Feel like a challenge? I've been struggling a bit lately...been feeling a little uninspired or sort of at a creative road block. It's got me thinking a lot about style and defining my style. Many of the designers I look up to most have very distinctive styles...you can pick their work from a line up....a sort of signature style. I feel I'm lacking. lol. I was asked to define my style for a recent assignment and it really made me think...do I really have a consistant style? Not always...I love so many styles. But, there are things I always come back to ....colors and elements that I use alot. So I began snooping around the web...just collecting photos that I love and putting them together to see what stands out. Here's what I came up with...
1. I love color. Color, color, COLOR! Citrus colors, bright colors, crazy, mixed up colors...fresh colors. Check out this beautiful kitchen. I might love cooking if I could live in this kitchen...but then again, I'd have to get my husband to like color as much as I do. :-)
photo from Better Homes and Gardens
2. I love mixing patterns and textures. I love things that don't match. I love trying to make things that don't match into something that works.... look at this pretty dress from Mimi and Maggie. Never would've thought to put all those prints together, but I LOVE the look...
3. I love things that are just a bit vintage...oh these make me want to dry dishes by hand....
4. I love texture...nothing flat for me...lots of dimension, texture, a bit of softness, layers.
5. I also love anything from Amy Butler or Heather Bailey....this Heather Bailey fabric makes me HAPPY... You look at the individual patterns and they don't seem to go together...BUT, then you see them all together and aaahhhhh... bliss.
So...feel like playing along? I challenge YOU to snoop around the web...find 3 or 4 or 5 or more photos that inspire you...get you itching to create and speak to you about what your style is. Then make a project based on your findings....I'd love to see it! Give me a link in the Mr. Linky box and I'll draw a name for a free copy of the newest July/August issue Paper Crafts Magazine...
AND I also have an extra Handwritten Notes stamp set from Papertrey Ink to give away.
The Details: I'm going to try to get a Mr. Linky box in here...so hang tight! I'm hearing that Mr. Linky is more like Mr. Not Working, so if you get your project done before I manage to get it working, just leave a link in the comments. :-) Deadline is Wednesday, June 10th at 11:59pm and I'll randomly pick a winner from the participants. Please link your actual post, not your blog...thanks!
ETA: Ok, I think Mr. Linky should work....the boxes that appear right in the post are not working right now, but this version seems to be. Just click on the Mister Linky logo right below and it should take you to a page where you can add your link. should. hopefully. :-) Again, deadline is June 10th at 11:59pm.
So, here are a few things I created after my inspirational trip around the web. Lots of bright colors...nothing matchy matchy. Things I love, just for the joy of creating. :-) I put these, along with a bunch of other brand new, never blogged before stuff up in my Etsy shop....I'll share them here on the blog over the next few days, but if you want a peek now, they're over in Etsy land. :-)
And I call these my happimess...just a happy, messy mix of stuff put together into 5 fun mini cards and tags. Total funness. :-)
I was feeling truly inspired after my trip around the web...I hope you'll play along!
This sounds really fun! Off to snoop...
Posted by: Melissa | June 04, 2009 at 09:22 PM
You do have a very distinctive style and it's all about the things you mention in this post. I could pick your work out of a line-up!
Posted by: kari | June 04, 2009 at 10:29 PM
This is a little scary! lol
I may give it a try....if I find some spare time to snoop! :D
Never fear....your work is very Betsy! lol
Posted by: Lori R (loree2000) | June 04, 2009 at 10:42 PM
Do you have a style...you most certainly do. I have never seen anything like it! You really are in a class all your own. Is it ecclectic? No, that's not quite it. Perhaps it's modern vintage. Hmm....I think that might be more close to your style.
Of course, this is coming from someone who has only seen your work in pictures. I'm sure your work takes on a whole new feel in person.
Your work is truly stunning. I follow several blogs...more than I should. But I admit, yours is one of the top two or three that I enjoy the most.
I enjoy your blog partly because your style is polar opposite to mine, but also because your work has a peace about it. Not sure if that makes sense. But I love looking at your work.
Posted by: Dana Bincer | June 04, 2009 at 10:45 PM
Oh my goodness, Betsy!! You have a style and tons of it! I can pick out your work ANYWHERE! You have an amazing eye for color and pattern!! I find your style competely inspiring and it makes me long to have that "it" thing you have going on!! Thanks for sharing your work!!!!
Posted by: Kimberly Crawford | June 04, 2009 at 10:56 PM
Love your STYLE and love your inspired projects here. Don't worry girlie, WE all know when we see your stuff! But it's comforting to know even you think you struggle with style :) You are a amazing artist!
Posted by: Dana Gustafson | June 04, 2009 at 11:00 PM
I definately think you have style as well as "a style", if you know what I mean ;)
Love the pictures you've chosen for inspiration and what a challenge!! I tend to browse blogs for inspiration when stuck in a creative rut as other peoples enthusiasm for their art is infectious ;)
So hope my entry is ok!
Posted by: Sam Morris | June 05, 2009 at 03:43 AM
ok, I don't need to play this game, cuz you just did it for me! Every one of your pictures and descriptions describe ME! I'm 100% serious. But, you've inspired me, so I'm gonna do this challenge. Oh, and by the way....you TOTALLY have a "style", and I could tell your work from a mile away. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your work!!!
Posted by: amy | June 05, 2009 at 05:13 AM
Oh my goodness, I love, love, LOVE 'your style' and must admit that your inspo photos make me so happy! BRIGHT COLORS and a bit of vintage are right up my alley! So funny that we love so many of the same things. (must work on my card style to better reflect this! Ha!) Betsy, you've definitely got 'a STYLE', my friend, and I could spot it anywhere! :)
Posted by: Dawn McVey (dawnsing) | June 05, 2009 at 07:34 AM
You are certainly talented. A true artist in every way. I check you blog daily and I am inspired each and every day. Thank you for sharing your creativity.
Posted by: QTPie | June 05, 2009 at 07:38 AM
I agree that you definitely have a distinctive style. Your use of color and pattern is what defines your style in my opinion! I'm still trying to figure out my style.
Posted by: Vera | June 05, 2009 at 07:45 AM
Like others have said...your style is very distinctive and very lovely and full of yummy bright colors! I can open any card/papercrafting magazine and flip through and pick out your cards right away!! Love it!!
Posted by: Jeni Barbas | June 05, 2009 at 07:45 AM
I have to second (or thenth?!) the other comments... Ever since our time back at SA, I could spot a "Betsy Card" a mile away and have always admired your ability to carve out a distinctive look for your work. Maybe not easily definable in WORDS, but in terms of STYLE?! Your cards are totally Betsy!
Posted by: Tara | June 05, 2009 at 08:36 AM
it is true what everyone is saying you do have your own distitive style and since I do see a lot of cards I would know too which ones are yours right a way if I saw them - I really love all your bright colors and layering of elements.
Posted by: Bente SNow | June 05, 2009 at 09:55 AM
I would know one of your cards if I saw it . . . you create THE most amazing cards. When I'm looking for inspiration on the web, one of the first places I visit is your blog.
Posted by: Theresa | June 05, 2009 at 10:23 AM
I would agree that you definitely have a style--and a wonderful one! It's interesting that you didn't think you did, but your search on the web certainly defined it. I LOVE the way you use color and texture. My style is so much more simple, but I am always coming back to your work for inspiration and all the wonderful details you add to your work.
Posted by: Karen | June 05, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Oh, my goodness -- I can't believe that you didn't think you had a "style". I LOVE your style (and you defined it perfectly in all your snooping around!). Hopefully I'll get a chance to play. I'm not sure that I have a style either... :-)
Posted by: Janelle | June 05, 2009 at 02:01 PM
Your style makes me GASP and I'm almost embarrassed to even let you see one of my works!!! But I just love this challenge.....I'll do my best to play along!
Posted by: Jane | June 05, 2009 at 02:39 PM
I think you have a very distinctive style and it is great! I could never do what you do! I can't put that much stuff together on one card and have it look great like you can!
Posted by: Kelley | June 06, 2009 at 12:45 AM
I love your STYLE. I wish I had the ability to put things together the way you do. I check your blog everyday for inspiration. Thank you for sharing your amazing talent.
Posted by: lee | June 07, 2009 at 12:01 AM
Like the others, I could not agree more. You have a very distinct style and it is MAGNIFICENT!!! Your ability to take so many different patterns and colors and elements and turn them into one cohesive work of art amazes me. You are a master in the business. Thank you for all the eye candy!
Posted by: donna calamari | June 07, 2009 at 06:11 AM
Betsy, you definitely have a style !! I can recognize one of your card in a magazine, actually when I receive a new issue, I am always playing that, just looking at the card I try to put a name on it, and I can tell you I am right most of the time. I love your style, your cards are stunning and I wish I could have a quarter of our style!
Posted by: muriel | June 07, 2009 at 10:08 AM
What a great challenge!! I loved "defining my style". I think I got my card added to Mr. Linky but I thought I would put it here too, just in case.
http://scrapsbym.blogspot.com/2009/06/define-your-style.html
Posted by: Maria | June 07, 2009 at 10:43 AM
Betsy, I could definitely pick your cards out of a line-up! I think your style speaks to me most because I, too, love color. I'm always attracted to color, color, color.
I hope to have a chance to play in your challenge. That is one of the few PTI stamp sets I don't have and would love to win. But, mostly, I'm trying to figure out my style, too, and your suggestion is just the way to find it... something I've been meaning to do... on that darn to-do list that's always a mile long... (sigh)
Happy Sunday,
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa Hjulberg | June 07, 2009 at 02:32 PM
I think you nailed your "style" with your list. I sometimes don't think I have a certain style when it comes to my art but I like to think thats what makes it even better. Not being able to really define it makes it that much more unique.
Posted by: lorena b. | June 08, 2009 at 12:19 AM