blog
I'm on the writing and creative process blog tour
My friend Beth Dryer Kingston invited me to join the "My Writing Process" blog tour! I've adjusted the questions to fit my creative process (as I'm not really a writer) and I've tagged three of my fabulously creative blogger friends - Kathy the Crafty Chica, Ann Butler and Jenipher Lynn - as the next stops on this fun tour, be sure to check out their blogs next week to learn all about their writing & creative methods!
1) What am I working on?
I'm currently working on a retro car cupcake box! It was a challenge to design it so that the lid would open to fit a cupcake in in, but after a week of template design, I got it all figured out. I'm currently at the photo editing stage and I should have it ready for my shop next week!
2) How does my work differ from others of its genre?
My OCD comes in handy here giving me a nearly obsessive attention to detail :) I love color, whimsy (and polka dots too!) and through my work I try to convey a little happy escape from the every day world!
3) Why do I create what I do?
Ever since I can remember I have loved paper. I have clear memories when I was about 6 or 7 making paper dolls with my friend from down the street - cutting images out of catalogs and drawing new outfits for our dolls.... I also loved the Whitman Punch Out Books - you could make an entire little village just by punching out paper and adding a little tape or glue. It seemed like magic that something flat could become dimensional adorable and fun to play with too!
Now 33 years later, I design printables for people to download, print and make and it still seems like magic! It is amazing to me that I can design and create something here in Washington DC, it can travel to it's new owner as digital pixels and binary bytes (sometimes as far as Dubai!), they print and cut it out, add a little tape and glue and then suddenly, they've got a cute little retro oven or ice cream truck just waiting to hold their cupcakes!
4) How does my creation process work?
I thought I'd share my creation process by sharing with you a specific kit that I made:
1) a customer asked me if I had any cotton candy themed items... which then got my wheels turning. I love cotton candy so I was excited to try out a new design! I thought about it for two days even started a couple designs that just weren't working out, then I sketched out this little drawing late at night before going to bed.
2) the next morning I was anxious to see if my idea would work so I started working on the bag/box template structure, which involves a lot of folding of paper and measuring until i get a shape I like. Once I got the template down, I put one together and sketched out my idea (very roughly!) on the side to see if it would work.
3) At this stage I am laying out the general color and making the template the correct size. Another rough sketch on top for placement, then there are many, many, (so many!) design revisions before moving on to step
4) after much gnashing of teeth and fretting over teeny tiny design tweaks the finished design is ready and finished!
Thanks again to Beth for including me in this blog tour! Kathy the Crafty Chica, Ann Buttler and Jenipher Lynn will be sharing their creative methods in the next week - I hope you will stop by and say hello!
1) What am I working on?
I'm currently working on a retro car cupcake box! It was a challenge to design it so that the lid would open to fit a cupcake in in, but after a week of template design, I got it all figured out. I'm currently at the photo editing stage and I should have it ready for my shop next week!
2) How does my work differ from others of its genre?
My OCD comes in handy here giving me a nearly obsessive attention to detail :) I love color, whimsy (and polka dots too!) and through my work I try to convey a little happy escape from the every day world!
3) Why do I create what I do?
Ever since I can remember I have loved paper. I have clear memories when I was about 6 or 7 making paper dolls with my friend from down the street - cutting images out of catalogs and drawing new outfits for our dolls.... I also loved the Whitman Punch Out Books - you could make an entire little village just by punching out paper and adding a little tape or glue. It seemed like magic that something flat could become dimensional adorable and fun to play with too!
Now 33 years later, I design printables for people to download, print and make and it still seems like magic! It is amazing to me that I can design and create something here in Washington DC, it can travel to it's new owner as digital pixels and binary bytes (sometimes as far as Dubai!), they print and cut it out, add a little tape and glue and then suddenly, they've got a cute little retro oven or ice cream truck just waiting to hold their cupcakes!
4) How does my creation process work?
I thought I'd share my creation process by sharing with you a specific kit that I made:
2) the next morning I was anxious to see if my idea would work so I started working on the bag/box template structure, which involves a lot of folding of paper and measuring until i get a shape I like. Once I got the template down, I put one together and sketched out my idea (very roughly!) on the side to see if it would work.
3) At this stage I am laying out the general color and making the template the correct size. Another rough sketch on top for placement, then there are many, many, (so many!) design revisions before moving on to step
4) after much gnashing of teeth and fretting over teeny tiny design tweaks the finished design is ready and finished!
Thanks again to Beth for including me in this blog tour! Kathy the Crafty Chica, Ann Buttler and Jenipher Lynn will be sharing their creative methods in the next week - I hope you will stop by and say hello!
xyron surprise pack giveaway!
I have an exciting giveaway for you today! Beth Kingston over at the Aint She Crafty blog is offering a surprise pack of Xyron goodies (valued at $100!!) to one of my blog readers - details on how to enter below.
And, if that's not exciting enough! I've got another giveaway for you! Visit Beth's blog and enter for a chance to win a spot in my Composition for Collage online class! Class starts June 19th - 4 weeks/$30/forever access - more info here!
HOW TO ENTER: post a comment in the comments below! Don't forget to include your email if you don't have a blogger profile, so that way I can contact you!
CONTEST CLOSES: 1 winner will be selected at random on Tuesday June 17th at 5pm EST and I'll notify winners by email as well as post them here.
And, if that's not exciting enough! I've got another giveaway for you! Visit Beth's blog and enter for a chance to win a spot in my Composition for Collage online class! Class starts June 19th - 4 weeks/$30/forever access - more info here!
♥ ♥ ♥ THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE WINNER! ♥ ♥ ♥
PRIZE: 1 winner will be selected to win 1 surprise pack of products from XyronHOW TO ENTER: post a comment in the comments below! Don't forget to include your email if you don't have a blogger profile, so that way I can contact you!
CONTEST CLOSES: 1 winner will be selected at random on Tuesday June 17th at 5pm EST and I'll notify winners by email as well as post them here.
♥ ♥ ♥ GIVEAWAY WINNER! ♥ ♥ ♥
We have our winner! This winner was chosen using inLinkz.com random winner selection tool.
Congrats ShophieGirl!! Please send me your email address so I can contact you :)
Labels: giveaway
melanie martinez album dollhouse cover artwork
I have exciting news! My Happy Houses printable kit is featured on the cover of Melanie Martinez debut album, Dollhouse! Here's a screen shot below, but you can get a closer look on itunes. And there's real cd's available here.
When I was first contacted by Atlantic Records, I had no idea who Melanie Martinez was (I hadn't seen her on season 3 of the Voice) but I quickly found out how much I liked her work and became and instant fan. Melanie styled and photographed the album cover herself, and I love how it all came together. It was a treat to collaborate with Melanie and have my work featured on her debut album!
When I was first contacted by Atlantic Records, I had no idea who Melanie Martinez was (I hadn't seen her on season 3 of the Voice) but I quickly found out how much I liked her work and became and instant fan. Melanie styled and photographed the album cover herself, and I love how it all came together. It was a treat to collaborate with Melanie and have my work featured on her debut album!
The video for the single Dollhouse is
fabulous - you must watch it - nearly 1.5 million views!
Labels: illustration, printable kits
let's make teacher appreciation gifts!
Let your child's teacher know how much you appreciate all their work with a little something handmade by you.
I've got some quick and easy kits for you in my Etsy shop that are perfect for graduation, year end parties and let's not forget the tutors or bus drivers too!
1. Pencil Candy boxes printable - perfect for a last minute teacher gift, these pencil candy boxes go together quickly!
2. Apple Candy boxes printable kit - just right for Fall themed parties or as a teacher appreciation gift. They also look cute displayed in a bowl in our kitchen!
3. Alphabet Blocks mini cupcake and favor boxes in bright primary colors - comes with an included cupcake tray to hold one mini-size cupcake! Also fits wrapped candies, small gifts and treats. Letters A-Z and numbers 0-9, print as many as you like to spell out words and use the included number blocks to display dates or ages!
4. School Bus cupcake and favor box printable kit - everyone loves a cupcake! This school bus holds two standard sized cupcakes or three mini cupcakes!
5. School House cookie and favor box printable kit - adorable school box shaped cookie box, holds more than just cookies, use it as a favor box for small gifts, gift cards or as a school themed party centerpiece!
2. Apple Candy boxes printable kit - just right for Fall themed parties or as a teacher appreciation gift. They also look cute displayed in a bowl in our kitchen!
3. Alphabet Blocks mini cupcake and favor boxes in bright primary colors - comes with an included cupcake tray to hold one mini-size cupcake! Also fits wrapped candies, small gifts and treats. Letters A-Z and numbers 0-9, print as many as you like to spell out words and use the included number blocks to display dates or ages!
4. School Bus cupcake and favor box printable kit - everyone loves a cupcake! This school bus holds two standard sized cupcakes or three mini cupcakes!
5. School House cookie and favor box printable kit - adorable school box shaped cookie box, holds more than just cookies, use it as a favor box for small gifts, gift cards or as a school themed party centerpiece!
Labels: printable kits
Name:claudine hellmuth
