I’ve been crafting up craftaliscious storm, my friends. This week I’ve finished up 3 projects that I will be sharing with you for She’s Crafty in the upcoming weeks.

Today, I am sharing a decoupaged wall plaque that I made using some wallpaper scraps Mr. Indie Fixx bought me  from Freshly Blended (Blog) and some of the lovely wallpaper from Smock (Etsy Shop).

If you sell crafty supplies and want to get in on the action, send me an email.

Materials:

1. Decorative papers and/or wallpapers like the ones I used from Freshly Blended & Smock.
2. Mod Podge
3. Paintbrush
4. Ready made plague from the craft store
5. Scissors
6. Blade cutter
7. Ribbon
8. Pencil
9. Ruler
10. 2 thumbtacks—the ‘flat’ kind
11. Acrylic paint  (optional)

How-to

• Trace the outline of the wall plague onto your background paper.
• Use a paintbrush to apply the Mod Podge in a thing layer to the back of the background and then affix it to the plague. Make sure to stick it on good. You don’t want it to bubble.
• Wait about 15 minutes for it to dry and then use the razor cutter to trim the paper edges where is overlaps the plague….that is if you didn’t do a good job tracing it like me.
• Apply Mod Podge to the  front and make sure to overlap it onto the plague to help it stick. If you have never used  Mod Podge, it does dry clear.
• Repeat the Mod Podge application with your detail papers. Making sure to dry in between steps or it may rip the paper.
• Cut a length of ribbon after determining how much ribbon you want to show. Include an extra inch of ribbon when measuring.
• Fold the ribbon ends over onto itself about 1/8″ at least 3 times.
• Measure where to place the thumbtacks, you want them to be even from the ends of the plague. Stick the thumbtack through the ribbon end and stick it all the way into the wood. Do the other side and you are done.
• I plan on painting the frame black, but I didn’t have any black acrylic paint…I will get around to it at some point.

Here are some of the gift wraps that are available from Smock (Etsy Shop). It’s sustainably offset printed on 100% post-consumer recycled heavyweight paper.  You get 2 sheets sized 24″ x 36″ for $8. They are double-sided too!

$2 wallpaper scrap packs from  Freshly Blended and all the proceeds are donated to the SPCA!

Taryn from Talking Squid believes that recycled products don’t have to look ‘recycled‘ and she makes goodies using 100% recycled t-shirts with a focus on color, design and functionality. Well, she had me at recycled without looking  ‘recycled‘…but, she is not kidding folks, her goods are a delight of design and just full of color. I’m really attracted to her fringe necklaces, the cute little blossom rings and those sweet clutches. And how about these shag rugs? To die for, right?

Now if drooling over her goods is not treat enough this Monday morning, Taryn is giving away a winner’s choice fringe necklace to one lucky Indie Fixx reader!

How to enter:

Head on over to the Talking Squid shop, drool over all the lovelies and then head on back over here to leave a comment(s) with your favorites products from the shop. One random commenter will be chosen to win their choice of one fringe necklace. You may leave multiple comments to increase your chances. This giveaway will end Friday, July 3rd at 11:59 am EST.

Love, love, love. Must, must, must own!

Want this pretty pillow for my bed.

I know you won’t be able to choose just one of these super cute clutches with rosettes.

The last of the June’s Feed Your Soul free art downloads are here. Stay tuned though, there are more to come in July & August!

Suzanne L. Vinson - Suzanne is an artist, mother and ordained minister residing in Richmond, VA. Suzanne encourages all individuals to discover their giftedness through art. Her drawings, jewelry. mixed media pieces and block prints contain her love for vintage fabric, connecting her to the long line of creative quilters of her ancestors. See more on her website.

1. How do you describe your work?

My work is an extension of myself.  What I love inspires me to create.  Some of the branches of my art: hand drawn, carved, and layered mixed media works; jewelry using vintage fabrics & vintage buttons, and eclectic objects; and projects incorporating a story or blessing such as my blessing birdies.  My hand drawn works are incorporated into practical love for the everyday.  I work on what makes me smile.  Though, it’s more like a spring gushing up from within.  I am moved by color, texture, and simplicity.

2. What are your inspirations in your art and life?

My early childhood experiences certainly continue to influence me.  Making mudpies, listening to bird song, climbing trees.  I was surrounded by creative family and learned to create without abandon.  I loved learning and still do as I continue to try new things and travel.  I am inspired by nature: trees, leaves, creatures, my garden, dirt, color.  I have learned to appreciate the talents of others and continue to surround myself with creative folks.  Their lives, work, and insights inspire me.  Most of all, I am inspired by the creative intelligence of my husband and the amazing curiosity and developing imagination of my son.  I love a good story.  I love children’s illustrators, past and present.

3. What do you do to help feed your soul?

Playing outdoors alone or with my son + husband; reading, telling tales, or napping; noticing flowers and small things; working in our garden; walking through galleries and visiting artsy sites of some amazing, talented folks.  Most of all: creating.  I am whole when I am working with my hands.  What I create fills my spirit and enables me to BE.  The act of creating is almost as important as breathing in the course of a moment.  My drawing journal is always in hand.  Creating draws me into the present, giving me awareness of what my hands are doing and what is happening within me and around me.  The act of creating is a whole-body experience: mind, body, and spirit.  My art is meant to share that goodness + peace (wholeness) to all who it becomes a part.

Download Suzanne L. Vinson’s Feed Your Soul contribution HERE!

Ellen Kozyra Currier - Ellen grew up on the gulf coast of Florida, in a small beach town. Art and design has always been a big part of her life, but she had only recently been inspired to share her work with the world. By day she a GIS (Geographic Information Systems) Analyst and cartographer. Besides creating maps and art, she spends her time knitting, reading, writing and practicing yoga. See more of her work on her website.

1. How would you describe your work?

My work is all about cities, nature and a sense of place. I love exploring this beautiful and intricate world with bright colors and simple, clear designs.

2. What are your inspirations in your art and life?

There’s pretty much no limit to what I find inspirational, but most commonly; a great song, a big back yard, & historic buildings.

3. How do you feed your soul?

Cooking, yoga, crafting, visiting the farmer’s market, anything that helps me feel connected to world around me.

Download Ellen Kozyra Currier’s Feed Your Soul contribution HERE!

For today’s TGIF: Thank God for Illustration Friday I am featuring the work of Dan May.  Dan’s hauntingly fantastical illustrations are right up my art alley. He is an illustrator for hire and has done work for Wired mag, the  San Francisco Chronicle & LA Weekly among others. More importantly to us he also sells prints of his work on his website.  But you can also find his prints at Charming Wall  & Bamboo Prints where are can also find free wallpapers as well as PC & phone skins.

He is also going to be part of the upcoming exhibition at The Alcove in Decatur, GA opening July 10th—“BIG TUNA” / Art Inspired by DAVID LYNCH. That exhibit sounds like something I would definitely be into….if only I lived even remotely close to Georgia.

(images above are from Charming Wall and the ones below are from Bamboo Prints)

MAUstudio is the place for cute stuff! You will find paper goods, jewelry, accessories, plush & more all with the unmistakable stamp of cute. Run by graphic designer Manyi Au, who turns her design eye to sharing cute & adorable goods, here are a few of my faves from the shop.

Art, it does a body good. I know that having art on my walls makes a big difference in how I feel in my home—whenever I move I feel a little lost until I get all my pictures back up on the walls. I haven’t moved in a long while though and I am constantly adding pieces, so I imagine that someday there will probably be no bare space left.

If you are an art for your home junkie like me, then take a look at these goodies from some of the Summertime Indie Fixx Galleria  shops.

1. Royal Buffet

2. Silver Tree Art ::::::: 3. Dana and carol

4. Melissa Lund ::::::: 5. Athena Dreams - Liz Kalloch

6. benconservato

7. Virginia.

8. Leaflette