By Adding One Small Extra, Your Creation Can Go From Boring to Amazing

When I first created this card I was happy with it because I thought it had an understated elegance about it and that's why I liked it. 

However, I couldn't help but feel that something was missing.  I added a cute little butterfly and I'm glad I did.  I think the card went from being okay to being an eye-catcher.  I'm all for drama and bling!

Which one do you like better?

This project passed the test!  When I showed it to my daughters, they both asked me to make them one with their names for their bedrooms.   Impressing teenage girls is the most difficult thing to do! 

I used thin cardboard coasters for the back pieces.  I covered them with Stampin' Up!'s "Sweet Pea" Designer Series Paper Pack, and attached them at the corners with Mod Podge.

The "h e l l o" are chipboard letters that I painted with Stampin' Up!'s craft ink in Rose Red.  I adhered the letters to the coasters with Mod Podge.

I used my Sizzix Big Shot machine to die cut the butterflies (Stampin Up!'s "Beautiful Butterflies" Bigz Die) and the thin green vine (Sizzlits "Swirly" Decorative Strip Die.)  Once again, I used Mod Podge to adhere everything, but as you can see, I only adhered parts of the butterflies and vine so they would be 3-D.

I topped it off with a large brad and some ribbon for hanging. 

Have you heard the news?

eWillow.com is expanding!  We have opened new departments and are anxiously awaiting to find artisans who can fill storefronts in the following categories:

• handmade paper jewelry
  
• handmade paper fashion
  
• handmade paper home decor
  
• letterpress
  
• quilling

For more info, please contact info@ewillow.com

Here is some inspiration for you...

Paper shoes, by designer Violise Lunn

Oh, how I wish I had all the time in the world and all the space I need to just create things all day long.

But, even though I love to create, I love being a mom even more.  This weekend my schedule will be packed full.  Erica (who plays the bassoon) is performing into the late hours tomorrow night at the annual band assessment.  Adrienne is going to Naples (Florida, not Italy) on Saturday for Junior Statesman.  I am cooking Sunday dinner (every Sunday the entire family gets together...my parents, us, and my brother and his family) and this Sunday I am cooking because I refuse to miss even one second of the Oscars.  (any menu suggestions?)

I'm also in the middle of putting together a tutorial that will be featured on a delightful blog in two weeks.  (I'll let you know when and where.)

SO, have a happy weekend.  Spread the word to your artisan friends about eWillow.com's expansion.  As Martha would say, "It's a good thing." 

at the Chanel show

last year, when two of my most favorite things, paper and fashion, came together.  I know I'm a year behind with this post, but I didn't have this blog back them, so I'm posting about this now.

When I worked as a runway model I modeled for Chanel a few times.  I don't remember who designed for them back then; it never really mattered to me.  The only thing that mattered was booking the job.

Fast forward to the present day when they have the very talented Karl Lagerfeld as their designer.

Guess what?  Mr. Lagerfeld loves paper.

So much so that he had some very lovely paper installation pieces at his show, like this:

photo copyright Chanel

and this, which looks like it is part of the dress, but it's really the backdrop:

Look at this glorious paper headpiece:

photo copyright Chanel

Oh, to have been a fly on the wall.  Or a model on the runway...

Make a Fun Easter Card

...and ask me questions!  see that new box over on the right sidebar?  "Formspring.me" some questions (just type the questions in the little box) and I'll answer them for you!

now on to today's post:

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I can't believe it, either!  Easter is just over one month away.  Holy cow!

Here is a card to inspire you and to help get you into the spring spirit.

I stamped the flower with Versa-Mark and used sponge daubers to apply chalk to the image.  It's a really simple technique and I like the muted, soft look.