ART FOR EVERYONE

05. 20. 13

I’m turning into one of those people. You know. Someone who gives artwork for every gift-giving occasion. It’s not like I’m making portraits out of macaroni or anything. There are some seriously awesome gifts out there that support the art + design world. Practical gifts. Unique gifts. Gifts you actually want to give (and they’ll want to receive).

One of my favorite sites for artwork and creative, well-designed goodies is Minted. With Father’s Day coming up and a whole crew of friends graduating next month, I’ve been perusing Minted for the perfect present… and trying really hard not to shop for myself.

Help me decide! Which one is your favorite?

Minted-Fathers-Day-gifts

01 Americana print by MAEK Paper
02 Mission Street print by Namrata Patel
03 B&W 1 print by Koshi
04 Ode To Joy print by HUNT GATHER
05 personalized stationery by Ohsosuite
06 Top Hat stationery by Simplete Design
07 Solar System journal by Tyler Tea
08 Jazz Duet #2 by Moglea

Minted-grads-presents

01 Wordsworth print by ERAY
02 Be Done with Rest print by Chica Design
03 Varsity Heart journal by j.bartyn
04 Follow your Heart print by Amber Barkley
05 Color Block journal by b.wise papers
06 Choose Adventure print by CRAFTE design
07 Nature’s Confetti print by Inkblot Paper
08 Chalkboard Dreams card by Jennifer Pace

If I can’t decide soon, I’m just getting everyone a bunch of pinwheels… hey that’s not a bad idea, huh?

P.S. use the code ASDAD10 to receive 10% off plus free ground shipping for all Father’s Day gifts through June 3rd!

This post is sponsored by Minted. All opinions + recommendations are my own.

Shoes and Views #69

05. 17. 13

Minna Parikka Edith

1: Minna Parikka Edith Ballerina
2: Harmless © Kate Donaldson Photo

TIME TO (ONLINE) PARTAY

05. 16. 13

alt-for-everyone

Guys. It’s here. Another rad alt experience… and this time I don’t even have to go anywhere! Or buy 8 new outfits!

Alt for Everyone kicks off this morning with Joy Cho’s keynote about The Art of Being a Goal Getter… oh my, I love goals. I love Joy. I cannot wait.

I lurrve to share everything after these rad events, soooo take a look at my schedule and let me know which class you’d like to hear more about! I totally alt and tell – like kiss and tell except alt. Okay, sorry. I’m a bit sleep deprived this week…

+ PR on a Shoestring Budget
+ Craft the Perfect Pitch
+ Graphic Design for Bloggers 201
+ How to Get Paid What You Are Worth
+ Graphic Design for Bloggers 301
+ Pinterest Skills Every Blogger MUST Know
+ Working With Brands

So stoked to share some alt knowledge with you! In the meantime, follow along with my Alt for Everyone adventures on twitter and instagram! See you on the other side, amigos.

BE HAPPY CREW! Due to technical difficulties with linkytools, the Be Happy linkup will resume next week!! Get those happiness posts ready, y’all. Next week’s linkup is going to be double the happiness…

If you do have happiness posts for this week, share them on twitter with #behappylinkup so we can still follow along! xo

Image by artsocial.

PROJECT BROWN BAG: SPRING

05. 15. 13

project brown bag

Spring was last month’s theme for the monthly art collaboration Project Brown Bag, and holywow did this crew do a fabulous job!

Layers of bright colors, sunshine, flowers bursting from the canvas – spring has been captured y’all. And the quote! Oh guys. The quote is so beautiful I can’t stand it.

LIVE TO THE POINT OF TEARS – CAMUS

project brown bag

Isn’t that the perfect quote for spring? When life is everywhere and the world is an abundance of flowers and opportunities! Okay, maybe that’s just my interpretation… but spring makes it so easy to live and experience fully, don’t you think?

project brown bag

Great, great job ladies. You nailed it. High five to April’s contributors: Sara, Alyssa, and Alyssa!

contributors

What do you think? Did they capture spring?

Project Brown Bag is a monthly art collaboration hosted by artsocial and Laid Off Mom. Like pen pals only waaay cooler. Want more information? Heck yeah, check it out!

Images by artsocial.

ART ASSOCIATION CONTEST

05. 15. 13

Happy Wednesday, friends. You know what would make this Wednesday even happier? A pinterest contest by the name of Art Association? Yessss. Let’s do it.

Here’s how it works:

Artsy Forager and I have cooked up one awesome project that involves art, Pinterest, and YOU… Art Association (think word association) involves creating a Pinterest board around one work of art and all of the things you think of while looking at it. Anything and everything that comes to mind will be pinned… no holding back now.

We’re doing things a bit differently this time. The winner will be randomly selected. That’s right. Artsy Forager and I are staying out of it this time. You pin whatever your heart desires and you’ll be entered to win a rad prize and some definite bragging rights. Let’s get started, eh?

This month’s inspiration is Lily by Kuzana Ogg…

The fun color palette of Lily made me think of swimming pools, flowers, and pink summery hues… it’s finally warming up here in Denver, my mind is clearly occupied with all things summer!

Oh I can’t wait to see your pins! But before we get to pinning, let’s take a look at your prize. Woot!

The winner will receive this 5×5″ etching, Pom. Two quick + awesome facts about this print:
01. the title means “Spring” in Korean. Kuzana actually lived in Korea in the mid ’90s where she taught English. So cool.
02. The print was made at the New Grounds Print Workshop in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where Kuzana was awarded their Rachel Allen Scholarship. SO cool.

Okay, let’s pin.

01 Follow artsocial and Artsy Forager on Pinterest (if you already follow us, you’re in bro).

02 Create a Pinterest board titled Art Association.

03 Pin Kuzana Ogg’s Lily along with anything and everything you think of when looking at Kuzana’s work. 8-10 pins will do, but feel free to pin as much as you’d like! Get it, girrl.

04 Leave the link to your pinboard in the comments section of this post.

The pinner will be chosen at random (using random.org) on Wednesday, May 22nd at 5pm MST. Sorry, international friends, this contest is open to U.S. residents only…

Happy pinning!

PARTY FAVOR DIY

05. 14. 13

taffy cone party favor

Oh friends. I’m seriously loving planning events. With the summer Eat Drink Create in the works, I’m researching, planning, and plotting like cray.

Along with organizing a rad event for all the Colorado folks out there, I’m also continuing my Be Creative project by trying different techniques for sparking creativity. May is all about play and channeling that inner child… you know? That part of us that creates + shares fearlessly and playfully like when we were little? Yep. It’s there. Buried under my overly analytical ways…

I had the idea for this little party favor diy during one of my brainstorming seshes with “play” in mind. My inner child definitely approves of these taffy cone favors… and of eating all the taffy after these pictures were taken.

taffy cone party favor

Supplies

+ taffy
+ ice cream cones
+ tissue paper
+ regular paper
+ baker’s twine or string
+ small clear favor bags
+ confetti (optional, but oh so fun)

taffy cone party favors

Directions

01 Wrap twine or string around the ice cream cone and tie a bow. This step is optional, but super adorbs. I recommend.

02 Cut tissue paper into 4″ x 4″ squares.

03 Cut regular paper into 3″ x 3″ squares.

04 Place tissue paper into the ice cream cone first, followed by the regular paper. These little guys create a sturdy structure to hold the taffy.

05 Add taffy into the cone one at a time. One cone will hold 5-6 pieces.

06 Place taffy cone gently in a small clear plastic favor bag. Feel free to add confetti or additional candy to the bag.

07 Tie the top of the bag with more twine or string. Now that taffy is secure and ready to par-taaayyy.

taffy cone party favor

This post is part of the Be Creative project. Join me as I try 12 different methods for boosting creativity over the course of 12 months. Every Tuesday I’ll share my progress along with creative projects… Psst May is dedicated to PLAY, the act like a child method. Catch up on past Be Creative posts here!

Images by artsocial.

IN LOVE: HIS AND HERS

05. 13. 13

his and hers #poachit

Decorating for two can be tricky. I’ve lived with Kevin for a couple years now and I feel like we’re still trying to find the right balance between his love for nature and Clint Eastwood posters and my love for pink and anything with text. Remember this photo? Yeah, the Me & You prints aren’t going anywhere!

I recently started redecorating with our styles in mind. Here’s what I’m thinking so far: some nature prints (which he loves), gray with pops of color (which I love), and a bar cart (which we both love). What do you think? Little bit of his, little bit of hers? Okay, maybe it’s more “hers” but I think we’re getting closer…

Have you been faced with the decorating together dilemma? How did you handle it?

P.S. track all these goodies using PoachIt for working coupons and price drop alerts. Yesss! Redecorating can get pricey real fast…

01 chair 02 slow down print 03 pillow 04 throw 05 bar cart 06 wanderlust print

This post is in partnership with PoachIt. All opinions + recommendations are my own.

Shoes and Views #68

05. 10. 13

NETWORKIN IT

05. 09. 13

blog-happiness-project-update

My blog happiness project continues, y’all. I can’t believe I’m on month 9! Whoa-za. I’m definitely a happier blogger than when I started. Having these monthly goals has really helped me push myself and dream bigger. I’m learning we’re capable of a lot more than we may think…

This month I’m focusing on ad networks. I’d love to join a network that would allow me to bring you amazing folks awesome content on the regular. Ad networks are like the perfect blogger sidekick, there to help you kick ASS.

At Alt Summit in SLC, they touched on ad networks briefly in one of the sessions. Here’s what they had to say about finding a network:

+ They may approach you (okay, starting the visualizing NOW)
+ Look for them at conferences (oh hello, Alt for Everyone)
+ Look for network badges on sites you read (let the research begin)

Some major ad networks include Lijit, Glam Media, BlogHer, Sway Group, and Federated Media.

I used to think ad networks were only for blogs with a gazillion readers, but I’m finding that there are quite a few options for small to medium blogs. I recently came across a rad new network for bloggers & businesses called Yoked. They’ll be teaching a class at Alt for Everyone btdubs… who else is going?? I can’t wait to hear what they have to say about crafting the perfect pitch…

Where my bloggers at? I’m curious, do you like the idea of working with an ad network? Would you join one?

Where my bloggers AND non-bloggers at? As a reader, do sidebar ads or sponsored posts bother you? I’d love to hear what you think…

It’s Thursday and that means a whole gang of rad bloggers are talking about happiness! Join the movement below, on facebook, and on twitter with #BeHappylinkup!

Image by artsocial.

INTERVIEW WITH TECHLOVEDESIGN

05. 08. 13

interview with techlovedesign

One of my favorite things about blogging is meeting other bloggers. I’m so grateful to be a part of this creative community of incredible + talented people. You’re all so dang awesome. That’s it, I’m making you all cupcakes. Oh I’ll figure out a way…

Just so happens, I met a particularly rad blogger recently and had the opportunity to ask her a few questions. Yay!

Guys, meet Alyssa from techlovedesign. She’s collected and curated a whole lotta awesome for you to explore on techlovedesign. I mean, how fun is this curated series of ampersand food? Plus she just started a 30 Day Challenge for May… it’s not too late to join the fun, ya hear.

Okay, interview time…

01 What do you do? What do you love about it?

I’m a Social Media Manager for a top home retail company in Canada. I am constantly curating the coolest things from around the web, connecting with people and working on super exciting projects & campaigns. Their Facebook page is about to hit a quarter of a million fans (250k!) and I feel so proud to have started it all. I absolutely love it because it has the perfect balance of business, creativity and design.

02 What’s your favorite thing about writing a blog?

The freedom. I really needed a creative outlet where I can play, create and share whatever I want… whenever! There are no rules and no limits. It inspires me to be more creative and allows me to connect with so many others who have similar interests. I also enjoy having my own voice rather than that of a company.

03 What are a few of your favorite blogs to follow/read?

Oh, boy! I love so many…

My top 5 blogs would be:

A Beautiful Mess
Breanna Rose
Design Love Fest
Love Taza
Made By Girl
(and Art Social, of course!) awww *blush*

04 What quote or saying inspires you the most?

“What would you do if you weren’t afraid?” – Spencer Johnson

05 Cake versus pie? Which one is your favorite?

Ice Cream Cake! Gold Medal Ribbon from Baskin Robbins.

dots

Connect with Alyssa on twitter, facebook, and of course her blog, techlovedesign!

Okay, now it’s your turn. What quote inspires you the most? And, more importantly, where do you stand on cake vs. pie?? I think Alyssa’s right, ice cream cake all the way!

Photos via techlovedesign; graphic by artsocial.