Lettuce Stencil Stationary

Today, I am super excited to be a guest blogger on TOFW (Time Out For Women)! It's a fantastic blog where women get together (via online) and inspire one another through projects, stories, etc.--which is a MUST for all of us gals! So head on over and check out my Lettuce Stencil Stationary tutorial (try saying that ten times super fast ha) and tell me what ya' think!

OH and by the way...

"IT'S MY BIRTHDAY WEEK" GIVEAWAY  

starts next week...so keep a look out! 

***Follow along so you get the updates***

Spotlight: Ninainvorm

I am not sure how I stumbled upon Nina's work, but I am sure glad I did! I love her artistic talent...she uses color in the greatest ways! Her stuff looks like it belongs in the Anthro catalog! She is from the Netherlands, and uses a lot of what she sees there as inspiration. I asked her to share a little bit about how color inspires her to create such fun artwork, and this is what she had to say:

"There are days when I wish I could be a minimalist, decorating a whole house with only different shades and textures of white and grey, but no matter how hard I'd try, that's just not me! I'm always attracted to color, lots of bright colors! Personally I love the combination of crisp, clean white with lots of color, and you also see this combination appear in the ceramics and prints that I make. I like to dress colorful with lots of floral and graphic patterns, and you also see this preference in the way my daughter Rosa is being dressed (she has her own little fashion blog: http://coolkidsclothes.punt.nl). Personally I think (if it suits you) you have to be a bit daring when it comes to color. When you like it, why be afraid of it?"

NINA IS OFFERING 10% OFF OVER AT HER ETSY SHOP IF YOU ENTER PROMO CODE: COLORISSUE

Spotlight and Friday Color List

I asked Tara from Trendy Treehouse to share a little bit about how color inspires her...she is ever so creative and inspiring so i felt she would be a great spotlight! And of course she added her "COLOR LIST" to the post!!! Here's what she had to say...

"At first I wasn't sure how to start. Color is so important in my life. How to choose! But after a trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and many photos later, I knew just what I was going to share. 

 There is so much you can imagine when staring into an aquarium. It's dream like!! When we began our tour, I had no intention of taking a million photos, but go so inspired, I just kept shooting. I will be sharing some of those (many of my favorites) with you here today!" 

  

 

 

 ...Tara's Top 10 Color Inspiring Pics...

 1. The Scrap Fabric Wreath. So colorful. LoVe it!

 2. These Beautiful Paper Dolls. I want them for my daughter's room!

 3. Words that Inspire. I am doing this!

 4. This Gorgeous Garden. So want this at my house.

 5. Marbles for my fence. Cool idea!

 6. Fun Party in the Orchard.

 7. Love these Bookshelves. Never hide the colorful cover on books!

 8. The perfect Crown for any prince or princess.

 9. One day when I'm Brave Enough. Mermaid Hair.

 10. My LOVES. Who inspire me everyday!

Please stop by my BLOG to say hi.

 And feel free to visit my Pinterest Boards to see more things that inspire me!

 Thanks again Tara for taking them time to be a guest on Color Issue! Have a wonderful weekend my friends!

oh, just another favorite of mine...

Have you heard of the Alice Supply Co.? Well, from one color enthusiast to another...this company has the cutest and most colorful little do-dads! You know, things that you totally don't need to buy but you totally do because the packaging and design is to cute to pass up?! Who wouldn't want a sailor striped plunger!?! If you've got to use one, why not use a cute one...right?!?! And the hose, oh my gosh I need a yard!

-- check out some more of the fun Alice Supply Co. merchandise (try not to get hooked **wink)...--

Alice Lane's colorful renovation in Nie Nie's basement...

Have you ever walked into a furniture store, and you immediately wish your entire home could transform into that exact space with a blink of an eye?! Well, for me, Alice Lane is that place!!! The owner, Jessica Bennet,was sweet enough to take the time and share some thoughts and photos of Stephanie Nielson's home basement. It is by far one of my favorite renovations done by Alice Lane! I love the colors, curtains, wall paper, even the tiny nic-naks...isn't it all just perfect?!

I asked Stephanie to share how color inspired her throughout this project and this is what she had to say,  "All growing up I have been drawn to color.  It does something to my soul.  It makes me happy and in a good mood.  Color to me means life, it means personality, it means children, it means love, and it means endless opportunities" 

Thank you so much to Jessica and the team for sharing such beautiful work so that we can all drool and dream of one day having a space like this! ha.

all photos are taken by Meikel Reece

and if you like to see BEFORE and AFTER pics (and I mean who doesn't?!) then check out more photos here, here, here, here, here, here, 

Oh and p.s. today I am off with my sister and her two kids to the happiest place on Earth...we all have our disney-get-ups, and you better believe I am super excited!!!

Spotlight with Anastasia Marie

Hi there you all!!! How was your holiday weekend?! We got back late last night, unpacked (worst part of traveling isn't it?!) and went straight to bed, but before I drifted off to dreamland I sat and played with my new toy (yes my friends I have found the light! haha)...I see how these little buggers can be quite addicting!

This week I have some fun New Years Eve posts...but before that, I thought I'd share a spotlight (since I haven't for a while). I feel like its a way to showcase people with a great eye for color! I asked Anastastia from Anastasia Marie to tell us how color inspires her! Her stationary work is simply beautiful...and I love her style and creativity! Here is what she had to say...

"I am a huge color lover. I live and breathe color. As a designer, I can't help myself. When I first stepped foot into my little home when my husband and I were looking for somewhere to call home, I really hated it. The walls were unpainted, the rooms had barely any lighting since there were barely any windows, the carpet was dark, and let's just say it was a really depressing place. (Don't worry, we fixed it up!) And if you're anything like me, the color of your walls impacts your home as well.  I'm really into putting together really pretty inspiration palettes. Not only do they inspire me to create pretty cards and stationery for my clients or to sell in my Shop, but other folks get inspired too. I'm currently working on rebranding my company and I chose gold as my main color long before I even started. Now everything is revolving around that one color in attempts to compliment it. It really doesn't surprise me how one color choice is affecting so many of my decisions. I've chosen four boards with four very different color palettes that I've put together. See how my color choices for these palettes steered me towards a certain board theme, which then led to what types of images would be chosen. Afternoon Tea makes me feel all elegant. The muted colors make this party a toned down one.

Darling Apples gives me a glimpse into what an old-fashioned summer must have been like. The bright pop of the orange and green make it super festive and carefree.

Bold Mood is quite dark. The darker colors almost give it a dreary feel, but the crimson sure does lift the mood a bit.

Hello Yellow is a subtle gray party for you. But wait, that touch of yellow just changed the mood to fun!

Afternoon Tea image credits: waist bow {image source unknown}; these sweet blooms {image source unknown}; this sparkling champagne via The Sweetest Occasion; this wild bouquet {image source unknown}; this fancy hat {image source unknown}; this sweet dessert via Sara's Scrapbook; this cup of tea via Hello Naomi; and these bow shoes via Efeundodos {found via Style Me Pretty}.

Darling Apples image credits: orange tree via tompalumbo Flickr; this ribbon via BHLDN; these apple escort cards via Project Wedding; this chair via MLW; this apple table setting via Martha Stewart Weddings; these orange straws via Souder {found via Luna & Chloe}; and this apple garland {image source unknown}.

Bold Mood image credits: this tweed {image source unknown}; this cake {image source unknown}; these bundles of yarn via Brooklyn Tweed; this place setting via House Beautiful; this pretty lady {image source unknown}; this burlap bunting via MirtilloShop {Etsy}; this table setting via Jennifer Sando {found via Style Me Pretty}; and this stationery via Anastasia Marie {image by Daniel Usenko}.

Hello Yellow image credits: these shoes {image source unknown}; this cake via Martha Stewart Weddings; this glitzy outfit {image source unknown}; this yellow bouquet via Aaron Snow, found via Style Me Pretty; this table setting via The Decorista {image source unknown}; this bridal dress {image source unknown}; this boutonniere via Sara Gray, found via Elizabeth Anne; these bowls via Anthropologie.

oh and today is the last day to enter the super fantastic giveaway!

Spotlight: Summer House

I asked Laurel, from Summer House to share some advice about adding warmth to a room. Her response was fantastic and I have been waiting for the right moment to post these special tips!

"Over in our neck of the woods, at SummerHouse in Ridgeland, MS, we have some talented designers who chimed in on the topic!

Designer Elish Phares (who is the right hand woman to SummerHouse principal designer Lisa Palmer) says, “I think a “warm” room isn’t always about the color itself but the tone of the color. For example, grays are usually considered cold, but then you can have a warm gray that is really inviting. I think texture really warms up a room, too. Linens, velvets, furs… Layers add a lot to the warmth of a space!"

 Designer Betsy Pevey said, “I think you can have a cozy room in almost any color range. I like to make a room more cozy by adding a rug. Rugs ground the space and define it. I loved designing the room in this picture because of the great things I had to work with. The great colors and the mix of textures make this traditional space beautiful.”

 Meagan Burks, one of the youngest designers at SummerHouse says, "One of the easiest ways to add warmth to a room is through task lighting.”  The soft glow of a small white light makes color more fascinating! The room in this photo is a great example of how warm + cool colors add so much to a space, making it inviting, interesting, and cozy!

 Laurel, the SummerHouse social media girl and lover of beautiful interiors, says her favorite warm rooms incorporate great neutrals and traditional “warm colors” like reds, oranges, and yellows. “My favorite warm and cozy rooms have neutral walls and pops of warm color.

We are all passionate about color, as is Aarean, and truly believe that color is one of the things that makes life so fun and fascinating! Without color, what would this world be? Just think about it! Color is a necessity for happiness, right?! We love using the right colors to make peoples’ homes more beautiful. For more colorful work by the SummerHouse team, head on over to the Interior Design section of our website! www.summerhousestyle.com/design.

Thanks so much SummerHouse team! I love your work, and love all the warm cozy color combos!

Spotlight: Being Fashionably Bold

It's always fun to see what people come up with for the Color Issue Spotlights. I love being inspired by others through their creative eye! 

I asked Candice, to share some of her favorite fashion "do's" for this season!This is such a great, colorful outfit and I love the glittery heels (oh yes please!)...

top, skirt, heels, clutch, bracelet, tassle bracelet, scarf

• 
  
• "Hi There! I'm Candice from TeaTime Thoughts!
• When it comes to fashion, color blocking has become one of my very favorite trends for this year! The vibrant hues and touches of glitter are the perfect combination for a lunch with girlfriends or an evening out on the town! 
• I started off with a vibrant fuchsia skirt, skinny blue belt, and a simple striped shirt (a must have!)
• Top it off with some bold and dainty bangles, and a touch of glam with glittery heels (that will surely elongate your legs)!
• To keep out the cold, and keep in the style, add extra polish with a cozy fur scarf. It's a fun alternative to a vest, and still keeps your neck quite warm! 

 All of these pieces can be mixed and matched with other wardrobe staples like jeans, blazers and boots to create a bunch of gorgeous looks each time. Remember, your best accessory is confidence, so have fun, love your outfit, and take a risk every now and then!"


WINNER FOR THE thanksGIVEAWAY NECKLACE (thanks to random.org) is...PAIGE!!!
thanksGIVEAWAY #3 will be up around noon today...so make sure to come back and check it out!!! 

Spotlight: Colorful Ceiling Inspiration from Arcadia

LAST DAY TO ENTER THANKSGIVEAWAY #2!!!!

Hello! I'm Joanna, a writer for Arcadian Lighting, a terrific online source for light fixtures for every decorating style. Some color-timid decorators shy away from using bright hues on the walls. Can you imagine being brave enough to paint your ceiling vivid orange or using bright floral wallpaper? Some decorators are doing just that with great success. We're loving the innovative way some of these rooms turn out!

A whimsical cherub amongst lilies and lily pads top off a vintage kitchen. A lack of upper cabinets keeps the kitchen from becoming crowded or feeling smaller.

A geometric pattern on this low ceiling gives an optical illusion. White on the bed and ceiling make the color on the walls pop.

A floral wallpaper adorns the ceiling of this small bedroom. The layering of so many textures could have been too busy, but it works well here!

A silver flocked ceiling makes a dramatic statement in this bright orange room. Modern furnishings, textiles and art blend well with the ornate traditional feel to the room.

A dramatic ceiling gives this traditional setting a sophisticated contemporary feel. The unusual lighting fixture might have looked odd but it marries the formal feel of the room with modern furnishings.

An outdoor room is finished with a Moroccan tile ceiling in shades of blue and yellow. A large light fixture goes with the opulent feel of this room beautifully.

So...what do you think about vibrant, boldly colored ceilings after these little pieces of inspiration?

 (Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)

Spotlight: Rachel from Elegance Redefined

I met Rachel back when we were college students...when around this time of year we were wearing snow boots and heavy wool jackets. (kind of miss those days actually)...now she lives in the Golden Gate City where she is a wife, mama and an interior designer. Her work is clean and fresh, and always inspiring. She was nice enough to share some of her expertise on how she chooses her colors to decorate both small and large spaces.


     "Putting color up on the wall can be a nerve racking decision.  I've worked with plenty of clients too nervous to put anything besides beige up on the wall!  Something to keep in mind when choosing a color is to see how much time you will be spending in that space, and what emotions you want when you walk in the room. Family rooms often have many windows that draw your eye outside, and that is where you want a lot of your focus and attention; which is why many large areas are normally neutral.  
     If you pick a bold color for a room you will be spending a lot of time in, remember that it can wear on you.  In my experience gathering rooms should be a bit more neutral; whereas for smaller rooms (or spaces you don't spend much time in) be creative and have fun with color! In this client's room we were really inspired by the fall leaves outside.  We chose a warm yellow, which is perfect year around. Then, to balance the bright yellow we decided to go with a darker, neutral drapery fabric and bedding."

 palett:

Oh, and if you haven't already checked out this weeks THANKSGIVEAWAY...click HERE!!

Spotlight: Sycamore Street Press

I have known Eva (one of the owners of Sycamore Street Press) since I was just a little one. My older sister was best friends with her younger sister all growing up. Eva is SO creative and SO inspiring. When she started her business I was ecstatic considering I have a slight obsession with stationary...so I asked her to share a little blurb about where she gets her inspiration from...


"A little over two years ago, Kirk and I moved to a beautiful mountain valley in Utah. All of a sudden, nature was no longer something we "got away" to. It was no longer a pretty idea. It was our reality. For the first time in a very long time, nature directly inspired my work. I don't see other houses or buildings when I look out my window. I see trees, deer, birds, wildflowers, the sky, and the mountains. 
One of my favorite times of year is the fall. Reds, golden yellows, toasty browns, and fiery orange. That deep orange color has made its way into Sycamore Street Press's color palette. It's both earthy and bright -- a lovely combination. With letterpress, we print each color separately, so it only makes sense to use one or two on each item. This limitation can become a strength if we choose colors that make a real statement. I think this orange does the trick."

--thanks Eva! so, so much! 

Aren't these images so fantastic?! I love the orange...so "fallish"!

Spotlight: Sheye Rosemeyer

When I stumbled upon Sheye Rosemeyer's photography, I thought I had discovered a whole new world. The way she captures color, lighting, pure emotion is just breath taking (plus she lives in Australia...my dream place!). I was ecstatic when she happily accepted to be spotlighted! Read her story about her sweet Ava HERE. I truly can say, she has inspired me to be a better mother, to appreciate the things around me each and every day.

So without further adieu here are her questions and answers. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I did!

1. What is your favorite lighting to shoot in and why?

 The last two hours of daylight are my absolute favourite to shoot in.  The way the sun turns so golden and the long shadows, I can't resist picking up my camera at that time of day.  If there's a tiny bit of cloud cover where the sun still peeks through, even better..Then the light seems to be a mix of silver and gold :)

 2. What colors do you find photograph really well as far as wardrobe goes?

 I love to photograph soft pastels.  They're so flattering and also easy to expose for.  You don't get color casts that stronger colors can have or the reflection that white gives.  Late afternoon light at the beach with muted colors just works beautifully.

3. Where did your warm and soothing style of photography come from?

 The warmth probably comes from using the late golden light that I include in a lot of my images. The first shoot I remember where late afternoon light became my focus was in 2007.  The way the sun shone through the fabric of a dress and the interesting shadows it provided..suddenly I was more intent on capturing the sunlight than anything else and my editing became about highlighting that.

And soothing? I guess I love to capture my subjects in a gentle way..almost ethereal?  I like my images to have an almost storybook feel to them.

4. What are you favorite colors to photograph?

 I tend towards wanting greenery in my images.  I'm happiest in a natural setting..a forest or a big open field, with sunlight of course.   In editing I like to alter the tones and create different feels.

 5. How does color play a role in the way you want your photography to be portrayed?

 I’m quite a girly girl and a lot of my images have soft pretty tints added in editing sooverall, color is very important to my style.   I chose the name “Eye Candy” for my actions and workshops because I love candy colored anything.  Not quite pastel and not bright, the perfect tones for me!

6.  What has been your favorite shoot so far?

 It changes all the time but in my top three consistently would be Anna, whom I shot in Orange County last year.  It was a personal project shoot and a little more themed than I normally do..she was a fantastic model and I was really happy with the images.

7. Where do you get your inspiration from?

Childhood, daydreaming,  beautiful people, sunlight, raw emotion.