Heading out of town.

We are headed out of town today to the Outer Banks for a family vacation. Our first one in a long time, and our first one as a family of four. Excited to soak up time (and sun) with our little family. I threw together this little mini as a travel journal. It's not my typical journal-style I have used in the past, but I wanted to try something different.

Basically, I made a cover (inspiration found here) from kraft paper (and a transparency sheet) with paper squares- vintage sewing pattern paper, a beach scene from a vintage dictionary, graph paper, a vintage map of the Outer Banks (from an atlas), and a paper round with the title. I adhered the squares, sewed a couple lines, and called it finished. Inside, I included white blank sketchbook pages, lined pages, some sewn vellum and paper pages, kraft pages and an envelope or two. I plan on journaling while we are there, maybe putting some momentos in here and there, and then adding pictures after we return. My goal is to keep it simple and clean.

Be on the lookout for some update posts next week as well as a book review and a giveaway :) Have a fabulous weekend!

DIY :: Collage Plates

In one of my new fave books, Crafting a Meaningful Home by Meg Mateo Ilasco, one of the contributors, Lisa Congdon, shared a fab idea of making decoupaged plates to use in home decor. What a fabulous idea to capture memories through pictures, paper momentos, handwritten letters, etc. I found some clear glass plates at a thrift shop (remember this "around here" post with a random picture of glass plates?) and was super excited to try this idea out.

All you need are clear glass plates (you could probably also use plastic ones, just might not be as permanent), mod podge, a foam brush and paper momentos.

I was really happy with how it turned out and will definitely be making more with all of those plates. :)

happy 4th!

Happy 4th of July to those in the States! I recently commissioned super talented Laura Tarrish (remember this post?) to make me a custom glassine card to hang in my studio (I'll be sharing pictures soon). She also included this gorgeous card with my order - perfect to share today. Happy 4th of July :)

Glassine Card | Laura Tarrish - Bridgetown Papers

Inspired by: Laura Tarrish | Bridgetown Papers

I recently came across a fabulous artist on pinterest - Laura Tarrish. I found my way to her website, portfolio, and online shop and immediately loved her gorgeous work. She is a graphic designer and collage artist, and uses tons of vintage ephemera throughout her designs (!!). She has had tons of clients, including TheBoston Globe, Apple Computer, Chronicle Books and the U.S. Department of Energy. Wow! Laura has had careers as a graphic designer and illustrator and has recently added design blog contributor to her resume, contributing to Design Observer and Felt&Wire. An avid collector of various kinds of ephemera, Laura admits to having a studio which is always disorganized and messy but rich with possibilities!

I am completely inspired by her work :) So for today, a glimpse into her studio/workspace and her gorgeous work - She graciously sent me some of her beautiful images to share with you :) Her glassine cards are one of my faves - she talks about these adorable cards in her shop: "I’ve been a collector as long as I can remember… and for many years, I’ve created tiny collages in glassine envelopes with pieces of type, old (and made up) fortunes, stamps, bits of maps, ticket stubs etc. Once made only for friends, I am now offering these cards for your special occasions! Each card has various floating elements and each one can be customized with with 1 or 2 letters of your choice. Each card is UNIQUE!"

She also creates these gorgeous personalized collages to commemorate an event, person, family or trip.

Personalized notecards

A glimpse into her studio:

Aren't you completely inspired?! :) Facebook: Bridgetown Papers | Portfolio: Laura Tarrish and Bridgetown Papers | Online Shop: Bridgetown Papers

All images from Laura Tarrish.

Pretty Package

I absolutely love to wrap small packages in leftover paper supplies I have laying around. It's so much more fun than using a roll of wrapping paper - but don't get me wrong, I love wrapping paper too! In fact, I wrapped this cute little gift in the brown paper from the interior of a wrapping paper roll (you know how sometimes there isn't a tube at the end of the roll? It's just stiff-er brown kraft-type-paper?). I then used a doily and covered it with some fabric swatches, a vintage button and topped it off with fabulous Divine Twine, alphabet letters, a leftover fabric scrap and some paper rounds. Reusing and adding a handmade touch :)

Handmade Christmas: Advent Calendar Roundup

We had an advent calendar growing up that we pulled out of the attic (along with all of the other Christmas decorations) each year. It was a cardstock paper calendar with a beautiful illustration of baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph in the stable. There were little numbers on flaps and each one had a picture underneath of it. Each day we got to open one flap - so fun. As we got older, we had the calendars that had chocolate behind the flaps - each day we took turns on who got the chocolate :).

So today-- a round up of links to beautiful Advent Calendars from all across the www. I am always amazed at the beautiful creativity people have. I plan to make an Advent Calendar for our little family one day... maybe next year? :) Love all of the inspiration out there - so many different ideas! :) What a fun way to celebrate each day in December leading up to Christmas - the perfect opportunity to reflect daily on the meaning of Christmas-- with a fun little gift, activity, or Scripture.

Cardholder/Advent Calendar Idea by My Digital Art Studio

Do you have an Advent Calendar? Did you make it yourself?

I recently found this neat blog - oh Amanda - below are some fab ideas for what to put in each day of your Advent Calendar:
-- From oh Amanda
+ A Scripture that tells the story of Jesus’ birth
+ A small piece of candy
+ An ornament
+ A charm (that could be made into a bracelet or necklace)
+ A piece of paper with an activity (ie. “let’s make Christmas cookies” OR “we’re going Christmas light watching tonight!”)
+ A clue to an activity, craft, story (that’s kinda what we’re doing. I put in a sticker of a king yesterday because we read Isaiah 9:6-7)
+ A small toy
+ The title of a Christmas story to read

The Roundup: All of these are fabulous ideas to make your own Advent Calendar - Enjoy :)

1. craftastica - Recycle Bin Advent Calendar

2. Marta Writes - Advent - December Bookshelf (and a great round up of more Advent Calendars)

3. Stitch-Craft - Countdown to Christmas

4. All About You - Advent Calendar

4. Full Circle - Advent

5. Design*Sponge - Paper Holiday - Advent

6. Pink Blossom Events - Advent Calendar

7. Martha Stewart - Photo Advent Calendar (great idea to give grandparents)

8. Ali Edwards - Advent Boxes

9. Stitch Craft - Adventures in Advent Calendars

10. Pickles - Christmas Calendar for Sharing

+ Check out more Advent Calendar Round Ups here and here.

+ Debbie recently purchased a set of Holiday Number Tags from my etsy shop and was super sweet to send me pictures of how she used them in her handmade Advent Calendar. Isn't this so adorable!? Nice work! Thanks for sending the pictures Debbie :)

*All images in this post from their respective blogs/websites.