February Freebie

Garden from my downstairs's patio.

I don't know about your neck of the woods, but in Southeast Missouri the weather is crazy! Snow the size of potato chip flakes came floating down last week. And I might add, right after a 75 degree day! This week? In a 24 hour period we had rain, snow (that melted quickly!), 45 degree temps, and ice pellets - all in that order! Guueezzz... Days like that make my windowless office very cozy! 

So what have I been doing to keep warm?  Making new pattern tutorials and twirlin' paper, of course! 


One pattern is your February freebie! Whoop! Whoop!! These are directions to make a refillable, notepad topper. I really enjoy making these toppers. They are so much prettier for displaying my magnetic notepads on the fridge then just the notepad.  

Also, the topper and the notepad create just the right ledge that I can clip a pen over the topper and it lays on the top edge of the notepad.

Humm...are you a little confused? Yep, me too! So here's a little visual for you. 

Ssooo....[drum roll plz].....here's the link to your February freebie!   Refillable, Notepad Topper Tutorial

The pattern gives you measurements and directions for making the topper. The Bonus Page gives you tips and several ideas of colors and quill design ideas you could use on your topper.

Then! There's nothing like a snowflake. They are each so different and unique in their own way. Much like my daughters and my Nana-babies.  As I create snowflakes I name them after the girls in my family. So new to my Etsy page is the first in my snowflake line "Tater Bug" (Named after my Nana-daughter, Taylor.).  And at only a $1.75 - what a bargain! It's never too early to start those Christmas ornaments. Hurry over and buy your copy digital now! 

"Tater Bug" Snowflake Tutorial

Well, that' enough for this week. Thanks for hanging out with me. Until next week .... 


May your lighting be bright and your coils be just right!


Lisa

Your paper twirlin' zealot!



Meet up socially at Facebook and Pinterest

Behind the Scenes - Design Studio



Well, another week has passed here at Never Bored Creations. As I look over what I've accomplished this week I thought you might like to see where all the 'magic' happens.

I'm blessed to have an entire room to create, design, and write in. (Oh gueezzz....who am I kidding! I've grown into several rooms - but more on that in another post! lol) We do have a walkout basement, and what started out as a craft room got pushed to the back with no windows. Problem fix? Paint it a happy lavender! 

Here's a picture I took a couple years ago for my bio in my Etsy shop. Still looks like me only add some length to my hair. This is the area I use for blogging, creating digital patterns, and all that pesky office/business stuff you have to do. 

When I accepted a back corner for my craft room I never thought a few years later it would grow into something much, much more! A full-fledged studio where I get to spend my days. Once it moved past a sewing/crocheting/cross stitching and any other creative thing I can do room I decided I needed something more than a table.

That's when I started looking for the perfect design desk for my now paper quilling studio. I spotted this one at a store but, at the time, was hesitate to pay the $129 price tag. So I kept looking. Then...one day I walk in the store and discovered they had discontinued the desk. WOW! Such delight when I picked up the floor model for a mere $45!! 

It's perfect!!

As you can see, I was able to adjust the shelves on both sides to a height that my paper holders stand nicely within my reach. I can see every color I have. The smaller shelf areas hold tools and items I need. The lower shelves give me even more space. 

Between the shelves I was able to put a small cork bulletin board. When working on a project I often pin inspirational photos, color palettes, and other items that help me in the design process. 

See the top shelf? I just bought the large drawer cabinet for my jewelry findings and other small items, like small magnets or tubes of adhesives. 

The shelf also turned out to be the perfect place to put additional lighting.  

So that's today's peek into my "Behind the Scenes" series. 

Up next week - info on two new digital patterns I've worked out this week while in my lavender colored happy place. :)


Until next time....Here's to never being bored!

Lisa

Your paper twirlin' zealot!


Meet up socially at Facebook and Pinterest



Valentine's Day - Two Hearts....

Coming up with original designs can be rewarding, but have you ever enhanced a picture? I've experimented with several. And to encourage you to do so, I thought it is about time for me to share one I just finished.

Two Hearts....


Here is a framed piece I purchased at a Big Lots store. Just a simple print on cardboard and added to an inexpensive frame. In this example, the words and wing highlights, and a simple heart are actually on the glass, not on the picture.

When looking for a picture I evaluate several things. To name a few:
* Can the picture be separated from the frame easily? And then be reconnected?
* Is there space between the picture and the glass?  This one is not a deal breaker, but if there is not I have to ask -
* Is there room to create space between the glass and picture? (Keep in mind you need room for your paper width of choice - generally, 1/8 inch for me - and a little breathing space between the paper and glass.)
* What would I enhance? Sometimes I like a picture but maybe the quilling would get lost in everything else going on. Simple is quite often the best choice.