Wednesday, May 13, 2020

It's High Time For Some Straight Talk From Quarrntineville

Hello World!
Welcome to the INSPIRE blog.

Today, my post is a little different.
Today is some frank talk, about how my time
in "quarantine" has been.

This COVID pandemic has been horrendous for everyone.
For the front line workers, who have given so much, in order to try to stabilize & save those infected the virus, all of those that have contracted the virus, and all of  those that have sadly lost loved ones to this horrible disease.

People have lost their jobs, their homes. 
Sadness is all around.
Noone has been exempt from the sadness.

For those that have been long diagnosed with depressive disorders, this has been an exceptionally difficult time.

For 23 years, I have lived with Major Clinical Depression, derived from the onset of Type 1 Diabetes. A serious chemical imbalance  to my body.

Pair that with a more recent diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder, needless to say, I have been a wreck the last 30+ days.

The reason that I am sharing this, is because I know I am not the only one that is going through this.
And overcoming the hardest days, is no easy task, as loss of interest in things that had once brought joy, seem to be of little solace when you feel like you are drowning.

I shut down, that is always my m.o. when I have a so called "flare up". 
But somehow, I press to face each day.

Now that the winter grey weather is finally loosening its grip, I am able to enjoy the fresh air outside. I sit and watch and listen to the beautiful birds as they fly about, and see the squirrels & occasional bunny or two, frolic and play. 
Days like that here in our rural country neck of the woods, does bring a sort of peace, in all the madness.









Not anyone knows what is going to happen tomorrow, so I will choose to only look at each day, and trust that the creator God Himself, has everything in His control.

In each day, I will choose to press. In each day, I will look to find beauty, and a hint of joy.

Be it in the little things, like the tiny wild violets that grow in our grass, or in the delightful play of nature, it is there to be found.

Based on nature, I have taken a little time to create. 
I received a generous package of goodies from the FABULOUS Cathy Frailey, and have used some to created this gorgeous Mixed Media Canvas.
With the centerpiece being a beautiful plaster butterfly from Cathy, that I decoupaged  using a butterfly design from a decorative napkin from my stash.

I also used a variety of Beacon Adhesives glues to anchor everything into place.


Due to my immune deficiency, I must continue to stay under quarantine awhile longer,
but with God I am gonna be okay.

God Bless Each and Every One of You!
Until next time.......

Friday, April 10, 2020

In A World Gone Crazy....Something Happy Arrives!

Hello there!
Welcome to INSPIRE

It has been a hot minute since I last posted anything.
The truth is, the world in which we live, has been turned upside down.

I have been in the "processing" mode the last 4 weeks (as of tomorrow) since here in Ohio, we received the stay at home order from out governor.

I have an severe autoimmune deficiency derived from 
Type 1 Diabetes (adult onset 24yrs ago).
Frankly, I have no immune system.

Generally this time of year, is when I start going into nature and bird watching, looking for inspiration and photo ops of nature in foliage and floral, but out weather here, along with the Covid-19 crisis, has had me cooped up.

My inspiration, went poof....not even a trace of it.

Yesterday, I am happy to say, some of it has been restored.
I recieved HAPPY MAIL from the folks at Beacon Adhesives!

I have been a fan of their glue for quite sometime now.
And the box of products I recieved, has opened my eyes to some new possibilities in creativity.

Hop over to my YouTube channel, and check out the unboxing video, and hit the subscribe button to stay up to date with video inspiration, including home decor diy's, mixed media and a host of other projects!



As you see in the video, there is such a great variety of products, it is hard not to let those creative juices flow!

Besure to stop back in to see what I create with these
FABULOUS products!

To purchase Beacon Adhesives product, visit them online at:


Thanks so much for visiting today!

Stay safe. Stay well.
Many blessings to you & yours....


Michelle

Thursday, March 19, 2020

You Got To Have Faith! Beautiful Canvas Board

Hello Friends
Welcome to INSPIRE.

Today's posting is a bit different than my standard
crafty makes and inspirations.

Today, I, as I am sure that a grand volume of other
crafters are in the same position, trying to find a
"normal" in this national and international health crisis we are presently facing.

Being a christian woman, I have faith in God.
Faith in His power & promises.

Yet somehow, this is still a very frightening thing happening in our world.
More than ever, we need Faith, to keep us from losing our minds, to keep our health in check.

But more than that, we need Faith that God has got a plan. That He already has this ALL figured out!

It is written throughout scripture, that for those that are in covenant with Christ, are covered in times of tribulation. 

John 16:33 ESV
I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation.
But take heart, I have overcome the world.

And with God, all fear shall cease!

Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

If you are in a mode of constant anxiety & fear at this time, try getting alone with God, and just pray, ask Him to be your peace, strength and your hope in this crisis.

These thoughts have inspired me to do a little creating.
We have not only been socked in by the pandemic, but we have had days upon days of grey, rainy weather, and now have small ponds that used to be solid ground.

So today being the first day of spring, I thought I would make something inspiring and colorful.

So I used some of my favorite PLAID Crafts products, along with some of my favorite Faber-Castell products 
to bring it all together!

Hop on over to my YouTube channel and checkout the process video for this little lovely! 




And please subscribe to both this blog and YouTube channel to stay up to date with new projects and ideas, as well as some fun and exciting things coming in the future!

Until next time......

Get Creative & Be Blessed!

Monday, March 2, 2020

BLIMEY! It Is A Pirates Treasure!

Hello there matey!
Welcome to INSPIRE!

Today I would like to share with you,
this FABULOUS pirate themed project
I recently completed for
Emerald Creek Craft Supplies 
Charity Auction
going on NOW through March 5th.





I was asked to join as a guest designer, and I have to say  what a THRILL it has been!

In case you  are not familiar with Emerald Creek, they have a line of embossing powders that will knock your socks off!

So many colors, so many effects, so many textures!
If you are looking for that something different in your embossing powder, THEN LOOK NO FURTHER,
Emerald Creek is the place to go!

And aside from that, they have so many other great products!
They feature stamps, stencils & a wide range of embellishments including items to even create jewelry with!

Stop by and check them out!

Now, about the auction, it is a Silent Auction, and is part of an initiative to help artists grow on a business aspect, and for an opportunity to pay it forward to charity.

I have chosen to donate to 
DAFI-Disabled Artists Foundation, Inc.
To find out more about this organization 
and what they are about,
please visit 


So, without further adu.....
Here is the link to my YouTube channel so you can check out how I made this beauty using the remarkable and beautiful products from Emerald Creek Craft Supplies.



To bid on Featured Artist's Projects, check out the details on the Emerald Creek Website:



Thursday, February 20, 2020

Fabulous Mixed Media Canvas Process How To Video

Hey y'all!
Welcome to the INSPIRE blog!

It has been a couple of weeks since I have posted here on the blog.

With the EXTREEEEEEEMELY (and unusual) warm & very wet winter we are having here in the southwestern region of Ohio, I have had a awful time in shaking a severe winter cold, most recent 'bout had a low grade fever for 7 days, that literally put me on my keister......

Earlier this week, after recouping over the weekend, I got back to the table and got creative!

After viewing an episode of Make It Artsy, 
featuring Cheryl Boglioli, I found myself in awe of the project she shared, using fabric stiffener & resin pieces to create a lovely canvas & pendants.





I just had to try this project myself! 
However, I did not have any Fabric Stiffener.....
What is a crafty girl to do?

 I created my own fabric stiffener with the products I had on hand!

Using Texture Paste, Mod Podge Fabric, Acrylic Paint & just a splash of water, I was successful with this endeavor.

It was so easy to make. Here is the recipe:
2-parts Texture Paste (equally 1 cup)
1-part Mod Podge Fabric Medium
2-parts Acrylic Paint (choose color of choice)
1/2 cup of cold water
*if mixture is too thin, "eyeball" adding Texture Paste to consistency of a  little thicker Elmers Glue.
If to thick, add water accordingly.
That's it!

I also used it to cover paper flowers, and as an adhesive for the clay/fabric pieces & paper flowers.

Well, now that I have explained the "how to", here is the process video featured on my Youtube channel.



Hope on over and check it out!
And if you are not a subscriber to my channel,
I would much appreciate it if you would become one, so I can share with you, new creative endeavors!

Thanks so much for visiting today!

Hope to see you again soon!



Thursday, January 30, 2020

Video Featuring Beautiful Jewelry Made With Beebeecraft

Hello there!

So happy you are here!

Today I wanted to share another video link to my 
YouTube channel
where today I have shared a video 
featuring more,
beautiful handmade jewelry
using jewelry making supplies
from
Beebeecraft.



Also in these projects, I used items from my personal creative stash including;
Washi Tape, PLAID Crafts Glitteric Medium, PLAID Crafts Folkart Paints, Best Glue Ever by ScraPerfect & of course e6000 Adhesive.

I absolutely love the cabochon findings from Beebeecraft. 
They made the design style choices so easy, and ranged from Vintage to even more Modern styling.

I hope you will stop by and check out the video that also has a "process" feature with the Shabby Chic style earrings above.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Hope to see you again soon!

Don't forget to subscribe to both this blog & my YouTube channel, to stay up to date on what my hands & mind are creating next!

Please visit Beebeecraft online @:




Until next time......

Live Life Inspired!

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

How To Create Shabby Inspired Jewelry With Beebeecraft

Hey Y'all!

Today on here on the blog I wanted 
to share with you the link 
to my Youtube channel,
where today I am featuring
a process video creating
this BEAUTIFUL Shabby inspired jewelry set
 using 
beads, cabochons & jewelry findings from
Beebeecraft!













Stop by and check out the video!
And if you are not a subscriber to my blog or Youtube channel.....
Please do so.....
I would greatly, GREATLY appreciate 
your subscription.

Remember, you subscribe to my blog & channel, 
I will return the favor & subscribe to yours!

Thanks so much for visiting today!

Hope to see you again real soon!

Until then......

Live Inspired!

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Have you seen what is NEXT with Rita Barakat?

Hello there!
Welcome to INSPIRE!

Today I wanted to pop in and ask you if you know 
"What is NEXT in your creative line up?"

Need some inspiration and fresh ideas?

Why not head over to the NEW Rita Barakat Store
and check out her new and exclusive line of products, along with her other known and loved products?

The NEXT line features a great variety of ready to paint, alter, embellish and more canvas items, including fun to create journals & books!

Here are some of the products I had the pleasure of  creating using blank canvas designs, blank canvas embellishments, and stamps from Rita's product line!

SOOOOOO MUCH FUN TO CREATE WITH!!!

First is the 5x7 Canvas Journal.

Each blank journal is fitted with an elastic band to serve as a closure for your journal. For mine, I opted to remove the elastic, and add a seam binding ribbon instead, as the closure.

Also featured on the cover, are some of the blank canvas embellishments from the NEXT collection.
(Hearts, Dragonfly, Flower)

I chose a variety of stencils, stamps, sprays & paints to design the cover and color the elements.





Each journal is blank on the inside and features High Quality
paper that can be stamped, painted, drawn on, and even add various elements using your preferred glue and adhesive.

The following photos, show how I used even more of Rita's blank canvas embellishments, as in the pockets and tree & clouds, along with stamping, to add interest to this journal for recording thoughts & memories.






The NEXT line also features blank canvas banner flags, and canvas envelopes, that are absolutely perfect to add to your seasonal/holiday decor, or to give a gift card gift. 





Got a special gift to give, but need that perfect bag to put it in?

I used a variety of sprays, paint & glitter mediums along with my FAVORITE Rita Barakat Art Foamie Stamp to create this lovely!


And lastly, I created this beautiful & colorful wall organizer, with blank canvas pockets & embellishments from the NEXT line.


In Rita's store, you will find so much inspiration with the product lines she features including her whimsical and charming die cut collections, stamps, embossing products and more!

Visit today and find your NEXT crafty project!


Thanks so much for visiting today!

Hope to see you again real soon!

Until then.......

Live Life Inspired!
















Monday, January 20, 2020

So Excitied! Unpackaging Jewelry Making Suppllies from BeeBee Crafts!

Hey Y'all!

I wanted to stop and in and share a video unpackaging of FANTASTIC jewelry making supplies from BeeBee Crafts!

This online company has a broad range of crafting supplies, like jewelry making, dies for paper cutting, stamping, purse making, hair accessories, storage, DIY craft product packaging(soaps, lotion, etc), sewing, general crafting & more!

Great pricing! Awesome quality & quantity!

Stop by my Youtube channel and check out my video,
then go by BeeBee Crafts online, and check them out for yourself!





Thanks for stopping by!

See ya again soon!

Friday, January 17, 2020

How To Create A Beautiful "Faux" China Plate

Hello Everyone!
Welcome to INSPIRE!

Wanted to drop a link to my YouTube Channel, featuring my latest DIY  Home Decor Project.

I have on hand, a good amount of plain buffet style plates that I had acquired from a closing business a few years ago.

I host family gathering on holidays nearly every year, and still have an overflow of extra plates.

So, in an effort to "spiff" up my present decor, I decided to add a decorative plate to sit on our fireplace in our living room.



I wanted it to match an antique blue & white china vase that has been in my family for years, so I coordinated colors with it.



Lucky me, it just so happened that I had received a product package from Kim Lippincott of Vintage Rose Creations over on Facebook,
that featured a GORGEOUS blue & white botanical napkin, designed by Michel Design Works, that was absolutely perfect for this project.

And I am devoted to my Mod Podge by PLAID, so of course that is what I used to transform this dull white plate into
a decorative masterpiece.

To add a bit of flair, I also used 
Faber-Castell Gel Paint in Gold around the outer edge of the plate.

Here is the link for the process video, and ALL LINKS are featured in the description box below the video.
I hope you enjoy!



Thanks so much for visiting today!

Hope to see you visit again soon!

Until next time.....

Live Life Inspired!