I just created a post over at Just A Trace’s blog, showing the how-to of my latest stencil adventure. Check it out!
Stencil In Action!
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Tag Archives: Design Links
Coolness
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!
Mother’s Day
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.
New Year, New Things
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!
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:
- Pictures must be at least 800×600 (bigger is better), and taken with a digital camera, not a cell phone camera.
- 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.
- 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.
- One rebate per household/business.
- Rebates come back to you via PayPal, no exceptions.
- This offer applies only to stencils purchased until December 31, 2010. Photo(s) and information must be submitted before February 28, 2011.
- 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.
- Email confirmation of rebate will be initiated within 10 days of receipt of acceptable photo(s) and information.
- Custom stencil orders will receive a 15% rebate.
- Does not apply to wholesale orders.
Ready to go? Fill out the form here.
Elizabeth on Alluminare!
The lovely pattern, Elizabeth, is now available for purchase on Alluminare.com!
Elizabeth is a lace-inspired pattern, named for the queen herself. Dainty, but regal, she holds her head high in either large or small scale.
They just started carrying these awesome table lamps. I love the shape!
Here is Elizabeth, as custom fabric:
Elegant and sweet, I love this vaguely damask-y, lacy pattern! Always such an honor to be listed as one of Alluminare’s World Class Designers.
Not at all a coincidence, I sent the pattern in on the Queen’s official birthday, April 22. Happy birthday!
Fancy Pants vs. Biker Chic vs. Old West
A client asked me to work on some leather labels – oh so fun. I love tangible art! He asked me to take his current logo and either update it or create something around it that was fancy/biker/western within the established oval. I enjoyed this one a lot. So here’s what I came up with during Round I. (And yes, it is marginally terrifying to show the world my proofs.)
A Little Something
I threw this together today for the Tigerprint Love Typography contest. It’s all font-based, meaning, I didn’t draw any of it. The flowers are a dingbat, and I used a couple fonts for the text. I haven’t manipulated a font in a long time, so this was fun.
The blurb:
“My One And Only Love” is the title of a song that reminds me of my husband, who was the inspiration for this piece. I used a combination of bold and neutral colors, to represent the bright, happy times as well as the soft and quiet times in a marriage. The letters interweave in certain places, and stand alone in others, to represent the way our lives are intertwined, yet unique and different.
Pearce, the Elephant Coming Soon to Fabric!
NEW! Fabric on Spoonflower! Pearce the Elephant now available for all your quilting and pajama-making needs!
Fabric should be available the first week of February. Meanwhile, check out my other Spoonflower fabric!
Inspiration
It’s not really a New Year’s resolution so much as a “what I need right now”, but I’ve decided to look around more. I am so inspired by other designers!!
Yesterday, I spent a good chunk of time staring at Letterhead Fonts. Lots of typographic eye candy. Check ‘em out.
I also stared at Jessica Hische’s website. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend you refill your coffee and click here. You’ll stare for a long time. Gorgeous work.
And one of my favorite, favorite things to look at is Patty Young’s designs. I love, love the colorways she uses.
What inspires you? What do you find yourself staring at?
Images from Letterhead Fonts, Jessica Hische, and Patty Young. I am not affiliated with any of these individuals or companies, only hold them in high regard.