by Amy | Jul 10, 2014 | Blog, Crafts, The Art of Art, The Art of Design, The Art of Projects
That’s right. When I’m not able to draw out a chalkboard full of awesome stuff by hand {like this, or this, or this…} I turn to the digital stuff. Tonight I’m sharing all my favorites with you. AND they are all FREE!! So get ready to pin, because you are going to want to hang on to these sources–or immediately download them. I use them all the time and L-O-V-E them. Dearly.
I love these Rustic Graphics from We Lived Happily Ever After. She is a genius. She also shared a free chalk background. You can get that here. While I usually try to download things that are okay to use commercially, these are for personal use only. So I reserve them for unpaid project for family and friends.
Next are these adorable laurels and frames from Sunflower Studio. They are under the creative commons license. So they are good to use for commercial or personal purposes.
If you know me weirdly well, you know I have a weakness for fonts. Here are my favorites to use against a chalk background.
Adine Kimberg
Ever After
Little Lord Fontleroy
Rialto
Porcelain
Covington
Champagne
Little Days
Silverfake
Villa Didot
And…here are two more fonts that you should have. They are awesome dingbats for chalk projects.
Remember to check licenses before you use them commercially, but most of this stuff is good to go. Happy chalking!
Amy
by Amy | Jun 28, 2014 | Blog, Crafts, The Art of Art, The Art of Design, The Art of Projects
Hey all! Well, let me tell you. Lots of things have transpired since I last posted. In case you missed the last post, it was the BIG, Fat Reading List. Much anticipated…lots of great recommendations from my most trusted readers. If you are looking for something to read this summer {or ever} you should check it out.
So, I had surgery. On the back. But I’ll tell you about that another time.
Tonight, I want to do a little show and tell and plug. Tomorrow is Minot’s Integrity Jazz Festival and I’ll be there. Yes, I know I just had back surgery. But I committed before I knew I was having surgery. And I’ll just be sitting there. Very similar to sitting at home, just with better music. And Derek will be with me. So no worries.
For the last few weeks I’ve been in what I like to refer to as Sweat Shop Mode. That’s where I work all day and all night on products. It happens a lot at Christmas time. Since this is my first ever vendor experience I kicked it into high gear to be sure everything was ready and I wouldn’t have anything left to do to prep post-surgery.
That’s what I’m showing off tonight. Some of the things that will be for sale tomorrow. I’m nervous. I just don’t know how this is going to go. Or if anything will sell. Which would be a giant bummer since printing all these pieces wasn’t exactly cheap. So–if it doesn’t go so hot tomorrow…you’ll soon be seeing these items for sale here at amyallender.com. And then I’ll probably drop the prices and beg you to buy–if only to salvage my self esteem.
But enough chat. I’m nervous even showing you this. What if you hate it? Okay. Here goes.
Stationary sets some are hand drawn. The Practically Canada stuff was digitally designed. And I hope the people I meet tomorrow have a good sense of humor like you guys.
These I designed and drew and colored by hand. Then I digitized them to make them printable. They might be my most favorite of everything I’ve got for sale.
You may have seen book clutches floating around online. They are precious. I love vintage books and had a great time designing these. What I think sets mine apart from the loads of others in the world is that I sought out some really cool vintage books. The covers are lovely…and I left their original charm intact. Some are outfitted to be wallet-ish. Others are made to hold e-readers. But they make great carry-alls for toting items to the pool {sunglasses, phone, card, cash sunscreen}, holding make up, stashing stationary, etc.
You know I love canning things. Usually I make labels for myself…so I thought others might like them too.
I came across these vintage flour sacks at an antique store. They were too adorable NOT to make into market bags.
These might look familiar from another post…but I’m really proud of how these summer themed pieces turned out.
And lastly…I’ll have these adorable journals for sale. I made these from salvaged pages of vintage children’s books. I developed a technique for removing the page text and added my own graphic. Then I bound them into journals and notebooks. On a side note, I’ll also have individual pages with printing on them for sale. They’ll look super cute in a frame or decoupaged onto something else!
Now the plug. If you are in Practically Canada–you should totally come by the Jazz Festival. It’s at MSU in Anne Nicole Nelson Hall. If nothing else, you should just come say “Hi” and remind me that I am a fool for committing to do this just two days after surgery. Wish me luck!
Amy
by Amy | May 21, 2014 | Blog, Crafts, The Art of Art, The Art of Design, The Art of Gathering, The Art of Projects
About a week ago I found myself in Bismarck. Naturally, while there I was faced with a difficult decision: TJ Maxx or boutique shopping? I went the boutique route and found myself at a darling place called Junk Yard Chic. Their wares boast gifts of the salvaged, shabby-chic, rustic variety.
When I checked out, my goods were carefully wrapped in the cutest Popsicle tissue paper I’ve ever seen. Which got me thinking all about summer’s best treat, and how I could incorporate those fun, sweet, melty colors and flavors into my life this summer. Here are seven great things I came across.
1. I have been itching to host a summer ice cream social. But I might just do a Popsicle social instead. These invitations from Free Pretty Printables are sooo cute I could eat them up. Oh, yeah. And they are FREE!
2. There are a ton of amazing popsicle recipes floating around on Pinterest these days. I fell in love with the wholesome ingredients and easy prep for these made with blueberries, strawberries and honey. Get the recipe here. The blog, In Sock Monkey Slippers recommends this mold.
3. Dreamcicles anyone? Those are soap! Yes, soap. The perfect summer gift for a summer hostess. Get them from Sun Kid Gifts on Etsy.
4. If technology is more your style, sport this adorable phone cover this summer. Get this one and other cute Popsicle prints at Peanutoak Case’s Etsy shop.
5. These aren’t edible at all! They are crayons. How amazing is that? I found this image on Pinterest. Which led me to Etsy…only to discover that the listing is no longer active. I’m guessing you can melt down crayons and cool them in a Popsicle mold. You’re creative. I know you’ll figure it out.
6. I dig these nails from Lacq Lustre. She did them herself and shares all the colors she used. So even if you don’t make the mini Popsicles, you can still have some poppy color.
7. And lastly…I searched high and low for the tissue paper that started this whole thing. I couldn’t find it. What I did find was this adorable wrapping paper from Clementine Store. Now who do I know with a summer birthday…?
Amy
by Amy | Mar 14, 2014 | Blog, The Art of Design, The Art of Living
Thank you to every one who sent prayers and sympathy and well wishes after hearing about my back indecent. I’ve been off the blog for a few days {as you know.} There are two big reasons for this…First of all there have been some time consuming things getting in my way {work being one, a three hour visit to the clinic being another.} Second, up until yesterday I’ve been pretty darn looped up on some high quality pain killers.
I am feeling better. There is still pain and hopefully the doctor will be able to tell me what that’s all about in the near future. Most importantly I’d like to know how I can avoid another Urkel situation in the coming months. And I’ll admit, I’m a terrible patient. The first few days after I’d been to the ER I had a terrible attitude and resigned myself to a life of no working out and only ice cream sundaes on the couch. That didn’t last too long though. I can’t stand the thought of never being able to HIIT it again.
So, anyway…that’s the update.
But in other news I have something pretty big to tell you. Starting tomorrow {or Sunday…it just kind of depends} this site and blog will be shutting down for a remodel! You know how much I love make overs and before and afters. I’d like to be able to seamlessly reconstruct and relaunch a better, more organizer, prettier site without having to close down for a single day. BUT–I’m not that tech savvy. So, in the coming days you’ll see a big fat “Under Construction” sign if you try to come over for a chat.
Why, the remodel, you ask? Well, a few reasons. Firstly, I think I can do better. Secondly, I think things have gotten kind of muddled. I hope to return with a site that is more focused. A site that presents a clearer picture of what it is that I “do” and a clearer image of how you can be inspired. Third, I’ve spent many, many months with a new idea growing in my heart. In my experience when this happens, you should follow it. After prayer and seeking Godly guidance, I think the slightly new direction I’m heading in is the right thing to do.
I just got an Instagram account today. I have no idea how to use it. My plan was to keep you up to date on progress and happenings that way. We’ll see…If you want to be friends, or whatever Instagram calls it, you can find me at #theartoflivingproject.
Which brings me to another point. AmyAllender.com will be coming back better and stronger as…The Art of Living Project. That gives you an idea of what the new and improved site will entail. I’m sad to leave you, but excited to bring you something better. The Art of Living Project will examine people who are living well, living inspiring lives. It will still include the things you already know and love about my current blog: B&A’s {that’s the art of improvement}, house projects {the art of home}, food {the art of the kitchen}, and photography {the art of the moment.}
At the heart of it all, I want to write things that inspire people to see the potential in their lives. So much of my 20’s has been spent feeling like a hot mess. I don’t know what to do, I feel like I’m doing things wrong, I want to believe my life can have an impact…but I just don’t know how. Then I look around, and see people living really incredible {even if seemingly ordinary} lives. Interesting lives. Lives spent doing things that they love, working to the glory of God. Using skills in quirky ways to be an example of Christ’s love. That’s what I want to do. That’s the stuff I want to capture.
If you feel at all like me {80% hot mess, 10% confused and 10% faking that you have it together} I pray that you’ll wait. Give me a couple weeks. Then come back and join a new community of inspiring people, true tales and a project dedicated to mastering the Art of Living.
Amy
PS–Even if I can’t figure the Instagram thing out I’ll still be updating the Facebook page daily. So check in over on that side of things!
by Amy | Sep 29, 2013 | Blog, The Art of Design
A while back I bought a bag of coffee that was one of those cozy fall flavors, like vanilla-pumkin-hazlenut or something. I really bought it because the bag was so darn pretty. The flavor was technically named “Fall In Love.” On the bag there was a heart shaped formed with maple leaves.
And I did fall in love. I drank the coffee. It was good. But really that bag was pretty enough to hang on the wall. So I made something for us, inspired by my coffee bag, to hang up.
It is sized to print at 8.5×11″. So no resizing needed. You could definitely trim the white space off to make it an 8×10″ piece instead. Either way, it’s pretty cute.
Here is the link.
If you like this, even if you aren’t actually going to print it…please share it with your friends!
Now, go get some coffee…and don’t forget, tonight is the season 3 premier of Revenge! {Golly I love that show.}
Amy
by Amy | Apr 27, 2013 | Blog, The Art of Design, The Art of Gathering
You know I love a good party. I love going to them. I love throwing them. I love helping others throw them, plan them, decorate them. Parties are the best. And a good party starts with a good invitation.
Soon I’ll be adding a design section to amyallender.com. Which is very exciting because I’ve been designing for friends for quite a while now. In the mean time check out these recent designs churned out by the one and only Amy Allender. Maybe you’ll get a little inspiration for your next get together.
If you’d like me to design something special for you drop me a note!
by Amy | Apr 10, 2013 | Blog, The Art of Design
This is going to be a summer of letter writing. Writing more letters was on my list of to-do’s for 2013…I just wasn’t expecting this kind of push to get me to act on it. But alas…here we are. Yes, we do live in a world of Skype, Face Time, email, and Facebook. Yet, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t get giddy when a real life letter shows up in the mail box. Am I right?
There is something so special about a letter. It’s a piece of the person who sent it. Their handwriting. Their pen. It’s a piece of someone you love that shows up in a tiny box outside your house. For the low, low cost of $0.46. It’s really so very special.
And writing only becomes more fun when you have fun stationary to write on. So…without further ado…I give you
The Great Stationary Giveaway of 2013!
What does that mean? Well, put simply, I’m encouraging all of us to write more letters this summer by giving away custom stationary to all of you lovelies!
The top two examples are obviously fit for anyone. The bottom examples are specially crafted for my Minot spouses also flying solo for a while. {The icons in the lower left corners are Minot area landmarks…}
So what do you need to do to snag some swag? Easy peasy. The Minot Special is free to download. You can get the file here…Minot Stationary and Minot Stationary Horse. These measure 8.5×11 inches. Once you have the file saved insert it as a “picture from file” to a Word document. Resize it to fit and print it out.
The initial stationary is a little trickier since not all of us have names that start with “A.” To get your hands on some custom stationary you must do the following. I promise it’s easy.
1. Give the “Amy Allender” page a like on Facebook.
2. Leave a comment on the wall or drop me a private message with your what initial you’d like and an email where I can send it. Also let me know which design you choose. {Arrows or confetti}
If you are already a follower just write a comment on the wall or a message. I’ll give you the hook up.
Just an FYI…the initial stationary is sized 5.5×8.5″…so you can fit two on a page. Enjoy! Start liking! But act quick, the Great Stationary Giveaway ends on April 24th, 2013.
Amy
This post is linked up at Home Stories and these great parties.
by Amy | Dec 25, 2012 | Blog, The Art of Design, The Art of Faith, The Art of the Moment
As usual, I had good intentions of writing to you diligently while I’ve been home in Elkhart {IN}. I also had good intentions of working out…since I teach a triple {three classes in one day} the day after we return home. {Woof.} I even brought me super sweet new Brooks home. But guess what? I didn’t do either. I hope you don’t hate me…or even worse…disown me. Or shun me, like Dwight Schrute to Andy Bernard on the Office.
I’m digressing.
I wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. Over the years that feeling deep in the pit of my stomach…you know the one…the excited, can’t-hardly-sleep, what-will-morning-bring feeling–well, it’s faded a bit. But it has been replaced by a new feeling. One of a deeper relationship with Jesus and a better understanding of what His birth really meant.
Both are good. However…I’ve got to say I like the latter even more that anxiously waiting for Santa.
I hope you do too.
Thanks for sticking with me. I wish you could all be on my Christmas card list. But I have enough trouble getting a very few cards out on time. {Some are still sitting in my car, awaiting the USPS.} So here is your card. Straight from me {and Derek} to you. It’s a little different than the one we put in the mail. That’s a long awkward story. Maybe I’ll tell it to you someday. I love you all.
The back side reads:
“Them little lights aren’t twinkling.” “I know, Art…and thanks for noticing.”
It’s a quote from Christmas Vacation. Drumroll please…
Have a great day with your family.
Amy
