Designer Spotlight- Ken Oliver

Ken Oliver is a talented artist in the Craft and Hobby Industry. Throughout his education, Ken Oliver studied art and design, but ultimately followed a career path in sales and marketing that took him literally around the world working with clients and factories in Asia, Europe, Canada and the United States. His experience in sales, marketing and product development actually led him back to arts and crafts industry. Ken is an accomplished artist who specializes in watercolor, paper crafting, altered art, mixed media book binding and craft projects. Ken lives in Newburgh, Indiana on the banks of the Ohio River.

Ken Oliver is the man behind one of the hottest new products on the craft market "Color Burst". Color Burst is an amazing watercolor medium that lets you create beautiful watercolor techniques like never before! Use this micro-fine concentrated powder with water. It's as easy as "Sprinkle and spritz"!

Great for cards, scrapbooking, mixed media and more!

  Ken Oliver will be here in the great state of Texas teaching and has added The Little Blue House as one of his workshop stations!

He will be teaching 3 different workshop on a 2 day period....

Here is a peek at the class projects you can sign up for

Hometown Minibook- featuring Ken Oliver's hometown
paper collection

Color Burst Watercolor Journal featuring "Color Burst"

Color Burst Wall Décor featuring "Color Burst"

We have all the details about Ken Oliver's Workshops on
The Little Blue House Website- click the link below.....

http://www.thelittlebluehouseonline.com/#!ken-oliver-crafts-workshops/c7n4

photo taken from one of Ken's Classes 

Call or Come by to Sign Up for Ken Oliver's Workshops or if you have any questions about Ken and his upcoming workshops!

Designer Spotlight: Elaine Howell & Hilary Kern

I hope you are enjoying our Designer Spotlight Series! We have two more LBH gals to share with you today...Hilary Kern and Elaine Howell.  Hilary Kern, is our Prep Captain! Hilary works mainly "behind the scenes" at the LBH kitting and prepping all the fabulous Project Kits and Classes we have at the LBH.   Elaine Howell, is a talented designer and instructor at the LBH. She is our "in house" Silhouette Expert! 

Hilary and Elaine also happen to be Besties! When they aren't creating or prepping, you can find these two gals exercising or visiting over coffee. Read on and get to know these two besties today!

__________________________________________

Designer Spotlight: Hilary Kern

Hello!  I am Hilary Kern, Miss Tracy likes to tell everyone I am the Prep-Captain at The Little Blue House. I work closely with Miss Tracy behind the scenes, preparing many of the project supplies and kits for all the FABULOUS projects our designers create. It is a fun job, I just love working with such AMAZING artists!

I have always been a craft enthusiast, my mother was of the belief, “Homemade gifts are always better, it is like giving a little of yourself in each gift”.  I was the 3^rd of 6 children, but my mom still found time to sew and knit. My dad could build anything. Every year he designed and hand cut our Christmas Card for home Silk Screening. They both always encouraged us to be creative and so you might say, my love of crafting is in my DNA.

I have been married for 25years to my WONDERFUL husband Kevin, and we have 3 beautiful girls. We moved to Keller in 1995. By this time my budding photo hobby had evolved, into  the family historian through the lens of the  Mom-ographer. Looking to preserve these memories for the next ONE HUNDRED YEARS, I took up the hobby of scrapbooking. About 1998 I met my BEST friend Elaine Howell, and we quickly bonded through faith, crafting and kids.

So what do I always like to have when I go crafting?

My BEST FRIEND Elaine of course!

 My name is Elaine Howell and I am a Designer and Teacher at The Little Blue House.

This is the corner of my scrap room where I have all my cardstock. As you can see our friend Tim Holtz is watching over me.  This picture is taken from a magazine that he was in years ago - I had him sign it at a scrapbook convention. As a joke I brought him to a scrapbook retreat I attend with a group of friends -we affectionately call ourselves "the Hags". We laugh every time and have convinced 

ourselves Tim goes on retreat with us.
I love his work and am inspired by his creativity.

Here are a few more pics of my studio. The window over the tables is from the house where Dan's grandmother was born - I love the colorblock look. 

I used cardstock in the front of drawers to mimic the colorblock look
of the stained glass windows - makes it look neater too.

Here is some of the shelving in my closet.

Now for a little about me. I have been married to Dan for 35 years. We met in college and I can honestly say he drives me crazy but I love him more today than ever.

I have two grown kids - Jonathan and Kristen. I love being the Mom to adult children. 

I also have one "old man" orange and white kitty named Sunny.

My working career started in high tech electronic sales (go figure)and I did that for 25 years. After a layoff I was left with looking for something new to do. I tried a few things and then one day  I went to Anthologies with a group of friends to take a class. I met Tracy and Susan (they were the teachers) - my friends would ask me questions (I would have them over to do crafts so they knew I knew a little something) - Tracy asked me whats up with this and I explained. She asked if I would be interested in a job designing and teaching. She asked me to bring her some samples of my work - I WAS SCARED TO DEATH and SO NERVOUS. I guess she liked what she saw and the rest is history. I had always wanted to be a teacher and I am blessed that I am able to do what I love. 

 I come from a creative family - my grandmothers sewed and did needle arts.
My Mom is an amazing seamstress, needleworker and now paper crafter. 

My Dad after retiring early did beautiful word work - everything from simple wood toys to artistic spalted wood turned bowls.  I have always been involved in things creative. 

In the Spring of 1998 Hilary and I were invited to our first Creative Memories party. We were hooked!! I went through the chop your pictures into shapes phase, the sticker sneeze phase, a big paper piecing phase and then I met "Glitter"! 

I love all things that sparkle.

Today I would say my style is classic. I love details whether it's ribbon, buttons,feathers or any other kind of embellishment. I scrap 12x12 albums and I do like to make cards. With guidance from Susan Tidwell I have started to venture into Mixed Media and I must say I love to get my hands dirty! 

I have to say I LOVE MINI BOOKS - I am going to start a class called Cover to Cover where we will create various types of mini books.

  Here  a few mini books and a layout I have done.

                                      

You may have noticed these are older projects, I took a six month hiatus from designing last year because we moved. I am so glad to be settled and creating again.

I am doing the One Little Word workshop with Ali Edwards and I attended the Faith Journaling Workshop at the LBH. I am really looking forward to doing both this year.

My other new passion is the Silhouette. I love the flexibility that it gives me to create.

My blog is GlitterMeHappy stop by and check it out.

There is always something happening at The Little Blue House, stop by the website or visit us at the store to see the latest and greatest.

Tracy took this picture of me at my table - this is as clean as it will ever be...BIG LOL!!

Elaine
__________________________________

Thanks for joining us today on the Blog...
Tomorrow is our final day of Designer Spotlight
make sure and tune in! :)

 

This just in.... Creating with Cattle-ist Workshop is coming up soon! Cheryl Darrow, owner and creative director at Ten Seconds Studios will be in the HouSe....
Wed. Feb. 18th 10am-1pm or 6pm-9pm
Her leather book is now on display at the LBH
Come by and Check it out & Sign Up for this Lovely Leather Workshop!!

 

NEW Arrivals and another Designer Spotlight!!!

Good Morning!
It's a beautiful day here at the Little Blue House and we are loving the sunshine today! We are also loving some NEW arrivals in the HouSe!!! We just rec'd a NEW collection by Authentique...appropriately named "Crush"...

You know the feeling when you see something and your heart skips a beat...your cheeks get a little flushed and you can't help but smile? You can say it isn't so, but it is...it's a CRUSH and you know it!  We have been "crushin'" over this brand new collection, yes, aptly named "Crush"! With added pops of blue to a traditional pink, red, chocolate and antique white color palette, makes this line even more swoon-worthy! Take a look and see for yourself!

Stop by the Little Blue House to see even more NEW arrivals...Receiving boxes daily :)))))

I hope you have been enjoying our Designer Spotlight features. I'm thrilled with the additions to our team and I can't wait to work together with them as we educate you and "Keep YOU Inspired"!!!

Today I am shining the Designer Spotlight on two more NEW LBH Media Team Members...Angi Barrs and Nadine Carlier. Read on and get to know more about these gals and see some of their unique creations!

__________________________________

Designer Spotlight: Angi Barrs

Hello Little Blue House fans! My name is Angi Barrs. I started crafting and making scrapbook pages after attending a Stampin' Up party with some friends. My hobby started small, but I soon created my own blog to share my creations on the web. You can find my blog at http://cokiepopaper.blogspot.com/

My little hobby has grown and I have had my designs published in several crafty magazines such as Scrapbooks Etc., Cards magazine, the Create Idea Book, Cricut magazine, and Simply Handmade. 

Most people don't know that I am a Vet and have proudly served my country in the U.S. Marines. I'm tough and crafty! (smile). 

I lead a busy life with my two beautiful daughters. We love to travel and took our first trip to Hawaii last summer. I am also addicted to the sunshine! My dream would be to live by the beach in 80 degree weather year round! My other loves include cheesecake and Texas sweet tea (with lemon)!

My favorite projects to create are what I call - "Off the page projects". I love making party favors, gift boxes, and altered projects. One of my fave things to do now is Project Life / Pocket Page scrapbooking. It's so much easier than traditional scrapbooking and I can get my pages done in a flash. 

My favorite products are American Crafts, Heidi Swapp, My Mind's Eye, and Project Life. I also love using dies and die cutting machines. It's so fun to make my own embellishments to add to my projects. My crafty to do list this year includes learning how to sew and one day attending CHA. I've always wanted to go and meet my faves in the craft industry.

I'm so happy to be a new member on the LBH media team. Let's make 2015 a crafty and happy year! 

Have a Creative Day!

Angi Barrs

www.cokiepopaper.blogspot.com

___________________________________

Designer Spotlight: Nadine Carlier

Hey everyone, I'm Nadine! I am soo excited to be a part of the Little Blue House Media Team! Can't wait to get started and to start getting to know you all. So to get us started, here is a little about me.

I am a stay at home mom of a 19 yr. old son (who is away at college right now) and a 9 yr. old daughter. My husband and I, our 2 kids, 2 dogs, 2 cats, and my Mom all moved to Texas from Nevada about 4 years ago. The 1st time I had ever been to Texas was the day I stepped out of the moving truck. Before moving to Texas I owned my own business as a hairstylist which I did for over 20 years and I was also a part owner to a local scrapbook store for 3 yrs.

I'm really not used to having so much time on my hands now that I am a stay at home mom and sometimes start to feel a little stir crazy. Scrapping really helps me keep my sanity...lol. I do really love having the extra time to spend with my family now, and also having more time playing and being scrappy!

I have been scrapbooking for about 18 years now with 12 x 12 layouts and cards being my favorite things to create, although I have done many altered art items as well. Every since I was a kid I always kept everything and either taped with scotch tape (bad idea) or glued it into a scrapbook but I made my 1st "real" scrapbook when my son was just a toddler because I wanted a way to document his first years of life. I've been hooked every since!! 

I would say my scrappy style would best be described as eclectic, but I also love creating grungy pages too. Getting messy and using different mixed medias is fun for me!  I love lots of paper layers and trying new techniques. A page just isn't complete to me without some kind of paint or mist on it.

Currently, I am on the design team for Canvas Corp Brands, Tattered Angels and 7gypsies. I am also certified in Copic markers. I love to color! I used to teach Copic classes along with many other scrapbook classes. I miss it so much and am thrilled that I now get to be inspired and to also hopefully inspire you all with this exciting new adventure of being a part of the Little Blue House Media Team!

I would love to have you all come by and visit me on my blog and say hi... My Scrap'n'Stuff

or if you are more of an Instagram kinda person I am also rather active there, my ID is scrappinready.

Nadine

________________________________________

Thanks for reading! 

Come shop, crop, and create at the Little Blue House! We have lots of new class and kit offerings for all skill levels. Stop in or check out our website for more info. www.thelittlebluehouseonline.com

Keep Creating,

Miss Tracy

Happy Sunday and another Designer Spotlight!

Happy Sunday to you!
Miss Tracy here...and I want to first thank everyone who attended our Illustrated Faith: Bible Journaling Workshops at the Little Blue House this past Friday and Saturday! It was truly an amazing experience and I want to thank Shanna Noel for blessing us with her passion and sharing her talent with us!

The past two days were amazing and I feel so blessed to have been a part of it. Love you Shanna! So excited about what God is doing through you and your Illustrated Faith calling. I will be posting more about how you can get involved with Faith Journaling soon....
Stay tuned! 

Today, I am shining the Designer Spotlight on two more of our NEW team members! Lindsey Banner and Vicki Chrisman...both incredibly talented designers! Read on to learn more about them and see their unique creations....

_________________________________________

Designer Spotlight: Lindsey Banner

Hi, I’m Lindsey Banner.  I’m a vintage loving, estate sale scouring, thrift store haunter, couponing kinda gal.  I have been a paper lover longer than I can remember.  My postcard collecting started at a young age, when my mom would go antiquing and I was bored with it she would sit 

me down with a box of postcards and I would go through one by one admiring the handwriting and unique images and illustrations.  

I have been hooked ever since.

I grew up in an artistic household, my mom worked as an illustrator and graphic designer long before computers and taught me a lot of the skills I use now.   My dad, well he’s a smart engineer kind of guy and has just learned to appreciate the quirks of loving two artists.  I married a handy man extraordinaire that can fix, make or do just about anything I ask.  We enjoy collaborating and making things for our home.  We have a 3-year-old daughter, Quinn, who is my entire world and already showing a love of stamps and coloring.  I went to art school and focused on visual communications.  I really enjoy creating on a computer but nothing can replace real paper to me.  I’ve been lucky to have some interesting forms of work over the years, including opening a small toy store with my best friend.  We sold retro and vintage inspired toys, gifts and novelty items.  It did well, but in our best interest we closed the store to focus on our families. 

   I’ve always been into vintage and retro imagery and anything that looks dusty and dirty just makes me swoon.  I am a Tim Holtz fanatic.  I met him at the great American Scrapbook convention and acted like a total fan girl.  I had him sign an email we corresponded through, ended up loosing the email and it was found by a sweet lady who took extreme care to get it back to me.  All the while, a friend knew how bummed I was about loosing the email and had him write me a note and giving me an even better memory.  I have it hanging in my studio.  It makes me smile every time I see it and tell the story.  Along with Tim Holtz products I really love Graphic 45, 7 gypsies and  Basic Grey.  If the paper speaks to me, I love it what can I say.  I collect a LOT of books for images.  I may or may not have a stack hidden in the garage so my husband doesn’t realize how many books I am bringing home.  Shhh.  

   I love paper crafting, I will try anything once and usually learn something for the next project.  I love mixed media collage.  My biggest hobby is mail art, same concept as a pen pal but we send artwork versus a letter.  I have met some fantastic kindred spirits and am thankful every day for the inspiration they provide.  I love to collect trinkets and treasures, the older and weirder the more I love it.  I keep all broken jewelry and my friends save paper scraps and “junk” for me because they know my kinda crazy.  

  

  I’m very active on Instagram, come follow me and lets share our inspirations and projects.  My user name is laldenban, where you can see all my projects for Little Blue House and other creations. 

Lindsey   

________________________________________________________________

Designer Spotlight: Vicki Chrisman

Hello friends!  Vicki Chrisman here to tell you a little bit about my self. First of all I'm very excited to be joining The Little Blue House Media Team!  I"m looking forward to a fun filled time of us sharing, creating and inspiring together.   My love for crafting goes way back.  I can remember coming home from grade school and finding my way right  to my child craft encyclopedias and going straight for the green one "Make and Do". lol    I don't remember looking at the other ones much but I think I about wore that one out. There was always some fun little project you could make out of things you could find around the house.  Crayons, rubber bands, buttons, toilet paper rolls?  Let the crafting begin! I was in heaven. Art in some form has always been a part of my life. When I first heard of scrapbooking years ago I knew it was for me.  Our boys, who are grown now, were in the early years of grade school.  I saved every piece of memorabilia and documented every year of their lives.  I was hooked. 

 I worked in a scrapbook store for a while before I started submitting things for publication and became active in the papercraft industry, .   It's been about 14 years now that I have been active in the industry and I still love scrapbooking , but now I also love card making, altered projects, home decor and anything else I can cut, glue, color, stitch or paint :)  

  My current Design Teams are  Fancy Pants Designs, Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L Ambassador, and Crafty Secrets Heartwarming Vintage.  I have a number of my own die designs with AccuCut Craft.    I enjoy teaching, whether its in large groups at trade shows or small classes with just a few of us here in my home town in Nebraska. The best part of teaching is not just inspiring but feeling inspired by your students.   Getting to be with people who share in your love of paper crafting and watching them enjoy the process is ... well, it's 

just the best!

Here comes the hard part.  Describing my style.  I love many different styles so I tend to just go with how I feel about the products in front of me.

  I love vintage so of course Crafty Secrets Heartwarming Vintage is one of my favorite companies.   

Material Girl Card / Crafty Secrets

I also love the fun patterns and bright colors 

of Fancy Pants Collections. 

Holiday Shadowbox / Hazel & Ruby / Fancy Pants

But I spent a number of years on 

the Tattered Angels Design Team  so mixed media is a love also.

 

I guess I'm not ready to commit to a "style" (wink)

Whatever your "style" is... We'll all work hard at keeping your inspired. I would love for you to visit my blog at www.vickichrisman.blogpsot.com.

  

Vicki

_____________________________

Thank you Vicki and Lindsey for sharing today! I'm looking forward to the new projects they will be featuring here on the blog in 2015! 

Thank you for reading and I hope you have a relaxing Sunday....and can maybe squeeze in a little crafting today! 

Keep Creating,
Miss Tracy :)

Happy Friday and another LBH Designer Spotlight

Happy Friday!
Friday's are always happy days around my house....and today is even happier because we launch our Illustrated Faith Workshops with Shanna Noel today!!!! I'm so excited to hear her story and learn from her amazing talent. 

Speaking of talent, I have the great privilege of shining the Designer Spotlight on another one of our wonderful team members.Introducing Valerie Bishop! Valerie designs for our Front Porch Kits and is also a member of our new Media Team.

_______________________________________

Designer Spotlight: Valerie Bishop

Hello LBH friends! I have three grown kids; live in Arkansas with my dh of 31 years and our brood of Malteses, a golden retriever and two cats; call the coast of Mississippi my home because I lived there most of my childhood years and my family is from there (even though we've been in Arkansas for 15 years now!); and I love to travel - mostly to visit my kids! I've recently taken up bicycling after a 30 year break (it's true - you never forget how to ride a bike!!) and my dh and I ride all around the state.

These are three of my recent projects - I really don't think I have a certain style.  I like trying different techniques. I like having lots of layers on my scrapbook pages. I almost always have ink splatter on my layouts. I usually just have one photo on each page - sometimes two, but not very often. I usually scrap everyday life, not major events. Scrapbook layouts are my most favorite projects to make, with mini albums in second place. I don't mind making cards, but I hardly ever send them to anybody. I have a hard time coming up with out of the box projects but I do make them to stretch my creativity. I love doilies, tags, sequins, and gold embellishments (I used to be a silver only gal, but lately I've been enamored with gold!!). 

I am so excited to be a part of the FPK and LBH Media Team with such inspiring ladies!! Thanks for reading....you can check out my blog at
http://myhere-rightnow.blogspot.com/
Valerie
_______________________________________________________________
I love Valerie's style...You will love her upcoming projects for the Front Porch Kit and our blog features! She never disappoints...and I'm always inspired by her work. Thanks again for reading and I hope you have a wonderful, creative weekend!!!

Keep Creating,
Miss Tracy :)