Category Archives: I ♥ Color!

Passion

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Lots of people talk about passion: pursuing it, living it, finding it, nurturing it. I’ve never considered myself a “passionate” person, but lately, I’m rethinking that.

I’m watching Shark Tank and…a secret… it gets me choked up. I see the passion, I feel the tension, and it undoes me. I feel for these entrepreneurs and I understand their passion. I feel the same way about my art, and even more so about these stencils.

I’ve said for a long time that I love money. I do. Yes, there’s an explanation coming! Money is a lot of things, but it is nothing you don’t choose. If you don’t derive power from it, money is not power for you. If you’d rather do something non-lucrative for an hour, to you, money is not time. It is what you choose, and I choose connection.

If you hire me, if you buy my stuff, you’re saying to me, I like what you’re offering so much that I want it in my life/house. And more than anything, I, Libby, want to be part of what is beautiful in your life. That you would invite my art into your home means the world to me. That you would listen to my ideas on your project is such an honor. Yes, I’m paid for it. But every dollar, every cent is you welcoming me into what is important to you. That warms my heart.

So I understand the passion of these entrepreneurs. They have a vision and they want one of these Sharks to say, yes, YOU are onto something. You are doing something right and I want to be part of it. I totally teared up when I wrote that. I get it.

Passion. Connection. It’s why we’re here, isn’t it?

Tasty Tidbits

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I am totally sick of the Big Blank Wall in my kitchen/stairway. This thingy at Hobby Lobby (lots of thingies there) inspired me. I have plans now. Interesting how one solitary thingy can get the creative ball rolling, isn’t it? I’ll post pics when I’m done. Might be awhile. This idea is BIG.

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!

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.

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.