This Friday, February 29th, is LEAP DAY. And, being that a leap day only happens once every 4 years, we thought it was the perfect source for this week’s inspiration. Really, it’s almost like we’ve all been given a FREE day in the year. And, well, we think that day should be spent living it up. Do things you don’t normally make time for. Create something you wouldn’t normally create! (For those of you looking for a more scientific reason behind leap year and why you should celebrate, click here)

I loved this album cover by Emm Gryner,

and this photograph found on Merry Swankster:

Two very different possible interpretations – both very cool. Think about how this unique day inspires YOU. Then come share your thoughts with us in the forum. And stay tuned all week for more ideas on making the most of this Leap Year event.

Eileen

Have you noticed this huge movement towards cupcakes in art and design? Everyone who's anyone is doing the cupcake thing and quite frankly - I think it's an adorable trend and I love it! (Of course, it could also be because they remind me of real cupcakes and you should know that I love real cupcakes!)

One of the girls in the office is a cupcake connoisseur of sorts. She makes some DELISH cupcakes and they always make me smile because they're cute, yummy and usually colorful. (The other day they were lemon with a little dollop of raspberry) They also make me want to create for some reason. Not sure if it's the sugar or the euphoria from eating a sweet treat while at work.

I decided to take a gander around the 'Net and look for some really cute cupcake patterns. Have you ever created anything with a cupcake in mind? (or on the table or maybe in your mouth?) If not, maybe you should consider some of these options:

This is a new bedding set at Target. The comforter has little cupcakes all over it. Festive! The colors just evoke happiness!

This is a print found on PrintPattern's blog. The little sketched cupcakes would make a cool print for the wall. I also think this would be a cute piece for a journal.

Is anyone getting hungry, yet? I tell you - I love the cuteness of cupcakes and these hair accessories by etsy artist paolo72 are to die for! Super cute stuff. My 7 year old daughter would LOVE these. I think they would also make the perfect ornaments for a cupcake tree at Christmas.

What's better for cardmaking, scrapbooking and collage than stamps? This is a new release from Hero Arts and the set is loaded with some seriously cute cupcakes. You could stamp, scan, enlarge and print on a t-shirt. I think I'm liking this idea!

Finally, one of my most favorite cupcakes are these adorable felted cupcakes from Betz White. In case you haven't seen her new book, Warm Fuzzies, these little guys are to DIE for. I just love the color and let's face it - it still reminds me of a REAL cupcake.

So, take a few moments and make something centered around a cupcake. Maybe piece one together with some felt or paper, or sketch one in your art journal, or do what I plan to do and make a few cupcakes. If you're looking for a good recipe, check out the baking group led by Sugar Booger. She has posted some tasty recipes that you can make while trying to incorporate cupcake designs into your next craft project! I'm all about adding sugar to crafting!

ETA: This is Ginger writing under Robin's log-in. Mine would not allow me to insert photos. Maybe they're trying to tell me something???

Hi My name is Eileen, and I’m an inspiration junkie.

I’ve been a hoarder of all things inspiring for as long as I can remember. My favorites being words: either through song lyrics, quotes, jokes, etc…or just a simple word itself. I once read an interview where the person in question said she kept a big sign with the word YES above her doorway. She said it constantly made her feel like taking chances and moving forward. One simple word – so much inspiration!

Years ago, when I left for college, I began jotting down the inspirational things that I would hear, and kept them all in one book. Soon after, doodles found their way onto the pages, and from there the book has taken a life of its own. Now I’ve got loose papers, sketches and photos stuck between pages, all waiting for their permanent spot to be created. It is, without a doubt, my personal source for inspiration and my favorite creative outlet.

Now, working in an inspiring place like F+W, one can’t have only one creative outlet. I’ve also picked up knitting and am learning to crochet. I enjoy photography and sewing. And, in my role as Art Coordinator for Memory Makers Books, I’ve accrued quite the hankering for paper crafts. And I’m pretty sure that won’t be the end of my list!

Through this group, I hope we can ALL continue to expand our sources of inspiration and creativity. Be sure to check back often for ongoing creative prompts, links to cool products and websites, and so much more!

Many, many years ago when home computers were still a novelty and AOL was the only Internet provider, I spent an afternoon with my best friend creating voices for all the wonderful font names we found on my computer's word-processing program. For example, I employed my best scratchy voice and threw in the word “sonny” when I was speaking as “Old Man Font.” Thank goodness we were limited to fewer than 30 fonts, or we might still be there.


Neither of us had a degree in graphic design, but we knew these fonts had personalities. This is even more evident today. In Linda Woods and Karen Dinino’s Journal Revolution, they devote an entire chapter to the use and effects of fonts. Here the authors are signing copies of their latest book, Visual Chronicles at CHA.

You can find plenty of fonts on your computer’s word-processing program, but venture onto the Internet for plenty of sites where you can download free fonts, such as www.dafont.com. Scrapbooking and papercraft sites are also a great resource for fonts. Share some of your favorite sites for fonts in our forum.

Take some time—and your best friend if she has time—and check out some of the amazing fonts available today. And I’d love to see some creative ways to interpret Univers font. I just don’t have a special voice for that one.

Robin

First off, let me start by introducing myself. I'm Ginger and I'm one of the moderators for the Inspiration and Creativity section along with Robin and Eileen. Robin has already introduced herself. Eileen lost at a game of drawing straws and has to announce herself last. It's ok, though. She's a good sport. Me - I'm in the middle. :)

One of the cool things about my job is that I get to see crafts of all disciplines. You see, I'm a marketing manager for a publishing company and it's actually part of my JOB to be famililar with a variety of crafts as well as trends, etc. This works out perfectly because in a former life I was a licensed artist and designed paper. I also have a huge love for papercrafts - more specficially scrapbooking. I've recently taken up knitting and I plan on adding felting and sewing to my repetoire pretty soon. Hence, my need to be surrounded by crafty people. It really forces me to look at things from a variety of angles.

I'll be posting a lot to talk about really neat things I find to be creativity sparkers. Sometimes it will be a product, other times it might be a picture or word, or a piece of art from another artist. I feel like as long as it sparks an idea or compells me to take action, then it's inspiration. I hope that by sharing some of these ideas and sparks with you, that you see the inspiration, too.

I thought I would share a few pieces that have caught my eye lately.

The colors of this purse (available at www.forestprints.com) are just THE hot colors for me this season. I am by no means a Pantone Color Expert, but I've spent the past month trying to convince my husband to repaint our living room in this palette. I think I've almost wore him down. I actually want to sew pillows and drapes to match. Normally - I depend on Target for such necessities.

Then, I might accent the room with a few little treelings. Once again, courtesy of forestprints.com.

I haven't decided if their color completely matches, but you get the point. These cute little guys make me want to break out a needle, thread and some felt. I see a trip to the craft store in my immediate future. (Possibly this evening!)

I hope you enjoy the pieces that I will be posting in the future. Just remember, I'm always on the lookout for fun and interesting visual candy and if you ever have a great idea - send me a message. My user name is gingerjane - I'd love to hear from you!