Image Overload Remedy

Do you ever have times when you're so overwhelmed by all the ideas swirling around in your head that it actually paralyzes you into doing nothing at all? What is the cure for visual overload of great, fantastic stuff all of which you want to try your hand at making right this red hot minute?

divinely charming item from havenvintage on Etsy

I guess the key would be to detach, breathe, enjoy a zen moment and just go do something creative. It can be as simple as making a place card holder from some wire and an old door knob. It could also mean simply working on one of the many half finished projects sitting on my craft table.

Despoina's Incredible Paper Art

I cancelled my blog hop a little too soon because Despoina of Magnadi has put together a magnificent display of paper dresses to show off her use of the templates I provided over the past year. I am only featuring one of her dresses here in order to pique your curiosity into paying her a visit.

click image to see Despoina's line of paper couture

Despoina's paper dresses are not only creative, they are the perfect example of what it means to "borrow." It is possible to be inspired by others without the need to copy them. The result is the creation and development of your own, unique style. I applaud you my dear. Your art is truly incredible!

Image credit: Copyright Despoina of Magnadi

Fashion Week Blog Hop: CANCELLED

Due to lack of interest, mainly my own, the Fashion Week Blog Hop I had scheduled for this week is cancelled. I was hoping to see all of your lovely creations but alas, twas just not meant to be this time.

I heard from some of you over the past year and for that I thank you for sharing. I'm glad to know you enjoyed the tutorials. We still have a year of corsets ahead of us. Yaay! Be well! :)

Psychic Hit #2

I was about to attend a workshop this past Saturday on how to read the tarot and decided to take a peak at how my drive in would be. I heard a crack inside my head as if I had hit something. I thought I was going to be involved in an accident but then the word "bump" came to mind which told me the cracking noise would be the result of driving over a bump.

crystal ball gazer on Pinterest

Sure enough, during my drive I ran over the same bump I've been driving over every weekday for the past 5 years only this time there was a loud cracking sound unlike anything I had experienced bump wise. I have no idea what it was which makes it all the more strange. It could have been something in my trunk that fell over or I could have driven over a rock.

Free Old Paper Edge Photoshop Brushes

I'm really getting into this digital collage art. Today I created some old paper edge photoshop brushes as used in the ultra chic vintage journal page pictured below.

©Kell Belle Studio - corset diaries journal page

This collage is just one of the many goodies you'll have access to during the paper corset project which I'm renaming to the Corset Diaries Project. More on that later. Get your Old Paper Edge brushes now.

Note: The brushes should automatically download when you click the link. Image associated with this post is provided for inspiration purposes only and not intended for your use. 

Frog Prince Sense of Humor

Even the frog prince has a sense of humor I can appreciate. I found this whilst searching for imagery to live on my Magic and Fairy Dust Pinterest board but for obvious reasons it ended up on A Smile A Day instead.

the frog prince on pinterest

Here's to sending Saturday smiles to you. Have a pleasant day and just so's ya know, I think you have this disease too even though you might not know it. Enjoy!

Paper Couture: Lacy Paper Corset

Is this not scrumptious or what?! I loved the look of this pretty, lacy paper corset designed by Genevieve Valdes. It's simple, easy to put together and makes a perfect way to gently ease ourselves into the paper corset project this August.

corset template and instructions

Why not challenge yourself a little bit and see if you can come up with a different take on this tasty morsel of a corset. Let the idea ferment and act as a spring board for developing your own style.

Image Credit: Genevieve Valdes of Stampin' by Genny

Psychic Hit #1

I finished reading my book yesterday and have begun putting some of the exercises into practice. Last evening I received my first psychic hit. Don't be too impressed as we all have this same ability. I am just choosing to develop mine.

metaphysical journeys on Pinterest

As I was driving home from work on Tuesday evening, the freeway reader board read that there was an accident up ahead. I decided to see if I could pick up on the color of the cars, what aid vehicles had arrived and other details.

WHAT I SAW PSYCHICALLY:

I saw a long fire truck in back of one of the cars. It was difficult to see the car because the fire truck was blocking my view. Only after I drove by could I see that the car was a white compact. I saw a child in the back seat of the white car. The other car involved was a dark SUV. There were people walking around on the side of the road so it would appear that nobody was seriously injured.

WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED:

When I reached the scene of the accident there was a white police car, a motorcycle, a red VW bug and a dark SUV on the side of the road. There may have been another aid vehicle but not what I had envisioned. There were people walking around including a woman who appeared to be pregnant from what I could tell. This wasn't quite the scene my psychic mind projected but it was good practice. 

WEDNESDAY EVENING

During my evening commute there was another accident however I don't remember the freeway reader board saying anything about it or I would have tried my exercise again. When I arrived at the scene there was a long fire truck in back of one of the cars involved. It was difficult to see the car because the fire truck was blocking my view. Only after I drove past it could I see that the car was a white compact. I try not to rubberneck so I didn't get many more details other than there was another motorcycle. Aid vehicles blocked the view so much that I couldn't physically see much else before I got past it. This looked more like the scene I saw psychically the previous evening. 

a little gypsy magic on Pinterest 

Did my undisciplined psychic mind mesh elements of the two scenes together? There is a degree of accuracy to both even though they happened separately. Since I am only at the beginning of my practice, I'm going to give myself a break and count this as a definite psychic hit especially because of the fire truck and white car, which to me is the most impactful validation of the experience.

Vintage French Cabaret Ticket

You wouldn't believe the lack of inspirational photo scrap there is for the term vintage ticket of any kind. I mean what does a girl have to do to find a pretty image of a simple ticket stub for gawd's sake? She has to make her own, that's what! 

vintage french cabaret ticket

Here's my graphic interpretation of a vintage, French cabaret ticket. I do have a plan for this which will eventually involve offering it to you . . . but not for free. Of course not! Yes, it's true, I am the Graphics Fairy's evil twin. Ha!


Note: newsletter subscribers get to enjoy free, exclusive images not posted on my blog. Just sayin'!

Tarot Card Reading: 2 of Pentacles

The other day I posted this photo in my Psychic Calling post which I have since swapped out so that I could do a little mini reading on what my untrained intuition tells me about this card besides the fact that the artwork is stunning. I intend to read entirely from intuition so keep in mind that I am not referring to any kind of published tarot definitions here.

shadowscapes tarot

Pentacles relate to finances which seem to be up in the air for you right now. You may have received a little extra this month but you have your head in the clouds with lofty and unrealistic expectations about just how far your much needed extra dollar will stretch. It's a circus balancing act for sure and you may even be going so far as to borrow from Peter to pay Paul. Overall you seem to be managing the situation okay.

Other cards in the spread would give more info about what's going on with this situation. It's like a novel already and I for one am ready to know more. How about you?

Pinterest Repin Etiquette

It has come to my attention that there are some who have embarked on a mass repinning of {my} (I have to use this term loosely) Pinterest finds. What I mean by heavily is 50 to 150 items at a time. Should I be offended by this? Haha! I'm afraid the jury is still out at the moment.

kell belle studio on pinterest

In the first place, most of these items/photos aren't even mine. I'm simply electronically hoarding photos of other people's great stuff so why then do I feel just a little bit robbed of my individuality? It's completely illogical because I should be thanking you and I am . . . kinda.

more Kell Belle Studio goodness on Pinterest

Here's the thing, I guess I wouldn't mind so much if the 150 items being repinned were actually MY items. This means items I have either offered for sale or for free. Really! My sidebar says I have great boards. I guess I wasn't kidding. :)

you've just got to visit Kell Belle on Pinterest

The screen shots are images of my most popular boards. So yes, here I am advertising that fact so I can get some more mass repinners. Am I a walking paradox of myself or what? What the hell, go crazy and pin away. You know you wanna so come check me out. (tee hee ;)

My Psychic Calling

Those creative voices are whispering again. This time they beckon me toward psychic development, to tap in once again to that sixth sense, the seat of the third eye. I'v had past experiences but it's been awhile. Why now? I'm not sure but the calling is strong.

psychic development on Amazon

My intent is not to become some side show quack performing parlor tricks for the purpose of dazzling friends and family. In fact, my reasons could not be further from this. My hope is that by developing this latent talent present in all of us, I can help others realize their full potential.

Maybe this involves the incorporation of journaling and guided meditation of some kind. I really don't know where this journey will take me but I'm excited to find out!

gilded tarot - moon

Next weekend I'll be taking an afternoon workshop on tarot card reading. Psychic development pairs well with tarot and is important for a card reader because tarot relies heavily on intuitive interpretation of imagery. If I can't trust my own intuition completely then I am nothing more than that side show fortune teller.

The World - Shadowscapes tarot

I have a tarot deck I like but it's about 20 years old so I ordered two more just to add variety and to see how each deck performs for me personally. The gilded tarot and shadowscapes tarot are both so gorgeous and both speak to me in different ways.

That said, I'll now have lots more to write about because not only will you still see my paper art, tutorials and musings but you will get to read about my psychic development as well! Oh you lucky people, you! I know, you can't wait. ;)

Vintage Library Drawer

7gypsies makes this vintage library drawer that is such a cool way to display those vintage library cards and mini journals. This could be used this to hold scraps or make it into a craft idea index of sorts.

7gypsies library drawer at Stampington

I find the possibilities so inspiring that my future boho caravan is screaming for me to buy this. I don't wonder though, if I could make something like this myself. Do I feel another paper project coming on? Ha!

Vintage Library Cards

Vintage library cards? Was it so very long ago when we were using these that they can now be called vintage? *sigh* Welp, I guess even libraries have to keep up with the digital age.

vintage library cards in the kell belle boutique

These little gems seem to be such a hot commodity that I decided to make a few with an antique french flair to them just to see how they would turn out. I love these!

more vintage library cards with a french flair

I'll be creating some other colors and offering a template to make a card pocket. Newsletter subscribers, get ready for a surprise in this month's issue!

Note: Downloading of my images is prohibited besides, the resolution is so crappy as to render them useless. Ha!

Wire, Paper, Roses: A Dress Stand Story

Is this not the most incredible paper dress stand you ever did see? I love it because it's unique and most definitely reflects my love of all things swirly and scroll like. It's a work in progress at this point.

paper dress stand made from wire

I see bits of vintage ephemera added in places to give it a shabby look. A few well placed vines, a leaf or two and some roses will turn this dress stand into nothing short of visual perfection!

Get the Actual Boho Paper Shoe Template

Okay, I'll cough up the goods. If you want to follow along with me, you can get the same boho paper shoe template that I am using for just $5.00. The template includes everything needed to make the shoe pictured below which includes that awesome heel!

purchase the boho paper shoe template in the boutique

I put a lot of time into carefully crafting and perfecting my templates to ensure they will work when you put them together. I know you appreciate it so I thank you in advance for your support of my work. :)

Happy Independence Day

Kell Belle Studio wishes you a safe and fun filled holiday. 

Don't blow off any body parts today! :)

Boho Shoe Tutorial and Template

Here it is, your boho paper shoe template. It's a little bit different from the one I put together in the video and does not include the heel. Of course this was intentional to help put you in touch with your imagination. (tee hee :)

free boho paper shoe template 8 1/2 x 11

The video below will cover the basic assembly of the shoe. I'll be working with some paper machè and collage techniques to build the rest of my show so there will be a second video (or two) to demonstrate the evolution of this.

These make great little party favors. Dazzle your friends by filling them with candies, nuts, buttons or even little flowers. With so many possibilities, I'm sure you'll come up with ways to use this that will suit your occasion. Have fun!

ANNOUNCEMENT: Paper Couture Presents . . .

I am pleased to announce that the paper couture series will continue with . . . *drum roll* . . . Paper Corsets! Look for the Paper Corset Project to officially launch in August.

hourglass corset pattern and tutorial by Anna Hardman

Corsets are fun, flirty, feminine and just plain pretty even if they were designed to squeeze your lungs up through your nostrils. To start things off, here's a little freebie I found that's great for digital collage.

downloaded from Free Vintage Digital Stamps

I'll most likely start getting some size into my work to really focus on the details of these but I think this is really gonna be a fun project for all!