Art in a Family

I love that my kids are creative ~ personally I grew up in a non-artistic family and it's tough traveling this eccentric road alone. So when it came to raising my boys I nurtured their desires for self expression. It wasn't easy but as it turned out I wound up with three uniquely creative souls ~ a writer, a musician, and the oldest... well, you name it, he does it; sculpting, drawing, tattooing, etc.

While I could write sheets and sheets about all three and their inspiring talents, today I simply wanted to share a little bit about my second son, the musician. You see he's coming out with a new album soon and of course being the beaming mom I'm promoting it, but there's really more to it than just a simple album.

This is his third album, titled "Old Heart New Love", and it's in followup to his first "She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not" ~ written about a heart-wrenching breakup (hopefully his first and last). This album moves on from that starting point and embraces progress.  While all of his albums feature an amazing assortment of his original music and lyrics, there are striking differences between them.  Originally performed solo, he's now joined by a talented ensemble of band members and that, coupled with professional sound mixing, has brought a new multidimensional quality and depth to his music.

Beyond these aspects their fans and public are sure to love, it's the cooperative efforts and personal journeys I'm most inspired by.  From indie musicians to artists, this album is a collective labor of love and dedication. They've supported the entire production themselves and worked day and night around their "real" jobs, to see this dreams come true.

Moreover I'm captivated by the albums' artwork, all of which was created by one of my son's closest friends. Seeing how the imagery  has evolved over time from an original plucked flower to a skinned tattoo with thumping heart has been mesmerizing and stands as a visual representation of the progression and growth of this band and my son's music.

Here's a pre-released single if you'd like to have a listen to "She Shakes My Foundation" by Sound of a Smirk:

Free music player widget at ReverbNation.com

http://www.reverbnation.com/soundofasmirk/song/18685846-she-shakes-my-foundation-new-single#

While preparing the artwork for print I've had the chance to personally delve into the details of this newest album.  While I love it all, my personal favorite is the t'shirt that comes with preordering the album ~ you see  how the heart is there between the hands which are dripping into petals, but did you notice it looks like a flower? I didn't at first.

As far as the journey ~ it's simply priceless to witness our children grow through life. As parents we shutter at their pitfalls and rise in delight with their triumphs. So seeing them grow through heartbreak, coming out the other side wiser, happier, and stronger, are the some of the greatest blessings we can hold. 

Having a creative soul for a child takes that even further, enabling us to possess "markers" of their journeys ~ whether it's a painting, a poem, or songs woven into an album, they tap into the souls of our dearhearts and allow us to share even deeper in their experiences.  These are all the miracles of art in a family and the truest treasurers of this life.

And so I encourage you to follow this talented band, Sound of a Smirk, on Facebook, have a listen to their pre-releases, and preorder their bundle. Appreciating true creativity across generations is what fuels our deepest relationships ~ so listen, share, and enjoy, but most of all ~ preorder. *smile*

Enjoy~

Customer Shout Outs

We're pleased as punch to be offering up a viewing of two recently completed projects.

The first is this ethereal theme created for Earth Mermaid.  For this theme we were given permission to use some original artwork created for our customer by the ever talented Erin Darcy Design.  Modifying original imagery for custom blog themes is always a challenge as so we're delighted with the outcome.  Other elements added to her custom theme were two blog badges and and an original set of social networking links.  You can grab a closer look at: http://www.earthmermaid.com/

The next theme was for Butterfly Kisses and included one of our original shelf banners, a modified version of our Je T'aime background, and several other custom coordinating images. Working on shelf banners is such a treat as we have the opportunity to truly personalize the look so each comes out quite different and oh-so unique!  Add-ons for this whimsical theme include a top navigation bar and personal blog signature.  You can take a closer look at: http://butterflykisseswithlove.blogspot.com/

We're currently wrapping up several indepth custom orders and hope to have more Customer Shouts for you in the very near future.

Best~

Customer Shout Outs

Gee it feels like forever since I last wrote a customer shout-out. It's not that I haven't been swamped with work it just seems that so much of it has been related more to Helping Hands projects and helping customers set up their blogs.  The custom projects I've been working on have also taken longer lately as my creative envelope gets stretched further with each new theme.  Still, writing these shout-outs is always such fun because not only do I get to share some of my creative work but I get to introduce you to a great group of customers. So here's a smattering of some recent work and customers...

Snips and Threads

This theme took nearly a year ~ yes, it's tough to believe but some projects do take that long. We bounced a  lot of ideas back and forth and finally wound up with the perfect combination for this blog about quilting and other crafty projects.

Strange Vellum

This project was filled with fantastical imagery as we dove into the world of the macabre and supernatural.  The ogre was loads of fun to create as well as the other intricate details (note the swimming koi under spyglass) in this truly unique theme.
On a personal note, I feel bad as the customer took ill shortly after finishing the theme and hasn't had a chance to enjoy her blog yet.  I do hope she recovers quickly and am asking that you all send her some healing energy.

Crystal Tree

 This return customer was in need of an appointment card to coordinate with the business card I created for her a few months back so we wound up with this energizing set, just perfect for her Reiki sessions.

Glitter Tart Designs
This custom project involved creating two original images, the first was this social links bar with a vintage flair.  I chose to create what looks like a lovely piece of vintage jewelry to host her social networking links.

 The second piece was her custom blog badge which includes the customer's own artwork incorporated into some other images.

Green Witch with Sprinkles

I don't usually do shout outs for smaller image projects but this one was especially fun since we included one of her actual products in this custom post divider. It's always a challenge working with actual product images but the results can be so fantastic!


Oracle Reading by Kawehi
Language barriers can often prove a bit complicated and while several of my recent customers have not spoken English I thought I'd give a special shout out to this extended theme project.

 Kawehi began with one of my prefab themes and then selected to have me created a custom blog badge and coordinating business images including a business card and thank you card.  

She provide the text for her custom badge so her local visitors could understand and share.

So that's a sampling of some of the recent projects I've worked on ~ I do hope you'll take the time to click through some of the titles and images to discover some wonderful indie businesses and even make some new friends.  Meeting other bloggers and online indie venues is simply the best part of this online world we all share!

Enjoy~

Newness

I've been so busy with custom orders lately that I haven't had time to get in here and post about some recent prefab additions so let me begin by doing a quick shout-out for some new post dividers. I've included a sampling below but you can find the complete set listed on the Post Dividers page (direct link: http://www.prl-images.com/post_dividers.html) or on the individual theme pages.

A Fondness

Emporium

Mother's Treasures

Read All-over

Tattered Garden

Last week's sale was a big hit so a HuGe THaNKs goes out to all of you who stopped by my Etsy shop.  The new Treasuries I created also helped to bring in some new traffic which was great too ~ it's been nearly 6 months since I put one of those together and they're always so much fun to create!

All of these helped bankroll my son's Youth and Government trip this past weekend so I sincerely appreciate it! I missed him while we was away but I know it's good practice to prepare for this fall when he's off to college. *sniffle*

Best~

Customer Shout Out!

Once again I have the pleasure of giving a few shout-outs to some recently completed projects.  These are always so much fun because not only do I get to show off some fun themes I've been working on but I get to introduce you to some really wonderful creative souls!

Projeto Corujinho

First up is this theme created for Projeto Curinho.  Now if htat title sounds a bit foreign, it's because that's Portuguese.  Not many of you may know that I lived in Brazil many years ago so this project was extra special to me.  This blog theme was created around a charitable cause ~ offering golfing lessons to underprivileged children in Brazil.  Visiting the blog you'll see photos of the children having fun and it's easy to see how much this special project means to all of them!  I was honored to have an opportunity to work on this theme.

The Johnson Family Live

Next we have The Johnson Family Live ~ a delightfully homey blog centered around family, fun, and food.  If you've ever had a project just flow then you'll understand how happy I was when this one simply fell together at every turn.  The end result is a wonderfully elegant yet down-to-earth theme that offers a cozy backdrop to this fabulous family's life and adventures.

Bonnie's Heart & Home

Lastly we have Bonnie's Heart and Home ~ it's funny how some themes just seem to take a bit longer, not because of any one particular aspect or cause but simply how putting the individual theme plays out and this theme was one of those. Starting on our journey nearly a year ago, Bonnie and I worked together to bring her personal vision of home and spiritual beliefs together in one lovely theme.  The outcome was a multifaceted theme that fits her lovely style to a tee.

As always a huge thanks to my wonderful customers, not only for selecting me to create for them but for allowing me the honor of bringing their personal visions to life ~ it's always such a pleasure! I do hope you'll take the time to visit each of these wonderful blogs and comment and Follow ~ it's one of the ways we can reach out and make this blogging community a little more friendly and personal. 

Enjoy~

New Customor Shout-Outs

Seems like only yesterday I was posting a new customer shout out and sure enough it nearly was ~ just goes to show how busy I've been lately and that's always a good thing.  Not only do I get to be creative but I also have the pleasure of making a few more visual dreams come true, whoot!  So here's a sampling of some of my latest completed projects...

The Olde Farmhouse 

This theme was centered around Joy's love of country elements and high contrast colors.  Working in elements like a personalized crock, rooster, and charming home added a welcoming feel to the set.

 For the banner I began by creating an original country scene to work as a fitting backdrop for the charming shelf, valance and window ensemble.  Joy then selected a simpler background as to not detract from the main focal points.
 

Kimi's Jewelry & Gifts 

This theme involved pink, pink and more pink! Kimi's love of all things glittering, flittering, and pink really brought life to the gorgeous collection of roses and other shimmering accents in her original theme.

We carried this ensemble over into a large selection of additional digital creations, from Facebook and Twitter images to shop sets and business cards.

Flip Flops & Pop Tarts - Seasonal
 
Doing up a seasonal change is one of my personal favs and for this changeover Dawn selected to begin with one of my original shop sets, Tattered Christmas.  Building upon this weathered seasonal theme I created a selection of top navigation tags, along with a banner, background and seasonal signature image.

It's always such a pleasure posting these shouts-outs and I hope you've enjoyed this newest selection of eye candy.  I hope you'll take a moment to visit all of these wonderful bloggers and say "Hi" ~ making new friends in blogland is certainly one of the greatest gifts of all!

Best,

Customer Shout Outs

I'm so happy to share with you another selection Customer Shout Outs.  These are always the most fun to post about, not only because I have the joy of knowing there are several more items crossed off my ever increasing "To-Do" List but because I have the pleasure of spotlighting my wonderful customers.

For me there's nothing more amazing than watching these projects unfold because I never really know how they will turn out. Taking a customer's vision; their likes and interests, and putting it all together is as much a mystery to me as it is to them.  It's like watching a beautiful flower bloom without knowing what type of seed you've planted.

So here are some of my most recent customers ~ I hope you'll take the time to visit, check out their themes and get to know them better...

Glamour to Whimsey

For this project the customer was already using one of my Etsy shop sets and wished to continue the theme over into several other realms included a selection of printed items.  From a Facebook cover image and mailing labels to packaging stickers and business cards this theme transitioned beautifully.

The Crystal Tree

 customer's original logo above

This project began as a simple 2-sided business card. The customer contacted me to create a new business card using her existing logo.  Putting my own 3-D twist on her darling image I brought her enchanting crystal tree to life through a swirling magickal scene. 

Not long after that project she returned with a request for an event banner.  Although it was a challenge recreating these elements in a much larger format, as 3 inches doesn't always transition well into 4 feet, the end result was truly wonderful!

 

Pip's Pastimes

This customer was actually a winner for one of my previous customer's giveaways.  Carol of Craftingranny's Card Shack held a giveaway extravaganza earlier this year and chose one of my custom blog themes as a giveaway prize.  Working with the winner was a sheer delight and we both enjoy how the final product turned out.

Loving Heart Reiki

This project involved turning a professional Reiki instructor's black and white "sacred contract" illustration to life through vivid colors.  Her requests were simply that the overall design stick to the original image and that it possess a glowing effect.  In the end I was as impressed with the outcome as she was since from a technical standpoint I created this in Photoshop rather than Illustrator.

Go Pink Wednesdays

This project was for a weekly blog event through the month of October to help spread the word for breast cancer awareness.  The task was to create an eye catching button that captured the theme centered around nail polish.  I chose to incorporate the pink ribbon into the actual polish and couldn't be happier with the outcome.

 

Carole's Soulfelt Creations

And finally we have this most recent blog theme which I previously posted about as the customer chose to gift me with a most beautiful poem.  This project was a sheer delight ~ weaving together a collection of spiritual elements and vintage ensemble seemed like a challenge at first but as with so many of my themes the pieces just seem to fall together so naturally and in the end it's nothing short of magick and divine inspiration.

Thanks so much for taking the time to share in my latest projects. There are many others I'm just finishing up with and so I hope to be sharing those very shortly in the coming weeks.

Best~