A mini book just for me...

About two or three weeks ago I downloaded this mini book template from Jessica at Lost Button Studio. You can get the template from her blog at http://lostbuttonstudio.blogspot.com/ This was such a great little project and the template and instructions were very easy to follow. It took me a couple of weeks to complete as I would work on one page a night. I used some of the hand painted paper that I made with Fiona and Alexa for the outside of the book. I chose a coordinating printed paper for the band around the book and embellished it with my initial (small brass charm). For the inside of the book I used water color paper. I sewed the book together with a contrasting embroidery floss. I wanted each page just to be a little collage of inspiration. Just something to inspire me and make me feel good. This was the first time that I made something just for the sake of making something. It was a lot of fun.

Dreams...

Mini book Thoreau
Originally uploaded by cshella

"Dreams are the touchstones of our characters. -Thoreau-
I love this quote and it is very true. If you don't have your dreams, than really, what do you have? Our dreams and hopes make us who we are. This mini book was a great way for me to put some of my favorite quotes in one place and be able to carry them around.

Reminders of things I love

Mini book spool thread
Originally uploaded by cshella

I created this page to remind me how much I like to mix paper and fabric. I also like the way the spool of thread reminds me of my grandmother. I really feel that it is very important to keep things that you love close to you.

A bit of portable inspiration

Mini book on edge of tea cup
Originally uploaded by cshella

A tiny little book for a bit of inspiration. A little inspiration that I can carry around with me. This little book fits perfectly in the small inside pocket of my purse. It's dainty and cute and it makes me feel good. It reminds me that yes, at times, I do actually get a project completed!

Pink, Pink, and more Pink...

pink petels with water
Originally uploaded by cshella

This week's Shades of Inspiration color is pink. We've had a lot of rain here in Ohio the last couple of weeks and it rained again today. I took this picture of a flower on our back patio. I cannot, however, remember the name of the flower! I know it is not a petunia and it is not a bagonia. It's a bit trumpet shaped and has a white center. But I do know that the water droplets on it were beautiful. Nature gives us so much unedited beauty and it is really inspiring when we stop to really look at it. Hope everyone has a great Fourth of July!

A little pink collage...

pink heart
Originally uploaded by cshella

This is a very tiny pink collage from a page in a mini-book I just finished. (I still have to photograph the rest of the book before I post about it.) I did manage to take this photo for Shades of Inspiration this week though. I have a lot of pink scraps of paper and fabric lying around right now as it is currently Fiona's favorite color!

A Pair of Pink Princess Feet

Alexa's feet
Originally uploaded by cshella

I took this picture of Alexa just the other day when she was running around the house in her pink princess dress. She flopped down across the ottoman to take a rest and I couldn't resist snapping this image of her feet. They just looked so cute lying there amongst all of the pink satin.