Crafting Outside My Norm – Fused Glass

I love my new fused glass piece, sprinkled leaves and a ladybug. I recently took another class in fused glass with a friend just for the fun of it. The night of the class, I was really tired and not feeling creative, but then an idea of nature with leaves popped into my mind and then I forgot that I was tired. I’m really happy with how it turned out.

Fused glas leaves

I took a previous class last year, creating a more abstract fused glass piece with greens and blues. I really enjoyed it so I decided to give it another try. Since my business is based on crafting, almost everything I do is “work” related (although I love my work). So I really enjoy crafting just for the fun of it.

I am planning on going back very soon and create some more fused glass – they have the supplies to make the absolutely cutest bugs and I have really been itching to make some.

Happy Crafting,

Phyllis

Free Quilt Pattern for a Happy Birthday Banner

Its been fun designing and sewing with my new Celebrate fabrics from Quilting Treasures.  I have created this free sewing and quilt pattern (quilting optional) that you can use for sewing a Happy Birthday banner. The banner is 25″ x 35 1/2″ and can be hung on a wall, in a doorway or for a multitude of other uses.  Use it year after year for birthday celebrations. The colors of my Celebrate fabrics are bright and cheerful to add to the festivity and use birthday cakes and cupcakes for design motifs.

Free Pattern for Happy Birthday banner by Phyllis Dobbs

Click away to the download page for the quilt birthday banner free pattern.

The fabrics are available through independent quilt shop and stores. While the weather is so hot, its perfect for staying inside and working on new sewing or quilt projects. Other free quilt and sewing patterns created for the Celebrate fabric collection can be found on Quilting Treasures website for download.

Stay cool and keep sewing and quilting!

Phyllis

 

Summertime and Fresh Local Vegetables!

I love the fresh vegetables of summer, and when I can get them locally grown, its even better. I finally went to a small farmer’s market that is a couple of miles from my house and now I’m going every Saturday. Valleydale Farmers Market (Facebook page)  is a small market in a church parking lot and all of the vegetables and fruit are locally grown – none of that stuff imported from foreign countries that deteriorate in the transit time. I don’t have to look any further as the assortment is so varied, I can get everything I want. I buy okra, cucumbers, green tomatoes, red tomatoes, peaches, peas, butter beans, peppers, squash and corn. One of the vendors has fresh catfish that I want to try.

Kim, a friend of mine who used to live close by, moved about 40 miles away to a farm a couple of years ago. I went to her stand first to visit with her and her children and bought a bunch.  She’s known for her homemade preserves and relishes and its well deserved.

Kim's stall Valleydale Farmers Market

Boozer Farms has the most colorful stand with all the various types of eggplant.  I’m going to try the different varieties of eggplant as well as the squash.

Boozers Farm stall at Valleydale Farmers Market

Here are some of the other stalls. I didn’t take as many pictures as I wanted to.  I guess it was because I was getting tired from carrying all my purchases. I had a market basket with me and it was quickly filled and very heavy.

Fresh Vegetables Valleydale Farmers Market

Vegetable stands at Valleydale Farmers Market

I will have to miss attending this coming Saturday as I’m leaving tomorrow for the Atlanta Gift Market. But you can be sure that I will be there the following Saturday and each one afterwards until it closes at the end of the summer. The peaches are the absolute best and I buy some each week. I’m going to miss having them to munch on after I return home from Atlanta as the ones I bought this week have been eaten already. Bummer, but I will look forward to my next veggie trip!

I am growing some tomatoes and peppers myself in a tiny garden, but it won’t be enough to prevent me from buying more.

Phyllis

 

A Favorite Part of my Job….Fabrics!

Woohoo!  A favorite part of my job is when I receive a box of my fabrics! A just heard the door bell dingdong and went downstairs to see what the UPS guy left. The UPS or FedEx guys are the only ones that ring my doorbell in mid-afternoon, so I knew it had to be one of them.  There sat a huge box that was waaaaaaay too heavy for me to even move. So I looked to see who it was from, then went to get a pair scissors to open it. It was filled with my new fabric collection “Celebrate” from Quilting Treasures.

Celebrate fabrics by Phyllis Dobbs

I can’t wait to get started on more projects using the fabrics! You can see what the fabrics look like plus some free patterns that are available for download from Quilting Treasures in my prior post. The fun colors are great for birthday celebrations for all ages.

Stay cool!

Phyllis

Say “Happy Birthday” with “Celebrate” fabrics and Free Patterns!

My new fabric collection “Celebrate” from Quilting Treasures is out!  Yea! I’m so excited! The bright colors and cakes and cupcakes are perfect for boys and girls of all ages through at least 120 for birthdays celebrations. I loved playing with the fabrics and designing these free quilt and sewing patterns for you to use! After a previous sneak peek, here is the entire “Celebrate” collection –

Celebrate fabrics for birthdays and other celebrations

The project sheets for a quilted table topper, placemat, large gift bag and a happy birthday banner are available for free pattern download from Quilting Treasures’ website. Just scroll down and you will easily see them with their bright colors.

The quilted table topper measures 48″ x 48″ and will add a festive accent for birthday celebrations. All you need is a real cake for a perfect centerpiece! And of course, a pile of presents!

Celebrate Happy Birthday Table topper quilt free pattern

Another way to add a splash for a special birthday is with a placemat, sized 18 1/2″ x 13″. The yellow fabric on the right is a pocket to hold silverware or even better, a surprise gift or candy. The old saying is that a small present holds the best gift, like maybe a key to a car!

Celebrate Happy Birthday Placemat with pocket

And for a larger gifts, you can make this large gift bag with a drawstring opening. Think of all the gifts this bag will hold. Its 30″ high and 20″ wide.

Celebrate large fabric toy gift bag

And nothing announces a birthday better or makes someone feel more special than a banner. This Happy Birthday banner is 28″ wide and 35 1/2″ tall, with red triangle points at the bottom edge.

Happy Birthday banner made with Celebrate fabrics

Enjoy these fun projects and give them a try to use for many years of birthday celebrations. If you have a hard time choosing which one to make, make them all. They are easy to make. And I would love to see your finished projects!!

I have also designed another project, a small banner that I created for display at the Spring Quilt Market. I just have to finish writing the instructions and then I will post it here for another free pattern.

And while you are thinking of that perfect birthday event, please check out all the products I created in my Zazzle store using the “Celebrate” art to coordinate with the fabrics. I’m adding more products daily.

Have a fun day of quilting and sewing. And Happy Birthday to you on your special day!

Phyllis

101010 Project – Me, Phyllis Dobbs! Who is the one……

Today is the last day of the 101010 Project, 10 Women, 10 Businesses, 10 Questions.  I will give my answer to the question in the final series post.

But first, a little information about me and my business:

Business name:  Phyllis Dobbs Art & Design

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Phyllis’ Zazzle store

Phyllis’ Zazzle store for business products

Years in business: 27

A little more:  As an artist, I create art for licensing on products in the textile, gift and home goods industry. In textiles, I have designed fabric collections for 7 years with collections for  Quilting Treasures. I also focus on designing quilt and sewing patterns and have written a new quilt book “Asymmetrical Quilts”.

The Question #8:  Who is that one person you would like to sit and talk with about your business?

Phyllis:

I am in a huge network of people with the same type of business as mine.  So I would go in a different direction. Tony Ford is the one I would love to sit and talk with. I think of him as a tech guru for social media. I have attended several of Tony’s seminars and came away with so much information. He is very up to date with all of it. In today’s world, social media is so important for  business so I would discuss the rapidly changing world of social media and technology and how to use it effectively with my business. I would also like to know how more on how to work with the Panda Slap, which I didn’t know existed until the last seminar I attended of his. (Tony Ford is the COO of ArtFire.com and the Technology Expert for the Craft and Hobby Association, CHA).

My current projects:   I am currently working on a lot of new art for licensing including art for a new fabric line as well as adding more art to products for my Zazzle stores and for products in Little Red Tulip. I also just entered into a collaboration with another quilt designer for a quilt related project.

Thank you for visiting the 101010 Project posts. Below are the other artists and the questions they will be hosting. Please check them out! Thank you for visiting the 101010 Project blog series!

Phyllis

 

Laure Otero – #1 – Is it necessary for your business to line up with your soul purpose?  What value is there to having that aligned?

Stephanie Guimond – #2 – Do you have a business mentor?  What value does that offer to your experiences as a business owner?

Shari Sherman – #3 – What animal would represent your first year of business.

Robin Norgren – #4 – What business/businesses have you chosen to model your business after?

Dani Keith – #5 – At this moment, what one idea do you need to start executing for your business?

Paula Joerling – #6 – What part of your business have you delegated or put on hold in order to focus your energy more efficiently?

Valerie Weller – #7 – How did you finally decide on the look of your brand?  What did the evolution look like?

Due to life’s twists and turns, this session of the 101010 Project features 8 participants instead of 10.

101010 Project – Shari Sherman! Who is that one person…

Today, the 101010 Project question is answered by Shari Sherman.

Shari Sherman

Business: Hula Dog Designs by Shari Sherman

Blog

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Shari’s Etsy store

Years in Business: Hula Dog Designs by Shari Sherman, was started in 2010.  Prior to that, I created art as Island Girl Studio, LLC since 2004.

A little about Shari: I  make Happy Art for Happy People!  I love that thrill of getting an idea and making it come to life.  I love bright colors (especially turquoise!), strong simple lines, and adding words of inspiration to my art.  I like mixed-media because it is limitless, but painting will always be my first love.  My subject matter frequently includes dogs, books, and anything related to the ocean/beach, because that is what I LOVE.  People often smile when they see my art, and I feel like I am doing my part in making the world a happier place!

The Question #8:  Who is that one person you would like to sit and talk with about your business?

Shari:

I would like to sit and talk with Oprah!  That would be a dream come true!  Hopefully, we would talk about how super successful I am and how I am part of a phenomenon of artists who are spilling their hearts, following their inklings, and changing the world for the better!

Shari’s current projects: Shari is currently working on a book project calledThe Inklings.

Below are the other artists and the questions they will be hosting. Please check them out! And I will be posting the answer by another artist on Monday.

Phyllis

Laure Otero – #1 – Is it necessary for your business to line up with your soul purpose?  What value is there to having that aligned?

Stephanie Guimond – #2 – Do you have a business mentor?  What value does that offer to your experiences as a business owner?

Shari Sherman – #3 – What animal would represent your first year of business.

Robin Norgren – #4 – What business/businesses have you chosen to model your business after?

Dani Keith – #5 – At this moment, what one idea do you need to start executing for your business?

Paula Joerling – #6 – What part of your business have you delegated or put on hold in order to focus your energy more efficiently?

Valerie Weller – #7 – How did you finally decide on the look of your brand?  What did the evolution look like?

Due to life’s twists and turns, this session of the 101010 Project features 8 participants instead of 10.

101010 Project – Larua Otero! Who is the one……

Today’s 101010 Project question is answered by Larua Otero.

Laura Otero

Blog

2nd Blog

Twitter

A little about Laura:  Laura is a marketing professional, graphic designer, writer and lover of all things creative living her best life in Charleston, SC.  On most days, you will find Laura sharing her artful adventures at LauraCatherine.co, as well as helpful online tutorials, app reviews and design bits of goodness on her MarketingWithLaura.com blog.

Blogging about online marketing has provided Laura an outlet to share much of what she has learned through her years in the online tourism and television markets.  Her online marketing journey began in 2005, when she was internet marketing director for her local tourism bureau – when social media was emerging. She also worked in internet sales/marketing for a top NBC station in South Carolina, whose website drew more than 500,000 visitors a month.

In 2010, Laura signed up for Kelly Rae Roberts “Flying Lessons” e-course.  She immersed herself into artistic pursuits away from the computer and shares her progress with her readers at LauraCatherine.com.

Laura enjoys art journaling, painting, tweeting, making jewelry, traveling and (of course) blogging. She has been known to hold a craft tweet-up and loves handmade items.

The Question #8:  Who is that one person you would like to sit and talk with about your business?

Laura:

I’d love to sit and talk with Kelly Rae Roberts.  Having followed her blog for years, I signed up for her “Flying Lessons” course over two years ago and loved it.  She has inspired so many “flyers” from all around the world.  I feel like I found my creative “tribe” online through Kelly. We have a Facebook group where we connect, and have since followed each other’s blogs and twitter accounts.

What I love about Kelly most is…     Her belief in herself,  her gorgeous art,  her inspiring quotes painted into her work,  her spirit, and her writing/blogging.

What would we talk about? I’d ask her to share her dream-to-life process.  For example, how does she know what direction to take her art biz? I’m sure it’s part-heart and part-biz savvy, but I’d love to know the process from start to finish! I’d also ask her how she structures her day in terms of art and blogging/biz computer stuff.  I try to write my blog posts in blocks, but they don’t always feel as inspiring to me that way.

I’d ask her what the one thing is that she would have done differently over the past few years.  I have a tendency to take on too much at once, and I have noticed she also works very, very hard. She taught the first Flying Lessons class when she was very pregnant and moving! Does she regret pushing herself so hard, or is it necessary to grow the biz?  I’m learning to take more time for self-care and quiet time, which is why I’m curious.

Then I would thank her from the bottom of my heart for being such an inspiring force for so many of us creatives!

Below are the other artists and the questions they will be hosting. Please check them out! Please check back tomorrow for my answer in the final post of this 101010 Project blog series!

Phyllis

Laure Otero – #1 – Is it necessary for your business to line up with your soul purpose?  What value is there to having that aligned?

Stephanie Guimond – #2 – Do you have a business mentor?  What value does that offer to your experiences as a business owner?

Shari Sherman – #3 – What animal would represent your first year of business.

Robin Norgren – #4 – What business/businesses have you chosen to model your business after?

Dani Keith – #5 – At this moment, what one idea do you need to start executing for your business?

Paula Joerling – #6 – What part of your business have you delegated or put on hold in order to focus your energy more efficiently?

Valerie Weller – #7 – How did you finally decide on the look of your brand?  What did the evolution look like?

Due to life’s twists and turns, this session of the 101010 Project features 8 participants instead of 1

 

101010 Project – Valerie Weller! Who is that one person…

Today, Valerie Weller answers the 101010 Project question.

Valerie Weller

Business: Twig2Nest Studio

Blog

Valerie’s Etsy store

Website (launching soon)

Pinterest

Facebook

 

Years in Business: 30 years in the business of art and graphic design.

The Question #8:  Who is that one person you would like to sit and talk with about your business?

Valerie:

If we are referring to the here and now…I’d love to sit down and chat with Flora Bowley and Kelly Rae Roberts together. I’ve been influenced by both of these dynamic women through several recent courses I’ve taken, that a chat would be invaluable. I’d be most interested in learning more about Flora’s business story, and how she was able to position herself to teach, create, and travel as the foundation of what she does. With Kelly, I’d be most interested in discussing my art direction and her thoughts on my “art transition” in business. Between both of these ladies, I know I’d gather some very fruitful advice.

And of course… (this is how my mind thinks…) if we are talking about a person that has passed, I’d be way excited to speak to Sergeant, Sorolla, or Cezanne about painting and color. Just have to cover all bases.

Valerie’s current projects: My website www.valerieweller.com (projected launch- July) and an online watercolor e-course (in-process-stay tuned to blog posts for launch date)

SHOWS:

Below are the other artists and the questions they will be hosting. Please check them out! And I will be posting the answer by another artist on Monday.

Phyllis

Laure Otero – #1 – Is it necessary for your business to line up with your soul purpose?  What value is there to having that aligned?

Stephanie Guimond – #2 – Do you have a business mentor?  What value does that offer to your experiences as a business owner?

Shari Sherman – #3 – What animal would represent your first year of business.

Robin Norgren – #4 – What business/businesses have you chosen to model your business after?

Dani Keith – #5 – At this moment, what one idea do you need to start executing for your business?

Paula Joerling – #6 – What part of your business have you delegated or put on hold in order to focus your energy more efficiently?

Valerie Weller – #7 – How did you finally decide on the look of your brand?  What did the evolution look like?

Due to life’s twists and turns, this session of the 101010 Project features 8 participants instead of 10.

101010 Project – Dani Keith! Who is that one person….

The 101010 Project question is answered today by Dani Keith.

dani keith

Business: dani keith designs

Dani’s Blog

Dani’s Etsy store

Facebook

Twitter

Years in business – 2

A little about dani:  She is a maker of pretty things. grower of dreams. catalyst for creativity.  dani keith has been creating for a lifetime. In the spring of 2010 she was set up on a blind date with metal smithing, and she says it was instant, true and deep love at first fusing! She is constantly evolving, and is genuinely excited to see where each turn takes her.

Artist statement: “I find the beauty in the simple geometry of shape and transform metal into a story that the wearer wants to be apart of.”

The Question #8:  Who is that one person you would like to sit and talk with about your business?

dani:

I feel as though I am the luckiest of creatives in that the giants of my artisan jewelry world are very accessible, I have bench space with Ginger Meek Allen and have had the recent pleasure to meet with and talk to Ken Bova.  Both artists create a life based on their art and make exceptional artisan jewelry.  Having people who talk about creating a create life without the notion of being a starving artist is so vital. I also believe that is is so essential to seek out the people in your sphere that have taken their art/craft to the next level that you aspire too and reach out…most people in our lines of work are very generous with their knowledge and time.

Below are the other artists and the questions they will be hosting. Please check them out! And I will be posting the answer by another artist tomorrow.

Phyllis

Laure Otero – #1 – Is it necessary for your business to line up with your soul purpose?  What value is there to having that aligned?

Stephanie Guimond – #2 – Do you have a business mentor?  What value does that offer to your experiences as a business owner?

Shari Sherman – #3 – What animal would represent your first year of business.

Robin Norgren – #4 – What business/businesses have you chosen to model your business after?

Dani Keith – #5 – At this moment, what one idea do you need to start executing for your business?

Paula Joerling – #6 – What part of your business have you delegated or put on hold in order to focus your energy more efficiently?

Valerie Weller – #7 – How did you finally decide on the look of your brand?  What did the evolution look like?

Due to life’s twists and turns, this session of the 101010 Project features 8 participants instead of 10.