Guest Designer- Little Yellow Bicycle

It is with great pleasure that I share with you that I am the guest designer over on the Little Yellow Bicycle blog. For years, I have not only loved LYB and their products but have been fortunate enough to call some of their employees and designers friends. When they launched their Art-C line, I was there in the thick of it with them and I am so very grateful for that. They are not only a great company with great products... but they are also pretty awesome people as well.

I will be sharing 3 days on the blog for this past Friday's post I shared a super cute and easy canvas that I created with my daughter.

Love Never Fails

 

So here is one of my FAVORITE tips... are you ready????

• Use foam shapes on your art for texture... from here, I simply spray painted (or you can gesso) to unify the look and decorated from here.

Make sure to check out my guest post from Friday here. You might learn something about me that you didn't know before :)

Thanks for stopping by today!

~Liz ♥

NO

So, it has been a little busy here in our house. Lots of changes, all good but keeping us busy. Crazy busy. It is nice to be able to get into a rhythm with it all.

Today I wanted to share with you my first meme for Liz Hicks Studios. I am not one for making memes, I see a lot of them and LOVE them, share them and feel so uplifted by them. Some of my favorites are from my sweet friends over at Brave Girls Club. It is no surprise to see them on my Facebook wall.

Yesterday, I felt the need to throw my hat into the meme pool. I was inspired by my friends named Amber (ironically, they both caught my attention at different times of the day). Through conversations with both of my friends at separate times I really felt these words spoken to my heart.

I think it is so common for us to be critical of ourselves. We often take others attitudes or opinions to heart even when they are just implied and not necessarily expressed. So often we even begin to imagine the response we would receive if ever we would dare to try something out of our comfort zone... or even taking a step towards that dream we hold tight to. I know I have been guilty of this so many times. I can remember PLENTY of times that I can now look back on and see a little bit clearer that I held myself back from stepping forward towards my purpose and dreams. It is human nature to be hard on ourselves and even some times see our dreams as far fetched or not reasonable for the person we are now. We often say to ourselves... "Oh that is something I will do in the future when I am more ________" or " I am not ready for something like _______" or the even more popular " I am not good enough (yet)". I am not sure what plagues each and every one of us to say such things to ourselves.

I can't remember exactly when it was but it was sometime during my illness last year, (when I truly couldn't do anything) I decided that this experience would not go in vain. That I had allowed myself to hold back on what I want to be doing with my life because of ____ and _____ and well every other excuse in the book. Something inside me snapped and it was as if I truly understood just what a waste it was for me to at least not TRY to do the things that are on my heart. I had realized that I had told myself NO way to long. All of the doubts I had assumed along the way, suddenly became void. Now, I am human and am in no way saying that these fears and doubts still don't stop me, but now they stop me in order to fully consider and think things through rather than to hold me back. My focus going forward has become a bit more clearer and has allowed me to organize a plan towards reaching those goals that stir passion in my heart.

So with this being said... I just want to share this little message with you all. This is my reminder that I don't have to hear NO before someone tells me. I can not assume someones answer or how they may see me. Fear and doubt are not the rule. Let truth and discernment take their places and build that future that is yours. No is not a bad word, in fact it is a good word a word that we learn to keep us from harm. It is just a word that we can't allow to be our norm. We have to live, build our future and with that is taking steps, even little ones towards what our purpose is. Life rushes by us so quickly. I have decided to take my time into my hands (AGAIN) and create my terms. As a part of this, I have promised myself to look into the things that I hold in my heart, honor my passion and take small steps towards the things I hope to have in my life. Slowing down, taking small strides and making informed decisions I believe will help to clear my head of that nagging NO that wants to pop in and taint my thoughts. This is my path, I hope that you will take time and consider what will help you in the process of taking steps towards your purpose.

Thanks again for stopping by. I am grateful for my brave and truthful friends, sharing their stories with me. I know that life gets crazy, and that schedules get busy... but I am so grateful for the time each of my friends (and you too!) take to spend with me.

Happy Friday!

~Liz

Liz Hicks Studios Giveaway- WINNERS!

Thank you all for your support on this new endeavor of our families. It is awesome to be able to share the excitement with old friends as well as make new friends along this journey.

As promised... Here is the winners of the prizes that we were giving away to celebrate the launch of Liz Hicks Studios on facebook and my new stamp designs for Unity Stamp Co.

Winners please email me (primadonnaliz@yahoo(dot)com) your mailing address and I will get these sent out to you.

Thanks again for the fun and support. This week my family fell victim to the flu, so I still have some fun projects to share, as well as a video in mind for some techniques using the crafters inks. Stay tuned for some more fun.

~Liz Hicks

New Mercies Art Journal Page- Unity Stamp Co.

After my last post I am sure you are surprised to see more of my grungy funky side. These are projects that I took to CHA, so I want to post all of these before I get into creating more. This page is an art journal page that I created using a paper bag that is washed to look like suede. A simple technique I learned in kindergarten that apparently my artist heart couldn't let go of.

Art journaling is such an amazing way to express on paper what your heart and mind may be trying to tell you. I started art journaling during a tough time in my life, yet I continue to do so now just because I find that it is a great way to allow myself to stop and process things life and any sort of circumstances that come my way.

Mercies Art Journal Page 

Products used: Crafters Inks, Glitter (Clearsnap Inc.), Stamps (Liz Hicks Studios for Unity Stamp Co.), Adhesive (Dry- Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L and Wet- Beacon Adhesives), gesso (Liquitex), Pen (Sakura of America) Resin Paper (Created with Ice Resin), Punchinella, Doilies, Mylar  (Unknown). Sticker Letters (Prima Marketing Inc.)

 

By creating monochromatic papers with the stamps, I was able to create the mosaic background of the mountains and sky. This art journal page is pretty simple, even though it may look complex. Layering textures is a great way to "paint" with paper and in all honesty takes no time at all. It is a quick and simple way to create in a short amount of time with minimal clean up :)

If you are interested in purchasing these background stamps click here to see the Liz Hicks Studios page on the Unity Stamp Co. website. As of this morning the stamps are still on sale for 40% off, my Alphabet stamp is over 50% off! Great deals for stamps that are brand new, never released designs.

 

 Thanks for stopping by today, and remember to check out the giveaway we are having to support the launch of the new stamps. Check it out here for the details!

~Liz Hicks

Valentines Day Cards in a non traditional sense- Unity Stamp Co.

I think we all can agree that my style of crafting is not exactly... well traditional. I have grown to really love what I do and through the process I have come to the realization that I tend to lean towards the artsy, colorful and re-purposed style of crafting... and I couldn't be happier.

I am trying to expand my horizons, as I have found that the reason that I do lean towards the artsy distressed style is not because clean and simple couldn't be a style I create... more or less to draw or cut a straight line kinda frightens me. I hide my mistakes with paint, flowers and inks... lol. But I am going to try and create some simpler designs because I love love love the look of it.

Today I created some non-traditional "Not yo' momma's" Valentines Day cards. These cards were for examples at CHA, of the New Crafters Inks by Clearsnap Inc. Both of these greeting cards were created using my new background stamps from Unity Stamp Co.

4 YOU greeting card

Products used: cardstock (Bazzill Basics), Inks, Glitter, and embossing powder (Clearsnap Inc), Stamps (Liz Hicks Studios for Unity Stamp Co.), Pen (Sakura of America), sequin and vintage paper (Unknown), Dry adhesive (Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L) and wet adhesive (Beacon Adhesives)

Foreground and background: use rich colors to create your focal point like I did using Collage of Digits here. I added some visual interest to the background by layering my stamps over tinted vintage paper. Using Dinged Dots and I.Kat along the side helps to break up the boldness of the main stamp.

 

Layer Colors and Patterns: The happening trend right now in fashion is not only color blocking BUT also blocking with complimentary patterns. Use analogous or complimentary colors with my stamps to create beautiful layered effects like you see above. I used three different colors and 3 different stamps to create this colorful collage.

Isolate a number and use it to your benefit: Here I added glittered embossing powder to the #4 to use it for my sentiment.

 Love You Card

Products used: Cardstock (Bazzill Basics), Inks and embossing powder (Clearsnap Inc.), Stamps (Liz Hicks Studios for Unity Stamp Co.), Pen (Sakura of America), Punchinella and Vintage paper (unknown), Dry adhesive (Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L) and wet adhesive (Beacon Adhesives)

Make a bold impression: Use a repetitive pattern (Like the hearts here) in bold colors to allow the stamped background to fade. Taking the visual interest off of the background with this bold heart pattern allows the viewer to see the hearts first and notice the background secondary, which translates really well as perceived depth.

Outline to define: Use a dark pen to outline letters or patterns that may otherwise get lost in the background.

Since this post IS a part of our Launch Party with UNITY STAMP CO. I want to remind you of our giveaways taking place till February 2nd 2013. Check them out here. 

I used ALL 4 of the background stamps on the first card and Dinged Dots & my alphabet on the second.

These background stamps are on sale for only $8.99 AND my Alphabet is only $20 right now. To add to the amazing prices... $1 of every sale goes to help Melody Ross with her work for Full Circle Exchange in bringing awareness and assistance to those involved in Human Trafficking. Sale is for this weekend only so grab them while you can. You can order your Unity Stamps right here.

Also make sure to check out the brand new LIZ HICKS STUDIOS facebook page that we created to keep track of all of the good stuff we are doing with Liz Hicks Studios. If you didn't know... Liz Hicks Studios is not just me, it is my family as well but mostly me and my husband. This is our families joint effort and I would love for you to check out what we are doing next by checking out our page here.

There is a whole lot of fun things going on this year... this is just the beginning. I hope you enjoyed these cards and the details that I have shared. With explaining them as I did, I hope that you can take this info and find ways to make it useful in your crafting.

Thanks for stopping by!

~Liz Hicks

Liz Hicks Studios for Unity Stamp Co.

Deep breath...

I have to catch myself because this is kind of awesome to see my designs come to life. These stamps have been in the works for a while so I am so happy to finally see them go public!

It's no surprise that Unity Stamp Co. is dear to my heart. Although Angela and I had met before at a trade show, we truly connected when we were both campers at Brave Girls Camp.We didn't know anyone as we got on the bus and headed into the mountains. For some reason we clung to each other, even though we didn't know each other well... it was enough to feel safe as we started this journey together. When I needed some quick stamps for a class that I was teaching, Angela came to the rescue... from there we have been building up some designs of mine to create into these unique 4x6 format stamps.

WHY4x6? 

Well that was my idea in hopes that it would appeal to all sorts of crafters. Anything that I create needs to be useful and versatile... If it can't be used for multiple types of crafting then it will most likely sit on your shelf and never be used. As a frugal crafter myself, I watch my pennies as I spend them on crafting supplies and always make sure that I can get the biggest bang for my buck, so my hopes is that this 4x6 size will appeal to cardmakers, stampers, ATC enthusiast, jewelry makers, mixed media artists, art journalers, scrapbookers, art quilters... and well anyone else that may enjoy these designs. The theme is that regardless of any type of crafting that you enjoy, these stamps should work for you.

 $1 of every sale will go to the Full Circle Exchange to assist Melody Ross with her to bring awareness to human trafficking.

And in the spirit of our friendship, Angela, Melody and I have teamed up to give $1 of each purchase from Unity this weekend to Full Circle Exchange which is an organization that is helping empower and rehabilitate women with skill sets to help them further their life through creativity. Melody just came back from a trip to the Philippines where they worked with women in prostitution to help empower them and  give them the confidence and skill sets to further themselves and to pursue other careers. I can't imagine a better gift to be able to give someone.

Collage of Digits

 Dinged Dots

 Letterpress Numbers

I.Kat

Buy these stamps right here. On sale for only $8.99 this weekend!

Besides these four background stamps I also have an awesome alphabet set available. This set is a solid modeled times new roman style font with a book print distress. The letters are about 1 inch to 1 1/2 inch tall so they are perfect for any style of crafting.

So I have a few projects to share using the background stamps as well as the alphabet stamps. I thought it might be fun to have a launch party this weekend so that I can tell you a little more about my inspiration behind the designs as well as some of the other concepts that I am working on for future designs. So if you are game... join me this week as we introduce these 4 new designs to the Liz Hicks Artisan Collection of Unity Stamp Co.  From today through next week I will be sharing some fun projects using these stamps. Since this is a party... we need to have a little something to celebrate, so how about a giveaway? I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to give away some of my favorite inks. It is no surprise that I LOVE CLEARSNAP inks.. and they just came out with a brand new set of Crafter's Inks that I used in every single project with these stamps. This weekend I will also introduce you to the many fun effects that you can get with these water soluble permanent inks... Yes you heard me right... water soluble AND permanent... it is the perfect match. And of course... we will be giving away one of each stamp to 4 people... that is a total of 6 prizes up for grabs!

So to enter into the giveaways simply use the widget below to enter. You can enter as many times as you are allowed and you may share it too. The winner will be randomly picked and chosen on 2/1/2013 and announced later that day. We will be having a fun week of inspiration on different ways to use these new stamps as well as some fun and amazing techniques using these new ink pads from Clearsnap.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

So join the fun, be inspired, create art and do it all with your heart for a good cause... We are going to have a blast.

~Liz Hicks 

Art for Cheryl- 1

One thing that I didn't think much about when I started this campaign for Art for Cheryl was just how much emotion this would dig up. Cheryl had her surgery last Monday and is now home safe. She is followed by Dr.'s appointments and much needed rest. To keep up with Cheryl's progress please check out the online community that has been set up for her. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO KNOW CHERYL TO BE A PART... just caring is enough... prayer if you have it in you would be awesome as well.

JOIN CHERYL'S COMMUNITY HERE

At our show this week it was apparent to me just how much emotion was dug up with Cheryl going into surgery. All of our friends were together, even Cheryl came for the first day of the show (unfortunately I showed up after, so didn't get to see her). It was hard. Knowing that our friend, our dear friend would be going through this was just tough. I could see it on all of my friends faces, but they lit up with the happiness that they got to see her that first day. 

Unfortunately my bright idea for all of us to sport our TEAM CHERYL tattoos didn't quite take off, you see... a certain little 7 year old with a heart of gold took the pink sharpie out of mommies purse to create her own team Cheryl tattoo and well, just like mommy ALWAYS tells her... she put it away in where she thought it should go, our utility drawer. So the sharpie didn't make it with me to the show, and in all honesty I think our group of friends were kind of wrapped up with the pensive feeling of Cheryl and surgery. All in all I think it worked out just fine. A nice artist created a Flat Cheryl whom roamed the floors with us and altogether we had a blast and were relieved to hear that Cheryl made it out of surgery well.

Many have already begun their art for #teamcheryl. The outpouring from Cheryl's family and friends has been amazing. I am going to see if there is a way to make the print public so that anyone can grab it and use it. The main thing is to get our girl better and to shower her with what speaks to her heart... God, Art and Love. You don't have to be an artist to participate... just someone who cares and can create something for our girl using these words... You don't even have to use the print... just share and hashtag #teamcheryl so that you can be included in the love and support that Cheryl deserves.

The print above is something that I created by scanning in some original art and masking it with a black background. The paints I used were from a new company called Splash of Color formerly Creative Imaginations. They are the home of Luminarte and Viva Colour paint products which work amazingly together.

I am normally not an non objective abstract artists... I usually have some sort of objectivity to my art but not having anything at all in my head to create...leads to artsy freedom like this.

This is just a small scanned portion of the original art that I used for Cheryl's piece... I was just having fun with some of the new Splash of Color paints that I brought home from CHA. This will most likely end up being turned into something else and act as a bottom layer... but I had a blast testing out the paints and just having fun. You can see a sampling of how the Luminarte products and the Viva Colour products work well together to create depth and texture. For this project I used the Luminarte twinkling H2O's, Radiant Rains and the Viva Colour Pearl pens, Glitter Pens, Modeling Cremes, Crackle Paints, Inka Gold rubs and Inka Gold base coat. It was fun to sit down and relax for a few hours and just create.

If you are interested in joining in on the Art for Cheryl campaign please email me at primadonnaliz@yahoo(dot)com and I will send you the print. I am hoping to see if there is a way to make the print public so that we can make access a little easier. Or like I said previously... just create something with Cheryl's quote on it "Make Today Count" give credit to Cheryl in the quote and hashtag #teamcheryl so that it can be included in this for her.

Thanks so much.

~Liz Hicks