Saturday, February 25, 2012

Have You Heard of the Micromovement?

Do you have a difficult time starting or finishing projects? Do you find that you spend more time thinking about your dreams than you do putting your big plans into action?


I think you're gonna love the concept behind the micromovement! Most of us can do anything for 5 seconds to 5 minutes right? Easy peasy!


I'm going to task you with a project this week and here it is. Simply schedule your next micromovement on your calendar. That's it!


If you feel really ambitious, blog about your completed micromovement. Leave a comment here along with a link to your post.


I'll create a blog post next Saturday and include a link to your micromovement post so we can help you celebrate your baby steps to your dream.

Note: Written passages are direct quotes from the book "Make Your Creative Dreams Real" by SARK.


Thursday, February 23, 2012

Change Almost Anything in 21 Days - Day 15

At first I resisted some of the affirmations I read in the book but resistance to anything is an indication that a lesson can be learned.

there is lots of power in simply being willing to be willing
Burn the karmic seeds and end the pattern.  I have a healthy envy of successfully, self employed artists and as I awaken, I realize how much better I feel using the affirmation to help change the pattern.

see opportunity for change in every challenge and welcome it
Soon I'll be able to move from "I am willing to be willing" to "I am willing." Even in that small increment, changes are taking place!

trust that you will know when to move from willing to doing
By changing the landscape of thought from within, changes from without will also necessarily take place. They must, it is law! Most of all, try to make this fun and change will happen even faster!

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Happy Fat Tuesday!

Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we begin prayer, penance, repentance, almsgiving and self-denial. If that isn't the very definition of a dichotomy I don't know what is!

Happy Fat Tuesday!!

However you choose to celebrate the season, Kell Belle Studio wishes you the best!


Monday, February 20, 2012

Change Almost Anything in 21 Days - Day 12

While trying to come up with a good affirmation to use for 21 days, I noticed that my mind came up with lots of reasons why I should stick to something small at first. Isn't that interesting?

my old blank journal
Moral: Don't believe everything you think. Your mind will try to keep you tied to habitual ways but those moments hold your greatest opportunities for change.

what are some of your excuses?
I write my affirmations just before going to sleep and the past few nights I've started falling asleep while writing them. Falling asleep is an excuse to avoid moving past discomfort.

if you must know, click image to read
What are some of the excuses you use? Are they true? Can you be absolutely certain they are true? What might your life look like if you could no longer use those excuses? Comments welcome.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

How to Make Paper Rose Leaves

Since our Paper Wardrobe Project for March includes the possibility of leaves I'm going to share a  technique for adding veins and how to cut your leaves so they have cerated edges.
cut leaf shape with paper edgers for more visual appeal
First select some green paper.  Cut a small piece and fold it in half. With a pair of mini scallop scissors, cut the open edge side of the paper forming a leaf shape.

card stock was too thick - use thinner paper
With a pair of tweezers grab the folded leaf just below the tip. Crimp by twisting the tweezers to the right (or left) and crease.

finished leaf
Continue crimping working from the tip of the leaf to the stem. Open the leaf and shape as desired. It is now ready to add to your project. Enjoy!



Saturday, February 11, 2012

Glass Shadow Boxes

I found (of all things) glass shadow boxes! I see uses for this that combine a little bit of everything I've found so far that has anything to do with artful shadow boxes!

visit West Elm for more great ideas
These can be opened making it very easy to periodically swap out items like paper dresses especially if you're thinking seasonally.

West Elm sells more than just frames
A glass shadow box that can be mounted on a wall or stand on a table - how perfect is that? I'm excited no end at the customization possibilities.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Change Almost Anything in 21 Days

A year ago I nearly lost my job. I had a new boss I wasn't getting along with, I hated what I was doing and my relationships with my co-workers and management were strained. Needless to say my attitude was in the crapper.


I knew I was headed down a very destructive path so I made the decision to change my thinking. I began practicing forgiveness, I embraced challenge as opportunities for change and I used affirmations. 3 months after I made that decision things at work began to change.


Today, I am friends with my boss, I've completely changed the perception management had of me, I get along with my co-workers, my job duties have changed to something I really enjoy and I'm being given opportunities I've never had before!


I am a walking testament to the power of affirmations. I won't say that this is easy because it isn't. It's so much easier to remain in our comfort zones and keep making the same choices we made yesterday than it is to make changes but it is soooo worth it!


Today I'm making another change. I want to apply the transformations I saw at work to other areas of my life so I thought I would share what's on my reading list this month. Come join me over the next 21 days and prove to yourself how powerful affirmations can be.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Folded Rose Tutorial

Y'all are gonna LOVE this Folded Rose Tutorial created by Ann Martin of All Things Paper. These can make the perfect addition to your paper crafts and I'm positively giddy with excitement over finding this!
folded paper rose styles
The rose on the left was created using the folded rose tutorial and looks like an English rose. The rose on the right is an example of how I've been creating my miniature roses for years. Both are beautiful.

lovely little English rose style roses

You don't have to specifically use quilling paper, for more variety, you can cut your own strips using an X-acto blade and a metal ruler. Light weight papers with color on both sides work best.

spray of traditional style roses
Valentine's Day is coming. Add some leaves punched from green paper and you can make some really nice little rose sprays for use in your paper crafts. Enjoy!


Sunday, February 5, 2012

A Visit From the Green Fairy

The green fairy paid me a visit the other day. She just popped into my head screaming to be the paper couture inspiration of the month for March. Why not, I thought. She is green and a perfect St. Paddy's Day choice.

the perfect little flirty fairy skirt ever
Fairies are known to be tricksters so in that spirit I thought I would combine elements of different fairy outfits to come up with my own version of a green fairy dress starting with that flirty little pink skirt.

love the "V" neckline
We need something with sleeves this time so we'll go with a V neckline and some pouffy sleeves. I really like the leafy accents so I'll likely incorporate that element too. What do you think?