Shameless Self Promotion: Buy my new DIY kit I designed for Darby Smart

I have some exciting news! My friend Nicole of the cool DIY kit company Darby Smart, asked me to design an awesome Tulip 3D Paint a.k.a. Puffy Paint and Fabric Spray canvas set  using mini white canvases and cool stencils from the Crafter’s Workshop! This kit is officially called Color Wash Canvases and they are so fun to make!

Why do you need to buy this kit?  I’ve actually come up with TEN reasons…

The Top 10 Reasons why you’ll want to buy my Darby Smart DIY kit…
1.  It’s a fun, clever, and fast birthday gift idea for a friend or frenemy.
2.  If you’re on a diet, treat yourself!  At least, you’ll feed your creativity.
3.  It will make your teen or tween stop texting (for atleast an hour).
4. Your blank, boring walls will thank you. So will your fave relative who criticizes your decorating.
5. You can buy more supplies to add to your ever-growing craft hoard.
6. Ummm, hello?  You’ll be able to say you own a kit designed by “The Swell Designer”.
7. You’ll feel all artsy and stuffs.
8. This kit is unicorn-approved.  Seriously, it is!
9. You won’t overspend or stand in the stupid craft store line, this kit is shipped FREE to your door!
10. Do I really have to say it?????………..PUFFY PAINT!!!!!!

Oh and what’s cool about this Darby Smart kit is that it’s all-inclusive and they provide FREE SHIPPING! That deal always makes my ears perk up too!

You get this cool stuff in the kit:
– 1 bottle of Tulip Puffy Dimensional Fabric Paint
– 4 4″x4″ canvases
– 3 Tulip Fabric Spray Paints
– Your choice of a cool stencil from Crafter’s Workshop
– Foam brush

And what’s great is you really don’t use up you entire supply of paints and the stencil is totally reusable. This $24 kit is the gift that keeps on giving!

Well, there’s just one thing to ask….

OK make that four things.

So did I convince you to buy my kit yet??? Awww come on, you know you want to too…

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

A Glasses Story

my glasses

Not to be confused with a Wedding Story or a Baby Story (remember those old shows on TLC?), I bring you a Glasses Story!  Haha. I’ve been wanting to do more videos of late and here’s one I did on the fly tonight.  I’ve had glasses since I was 8, so they are second nature to me. I’ve kept like every pair I’ve ever owned and thought I would sport them on video just for you! LOL!

Sally Jessy Raphael and Steve Urkel make appearances in my video, so this is one you DON’T wanna miss!

If you wear glasses and can relate to my silly video, leave a comment below!  I’d love to hear about your four-eyed experiences too!

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

Pin It

A little update

I know I’ve been a little M.I.A. as of late. I have a few projects in the burner and I can’t wait to tell you more about them!! I will give you a few details, though…

So, I was invited by the ladies of Get a Little Creative (Heather of Dollar Store Crafts, Jennifer of TaterTots and Jello, and Becki of Infarrantly Creative) to host a segment on their show for My Craft Channel. I headed out to Salt Lake City last week along with my Halloween craft supplies and filmed a segment that I can’t wait to share with you! That’s a pic from it above!!

Here’s me off set. I got my hair and makeup did! I can’t believe I didn’t take a better photo!!

Here’s a great recap by Beckie on her blog! I took some pictures and will share them more toward the airing of my segment!

In other news, I’m working on a super fun web site project. I can’t reveal too many deets just yet! I was encouraged by Heather (mentioned above), that I should just go for it and own it. Ok, ok, sorry to be incredibly vague, let’s just say it’s related for my love of design, fonts, and crafts…3 of my very favorite things. I will share very soon!

And I’ve been already excited about all the fun Halloween action going on these upcoming few months. So anyday now, you can expect some fun updates, so be looking for that! I’ll really get going hardcore in September.

So, if you don’t see me too often over the next few weeks, don’t think I have given up on my blog, it’s quite the opposite! I’m just gearing up for all kinds of new things and need a little break to get them all accomplished!

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

My Swell Life in iPhone Photos

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Curled my hair for a wedding. Rockin’ the same Revlon curlers since 1992 baby!

Framed
I made this doodle starburst frame from a plain mat. Thought Pixie fit it well.

Got my nails did
Splurged on myself and got my toenails did.

Cherries
Someone brought in cherries for lunch! YAY! It’s cherry season in the Central Valley!

Scott
My friend Scott plays coy at our Wild and Wacky Pizza Night (Wednesday night). It’s kinda me, him, and Pattie’s thang! We love BC’s Pizza in Clovis. And we love Nicole our waitress who always makes us laugh. She’s probably one of the funniest people I know!

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Came home to find this castle bounce house in the apartment yard. Kids really do have it made these days!

Calypso tumblers
And I’m kinda crushin’ on these foil tumblers from Target. They are a part of their summer Calypso line. LOVE!

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

Five Fab Friday Finds: Random Finds I love

Balloon photos

This actually a very random and eclectic mix of some of my favorite internet finds this week! The photo above is from Graham Atkins Hughes and I am such a sucker for balloons in photography. It makes me want to do a balloon photo shoot of my own. So vibrant and fun.

Colored wine bottle DIY
I love the simplicity of these shiny and colorful DIY wine bottle centerpieces from the Ruffled Blog. So cheap and easy to make with a big impact.

Cereal box U.S.
Love this U.S. Map made all from cereal boxes by Chris Kaasman. What a neat upcycled project!

Typographic Wall
This wallpaper from Wall and Deco looks 3D, but it’s not. Totally cool, but you know me and my love for type.

Colorful illustration Ellie Cryer’s Use More Felt Pens is so fun to look at and study. It reminds me of work by my friend Silvia!

Hope you enjoyed these Friday finds! I won’t be posting these for the next couple of weeks because of the holidays, but expect a fresh slate of them in the New Year!

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

Five Fab Friday Finds: Stocking Stuffer Edition

product

I’m back with Five Fab Friday finds and I’m focusing this time around on all things perfect for stuffing your stocking! First off, turn ordinary objects into your mini best friends with these Inanimate stickers by Worldwide Fred available at Fred Flare!

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If you want to wow your loved one, fill their stocking with this unique TTV Viewfinder handcast resin bangle by Bethtastic. Absolutely amazing!

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For the iPhone addict in your life, these app magnets via Urban Outfitters are just ticket!

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This magnetic wristband from Uncommon Goods is the perfect gift for that crafty guy or gal in your life!

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I’m a sucker for handmade soaps and these rainbow soap pops from SoapyLove get my approval!

Hope you enjoyed these finds! I’ll be back next week with another round of goodies!

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

Swelldesigner Craft Secret #79: I don’t finish projects

I don't finish projects

This is the first of hopefully several super Swelldesigner secrets that I plan to share. Yes, I realize that #79 doesn’t make sense, but I think it is funnier that way.

Today, I want to reveal the girl behind the curtain here at the Swell Life and let you know that I am indeed not all that I’m cracked up to be.

See the project above? If you follow my blog, you may realize that it is indeed my Letter and Number DecoPauge Jars and my Colorful Collage Cluster Bottles. The truth is that I just sometimes get wrapped up into a project in the wee hours of the morning, want to get it posted, and will stop short, because it is “good enough” for a photo. Not to say the idea isn’t a good one or that I don’t like it, I just don’t finish it cause unfortunately, it ends up sitting in my craft room with no eyes to see it.

I have tons of projects like this. It’s just how I roll sometimes. Not all of my projects are like this, but several of them are. And I know I’m not the first person to do this. I know a lot of other people don’t finish the backs of projects for this reason.

Anyway, just wanted to let you in on this little crafty secret of mine. Are you or aren’t you surprised?

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

Check me out on Craftypod!

I'm on Craftypod!

I was recently interviewed for Sister Diane’s Craftypod Podcast. It’s the top craft podcast in the industry and she is so knowledgable on so many crafty topics. My podcast was all about how I both work in craft and play in craft. I talk a lot about how I balance myself creatively, what it’s like to work at a craft company, and what opportunities are available for crafters who would like to get started in it. I feel I have a little background in it, having worked for two international craft companies in my career.

I hope you find it super insightful! Also check out my “How Do you Stand out from the Crowd” post a while back about my resume packet that helped get me noticed. Really getting noticed in the crafting industry isn’t different than getting noticed a lot of other workplaces. A lot of it goes back to how you market yourself and make yourself stand out as a brand!

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

Terrorific Tuesday 2010 Week 4

TT Week 4 2010

Another edition of Terrorific Tuesday has come and gone this year. I’d like to thank all the participants who made this year another smashing success!

Vanessa shows us how to make a Cute Felt Pumpkin in just a few minutes!

Get creative with Eileen Hull with her Pop Up Bat card. Super festive!

Glory makes a beautiful Autumn Wreath to hang on your door or wall.

Erika shares with us her cute Halloween bandana that her dog Sebastian loves wearing!

Cheryl Ball wows us with an adorable Jack-o-lantern Pin perfect for the season!

Sew a sweet Pumpkin Placement with Phyllis Dobbs!

Crafty Chica gets her glow on with this Sci Fi Senorita Head that is totally spooky!

Crafterella offers up some downloadable custom labels that are super spooky and fun!

Make a spooky Undead Terrorarium with Silvia Chenault.

Whip up some cute and quirky Moss Monsters with Missy at Marvelously Messy!

Kate Pullen offers up a fun Pumpkin Favor Box perfect to hand out at Halloween parties!

Get into the fall spirit with this Pretty Fabric Flower from Ann Butler.

Pattiewack crafts up some Mummy Barbies perfect for a haunting Halloween display!

Alexa a.k.a. Swelldesigner makes a bold Orange and black Mary Jane candy wreath, perfect for hanging or eating!

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

Terrorific Tuesday 2010: Week 3

terrorific tuesday 2010 week 3

It’s another week and another roundup of Terrorific Tuesday! I can’t believe this month has flown by so fast. There’s still time to get your craft on, though, and here’s some projects to inspire and get you in the Halloween spirit!

Use a 2-liter bottle to make a super cute Halloween cupcake dome with Pattiewack!

Glory shows you how to make Creepy Spider Biscuits with spider Halloween stencils and edible color spray!

Make a funky and functional Plaid Skull&Crossbones Skirt with Excell Crafts!

Vanessa and Erin team up to make Awesome Halloween Cookies in a Jar Crafts complete with free easy to download sticker and label printables!

Cheryl Ball shares her beautiful Embroidery Floss Acorns – the perfect fall accent.

Korinne whips up a spectacular Vintage Style Halloween Wreath on her Crafterella blog.

Make Glow in the Dark Jewelry Using Polymer Clay and Rubber Stamps with Kate at the Rubberstamping About.com page!

Learn how to make festive Pom Pom Pumpkins on the Marvelously Messy blog!

Paint a super easy Pumpkin Pin with Ann Butler to accent your fall wardrobe!

Be a hit at the costume contest with this Corpse Bride Costume by the Crafty Chica!

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner shows you how to make a Snooki Painted Pumpkin inspired by the popular Jersey Shore Guidette!

Eileen Hull shares a Cute Halloween Bookmark project that will melt your Halloween heart!

Sebastian is faster than a speeding bullet in his Superman Costume featured on the Sew DoggyStyle blog!

Phyllis Dobbs wows us with this festive Spider Apron perfect for Halloween baking!

Silvia shows you how to make a No-Sew Fuzzy Monster Cuff – the perfect craft project for all ages!

That’s it for this week! If you are interested in playing in my fun Terrorific Tuesday roundup, e-mail me at swelldesigner (at) gmail (dot) com and I’ll send you the details!

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa