Katie Orse

Good morning from my studio

In the studio working today. Here's what I'm working on:

1. Artwork (for submission to a few magazines). It has always been a goal of mine to get published again and I would love to take some studio time to create.

2. Product design for my shop (http://www.katieorse.bigcartel.com) I need to feel comfortable with the items I'm going to be offering. Right now I'm not happy with the fabric flowers we have for the new tote bags.

3. My upcoming ebook for direct sellers. Another one of my goals. I've always wanted to write an ebook sharing my tips and strategies that I used while running my scrapbooking business. I ran it for almost 10 years and I've learned a lot about what works and what doesn't. 

That's it for now...unless I can come up with something I forgot about. Mix this all in between with my husband & kids, and well, my life is full. 

More updates in the studio as things come along ;)

Monthly Creativity Challenge

I was so inspired by Rhonna Farrer's Creativity Exercise Workshop that I decided to incorporate this somehow into my busy schedule. Instead of something daily, I was thinking of a monthly creativity exercise.

So that's what I'm testing out. A monthly creativity exercise is just that. It takes a month to complete. I don't rush. There are no deadlines. I don't have to finish a piece if I don't want to, but I usually do.

The results make me feel like I've accomplished a goal. And I'm having fun using up all of my scraps.

Plus, I feel like I'm really exercising and stretching my creativity side. I mean, really it's fun, but it's also pushing me to find my own design style. Which can sometimes frustrate me. And sometimes I don't really let the ideas flow.

Here's what my monthly Creativity Exercise journal looks like:

It is a basic spiral bound sketchbook I picked up at my local craft store. Decorating the front cover with my favorite scrapbook papers and adding a trinket at the spine. Fun!

Even though there are several pages inside the sketchbook, I'm going to focus on this year and use 12 pages for now. One page for each month. Next year, I plan to use the same journal and add a tab to separate the years. 

Here's my January page:

 

And here's my February page...still a work in progress:

I'm loving that a lot of my scrapbooking supplies are being used and I don't have that guilty feeling of waste. You know, the kind that eats at you after you come home from the scrapbook store with your goodies and then to find them still sitting there or hiding somewhere. 

If you're like me, then you need to challenge yourself and give this a try. I'd love to see what you're creating. So here's my challenge to you!

On the last Friday of each month. I'd love for you to share your creativity exercise project.

Would you be interested?  

All you have to do is come here link up in my linky party,

share on Instagram using the #creativitychallenge,

or share on your Twitter/Facebook.

I KNOW you can do it! Won't you join me?

Link party begins Friday, March 30th

From linen bulletin board to mini album

A few weeks ago I shared on my Facebook a bulletin board I made for my studio.

After the project, I had about half a yard of fabric left and I didn't want it to go to waste. So, I could have made a cute zippered pouch or even more fun...a mini album. I might go back and make a zippered pouch later on, but this mini album is what turned out and I love it!

Pin It

 

It's still a work in progress mini album, but I'm going to include lots of my favorite people/things that make me happy. 

On some business news...I've been designing a few new products to include in my shop for Spring. Spring is almost here to me. It's approaching really fast and I feel so behind on schedule. One major business idealogy I want to focus on is solving problems for others, but with my own sense of style. I hope I can please ;)

And finally the weekend is here! I'm looking forward to filling it with family time, celebrating my 12 year old (she turns 13 this weekend!), and perhaps The Lorax movie??? It's going to be a great.

So, what are you planning for this weekend?  

{ In the studio }

Pin It

 

365 Days of Gratitude Journal

Pin It

 

Before

After

I finally got a chance to go back into the studio to finish work on my 2012 gratitude journal. This weekend I began adding some of my favorite inspirational quotes. Most of what I have are clips from my internet readings, article notes that I come across, quotes, and mental notes from the day.

The goal: to have more gratitude in 2012.

{I'm thinking about going back and adding a 2012 banner on the cover.}

The materials:

-4x6 spiral hardbound sketch book

-canvas sleeve that I designed

-scrapbooking papers from crate paper and echo park

-letters from American Crafts

-Tim Holtz brads

The method:

-inking the edges of cardstock with black paint (I love that it outlines the borders)

-using matte gel medium to adhere the paper to canvas (this made it really "stick"

-keeping the design simple (since I'm going to be carrying this journal around often)

-using a 4x6 size spiral journal (again keeping it simple enough to carry around with me)

* * * 

It's going to be a fun project this year to keep up with. I'm going to keep the thought of relying on my own creative needs in this journal. Making it work for me as I go about my daily journey;keeping things in the journal that remind me of gratitude.

Most of all, I'm looking forward to seeing my personal growth this year and enjoying the journey.

Staying Positive

Hey there! My kids are about to head back

to school in 10 days. I have mixed feelings about this.

Sad that we won't get to spend time daily hanging out, and

then happy that they will be busy with friends, school

activities and I will get a break.

But in the end, the kids grow up so fast! I have one

driving already, another about to get his driver's permit,

one who is 12 and already 5'8" tall and then

my youngest one who is losing 2 of his front teeth.

*sigh*

And with the kids heading back to school, that means more

time for sewing. I have new binder sleeves, journal

sleeves, tote bags, and some new projects to share

in my ETSY store soon. Right now, there are just a few items

left. I can't believe I sold out so many products when my

store was at Bigcartel.com.

Thank you so much for your support!

I can't wait to share more!

Oh, like the planner I've

been dreaming about. It has a lot of features that I LOVE

and know a lot of you will be using for your own organizer.

And then there's my 100 Positive Affirmation Jar.

This is similar to my 100 Positive Journaling Prompts.

I'm going to make this an inexpensive download as well.

You'll receive 100 positive affirmations

to cut up, place in your favorite

jar, and decorate with your own tags or use the one that

comes with the download. So simple!

Purchase Here Now

 

                              

 

 I hope you'll use your Positive Affirmations to 

get off to a great 2012 NEW year!

Daily Junque Book Project

I might be behind with this, but I'm finally putting

together one of these Daily Junque Book.

Daily Junque paper collection from House of Three.

The black binder is a 6x9 version, but I'm thinking of

creating one of my fabric binder sleeves for the cover.  

As always, my mind is moving in

different directions with different projects.

Now it's time to get back to work, take the 

kids to the mall, and do some back-to-school shopping!

XO Hugs,

Katie

D R E A M {mini album}

 

After thinking that I finished this mini album,

I realized that I still need to add a few more embellishments

and my photo in the front page.

Products used:

My Mind's Eye Stella & Rose paper kit

Katie's own fabric trims

7 gypsies charms

Unity Stamp set/Melody Ross :'She sprouted wings'

 

Since I like to make & sew my own embellishments using

left over trim; I found it was really nice to go through

my stash and use them up. I have so many products in my

craft room that it makes no sense to buy more.

I'd love to know what you think ;)

XO Hugs,

Katie

Crafty Weekend Ideas

Source: flickr.com via Katie on Pinterest

I love this creative idea for displaying mini albums. It's where you can see it often and very much pretty decor. I would love to try something out like this.

 

Source: kokokokids.ru via Katie on Pinterest

And this is something I would like to try as well. Stamping with an apple. I actually have a blank canvas rope tote bag that could use some decorating. I just haven't found the courage to try something on it. 

Source: marthastewart.com via Katie on Pinterest

I actually like this one a little bit more than the apples, but you get the idea. 

 

Source: seilifestyle.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

I LOVE these circle tag ideas. I have a lot of circle chipboards I purchased from a trip to Birmingham, Alabama and never got to use them. How sad that I have all these supplies, but never enough time. Well, I hope to tackle a few of them this weekend. This is inspiration for me already.

 

Hope you all have a crafty weekend! Let me know what you're planning to create or do over the weekend.

 

XO Hugs,

Katie

:Coming soon: Reverse tote bags + inspirational mousepad

I've got some new Handmade Goodies for you!

Would you like to see what

I'll be putting in my store next week?

Here's one of the first item...

'Natalie' tote bag:

and another photo...

{fabric pin flower not included;

just there to give you an idea of possibilities}

(Excuse the wrinkled shirt & Man arms

in the first photo there)...I was totally

swamped that day and forgot I wanted to take a quick

photo of the tote bag for myself, so I grabbed my 14

year old son and made had him take this shot.

Just to give you an idea but this tote bag

is 13.5" x 16" and from the top of the

strap to bottom of the bag measures 24".

And the fun part is...it's reversible. Here's the inside if you turn it out:

Not the greatest photo, since I had my 6 year old tugging at my legs to get me to go see something called a Rollie Pollie.

But wow!I tested this bag out by putting my 3-ring binder,8x10 art journal, 5x8 journal, and 4x6 journal inside. 

I love it! And I'm not just saying this because I made it ...

and am selling it in my online store...

and hope you all will buy it.

But I really do LOVE it! And use it myself.

I stand behind my products. 

AND wait...there's more!

Here's an inspirational mousepad I designed:

{Measures approx. 9.5" x 8}

I love working at my desk/computer and seeing these inspiring words peek out at me. Such a fun reminder.

And remember that Project Bag a while back?

Well, Becky Higgins is giving one away today!

Go check it out and enter!!!

Below... my 12 year old daughter (such a sweet heart) is holding the project bag for me as I attempt to take another quick photo. The bag is VERY roomy and inside I put a  3-ring binder, 8x10 journal, and 5x8 journal.

{closed measures 16"x12"/

open measures 16"x17"}

Please share some love on my blog and leave me a comment about anything you see. Would you like to see them in Damask fabrics? More Florals? Any particular fabric designer? Let me know!

Follow me on my Facebook and Twitter

for updates on when they release!

XO Hugs,

Katie