4.29.2011

This weekend...

What are you up to this weekend? My best friend and her husband had a beautiful baby boy this week, so I'm excited to meet him (and see them, of course). We're planning to spend the remainder of the weekend outside getting ready for planting season. Yay! I also need to find a spot for this fabulous wooden bow made by one of my favorite artists, Christine Buckton Tillman. Love it. Have a great weekend and I'll see you all on Monday!

20 in 20 giveaway (April- day 20)...

20 handmade projects in 20 days...day 20- the final day for this month! Whew! Today's project is a collaborative project between EZ E and me, a zine called 'Batman's Life'. It includes a coin with EZ E's version of a bat symbol on it and an original Batman cut-out for you to play with while you read the zine (there also just may be a drawing by me tucked in the back). EZ E is infinitely curious about 20 in 20 and really wanted to make a project to give away to a reader...and I'm sorry, but I couldn't resist the opportunity to collaborate on a project. We've been looking at Nigel Peake's beautiful book, Sheds, and EZ E has been drawing tons of buildings lately. I assumed our zine would be about buildings because that's what EZ E appeared to be drawing. The following conversation informed me otherwise:

What's the name of our zine, E?

EZ E: "It's called Batman's Life."

Me: "So, it's about Batman and not buildings then?"

EZ E (exasperated tone): "That's why it's Batman's Life, mommy."

Me: "Oh, that makes sense."

I think that's called a Batman Smackdown. I won't ruin the ending. Thanks to Visual Studies Workshop for sponsoring today's project. Happy 20 in 20!

❤,

Abbey

giveaway rules:

eligibility: open to all Aesthetic Outburst readers, worldwide.
how to enter: leave one comment per person on the giveaway post (you're welcome to comment on multiple projects).
entry deadline: comments will close 48 hours after initial post time.
winner selection: winners will be chosen at random.
winner notification: On Monday mornings, I'll announce the five winners for the week.
claiming your craft project: send me an email at hownowdesign (at) yahoo (dot) com with your mailing address and I'll pop your 20 in 20 project in the mail! Winners must respond within three (3) days of notification or forfeit the prize, in which case an alternate winner will be selected.

4.28.2011

Interested in advertising on

aesthetic outburst

or purchasing a spot for a friend?

Really big and exciting things are going to be happening here next month! Now's the time to join the fun, my friends! Ad rates start for as little as $20 (USD) per month, with a discounted rate given to ads placed 3 months or longer. You can start whenever you'd like- your ad is simply up for one month from the date you send your payment. Email me at hownowdesign[at]yahoo[dot}com to get started today!

On today's agenda...

...find a spot to hang the cheese doodle painting that EZ E found (and insisted on buying) at the thrift store. Perhaps we'll hang it next to the weiner dog? I'm waiting for further instructions from my 3-year-old art director.

20 in 20 giveaway (April- day 19)...

20 handmade projects in 20 days...day 19. This project was inspired by the tool holder that I posted yesterday. I started working on a DIY version for our house, but took a break to make a pencil (or glasses) holder for you! We just registered EZ E for preschool in the fall, so I have school on the brain. Thanks to The Linen Kist for sponsoring today's project. Happy 20 in 20!

❤,

Abbey

giveaway rules:

eligibility: open to all Aesthetic Outburst readers, worldwide.
how to enter: leave one comment per person on the giveaway post (you're welcome to comment on multiple projects).
entry deadline: comments will close 48 hours after initial post time.
winner selection: winners will be chosen at random.
winner notification: On Monday mornings, I'll announce the five winners for the week.
claiming your craft project: send me an email at hownowdesign (at) yahoo (dot) com with your mailing address and I'll pop your 20 in 20 project in the mail! Winners must respond within three (3) days of notification or forfeit the prize, in which case an alternate winner will be selected.

4.27.2011

Shop update...

Hey, hey! I changed the banner and added a few things to my shop. Yay!

High five...

My five favorite things from around blogland recently.

20 in 20 giveaway (April- day 18)...

20 handmade projects in 20 days...day 18. Wow! I can hardly believe there are only two more days of this month's 20 in 20 (and yes, I've decided to do one more 20 in 20 next month and then I think that's it for a while). I digress. I'm a tea light junkie. I always have them lit at dinner parties and I had a dream the other night that we threw a party with 100's of tea lights in the yard. It was quite magical and I'm hoping this will add a little bit of magic to your next picnic or party. Thanks to Say Ease for sponsoring today's project. Happy 20 in 20!

❤,

Abbey

giveaway rules:

eligibility: open to all Aesthetic Outburst readers, worldwide.
how to enter: leave one comment per person on the giveaway post (you're welcome to comment on multiple projects).
entry deadline: comments will close 48 hours after initial post time.
winner selection: winners will be chosen at random.
winner notification: On Monday mornings, I'll announce the five winners for the week.
claiming your craft project: send me an email at hownowdesign (at) yahoo (dot) com with your mailing address and I'll pop your 20 in 20 project in the mail! Winners must respond within three (3) days of notification or forfeit the prize, in which case an alternate winner will be selected.

4.26.2011

Crafting with kids...

The sign of a good book in our house is when it doesn't make it to the shelf. Our copy of Jennifer Casa's new book, Teach Yourself Visually- Crafting with Kids, has been open on our table for the past month and is already dog-eared and happily tattered. It's proven to be a great resource (and would make an excellent end-of-the-year classroom gift). I was genuinely thrilled when Jennifer (of JCasa *handmade fame) asked me if I'd be interested in reviewing her new book. Jennifer, as you probably already know, is incredibly talented and inspiring. Some days I try to channel her energy when I'm dragging my feet about doing a project with Kicky and EZ E (and yes, some days there is some major foot-dragging on my part). We've made a bunch of projects from the book, but the one we've been having the most fun with this week is this hopscotch floor mat...and I'm not even done sewing it.

There are 75 projects to do! You can pick up your copy here and be sure to check out Jennifer's blog, JCasa *handmade.

Jennifer and her publisher, Wiley Craft, are offering a free copy of TYV Crafting with Kids to one lucky reader! Just leave a comment on this post by Friday, April 29th and I'll announce the winner on Monday morning!

Also, be sure to check out the sites below for their reviews of TYV- Crafting with Kids:

Congratulations, Jennifer!

20 in 20 giveaway (April- day 17)...

20 handmade projects in 20 days...day 17. I could use a cup of tea right about now. What about you? One winner will be pouring theirs from this hand-painted teapot very soon. Thanks to Charles Lybrand Photography for sponsoring today's project. Happy 20 in 20!

❤,

Abbey

giveaway rules:

eligibility: open to all Aesthetic Outburst readers, worldwide.
how to enter: leave one comment per person on the giveaway post (you're welcome to comment on multiple projects).
entry deadline: comments will close 48 hours after initial post time.
winner selection: winners will be chosen at random.
winner notification: On Monday mornings, I'll announce the five winners for the week.
claiming your craft project: send me an email at hownowdesign (at) yahoo (dot) com with your mailing address and I'll pop your 20 in 20 project in the mail! Winners must respond within three (3) days of notification or forfeit the prize, in which case an alternate winner will be selected.

4.25.2011

The 20 in 20 handmade giveaway is happening again in May and we're looking for project sponsors, my friends!

20 in 20 for $20.00

Here's how it works: each weekday a different individual, group, blogger, or business will have the opportunity to sponsor a project for $20. Sponsors will get a mention in the project post, on twitter, and on flickr; receive a 90(H) x 180(W) sidebar ad for the month; have their logo included on the giveaway materials for all 20 projects; and have their logo included in the project post. Wow! Interested in becoming a sponsor or purchasing a spot for a friend? We have a one spot left for May. Shoot me an email at hownowdesign [at] yahoo [dot] com by April 29th to sign up. The May 20 in 20 starts on May 2nd.

20 in 20 giveaway (April- day 16)...

20 handmade projects in 20 days...day 16. My favorite thing about embroidery as a craft is how portable it is. I love being able to sit in the backyard and sew while the babes are playing in their sandbox...although the project from day 7 did prove to be a bit unwieldy and drew some stares from our neighbors. Whatevs. My little family and I were all over the place this weekend, so today's project is portable, simple, and graphic. Thanks to sagebrush coast for sponsoring today's project. Happy 20 in 20!

❤,

Abbey

giveaway rules:

eligibility: open to all Aesthetic Outburst readers, worldwide.
how to enter: leave one comment per person on the giveaway post (you're welcome to comment on multiple projects).
entry deadline: comments will close 48 hours after initial post time.
winner selection: winners will be chosen at random.
winner notification: On Monday mornings, I'll announce the five winners for the week.
claiming your craft project: send me an email at hownowdesign (at) yahoo (dot) com with your mailing address and I'll pop your 20 in 20 project in the mail! Winners must respond within three (3) days of notification or forfeit the prize, in which case an alternate winner will be selected.

4.24.2011

April 20 in 20 giveaway winners (week 3)...

Using random.org, the winners for the third week of the April 20 in 20 handmade giveaway are...

Day 11

Salty Lemons

So fun! My niece and nephew would love these.

pretty :)

The colors are great together.

Day 14

Sarah

Beautiful! I wantwantwant it!

Day 15

emma lamb

Ooooh, yes please! This is so beautiful Abbey... :) Hope you have a great weekend, Emma, x

Yay! Winners, please just send me an email at hownowdesign (at) yahoo (dot) com with your mailing address and I'll send your prize right out!

4.22.2011

This weekend...

PRH doesn't know it yet, but we're Spring cleaning this weekend (that's in addition to waiting for a visit from a certain rabbit). We need to air this place out, put the screens in, and just generally clear stuff out. We've scored a bunch of interesting vintage games lately and I need to find a spot for them. Yes, my quest to create a Tenenbaums-inspired game closet continues. Perhaps setting a date for a yard sale would keep me motivated? Or perhaps not bringing home more vintage board games would be a better idea? Maybe not. What are your plans? Happy weekend and I'll see you on Monday!

20 in 20 giveaway (April- day 15)...

20 handmade projects in 20 days...day 15. Lately I've been wandering the aisles of hardware and thrift stores looking for inspiration, as opposed to craft stores. I saw a pile of these glass shades at the thrift store and almost passed them up. Luckily, I convinced myself to just bring them home and let them live on a shelf until I could think of something to use them for. Almost as soon as I got it into the car, I started thinking about Schoolhouse Electric and their artists' series with Amy Ruppel and Yellena James. Ahhhhh....I love those fixtures. This is my down and dirty DIY version of their awesome fixtures. Thanks to Preacher's Biscuit Books for sponsoring today's project. Happy 20 in 20!

❤,

Abbey

giveaway rules:

eligibility: open to all Aesthetic Outburst readers, worldwide.
how to enter: leave one comment per person on the giveaway post (you're welcome to comment on multiple projects).
entry deadline: comments will close 48 hours after initial post time.
winner selection: winners will be chosen at random.
winner notification: On Monday mornings, I'll announce the five winners for the week.
claiming your craft project: send me an email at hownowdesign (at) yahoo (dot) com with your mailing address and I'll pop your 20 in 20 project in the mail! Winners must respond within three (3) days of notification or forfeit the prize, in which case an alternate winner will be selected.

4.21.2011

Screen printing...

Princeton Architectural Press sent over some books last week and I was thrilled to see Mike Perry's book, Pulled: A Catalog of Screen Printing, in the mix. I feel like I've been waiting for this book (or rather, a book just like it) for years! This is the exact resource I was looking for when I taught screen printing (Jeff, if you're reading this, you need this book for the printshop). I've written about Cody Hudson before (um, many times...blushing a little. That's his image above), so naturally I was psyched to see his work represented in Pulled. Add Andrew Holder (bottom image), LandLand, Hannah Waldron (image directly below), and Chris Silas Neal to the list...not to mention the 50 other artists?! Mike Perry, you are brilliant, sir. Pick up your copy here.

20 in 20 giveaway (April- day 14)...

20 handmade projects in 20 days...day 14. Our tulips and daffodils are coming up, the garlic is happy, and the forsythia and lilacs are almost ready to bloom. We are golden, people. Golden! The babes and I spent all day outside yesterday...EZ E and Kicky played while I watched from the patio and happily sewed this little bit of Spring for you. Thanks to Durango Mom for sponsoring today's project. Happy 20 in 20!

❤,

Abbey

giveaway rules:

eligibility: open to all Aesthetic Outburst readers, worldwide.
how to enter: leave a comment on the giveaway post (you're welcome to comment on multiple projects).
entry deadline: comments will close 48 hours after initial post time.
winner selection: winners will be chosen at random.
winner notification: On Monday mornings, I'll announce the five winners for the week.
claiming your craft project: send me an email at hownowdesign (at) yahoo (dot) com with your mailing address and I'll pop your 20 in 20 project in the mail! Winners must respond within three (3) days of notification or forfeit the prize, in which case an alternate winner will be selected.