Cartwheels In My Mind

Art Shoppe Interview: Freckled Nest.

Meet Leigh-Ann.

Indie style and International entrepreneur, Leigh-Ann Keffer is a self-taught artist raised and residing in Winnipeg. She started Freckled Nest as a hobby in 2003, mainly selling handmade mini-albums, hand-stitched tote bags, blog designs, and custom pieces. Word spread fast of her original artworks and unique style; and Leigh-Ann is now living her dream with FN as her full time job and life's joy. On her fun, daily blog FreckledNest.com, Leigh-Ann lives her passion for handmade and shares her creative life through photos, moments, craft techniques, and completed works. "When I realized my creative side, I felt empowered and alive; I love inspiring others towards that feeling of discovery and accomplishment!"

Tell us a bit about yourself.

Hi :) My name is Leigh-Ann (nickname "LA") and I live in Canada. Lola is my black lab & sweet companion and my boyfriend Keith has a dog named Tom (a boston terrier). I own a house where I live and run my company and I enjoy going to our family cabin throughout the summer & fall :) FN was born in 2006 and started off as a hobby & venue for my handmade goods and we now focus Custom Blog & Website Design and Online Craft & Business Classes (and is now my career with 2 additional team members). 

I love vintage shopping, cooking late at night, playing with my dog, hanging with friends and taking pictures :) Visit my daily blog at FreckledNest.com :)

Describe Freckled Nest in 5 words or less. 

Colorful, Community, Design, Capturing, Sunshine

 

Name 3 things that inspire you.

- Sitting on the beach picking rocks with my Mom and Sister

- Autobiographies & Documentaries

- Beautiful combinations of color, texture, lighting and font.

Name 3 things you can't live without.

Family/Friends, Technology, Cheese

 

When did you first discover your creativity? I was a really imaginative kid and teenager but I really discovered my creativity in two parts... 1) when I got my first video camera and made mini-movies all the time as a young adult and 2) when I discovered a local craft store and found all the craft supplies I'd ever need and started making mini albums and other paper crafts. I've found different mediums since then but I've been creating daily ever since!!

What is your DREAM project?I love my work right now but I'd like to *add* three things: 1) live on a small farm right outside of the city and have a mini horse and lots of wrinkly dogs 2) invite women and girls to my home/studio to spend creative time together and share stories, skills and quality time 3) I want to be a mom.

If your studio was on fire what is the first thing you would grab? My laptop!!

If you could look like any celeb who would it be? Tegan Quin 

Can you do a cartwheel? I loved doing them as a kid, but when I tried to do one today for the picture... I discovered, I'm really really bad at cartwheels! lol!

Any words of wisdom you care to share with us? If it's all about completing what you're making and you're not enjoying the process along the way, slow down... the best part is the creation not the completion! Put your best into everything you do, it shines through and makes you stand out like a star! Love Leigh-Ann

Thanks LA for sharing with us! Your fun-loving outlook on life has rubbed off on all of us. I speak for the rest of the Cartwheel girls when I say that you truly are an inspiration! :) Thanks again for taking time out of your busy schedule and letting us invade your personal space!!

If you haven't already, check out LA's blog at: www.frecklednest.blogspot.com

Cheerio my loverly loves. Until next time...

Designer Interview...Jessica Fediw.

 

Not all creative projects have to be expensive.  In fact, there is the beauty of upcycling - taking something you already have and recycling/upgrading it to something even more fabulous!  And did you know you can sometimes create your own version of something so fabulous in that new catalog that landed in your mailbox for a small fraction of the cost?

Enter Jessica Fediw.

Jessica is the founder of Oh So Happy Together and a DIY-er extraordinaire! She is super inspiring in her do-it-yourself ways and has the best tutorials.  Really. And not only will she teach you how to do make some cool projects, but she inspires you to look at things in a new way and see potential instead of something you need to just simply toss out.

Keep reading and you'll find out all kinds of facts about Jessica, what inspires her and how she does it all!  I promise you'll be inspired to grab some scissors and thread and try your hand at some DIY clothing as well!

Where are ya from, Jessica?
Well, I was raised in Virginia Beach, VA and moved to Jacksonville, FL almost two years ago for my hubbies job (he's in the Coast Guard). We are actually in the midst of moving to Pace,FL right now for him to attend flight school. So we are living in hotels until our new house is ready.

Do you have a website &/or blog?  Where can we find you on the web?
I have a blog, www.ohsohappytogether, where I mostly write about my crafting endeavors. I sew, crochet, and play around with a lot of other crafts. I love to share what I learn and create with tutorials too. It's the "teacher" side of me.

You can also find Jessica & Oh So Happy Together on Flickr, Facebook, Twitter and she even has an etsy shop!

Tell us about your family, if you'd like.


I married my college sweetheart and he's the love of my life. I couldn't imagine being with anyone else. He's amazing. He's also super talented. He plays the guitar, drums, sings, is an excellent writer and speaker, and is good at soccer. I have a three year old daughter as well. She's a little firecracker for sure. Very strong willed and loud, but also funny and very loving. She loves to have me make her things and tells everyone that I made it for her.

So when do you start creating?
I grew up with a very crafty mom and talented grandmother. My grandma used to make me clothes and crochet beautiful things. So when I was little there were always things for me to "create" with, but it wasn't until a few years ago that I really took up an interest in things like sewing and crocheting. It was the last year of college that I really got into it (a little over 4 years ago).
 
And why do you love to create handmade projects?
For so many reasons:
1) It makes me happy!
2) I love making things for people to bless them.
3) It brings me a sense of fulfillment.
4) It provides me with a wonderful outlet.

Where do you look for inspiration?
I look for it all over the place from nature to department stores. The best inspiration is always the kind I wasn't looking for.
 
What's going on in your art space while you create?
Well, right now it's all packed up in boxes. But I am super excited because the house we are moving into will allow me to have my very own room to create in!!!! I'm so excited! I have no idea if I will ever have this again, so I'm so thankful for what I am about to experience with that.

What are a few of your FAVORITE projects you've done?
Recently, I made some crochet hair bows for my daughter and for some to sell. I just love them! So simple and cute.

And my most favorite accessory at the moment I made was this necklace. I always get a lot of compliments on it.

 
What are your go-to supplies for handmade projects?
The main thing I work with is fabric, but there are so many things that come in handy for the variety of projects I do. I could list like a whole page!

Do you have a goal for a certain number of projects per week or do you just create as it comes?
You know, I used to but then I realized that at this place in my life it is unrealistic. With the responsibilities of being a mom, wife, and homemaker, I simply do the other things when I have the time. I usually get the most done when both my daughter and hubby are asleep. I don't have anyone really to watch my daughter, so I have to strongly rely on her sleep schedule.

Any other hobbies you enjoy?
In my little bit of spare time here and there, I like to learn about photography and practice it. My #1 goal for this hobby is to capture family memories the way I want to and then #2 provide nice pictures for my blog.

Can you share a few of your favorite shops that inspire you or you just plain love?
If you follow my blog, you know that I adore Anthropologie. I just love the uniqueness of it all. I also am inspired by J Crew, Mod Cloth, Urban Outfitters and Target.

Now a few random fill-in-the-blanks...

First thing in the morning, I... wake up to "Mommy!!!! Get up now!!!!" and groggily head to the kitchen to make breakfast for the little one.

I'd love to travel to...Europe.

My favorite season is... fall because... it's cooler weather which means cuddly cardigans and boots with the thought that Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner.

My guilty pleasure...SWEET TEA. I just can't break the habit!

I love to listen to..all kinds of music.

Some artists on my playlist right now: Jason Upton, Kelanie Gloeckler and Beckah Shae.

Any hints on an upcoming handmade project you'll be featuring on your blog?
I am hoping to get some fall things up once we are settled in our new house and all. Some are decorative stuff and of course, some clothing :)

Here are a few more of Jessica's cool projects!  You can get more details and how-to's on her blog!

Thanks, Jessica, for sharing your creative story with us here at Cartwheels In My Mind and for being an inspiration for handmade designs. Gotta love handmade.
 

Art Shoppe Interview: Playing Grown Up.

 

 

 Happy Monday everyone. It's me, your pal E and boy do i have something special to share with each of you today. Today's interview is about a southern gal that's close to my heart! We've been friends for years now. Our friendship blossomed at The Heritage House while we served coffee together... and it led down a path of summer hangouts, spend the night parties, crafting days, "work outs" buddies, and oh so much more! Ready to read about this awesome chickadee?

Meet Brooke. 

Hi! I'm a true blue Alabamian, wife to a law student, English teacher, and crafter! I love being in the woods with my hubby and our pup (and now that Alabama is beginning to feel more like autumn and less like Hades, many nature walks are in order!). I always have trouble trying to sum myself up because I love toommany things - I want to be a baker, a seamstress, a cellist, a fluent French-speaker, and an avid runner. Well, I'm working on getting in all my interests, but sometimes there's not enough time in the day!

::Tell us a bit about what you do:: I love to create functional items that help "young-at-heart" grown-ups stay organized in an unstuffy, fun way. I work mostly with wood and enjoy carpentry as well as up-cycling found objects. From my fun photobooth props and chalkboard speech bubbles to my hand-cut office chalkboards, I make the task of keeping it all together much more enjoyable! 

::Who do you create for?::It sounds a little self-centered, but myself! I say that because I've found that if I don't like what I'm creating, it shows in the piece. If I try to follow trends or create based on what will sell, I get burned out and am not having a good time. Since Playing Grown Up's whole motto is "making being a grown-up fun" I feel attached to the fun of the creation process. 

::Do you have any tunes you like to jam to?:: Geez, these days with fall coming to Alabama, all I can listen to is Fleet Foxes. They are so "fall" to me! Lately I have also been delving into my old tunes and listening to a lot of Ray LaMontagne. Leftover from my childhood, I love Alison Kraus. But when I need to kick it into high gear, I love Stevie Wonder and the Black Eyed Peas ( I love me some dancing in the kitchen!). 

  

::Where does your inspiration come from?::Well, I love being organized. I love making lists. I love not being stressed. These things inspired me to get in the shop with a saw and a sander and make things that allowed me to do that and still not sacrifice good design. 

 As far as the design for my projects, I love looking to nature and thinking of celebratory things. (I want to make each piece remind people of a celebration so you can celebrate in the everyday!) 

::Who inspires you to keep going?:: My husband is so encouraging. Quitting my full-time teaching job and going to a part-time one to allow time for more creating was a big leap, as he is a student and I am the current bread-winner, but he has been nothing but proud. He makes me feel so good when he brags about me to his law associates! 

 

::What type of medium is your fave?:: WOOD.

::Describe your artistic style in three words::

whimsical. practical {yes, those two usually contradict}. fun!

 

::What's your creative outlook on life?:: Well, for me, I serve a God who is a creator, so I think we all have a bit of creativity in us. I just think wanting to create things is a natural desire. I also think that creating is such a great way to stay young at heart (a.k.a. play grown up!).

 

 

 

 ::DREAM project:: Oh goodness, I have so many dreams (my husband calls me Fickle Phylis because I change my dream all the time)! I would love to have a coffee shop where I could create cute things to sell as well as bake delicious treats! Also, in recently planning my nephew's birthday party, I developed a new dream of being a "handmade event" planner. 

Oh, and my husband and I both have the "dream project" of having a slew of beautiful children and living on a farm with an awesome garden in the back yard!

 ::When your not creating what do you like to do?::I love being musical with my hubs. He plays guitar and we sing - it's so fun! I love baking, but it's probably more that I love eating sweets! I love meeting with my Bible study and talking (while eating sweets). 

 

 

 

 

 

::Any words of wisdom for all of us out there?:: All I can say is (not to echo Nike) Just Do It! You may create something horrid or get a glue-gun burn, but don't let that stop you. Also, aspire to enjoy the process of creating, not just the finished product. If you don't enjoy the process, you may want to explore with other arts or mediums. Creating is for enjoyment! 

::Lastly, can you do a cartwheel?:: Sure can! I took about 4 years of gymnastics and was a cheerleader in high school, so cartwheels are pretty standard requirements! They are so fun no matter where you are!

Shoppy shop: HERE

Bloggie blog: HERE

She is also featured on Photojojo. Check it out: HERE

Thanks Brooke for taking time out of your busy schedule and allowing us to interview you! You have inspired all of us to get out there and JUST DO IT! 

  

 

 

 

 

Meet Amy Bramer.

Happy Monday everyone! I hope you all had a fabulous beginning of fall weekend...but now it's time to get down to the very serious business of sharing art. :D And I'm super excited about what I'm about to share with you...a new team member! 

Have you noticed a new face on our weekend challenge posts? Well, I'm happy to announce that the talented lady behind those fab photos is joining the Cartwheels team! I first noticed Amy {Bramer}'s work when she shared some of her photographs in our flickr group. There is just something fresh and funky about her photos...and (lucky us!) she's now going to bring some of that edge to inspire each of us on a weekly basis via her Friday photo challenges.

So what do you think? Want to get to know her a little better? Here's her answers to a few getting to know you questions:

What is your favorite color? Blue. Turquoise, aqua, robin's egg, baby and sky blue. Love, love, love blue.

Tell us something embarrassing that happened to you lately...We were checking out at Target and I accidentally pulled a pair of handcuffs out of my purse along with my wallet. They were my little boy's play handcuffs but they did look real and I was so embarrassed wondering what the cashier thought.

If you could visit anywhere in the world where would it be? Italy. With my family,  for about six months.

What would the soundtrack of your life sound like? It would be all over the place. It would be a little bit country a lot bit rock and roll, retro, bluesy, alternative and a little bit of everything else in between.  

If you could have 1 magical power what would it be? To be able to time travel. 

If you could live any movie, which one would it be? You've Got Mail...To live in New York City and own a little book store would be so much fun. I think I would pick someone else for the leading man though.

And now for the best part...want to see some of her work? So fun and inspiring!

 

 

Pretty amazing stuff, right? And she's going to share it with us each Friday for photo challenges, so be sure to join in! But until then, check out all her photos on her flickr page...and if you are anything like me, you'll never want to leave!

So please join in with me in welcoming Amy to the site...I know she's going to be a great addition to the Cartwheels IN My Mind team!

Designer Interview...Ashley Campbell

 If you are like me, you find inspiration in all kinds of places. Magazines. Vintage shops. Your favorite cafe.  But nothing is quite as accessible as the internet where there is loads of inspiration at your fingertips.  Today I'd LOVE to share with you one of my favorite sites for inspiration that was created by the super creative Ashley Campbell.  You've gotta race over and visit her site but only after you read all about her here and get a quick glimpse into the creative life of Ashley Ann and her sweet family.

Ashley Campbell creates and inspires others right at home in northeast Oklahoma.  She is a wife, mom, sister, friend, photographer and handmade extraordinaire just to name a few things.

 

Without further ado... (curtains please)...

Tell us about your family, if you'd like.
If I'd like? I could tell you lots, but probably only my mom & mother-in-law would want to read it! Chris, my husband, is the nicer more caring half our marriage. I'm thankful he has rubbed off on me over the years. We stay busy and entertained with 4 kids: a 1 year old girl and boys ages 2, 4, & 6.

 

Do you have a website &/or blog?
I have a website for my photography portfolio, which hasn't been updated in over a year. I also have a blog, which I update every weekday.
Blog
Website

Where can we find you on the web? 
Mainly my blog, Under the Sycamore. I have recently joined the DesignAglowteam as a monthly craft contributor.  I also have a flickr account, but it is also one of those things I haven't updated in a long time!

So when did you start creating? 
I don't really remember a time I didn't was not creating something. Creativity has always been a part of my life. I grew up going to flea markets where both sets of my grandparents had booths. My parents are both highly creative and encouraged that in my sister and I at a young age. Photography has also been something I've always enjoyed, but didn't really dive into until 4 years ago while I was waiting for my second son to be born.

 

What motivates you to create? And what KEEPS you motivated?
Sanity and sanity. I am motivated to create because it is an integral part of who I am. When I am not intentional about finding ways to be creative I become a lot more irritable and not much fun to be around. I feel like I am a better version of me when I am able to be creative. I am a better wife, a better mom, a better friend and a better me. I stay motivated to create because when I'm not being creative I feel overwhelmed with daily life and don't enjoy all the incredible things around me. Creativity is kind of like my rose colored glasses - everything looks better when it is a part of my day.

How long is your creative to-do list?
There is no end in sight. My boys love to add 'infinity' to the end of statements right now. Infinity kind of feels like an accurate description for the answer to this question. Sometimes I wish I could see an end in sight, but the reality is there will never be an end. I'm okay with that.

What's going on in your art space while you create? Movie? Music? Snacks? Kids? 
There are usually good LegoMen defeating bad LegoMen with bombs, swords, guns and lassos. There is also usually a 1 year old girl pulling things out of all the bottom kitchen drawers and a two year old boy painting with water colors. You know, your typical serene studio space.

What are a few of your FAVORITE projects you've done?
My daughter's bedroom tops the list. It was the first time I could go all out without thinking about a male's opinion. We have cork flooring on the walls of our staircase. I pin recent quotes by our kids there. It is fun to read through them from time to time. It is also very practical for a mom that can't keep up with 4 baby books. I created a onesie for my daughter with vintage cateye glasses on it - I really like that one. Another favorite is notebooksI made with my boys for children in Haiti. Their daddy delivered them, it was very special.

I know you have a few non-profit organizations that you support and have mentioned on your blog. Will you share those with us and let us know how we can be a part of giving/sharing?
The best way to get involved in giving/sharing is to know what you love to do and find ways to do that for the benefit of others. Charitable deeds shouldn't be forced and burdensome. They should be invigorating and exciting. I believe no matter what you do there is always someone that can benefit from it. Some organizations I support are Samaritan's Purse, Charity Water, Compassion International and World Vision.  I also love the following two non-profits that provide charitable outlets for those that like to create: A Beautiful Idea and CraftHope.

Now a few random questions...

What do you do when you first wake up?
Fix a cup of coffee and read my Bible.

Who Do You Love?
Hubby. Son #1. Son #2. Son #3. Daughter #1. I have an amazing extended family and countless incredible friends. I deeply love many.

Your perfect weekend would include...
It would start with getting to sleep in. Then my dad would come over and fix me breakfast. After we ate my boys would clean it up and excitedly tell me about all the estate sales we are going to go visit. We would slowly rummage through sales all day and eat a peaceful lunch outside somewhere. The weather would be perfect for jeans, a t-shirt and flipflops...and an iced coffee. There would be no fighting, no Legos, and no complaining. We'd be together as a family doing what mommy loves to do. That will never ever happen, but I would love to sleep in and have a weekend with no complaining and fighting!

Mountains or the beach?
Beach with mountains behind me...the warm kind of mountains.

Coffee, tea or hot chocolate?
coffee...iced with caramel and milk.

Any other hobbies you enjoy?
Just about anything that involves the outdoors and my family...unless it is cold or involves frogs. I like a little bit of a lot of things, but don't really devote a lot of time to any specific hobbies. If I say knitting is one of my hobbies do you think that will somehow become true?

One of your top 100 to do before you die?
This isn't so much before I die, but more before my kids graduate high school. I want to take my husband and kids on a two week hiking/camping/backpacking trip in Denali, Alaska. I lived there for a summer in college and vowed to myself if I ever got married and had kids I would return with them. Indescribable beauty. My kids and husband will love it.

Any hints on an upcoming handmade project you'll be featuring on your blog?
About 20 different colors of craft paint. Flea Market find. Trees. Mountain. Serene little lake. BIG. Coming this fall.

Here are a few more images and links to some of Ashley's fantastic projects:

Custom Plexi Glass Frame

Little Girl Hairclips

Shadow Box Display

Canvas Bird "Painting"

Wii Minutes Board

Closet Dividers

Candy Caddy

 

Thank you, thank you, Ashley, for sharing your creative love with us here at Cartwheels In My Mind!  I now have several new projects in mind thanks to you!

Remember, you can follow Ashley at Under the Sycamore and see more of her amazing projects.

 

Meet Katie Haddox.

Good morning, artists! Today I'm super excited to be introducing Katie Haddox...our third newest member to the Cartwheels design team. I was first saw Katie's art when I clicked on her Flickr page...and I was immediately drawn in. There is just something different about the way she sees life, from the color combos to her funky handmade decorating style to the angles of her photos. It all just works, in an artsy one-of-a-kind way. And I've said it before but I'll say it again...that's my favorite thing to see in an artist. I like when their own personality shines through in everything they do. :)

Katie will be bringing us an article that is all about stitches...from sewing to knitting to crocheting, she's going to share it will all of us. I for one am super excited about what she'll be bringing to the site!!!

Oh, and did I mention that she's due to have a baby next month? How exciting is that?! :)

But before we get too far into that, here is a little about Katie in her own words and photos:

Hi!  I'm Katie Haddox.  I'm a girl in my twenties, who fell in love and got married young to my best friend, Steven.  We started our family shortly after, when we had our daughter, Paisley Jane.  Now I'm almost ready to have our next baby, a little boy, at the end of September.  We live in "the Three Bears' House," [named by our daughter] which is a 1950s rancher in the middle of a magical forest.  I love decorating our house with fabric, patterned paper, learning new crafts, and plastic cameras.

My family...Steven [husband/27], Paisley [daughter/3], Riley [son/due in a few weeks]
You can find me...in antique malls, on spur of the moment trips, playing with my kid[s]
My inspiration...anything!  But normally it's my friends that inspire me with the best ideas.
I'd never turn down... a chance to go shopping.
If I could be anything I'd be...doing exactly what I'm doing now.  I love my life, and wouldn't change it at all.
When I'm creating I always...have to have music or something to listen to.
I get excited about...any sort of crafting supplies!  Right now I'm obsessed with Japanese fabric and wool felt.
I steer clear of...bugs.  [Even ladybugs and butterflies.]
I design for...my family and my sanity.
One day I'll...be *amazing* at all the crafts I do!
The last time I did a cartwheel...Ha!  I never learned.  I was always too scared of breaking my wrist or neck or something.  I'm really scared of lots of things.

I was asked for a photo of my art space, but it's all in boxes right now, because we just moved.  So imagine a pile of brown boxes, and there you go!  My art space!

My favorite photo currently is this photo of Paisley.  It's exactly how she is everyday.  From her favorite blanket and Buzz Lightyear jammies to the jelly stain on her tummy [from a PB&J].

 

My favorite way to organize is with baskets.  I love being able to see what's in each one, and having easy access to things.  I definitely love open storage.

 

My favorite home decor [even though it's from our old house] was when we had paper airplanes from our ceiling, twinkle lights, our first piece of "real" art, and vintage furniture.

 

One of my favorite handmade projects is this crayon/notebook holder I made for Paisley's 2nd birthday last autumn.

 
 

If you could visit anywhere in the world where would it be?  Japan.
What would the soundtrack of your life sound like?  I would want the soundtrack of my life to be composed by Thomas Newman.  He creates the most beautiful soundtracks.
Who is your style hero?  Rachel Denbow from Smile and Wave/Red Velvet Art
Funny or romantic? Gorgeous or rich? Creative or handy? Funny.  Gorgeous.  Creative.
What is your motto in life?  "There's plenty of money out there. They print more every day..." - Grandpa George from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

So excited to have Katie joining the Cartwheels team!