A Tidbit on Website Design

Posted on February 20, 2012 by

On Saturday, I presented the regional arts council with their new, revamped web site. I have found that building an art career can be very multi-faceted; that is, I’m not just a watercolour painter, or just an art educator. I have been able to create art every day because I am willing to involve myself in the arts in many ways.

“Elfin Hollow” watercolor painting by Angela Fehr

I built my first web site over ten years ago now, as it became more and more evident that an artist needs a web site, and I couldn’t afford a web designer. I chose a free site to begin with (I think I used angelfire – are they still around?) but quickly grew tired of the pop up and banner ads that emblazon a free site. There are many options for artists to make their own web sites, and nowadays nearly every artist, no matter their computer skill level, can create a site showcasing their art. Art gallery sites are hugely popular, charging a monthly or yearly fee, or a sales commission to exhibit an artist’s work on a separate artist page that is searchable within the site. (I like the articles comparing different gallery sites on Empty Easel.)

Over the years, the internet has changed, and the way we use the internet has changed, and my web site has gone through at least four major revamps. I’ve learned a lot. I don’t really “speak” html, so I do a lot of cutting and pasting, and I spend a lot of time searching “how to add -fill in the blank- to your web site” but in the end, I can usually figure out how to make my site do what I want it to do.

And I have used the same web host and domain name provider for years and years, and I am quick to recommend GoDaddy.com for their competitive pricing and fantastic 24/7 support. For the small amount it costs me annually, I love being able to give people a web address that they can remember as easily as they remember my name, and my email address is the same – in fact, anything typed before the @angelafehr.com sign will come to me, no matter how misspelled.

Last year I started using WordPress.org and I can share some suggestions with you next time I do a “techie” post if you’d like.

 

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Rose Pink Baby Love

Posted on February 17, 2012 by

I’m staring at a stack of boxes – supplies not yet unpacked from the class I taught last night. Today is bookkeeping day, and running-errands-day and drive-the-kids-to-circus-camp-practice-day. As much as I enjoy spending time at my craft table, I’m going to have fun today too. It’s my best friend’s birthday too, and she actually picked out her birthday card from the projects I showed her the last time she was over.

This card was an experiment. I wanted to try painting over a heat embossed image, but I learned that it takes a particular kind of design for this to work – this one had a bit too much embossing and not enough area to paint in.

I do like what I did instead: I misted the die cut lightly with pink glimmer mist, then dried and heat embossed the stamped image (a lovely rose from Unity Stamp Co.). I then painted with three different colours of glimmer mist around the image to make it pop. And it’s just now that I realized that I adhered the music paper upside down!!

This card works perfectly for my design team project for Scrapbooker’s Paradise: Merlie’s Playing in Paradise Stitching Challenge #54. I used my sewing machine to attach the cream cardstock. I’ve been sewing a lot on my projects – my old machine only does straight and zigzag stitch but that’s all I really need. The prize this week is a lovely package of goodies from Fancy Pants, and you have until Thursday to link your project up on the Scrapbooker’s Paradise blog.

I’m also joining the Friends with Flair hop on Unity Stamp Co. since my focal stamps are Unity Itty Bitties. I’m a big fan of their red rubber and my Itty Bitty collection just keeps growing. The script stamp on the focal point is an Itty Bitty as well as the rose.

Have a great day, friends & a fantastic weekend!

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You Have My Heart card

Posted on February 16, 2012 by

I made this card for My Mind’s Eye Card Challenge #32. I find it very easy to play their challenges, because they are one of my favourite companies and I almost always have new MME product to play with. I just can’t stop buying it!

I also love the sentiment included with the stamp set – it’s precious!

Everything on the card except the twine and the peachy crystals is from My Mind’s Eye. I love that weathered wood paper so much!

I made the pattern on the die cut using small elements from two different MME stamp sets.

Today I’m teaching a scrapbooking class in the town where my sister lives. It’s about forty-five minutes from my house and I love going there once a month, getting a good sister chat in, and scrapping with her friends. Hope you have a great day too!

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You Kooks layout

Posted on February 15, 2012 by

We have a family tradition that when “mamarazzi” gets the camera out, the kids will pose nicely with the promise of a silly photo or two to wrap up the session. If they know they can goof off at the end, they usually behave during the serious part of the shoot. (Look at me using words like “photo shoot” and “session” when what I really do is snap like a crazy person with the camera on auto!)

These photos were taken during our annual Christmas tree hunt. It was such a beautiful warm snowy day – here in northern Canada it’s rare to be able to be out in hoodies on a winter’s day. We are relishing the mild winter for as long as it lasts.

I used papers and stamps from My Mind’s Eye – the Kraft Funday collection which I love. One note: stamping on the kraft printed paper (it’s more like cardstock actually) isn’t the same as stamping on regular scrapbook paper. The stamped image gets a little…chalky is the best word for it. It’s still cute, just be aware you won’t get the strong saturated colour you are used to.

I love using stamps and punches to add dimension to a layout. I also stock foam tape in two different thicknesses for different layered effects.

This was probably the hardest part – stitching using a fairly thick twine. I really had to wrestle the needle through the pre-punctured holes. It’s cute though!

I used this sketch from My Mind’s Eye for my inspiration – I love starting with a good sketch. check out the other challenge entries by visiting the challenge blog post!

Materials Used: Paper, stamps, brads, My Mind’s Eye; Punches, Stampin’ Up!; Title letters, Jillibean Soup, Basic Grey; Twine, unknown; Ink, Memento, Close to My Heart

 

 

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Scratch Love Card

Posted on February 14, 2012 by

I was busy posting on Facebook this morning my new gotta-buy paper craft products – did you see what Papertrey Ink is coming up with for dies? They are calling them “Movers & Shakers” and they are all about interactive elements for paper crafting. I need them all!

Nichole challenged everyone to an interactive card challenge today and even though I am not so good with the pop ups, I had to join in (cause the prize is stinkin’ huge!). I had seen somewhere online something about making your own scratch cards – like they use in scratch & win tickets – so I googled it and tried out the technique for my hubby’s Valentine’s card. It’s super easy!

See the silver square on the zigzag die cut?

He scratched that part to reveal a little extra love message using the included wooden rubbing stick.

Of course, all the mushy stuff is on the inside. We’ve been married fourteen years, and it’s better every year. I think because we’ve learned how to fight better – we get under each other’s skin (like last night when I got an unwelcome demonstration on the “proper” way to paint a wall), but fourteen years of trust mean that little spats no longer feel like the end of the world. And he still brings me flowers for Valentine’s!

Materials Used: Cardstock, Close to My Heart (colonial white), Grey (Bazzill); Ink, Stampin’ Up! (Basic Gray, White Craft), Close to My Heart (Smoothie); Stamps, Papertrey Ink (Button Boutique, Little Labels), Stampin’ Up! (Hearts); Paper, My Mind’s Eye, Authentique; Sticker, Authentique; Button, My Mind’s Eye; Dies, Papertrey Ink (button card), Spellbinders (Rickrack Edgeabilities); 

 

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Studio Update, a Card, and a Birthday Present for You!

Posted on February 14, 2012 by

Did you hear that? That would be me, sighing a big sigh as I sit down for what might be the first time today. I do like to be productive on Mondays, but lately it’s been a whirl every day.

My husband has been tackling the studio project with a real push to get it done (at least until I run out of money) and so every day I’ve been working on chunks of the project while he’s at work – then he comes home and fixes everything I did wrong. Kidding! Mostly. I did get a demonstration on correct painting technique this evening – we finally chose a paint colour. Instead of the “sophisticate celery” that I had originally envisioned, what felt right (after three different shades of sample pots of paint) was more of a sage green. It’s a lovely calming colour, and I think has enough gray in it that it won’t influence the lighting in the room too heavily. Studio spaces need to have good lighting, and a dramatic paint colour could affect how I see colours when painting, so keeping it fairly subdued in colour was important.

Once the painting is done, and last of the ceiling tiles are nailed up, we’ll likely take a break from the studio until I can buy flooring. And light fixtures. And then? Why, a big party of course! I’m looking forward to a grand opening this summer sometime. Can’t wait.

Speaking of big parties, I’ve started to think about my birthday, which happens at the end of the month. I keep telling the kids that I’m going from thirty-four to very old, which is sort of a joke. Thirty-five does seem like my youth is falling behind me, but I’ve still got tons of spirit, so there! For my birthday, I have a few traditions; baking my own cake, the more elaborate the better, and giving cards to all my birthday “twins.” Oh! Are you a birthday twin? I’d love to send YOU a card if your birthday is also February 27th! Email me with your address and I’ll get right on it!

This card didn’t get picked up for the Stamp It! Cards call last week. I’m a little bummed but this just means I can give it away sooner, right? I absolutely love the Lace Bouquet stamp set from Papertrey Ink – you will be seeing a lot of it from me – and on this card I used the smaller flowers to stamp a pattern over cardstock. I like the effect!

Supplies Used: Cardstock, Mohawk (white), Close to My Heart (yellow); Stamps & Die, Papertrey Ink; Rose, Prima; Ribbon, Pretty Paper Shop

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Sunday List

Posted on February 12, 2012 by

We’re leaving for church in six minutes so I have to make this quick. I’m a big list fan, did you know? So here’s a list for today:

  1. I’m watching Downton Abbey online. Just finished season 1 and wishing that my internet streamed better cause the episode I’m on keeps freezing up after a few minutes and has to be reloaded. But I love period dramas, so I won’t give up.
  2. I’m on a diet I won’t call a diet. Just backing off on carbs for a healthier me. Oh, but I love sugar SO MUCH!
  3. Cross country skiing with the kids on Saturday isn’t getting old. It is so beautiful out there, and aside from the flailing almost-falling I do periodically, I feel almost graceful on skis.
  4. Not one of the eight cards I submitted to Paper Craft magazine’s Stamp It! Cards was accepted. I’m a little frustrated – stamping is my thing. It’s funny that I have been pretty consistent at getting into their monthly issues, but the special issues haven’t worked out yet.
  5. I love my Sunday School class of first graders. But I’m a little anxious every week about trying to get the lesson through – they do tend to talk A LOT.
  6. Can’t pick a paint colour for the studio. We have sampled three different greens now and it’s just not happening. And don’t get me started about lighting.
  7. Time’s up! Off to church. I have a lemon bundt cake ready for the potluck after and a big pot of chili. My chili never has enough flavour.
Have a great Sunday!
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You’ve Got a Friend in Me Layout

Posted on February 10, 2012 by

There’s a weird clicky rattle thing that keeps going past on the road in front of our house. Every time I look, I miss seeing what it is. It’s weird because we share this road with five houses in our little subdivision, and it hasn’t snowed in a month, and so it can’t be a snowplow. Anyhow. I just started this blog post and already I digress.

Today I’m hosting the Playing in Paradise challenge on the Scrapbooker’s Paradise blog. I am very happy with Scrapbooker’s Paradise today because I just got my latest order from them, full of My Mind’s Eye’s newest lines. My challenge for PPC#53 is to create a project that is musically inspired, and I used song lyrics to title this layout of my girls and their cousin.

They are best friends and so cute! I used papers from October Afternoon and cut out the title with my Silhouette.

I used my newest Spellbinders Edgeabilities dies to create the zigzag border at top and bottom, and some heart stamps from Stampin’  Up! for the background along the right. And there are a bunch of details that I popped up with foam tape – it’s all about the texture and dimension, right?

Now head over to the Paradise blog and check out the rest of the design teams project, and enter the challenge! Not only is there a great prize up for grabs to one lucky challenge participant, but Scrapbooker’s Paradise is offering 15% off today and Saturday! With shipping free over $50, you’d better hustle to get in on that deal and pick up some great products before the sale ends.

The creaky rattle has ceased outside my window (never did see what it was) and I’ve got to hustle. Today we’re doing school quickly and then running to town for a homeschool field trip – visiting the fire hall! My boy is very excited. For the girls I think it’s more about seeing their friends…and showing off some new clothes. They take after me!

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Light, Colours, Action!

Posted on February 8, 2012 by

Sometimes you buy a stamp set you love, but have a hard time finding a way to use, and other times, you happen upon a set that you go to again and again, it’s just that versatile. I found a lot of versatility in Papertrey Ink‘s Mat Stack 5 collection, even though I don’t own the Mat Stack dies.

For this card I was inspired by the current color combo challenge on Nichole Heady’s blog, using Dawn McVey’s color combo of Berry Sorbet, Ripe Avocado and Raspberry Fizz. I don’t own any inks from Papertrey, so I matched as best I could with the inks I have.

Popular these days with cardmakers is the technique of stamping a background and then using an embossing plate to add texture over the stamped image, so I gave it a try. The sentiment is from Papertrey’s Little Labels set and the flourishes on the sentiment from Calendar Basics.

Last night I had a great time with my painting class, working on a sunflower painting, and I’m hoping to carve out a little time to paint for myself today. I’ve got an idea niggling that needs to see daylight, but my husband finished priming my new studio yesterday and I should really get started on the painting. We are also doing a fancy faux finished ceiling tile that requires painting, staining and varnishing 160 tiles, and I’m plugging away at those, two dozen at a time. I’m so excited to see how it will turn out! We also had an argument about lighting last night – he really doesn’t like what I want to use in there, and as he’s the one installing it, he figures he has a say. So I’m hoping to wear him down and convince him that what I want to do will work.

Here’s the paint colour I’m choosing for the walls:

It’s called “French Ditch”. Can I just say that this paint company has the stupidest names for paint I have ever encountered? Names like “Seasonal Guide,” “Edible Root,” and “Mortality” and then beside that is “Taupy Pink.” I’m all in favour of descriptive names, but you don’t name most of your paint samples poetically (supposedly, though what’s poetic about “Mortality?”) and then start throwing in colour descriptive names as well. One or the other, people!

And here’s the light fixtures I want in the studio (I found these all at Home Depot) – I need a combination of ceiling mount lighting and pendants over the tables and we want a vintage look, since my theme for the decor is “1940′s General Store” and I want simple, not ornate:

and then this for the pendants:


I think it’s important to have a mix of lighting (and the two styles are unified by having the same type of metal), where Wade wants to use these for the pendants since they match the ceiling lights:

I like both the ceiling mount glass fixture and the pendant version, but I think both together would be…boring. What say you? We were looking on Houzz and Pinterest for ideas but everyone is using pot lights these days for ceiling lighting (though there are some amazing pendant lights out there) and we won’t do pot lights – they definitely won’t be true to the era we are aiming for. I know this is a total first world problem, but it’s my dream studio, and I want it to be a true haven for me and he wants to do it right the first time. I also like that the one’s we’ve chosen we can actually afford. Lighting is expensive!

I’m thankful that while the studio is in progress, I still have an enormous space in our house that I can use for creative fun, teaching up to ten students and crafting with my kids. I’m a lucky girl!

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A Big Happy Birthday Hello

Posted on February 7, 2012 by

I just love my newest stamp set – Lace Bouquet from Papertrey Ink. I’ve used it a dozen ways since Friday when it arrived in the mail.

Papertrey is celebrating their fifth birthday and I’ve joined the party late, having just discovered them this year through one of my favourite paper crafters, Betsy Veldman. Betsy takes stamping to a whole new level with every project, and it was the way she used this stamp set that prompted me to order it right away.

Card by Betsy Veldman

The card below is completely inspired by Betsy’s work, both with the lace bouquet set, and the way I stamped the sentiment, using several different words from several different stamp sets to create a unique sentiment.

Papertrey is having an anniversary competition, and lots of giveaways and special reveals, and while I missed the deadline for entering this card (grr!), I’m completely pleased with how it turned out.

Today I’m cleaning the studio for a watercolour painting class and varnishing ceiling tiles for my new studio. Life is hectic and oh, so good!

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