inspiRation springboards: my cReative pRocess

I've had lots of questions lately about HOW I get inspired when I design my collections & kits...so, I thought I'd share how my creative process started with my Spring Circus collection. 

Step 1. EXERCISE. Yes. you got it...your Creative muscles need exercising EVERYDAY! So, I *always* use my 100 Creativity Exercises. I know I talk about it A LOT...but., I can't emphasize the importance enough...it's critical for me getting new ideas.

Step. 2. LOOK.  After I've exercised, I am always on the lookout for what I'm drawn to...what inspires me. I take inspiration trips to stores, boutiques, Pinterest, my mags/books, & I've even been known to get inspiration from random things like: taking the garbage out! LOL!

Step. 3. GATHER.  I start to gather inspiration pieces...I put them together to create a 'moodboard'...color swatches, magazine rip-outs, typography, etc.  Yes, this is also called an 'inspiration board' & this is essentially the idea behind the widely popular Pinterest...you 'pin' your ideas & inspiration on a board to get inspired! Brilliant to have it online...i LOVE my Pinterest boards, but I also MUST have the ideas on my actual inspiration board in my studio.  

Step. 4. CREATE. This is where I actually sit down & the whole process comes together. I've got the whole collection already in my mind...this is the time to execute it & put it into actual digital art.  Between Photoshop, Illustrator, my own drawings/art/collected ephemera & vintage ephemera from Dover books & CDs or my friend, Karen's Graphics Fairy vintage art, etc....it all comes together.  

Each step is equally important & I can't jump from one to another or SKIP any step...I need to do them in this particular order...this is how I work..I'm sure other designers & artists have their own little formula, but THIS process is what I've been doing for the past 14 1/2 years...since I've been designing greeting cards & gift bags, then onto scrapbook products & now digital art...I've finally found that THIS is my favorite...I can do it on my own timeline...when I want to, when my family schedule permits...& its' always there on our site to uplift & inspire people!

Eye candy & inspiRation...

New week. New goals. New projects. New inspiration. I LIVE for inspiration trips & have been loving what I've been inspired with lately....thought I'd share!

Source: greigedesign.blogspot.com via Rhonna on Pinterest

Source: frenchgardenhouse.com via Rhonna on Pinterest

Source: anthropologie.com via Rhonna on Pinterest

Source: greigedesign.blogspot.com via Rhonna on Pinterest

Source: decor8blog.com via Rhonna on Pinterest

Source: veneerdesigns.tumblr.com via Rhonna on Pinterest

and....

this. oh this just about stopped my heart.

I'm in LOVE with Jill Ricci & I adore how she took her style & infused it with quatrefoil to create something so inspiring! 

Source: jillricci.com via Rhonna on Pinterest

 

Check out all of her work...truly inspiring!

Happy monday...this week is going to be amazing..I can feel it!

The 21 Challenge...starts today!

So many requests for this lately...It's the {21} Challenge...another round. Are you in?

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It starts today...& like I said on Twitter & Facebook....this is a LITE version. I'll be tweeting, posting visuals like these images here via Instagram & on Facebook DAILY. So, the best way to follow & share is by following me on Twitter, Instagram & FB....Lite version...remember?

Each Monday, I'll do a blog re-cap with all of the day's images so you can go back & look at them.

Who's in?

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Day 1: today. 

LOVE this quote:

"A strong positive mental attitude will create more miracles than any wonder drug." Patricia Neal

Remember:

1. Pick ONE habit to make or break. 

It can be a physical, emotional, spiritual, mental goal...something that YOU feel you want to improve in your life. 

**I chose to focus on core exercises everyday. I've got the running down, but I always forget the core for some reason. And when I DO exercise it daily, my other ailments seem to be better. A strong core= a happy Rhonna.

2. Pick a way to document it. You can scrapbook it. art journal it. photograph it. write it down in a notebook. whatever will help to solidify this new habit. for YOU. tailor it to YOU.

**In past rounds, I did art journals, and I loved it!!!! But, right now, I've got lots on my plate & sadly, it's not realistic. But, I CAN be creative AND document with my phone..so, this is my 'LITE' version. I will be taking pictures on my phone & adding the quotes for my creativity exercises.  All on my phone. love that.

3. Commit to it for 21 days straight.  This is when the success comes in. It takes 21 days or 3 weeks for your body, muscles, brain to all come together & make or break this habit.

It can be done. 

**I've done round after round & not only do I feel better about myself, gain more confidence, see the changes I want to see, but I get more creative!!!! seriously...it works hand in hand with the 100 Creativity Exercises...I LOVE it!

I'm committed. Are you?

Welcome new-comers, & welcome old-timers....let's do this!

cReative Team Tuesday...*inspiRation

It's that time again...time to get inspiRed by these amazing Holiday Hybrid crafts....

Check it out!

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The cReative team is always so inspiring to me...I LOVE seeing what they do with Rhonna Designs!  Rosemary Watson has been busy getting ready for Halloween! Jump on over to her blog to see her Halloween Countdown!

She's got lots of ideas: recipes, wreaths, & cute framed art!  Love her ideas using the Frames 2 kit to showcase her yummy Pumpkin whoopie pies! And the fab flags she created using the Spooky Junque kits!

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Look at this darling Menu Name Card Jing created....

sooo lovely with the jewel, the flower, the pop up 'merry'...& name. LOVE this!

& take a peek in the inside:

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Jing is our culinary goddess & is married to a hotelier....This is the menu for her upcoming Ladies Luncheon at the hotel

            * card in one – namecard, menu and the invitation details at the back (not shown)

 Here are her steps:

1.Card: using FEDRIGONI paper … scored the sides

2.Created an OVERLAY design using Merry Bird Card Kit

3. Printed Label Art Merry Bird using the FEDRIGONI Paper (Constellation Collection)

4.3-D on the Merry … attached flower … and Name

5.Inside: Menu Printed the menu using the FEDRIGONI paper

6.Used the Address Wrap and Word Art Candy Cane Kit  

Love how she coordinated a couple of the Christmas Card Kits to create this! Brilliant!

sooo uplifting & inspRing...I want to go create right now!

and, be sure to come back tomorrow for a fab giveaway!

hugs &....

octobeR....my favoRite month.

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It's October.

...and change is in the air.

the season & weather.

my blog look. *grin*

my focus.

Change is good. 

It keeps us on our toes.

We (well, I should say, Jeff) planted a garden & has been loving the harvest....zucchini, butternut squash, corn....and PUMPKINS! This pumpkin is his first HUGE pumpkin he's grown. (last year we got 5 little ones...cute. we loved them) But, this year, he tried some other things & I tell ya...this one is perfect.  All his hard work has paid off & this huge pumpkin sits proudly on our front steps with the little butternut squashes next to it. 

It's a sign. 

A sign of the seasons changing. 

the colors changing. 

the change that is going on in the world around us.

and...

inside us.

October is my favorite month...for many reasons.

But, one of my favorite reasons is because it is our Church's General Conference. I love it.

really, really love it.

It always leaving me feeling so inspired, encouraged & ready to do better & be better.  I love the feeling of change. 

Changing my ways.

my thoughts.

my focus....

to become better.

to work harder...at the things 

that matter most...

not getting caught up in being 'busy' with

things that don't really fulfill me.

& like Jeff's pumpkin...

at the end...have something that I'm happy & proud of.

It was a whirlwind weekend with reunions, friends over & much family time...but, in the peaceful moments, I really tried to listen to my heart...to hear what was being whispered to me... WHAT I need to be doing. 

HOW I need to change. 

and WHO I want to become.

...lots of hard work & change are in my future...but, I love it.

I felt so much peace. I am invigorated, excited & ready for change.

Happy Monday...

forget not....

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Twice a year, our Church has a General Conference where we get to be uplifted & inspiRed by our Leaders! Saturday night we had the General Relief Society meeting where all the women across the globe can tune in to watch & listen...it was sooo wonderfully inspiRing!

Julie B. Beck is the world wide President of this amazing organization of women....she has 2 counselors, Sylvia Allred & Barbara Thompson who all spoke....They are amazing women..it was the kind of Conference that you left wanting to be your best...ya know?

This quote was from Deiter F. Uchtdorf...one of my favorite people to listen to....He is the one that delivered this amazing message about Creativity a few years ago...

& he did not disappoint....This message was so wonderful....about not forgetting the important things in life.  His words spoke to my soul...go listen to it....it will make you happy! I promise!

Happy Monday!

cReative Team Tuesday. eye candy.

Ok...sit down.

Close your mouth...cuz your jaw is going to drop....

I.

am.

in.

LOVE.

with.

these.

get ready for cReative Team Tuesday...

Each cReative Team member is so unique. so cReative in their own realm...I just love it...totally uplifts and inspiRes me... be sure to visit their sites & blogs...because they are using Rhonna Designs all over...& I'm loving it!

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Love how Amy used the Washi Tape elements for these amazing pictures! Isn't she amazing?

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and gorgeous?

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And...LOVE her digital layout using the Honeycomb Pieces, FrameWorks & Washi Tape kits to document her haircut...she's so darling! Love her!

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And...Susan has totally created these cool kraft goodie bags out of the NEW Spooky Junque Label kits & the darling Banner Kit...LOVE this...I want candy now! LOL! Hybrid goodness.....LOVE!

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And..one of the things that always just knocks my socks off is how Susan uses Photoshop, Photos and digtial kits to cReate...LOVE how she used the Numbers kit & the Honeycomb Kit here...sheer deliciousness. LOVE her cReativity!

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And it's SO fun to see Jing's cReations! I LOVE how she puts things together...her style is unique & sophisticated...love these digital layouts where she uses the Washi Tape, Spring Mix & Simple Photo Frame kits. Delightful! no?

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Isn't she gorgeous? Love this one. Love the words inside the Honeycomb kit pieces...mmm...LOVE!

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And...Notice how the fab Kirsty Wiseman created this entire layout with the Spooky Junque kits? She's created the background with the 6 Week Brushes (dots & stars) & the Spooky Junque Brushes...then added the Spooky Junque Labels, Borders & Simple Photos Frames kit...sheer brilliance! LOVE it!

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And...Rosemary, Rosemary, Rosemary...how I love these photos! I adore her photography and her daughter Olivia is a cutie, isn't she? LOVE how she used the Spooky Junque Frame kit here...perfection.

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Here, she's got the Spooky Junque Borders...darling!

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And...a Spooky Junque Brush on the background with a Spooky Label on top to accent this a*mazing photo.

Lovin' these Spooky Juqnue Candy Cones. mmmmm....makes me so excited to cReate! Look how cute this is from Rosemary...You rock, girl! amazing!

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Who wouldn't want to go to THIS party? I LOVE how Nancy decorated every little detail of her party with the Honeycomb Pieces & Background kits...seriously? I die. it's sheer gorgeous-ness!

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Really? Those honeycomb pieces on the table? brill!  And the Menu? perfection...but, can you even believe those darling name tags, silverware pockets & mason jar embellishments with the burlap? GAH>>>I am in LOVE!

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And is this chair backer just the cutest? She used the Honeycomb Pieces here, too! LOVEY!

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See? Don't you just want to run out & cReate? right. this. minute?

yea...me, too.

see ya!

inspiRation: fitness AND a giveaway: dailyologie

today's inspiRation: fitness

Saturday, our whole family ran our annual fave: Art City Days Family Fun Run 5K! For those of you following me on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram...you saw my photos! 

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It was such a great day! And one of my FAVE things was my running bracelet GO BAND from Donna Bruett, of dailyologie!  She sent me this motivation: Just Keep Going. I looked down at it right in the middle of the hill & remembered: I can do this if I just keep going. 

loved that.thanks for the inspiRation, Donna!

It was a great day for all of us! Just running as a family is so fun...but, the sense of accomplishment I saw in my kids' faces was the best!  

Jeff is a runner. He always has been. (he's rubbed off on me in our 17 years of marriage.)

And he has had an injury for the past 2+ years (toothpick in his foot) that has made it so he can't run very fast(yet, still faster than I could ever dream! LOL!)

....this year he's all better (toothpick miraculously made its way out of his foot)

& wanted to fly like the wind...he did! He got a great time (20:30)  & was sooo close to placing in his age group. (he has done that many years in the past) But, 1 other guy was a bit speedier than him!

I had a personal goal of getting 30 min. (about a 10 min. mile) and...I came in at 27:28.  I know, I know...not as speedy as my husband, but...I was totally happy!  I'm not a competitive runner, so race times don't really mean that much to me...but, my 'personal best' does. And, I did it!

The kids each ran their little hearts out & all came in great times & enjoyed themselves! The girls were stretching out on the grass after it was over...love them!

So, after the race, I had so many people asking me where I got it!  Aaaaandddd...today, Donna of Dailyologie,  is giving away THREE of them to 3 of my lucky blog readers!

Listen to what Donna says about her GO BAND:
<<"Hooray for outdoor activities!  I love this time of year and it's a great time to set those fitness goals.

WHAT'S YOUR GOAL?  
Do you want to run a crazy amount of miles, walk like a mad woman, 
or cycle your heart out?  

I created the GO BAND to be a comfy, light weight band to motivate and help you reach your goals.  Sometimes the path looks endless, but step by step, day by day, if you keep moving forward you can accomplish great things.  JUST KEEP GOING!  You can get there.">>

Love this concept of the Go Bands!

Just leave a comment here & tell me what YOU are doing that the mantra: Just Keep Going will help motivate & inspire YOU!

inspiRation: fitness

Source: ceejayc.tumblr.com via Rhonna on Pinterest

Yea...this is my 

No. 1 reason 

WHY I'm training for a marathon.  I've had so many questions about it...I thought I'd address it here on my blog.

Source: facebook.com via Rhonna on Pinterest

Q: WHEN are you doing your marathon?

A: J & I registered for the Sept. 17th Top Of Utah Marathon...so, I'm on an 18 week training program.

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Q: HOW are you training?

A: I found this training program that worked with my levels of running & looked do-able....Hal Higdon is trusted & I was comfortable with this training...BUT>..I had to switch around the days & how I cross trained, rested & had my long runs on the days that work with my schedule.  I'm on week 3 & so far it's working great for me. I do strength each day except rest days...because I'm trying to get my strength back up after being sick for so long...I was sooo out of shape. But...this is SO true for me right now.

Source: thefitway.tumblr.com via Rhonna on Pinterest

I'm getting stronger & feeling sooo much better.

Source: dirtyprettything.tumblr.com via Rhonna on Pinterest

Q: How do you have time? Doesn't it eat up a lot of your schedule?

A: Well...I'm having to MAKE time.  Yes, it is & will take up time in my schedule...but, with the way things are in my life right now...NOW was better than later, I"m sure. It will NEVER be easy. convenient. But, I want to do it.

Source: theweightofperfection.tumblr.com via Rhonna on Pinterest

Q: Do you feel any different?

A: I had to giggle at this one. Even into week 3, the answer is YES!  I'm feeling more FIT. more VIGOROUS. & I'm starting to SHINE like the old Rhonna. I am getting STRONGer! It feels great.

...doesn't mean it's easy. or going to be easy....but, I"m committed. I'm determined. I'm doing it.

Source: google.com via Rhonna on Pinterest

Q: or 'comment'...You must be a twig exercising so much & not being able to eat sugar, wheat, bread, pasta...all the good stuff.

A: Again...I giggled at this one...

NO. I LOL at this one!  

My answer is: 

NO. 

I"m not a twig. 

With my sickness & my whole body being out of whack...my metabolism is sooooo wonky.  I haven't lost many pounds.  Can you believe it? oy! At first I was getting frustrated. (I put on a good 12-15 lbs. & on normal sized people that looks like 20-30 lbs.)  But, then, I realized....I'm not doing this to get skinny. I"m doing it to get strong. I know my body can be strong again....but, it will take time.  I have to be patient!

Source: ifitshipitshere.blogspot.com via Rhonna on Pinterest

Q: So, how are you doing it?

A: I have to stay motivated & find my strong! So, these things are helping:

1. Logging my miles & workouts on Daily Mile.  I love that I can log in & share w/ others.

2. A helpful FREE app called: RunKeeper. It is a keeper, that's for sure! It works with your phone's GPS & allows you to be coached, or on your own. It tracks & tells you how far you are going, how fast you are going & how many calories you are burning. You can also listen to your playlist or other music. (see below) It's fab!

3. Motivating Music: I HAVE to run with music...it's not fun for me to hear me breathing hard & my feet hitting the trail. (albeit, some runners love that!) So, I've got a playlist that is MY kind of MOTIVATING music. It gets me pumped up! And..I have also found that I LOVE listening to my Pandora Radio while I'm running, too!

4. Stay visually & mentally focused. My Running Inspiration Pinterest board helps me with that! I love the quotes & pictures that get me focused....I'm always looking for inspiration to pin on my board, so if you come across any....send them my way! You can never have too much inspiration.

Source: photosfoodfaith.tumblr.com via Rhonna on Pinterest

Q: What are you eating?

A: I'm following the Eat Clean way of living....it follows what my dr. has told me to do...AND there are lots of yummy recipes & motivation on the site. I love Tosca Reno's 'Recharged' book & have found a lot of inspiration in it..but, again...haven't lost many lbs...*a*hem...I keep saying it doesn't matter..I'm getting healthy & strong! LOL! 

So...there ya have it...

I. 

am. 

in. 

training. 

mode.

& lovin' it! ...totally inspiRing to get strong & see how amazing our human bodies are! I love it & feel so thankful...I know I say it a lot lately...but, Never EVER take your health for granted.