Authenticity

xo

jeanne

Instagram Wednesday

The last time I was at Barnes & Noble I ran across this colorful new magazine call Good Ideas. It's a British magazine from the publishers of Good Housekeeping. One of the articles inside was called, "Quick Fixes to Lift Your Mood." Do you ever have one of those days where you just are feeling blue and down in the dumps? I know I do.

Here's what the article suggested for those kind of days:

1. Take a nap

2. Write something - a letter, a journal entry, etc.

3. Look back - on a fond memory, where you have been, etc.

4. Plan your weekend so you have something to look forward to.

5. Do something different and out of the ordinary.

6. Smile :)

7. Go for a walk.

8. Eat something healthy.

9. Be considerate to others.

10. Live for NOW, instead of concentrating on the past and what-ifs.

Instagram Wednesday

I saw this in the May/June issue of Cloth, Paper, Scissors magazine. 

Doesn't it look like fun? I'd like to give it a try!

Instagram Wednesday

I treated myself to a couple of hours at the book store today. I like to look through the magazines to gather ideas for craft projects, color inspiration, new recipes, shopping, fashion, etc., etc.

Instagram Inspiration

I spent a couple hours at Barnes & Noble pouring over magazines today, in addition to my daily walk at the mall, looking for some inspiration. Those two places never fail to give me an unlimited supply of ideas. Here are a few of my favorites from the day:

1. Blooming Roof - Flea Market Gardens;

2. Fiber Pouches by Sharon Borsavage - Belle Armoire Jewelry;

3. Paint Stir Stick Mobile - Anthropologie;

4. Wheelbarrow Planter - Flea Market Gardens;

5. Rusty Heart - Flea Market Gardens;

6. Navy & Taupe Fashions - Lucky Brand.

Enjoy the weekend!

Curiosity Swap Reveal:Part Two

In my previous post I showed you what I sent off to Amy and Kathy for Heather's Inspiration Box Swap-Curiosity Edition. And now I will share all the fun Halloween goodies I received in exchange from the girls.

So many fun things to play with and use in my Halloween creations! I cannot wait to get started! Thanks so much to Amy and Kathy. And a BIG hug goes out to Heather for organizing the swap. It's been a real treat!!!

Journal Pages

I've been working in my art journal and thought I'd share a couple of my favorite recently completed pages.

On the pages above I was channeling Donna Downey and her infamous poppies. You can see how to make a page like this by clicking here. The quote by Mary Lou Cook says, "Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes and having fun."

And here is my first She-Art girl I made after taking Christy Tomlinson's fabulous She-Art class. This quote says, "She knew the answers would come with time."

Well, I'm heading over to my daughter's house today. She recently broke her foot and has a big old cast on her right leg - poor girl!

More Inspiration . . .

Heather held another of her infamous Petite Inspiration Box Swaps a little while ago which I took part in. I just love these small scale swaps of hers. I think they are my favorite. Who can't use a little box full of trinkets and artsy goodies to inspire you to create something beautiful? As you can see, my swap partners Cassandra and Marti went all-out decorating their boxes their tiny boxes.

Thank you SO much girls!

Hello Monday!

My mailbox has been filled with fabulous inspiration due to the Postcard Swap that Natalea from Kandeland organized. I've received almost all the postcards now, with just a couple more coming. It's been such fun to go to the mailbox and find something other than bills inside!
And guess what? Lucky for you, Natalea is running a second round of the Postcard Swap! She's taking sign-ups now and you can get all the details by clicking here.
This past week I drove up to our cottage for the first time since this happened. It was very difficult since having this getaway was my DH dream. I'm so grateful he was able to enjoy it for a few years, but I must admit it's not quite the same without him being there. Fortunately our good friends have bought a place in the same town and will be spending the summers there, so that will make things a little easier. And as you can see by the photos, I was not alone at the house on this visit.

Have a great week!

Mail Inspiration

I took part in a little Inspirational Postcard Swap that my friend Natalea organized. What fun it is to receive a little inspiration in the mail each day. The photo above shows the postcards I sent out with inspirational quotes stamped on the back.

Creative Connection & Swap Reveal : Part Three

I am thrilled to be a guest blogger on The Creative Connection Blog today. Such a wonderful place to go for inspiration and to meet other creative bloggers. You can read my "In Your Own Words" post by clicking here. Take a peek and leave a comment on that post and tell me what you think.

Next up, I want to share with you the final installment of my Paris Edition Inspiration Box swap. The lovely box shown above is from sweet Becca. The entire box is covered with glitter, which really gives the box some sparkle and great texture. Take note of how she positioned the paper just right so that Ooh la la shows on the side of the box.

I just love the sweet little bird and pearls on top of the box.

As you can see Becca filled the box up completely to it's brim!

And look at how much was inside! With the exception of the roll of vintage sheet music, most everything else was inside the box.

Crepe paper, ball fringe, pink birdie, crepe paper, handmade stick pin, beads, creamy bouillon fringe. . . the list goes on and on!

Thank you SO much Becca - it was fun being your partner in Heather's swap

Swap Reveal : Part 2

Welcome to Part Two of my Petite Inspiration Box - French Edition Swap reveal. This box was sent to me by the lovely and talented Elyse who put together quite a beautiful ensemble.

This is what I found when I first opened the box and unwrapped the tissue paper.

Elyse designed a box with a "petite box" stacked on top of it. It opens like a drawer just like it's big sister box below it.

Lots of fun things were tucked inside both boxes - big and small!

Elyse and I did an additional private swap on the side. I'll reveal that next time!

Swap Reveal : Part 1

My swap partners have all received their Paris Edition Petite Inspiration Boxes so now it's time to reveal the goodies to the rest of the world. Are you ready? Today I will show you what I sent to Elyse and Becca. Then in the next two posts I will show you what I received in return from them!

I covered the outside of my boxes with French paper and then tied it with tulle, a delicate pink paper rose, some vintage millinery lily of the valley and a glittered tag featuring a vintage lady.

I covered the inside of the box with pages from a French book and packed the box as full as I could with all sorts of lovely pretties.

And Voila! Here's what's inside!

French postcards, vintage wallpaper, book pages from a French novel, French language flashcards, a fleur de lis rubber stamp, the palest of pink Mother of Pearl buttons, vintage lace, paper rose and velvet ribbon rose handmade by moi, brass charms in French motifs, and a few other fun items. Hope the girls enjoy their little treasure boxes!

Saturday Accomplishment

I mailed a couple of these out today. . .

. . . for this fun swap.

I can't wait to see what I get back in return!!!

Hope you all are having a wonderful weekend.