Wishing you a merry and bright New Year!

In between shopping, wrapping presents and all the other things that need to be done before the most magical day of the year, I've been getting ready for Gift Show in Atlanta that's happening next month! I'll have new collections to show (nursery, little boy, birthday, holiday) as well as the collection that this little guy is from, Stitched Holiday. It's filled with snowmen, reindeer, gingerbread men (and girl) and a sweet little Santa.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

Heather

Pictures from my booth at Quilt Market!

My licensee Camelot Fabrics just sent me pictures from their booth at Quilt Market in Houston. I can't wait for the next show where some of my new collections will be unveiled!

The grand entrance!

My very own cube-y thing-y

I must get my hands on some of these cute samples so I can photograph them closer. 

Especially those little owls.

Obviously, two lovely ladies with exquisite taste checking out my very own cube-y thing-y.

Camelot Fabrics just launched a beautifully designed new website. I hope to have lots more product available in the coming seasons. There may even be some boy-targeted collections coming soon!

Here's their link: http://camelotfabrics.com/ 

My picture in my bio looks kind of weird compared to the other artists..... but for me it's kind of good. Maybe I'll have another one done soon.

There's my page in the catalog!

I hope to have more to post soon. It's been such a waiting game.... and patience is not my strong suit, but I'm getting better. And little moments like this make it easier.

Here's to the little moments! Maybe I'll name my next collection that. ; )

Heather

Papertrey August Blog Hop Challenge

Instead of just lurking on the monthly Papertrey Blog Hop Challenge like I normally do, I decided to actually participate in it! Well I actually decided to do it last month, but then went on vacation and missed it.... of course this was the month I actually HATED the challenge! It's so not me! Drab colors, fuzzy fabrics (no glitter or cupcakes to be seen...) and considering it's still triple digits where I live, the last thing I want to think about is corduroy and tweed (trust me, I never think about corduroy and tweed!)

 But here's the challenge and what I did with it....

 

So you see lots of gray..... a weird drab blue..... tweed... felt.... here's my take on the challenge:

here's a little closer:

The challenge forced me to use some different colors than what I usually reach for (where's the chartreuse and pink?!) And I used some of my supplies I never use (see that texture plate? I've had it for years and this is the first time I've used it!) Most of the time I have no problem getting rid of things.... books, clothes, whatever.... but my art and craft supplies! I'm like one of those crazy hoarding people that just can't let go.... I may find a use for it someday! Really!

But I think the challenge got me to think of same of my art supplies differently... and I used that off-white felt for something other than clouds! Notice the rick-rack and the owl?

But I HAD to have some of my recurring themes in there.....

tags...

a cute animal holding something....

But I did stay away from the polka-dots and glitter, so I should get credit for that! Anyway, not totally successful.... but I gave it a try!

– H

New Back-to-School collections

I've been so busy signing up new licensees and creating new collections, that I have neglected my blog!... but now I'd like to make some new announcements and showcase a new collection I've been working on.

First up is a new collection targeted at boys.... that's right, boys! My son has complained that I don't do any boy things and there's a shortage of cute boy product in the marketplace, so I've decided to dedicate myself to all things boy.

At first it was hard to break away from my girlie style, but I've found some new, fresh inspiration!

First up is Retro Robots. A cute collection of robots made from cute, retro electronics. It took a lot of exploration and experimentation to make this collection come together. Starting out, I didn't know how this collection would look in the end, but I've never had so much fun pushing the boundaries of where my imagination could lead me.

You can get Retro Robot themed items from LittleRedTulip.com just in time for Back-to-School. New items are being added all the time to the kids section, so check back often. You can get notebooks, folders, lunch boxes, party invitations, thank you cards and so many other items. And all personalized with your child's name!

... and a folder for Back-to-School. Matching notebook and lunch box available, too.

That brings me to another announcement, a new partner I'm really excited about! It's called Card Gnome and it's such a great idea! You can personalize cards for your friends and family and they print and SEND the card for you! You pick-out your cards, personalize them with your message and schedule the delivery up to a year in advance. And they send a REAL card in the mail! eCards are ok, but getting something real in the mail (that isn't junk mail or bills!) is such a rare treat! You can also have the cards sent to you, if you want to hand write them. Such a great idea! My stuff is a little hard to find on the site, so you'll have to search a bit. If you go to Browse Artist Shops and go the Jewel Store, you can find my items. Here's a shortcut: the Jewel Store. There are lots of other artists and styles to choose from as well. Here's a sneak peak:

Here's a thank you card on the site using my Whoo's Cute Collection:

.... and from Sweet Shoppe:

I'll be adding to Card Gnome as I go.... so check back often!

I have a lot of new partners to announce as they get closer to being in the marketplace, including a Christmas ornament collection, a mural licensee and an EXCLUSIVE license with a fabric company! You'll be able to find my fabric at both independent retailers and JoAnn Fabrics! I'll post as the product gets closer to being in the market. 

Brand new collections coming soon!

Heather

Color Game with Paint Swatches

Here's a cute little color matching game I made for my children using paint swatches from a home improvement store and some simple craft supplies. 

Here's what it teaches:
• recognizing subtle differences in color hue and value (This is something that should be taught in every graphic design program!)


Here's how I did it:

All you need is a selection of swatches from a paint store, a square paper punch (1 inch square), and a selection of stamps and inks. If you don't have any stamps or inks, just a fat, black magic marker will do.

1. Punch out two squares from one paint swatch.

2. Stamp the same image on the backside of each of the squares. I found a solid image works best over the text on the back. If you don't have stamps, draw a symbol with the marker.

3. For the rest of the swatches, stamp (or draw) a different image on the back of each pair of squares.

4. Now spread out the swatches, color side up. The child tries to choose two of the same swatch. If the symbol on the back is the same, they have a match! If not, they return it and keep trying.

It can be trickier than it looks, especially where the tones are similar. It sharpens their ability to recognize color. Great exercise for graphic design students as well!

If you want to go further....

• group colors by primary, secondary and tertiary colors.

If you want to go even further with an older child....

• group colors into harmonies: analogous, complementary and triadic

Easy explanations here: http://www.tigercolor.com/color-lab/color-theory/color-theory-intro.htm

Have fun teaching your kids about color! What colors are their favorite? What do the colors remind them of? How can they mix-up the colors in their next drawing or painting? A purple tree? A pink sky? Why not?!

til next time,

Heather

Easter Place Card and Favor Basket

Here’s a really cute little Easter basket that you can make for your Easter table. Stamp your guests’ names and they do double duty, as a place card holder and a fun favor basket you can fill with treats!

First start with a 7 inch by 7 inch square of card (heavy weight) stock. Choose a light, springy color (I used a cover weight paper by Paper Source in Pool).

Score at 2 inches and then again at 5 inches. Turn paper 45 degrees and score again at 2 and 5 inches. See above, figure 3.

This is a great place to get out your border punch if you have one and punch all around the square. If you don’t have one, no worries. But it adds a nice detail.

Make a cut in the paper from each corner to the score line at a 45 degrees angle. Then apply double sided tape. See above, figure 5.

Fold up all sides to make box.

Make a handle by cutting a strip of paper 1 1/4 inches by 10 inches. You can use your border punch here if you have it. Attach handle with double sided tape to inside of basket. Now embellish your basket. Attach buttons, ribbon, rick rack, paper flowers.... get creative! See figure 7, above.

I color copied my Easter cards onto cardstock. You can also use family photos or any other image you like.

Trim to size and then attach image with double sided tape after stamping or writing the recipients name on it. Set out on your Easter table as place cards... fill with treats..... so cute! These would also work for birthday party favors, baby shower favors and would be super cute at a Halloween Party too!

Happy Easter, Happy Spring!

Heather

Valentine photo cards

In case you're on the naughty list like me and neglected to send out Holiday cards this year, you can brighten someone's Valentine's Day and show off your kids at the same time! I have Valentine photo cards available for purchase at www.littleredtulip.com. These are two lines I'm developing for retail, but you can get them early!

Happy New Year!

Heather