Blacksburg Belle

Thoughtful DIY Gift

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Last week I received the most thoughtful gift from a long-time reader of Blacksburg Belle {who many of you will probably recognize from her awesome comments}, Coral, and I couldn’t believe how “me” it was. The art journal {see picture above} and tea towel were inspired by past DIYs here on Blacksburg Belle. And, the magazine was just my style!

Coral also took time to make tags and embellish the envelope that housed her sweet letter.

I’ve received some pretty amazing gifts from readers/customers, and I appreciate every single one. Usually, I wouldn’t share them here, but I loved how she put her own spin on some of my DIY projects. I just couldn’t help but share them with you to show you how you can make them your own–and to show you the fun tags she created.

Tags and Envelope:

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Tea Towel:

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Magazine:

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Art Journal:

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Surprise packages are the BEST!

I hope this inspires you to surprise someone you appreciate.

A Favorite Resource: Creative Lettering

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I noticed Creative Lettering by Jenny Doh listed on Amazon at least over a month ago–probably longer–but it said that it wasn’t available for purchase yet. I waited. I checked back. I waited. I checked back. And, then I bought it as soon as it was released.

I’ve been looking for THIS book for years. It started when I began scrapbooking over eight years ago. Since that time, I’ve been searching for a really good hand-lettering resource. I don’t love my handwriting. When I take my time, it looks okay, but I’ve wanted more than okay, you know?

Now, I’m using this resource for my art journals and anything special with handwriting. Plus, it features one of my favorite artists, Jessica Swift. If you want a value-packed resource for hand-lettering, this book is a must.

It’s not only filled with how-to guidelines and techniques. It also includes “stories” from the contributors and is filled with beautiful pictures. If you’re an art journaler or mixed media artist, you need this on your bookshelf.

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17 Journaling Prompts

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I’m a journaler. Sometimes, I doodle and paint. Other times, I write. It just depends on what mood I’m in and what’s on my mind. I don’t meditate even though I know all the positive benefits you get from it. I like to think of journaling as my form of “meditation.” If you spend time journaling, here are 17 prompts for you to use on days that you feel stuck:

1. How do you want to feel today? Think of one to three feelings and then brainstorm activities that will get you in that mood. For example, if you want to feel relaxed, you might take a bubble bath or take a stroll with your husband after dinner.

2. What do you love about your business? How much time do you spend on those things that you love? How can you spend more time on that stuff and less time on the stuff you don’t like?

3. What are you grateful for? What blessings do you have in your life?

4. What do people thank you for? {This one helps tap into your strengths.}

5. What kind of relationship do you have with money? How do you treat it? Does this need to change? If so, how?

6. If you had $1,000 given to you today, but you had to give away that money within 24 hours, what would you do with it? Would you split it up? Would you give it to your favorite charity? Would you give it to a relative or friend who’s struggling? Why?

7. Are you stuck in the “If only’s?” Do you say things like, “If I could only pay off my student loans, then….” or “If only I could quit my day job, then…?” How can you stay positive about your situation now while moving forward to change it to something better?

8. Pretend you’re getting married in one month and you needed to ask five people in your life to be your bridesmaids. Who would you ask and why? What makes those women such good friends?

9. What book has had the biggest impact on your life? Why?

10. What are three lessons that you’ve learned in the past year?

11. If you could make three wishes and have them granted, what would they be? Why?

12. If you could have dinner with any five people {dead or alive}, who would you pick? Why?

13. Where do you see your business in three years? What do want to achieve? How much money do you want to be making? Do you want to work alone or have a team?

14. What’s one of your favorite childhood memories? Describe it in detail using all of your senses.

15. Why did you first start your business? Do you still think about that underlying reason when making business decisions?

16. What are some of your favorite things from daily life? {Hint: I love chai tea lattes, a fire in my wood-burning stove, lunch with my husband, and walking my dogs.}

17. What advice did you get from your parents that you ignored as a child/teen that you know to be true now?

My Favorite Posts From Around the Web in 2012

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Throughout the last year, I’ve stumbled upon so many amazing posts. Some of them I revisit over and over. Others are creative ideas I tried out myself. And, others contain business advice that I applied to Blacksburg Belle.

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Below you’ll find some of my favorites from this past year:

This sharpie mug idea inspired some of my Christmas presents this year.

I also made some of these polaroid coasters for gifts this year.

This video added happiness to my Friday {and every day}. Mayi Carles reminded me that I choose whether or not I’m happy.

Marie Forleo’s video on how to get more traffic with Derek Halpern will help you understand why you don’t need to blog every day to be successful.

These DIY tag-shaped stamps {done two ways!} are super cute and would make a great addition to your art journal kit.

Often, people who are interested in being vegetarian or vegan tell me that they want to do it but they think it will be too difficult. It’s actually much easier than you might think, and this post provides lots of tips for making it easier even if you just want to cut back on the animal products you consume.

Think you can’t take beautiful product photos without a fancy camera? Think again.

DIYing your branding? Then, you need this list.

Want to become a master of your trade in 2013? If so, I highly recommend this podcast.

If you create presentations, you should check out this quick video on making them much more fun and entertaining.

An inexpensive, handmade statement necklace? Yes, please.

I can hardly stand how darn cute this fluffy white cloud costume is.

Super cute idea for “decorating” your nails.

I love this DIY and hope to make it this year.

I hope you’re inspired by some of these posts, too! Do you have a favorite from this year? Share below.

DIY Art Journal

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I can’t get enough journals. I’m a collector of tidbits: movie stubs, pieces of glitter ribbon, heart stickers, pretty business cards, lists of ideas, vintage paper, photos, tags, receipts, doilies and magazine pages that I just can’t throw away. {And, that’s just the small list.} Because I collect all these scraps and bits, I’m always looking for ways to use them.

My latest idea has been to make my own art journals and fill them with these sweet snippets and lovely morsels. Just the other day, I discovered a movie stub from Julie and Julia. Talk about a fun movie! Anyways, I didn’t want to throw it away, so I stuck it in my new handmade journal.

They’re super easy and fun to make. I’ll walk you through it.

First, you need to choose your cover. Heavy scrapbook paper and photos or designs printed onto card stock work well. If you don’t have any lovely scrapbook paper or photos you want to use, you can print out this simple chevron design that I made.

Second, trim the cover with a craft knife if needed. I printed the photo above on heavy card stock and deliberately made it smaller than the page, because I wanted the journal to be smaller.

Third, fold the cover in half. {This is a very difficult step, I know. You definitely needed a picture, right? I know you don’t, but I had it and wanted to use it.}

Fourth, pick out the pages you want to use as your art journal pages. I used vintage book pages, pretty magazine pages, envelopes, vintage graph paper, and scrapbook paper. Basically, whatever you have on hand will work.

Fifth, cut the pages to fit inside your cover. I cut my pages so they would be different sizes. I love the effect you get when you can see multiple art journal pages at once.

Sixth, sew down the middle of all the pages and cover together. You don’t need to have much experience sewing, because it’s just a straight line. Trim the thread and you’re almost done.

Seventh, add a strip of washi tape down the spine, and you’re done.

I like to make a bunch at one time. That way, I’ll have enough to last me a few months.