Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Some inspiration and a challenge...


Things have been very busy around here.  I have a couple of big "secret" projects I am working on.  I am also trying to do more organizing of the craft chaos and discovering all sorts of forgotten "treasures" in the process.

The photo at the top of this post is a stained glass window designed and made by my brother and his partner.  You might have noticed it in the blog link in the left side bar but I loved it so much I wanted to brag about them a little and call it to your attention.  Their business is called Century Studios and you can read more about the window and see how it was made in their blog post HERE.  It would be great if you could leave a comment to say hi from me!

I thought that the story of the window might provide some inspiration.  There are so many "cute" owls around in the papercrafting world and it is nice to see owls that look a little more like their real life counterparts!


Today, since I was thinking about inspiration, I decided to post a challenge for you.  I save so many things because they give me an idea for a project. There are far too many of them in my space.  One of the items I found as I was cleaning was this take out box from a restaurant.  It has been kicking around for at least a year and it is time to recycle it. 


I saved the box because the pattern on the top looked like a sketch for a card or scrapbook page to me. I realize now that I should have taken a picture of it instead of keeping the box around so long (I did wash it out before I took it downstairs to my craft room!).

I am challenging myself - and any of you who want to play along - to use this design as the inspiration for a project.  I want to try a few variations - maybe a card and a layout.  A year ago, I signed up for a linky service but I only used it once (and no one played along...I think people are more familiar with these now).

Please make whatever you want and use the linky tool to post it here.  I set the limit for one week and I will look around and find a prize to keep things interesting...

I wonder if you think I am a little crazy - seeing layouts on the top of take-out containers!  Well, we all have our quirks!  Just click on the blue froggy button to add your link.  Let me know if you have questions or have any problems with the linky tool.

Have fun creating - I hope that you remember to look all around for inspiration - you never know where you will find it!

edited to add...
Directions on linking your project for the  "Take Out Box " inspiration challenge

Several people asked about using the linky tool to add a project and participate in the challenge.  I took some screen shots to show you how it works.


First, scroll to the bottom of the blog post HERE and click on the blue froggie link box.


These boxes will pop up.  If you have a blog where you have posted the project, you can just fill in the blanks and click "next step."  If you know the URL of the photo you want to post you can add that instead of a blog address.  If you just need to fill in something to get to the next screen you can use my blog address in this blank and then go to the tab on the next page that allows you to upload a photo from your computer.


This will take you to the blog post you linked and ask you to select the image to upload.


If you don't have a blog but have posted the image online - in a photo site, on a message board, or somewhere else you can provide the direct URL to upload.   You can find out the URL by right clicking and selecting "copy image location" from the list - then paste it in the blank.


If you don't have the image of your project anywhere online, you can click the third tab and upload the image directly from your computer.


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17 comments:

  1. I don't think you are crazy. I think it is very artsy to be inspired by other items you see.
    Not sure if I will take part in your challenge this time; will have to see
    Thanks though

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  2. Interesting...think I will give it a try later tonight.....I have a friend that sees things in "letters"...she takes photo's of things that look like letters to her and then frames them and spells out words...she says she drives herself nuts with it...but she has a great business from it!

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  3. I agree that this totally looks like a layout! What a fun idea!

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  4. Oh how fun. Wish I knew even how to post something to do the test with yoiu, but no clue how, remember I am a grandma, and I am glad I can do this much!!( work with my cricut, and make things becasue you show me how!! LOL!!

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  5. No, I don't think you idea is crazy it's total genius! Your brother's stained glass owls are gorgeous!
    surfnfroggie

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  6. this could make an awesome layout. not sure what the 'linky tool' is.

    kat

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  7. I marvel at people who can look at objects and have ideas "pop" into their heads! Who would have thought that a takeout container would be an inspiration...lol. I'll have to get the wheels turning and think up something. BTW, the owl stained-glass window is absolutely beautiful. TFS.
    Kathryn

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  8. Not crazy at all! Sitting in the Drive Thru at McD's one day I took out my camera and started snapping away... The new (at the time) advertisements for the coffee drinks with the different colors and swirls caught my attention. Now, I'm always noticing the design work that took place to make all kinds of advertising we see everyday ;)

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  9. Nope, don't think your crazy. Inspiration is everywhere. I went to your brother's site. Simply amazing and gorgeous creation they made. Love all the colors and the detail. Thanks for the link.

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  10. My craft room is filled with things I have saved because I thought maybe I could create something from them. I love the pattern on the takeout box. I don't know how to link, so probably won't make something, but I'm anxious to see what others make.

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  11. Seems like a lot of us don't know how to link. Can you do it without a blog? This might make a good "column" for you one day.

    BTW I love the owl stained glass. I collect owls and can't resist any that are unique - which this window definitely is.

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  12. I love this stained class art very pretty. TFS

    Luria

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  13. I don't think you're crazy at all, Diane, but I have never seen a take out box like this until just now! I wish I had time to tackle this one but I'm getting ready for an out of town wedding on Saturday. Maybe I can find the post again later and try it just for the fun of it!

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  14. I teach school, so I look at teen-agers clothing daily. I often notice the patterns on their shirts or their artistic designs and think of paper or how to make that look...glad I'm not the only one!
    kristyscraps@sbcglobal.net

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  15. Wow, I'm glad *I'm* not the only "crazy" one. I remember when I was 6 or 7 years old telling my mother that I could see "faces" in the floral curtains in my bedroom, or "animals" in the clouds. Isn't life just a series of Rorschach tests?? LOL, if that's the case, I truly AM nutty -- but in a good, creative way!

    I jumped to the chance to stretch my imagination by using your challenge, and posted it to my blog as well.

    In answer to some of your commenters, YES, you need a blog in order to post your project via Mr. Linky. That's because Mr. Linky searches your blog to find the picture that you'll want to post. Diane, maybe if some of your HUGE following don't have blogs, you could have them simply e-mail a .jpeg file of the picture of their project to you? You may get more people to play along if you do this.

    Again, thank you for the opportunity to play along.... and happy Mother's Day in advance!

    Fondly,

    Ellen ♥ CardMonkey
    www.cardmonkey-business.blogspot.com

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  16. Love all the great ideas the girls made with your challange. It is amazing how something so ordinary call become so beautiful.

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  17. Oh, this was a fun challenge! I just love the idea of finding inspiration in the pattern of a take out box!! How very cool! I just linked up my entry...just under the gun...not sure why that happens quite frequently!! :-)

    ~Sharon C.

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