It’s time to inspire and be inspired! I recently read about the beautiful pack of fabric and notions that Emily Martin from the Black Apple sent to Marisa Haedike at Creative Thursday and I felt like I should do something to inspire others in this way so I came up with an idea to create Inspiration Packs and give them away. But I need your help.
(Emily’s gift to Marisa)Many artists read this blog and after talking last week to my friend Tara Hogan at Ink & Wit, I realized that lots of you have scraps galore that you’d like to get rid of. Why not donate them to a good cause? Tara thinks it would be nice if makers considered donating their leftovers to others instead of allowing them to overtake their craft room or worse, throw them away. I couldn’t agree more.
Would you like to donate a few of your scraps?
Inspiration Pack Details: Anyone can donate at least 10 items minimum. Please make sure that everything is in good condition and clean. Fabric scraps should be no smaller than a 6 x 6 square. If you are feeling generous and have yardage to donate, please indicate the amount before shipping. From fabric to buttons, your own prints or cards that perhaps didn’t print out perfectly, scrap papers, ribbon, if you have leftovers that you would like to donate to give others a little creative inspiration, please contact me via email at decor8blog AT yahoo.com.
Once I have everything, I’ll spend the first week of July sorting through the goods and I’ll organize packages, photograph each of the 10 packs, and show them on decor8 along with a simple comment contest where I’ll randomly select 10 winners. If I get enough goods, I will create more than 10 gift packs (10-20).
Deadline: All donated items will need to arrive to my New Hampshire address no later than June 30th.
What you can submit (ideas): Fabric : Wallpaper Scraps : Stationery : Journals : Pages from Books : Buttons : Ribbons: Stickers : Stamps : Gift tags : Gift Wrap : Vintage Photographs : Pencils : Pens : Art Papers : Patterned Papers : Prints : Cards : Envelopes : Fabric Tim (ric rack, pom poms, etc.) : Postcards.
Also include: 10-20 of your business cards so that I can place your card inside a special envelope that will be included with each Inspiration Pack. That way the winner will know that some items in their pack came from you.
Why: Recycling is smart and helpful to others. The purpose is to recycle what you have and make someone else happy and inspired to do something creative.
Please do not send: Prints in tubes (flat pack only — rolls of wallpaper or gift wrap are fine though because I can cut it up and flat pack it to winners), Paint or liquids, magazines or books, glues, sprays, metal, staples, paperclips, tools, scissors. In other words, nothing that can spill, nothing toxic, explosives, nude or violent imagery (some people are sensitive), etc. I’m trusting you guys with this.
What’s in it for you? I will also dedicate a post to all who donate listing your name and blog or website address, and you will be entered into a drawing to win one free 120 x 120 static ad space here on decor8 for 3 months. The ad will launch along with the all new decor8 blog, I’ve beefed up this little blog and your ad will appear on the new site as it goes forth into the world sometime in July.
Thank you Emily, Marisa, and Tara for inspiring this idea. I can’t wait to see who will donate and how we can all inspire others through this creative recycling project!
(photography by marisa haedike)
June 3rd, 2008 at 4:45 am
Hi Holly,
I would love to do this and since I have many stationery items and such this would be great! I also have many other items such as garden flags since I design for many categories such as xmas, halloween etc I thought about a theme of kids stuff. I have many great gift tags, wrap, tissue, bags, stickers, cards and papers. I can also put in some fun bright fabrics and notions too. I live in Massachusetts so this would be easy for me to send.
http://www.http://ellencrimitrent.typepad.com
June 3rd, 2008 at 4:59 am
Thank you so much Ellen! Coming from you, 10 lucky readers will have hit the jackpot when they find some of your items inside their packages. Please email me and I’ll send you my address. Again, MANY thanks.
June 3rd, 2008 at 5:09 am
Hi Holly,
I have some discontinued yardage that I would love to donate, at least 5 yards of 6-7 different designs. Let me know if you would be interested.
Thanks,
Stacy
Pixie Dust Decor
June 3rd, 2008 at 5:47 am
Holly, this is a great idea! I have recently done a clean out (I did give the things to children, though) but will see if I have any more. Would small beads work too?
June 3rd, 2008 at 6:13 am
Stacy – Thank you so much! This will be great because your fabrics are gorgeous. Please email me and I will give you my address.
Cocoa pod – I didn’t even think of beads – yes those will definitely be nice because people can do a lot with beads. :) Great idea!
June 3rd, 2008 at 7:33 am
Great idea!
I got a lot of fabric leftovers, pieces of pattered paper, buttons, postcards and a lot of old stamps with birds. All vintage and from Germany and France.
If you interested, I would love to donate.
Cheers, Anna
http://www.makingofeden.blogspot.com
annaweh at yahoo dot de
June 3rd, 2008 at 8:58 am
Hi Holly,
I think this is a lovely idea – I got a parcel like this recently and it was heaven!
I have some cards that are almost perfect and some great barkcloth that I bought too much of on Ebay recently.
Susie
June 3rd, 2008 at 9:53 am
Holly****
as i am from “far away”***:))POrtugal, can i be in the “group”i really would love to do this***i have so many buttons and trims and fabrics,beads etc that i would like to share… ;) LU
June 3rd, 2008 at 11:16 am
What a lovely idea – ‘a parcel of inspiration’! I have lots of plant-fibre paper off-cuts (from making my lampshades) which I’d love to share, but I wonder whether the transportation from the UK will negate the environmental benefit of recycling? Perhaps we need a UK version of your initiative. If you have enough UK participants I’d co-ordinate it for you! Sarah
June 3rd, 2008 at 11:44 am
Holly – count me in if you still have room! I have loads of paper, ribbons, stamps, embellishments, etc. Let me know where to send things! Thanks for sponsoring this – can’t wait to see the photos of the goodies!
June 3rd, 2008 at 1:04 pm
oh boy! what a great idea! i would love to donate/recycle my “scraps” – vintage maps, dictionary pages, old photos, bingo cards, letterpressed papers, patterns & painted bits….
whenever a certain friend comes to my studio she always goes through my trash and finds treats she takes home… I would love to pass along more “scraps” to others who may turn it into something beautiful!
great idea! *sarah ahearn
June 3rd, 2008 at 1:12 pm
this is a great idea and i think you are going to end up with way more than 20 packages worth of stuff! have fun!
June 3rd, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Holly, We have LOADS of beautiful paper and fabric scraps here at Rag & Bone Bindery. We save them for our local teachers coop, Recycling for R.I. Education {http://www.rrie.org/} . I’ll send off a bunch for the giveaway – what a great idea. You are so inspiring – thanks for all that you do to keep all of us designers excited and connected! Jason
June 3rd, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Perfect timing…I’m moving my studio and definetly need to thin out my artsy do-dads :)
June 3rd, 2008 at 2:09 pm
This is a great idea Holly. Sounds like fun. Count me in! :)
I’ll e-mail you for your address.
June 3rd, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Would love to participate – will most likely send fabric but maybe some other goodies from years past, too. Fun!
June 3rd, 2008 at 3:15 pm
I have some vintage paper/ephemera scrap packs I put together a while back, they also have 2 discontinued prints and some stationary from my designs. I’d love to send those if you’d like.
What a wonderful and exciting idea!
June 3rd, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Holly, I love this idea! I just emailed you; I would love to donate some linen pieces with a block print.
June 3rd, 2008 at 3:23 pm
count me in holly! what a fab idea… that emily @ the black apple is soo genius!
i have lots of little papers and cute little mini prints that didnt print quite right…im off to email you!
xo
shelli
June 3rd, 2008 at 3:29 pm
This is a fabulous idea. I am working on my package for you!
June 3rd, 2008 at 3:34 pm
I’m in! I’ll e-mail you now so that I can get your address!
June 3rd, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Okay, Holly…are you sure you know what you’ve started? ;) This is a really great idea!
I am happy to include some of my silk-screened leftovers from my former stationer’s life.
I don’t know who will thank you more…my partner or the Housing Authority? ;)
June 3rd, 2008 at 4:50 pm
I’m putting together a little package of goodies for you! Karin
June 3rd, 2008 at 5:27 pm
I have loads of ephemera that I’ve been collecting and will be selling starting in July! I’d love to donate a pack to you!
Sue
Vintage Rescue Squad
June 3rd, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Thank you all so much. For those who haven’t yet emailed me, please do send me an email so that I can reply with my mailing address.
EMAIL: decor8blog @ yahoo.com
Thank you so much, it will be great to see what comes in and a fun challenge for me to divide everything up.
Holly
June 3rd, 2008 at 5:43 pm
This is a great idea! I always have grand plans for using my remnants but can never find the time and now they are taking over my tiny studio (yikes), so this is fabulous!
I would love to send you fabric, mostly African fabric remnants.
Love love love your blog…
June 3rd, 2008 at 6:34 pm
great idea Holly and what a lot of lovely scraps you’ll be getting to package up judging by the number of posts on here already:)
June 3rd, 2008 at 6:52 pm
If you have room for more – I’ve got some great cards stock and stickers and things! I’m sending an email.
June 3rd, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Would love to share some of my design materials. I hate to throw away anything, it will be great to have someone else get some use.
June 3rd, 2008 at 8:01 pm
I’m putting together a package for this super idea!!
June 3rd, 2008 at 8:07 pm
what a wonderful idea! i am definitely in!
June 3rd, 2008 at 10:32 pm
I have been a long time reader of your wonderful blog and would love to sedn some of my fabric and art. Please send me your address and I will drop a few items in the mail :)
Warmly,
Renee
June 3rd, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Just sent you an email… I have some block printed papers, as well as fabric that I’ve been hand printing… what great fun!
June 4th, 2008 at 12:43 am
What a fabulous idea! I wish I were still in the handmade card business (my cards were sold on Rodeo Drive and in Santa Monica, California – as well as Papyrus stores nationwide). Alas, I am no longer selling goods but instead am in the advertising business … but wait, wait, wait – I just MIGHT be able to still do this! I have tons of cool things with interesting fonts, photos and what not (paper stuff) that could be a part of a cool package. AND I recommended this contest to a pal of mine in Australia who is an artist and would probably love to participate. Soooooo … better get crackin’ and put my donation together~~~~Let the fun begin!!
June 4th, 2008 at 12:44 am
P.S. Question – 6 x 6 feet or inches????
(Stupid question? – Sorry….)
June 4th, 2008 at 1:36 am
I love this idea – and I have so much to recycle!
-Allyson D.
redbirthmark.com
June 4th, 2008 at 2:52 am
Brilliant idea! I usually give scraps to Burgundy ‘n Brown for her adorable monogram buttons, but I have an endless supply. I’ll be emailing you to join in.
June 4th, 2008 at 3:06 am
fabulous idea! if there’s still room, i’d love to join. i will email you shortly.
{ julie }
coveiter.com
June 4th, 2008 at 3:18 am
I have a lot of notepads that are slightly imperfect that I can donate. I can fill up a flat rate box with them and send them over if you’d like.
June 4th, 2008 at 6:32 am
Hi Holly! This is possibly the most exciting thing I’ve heard in a long time… and what a horrible time to have my computer crash on me. Is there still room? My house is like a giant craft store and I could really use some thinning out of all these crafty goodies.
Hope I’m not too late.
xox
Ez
June 4th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
im so gonna do this..what fun..ill send a mix of fabrics, papers and trims that i have just waiting to be used..im going to include some pages from london newspapers so people can get a taste of life over here…and use them in whatever way they want.
June 4th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
This is a great idea Holly! Kenzie Kate Invitations will be sending a bunch of stuff!
June 4th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Holly,
This would be a great gift for women at the cancer center where I visit. Cancer patients often don’t have the money for art and craft supplies. A sweet little gift like that would certainly brighten her day!
June 4th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
This is a great idea, i just sent you an email too. If there is still room for more donations, what size of prints would be good?
Thank you!
June 5th, 2008 at 9:46 am
I have soooo much in the way of crafty bits and bobs but can never manage to throw any of it away! I will email you to see if you have room for one more…french fabric scraps, hand-dyed silk ribbon strands too short for my needs, monogram pieces, eiffel tower copied papers and so on!
What a fab idea…this may be an annual thing, nest’ ce pa?
June 5th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Sounds like a fab idea, count me in as well… I will send you an email for your adress!
June 5th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Sent my scraps in todays mail!
June 5th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
What a great Idea Holly!! I have tons of stuff I can contribute. It’s a great way for me to do some spring cleaning as well.
June 6th, 2008 at 9:18 am
This is a great idea; hopefully it will inspire me to put things together to share! Have you ever seen One Good Bumblebee’s stuff? She sells these amazing collections called Pile of Paper (http://onegoodbumblebee.com/item.php?item_id=48&category_id=3); I bought one as a xmas gift and it was somewhat torturous to wrap it and give it away…I bet the packs you put together will be at least as exciting. V.Cool indeed.
June 8th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
What an awesome idea! I have so many cool papers and blank journals and fabric and other things that I am no longer interested in using, but don’t want to throw them away. If there is still room, I would Love to join in on this.
Thanks Holly
June 9th, 2008 at 3:18 am
Hey there! I would love to send you a donation and I’m in the same state so I know I’d have no problem getting it to you by the deadline. I have an enormous collection of vintage paper items of all kinds, several different kinds of vintage wallpaper that I could donate, some new and vintage fabric scraps (all of the specified size or larger), vintage lace, vintage buttons, pretty much everything you mentioned! If you could email me your address, I’d love to take part! my email is sarah at (thewistfulrepublic) dot com. xo!
June 21st, 2008 at 2:48 pm
I’ll start packin’ the scraps..!
June 27th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Hi Holly!
I don’t know how I missed this, I clicked a link from another site! It seems like such a fun idea! If I can get my inspiration pack out by tomorrow, would that be ok? It might arrive a day late. Thanks!
ohhellofriend@gmail.com