Trend Tuesday // Pattern Mixing - Geometric & Floral

Guys, summer is drawing to a close!  I can't believe we're already in the middle of August.  Kids have already started going back to school, the weather is already getting colder, fall candles are hitting the shelves, craft stores are putting out their Christmas decor (that's a definite marker of the end of Summer!).

When I was younger, I had a love-hate relationship with going back to school.  I loved the new clothes, the new supplies, and the chance to see my friends like all day everyday...but I really didn't like the actual first day of school.  Of course, as the days went on I got used to the new routines and now that I'm older I really miss that excitement.  I really do miss the whole move in time of college though.  That was the best....even though I really didn't like the physical act of moving!

this post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclosure here.

My favorite summer wardrobe is a floral dress (case in point).  Many of my dresses come from LuLaRoe & Forever21.  The plus size section of Forever21 always has a great selection of floral dresses.  I'm going to link a super, super old post here so you can see how long I've been loving floral dresses.  I didn't even know that I'd been wearing floral dresses for as long as I have until I was looking through old posts to update!

Three Tips for Pattern Mixing

1. All Patterns are Basics - floral goes with stripes, stripes goes with animal prints, animal prints go with geometric prints.
2. Limit mixing to 2 Patterns - if you throw in too many prints, it may get overwhelming and look disheveled.  You may look like you just walked out of your laundry basket.
3. Complimentary Colors Work Together - colors opposite each other on the color wheel work wonderfully paired together.   

The great thing about floral dresses is that you can mix & match them with patterns.  I really consider floral to be an easy basic to mix & match.  Floral goes with stripes, solids, and geometric prints easily.  In this post on plus size bathing suits I blend a few different patterns with solids & florals.  Working with pattern mixing can be tricky and you may even feel like you're doing it wrong.  Like, I'm not even sure if this outfit really works but I love it!  I usually go with my intuition when picking patterns that I think work together.

The floral here is more pastel and the geometric Monroe cardigan is more vibrant.  I think the contrast of the colors + prints makes this look work.  Plus, the main color of the Monroe is orange which complimentary to the pastel blue of the floral dress.  These colors are opposite on the color wheel.  Most of the time opposite colors look great together!

Outfit Details

Monroe // LuLaRoe (shop here)

Dress // Forever21 (similar)

Forever21 is also on Ebates! Sign up here to save $$$

Watch // Rose Gold Apple Watch

Necklace // Origami Owl Sentiments Collection

Shoes // Walgreen's (similar)

So just because summer is nearly over doesn't mean I'm going to stop wearing floral dresses.  I'm gonna get my leggings and my tights as well as my winter boots and keep the floral going all year round!  You'll catch me in this floral dress in October, December, March, & June....don't you worry.

I hope you all have a great end to the Summer and wind down well into the Fall.  I'm excited for crunchy leaves and boots!  Oh, and Halloween!

Check out more style posts here.

How do you mix prints?  Are you brave enough?

xoxo, Moe

Make it Monday // 3 Ways to Use Clip Art in PicMonkey

I was at a total loss for what to do for this week's Make it Monday post - I wanted to make a physical thing, but I wasn't sure what to make. I wanted to move away from planner stuff because I've got other ideas brewing.  But I just didn't know what to do.  So I thought I'd just turn to my old trusty PicMonkey for a little how-to inspiration for today.

this post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclosure here.

There are a bunch of PicMonkey tutorials on the blog (find them here) and I want to share with you today three ways to use clip art in PicMonkey to create something unique.  I also want show you some more inspiration and new takes on some old DIY's.

First - where do you find clip art to use?

The PicMonkey blog shared this post on 4 places to find free for personal and commercial use clip art - and it is super helpful in understanding licensing and file types that PicMonkey can open.  While we're on that topic, PicMonkey can only open JPG and PNG files so you'll need to search for file types that end in .jpg or .png.  A lot of creative bloggers offer free clip art on their blogs for various projects.  I like to search Pinterest for free clip art to find some really creative and pretty images to use.

Now on to the important part:

Use Clip Art Over a Photo

In this DIY post, I showed you how to create your own watermark in PicMonkey to then use in PicMonkey over your photos.  Adding clip art to an existing photo is as simple as this previous tutorial - just skip the step of creating the over lay.  Here's how.

Open the photo you'd like to add the clip art to in PicMonkey.  You can click one of the links on the top (choose edit in this case) or drag and drop the image on to the PicMonkey screen.  Three squares should show up, drop your image into the edit square.

Under the Overlays tab (the butterfly in the left hand column) select the arrow next to Your Own and select my computer.  Locate the clip art image on your hard drive and select open.

You can the repeat the process adding the clip art around your image.  Be sure to create a visual balance across your image.  Add text and save.

This is a great way to add interest to a scrapbook photo or photo to use in your pocket scrapbooking albums.  It is also a creative way to create images for your blog or even your Instagram profile.

The feathers for this example were created by Angie Makes, and you can find them here.

Create a Layered Design

In this tutorial I showed you how to fake a repeating pattern in PicMonkey.  In another tutorial, I went over how to use PicMonkey's own graphics to create a patterned notes page for your personal sized planner.  You can also use clip art to create a patterned background for various projects.

From the main PicMonkey page, hover over the Design tab and choose a canvas to design from. The 4x6 canvas works great for pocket scrapbooking cards.  Once you have the canvas open, set the background, and rotate if need be.  Navigate to the Overlays tab and begin to open the clip art in the same manner as the previous tip - selecting Your Own and then My Computer.  Once the clip art is on the screen, size it to your liking and begin to duplicate it by right clicking on a PC or two finger click on a Mac and selecting Duplicate Overlay.  Continue to place your duplicated clip art around the canvas.  Like in this tutorial, you'll want to try to fake a repeating pattern.

Open a second clip art image you have saved that compliments the first.  Duplicate it across the canvas as well to create a layered look.  This adds depth to the pattern you're creating and creates a more interesting design.  I suggest only working with 3 clip art images at max to avoid a cluttered design.

Once the second image has filled the canvas the way you like, you can right click and send it to the back if that image seems well suited to the bottom layer of the design.  Save the design you've created.

This is a great way to create digital papers for personal use (if the clip art you chose is for personal use only) to use in any digital scrapbooking or other paper crafts you are looking to make.  This is also a great way to make backgrounds for your various devices.

The floral clip art is from We Lived Happily Ever After, and you can find them here.

Change the Color of an Existing Design

If you've found a clip art image that you love but it happens to be a color your don't quite care for, there is an easy way to change the color within PicMonkey.

Begin by either opening the image you will overlay the clip art on to or open a blank canvas.   If opening a blank canvas, and plan to use the clip art as an overlay in the future - set the canvas color to transparent.  Navigate to the Overlays tab, select Your Own and then My Computer.  Open the clip art image you'd like to change the color of.

You should see a little dialog box pop up any time the clip art image is selected.  Use the color scale on the dialog box to change the color by dragging the little circle around the color scale.

Duplicate the clip art and create the design on the canvas you've selected, or use the altered image as an overlay on another photo.  Save your design.

This is great if you want a few of one image but they were only created on one color scheme.  This can add some fun to a design project - like a pocket scrapbook card or print.  How cute would the design above be as an art print?

The mushroom is from Lisa Glanz and you can find the set here.

PicMonkey is a simple yet amazing tool if you're into being digitally creative but not down for spending a ton on higher end software.  PicMonkey can do a lot for you even though it is such a simple, online resource.  All of these tips can be done in the free version of PicMonkey but the Royale version offers a lot more - like the drop shadow on the text in the first tip!  You can sign up here for either the $33/year plan or $4.99/month plan.  Either one is totally worth it if you're down for some creativity and awesome fonts!

*as a side note, please be sure to read the terms of use for any and all clip art you download from any artist.  Please play nice, karma is a thing ya know.  I am also in no way affiliated with any of these artists - I found their work beautiful and wanted to share them with you.  I am in now way an expert on licensing terms, please read and understand any and all TOU that come with any downloads you find.

How do you get creative in PicMonkey?  Any tips to share?

xoxo, Moe

Fan Friday # 74

Another week down.  Shoot.  September is almost over.  Are you kidding me?? I don't want to cause too much alarm, but this time next week we hope to be moving into our little yellow house! Yay!! right?

Here are the things I'm loving this week:

This awesome Taped Work Table by Elsie from Elsie Blaha.  Are you kidding!?! After I found some of the solid colored Kid Made Modern Tape Kam from Campfire Chic tweeted me the project.  Now, I need to go snatch up more tape! As if I needed another craft supply to hoard....I am falling for tape!

I have a little drawer thing I found at Target on sale that I want to cover.  Gotta go back to Target!

This otherworldy, super dreamy photo from Feature Sponsor Jessica of Jessica Who?  Don't the water droplets look like sequins? What an awesome shot!

This! Please, God this! Found here on Etsy along with many other gorgeous things (one, two, three).  When Zach & I were out a couple of weeks ago I saw a blanket like this on a bed in the Furniture store & fell in love.  Glad to know where I can pick one up!  It's just gorgeous!!

This blanket found on this awesome website.  I wish I had the patience to do a blanket like this.  The granny square ones I make are much faster!  But the stripes on this...oh man.  I do have a lot of spare yarn left over from making blankets...maybe I'll do this with it.  Zach would like this one better than the granny square ones, I know!

Link Love

++ 516VINTAGE has made 2 sales this month! Yay!!  Now, I just need to do some balance between vintage & handmade.  Still working on moving things over to a new storefront for the beginning of the year!++

++EVERYTHING in MaryGrace's Pinterest boards.  So beautifully curated (unlike mine!).  Check the blog, too.++

++I've got a thing for blankets & this one with crosses is no exception.  Can't get enough graphic prints!  This pinterest board makes my heart happy.++

++This blog design.  Love it.  Reminds me of what I'm working on currently that I can't wait to blog about! ++

Enjoy your weekend! We're going to ArtPrize here in Grand Rapids & I just found out my college ceramics professor has a piece in it.  I can't wait to see her work again!

Connect on Twitter // Follow on Pinterest // Peep me at Hello Cotton

Fan Friday // Feeling a Bit Better

Well, I'm feeling a bit better thanks to a two day dosing of Alka Seltzer Cold Medicine (night time, I might add).  After several loopy conversations with my mom & with Zach and having a dream where there were magazines all over me (thanks to a fever) I feel half alright today.  My head is still stuffy & I am still drinking my orange juice/Ginger Ale cocktail.

Additionally, if you're waiting to hear back from me (sponsor-wise & otherwise) I promise I'll get to you.  I don't know how I've been keeping everything straight these past two days with my head all spinning!

Anyway, being laid up in bed has left me some time to just mess around on blogs I love to find some awesome stuff to share with you:

Mandy over at Miss Indie found an awesome double exposure app called Duomatic.  So you know I downloaded it ASAP! I used to play around with Fusion Cam but since Duomatic lets you take pictures from your camera roll, I like it a lot better.  I don't like having to commit to taking pictures right there! I want to pick & choose.  I agree with Mandy, I could never do it with film!  So here are some of mine.  I used photos from my Take a Break post earlier this week & then added some text using Quiption:

If you want someone cool to follow on instagram, I suggest following @owlbolt.  It's a lot of pictures of her adorable son, but also a lot of iphonography tips & tricks.  She knows all the awesome apps & is even starting an iphonography blog. I haven't tried a lot of her stuff, but she's always doing awesome things with her photos!

I also love this skirt I found on Pinterest via Danielle Thompson:

It's located over at TopShop but Danielle's boards get me every time.  She is a lover of all things Vintage & makes me swoon over vintage things I've never seen before.

Links Loved

+Miss KB over on Little Chief Honeybee shared this week that her lovely blog turns 3! Happy Bloggy Birthday!  She wrote a great post on Blogging With Intention.  This post is a great self reflective read!  I love reading other's stories...and this one is awesome!+

+Kam (from Campfire Chic) wrote a great post on the 5 Blog Posts you Should Be Writing.  She gives a great list of posts to make your blog awesome.  She also touches on something that I've found myself doing lately: I'm a blog reader, not a blog viewer'.  I used to head over to blogs, look at the pictures & then leave.  Now I find myself wanting to know more about the blogger.  Who are you & why should I like you? I really want to know about you in every post!  Telling a story is something I am going to touch on in the Blogging 101 eBook to be released at the end of summer!+

+Jessica asks us how many backgrounds of photographs do we think we are in.  A lovely question, I might add.  Think about how many people have you in a photo album.  Think about how many people wonder who you are, or think about you everyday! It's so crazy to think we are all connected.  Wonderful post Jessica!+

+If you are interested in knowing which eCourses are going to be released on June 1, click here.  eCourses are designed to take you a while (hopefully no longer than a weekend) & min-eCourses are designed to take you an afternoon.  No one likes their blog to be left hanging...so finishing up a tutorial needs to be super quick!  Each course is designed to teach you something specific but to also teach you a bit more about your blog, the Blogger platform, & how others interact with your blog.+

Happy Friday everyone! Enjoy your 3 day weekend!

Connect on Twitter // Follow on Pinterest // Peep me at Hello Cotton

Make it Monday :: A Little Bit of Weaving

While using this lazy day to poke around the blogisphere, I stumbled upon a really sweet blog that features things that are just darling:

I found this great patch weaving tutorial using a bit of cardboard & some thread/yarn.  Not only do they look beautiful but they are functional!  I may just make some to play around with pattern.

There is a full tutorial over on blog.karenbarbe.com as well as some other creative mending. 

I love patches & pattern.  So I am super stoked to have found this!!

Tempted Tuesdays: Pretty Pattern

I am so tempted to pick up this book of pattern by Orla Kiely that I found on Print & Pattern

check out the full post on Print & Pattern for full color pictures!

I just love pattern.  Everything I own has a pattern on it!

On another note, it's raining here today & my allergies are acting up.

I can't stand it!

but Happy Tuesday!

PS. Don't forget to check out the link parties in the Side Bar or click here!

Make It Mondays: Wearable Prints

For Christmas, I got a load of craft related books!

A really big assortment too: printmaking, paper crafts, spinning, etc

My favorite were the print books

I can't remember the name of the specific book, but it's about using common things to stamp or print with

Things you wouldn't even think about:

like those little cushions that come with corn pads (for your feet....kinda ew!)

craft foam

Styrofoam meat trays

packing materials

erasers

flip flops & soles of other shoes

foam stamps

paper clips & other office supplies

really, if you can hold it & ink it...you can stamp it.

so I took this inspiration from Pinterest:

source    source

 And thought since I've seen a lot of bold prints lately, why not apply

the stamp ideas in that book & create some really bold prints!

I love the hand printed geometric look of this.

Here's some more patterns I love from Pinterest

source

source

source

Can you tell I loooove pattern!

Happy Monday!

PS. Don't forget to check out the link parties in the Side Bar or click here!

Fan Fridays: Ghost Whisperere

Recently I've fallen in love with the show Ghost Whisperer.  I think I love it because it combines my love of the paranormal & ghosts with an antique store & gorgeous clothing.  Though the episodes can be rather odd, I love Melinda Gordon's (Jennifer Love Hewitt) little antique shop in a small town called Grandview.  I would love to own a little store with antiques & handmade little bitties. Ahhhhhh....I hope one day I can make that dream a reality.

For right now, lets focus on some romantic clothing inspired by the show:

Ghost Whisperer Style by Blooming Wildflowers featuring a satin handbag

This set I fount on Polyvore is great to discribe the femininity that is Ghost Whisperer.  Here are some of my picks from Etsy:

1. This blue & lacey slip dress from Vintage Opulence is just to die for.  Do you see that color? The shape? So beautiful!
2. In Amour sans Anguish's shop I've fallen in love with this veiled dress.  I love the neckline.  A great use of lace & color!
3. A crocheted shawl from Call Me Mimi is perfect in its muted tones of green & burgundy.  Antique Rose is a fitting name for this beauty.
4. A great Cutaway Corset Jacket from Darkest Dreams is perfect to make these shapes & colors perfect for fall.  In fact, in the episodes that are more into fall & winter Melinda wears a lot of dark colors.  I love the shape & collar of this jacket.
5. Finally, this Kimono Dress from River of Romansk has a beautiful airy feel. I love the pattern!

PS. Don't forget to check out the link parties in the Side Bar or click here!