-kind touch to an already special Valentine’s...

With the popularity of our new bath and body magazine, Willow and Sage, I have been itching to join in on the fun. Inspired by my first loves, flowers and jewelry, I created these little counter-top adornments which can be gifted as a set, individually,...

Who doesn’t love a handmade card? With a little extra thought and time, you can create simple cards to delight your loved ones this Valentine’s Day. Love's Delight Valentine’s Day Cards Project Instructions: Glue strip of artists’...

Sometimes when inspiration strikes, you have to run with it. I had no intention of creating three pieces using Finnabair’s White Sand Texture Paste, but once I had one canvas worked out, the experimenting continued. With a fun stencil, a little...

There is nothing better than starting the New Year with encouragement and inspiration — which is exactly what Dyan Reaveley’s Clearly Quotes stamps offer. After reading some of the positive affirmations featured on these stamps, I knew that I...

Nothing screams the New Year like a brand new journal. Instead of purchasing one, I decided to create my own mini-art journal with a few pieces of cardstock, watercolor paper, and embellishments. To start out, I wanted to keep the journal small so that I...

There’s so much to love about Christmas — the colors, the sounds, the smells and tastes, and of course the deeper significance, which brings friends and family together. But what I love the most about Christmas, is the idea of stillness, of...