Paper Runway, Where Have you Been?

Have you heard of Paper Runway yet? Finally! A magazine devoted to all things paper that includes the fine artist and paper crafter. This is fantastic news for those of us who are serious about our paper art.

image re-blogged from daily suze

Whether you're an artist, sculptor, designer, or as they say in Australia, a stockist, you'll probably find something to love about this new publication. Stay tuned for more news on this subject.

Note: Applicable copyrights apply to the image associated with this post. Please visit the captioned link to learn more.

Forever Daffodils - Paper Flower Tutorial

Even though spring can't last forever, you can still have daffodils that do! Here's a little spring paper craft gift from me to you just to say thank you for reading.

daffodil template 5" x 7" click to download

I just love the daffodils that have centers resembling roses rather than the traditional, cylindrical trumpet we're so used to seeing. These are a refreshing change.

If you create these daffodils for posting, feel free to leave a comment with a link here so that I can swing by and marvel at your work. (tee hee :)

Note: Please see terms of use (left sidebar) before downloading any material. 

The Kell Belle Daffodil

Pink daffodils! I had absolutely no idea there existed such a thing. And I thought I was being so original with my hot pink flower. Haha!

Just for laughs and giggles I put together my own paper daffodil tutorial complete with new daffodil variety. I call it the Kell Belle daffodil because it can be any color. Shoot! Make it blue if you wanna!

This is just something fun and easy to make for spring that you don't have to hold a funeral for in a week after it dies. I'll put the video and template out tomorrow so be sure to check back.

Dreaming of St. Thomas - Spring Fever?

I'm dreaming of living on St. Thomas for several months just to see if I like the idea of becoming an expatriate. Can you imagine? If money was no object, where would you go?

Villa Gardenia St. Thomas

With this as my desktop image, I can actually feel the cool tile under my bare feet, warm breezes soaking into every pore and the feeling of absolute financial freedom! Haha! Kell Belle's got spring fever!

She's a Modern Day Cinderella

While we are still on the subject of princesses, I came across this modern day Cinderella themed outfit. How CUTE is this?!

she's a modern day Cinderella

I love the look right down to the simulated glass slipper known as the silver studded pump! This is the perfect little Easter dress for April's paper couture project.

Note: Image associated with this post comes from The Heart of the City's blog post titled "Pretty Pretty Princess."

Alfred Angelo Fairy Tale Wedding Dress Inspiration

Alfred Angelo creates some beautiful wedding dresses inspired by the princesses of Disney. The one below is by far my favorite and will serve as the baseline inspiration for Paper Couture's special wedding edition dress.

Belle - Beauty and the Beast 

The last wedding dress (sort of) I posted seemed to be lacking, according to one of my readers. *cough* Rich! He wanted to know where the rest of it was. Ha! Very funny.

original source unknown

Honestly, I think I was scared of doing the fluffy, meringue thing but after seeing what Alfred Angleo puts out, I feel much better about diving into this project.

Alfred Angelo - Sapphire wedding dress

Since there were elements of his other dresses I liked, I think I might combine them to make my own design as shown in the sketch.

sketch ©Kell Belle Studio 2012

You can see which elements from each dress were combined to create the drawing. My dress will probably be some variation of this. I'm looking forward to it!

Note: Images associated with this post remain the copyrighted, intellectual property of Alfred Angelo with the exception of the second photo. I was unable to determine the source. If you know it, please let me know so proper credit can be given.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Let these little St. Patrick's Day shamrocks bring you a little Irish luck today! Martha Stewart does a beautiful job with this simple, quick shamrock boutonniere tutorial.

Martha Stewart shamrock boutonnieres

Fabric is used for this tutorial but you could very easily use decorative paper as a substitute. Let your imagination be your guide! Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Paper Couture XXI: The Green Fairy

The green fairy paper dress template is finally here! I have a surprise with regard to this project that I'll announce sometime in the next few days so be sure to watch for that.

green fairy template is 5 x 7 - click to download

The video below will give you some ideas for using leaves to embellish your dress. I'll also show you how to make your own leaves. You're gonna love those!

Per usual, I'm always ready and willing to view your work. If you use the template to create a dress, please, leave a comment and a link where I (and others) can have a peek. Enjoy & Happy St. Paddy's Day!

Paper Couture: Wedding Inspiration

Wedding season has officially begun so to keep up with seasonal trends, I will be creating a special wedding edition paper dress for the paper wardrobe project.

Franck Sorbier lace baby doll dress

It was suggested to me that I might try replicating designer dresses. With that idea in mind I found this Franck Sorbier dress that I just love. I'll keep my eyes open for other possibilities though.

Note: The source of the above image is Lifestyles of the Rich & Shameless blog.

Season of the Green Fairy

Season of the green fairy! What will my imagination come up with next? I don't know about you but I'm pretty sure my fairy will be the best dressed at this year's woodland ball.

miss march - green fairy paper dress

I'm inviting you to join me with your green fairy entry. The only requirement is that in the spirit of the season, your dress must, of course, be green!

Floral Craft: Paper Flower Tutorial

If you love floral craft like I do you're gonna flip for this paper flower tutorial by Jak Heath. She uses water colors to add color to an otherwise plain paper flower and the look is divine!

use craft punches or hand cut your petals 

A free, floral craft clematis template is included in Jak's tutorial which I think could be easily adapted to dogwood flowers. Easter and Mother's Day are coming and wedding season is in full swing so get crazy with paper floral!

Note: Images associated with this post and in my sidebar remain the copyrighted, intellectual property of Jak Heath.

Kell Belle in Traction Contraption

My physical therapist decided it was time to take my neck treatment to the next level with . . . of all things . . . TRACTION! OMG!! You can't believe this contraption!

I look like I'm trying to keep from bursting out in laughter

Here I am in this medieval looking device that's supposed to pull on my head with 12.5 lb of force for 45 seconds before it releases for a few seconds and begins the cycle again. I had to have a pic just for laughs!

Change Almost Anything in 21 Days: What's Changed?

Writing an affirmation 10 times a day for 21 days is supposed to set forces in motion and begin the process of change. Since yesterday was day 21 of my first go at this, I thought you might be interested in what has changed.

my affirmation over the past 21 days

Here are some of the changes I've observed.

• Increased patience in some areas
• Discovery of something called the micromovement
• Sold an unfinished dress form doll

click image to learn more 

Most importantly, I started filling out an application to become a vendor at a local craft fair this summer. My mind began its usual routine of feeding me excuses about why I couldn't do a show that went something like this:

• I won't be ready in time for the show (i.e. won't have enough product made)
• I don't have a booth design to submit to the jury along with my application
• What if my art isn't good enough?
• What if I run out of product during the show?
• What if I don't sell anything?
• I should apply next year because I'll have more time to prepare (I've been telling myself this tale for at least 2 years now.)

I'm going to be terrific in this show!

Do any of these mind memes (meem) sound familiar to you?  Writing them out shines the light of reality on them and makes them a little easier to solve or at least come up with a back up plan.

Bottom line, even though I'm outside my comfort zone I choose not to let the excuses win this time. I'll acknowledge the fears and offer my gratitude for wanting to keep me safe but they no longer get to live rent free inside my head. 

"I am now ready and willing to fearlessly move forward in a resistance free state of allowing to live the creative,  financially prosperous life of my dreams!"