Creative Inspiration

This creative inspiration is a simple and easy way to gather your scrapbook materials and go through your drawers for those special items you could never throw away. Perhaps a wedding or shower invitation, the dried corsage or the stack of clippings that represent your motivational bulletin board.

The fact is that you don't get a chance to see the things that are special to you. A collage is a way to get these things in one place and hang it on your wall as a daily inspiration.

Step 1: Prepare a background.
I used 300lb watercolor paper because that is what I have on hand. You could also use heavy weight card stock or a piece of cardboard. Choose something with some thickness so it will support your various mementos.

Step 2: Decorate the background.
Many of my cards contained pink so I chose a green background so they would stand out. You can paint one as I did, use wrapping paper, or cover every inch of the surface with your keep sakes.

Step 3: Assemble your special items.
I took a piece of each card and used my creative inspiration to assemble them so that it was pleasing to me. I didn't begin gluing for 3 days. It took that long to playing with the pieces before I was satisfied.
Notice the flower clutched in the hand at the top left of the page. Also notice the cat hanging from the Cat in the Hat's hand.These took a little while to get just right.

Step 4: Attaching the items to the background.
As an artist I used acrylic matte gel or gel medium. I used this because of it's archival rating and because I have it readily available. Mod Podge liquid and elmer's glue will also work. In the past I have used a hot glue gun for heavier items such as dried flowers. Attach the bottom items first. I tend to remake the arrangement off of the page so I can get it just right. Then allow the collage to build itself- that means with this kind of creative inspiration sometimes your finished project won't look exactly like you planned. That's okay. In fact, it's better! Consider it God's hand at work with you.
Place heavy books on top of the freshly glued items and leave them alone for a couple of hours. You want them to be totally attached before you peek.

Step 5: Top coat.
It is best to cover the entire project with matte medium or mod podge liquid. Allow it to dry completely and apply 1-2 more coats.

Step 6: Enjoy your creative inspiration.
Frame it. Hang it on your motivational bulletin board. Let it remind you of the unique blessings in your life.

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