Friday, January 29, 2010

Customer Photo

Here's a great customer photo using our Ornate wall pattern decals.


Thursday, January 28, 2010

Live Audaciously~

That is my theme for 2010, coupled with last years theme of Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.

It's not even the end of January and this word audacious, a word that's never really caught my attention before, keeps finding it's way into my life. Audacious. I can't quite describe what I feel when I hear it, say it or *gasp* dare to live it. This expo is quite an audacious step for Single Stone and for me personally. It's one of the largest home shows in America. Nearly 180,000 people will meander their way through the gardens, models homes and booths of more than 600 exhibitors.

I didn't even know the show existed until I got a call from the producer, who had seen our work in a YMCA Dream Home giveaway house, and invited us to join the show. I know her job was to sell me a booth - to the tune of a price that made me shudder. She was very personable, as most sales people are, but there was something that clicked between the two of us. I prayed about the phone call and took a few days to think about the invite, talked to Billy of course, and we decided that yes, this is something we want to try. I had been researching tradeshows/expos already but couldn't seem to find the right fit. This one - it was just right.

After the initial phone call last Sept. I immediately started planning my booth space. Since then I've planned it at least 25 more times. And driving everyone around me crazy with the details...all 25 times. I have a design nailed down now. It features lots of decals and some fun ways to use them. I'm really quite thrilled with the way it's coming together.

Besides my booth I was also asked to design the main stage. A 50 foot stage that will have a new demonstration every hour on the hour. And has quite an impressive guest speaker on the list to appear - Ty Pennington. Little did I know when I accepted the design job for the stage that my art would have to be sent to Ty's people for approval. I pushed send on that email and thought I might vomit. Then I felt cool. Then I felt like I wanted to vomit again. What was supposed to take a day or two for approval for stretched into 2 weeks. Of course, during that time I redesigned the stage a million different ways in my mind. I wouldn't let myself start a new file. No. Sometimes you have to practice confident behavior even when you feel insecure. I tried my best not to entertain my thoughts of doubt and finally the approval came. Without a single change, and the words LOVE IT (all caps just like that ;) came in an email. Wow! How cool that was that day?! That was a pretty audacious move for me to send my work. For a split second after finding out the Ty people had to approve the art I had a flash of a thought that said - BAIL. BAIL NOW BEFORE YOU'RE REJECTED. It was rather loud. I told it to hush and proceeded with my design.

Since I am now considered a "partner" of the production company of the expo I get a special display in an area called Innovation Ave. It's basically the 'hot, new products" area. So, another space to design. Another big project. 3 large design projects and I hadn't even thought about the sales side of the show yet. Or the packaging for the decals to sell on site. Thank goodness for my smarty pants husband and friend Stephanie. They are smart that way!

So, now I am in the midst of finishing up all the last minute details. Applying the decals, making sure the stage decals are just right. Getting the signage made. Packaging all the decals to sell on site. Making cool labels, cool handouts, find projects to try the decals on etc. etc etc.

SO MUCH planning and preparation. Where will it take us? What can I expect from it? I have a lot of expectations. My mind races with thoughts of putting decals in those gorgeous Extreme Makeover Home Edition houses. I mean really, how cool would that be? And who wouldn't want to be a part of something like that? I can't watch the show without crying and thinking what a wonderful gift it is to those families. It would be a really cool experience...

This little angel inspired me today. I saw her pop up on Jen's Flickr badge while reading her blog this afternoon. Tears welled up immediately and my heart bursted with encouragment. I'm really excited to see where this expo will take us. The text on the skirt of the angel reads "dream audaciously of impossible things". I love her. I love that she's Jen's work becuase I know Jen and this is such a true expression of who she is. That makes her just that much more inspiring to me. I loved her when I first saw her months ago while Jen was audaciously pursuing her dreams of being an author (her book is due out Oct 2010). And she truly inspired me today.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

$8 and a decal

Here's a sneak peek at a prop for our expo booth.
How cute is our Owl on a Branch on this $8 Ikea table?!


Tuesday, January 26, 2010

APPROVED!

After waiting 2 weeks for art approval it finally came yesterday.
Now we're in production on the big project.
This was pretty fun to pull off the cutter this morning.
I can't wait to show you the finished project!


Monday, January 25, 2010

New Art!

Stayed up way too late tonight but
had to explore this idea.
I like it.
You can find it




Sunday, January 24, 2010

Friday, January 22, 2010

I love music...

I think most people do.
I'm bad for getting hooked on just one song for weeks
and listening to it many times over.
and over. and over. and over. and over.
you get the idea.
I'm wearing this one out.
It's my motivation to get through all these expo projects.




Tuesday, January 19, 2010

I'm still here...

working away. Lots of expo projects going on. Here's a sneak peek at a design I created that's going in a nightclub in Chicago.


Friday, January 15, 2010

Basket Weave

Last week I made a trip up to Cleveland to do some shopping for my expo projects. I needed to pick out some furniture, lighting etc. It was much fun shopping on someone else's dime! ;) Anyway, during my excursion I found this fantastic drum shade so I snapped a pic. I keep pulling it up each just to see it again. It's a hanging light if you can't tell from the pic.


Then a couple of days later on one of my online hunts for cool things - I found this at Horchow. Yeah. I'm loving these!! I can't decide if I like the one large one better or the 3 small ones in a group. I'm leaning towards the one large one. But I love them all!


Wednesday, January 13, 2010

yummies.

YUM.


YUMMY.


YUMMIER!


YUMMIEST!


All this hard work makes a girl need some chocolate!!
Back to painting the booth today. The trim. Almost done.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Another trend I'm seeing...

Lucite furniture. Usually in clear but I've also seen it in black and red. You can find it fairly easily but I found some particularly nice (and affordable) pieces HERE and HERE. What catches my eye with this trend is the fact that decals would look phenominal on them!!! The decals look the same from one side to the other so I would put it on the under side of the piece where it won't get much wear and tear and it would look as if it's floating in the lucite. I really want to try this!!


photo courtesy of Veranda

Monday, January 11, 2010

working...working...working...

I am up against some deadlines this week so Mood Board Monday will not be happening....at least not on Monday. I'll seee if I can throw something together later this week. They take several hours to create and my time is running short for the expo. I can't believe it's almost here!! We will have lots to show you in February! But January is all about getting it done to get to the show...

Here's a little eye candy for today. Quite a happy kitchen. Don'tcha think?!


Saturday, January 9, 2010

Decorating in White

I've noticed a trend lately of decorating in shades of white. I've seen it very elegant, beachy, farmhouse-like (for lack of a better term). I'm not sure I could live in a white house but I do think it's a beautiful way to decorate. It makes me reconsider white as a color. Notice the abundance of texture in each photo. I love how a monochromatic color scheme, whether it be white or another color, is highlighted and made interesting with lots of texture.

I like this idea when it comes to
decorating and art. Texture.

Here's a little white inspiration for you.





Wednesday, January 6, 2010

$175??!!!

It's no secret that Roeshel, who writes The DIY Showoff blog, has this way of finding the best of the best DIY makeovers. I find this one particularly cool. I think mostly because of the low price - $175 - and the DRAMATIC difference. Go HERE to find out how this kitchen went from this...


to this...

for only $175!! Quite a transformation!

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

2 Hour Delay

We had a 2 hour delay for school this morning so we are just getting out an about. It's nearly 9:30. My daughter is already out the door. My son is watching some old school Tom and Jerry before the bus pulls up and I am avoiding my lengthy to-do list :) Billy is actually still sleeping.

My prep for the Great Big Home and Garden Expo is in full swing. I must say I have doubted myself, redesigned the spaces I am responsible for more times than I can count but, last night, I had some fresh inspiration and am excited to STICK with this one. My friends and family reading this won't believe it till they see it. And rightfully so. This has been quite an adventure for me! Soon, I'll be headed out to Lowes on this snowy morning for yet one more gallon of paint. This will be the fifth color applied. I need to make this one stick before someone calls the men in white coats to come and get me. It'll all be worth it in the end. I know it will.

Enjoy your day everyone!
Shell

Monday, January 4, 2010





Today, I focused on a quick accessories change for a teen room. You know that moment when you look around and suddenly realize the 8 yr old that used to live in that bedroom is now 13...14...(how does that happen??) and needs an update! You already have a bed and dresser and this is not a major remodel, just a facelift. So, I did one for guy, one for a girl and kept it fairly simple. I gave them each a desk for homework and updated the old childs bedding with something a bit more sophisticated but still young and fun. Enjoy!

{TEEN BOY}
1 - Enjoy the Journey Art Decal - Single Stone Studios - $42
2 - Bedding - Target - $60-$100
3 - Rug - Ikea - $300
4 - Desk - Target - $130
5 - Chair - Target - $60
6 - Desk Lamp - Target

{TEEN GIRL}
1 - Tall Simple Flowers Art Decal - Single Stone Studios - $71
2 - Bedding - Target - $20 - $100
3 - Chair - Target - $128
4 - Desk - Target - $155
5 - Rug - Target - $140
6 - Desk Lamp - Target - $17


Friday, January 1, 2010

Beautiful Space

I enjoy so many things about this pic. The graphic black and white prints, the lines of the sofa, the juxtaposition of the metal mesh chair and the wooden table, the birch trunks propped against the wall...replace the real animal hide on the floor and my heart would be content.