Coolness

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image

I went to the Denver Modernism Show the other day. Cool stuff. I don’t really consider myself to have mid-century taste, but I’ve been told by a few that my designs favor that era. And I am drawn to the textiles, at least artistically. So I thought I’d go check it out. I enjoyed perusing the different booths of stuff from the 50′s and 60′s, wondering if I could sell stencils there next year. I was taking mental notes about booths and how they’re set up, and I found this picture. It made me wonder if I could make that curly design into a stencil… I’ll bet I could!

Android

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Blogging has never been my forte. Let’s just be honest here. If you were physically with me every day, I’d talk your ear off, especially since you, dear reader, are probably either a designer, decorator, or artist. We’d have lots to talk about. But blog it? Sigh.

But looky here. An Android app for blogging. Hot dog! So here’s to hoping I can blog more often because the sound of chirping crickets is starting to annoy the spiders building webs around my header…

Run For Relief

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Hi,

I have a rare personal post for you.

An organization I feel very strongly about, Partners Relief & Development, is hosting a Run For Relief here in Denver in a few weeks. I am currently raising funds that will go directly to their efforts in Burma and Thailand.

Here’s a little blurb from their web site:

In Burma, more than one million farmers and their children have had their homes and villages destroyed. Many are hungry, sick and in hiding. We help by providing food, medicine, emergency supplies, and solutions to poverty and war.

In addition to raising funds via their web site, I am also going to host a drawing for a FREE stencil from the Just A Trace store. FREE! All you have to do is donate something. Any amount counts.

I feel so strongly about what’s going on in Burma right now, and while I feel completely helpless to do anything politically, I know for sure that the money going to Partners is going directly to feeding, clothing, housing, and educating the refugees. Please join me in helping them out.

CLICK HERE to help.

Thank you in advance!

Mother’s Day

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Recently, a stencil customer told me a sweet story. She purchased a wall stencil from me, hoping to add some flair to her small apartment. Her parents came to visit soon thereafter, and while they were in town, they helped her stencil a wall in her living room. The time together, working on a project, was a welcome bonding time for the three, who haven’t been able to spend time alone together in quite awhile. After the wall was finished, her mom offered to use the stencil to create coordinating pillows! Now, when she looks at the wall, she not only enjoys the color it added to her apartment, she has a weekend of memories too. I love it!

My mother and I have always had a special bond over doing “stuff” together. It’s how we communicate, how we spend time together, how we have grown closer over the years. The things we have painted, sewn, constructed, sawed, hammered, and glued have bonded us with sweet memories. She’s taught me so much, and I credit her with my tendency to dig in and try new things. I love you, Mom.

In honor of my mom, and in honor of families creating memories through doing “stuff” together, I am offering 25% the purchase of any stencil, now through Mother’s Day (May 8). Click here to go to the store, and use coupon code LUVMOM2011.

Grab your loved ones and do stuff! As always, I’d love to hear about it when you’re finished. I can’t wait to see what you do.

Stencil In Action

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Look at what Jackie did! Using the Pop Dangle stencil, she stenciled a pattern on this wall in her home. I love the alternating colors she used, and I really like the black picture frames against that patterned background. Great work!

Do you have a stencil success story? Email me!

A Poem

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A poem I learned in the 4th grade has been on my mind lately, so I thought I’d share. Maybe it will inspire you too?

It Couldn’t Be Done
by Edgar Guest

Somebody said that it couldn’t be done,
But he with a chuckle replied
That “maybe it couldn’t,” but he would be one
Who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it.

Somebody scoffed: “Oh, you’ll never do that;
At least no one ever has done it”;
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat,
And the first thing we knew he’d begun it.
With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
Without any doubting or quiddit,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it.

There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
There are thousands to prophesy failure;
There are thousands to point out to you, one by one,
The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle in with a bit of a grin,
Just take off your coat and go to it;
Just start to sing as you tackle the thing
That “cannot be done,” and you’ll do it.

New Year, New Things

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Happy New Year! Seems like the first few days of 2011 have been really eventful already (some good, some really quite bad). I am really excited about starting afresh and seeing what this year will bring to us all.

Most of you know, I am due to POP any minute now, so I had expected the first two or three months of 2011 to be on the slow side… However, the wall stencils have been so well-received, I’ve been working! Seems Little One is happy where he is, so I am shipping, ordering, designing my fingers off (and couldn’t be happier). But if I disappear for a week or so, you know what happened. I’ll be back as soon as I can.

I enjoyed decorating my son’s room, and have yet another cornice to photograph and show soon (would you believe I actually sewed something?). There are a couple finishing touches to be done in the room, but as soon as they are complete, expect photos!

A new client this week said she was going to stencil her wall, and then use the same stencil on some pillows. LOVE IT! I hope she sends pics.

Another new friend said she would be using a small stencil to decorate a cake. A cake! I hope she sends pics. And a slice. Have to make sure the stencil worked, in person, of course. ;)

This year, I expect the DIY world to have an even stronger boost than it did last year. The latest buzz I’m hearing is that, with the economy slowly on the upswing, decorating your own home is a more than welcome way to create the environment you want and save those precious pennies. There are so many great products out there that will give your home the polish of professional[-looking] decor without the hefty price tag. Or without looking like a craft fair from 1992 (remember those?).

With that in mind, might I suggest stenciling something? :) Also, check out Design Hole’s recent post on stenciling walls. Choose your own paint, your own pattern, your own theme, your own technique, and GO! And if you mess up, paint it, and try again. Very economical, and un-scary for the DIY decorator.

SALE Extended! Happy Holidays to YOU!

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I’ve changed my mind. I get to do that, you know. :) I’ve decided to extend the Grand Opening Sale thru December. Why? Because I like you. And because I know many of you are still trying to decide which stencil you want AND that the holidays are a terrible time to rush that process. So let’s just take it a month further, shall we? Enjoy!

In case you’ve forgotten or missed it the first time, here’s the deal:

GRAND OPENING SALE!

How would you like a 40% rebate on your most recent stencil order?
I thought you might be interested.

Here’s how it works:

Buy a stencil and use it somewhere. Apply for the rebate using the form link below. Tell me about yourself, the stencil you used, and where you used it. Upload a picture (or five) of your work. I’ll send back 40% of your purchase price. No kidding. That’s pretty much it.

Not bad, eh?

A few terms and conditions:

  1. Pictures must be at least 800×600 (bigger is better), and taken with a digital camera, not a cell phone camera.
  2. At least one picture must include the whole project, not just a portion of it. You can upload up to five pictures, so feel free to send different angles and portions of your project, so long as at least one picture is the whole thing.
  3. By taking advantage of this offer, you agree to let me use your name (first name and last initial only), your location (state only) and your review for promotional purposes. If you have a website, I would be more than happy to link back to you.
  4. One rebate per household/business.
  5. Rebates come back to you via PayPal, no exceptions.
  6. This offer applies only to stencils purchased until December 31, 2010. Photo(s) and information must be submitted before February 28, 2011.
  7. Rebate will be given only upon approval of submitted photos and information. I reserve the right to refuse this rebate based on unacceptable, unusable, or incomplete images and/or information.
  8. Email confirmation of rebate will be initiated within 10 days of receipt of acceptable photo(s) and information.
  9. Custom stencil orders will receive a 15% rebate.
  10. Does not apply to wholesale orders.

Ready to go? Fill out the form here.

What We’ve Been Up To Around These Here Parts

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It has been a busy week, here at the LU Graphics fort. My, my, my has it been busy. Here’s what’s new:

There is OH so much more to come. Things that get me so excited, I’ve given up sleep, and things so secretive and delicious, I’ve begun lowering my voice in public. I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am!

Hop on board and take advantage of this very special and limited offer! I cannot WAIT to see what you do.

All the best,

Libby Unwin
Chief Pretty-Maker

GRAND OPENING SALE!

How would you like a 40% rebate on your most recent stencil order?
I thought you might be interested.

Here’s how it works:

Buy a stencil and use it somewhere. Apply for the rebate using the form link below. Tell me about yourself, the stencil you used, and where you used it. Upload a picture (or five) of your work. I’ll send back 40% of your purchase price. No kidding. That’s pretty much it.

Not bad, eh?

A few terms and conditions:

  1. Pictures must be at least 800×600 (bigger is better), and taken with a digital camera, not a cell phone camera.
  2. At least one picture must include the whole project, not just a portion of it. You can upload up to five pictures, so feel free to send different angles and portions of your project, so long as at least one picture is the whole thing.
  3. By taking advantage of this offer, you agree to let me use your name (first name and last initial only), your location (state only) and your review for promotional purposes. If you have a website, I would be more than happy to link back to you.
  4. One rebate per household/business.
  5. Rebates come back to you via PayPal, no exceptions.
  6. This offer applies only to stencils purchased during the month of November, 2010. Photo(s) and information must be submitted before January 31st, 2011.
  7. Rebate will be given only upon approval of submitted photos and information. I reserve the right to refuse this rebate based on unacceptable, unusable, or incomplete images and/or information.
  8. Email confirmation of rebate will be initiated within 10 days of receipt of acceptable photo(s) and information.
  9. Custom stencil orders will receive a 15% rebate.
  10. Does not apply to wholesale orders.

Ready to go? Fill out the form here.

Wednesday Words: Art Deco

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Art Deco

The term “Art Deco” is derived from a 1925 exhibition in Paris, L’Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes. This style of art was very popular in the 1920s and 30s and spread across all facets of the art world, including interior design and architecture.

Art Deco cashed in on sultry colors…

Red and Black Master Bedroom eclectic bedroom

eclectic bedroom design by san francisco interior designer Jacobs Design, Inc.

…working geometry into glamor.

Glamour Mirror from the 30s. Buena vista Deco eclectic entry

eclectic entry design by san francisco interior designer Jacobs Design, Inc.

The geometry that distinctly marks Art Deco lends itself well to glass work. Curves, bevels, and near-perfect symmetry.

Image via sunburststudio.com

From Designed in Glass

This is just awesome. Gotham City meets Art Deco. Reminds me of my early college years when I discovered Prisma Color markers. Art Deco was not only very geometric, but also mirrored shapes within each other, creating a layered effect.

The Chrysler Building in New York City is one of the finest examples of Art Deco in architecture. This has been my favorite building since I was a child (from the line in Annie, “…and if these floors don’t shine like the top of the Chrysler Building, your backside will! You understand?” Gotta love Carol Burnett. OK, let’s focus…). I had the privilege of working two blocks from this glorious place a few years ago and never got tired of walking by it twice a day. Built in 1928 and designed by William Van Allen, it was the tallest building in the world until 1931, when the Empire State Building was constructed. Notice the geometry, the repeated shapes-within-shapes effect, and the perfect symmetry.

Chrysler Building, New York City

Nothing gets my Art Deco-loving heart thumping like a walk through Radio City Music Hall. It is a feast for the eyes, and worth the $20 walking tour, if you’re ever in NYC (I had tears in my eyes the whole time; it’s overwhelming). And if you’re there for the holidays, check out the Rockettes, also a throwback to the 1920s (1925, to be exact). They do not disappoint. (As luck would have it, I also worked across the street from this Art Deco landmark. Swoon!)

Radio City Music Hall Grand Foyer

I find it odd that Wassily Wassilyevich Kandinsky is not associated with the Art Deco movement, although he was painting during this period and some of his art has a noticeable Art Deco influence.

"On White II" (Kandinsky 1923)

Such a glorious era. I could go on and on with images and music and history about this small span of 20-ish years. Very few time periods have left such a rich, wide and indelible mark on art’s history.