Christmas Wish List #2

Here are a few more favorites I've collected for the artist in your life this Christmas. 

1|     Sarah Ahearn Bellemare - I met Sarah at SAW and I have loved her work ever since. 

2|     The Wheatfield - I have these prints in my home and have gifted them.  I love them and she is so easy to work with.

3|     Victory Garden of Tomorrow - I spotlighted this shop and love the posters I bought.  Great gift.

4|     Max & Melody - I love how versatile this sweater is.  I would really like this in my stocking. 

5|     iMo - Every photographer needs a fancy camera strap. This one is my favorite.

6|     ombee soap - Nebraska girl!  I met her at her lovely shop and her soaps are perfect for your skin.

If all else fails and none of these work...you can always give an Anthropologie gift card. 


See Christmas Wish List #1

December Challenge Tutorials Part 1

Are you taking the 4(for) green acres challenge?  

As promised, I am sharing with you really creative ideas to help with this month's challenge.  I believe that by supporting other bloggers, crafters, artists, and photographers you support the community, which is important to everyone's success.  Therefore when I was putting together December's challenge of creative gift wrap I knew I would need to seek the help of others. 

This is the first group of tutorials.  There are more to come so check back.  Thank you to Lillian, Danielle, and Tricia for sharing your talent.

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1|     Danielle from My Hidden Muse     
             Repurposed Magazine Bows

{photo by Danielle}

Get the tutorial here.

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2|     Lillian from Unstitched    
            *Vintage charms *Kraft & Wrapping Paper

{photo by Lillian}

Get the tutorial for Vintage Touches here and Kraft & Wrapping Paper here

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3|     Tricia from {every}nothing wonderful     
             Repurposed Envelopes

{photo by Tricia}

Get the tutorial here

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Need to grab a project badge?  Jump over here for the code.

Swap Bot

I alluded to participating in a swap in the November review post, and I want to share a little more information with you. I am new to the swap thing.  I've heard from several others how much fun they can be, and I've heard they can expose your work, but I've always been hesitant.  While I consider myself an artist, I don't throw that title around publicly.  I doodle, cut and paste, dabble in paint, attempt sewing projects, and otherwise just play in my studio; I've never created anything to sell.  Therefore I've avoided swapping my art with others, because I basically feel like my work is inadequate.  Poor attitude, I know. 

I found out about Swap Bot through another blogger (I'm not sure who at this point).  It's a website that hosts, and does the work, for all kinds of swaps. They host swaps you can participate in, or if you want to create a swap yourself, you can do so on this site.  There are thousands of swaps. 

I decided to try my first swap recently.  Swap Bot was hosting their own swap to celebrate their 100,000th swap how many times can I write swap in one sentence).  The rules were simple and well defined.  It seemed simple enough.  I created a small bound notebook in swap bot colors made with recycled office papers (memos, graph, ledgers, etc.)  Then I added 2 playing cards with the recipients initials on the front, and a pocket for keepsakes.  You won't find a picture of it here because of that whole inadequate thing...I'm working on it. 

I sent it in the mail and then waited for my package (not from the same person I sent mine to).  A couple of days ago I received my package in the mail from Brazil!  Not only will be it be great for sending off future swaps, but it's from Brazil!  It reminded me of all my Brazilian friends (thanks to the YMCA) and it warmed my heart. 

After receiving this beautiful package, I quickly got over the inadequacy thing and decided I would do another swap...after the first of the year. 

Are you a swapper? 

December 4(for) Green Acres Challenge

Today I'm introducing a monthly challenge series on indigo 26.  If you're familiar with my blog you've already heard about my 4(for) green acres project (make the jump here for information).  These monthly challenges are your opportunity to cultivate your own acres.  They are designed to challenge your creativity, test your will power, and pull your awareness to the footstep you are leaving behind.

By participating in these challenges and sharing them with others you are spreading the message.  Over time, those around us will be making better choices as well.  The goal is not to change how you live your life, but rather think about the implications of those choices and tweek them for the best outcome.  

DECEMBER CHALLENGE

This month creates a lot of unnecessary trash with all the gift wrap that gets thrown away.  For this challenge, I encourage you to only use gift wrap that you have on hand or utilize wrapping that is reusable or repurposed. 

The rules:

1. No purchasing of new supplies of any kind
2. While using what wrapping paper you have left from previous years fits within the rules, it is still trash.  Encourage the recipient to recycle or reuse the paper by adding a special note with the package. 
3. Think outside of the box.  There are other ways to wrap gifts.

If you are like me, the thought of wrapping all those gifts with only what you have on hand is a little overwhelming.  Don't worry!  In the next few weeks I will be sharing with you tutorials from crafty ladies around the blogoshere.  These ladies know how to repurpose! So if you're stumped for ideas be sure to check back here.

Excited about the challenge and want to spread the message?  Grab a 4(for) green acres project badge for your blog by using this code to let others know you're growing your own greener acres.  I've added the badge to the sidebar as well.  


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Don't forget to share your triumphs, challenges and other ideas in the comments below.  Let us know how you are doing.  Community starts by sharing with others.  Can't wait to hear from you!