Inspired Creativity

Art: Collage Ornaments

Tied up Memories

 

who the artist is:

My name is Tracy. I reside in Atlanta GA. I'm married and a mother of three. I work part-time as a store merchandiser. I create the store displays. It's another creative outlet for me!

what's your story:

I'm always trying to think outside of the box. I've been creating since I can remember. I've been on Etsy for a little over a year now. I'm inspired every day by all the artists I see!

I have a passion for all things vintage! I try to incorporate it in my creations.

where: 

You can find my work on etsy.: www.tiedupmemories.etsy.com

and check out my new blog: www.tiedupmemories.blogspot.com/

why this artist stands out:

Tracy's collages are artfully arranged and never cluttered. Her look is shabby chic and the result is quite romantic.

how to make a simplified collage ornament project:

1.       I use wood cut outs, scraps of papers and modge podge glue. I layer the scraps of paper on the wood. 2.

2.      Drill two holes.

3.      Attach wire.

4.      Tie on ribbon and add a small embellishment and voila!

Art Dolls: Handknit Darling Animal Toys

Lullabylily

 

who the artist is:

Hello, I'm Flora a.k.a LullabyLily in Scotland. I'm a mother and writer who spends much time in creative space-time continuums. I admit to a curiously powerful drive to make hand knit animals. I look at a ball of yarn and wonder, what metamorphosis might happen here?! And ta! ra! a new hand knit darling is in the world. It is all quite miraculous to me but then creativity is like a series of little miracles.

what's your story:  

Making things and having various projects on the go - and *completing* them - is a fundamental need for me. My mother taught me to knit and explained there was no such word as 'can't'. She was always creating amazing things with various materials.

I think art and gardening, crafting and building offer ways to learn and grow as a person in all aspects of your life, quite apart from the sense of peace you tap into when you're in the zone of creating.

I believe children are very attuned to the energy of things and that they benefit from playing with toys in materials that were once living (wool, cotton and so on) This is one reason I always use pure wool roving as filling. I am absolutely besotted with all the knit darlings I make. I really love them! And I know they carry some of that love with them wherever they go, even my knit slugs!

where:

My Etsy shop is at: http://www.lullabylily.etsy.com
I blog at: http://www.lullabylilyblog.wordpress.com
I also have a wee Folksy (UK) shop: http://www.folksy.com/shops/lullabylily and a new, tiny, European presence on DaWanda: http://en.dawanda.com/shop/LullabyLily as well as my own home website at http://www.lullabylily.com which has a gallery of LullabyLily hand knit creatures.

why this artist stands out:

I feel there is something magnificent and magical that happens when we make things with love. Everything is energetic and my hope is that LullabyLily knit animals bring a smile, liberate a playfulness and offer a little comfort to children and grown-ups alike.

how to make a simplified bird:

I am happy to share my bird pattern so others can enjoy it as much as I do (it is such a simple, wonderful pattern).

LullabyLily basic knit bird pattern (easy to customise):

Use any yarn, any needle size, depending on type of bird you’d like. Beginning at tail and working in one piece, cast on 4 sts. Stocking stitch as many rows as the length of tail feathers you want then increase 1 st in middle of next knit row.

Inc 1 st on either side of middle stitch on knit rows only until you have 21 sts. Stocking stitch 12 rows for body (less or more for a shorter or longer body). Neck: purl 2, p2 tog to end [16sts]. Next row: knit 2 tog, k3, k2 tog, k3 to end [12 sts]. Head: Stocking stitch 8 rows. 9th row: p2tog to end 10th row: gather all stitches together and tie off. Sew together row ends right down to ¾ along the under body on wrong side, tie off.

Turn work right side out and sew together row ends along tail. Stuff head and body and sculpt to shape as you stuff. Sew up hole with remaining tail end from tail feathers. Make beak using felt or by i-cording 2 or 3 sts in fine yarn and folding work over to make beak shape then running yarn ends through top and bottom of beak and tying off at fold. Put Beak in hole created at head by gathering stitches together and anchor. Embroider eyes or use buttons, fabric, beads etc. If you need help with anything, email darling@lullabylily.com

Fabric Art: Creative Pins

WhimsyHouse

 

who the artist is:    Hi! My name is Molly Bernier and I create for my shop, Whimsy House, out of my home in Madison, Wisconsin. I'm a happily married mommy, an interior designer by trade and lover of all things handmade. I primarily work with felted wool, felt and fabric, vintage buttons and other old findings. I'm passionate about creating, I focus very little on perfection and I'm tickled by simple things... quilt scraps, an old jar of buttons, shabby pearls beads. Simple pleasures are best!

what's your story:  After the birth of my last baby, I slid into the roll of stay-at-home mommy and needed a creative outlet to help maintain my sanity and grip on the outside world. Etsy became that outlet for me - I am blessed! I started my shop in April 2008, primarily selling felt brooches and vintage treasures. It snowballed from there and now I find joy in having new ideas and new mediums to work with.

where: I have two Etsy shops: -
http://WhimsyHouse.etsy.com which has my handmade accessories and vintage treasures
http://FabricHouse.etsy.com which is where I destash fabrics from my interior design jobs
I recently started a blog which is a lot of fun!
http://WhimsyHouseGoodness.blogsppot.com

why this artist stands out: I find inspiration in my stash of vintage goodies and love to see what new life I can create with them. Every lady deserves fun, colorful and affordable goodness in their lives. If I can give someone a smile through my designs I'm happy!

how to make a simplified felt flower pin:

1) Pick out a fabulous felt color for the main bloom and a green shade for the petals.

2) Cut three or four whimsical concentric rounds/circles.

3) Cut out petals and position them between the bottom two layers.

4) Choose a fun vintage button for the center and stich all the layers together - button, felt layers, leaves, bottom felt layer.

5) Stitch pin bar onto back - I'm guess this could be glued as another option. Voila! A fun felt flower bloom!