Everyone is born with creativity. But those people who appear to be super creative have a secret. They know that creativity has to be developed and exercised to come easily. I am on a quest to immerse myself in creativity of all kinds. I hope you will join me!

 Punch 8 textbook flowers and one white cardstock flower.


 Fold each textbook flower in half and in half again.


 Put a dab of hot glue in the center of the cardstock flower. Place 4 folded pieces with points in the glue. Repeat with remaining four flowers, offset from the first layer.


 Glue a button or gem in the center. Glue a pinback or magnet to backside. These are practically free to make! 




 Punch out 4 or 5 flowers of screen and one of red cardstock.


 Stitch all layers together with a button in the center. Bend up some of the screen flower edges. Excellent texture!


 Use for any decoration. I like it dressing up this small gift box. 


 Punch out five freezer paper flowers. Iron them (shiny side down) to the leg of a pair of jeans. Place duct tape (mine is white), around them forming a box of denim with 5 paper flowers inside.


 Cover the exposed denim with bleach from a Clorox Bleach Pen. I used the widest tip on the pen, and brushed from the paper onto the denim to keep the edges crisp.


 It takes awhile for bleach to work on denim. I let mine sit overnight before I removed the tape and the freezer paper flowers.



As a crafter/designer, I am required to use both right and left brain to complete a job. A good project needs clear instructions (left brain), but a creative, innovative project (right brain) starts the process. When I get deep into the left brain activities of writing, invoicing, mailing, etc, I find a challenge a good way to keep the right brain exercised. Even a simple challenge is a terrific way to stay fresh.


Have you challenged yourself lately?
Use your Vitamin C!

Challenge #2, I am on a roll! 


This is the piece that was the summer jewelry challenge. 


All of the other bits and pieces came out of my stash, since I am not allowed to buy anything new. I really like the rhinestone piece on the button. I considered using several of them, but in the end, I thought one as the focal point had more impact. I like the way the matte finish provides a clean, subtle background for the bling. I also like the simplicity of it, since that is what drew me to the button in the first place.


Two down, three to go!


Take your Vitamin C!

Here is my first completed summer jewelry challenge. Yes, it is about time I get to this. I have four more that I said I would do this summer.  I think I can make it....if summer ends about November.


I used my Mexican Opal beads. Love them. They are opaque and transparent, smooth and rough, blue, green, white, and black. Gorgeous.


The challenge was to use only components I already own, no purchasing anything else.


And I added bead fringe. Fringe is trendy in jewelry right now.

It was fun to sit and watch a movie while working on my challenge!
Take your Vitamin C and challenge yourself!

• make 6 collages on canvas board ( I had two sizes)
• use only paint and paper
• get finished today

 Step 2/layer 2: more paint that adds texture.

 Step 3/layer 3: a paper focal. I tore the pieces of paper into shapes and glued them down.

 Last step: details add a final layer.  Painted words, outlining, accenting.




So, the background I liked the most turned out to be the collage I like the least. And the background I was unsure of turned out to make me happy.  That's how it goes.  They are not great, but not bad for a couple hours' work.

It was a good exercise.

Take your Vitamin C and give yourself a creative challenge!