Lotsa Presence Studios

Are you on Pinterest?

2012-02-28T07:52:00.001-06:00

I recently signed up with Pinterest. It's a fun way to organize all of the great things out there on the web. I love it because you can use it for so many reasons. It's a nice way to plan out how you want to decorate your house or just collect recipes. Connecting with people from all over the world is also one of the perks- because you're sharing your favorite things with everyone!

If you're already connected on Pinterest, follow me here: http://pinterest.com/lotsapresence/

Or if you'd like to be invited to join, email me at info@lotsapresencestudios.com.

Here are some of the fun things you can find on Pinterest:

A resource to new fonts: www.my3monsters.com

A gorgeous chair that you can find at Dwell Studios

An outfit idea from polyvore.com

A delicious recipe at www.veggiebelly.com

Happy Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T09:15:00.000-06:00

Chevron has gone mass!

2012-02-13T13:47:00.000-06:00

We've all seen the chevron pattern over the past years. But, it has caught on in a big way in the last year on so many products and just I can't get enough of it! If you're wondering why the pattern has grown in popularity, I'm thinking perhaps it's the latest Missoni collection for Target. With the many designers partnering up with retailers, they have a chance to bring their collections to the mass market. Now you can see many variations of chevron patterns on product ranging from home interiors and clothing to gift wrap and stationery. That's where I come in. I've been having so much fun tying this pattern into many of my designs. Click here is a link to my latest pattern over at Society 6. Here's a trend board of some of my favorite chevrons that can be seen in stores.

Sunday Mourning

2012-02-12T13:37:00.000-06:00

As I woke up on this Sunday morning, the first thing that comes to my mind is that Whitney Houston has passed. I can't go without paying tribute to her here. I have always been a huge fan of hers and I have loved her music ever since I can remember. Her songs bring me back to many memories and times throughout my life.
I introduced my daughter to Whitney's music a long time ago as she learned of her own God given talent. I told her Whitney's voice is the voice you should aspire to have. I am now, so glad that she grew up listening to all of Whitney's greatest songs because when we learned that Whitney had passed away, we were both so deeply saddened.
We both want to wish Whitney's family well and send prayers to them as we know what it is to experience a loss too soon. Rest in peace Whitney. In our house, we will always love you.

Sample Day

2012-01-19T16:14:00.000-06:00

As a designer, it is always exciting to see your art made into final product. Some companies can even make your designs look better with the special additions they do such as glitter or metallic inks. I was pleased to receive a large box from London last week containing 50 samples of my greeting cards and some pretty wrapping paper I designed for Phoenix Trading Company. I also love it when there are added details, such as art used on the back of the card-like seen here above the copyright info.They even sent me a new catalog and an issue of their newsletter that announced me as a new artist. Very fun!
Here are a few quick shots of the beautiful embossed cards and the wrap:

Meet Jane!

2011-12-19T22:28:00.002-06:00

Last Friday, I adopted a terrier mixed puppy for my daughter as an early Christmas present. She has wanted a dog ever since she was little and I was finally able to get one for her. I adopted her from the local Humane Society. It is so hard to choose one when you're strolling down the aisle, with all of these cute dogs giving you the puppy eyes begging you to take them home with you. As a huge dog lover, I found it hard not to adopt several of them. I made a choice and adopted a dog originally with the name Winn Dixie. She is so sweet and so incredibly well behaved. (For now!) So here is a photo I'd like to share of her.

Meet Jane!

Vintage greeting cards

2011-12-05T13:12:00.000-06:00

My grandmother is turning 90 this month and my family is giving her a surprise party. I am making a video scrapbook for her. I found many vintage greeting cards that she kept. They are mostly from the 30's and 40's. They are so amazing to look at and see the art and treatments they added to cards back then. One of them even has little chains leading to a picture of a locket. Take a look at some of these charms!

Christmas Product

2011-11-09T07:35:00.000-06:00

It's not even Thanksgiving yet, but of course retailers have their full range of Christmas products, including wrap and packaging. I'm excited to see some of my designs out in the stores this year. I look forward to receiving samples of tissue, bags and wrap. Here is a sneak peek of a few bags I did for JCPenney:

A sneak peek at a collection that I did with Jeanmarie Creations:

Sneak Peek!

2011-10-27T08:41:00.000-05:00

I have recently made a great connection with Dollar Tree Inc. They have selected 5 patterns of mine to be used on their facial tissue boxes. For those who look for a good bargain or two like me, stop into a Dollar Tree. You can find many useful things such as school supplies, scrapbooking materials, cleaning products and facial tissue. All for just a dollar! Here's a sneak peek at the patterns they chose. I can't wait to see these in the stores!

Keep Calm

2011-10-14T08:55:00.002-05:00

I really love the Keep Calm and Carry On cards and wall hangings that are out in the marketplace. I recently bought a cute one at Patina that is sold as wrapping paper. But I'm going to frame it and put in my new office. I have even put a version on our living room wall at home in honor of my daughter and her love for chicken. She requested a comical take off to add a punch of color amongst all of our black and white photos.

Here's a look at my chicken print too! It's looks great in my living room wall collage.

I have also added 3 new baby shower cards to my shop over at Send a Smile. They are my versions of the Keep Calm for expecting Mothers. You can purchase them here:

http://www.sendasmile.com/en_US/designer-detail/lotsapresence

Apple Co-founder

2011-10-06T07:47:00.000-05:00

Saddened by the loss of Apple Co-founder, Steve Jobs. He lost his life to pancreatic cancer. He accomplished so much and made the world of technology what it is today. Rest in peace Steve Jobs.

Autumn is here!

2011-09-30T11:37:00.000-05:00

Business is picking up and the leaves are falling. The changing seasons also means a new and exciting time for me. I'm working hard at balancing so many new clients and new projects!

Pattern Punch feature!

2011-09-21T13:22:00.001-05:00

One of the fun things about being a freelance artist is seeing your designs used on product and out in the marketplace. I recently joined a group of designers over at Pattern Punch. It's a great way to network and be seen by potential clients looking for great art.

I'm happy to be a featured designer. Check it out here:
http://www.patternpunch.com/index.html

Send a Smile

2011-09-12T17:04:00.006-05:00

I've been busy with our move and designing tons of Christmas art and gaining new clients. One of most recent new shops is now open! You can now buy my greeting cards over at Send a Smile. Check it our here:
http://lotsapresence.sendasmile.com/

Here are a few cards available in my shop:

Hot Holidays

2011-07-21T09:05:00.000-05:00

I've been busy packing and getting ready to move. With all of the planning and purging, I've also been trying to keep up with client requests. Right now, it's time to design Christmas and Winter designs. It's been close to 100 degrees and super humid here in the midwest, so creating art with snowmen and snowflakes has been interesting. Here is a sneak peek of some art I have designed with yummy holiday treats!

Fun New Product!

2011-07-15T07:05:00.000-05:00

I love websites that let artists show off their work. Check out Society 6, where you can purchase my designs as wall art, laptop skins and t-shirts! Here's one of my new patterns featured:
http://society6.com/LotsaPresence

Here

Independence Day!

2011-07-04T13:35:00.001-05:00

Summer time!

2011-06-28T12:48:00.000-05:00

I am so glad that the sun is out and summer has finally reached us. As we are packing and preparing for our move, I am still designing and licensing artwork. Here's a design from a new collection of summer time treats!

When a company steals your design...

2011-06-22T11:41:00.000-05:00

I looked at designer, Jillian Phillips' blog today and she posted that a company is using her designs on some product without her permission. I have seen this happen so many times. Check out her blog. I also see some "copies" of Helen Dardik's work too. You may recognize some others' work duplicated for this company. How do they get away with this?
http://jillypgraphics.blogspot.com/

Happy Father's Day!

2011-06-19T16:13:00.000-05:00

Hope all the great and loving fathers enjoy their special day with their families!

Upcoming Move

2011-06-13T19:44:00.001-05:00

When I was in high school, I really wanted to be an interior designer. I have always had a huge love for decorating a room and color. I am moving soon, so this is a chance for me to make some changes in my decor and furniture. The first room that I will be concentrating on is my living room. I really want to do a eclectic collage of art, pictures and hooks. Here are some items that I've already been eyeing from Patina and some pictures of rooms that will help inspire me.

Summer is here!

2011-06-10T20:47:00.003-05:00

My daughter has just graduated from 8th grade and her school had a lovely ceremony honoring the students and their talents. She sang on stage and had a great time. Here's a photo I'd love to share of my lovely daughter, Macailah!

Lucky Magazine loves the Twin cities

2011-06-08T16:46:00.003-05:00

Living in Minneapolis certainly has its ups and downs. Snow storms and hot humid 100 degree days like yesterday... But the Twin Cities also offers great shopping, which is always a plus for a trend spotter like me. In the July issue of Lucky mag, they feature all of the great boutiques and unique places to shop. I am going to check out a few of the spots that I didn't even know about such as the shop, " I Like You". It says it feels like a real-life expertly edited Etsy. Click here to check out the issue! luckymag

New Logo and website design

2011-06-08T05:38:00.003-05:00

After freelancing for almost 2 years, I decided that Lotsa Presence Studios was ready for a new look. I changed the color palette and logo along with a new and updated look for my website, which displays many design samples in various categories. I hope this is an upgrade!
www.lotsapresencestudios.com

It's Tapetastic!

2011-06-08T03:46:00.006-05:00

One of my first freelance projects that I did over a year ago, is up and running. Check out fun and decorative tapes with various designs for scrap booking or gift wrapping at www.tapetastic.com.
My patterns are included in this photo: