Monthly Archives: June 2014

Launch your next dinner party with these adorable place cards

Launch your next dinner party with these adorable place cards
Boat-Place cards-by-Paper-Calliope

These place cards are featured on the Whisker Graphics blog!

Throwing your next get-together is sure to be smooth sailing with these adorable place cards. Cute all by themselves, they would also be perfect for your all-out nautical-themed bash. Score bonus hostess-with-the-mostest points by filling the boats with nautical themed treats such as Swedish Fish. 
 

Origami is not my thing. Trust me on this. I don’t know how someone who specializes in paper crafts can bungle origami so badly. I even have my own Tower-of-Failed-Origami that I am planning to show you sometime soon.

That’s why I picked the simplest origami boat possible for this project. Then, The Husband™ took the paper out for a test-fold before he would even let me make a single crease. Now, don’t go thinking he is some extra special crafty guy. He was just trying to protect our children’s innocence—because me + origami = a sure way for our kids to learn loud and in color exactly how sailors talk. Read the rest of this entry

This little birdie is soaring

This little birdie is soaring

Robin Nest Logo

This little birdie has been flying high for the last two weeks. Today, I get to finally tell you why. I am thrilled to announce that I made the international Robin’s Nest 2014 Design Team!

A worldwide manufacturer of art paper and embellishments, The Robin’s Nest handpicks select artists to create paper crafts that showcase their products.

Artists from around the world  undergo a fierce competition to win a coveted spot on the design team. I must admit that I am a bit bedazzled by the amazing talent of my fellow team members and both daunted and inspired to meet the challenge of creating art of their caliber.

I am incredibly grateful to The Robin’s Nest for going out on a limb and selecting me despite (or maybe because of) my sassy and irreverent blogging style. I mean, really, what other artist is crazy enough to call their blog the love child of Tim Holtz, Jenny Lawson and Oprah Winfrey?

You can see The Robin’s Nest announcement and meet all the super-talented team members here.

Who knew weird weather could impede art?

Who knew weird weather could impede art?

1743-112013-131029_twister_01-web

So, for the last several days I have not completed any new art projects. While there are several reasons for this–almost all of which are exclusively the fault of the Husband™–one factor that I cannot blame him for is a weird weather anomaly that hit Minnesota this past weekend.  Read the rest of this entry

Learn how to brighten someone’s day with this greeting card tutorial

Learn how to brighten someone’s day with this greeting card tutorial
Learn  how to brighten someone’s day with this greeting card tutorial

The Robin’s Nest recently gave a challenge to think outside the box when creating greeting cards. Since I don’t think a box exists that contains enough nooks, crannies, twists and turns to hold my little ol’ brain, this seemed like the perfect challenge.

I love creating three-dimensional and interactive cards such as explosion cards, pop-up cards and cards with secret compartments. (I also like creating irreverent cards with vintage images, but The Robin’s Nest might not want their upstanding name associated with that). At the same time, I think a lot of manufacturers would like designers to get back to the basics and offer tutorials that crafters can complete without an engineering degree, $47K in specialized tools and a tattoo of Tim Holtz’s autograph on their arse.*

With that in mind, I created a three-dimensional card that can be completed in one sitting, requires no special tools and remains flat enough to be mailed in a regular envelope. Read the rest of this entry

Robin’s Nest Card and Altered Art Design Team Application

Robin’s Nest Card and Altered Art Design Team Application

Robin Nest Logo

I’ve been a fan of the Robin’s Nest and their awesome designers for quite some time. So when I saw their recent design team call, I decided to make the big leap and apply–especially since they were encouraging artists to think outside the box (I mean, really, could there be a better invitation?). Read the rest of this entry