Tiny TOMS!

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OH. MY. GOSH. Let me present to you the CUTEST things ever. My first 3 pairs of TINY TOMS! They are for 3 sisters (who are the cutest little girls EVER...all so sweet) and their grandma got them each a pair! Not only are Tiny TOMS already the cutest shoes in the world, I just can't wait to see tiny little feet in these sparkle-riffic shoes! WPS!

No matter what size you wear, they make a GREAT personalized Christmas gift! I make each pair completely unique, so no one in the whole world will have the same shoes as you! 

Email me for pricing information!

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Christmas Items!

I'm back! (And have new cute Razorback stuff!)

Hello all,

What a busy summer I've had already! You can see I've been on a blogging hiatus -- TERRIBLE, I know! Finishing up a master's degree does not leave much time for other things, but I'm trying to get back into the swing of things, including my blog! Stay tuned for my interview series, and my project updates! I've done some cool projects, including a wedding party cooler gift collection of NINE COOLERS! Largest order I've done yet, whew!

Ok, so here is the latest of the cute paisley hogs, you're going to just die when you see how cute they are! My friend's husband has cut out some great shapes with wood, so I can paint custom pieces now! Here is a paisley Razorback (of course) that I did for my friend Madalene for a wedding shower gift (for her friend).

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Stay tuned!

Upcoming New Series: Interviews with Young Professionals and Designers

So I have been listening to some really cool podcasts about creative business owners, and they have some wonderful ideas about how to make your blog more interesting and how to really tell your story online. One of their ideas was to have a blog series and I have chosen to feature some interviews with some awesome young professionals and designers. Since I am in the process of conducting "interviews" (not as serious at it might seem), I won't give away who all I am working with, but I WILL tell you that I will be sharing the work, ideas and talent of some pretty AWESOME people. I can't wait to share with you what great (and diverse/unique/creative) things they are doing! It truly shows the possibilities available with a little equipment, training, natural talent, will-power and SOCIAL MEDIA. These kids are making their dreams possible by doing what they absolutely love, and therefore are successful! One of my interviewees-to-be just said it best when he said "I love what I do and it doesn't seem like work to me." So true. It's an awesome feeling to talk to my friends and know not only that they're like me, but that we can share our ideas and help each other grow. I have discovered over the past two years that I don't like being boxed in, and that I thrive on endless creativity and collaboration. With that being said, I can't WAIT to share with you the fabulousness that are these young and talented people! My first interview feature will be with my friend and fellow graphic designer, lover of social gatherings, and a good laugh: Andy Jordan. I've known him for a few years and he just recently accepted a graphic design position at a firm in OKC. I'll be posting his interview in the next few days! I hope you are all as excited as I am!

SPOILER ALERT!!! (not really) Here is a sampling of what is to come with my interview series:

• A new professional graphic designer and funny guy (Andy Jordan, mentioned above)
• A southern social media guru specializing in digital communication 
• A sassy fashionista on the West coast with some exquisite taste and a thing for jelly fish 
• A self-taught photographer and designer who has an impeccable eye and love of horses

Alrighty fans and friends, I have to go pack. I am travelling for a few days for work!

Have a beautiful evening!

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P.S. If you or someone you know want to be a super cool interviewee, hit me up! I'd love to talk to any of you!!!

Throwback: Old School Razorback Cooler

I may not remember the days when the Razorback used to look like this, but I can appreciate this classic and retro Razorback. My friend Katie wanted to do a cooler for her brother-in-law's 30th birthday. He had a lovely kegger and BBQ party for the event, so we decided he needed his own fashionable beer tote. 

You can see the progression of this cooler's creation. I'm a tad upset I didn't have a real camera to document, so it's pixelated..darn iPhone 3G (ghetto). 

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Enjoy pals!

P.S. Here is the top of the cooler! 

Red Stripe is his obvious fav...

My cat the painter

So I was going to make this really cool post displaying all my must-have art and craft supplies...

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But as you can see quite the distracting feline took charge. I had this colorful idea in my head that I'd do a display of tubes of paint, cans of sealant, spools of ribbon, containers of brushes, piles of scratch paper, and stacks of canvases and coolers. But as usual, my nosey little cat Penny got in the way of my blogging project. Don't get me wrong. I love this little ball of black, white and caramel fur...but she is just such an attention hog that I couldn't resist a photo shoot.. So ladies and gents, may I present to you: my cat, the painter. (ok, so she didn't really paint anything...but hey, she tried)

P.S. Up there you saw some images that show some of my must-have supplies and how I organize them! I bought a cute bamboo silverware caddy at T.J. Maxx (you should go) -- it's probably one of my favorite stores and guiltiest pleasures. Anyway, it was like 7 smackers and it's the perfect organizer for my paint pens! I use paint pens on almost every project. They are my #1 must-have supply! You will also see paint brushes, sparkly acrylic paint (a fun accessory paint!) and the always important and useful, scrap board (or paper)...I usually find some cardboard to doodle on, clean brushes or pens, or to protect surfaces from a paint mess! 

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I love fonts!

So today I was working on my thesis, and to reward myself for all my hard work writing my methodology chapter...I decided to make my very own FONT! I still want to figure out how to actually really truly make one on my own...but I cheated and used www.yourfonts.com and it's SUPER EASY! It does cost a couple bones, but it's so fun and you can install your own font and use it all the time! Here is a little note I wrote to my friend Annie. 

Enjoy!

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Spring Break Sale! - Coolers 20% Off

Anyone looking to take a cute hand-painted and personalized cooler on spring break? If you order a cooler now through March 10 (this Thursday!) I'll take 20% off your order! Prices vary according to order, so contact me here for pricing info and we can begin talking about your cooler! 

Need ideas? Check out my facebook to see photos of coolers I've done!

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So I Enjoy Patterns - Inspiration for Color Palettes

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Self explanatory post. I just wanted to share a selection of beautiful colors and designs (specifically paisley and damask) that I like to surround myself with! If you aren't familiar with my work, I paint a lot of ornate designs, so I like to have great references!

I also included a few of the patterns I really like with some color combos pulled out. I see this a lot in fashion blogs (like one of my favorites Tulip Louise does << here), but it doesn't necessarily have to apply just to fashion. I really enjoy grey added as a neutral in a palette. I pull color inspiration from patterns I like in a lot of my paintings. 

P.S. Check out Colourlovers << here for a great color, pattern and palette resource. SO much fun and very useful! 

Step-By-Step - How I Paint a Cooler

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Hello friends! I thought I'd spice things up and show y'all some steps I go through when I paint. I freehand everything. I never use stencils, tape, etc. I've read a lot of blogs where people use stencils and tape to help guide them, and if you want to try out something like this for yourself, I think that would be a great start! But after many years of practice and hand-eye training, I just wing it! I do often look at photos of things I paint, but when it comes to Razorback stuff, I have it down and committed to memory! 

I start by sketching out rough outlines. I don't use a pencil, but it might help some people. I then fill in the outlines with the most dominant color I need for the design. I finish by adding detail like highlights, shading, decorative frills, etc. I like to jump around from side to side on coolers so I don't get burnt out on one thing. I usually do all the outlining first, then fill in as I go. This cooler is not a really fancy one, but it is a popular design, so it's a great example to show you! Enjoy!

Coming soon: video tutorial clips where you can watch me paint! 

Picture Plug - Featured Photographer

So I am proud to say I am collaborating with an awesome girl, Tara Johnson, who happens to also be an awesome upcoming photographer and designer! She is an undergraduate student in my program, Agricultural Communications. She has an awesome portfolio already and can do just about anything! We decided we wanted to start working together on some projects, mainly just to bounce ideas off each other, learn, network, etc. She's a great gal and I want to give her some added visibility (what little I can) through my blog! Hopefully I will be able to feature some more of her work soon, and our goal is to add her to my facebook page soon too. She is currently developing a portfolio of "alphabet photos" - which she will lay out, print, frame, etc for customers! So cool! She is quite talented, self-motivated and unique! Check out her photography blog to see some of her work, quirky style, and inside her brain.

Hats off to you, TJ!

Self portrait 1, Tara Johnson

Paintings! For sale! Or just for browsing...

Multiple paintings I have for sale. That's right, just sitting around in my house, getting no love and appreciation! If you are interested, let me know!

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$40 Mixed media

$75 Pair, mixed media

$30 Acrylic

$15 - 5x7 photo frame

Welcome back!

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Follow my blog with bloglovin

Whoa, I have been MIA for a month! With the snow, spring semester and post-Christmas relaxing period, I have neglected to update!

Because I have many new projects currently under-wraps, I'm posting some flashbacks from some artwork I did in junior high and high school. If I had the time and energy, I would still paint things like this just because!

If you want to start working with me on a project, need an estimate, or have any questions email me at allyson.eye4design@gmail.com!

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Self portrait, oil, 2002 (9th grade)

Mixed media, 2005 (Senior year of High School)

Baby Bedroom

I love this project! My friend Shannon had me paint a canvas for a friend's baby's first birthday. This design matches Baby Gracyn's room and bedding. I added ribbon and tulle with a rhinestone center for a way to hang the canvas.

Also, if you are into anything crafty, Shannon makes some cool wreaths that can be seen on her blog here. Check her out!

Christmas Coolers Continued

I love this set of three coolers I did for some good family friends, the Goodson's. These coolers are Christmas gifts for friends, and all have a similar beverage theme! I think they turned out well. These coolers are especially spectacular because my mother helped paint them! She was channelling her inner artist and helped fill in some of the "paint by number" basic outlines with color for me! Thanks mom!

And the winner is...

It is time! 1/11/11 at 11 p.m.! The contest winners are announced! After a really close race, and just coming in a few votes ahead of the second place contestant, the Stuffelbeam group has won! Congratulations girls! You are the winner of a free hand-painted mini cooler to be painted as you wish!

In 2nd Place was Mr. Karter! And in 3rd was Mr. Hayden! Each of these parties will receive 20% off their next order from me!

Congrats to all of you and thanks to all your families and friends for participating!

First place winner! 

VOTE! The Fun Has Just Begun! Pick Your Favorite!

It's time to VOTE! The contest entry deadline has passed and voting is open! Simply click the "Vote!" tab to the right of this blog to visit the voting page.

Help a contestant win a free hand-painted mini cooler with the design of their choice!

Baseball Baby Boy!

So I've had a lot more entries in my contest for a free hand-painted mini cooler! Here is the link to my Facebook album, so go "Like" the entries and help someone win! They are getting creative, so check it out!
"Vote" for your favorite here! Like as many as you want!

Here's a sneak peak at Mr. Hayden sporting a Cubs cooler! For more photos, head to my Facebook page and see what people have shared with us!

This cooler is a small cooler with wheels, and it's the perfect size to take on a picnic, wheel into a baseball game or just have as a "personal" cooler! Not too big, but still convenient because it's not bulky but has wheels! I have painted a lot of this size and I think people really like it!

Sugar Time!

Game time is later tonight! I'm posting Razorback stuff to get in the mood! This hogs canvas has been really popular. It's 24"x12", monochromatic black on slate paisley with the hogs and razorback! WPS!

Cutest Hog-ccessories out there!

In honor of the Sugar Bowl starting later tonight, here is a selection of some of my FAVORITE Razorback coolers I've ever done! WOO PIG! Check them out!