Bits and Pieces

     Last week when I was rummaging through stores looking for Disney-esque papers, I picked up a few more sheets of this whimsical "Come Fly With Me" series.  I was quite smitten with the banners, balloons, and street front facades that lend such charm.
      Sunday evening I popped a movie into the player and settled in with my scissors.  Look at all those pieces I cut!  (Which reminds me, I also decided it was a good idea that same day to cut my hair.  All was well until I recruited another to help with the back.  What began as a 3" trim turned into a seven inch shearing.  *Sigh*)
     Although the photos aren't great--poor lil computer cam--you can get a feel for how this calendar series came together.  After the pieces were cut, and the 5 x 7 sky backgrounds were  trimmed to size, playtime began!  I laid out bits and pieces, and placed and layered, and voila!  Enchanting little scenes unfolded.
     My first instinct is to go to bold, saturated colors.  But as we all saw at the end of Project Runway Season 10, pastels are making a comeback!  Soft muted tones are walking the catwalks and shows, and if more proof is needed, just take a gander through Target's scarf aisle!  *Grin*

(Do you have a hankering to see this calendar on your wall?  Visit my Etsy shop and browse a while!)

Flurry Burst in the Atelier!

I might have gone a little crazy in the atelier yesterday...  Especially in the black and white area!  But it's just so... so... classic!  Don't these three jotters look sharp together?  I kind of want to display them on a shelf and keep them all to myself.  But I won't.  I listed all of these in my Etsy shop this morning, even though it was a little hard.  *sigh*  The sacrifices I make...
Oh--and there's even a calendar that coordinates with the jotters.  Swanky, eh?  And since Black Friday intimidates the heck out of me, I'll be staying in my atelier and creating more goodness throughout the day.
Stop by Atelier Joie and browse.  I'll see ya there!

Balloons and Banners

      These calendar insets are busy, busy, busy!  I like the sense of play and whimsy that is found on each page.  Those bunting banners especially woo my heart!  Doesn't the scene above make you think of an Americana 4th of July celebration?  Sparkle and a sky full of explosions--so nostalgic.  And those hot air balloons just make me want to daydream and stargaze.  Okay, okay--enough of my smitten descriptions!
     This color palette is a little unusual for me.  The muted aqua, salmon, and lilac weren't something I would normally be drawn to, but the houses and banners had such personality that I couldn't resist.  The banners took a little more cutwork than what I normally like to do and the result makes my heart happy.  Wouldn't this calendar be so darling for a little girl?  I'm just saying...  *Grin*
    

For the Love of Tulips

      Isn't this just the happiest color combination?!  That cheery yellow and those welcoming tulip faces...  So sweet!  These 5"x7" tiles are about to become the next Atelier Joie calendar, but I thought I'd show them to you before they are mounted.  You can look for the finished calendar in my Etsy shop tomorrow!

New in the Shop!

Oh boy--the new calendar is in the shop today!  If you're mulling over your list of Christmas gifts to purchase, this is a definite contender!  You can go to my Etsy shop to take a closer look:

Peacock Blue Calendar--Etsy Shop

Is It 2013 Yet?

    Now, I'm not trying to rush anything here, I'm just excited!  Look at my first 2013 calendar!  Peacock coloring with luscious blooms in an Oriental flair.  The calendar pages are printed with 2 months on each sheet, meaning there are 6 total pages of goodness.  Mmmmm!  The page itself measures 6" x 11.5", and the artwork inside is 5" x 7" (which means after you use it, you can frame it!  Or turn it into a card for Aunty Susan!  Or slap a magnet on the back and put it on the fridge!  Or write a love note to your honey on the back and immortalize your romance forever!  Too far?  I'll stop.)
     Tomorrow this calendar will launch in the Etsy shop, so pop on over to get even more pretty images!  My sweet lil atelier is working on more calendars, and they're each going to unique, so if this one doesn't quite hit the spot (whaaaaa?), there will be a variety soon and very soon! And for those that just can't get enough of my classic black and white calendars, no worries, I'm bringing those back too!