LIVE LOVE DREAM

i usually paint words in black because it stands out better against a colored background, but sometimes artwork calls for a less harsh look. using magenta, turquoise, brown and navy for text adds an overall calming effect and in this piece, really emphasizes the monochromatic color scheme. i like too that the quote is unique and something you can't find premade. at harts n crafts you're really only limited by your own imagination. we can make any quote into your very own piece of art!

FLOWER CHALLENGE

it's always rewarding when a customer challenges me to do something i've never done before nor ever thought i'd be able to do. alyssa and her mom brought in a pillow sham to give me an idea of the colors and patterns she wanted on her name canvas. needless to say, i DID get some help on these flowers... aaron drew them onto the canvas with pencil first and then i painted them. in the process though, i learned that the shapes really aren't THAT hard to draw, and i might actually be able to duplicate the flowers again in the future. you'll be the first to know if i do....

SCRIPT CHALLENGE

one of our customers picked out this premade frame and wanted it customized for her friend's birthday. they were roommates over the summer and she specifically wanted "summer" to look more whimsical and kind of just added on as an afterthought. i haven't had much practice with painting in script, but this turned out surprisingly well. it is ironic that the photo of the sailor girl was already in the frame as it seems to fit perfectly with the text.

THE EMERGENCE OF THE EASTER EGG

yesterday we got a shipment of threadless tshirts!!! i am so excited because now the sign outside that says, "new tshirts are here" really is true. :) come in and check out these cool tees. they're $17.50 or 2 for $30 and going quickly! threadless is unique in that ANYONE from ANYWHERE can submit a tshirt design, it's voted on, and if your shirt is picked you receive $$$. they're printed in a limited number so after they're gone i can rarely reorder the same style. each shirt is titled a clever little name and the designers info is printed on the inside of the shirt. here's a cute one....

THINK PINK

the A in this picture is a custom order. the rest are things that will be for sale in the store later this week!! i usually try to do a "batch" of products in the same colors. mostly because it's easier and speeds up the process, but also to give customers a variety of matching products for the ones they order. the hearts will be turned into cute refrigerator magnets and the cross and letters will be hung by ribbon. stop by and see them in person on wednesday!!

MORE RETRO FABULOUSNESS

i'm not really sure what i think of these canvases mostly because they aren't as bright as i usually paint. over the summer i made a resolution to use less pink and so far i've done pretty well. i've been incorporating more blues, greens, and yellows into products. let us know what your favorite color combinations are right now!! also, do they change with seasons? these all seem more subdued for the fall.

VERTICAL WORDS

these cute little vertical words are something i came up with last semester. they aren't assembled yet and will eventually be tied together with pretty ribbon... you get the idea right? SMILE and LAUGH are two of the most popular words but buying combinations like LIVE LAUGH LOVE and FAITH HOPE LOVE have also been a hit!! my only gripe about this product is the name "vertical word". it sounds so silly. if anyone can think of a better name for this product and we use it, i'll make you a customized "vertical word" for FREE. let us know what you think!

1967!

we went to Ruta Maya, a coffee shop/bar, in austin to celebrate the 40th anniversary of 1967. THE ALICE ROSE, along with lots of other bands, played tunes from 1967 and people were dressed as hippies. it was great fun... as you can tell.

BIG IS IN

over the summer i introduced a new product at harts n crafts. the JUMBO sized wall signs!!! name plaques (see photo) have always been popular so of course the bigger version has been a HIT! they can be cut to any size to fit any space, but the most popular have been 2ft ($29.50) and 3ft ($39.50). these are great for the space above a doorway. they can be customized with any colors, patterns, and quotes. bible verses are also a great choice for daily inspiration.

ITS HIP TO BE SQUARE

i've been trying to restock the store after it was stormed by excited freshmen anxious to make their impersonal dorm rooms more fun and cheerful. bright colors always seem to do the trick. the best sellers have been our new vertical words. and of course NAME PLAQUES!! each freshman gets one FREE when they spend $30!! they're perfect for your dorm door....

on another note, i've thought of a new design!!! after endless polka dots and stripes, last night aaron challenged me to do SQUARES. after sleeping on ideas all night i woke up this morning refreshed and obviously in a very retro mood. although pink and green will be my all time favorite color palette i think, the aquas, greens and browns i used today make my heart smile! what do you think? and what are your favorite colors?! let us know!

i'll be in waco this week wednesday through friday so if you're in the neighborhood, stop by to say hi!

HNC ENTERS THE WORLD OF BLOGGING.

i've never blogged before and i'm excited about where this all will lead! my husband, aaron, built my website (www.hartsncrafts.com) FOUR years ago and sadly the products haven't been updated since. i don't have the patience or time to learn web design to change it myself, and aaron is now so busy with his own projects that he doesn't have time to change it either. blogspot is a good option since a) my products lines are expanding b) i forget about all the cool things i've made if i don't take pictures of them and c) i like to share my ideas with others. so wish me luck!! and check back often!!