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New Website!

According to She Designs has moved! All new blog posts and future content will be posted here. See ya later Blogger, it's been real!


Mini Fall Canvas


I made this little canvas last year and forgot about it until I pulled it out of my fall decorations. This was really simple to make, but looks really cute hanging up!

10,000 Views!


As of tonight, I officially have 10,000 page views! Thanks so much to everyone who has stopped by over the past few years. I am looking forward to what the future has in store!

Happy Sunday!


DIY: Recycled Twig Welcome Sign

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Summer camp is quickly approaching (as in this coming Tuesday), so my coworkers and I are rushing to get last minute things finished in time. Our summer camp is called Camp Read-A-Lot and the theme is camping and outdoorsy activities. After searching for ideas on Pinterest, I found this cute idea at Kara's Party Ideas that was made for a camping birthday party.


I thought that something like this would be cute for the door going into camp, so I decided to make one. Here is the finished product:


Pantone Spring 2013

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I've been planning for spring designs and decided to do a little research on popular colors for 2013. I spent some time exploring Pantone's Spring 2013 Color Report and found several shades that I love! I also found this cute graphic featuring all of the spring colors at Long Distance Loving:


Over the next few weeks I'll be posting color inspirations for many of these colors. Stay tuned for my first color themed post next week!

Happy weekend!



A quick update...


Because my craft desk is finally useable! Hooray!

More updates on the house, moving, and life to come very soon!


Embracing The Mess [part 2]

You might remember my post last Wednesday about creating things for yourself and also learning how to embrace the mess around you. Here is the finished product of what I was working on that night. It is now hanging in my office at work and it makes me happy to see something that feels like home in an otherwise visually unappealing office.


A Happy New Year

I know these are a few days late, but I wanted to share a few photos from my New Years Eve! 

Chelsea, me, and Bryghte! 

Embracing The Mess

Though my creative journey originally began with me designing jewelry for myself, I have found that I rarely make things just for me anymore. I either make something with an individual in mind or plan to list the item in my Etsy shop.

Tonight I'm creating just for me. I usually don't share photos of my craft room online because, unlike all of the stunning Pinterest craft rooms and studios, mine is not spotless. My craft desk is rarely (if ever) clean and the floors are usually littered with thread, tiny beads that stick to your feet, and spare buttons. And that is okay. Tonight I'm embracing the mess and being thankful for the gift of creativity.

I found an old frame at Goodwill for $1.00 and I painted it using Valspar's Dylan Velvet. I reviewed their half-pint size, premixed samples in a previous entry when I discovered the color Tropical Bay. Dylan Velvet is yellow with hints of green and it really spruced up an otherwise dull frame. I cut a piece of ivory cardstock to fit in the frame and began covering the paper with things that I like. Some items have meaning and some I just like because they are pretty. I haven't glued anything down, and it is likely to become something entirely different than what is shown in the photos.

But that's the beauty of it, isn't it? Beginning a project with a certain idea in mind and letting your mind take over to create something that is completely reflective of you and where you are at in that moment.





Tonight I am thankful for creativity and lots of nick knacks that I can play around with. What a lucky girl I am!






P.S. The "do small things with great love" printable can be found here. I just saved it to my computer and printed it on Kraft paper. Also, I found this blog post with a table painted in Dylan Velvet. Their photos are much cleared than my 10:00 PM, dimly lit photographs. :)


UPDATE:
You can see the finished product of my project here!

My Etsy Photos: Before and After

I began selling jewelry on Etsy in May of 2010. When I first opened my shop I owned a fairly decent point and shoot camera, but didn't know how to use it to my advantage. My shop was open for a few months before I actually made any sales, and I attribute my lack of sales to the pretty awful photos that I took. Don't get me wrong, I spent hours trying to find good places to take photos, arrange props, and "edit" my photos. They simply weren't good enough.

Yikes. Way too much yellow.

Very busy background.
As the years have passed, I have researched different photography tips and techniques. I learned to take advantage of natural light and the importance of simple backgrounds. I bought another point and shoot camera about a year ago that somewhat helped improve my photos, but they were still missing something.

A little better, but still not great.



This year for Christmas Sam got me a Panasonic FZ60. I have been playing around and doing lots of research and finally took some good photos today. I still haven't even scratched the surface, but I am really enjoying taking photos with this camera. It doesn't seem like such a chore anymore!

New pressed flower necklace

Squirrel necklace


I found the blog Click It Up A Notch when I was browsing photography tips on Pinterest a few days ago. She has a great post about shooting in manual mode. I read this a few times, took notes, and printed out a little cheat sheet to keep nearby when I am taking my photos. This helps a lot!

I'm still learning and am by no means a pro, but am really pleased with the photos that I took today. Please share any photography tips that you have picked up!

Oh, and big thanks to Sam for the best Christmas present ever! :)



Have a wonderful weekend!


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