© Christy Hydeck -Don't tempt fate, karma or my lawyers by stealing.

1) It's bound to be different than any other present you'll receive; I want it to make an impression.
2) I take package presentation seriously, v e r y seriously. No cartoony paper here.
3) You'll have a heckuva time opening it, by design- merely so it makes it entertaining for moi.

Combine those with a hefty dose of my im-so-terribly-cheap-err-frugal that I really want a boutique look for well, next to nothing.  Don't we all? So this year, after I completed the book, I did a big ol' clean-out in my studio and stumbled upon this massive roll of vintage wallpaper that i got for $1 at a salvage store when I lived in Raleigh, it was either here or here ... I honestly can't remember. It's off white, has a subtle birch pattern and simply lovely. I decided right then and there to use up some of it as gift wrap.

Wallpaper as gift wrap? Perfection! Heavy, doesn't tear easily, folds nicely - the roll will wrap 300+ gifts i think... talk about economical. (I'll be lining my drawers with some next!) The only slight drawback is that this paper repelled tape - so I had to improvise and used hot glue.

Yes, Hot Glue.

A dab here, a dab there... just enough to keep those flaps shut. (you can get one here if needed)

© 2011 Christy Hydeck

Once upon a time... I had an online supply store and sold lovely vintage ribbons and trims.

This red fabric trim, was one of those. Christmas Red. Birch Paper.

A match made in my studio, or heaven...

then again heaven is a studio to me...

Anyway, I digress.

With a massive, massive wholesale roll I am still trying to use up this stuff! (This appears to be similar, if you wanted a stash of your own) To adhere it to the package: I cut each piece so that when tightly pulled, the ends met in the middle. I secured it with a dab of hot glue. After a gazillion burns on my finger, I got a wee bit wiser and used scissors to press the ends into it - keeps it all nice and taut.

© 2011 Christy HydeckWith the ribbon all done, that just left the gift tags.

I'm a nature girl at heart.  I had a big ol' bag of birch bark that I had collected from forest floors, the parking lot by UNO's where the birch trees are and a jumbo bag that I swapped Donna for awhile back. It was a no-brainer to delve into that stash. To secure it to the present: Arrange pieces in a formation you like. Dab hot glue (betcha didn't see that one coming) to the back and press for a moment or two. Continue until happy with your placement. Write recipient name in Sharpie.

Sidenote: Why oh why do we hoard supplies as if they are precious and shouldn't be used? What good do they do collecting dust anyway? I'm on a mission to use what I have. Join me!

All in all, I am pretty pleased with how they turned out. For a bit of variety, I used the plain side of grocery bags and Kraft paper too.

© 2011 Christy Hydeck

I think you could add a sprig of evergreen for a nice finishing touch as well.

I already love, love, love the memories that I will have watching those I love open these gifts. I'm sure I shall be cussed at as they manipulate the hot glue, but in a loving sort of way. Ahhh, family.

Are your gifts all wrapped? Have creative wrapping ideas to share? Bonus points for anything that is upcycled, creative, cheap and/or eco-friendly. Share your link in the comments so we can all delight in the goodness too and most importantly, have a happy, happy, happy, holiday filled with memories and optional cussing.

Warmly,

Christy

P.S. More photos of the gifts + my holiday decor can be found here.

With a boatload of pumpkins and very little spare time, I needed a project that would be fun, fast and cute to boot!

So when I stumbled upon this idea from Better Homes + Gardens, I just knew I'd have to do my own take on it and share it with you. I have to say, I'm quite pleased with my findings.. as happy as a pumpkin rollin' in manure... (and here, you were under some misguided delusion that only pigs liked the stuff)

pffft!

Before I get carried away with horrifcly bad pumpkin puns, let's go gather some supplies.

© Christy Hydeck -Don't tempt fate, karma or my lawyers by stealing.

You'll Need:

• An Apple Corer - I have this one. I love the dotted edges.
• Paintbrushes
• Acrylic Paint- I love Claudine Hellmuth's paint line. Fun colors, great consistency, easily portable... love 'em.
• Optional: Staz-On Ink (I used timber brown)
• Pumpkins. I dig the white kind.

© Christy Hydeck -Don't tempt fate, karma or my lawyers by stealing. Creating Them:

1) Press ye ol' apple corer to the pumpkin; hard enough to leave a visible mark.

2) Do this over & over ...allll over (how many times can one use that word?) until ye ol' pumpkin is covered in polka dots that are pleasing to the eye.

© Christy Hydeck -Don't tempt fate, karma or my lawyers by stealing. 3) Grab the paintbrush and paint inside the circles. They can be all one color, multiple colors, it's just up to you. Whatever your choice, enjoy it. Claudine's paints made it oh-so-joyously-simple for me to choose a color palette. Simple = good in my book. Not like my literal book (almossst finished!) ... just that proverbial one.

anyway.

© Christy Hydeck -Don't tempt fate, karma or my lawyers by stealing. 4) If desired, press ye ol' apple corer to the ink pad, just like it's a stamp.

© Christy Hydeck -Don't tempt fate, karma or my lawyers by stealing. 5) Gently place the inked up corer it on the circles you made before. I just like adding that bit of definition around the circles and emphasizing the cute dotted pattern. The fact that it covers slight painting mistakes is an added bonus.

© Christy Hydeck -Don't tempt fate, karma or my lawyers by stealing. 6) Repeat on all your circles.

You're done! Yay you!

How cute is that?

You could turn the circles into flowers, add gems or beads to embellish them... endless possibilities! You'll love them til the end of vine...

(groan) That's my cue..

Happy pumpkin painting!

Chrysti

Psssst..... (did you see my easy-peasy textacular pumpkin project too?)

"the wind-blown leaves turn...
...dancing the golden sunlight
across the tired floor."
-   Matt Dimmic

I've been planning to share some digital freebies with you for awhile now... and thought I'd begin with a high-res image that you can feel free to use on your computers as a wallpaper or desktop background. Click the photo above to go download the full file, or just click here. 

• Click on the photo.
• Hover your mouse on the upper left of the photo
• Select File, then Download (original size)

I can't offer tech support, so you're gonna ahve to consult your compouter for instructions on changing a wallpaper if you don't know how. (Trust me, I'd just confuse you more!)  It goes without saying that you can delight in this image for personal use only. Please don't alter the image at all and taking money in any way, shape or form for it is a big no-no.

I took the shot last weekend, on a gloriously perfect autumn evening when the light was just right and the air had that crisp breeeze that sends tingles up your spine. I've been revisiting the photo the last few days as monsoon season drowns us in greydom. Hopefully the weekend will bring back some amazing autumn weather.

Feel free to share the post with your friends, I just ask that you link back to my site if you do.

Enjoy!

Chrysti

OMG!

It's just so easy.

GO GETCHA SOME:

• Mini White Pumpkiny Gourd Thingamijigs (or orange... ya know, it really doesn't matter..)
• Alphabet Rubber Stamps
• Permanent Ink Pad
• Optional: Teenager who totally gets the vernacular, or just skip the texting jargon and aim for words we all understand without getting an oncoming migraine deciphering this new language.
  

© Christy Hydeck -Don't tempt fate, karma or my lawyers by stealing. MAKE IT:

• Press stamp to ink pad & load that baby up with ink.
• Place stamp against pumpkin.
• Admire your work. Go on, you deserve it.

TIPS:

Eyeball up the pumpkin gourd thingamijig - use the wider strips to place letters in one spot. In the narrow sections you will probably need to space them out.

Remember, stamps aren't usually very fond of round areas - use a steady hand to avoid smudging. If it does smudge - try wiping it off quickly with a baby wipe, practicing the WTF verbally and if all else fails, turn it around so noone is the wiser. See how easy that is? Practically fail proof.

Stumped on terms?

HALIQT2GTHR - Here's a list I quickly threw together.

• OMG - Oh My Gosh
• WTF - What the... errr... I mean, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
• LOL - Laughing Out Loud
• 2G2BT -Too good to be true
• .02 -My two cents worth

Nevermind, just go here for a big ol' list of terms you can pilfer.

Happy Texting!

Chrysti

© Christy Hydeck -Don't tempt fate, karma or my lawyers by stealing.

As promised, over the next year I will be taking you on a behind-the-scenes tour of what i so lovingly refer to as 'the book' that the incredible Susan Tuttle + I are writing. I plan to give you an in depth glance on my side of things - some information on the process, the ins-and-outs of working on a book, how to organize the plethora of details, what goes into making one project, choosing a publisher - you know, all those nagging little questions that pop up and seem so very hard to get answered, the stuff I wish I had known. Speaking of, let me know what questions you have - I'll do my very, very best to address them all. Comment here or contact me to inquire.

Since I am still knee-deep in work for the book - i thought I'd begin by sharing my week at F + W Media (North Light Crafts division) in Cincinnati, Ohio for the book photo-shoot. A bit less writing on my end and tons of colorful photos that I am so, so eager to share with each of you. Just in case you ever wondered... that trait is what makes me head-over-9-inch-stiletto-heels-in-love with all things photography... the images tell stories, they speak for you.... words are completely optional.

Doesn't get much better than that, yo.

(And no, I haven't the faintest idea why I decided to revel in my extreme dorkiness and add yo there.)

© Christy Hydeck -Don't tempt fate, karma or my lawyers by stealing. Turns out my editor Bethany is also a gifted travel agent. She totally hooked me up in this semi-swanky hotel with a lobby that I kinda became infatuated with. I know, I know... leading the behind-the-scenes series with the hotel seems kind of boring. I get it, I really do. But LOOK people!

the colors, the light...the ambiance...

the desserts... a hot cuppa tea and the coffee.

oh coffee, how i love you.

My willpower was tested each evening when I walked through the doors greeted by the yummy looking baked goods behind the sparkling glass case ..

and i will have you know... i did NOT, i repeat.. i did NOT succumb to the temptation.

Score:

Chrysti (in Cincinnati): 1
Eve (in The Garden of Eden): 0

The staff? So very, very warm and friendly - lots of businesses could learn something about customer service there. The rooms were beyond spacious - but oddly, had no dressers... something that my-endearingly-neurotic-fairly-compulsive-must-organize-now-personality didn't like very much.... however, the mega sized TV was a pretty sweet bonus.

I fell just a bit in love with the feral kitties living behind the hotel. Yup, went on a scavenger hunt to buy them food when I should have been sleeping. More on that in another post though.

© Christy Hydeck -Don't tempt fate, karma or my lawyers by stealing. I was grateful to have a safe + clean place to begin and end my busy days in. I was stoked that we could eat at the hotel on the nights we didn't care to venture out... and I was inspired j u s t enough by the autumnal colors in the lobby to share them with you. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

You can see my complete set of pics from the Hyatt Place Cincinnati/Blue Ash Hotel here.

Warmly,

Chrysti

© Christy Hydeck -Don't tempt fate, karma or my lawyers by stealing.

Soooooooooo.

{insert sheepish grin and innocent whistle here}

It's been awhile eh?

You may have noticed I have been suspiciously absent from this poor, neglected blog of mine.

You may have noticed on the various social networks that I frequent my utterly shameless enthusiasm (and at times mild frustration) for that thing I simply call ...'the book'.

You may have seen my dear friend Susan Tuttle mention a not-so-little project we are embarking on together.

That's right kids- through a series of serendipitous and dare I even say- life-altering events - Susan + I are co-authoring what we know to be an amazingly fabulous book. It combines our love of photography, digital art, photo manipulation & mixed-media. Like, seriously - I think we actually have that proverbial 'something' for everyone!!

How the book came to fruition is a story I'll save for a day with more time -however, it is a story that reminds me how every little step we take in life leads to another and yet another... and almost magically... it all becomes cohesive and seems meant to be. It totally solidifies my view that every experience is lived for a specific purpose, nothing is lost and there is meaning in everything.

Here are the details I can divulge right now:

• 'The Book' has just a working title right now - one that will be changed. Let's just call it all that is good + holy in this world. Ok, ok... that doesn't quite roll off the tongue.
• Publisher: North Light Books
• I despise outlines every bit as much as I did in school.
• We gots us the bestest editor ever - a perfect fit for our book: Bethany Anderson
• You don't even want to know how many Starbucks it takes me to generate fresh content.
• Scheduled to be released in: August 2012
• Topics Include: Photography, Mixed-Media, Digital Art + Photo Manipulation + More!
• We have some fabulous contributors all lined up: Pam Carriker, Samantha Kira Harding, Michele Beschen, Claudine Hellmuth, Madelyn Mulvaney, Linda Plaisted, Misty Mawn, & Pilar Pollock.
• I have approximately 235 new gray hairs since the start of this.

Now you know why I have been uber slack in the non-urgent-email-responding department, blogging + all the other little things I have set aside for the time being. I am in the midst of a mega deadline - all of art due in 2 weeks - and a week-long trip immediately after to F+W in Cincinnati, Ohio for the photo shoot. I am thinking of doing a few behind-the-scenes posts about that... stay tuned.

I have more amazing news to share, tutorials, ideas, giveaways - oh-so-very-much with y'all & I will, just as soon as this mega project winds down. In the mean time, I can't thank you enough for your continued support + patience with lil' ol' me. Blessed, I am.

Warmly,

Chrysti

© Christy Hydeck

© Christy Hydeck

© Christy Hydeck

© Christy Hydeck© Christy Hydeck- Photos are from March 2011 at Meadowlake Botanical Gardens (see more here). All of the photos shown here were taken & processed on my beloved iPhone 4.

------------> HAVE A TAKE 5 PHOTOSTORY TO SHARE TOO? Details are here.

Always,

Chrysti

© Abigail Thompson

© Abigail Thompson© Abigail Thompson© Abigail Thompson

© Abigail Thompson"All 5 of these images are self-portraits that I have taken for my 52 week project. They are some of my favorite self-portraits that I have done. "

-Abby

------------> HAVE A PHOTOSTORY TO SHARE TOO? Details are here.

,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸-(About The Photographer)-,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸

Abby Thompson is currently finishing up her last year at the University of Kentucky where she is studying Photography and Art Education. Once she graduates she plans on attending grad school to work towards her MFA in Photography and eventually plans to teach photography. She has been interested in photography since she was old enough to hold a camera steady. Abby's photographic interests vary greatly, and she takes pictures of anything and everything. Even when she is without a camera her mind is constantly framing things and creating compositions. Lately her work has been focusing on self-portraits. This has become a way of exploring herself and expressing her most personal thoughts.

Abby keeps a blog that you should definitely visit and has a spectacular photostream over at flickr.

Grab a cup of coffee + a deliciously sinful treat then cozy up for a bit while you watch this.

Awesome. Inspiring. Inventive. Dynamic. Touching.

Always,

Chrysti

Please accept my apologies for not doing this yesterday; I went out to dinner last evening and by the time I got home, my brain was mush. Mushy brain doesn't make for good blogging, or good anything really.

Seriously folks - I can't thank you enough for spreading the word on the giveaway. It means so very much to me as I emerge back into the creative blogging world. As far as I'm concerned, you are each winners. When I saw that you shared so many amazing and practical tips on fitting art into your life, I just knew I had to condense them and post in one spot. (Besides, it's kind of fun making y'all wait a tad longer to see who won; I'm evil like that.) 

One of my absolute favorites was this: "The only reliable method I know for making art in my life is to do it first. It's easier said than done. Art seems like it should be a reward for getting work & chores done, but I find that if I don't do it first, I may not do it at all. Plus, it always puts me in a better mood to start the day with art!" -Michelle Mach . She is totally right and I decided to let her choose an 8x10 print of mine or a copy of the book since i was so smitten with her wisdom. So Michelle, please contact me and let me know your choice by Tuesday, the 21st of March.

Unfortunately, to post each comment here would span pages & pages ... so i simplified and summarized. To see ideas in their entirety, go through the comments on this post.

1. Set an alarm and go create: Make an appointment with yourself and treat it as much of a priority as getting up in the morning.
2. Wake up earlier or go to bed later: Squeeze in the quiet time when everyone else is asleep.
3. Keep it accessible: Keep materials & projects in progress close at hand so you can squeeze in a few minutes here & there.
4. Listen to audio books instead of reading: This frees your hands to create.
5. Plan creative outings: They are as important as date nights with your significant other.
6. Carry a camera at all times: Photography is a perfect, sometimes quick way to express creativity, document your life and generate ideas.
7. Have a travel kit: Stick your favorite supplies into a small bag and tuck it into your purse. When a few spare minutes pop up, you're ready to create.
8. Invest in a small idea book: Keep a small notebook handy to jot down creative ideas on the go.
9. Get & stay organized: The less you have to clean or hunt supplies, the more time you have to create.
10. Craft in public: at restaurants, waiting at the dr's office, etc etc. 
11. Multi-task: If you love your evening tv shows, work while they are on.
12. or Kick the television to the curb: you may be surprised just how much free time this generates.
13. Lists are good: Make art a priority on your to-do list.
14. Commit to a 365 project: whatever your medium, make a public commitment to do it daily & be accountable by sharing with the world.
15. Browsing Counts: Checking galleries, reading blogs, paging through magazines... if it inspires you, it's honoring your creativity.
16. Create Routines: Grab a glass of wine and wind down while sketching. Doodle while drinking your morning coffee. It just takes 28 days to make a behavior a habit. Use that.
17. Mix work and play: Find an aspect of your job that would benefit from a creative class.
18. Give Handmade: Instead of buying cards, create them. Instead of buying gift wrap, make it. 
19. Turn off the electronics: Shut down the computer. Turn the ringer off your phone. Let your thumbs rest from texting. Enjoy the spare time.
20. Put your money where your mouth is: When you take the plunge & splurge on a class or specific materials, you are more apt to use them and follow through.
21. Embrace assembly lines: It's a given to create multiple pieces at once.
22. Join a group: Find a local art guild, craft club or start one yourself. The regular meetings are sure to keep creativity in your life.
23. Learn a new skill: Tired of the same ol' same? Choose something you've wanted to do for awhile and learn it. Practice not only makes perfect, it keeps you creating.
24. Rethink Social Outings: Instead of going to dinner, go paint pottery. Instead of seeing a movie, host an art party.

Any additional ideas? I'd love to hear them ... and I'm sure you'd love to know who won by now...

So break out the balloons and toss the confetti... the winners are:

• 1 copy of Art at the Speed of Life (huge thanks to Interweave for generously donating it!) - Barbara I - bkisrael
• 1 11"x14" print of my artography piece 'knowing' -Rosie, Rosemary Rowe
• 1 16"x20" print of my artography piece 'soul's estate' --Laurie Blau-Marshall
• 1  8"x10" print of my artography print 'move among mysteries' -Lisa Crofts

I decided to pick 5 more random names for a random print of mine ...

• Letha Richardson
• Vicki Cook
• Kim Tedrow
• Shelley (lvlymrse)
• Sheri Weistaner

Would y'all contact me by Tuesday, the 22nd of March please? You forefit your prize if you don't.

Thanks to everyone for playing, and I hope you'll stop back next week to see what I'm giving away next. Help me keep the giveaways a regular event... buy a print or a small, affordable piece of  original art. I'd be ever so grateful.

Always, Chrysti