inspiration Archives - Studio Katie

Restyled Patio Project

This is our first Spring here in the Pacific Northwest USA and we’ve really been enjoying it. We have been working a ton in the yard, building raised garden beds and planting flower pots.

We have this nice big patio at the back of our house, and we got the patio furniture for free! It started out ugly, plastic and black. Obviously, as crafters, we couldn’t let it stay that way.

Out came multiple cans of spray paint. We had 8 chairs and 3 tables, so we decided to use 2 different colors of paint- Sun Dried Tomato and Eden Green.

See the before? They look nearly new with a fresh coat of paint!

To finish out restyled patio, we stitched up chair pillows, and we also painted some custom plates! These were inspired by some Marimekko plates that Mark Montano created. We used colored plates from the Dollar Tree and black and white enamel paints.

What do you think? We wanted something fun and I love the Marimekko patterns.

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Tips on Getting Your Layout Published- Part 2

Yesterday I posted part 1 of my tips for getting your scrapbook layouts published and today I’m sharing part 2.

1. Use new products and include a full supply list in your submission. A reader may see a product on your published layout that they want to purchase for themselves and it’s much easier to do that if you used new products on your layouts instead of embellishments that are 5 years old. Magazines know this and are much more likely to choose your layout if it has the latest products.

2. Make multi-photo layouts. You will see a few layouts in magazines that are 1 pagers and have 1 photo on them but the layouts editors love best are 2 page layouts with 3+ photos.

3. Write neatly and spell check! Make sure there aren’t a bunch of typos in your title or journaling, nothing is more embarrassing than realizing after the fact that you spelt something wrong. It also helps if you have nice neat journaling. This could mean printing it, or just making sure your handwriting is neat. Layouts get downsized when published so it’s easier to read your journaling if it’s nice and neat.

I’ve been published in multiple issues of Creating Keepsakes, Stitch Craft and Create and most recently I have a project in the Star Trek Crafts Book.

Click here to see part 1 of my tips.

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Tips on Getting Your Layouts Published- Part 1

I’ve been lucky enough to have my work published in multiple issues of Creating Keepsakes, Stitch Craft and Create and most recently I have a project in the Star Trek Crafts Book.

I wanted to share a few of my tips on getting your scrapbook layouts published, although some of these tips would work on other type of art projects as well.

1. Take good clear photographs of your project. This is so extremely important. Most likely, the editors won’t choose your project if your photograph is bad and they cannot easily see what that embellishment on your project is, or read your journaling. For more tips on photographing your projects, check out this post.

2. Stay updated on the Submission Calls. A lot of magazines have a page that they update with the latest submission calls that they’re looking for. You’re layout is more likely to get chosen if it fits within the current calls. Don’t submit spring layouts when they’re working on the Christmas issue. Magazines always work ahead so by keeping up to date with the calls you can see what they’re looking for.

3. Try new techniques! Instead of just using washi tape the normal way, try using it to make fun 3d embellishments. Magazines like to feature new ideas and techniques so try something new or something you haven’t seen in their magazines before.

You may submit layouts dozens of times before you get chosen! Don’t give up, once the editors see your name showing up a lot you’re more likely to be published. I’ll be posting part 2 of this series soon.

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Stitch Craft Create Spring 2013

Exciting news!! I have 2 mini albums published in the latest issue of Stitch Craft Create!

This issue is so beautiful. Seriously! It’s filled with so many inspiring projects, pretty color combos and tutorials. The magazine hits shelves today and you’ll want to go get it!

This makes me happy! I love seeing my projects in magazines and I love these mini albums!

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35 Ways To Be Creative

Instead of thinking “I’m only going to spend a couple of minutes surfing pinterest and blogs looking for a neat project before going to my studio to craft” and then spending the next hour pinning things without ever stepping into your studio.

I’m not saying there is anything wrong with pinterest, actually I love it and have pinned more then 1800 pins. However I sometimes spend too much time on there. Here are 35 New techniques, Projects and Ideas to stay creative:

So, let’s start the new year with a bang get off pinterest for just a few minutes and actually work on a project or try a new technique.

1. Try a new technique. Maybe you’re great at sewing, but you need a little inspiration. Try doing something slightly different, like altering a premade hoodie using your fabric stash.

2. Have an outdated dictionary or encyclopedia sitting on your bookshelf? Jump start your creativeness and give the book a new life as an art journal.

3. Add glitter to ordinary object around the house. Everything is more inspiring with glitter.

4. Don’t quite feel inspired enough to work on a big project? Try something small, like doodling or zentangling. Check out TanglePatterns for a ton of patterns to doodle.

5. Get out of the house. Go to a park with your sketch book and write down ideas or sketch what you see.

6. Play around in photoshop, Adding fun effects to your photos.

7. Try your hand at stamp carving. You can get the supplies at most craft stores.

8. Raid your kids coloring book stash.

9. Get up way early (earlier than normal) and do a small project. You might be surprised how creative you are still half asleep. 😉

10. Try Needle Felting. (something I’d like to do.)

11. How about a year long project? Have you ever done Project 365?

12. Or what about Project Life?

13. Try covering one of your walls in Instagram photos.

14. Use up a little bit of your washi tape stash.

15. Visit a museum. A science museum, an art museum. You’re bound to find some inspiration there.

16. Be inspired by a challenge blog.

17. Take an online class.

18. Never tried sewing? Learn a few basic stitches.

19. Or learn some embroidery basics.

20. Be green with a reusable tote. But first, Embellish it.

21. Try your hand at Wood Burning.

22. Turn your handwriting into a font. (Also something I’d like to do)

23. Play with crayons and paint.

24. Art Journal everyday.

25. Play with your sharpies and Make your own “Washi Tape”

26. Submit to a magazine.

27. Join a design team.

28. Go buy the fun-pack of Sharpies. So. Many. Colors. How can you not be inspired by that??

29. Redesign your Blog.

30. Take your camera out for a walk. Photograph things you see.

31. Carry a notebook everywhere. Whenever you have a good idea- write it down!

32. Clean you studio/craft space. It’s not very inspiring to work in a mess.

33. Use some of those pictures you’re always taking on your phone and create a piece of Instasgram art.

34. Make and send a card to your best friend. Get some inspiration on my Cute Card pinterest board.

35. Consider purchasing prompts, like Kam’s 365 ideas for blog posts, scrapbooks and art journal pages.

(I am writing this list as much for me as I am you, as I am guilty as charged for spending too much time looking for inspiration instead of making things.)

What do you do to be creative?

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6 Ways to Get out of that Creative Rut

Here are some ideas on how I get out of a creative rut. I just thought I would share them. 🙂

1. Make a list. Write down ideas of things you think would make neat projects. (Even if you don’t have the inspiration to make them right now. Just writing them down is good.)

2. Go Surfing. Surfing the web, that is. The internet is full of websites and blogs that share fun tutorials, here are a few of my favorite sites to go to when I need inspiration:
Pinterest
Craft Gossip
Craft Gawker
OnePrettyThing

3. Get off the computer. (I know, I just told you to use it, but now get off.)
When I’m un-inspired, I can spend hours on the computer trying to find my creative mojo. Sometimes it works, and sometimes I just need to take a break. Go outside, Go for a walk, Take pictures of pretty things, etc.

4. Get out some sharpies and doodle. Even if you don’t consider yourself a great artist, you don’t think you can draw, just doodle. Doodling always makes me happy. Try Zentangling.

5. Play with chalk. It’s inspiring no matter how old you are.

6. Don’t be afraid to fail. Seriously. If your project doesn’t work out, it’s no big dealio. So just go for it!

Now go make something. I don’t care if you still don’t feel like doing it, Once you get started you will feel better. Trust me. 😉

Image sources- 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8

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Colors of the Wind

The crisp autumn breeze is always inspiring to me, and reminds me of Pocahontas..

(all images via weheartit)

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GASC + Scrapbooking Goodies!

You may have seen me tweeting or posting on facebook last week about the Great American Scrapbook Convention (GASC) that was in town, We volunteered in classrooms on Thursday, Although the teacher of the class I was volunteering in didn’t need any help, so she let me join in the class- Which was all about the art of zentangles. That was fun!

And we went shopping and took a couple of classes on Saturday. I tried not to buy too many of the cute papers that were for sale, because I just got an amazing prize package from Creating Keepsakes with alot of awesome goodies in it.

Are there any scrapbook conventions near you? Do you go? I love going to gasc, This was our 4th year in a row.

xo, Katie

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Trip to Red Velvet

Last weekend My mom, Sister and I took a road trip to Red Velvet in Missouri (it was like a 7 hr drive from DFW…) The way Elsie and Emma decorated the shop was so freakin’ cute and kitschy!

So beware, This post is somewhat picture heavy! enjoy—

Have you visited Red Velvet?? If not, You definitely should! I got the cutest pair of crochet covered headphones a woodgrain leather journal made by Rachel. I love it!

[Thanks, Mom, For taking us to Red Velvet!]

xo, Katie