Yesterday On Tuesday

Vintage YoT: Interview with Keren from FPTFY

Hi! I wanted to share a "vintage" edition of my  Behind the Blog series-- with a blogger who is as genuine and sweet as the vintage images she shares...  Keren from Free Pretty Things For You. She's even gifting us with a darling new image right here-- at the end of the post.

How did “Free Pretty Things For You” come about?  I believe the Lord works something negative into something positive when you’re trusting in Him. FPTFY was created after I was laid off from a staffing agency—while I was pregnant. As I searched and applied for work online, I would wonder off to beautiful blogs—and long for a little place I could call my own in cyberspace. I wanted a place where anyone with a love for prettiness could come and enjoy my work.

Do you collect vintage books and ephemera? Where do you find the images? What if someone wants to send you images to share… is that ok? If so, what format would you like them in?

Favorite Vintage Image

I collect vintage greeting cards and Valentine’s Day cards. I also collect vintage and baby shower and arrival announcements. Mostly I find and buy them at my local flea markets and antique shops. But you get the best deals at the flea market! I LOVE it when fellow readers send me images that they cherish and want to share with others. Both JPEG or PDF work.

 

How do you choose which vintage images to post? I have hundreds of images.The only way to really do it is just scan through them and what ever speaks to me that day; I pick apart and start editing away.  There’s no real science to my madness.

You’re very generous in that you “give” the images away—what’s your philosophy?
I can't draw to save my life and for a really long time I didn't know how to use Photoshop. Before then, I yearned for pretty vintage art images with a modern spin, but I could never find any. Now that I know how to create them and see how much people love them, how can I not share them?
My motto is the Golden Rule: “Do unto to other as you would have them to do unto you” Matthew 7:12
 

What are your favorite images?

If I had to pick, it would be my banner image.  I started creating an invitation to use for my little girl’s first birthday party.  By the end, I loved it so much that I decided to use it for my banner!

These are my other Favorites:
 Lovely Deer 

Vintage Girl Sewing

 
  Bluebird

What makes you happiest about sharing your work? The joy that comes from reading all the wonderful comments I receive on a daily basis make it all worth it!

Are you a trained graphic designer?  I always giggle when I get asked this. I just learned how to use Photoshop six months ago. I am nowhere near advanced at it!  I still have along way to go. Basically, I just like playing around with it and figuring out things as I go. My next step is to take some classes to get better.

Can you share your creative process? What type of equipment/scanner do you use?
After choosing the images I want to work with, I start picking them apart and taking different pieces of images and put them all together to see if they work. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don't, but that’s the fun part! I have an HP photosmart Plus Scanner-Printer-Copier. It's a good scanner but not very printer friendly  The cartridges are super small and very expensive. I think I have the oldest version of Photoshop known to man LOL. It has worked for me up until now, but I am definitely going to upgrade soon. Can’t wait to see what else I can create with the newer version!

Tell us about the Flickr group…
My Flickr group is called  You Made It with FPTFY!  Followers can upload any of the projects they have created using my images or projects inspired by any of my DYI crafts and will be featured on my blog. It's really fun and it gives exposure to your site!

Can you share any tips on how to get the best results when we use your images?
If you don’t have Photoshop, you could use Picnik, Picasa or FhotoFlexer  to add text or re-size the images  Then just print them.

What other types of crafty projects do you enjoy doing?
My followers have described my crafts as "user friendly crafts" which I never thought of until they said so.  I love doing crafts that are super easy to create and very budget friendly-- and pretty! One of the most beloved by my readers are the "lasercut cupcakes wrappers” I recreated using paper doilies. So simple, so pretty and so CHEAP!

Cupcake Wrappers

Tell us about you…What inspires you?  Pretty Packaging has to be on the very top of things that inspire me! I love making the person that receives my packages extra special when they see it.

My favorite places to visit are: Such Pretty Things, Style Me Pretty, A Field Journal, oh hello friend, and One Pretty Thing.

Hmm, I'm seeing a pattern that most of them have the word pretty in them…

Keren’s Favorites
Color Combo: Aqua and Pink

Favorite Movie:  I have two favorite movies: Life is Beautiful (I ALWAYS cry in the end) and my big fat Greek wedding (I can’t stop laughing every time I see it. Even though I know all the words to it. So hilarious!)

Favorite Snack: Sun Chips!

Song: Lord I believe in you By Crystal Lewis

TV Show: Wife Swap (lol) can’t get enough of it.

Keren's Little Inspiration 

Take us through your idea of a perfect day...  Having slept more than five hours the night before and then having my baby wake up in a good mood makes a good start to a perfect day. Then getting struck by a brilliant new craft idea, having all the supplies to make it, getting at least one awesome picture of it and posting about it right away! At the end of the day seeing that everyone loved my project and want to try it too makes me smile.

Anything else you want to share?  If you ever have a specific design you would like me to create please feel free to contact me. I love to hear new ideas and love the challenge of it. I wanted to say thank you to my loving husband, Joshua, for being my biggest fan  He is always helping me with the baby, cooking and even cleaning up. I have the most wonderful man. Love you, darling!

Also-- thank you, Malia, for giving me a chance to share a little bit of my world with you lovely readers.  Your sweet comments always encourage and uplift me.

You're too kind Keren.  Give us your info…

FPTFY Blog  

Google+

Twitter 

Flickr  

FB  

Email

Check out this "new" vintage image-- a cute kitty Keren is sharing with YOT readers...

She even made a special version for me...

Thank you Keren!

 

Lots of Fuss about Google+

Hi Friends!

As many of you know, we non-"Blogger" bloggers (YoT is on Typepad) will be losing Google Friend Connect on March 1st. I am strangely sad... I feel happy when I see all those lovely friendly faces smiling at me from my little GFC box. But onward and upward-- there's no point in crying over spilled milk or in this case-- over free widgets that have come to mean so much.

At any rate, Google is encouraging people to go to Google+ to connect with friends. In case you are new to Google+ (I am too) and you want to stay connected, you can find me here, and I PINKY PROMISE I will joyfully follow you back.

Life IS a Picnik

Also worth noting-- Picnik, that wonderful user-friendly photo editing site which was puchased by Google some time ago-- is becoming part of Google+. More info here. I think that's extra incentive to go Google+. AND in the meantime, they are giving everyone a PREMIUM membership FOR FREE... so check it out! It's a $25 value!

The Scoop on Google+

One extremely helpful series I have been reading is by the fabulous Colleen (from the blog Mural Maker and More). Colleen has written some posts that demystify about Google+. You can check them out here:

Google+ and Creative Bloggers Part 1: What is Google+ Anyway?

Part 2: The Pros and Cons of Google+

Google+ Part 3: Setting Up Your Profile Page

Google+ for Creative People Part 4: Circles

And, you can find Colleen on Google+ here. She's amazing!

What if I'm not ready or interested in Google+?

Some people don't want to take on another social media tool-- and I totally understand that. You can still subscribe to your favorite blogs, including  *hopefully* YoT (upper left hand corner) though Feedburner or in a Reader.

Bev from Flamingo Toes has written a great post on how this, titled "The Mystery of RSS Feeds".

Thank you Colleen and Bev for your insightful posts.

Hugs to everyone! 

XO

Cute frame courtesy of Free Pretty Things For You

Malia's Don't Miss List

I've got a few "Don't Miss" items for you today. Summer seems to fly by in the blink of an eye. Get your memory keeping organized with this free summer photo checklist from Rebecca Cooper:

Visit her blog Simple As That to download. 

Have you joined Pinterest yet? It's highly addictive creative eye candy. 

Michele from The Scrap Shoppe and Tammy from Not Just Paper and Glue are hostessing a Pinterest Party so all us addicts I mean enthusiasts can connect. Meet me there?

 

Simply divine! Check out Alison's (from Oopsey Daisy) recipe for watermelon lemonade. Delish!

Happy Weekend Friends!

Pretty Little Studio Interview + Treat

Hi Friends!  Yesterday I promised you an interview with Melissa and here it is. 

Melissa 

Melissa is the very talented designer behind Pretty Little Studio.  I used some of her Vintage Flashcards and Vintage Journaling tags on the banner I posted yesterday.  

 Vintage Tag from Pretty Little Studio's "Little Boys" Tag Set

Melissa is generously offering a special discount to YoT readers.  Just become a friend of Pretty Little Studio on Facebook or visit the darling PLS shop and leave a comment here about what you liked.  Then go shopping!  Use the code Vintage1950 to get 15% off Pretty Little Studio products!

About Pretty Little Studio

When and how did PLS start?  I started PLS on Etsy October 14, 2009. I had been working as a Sales Associate in the Mall and after my second child was born, I didn’t go back.  I wanted to make some spending money. So I decided to sell some of the scrapbooking journaling cards I made for myself on Etsy. I first started just selling digital items. One day I decided to print them out and see how they would sell. Here we are!! Now my customers have to beg me to make digital items. 

Are you a graphic designer?  Self taught, school or both? I’m self taught. When I was 15, my grandfather passed down his old computer 3.1 with a floppy drive. My first piece of design work was a family cookbook that I did for my mom.

Have you always been artistic?  Yes! I’m a “jack of all hobbies”. I started cutting out paper strips and making little pockets when I was 7. I was cross-stitching at 9. I learned how to quilt at 14 by watching a tv show. After college, I started scrapbooking and quickly turned into an obsession.

Some of Melissa's Vintage Illustration Collection

How do find/create the images you use? All my commercial clipart I use is from www.mygrafico.com and Etsy. I use some commercial clipart because I’m not artist just a designer. My vintage images are all from children’s picture books, paper doll books and greeting cards. I find my vintage items on Ebay and Etsy.

Vintage Illustrations by Vivian Robbins 

Your work has a nostalgic feel... what's your favorite decade and why? 1950’s are my favorite. I have two favorite artists from that era, Vivian Robbins and Betty Voss. I love their work. All of their pictures and illustrations are inspirational.

Christmas Products Color Guide

What colors are you into now?  I love bright colors: My favorite colors now are Red, Orange, Yellow, Green Apple, Teal, and Chocolate. If you check out my shop, you will notice I use these colors a lot in my lines.

What do your customers like to use the PLS products for?  Scrapbooking

What's the most unique item a customer has created with your products? One of customer used the vintage tags to make cupcake toppers for her son’s birthday. She glued two together on a popsicle stick and stuck them in each cupcake.

How would you describe your style?  Modern, Whimsical, Vintage

Melissa's Workspace

What's your process for designing?  I really don’t have process. When I get an idea, I just design it and if I don’t have time right them I write it down in my notebook. I have so  many ideas, my brain feels like its going to pop most days.

Tell us three things that inspire you:  Illustrations/clipart, color charts, patterned paper

What has been the most surprising thing about starting an online business?  I’m still shocked on how well it’s done. I never dreamed I could be a SAHM and work in my bedroom in nighties and make more then when I was general manger of a restaurant. I’m still in awe.

Little People in the Fall Vintage Tags 

What advice can you share about starting a business?  What do you wish that you'd known? Just go with the flow. Advertising is key! It has made a huge difference. Never borrow any money. I’ve never borrowed a cent, I’ve only used what I’ve made to buy new products and equipment. I started out with about $5, an inkjet printer and a pack of cardstock. Start out with a good Accounting program like Quick books, Its makes life a lot easier at the end of the year. 

What's the best/most challenging part? The best part is having hundreds of orders come in. But it’s very stressful. The most challenging part is distractions. My kids really kick it up a notch when I’m really busy. Some I just have to stop and play and then go back to work.

What are you embracing right now? Sleep!! I haven’t had a full nights sleep in over 3 years. I hope by the time my kids are 10, I can finally get caught up J

Christmas Collection Sneak Peek 

What can we look forward to from PLS for the holidays? Right now I’m designing the a new Christmas line inspired from a 1965 Holiday Paper Doll Book. I have new vintage tags, lots of journaling cards, holiday flash cards and of course some new patterned paper.

About Melissa:

If you were a color you'd be... and why: Apple Green and Aqua. Why?!?

Favorite season: I don’t any favorite seasons where I live its too humid, really hot and we hardly ever get snow. My favorite weather is: 70* with a nice 15 mph wind

Coffee or Tea? Celestial Seasonings Mandarin Orange Spice

Magazine that inspires you: Pottery Barn Catalog

Blog to visit for inspiration: Ali Edwards or Elizabeth Kartchner

Store to visit for inspiration: Target

You're at your favorite thrift store and suddenly you see something that makes your heart jump:  It's a 1950’s paper doll book.

Josh Groban

Best loved song? So She Dances (sung by Josh Groban)

Where can we find you?

Shop: www.prettylittlestudio.com

Blog: www.prettylittlestudio.blogspot.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/melissasstudio

Facebook

Email

Thanks Melissa!  See you tomorrow for a delish chocolate chip cookie recipe.

Authenticity in Blogging

(via)

Wow.

I've been so moved recently by posts from some of my favorite bloggers.  These creative souls are very different, but something they share is that they're so authentic.

To me, it's inspiring and uplifting when bloggers chose to be real.  It's freeing to be reminded that we all have our stuff-- our awkward moments, challenges and feelings of being overwhelmed.  These things come and go... and sometimes stay... (and frequently overlap!) but we all have them.

So in alphabetical order, here are some wonderfully written authentic posts:

Elsie Flannigan:  my human side

Stephanie Howell:  my (real) reality

Kelly Rae Roberts:  denial is totally serving me at this moment

Blogs I Heart: Positively Splendid

In case you haven't already met, I'd like to introduce you to a blog I really enjoy...

Amy, author of "Positively Splendid" comes up with the most stylish and original crafty ideas and executes them perfectly.  Check out her projects:

A Calla Lily Wreath with burlap flowers and leaves 

A Tiered Terracotta Planter (don't you love the numbers she added?) 

The Pebbles Skirt (that model is the cutest)! 

On her blog's banner Amy has this:  "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart..." Colossians 3:23.  I love that!  And I think you'll love her blog.  Stop by and say hello.  And check out even more fantastic ideas!