Friday, May 31, 2013

Giveaway! Win a Free Ticket to School House Craft Blogger's Summer Camp

Hey guys! So School House Craft's Blogger Summer Camp is just a few weeks away (Friday, June 14th, 2013). And guess what--we're giving away a free ticket! Win a free ticket to attend the entire School House Craft Blogger Summer Camp event in Seattle, Washington!


Here are the details:

• One participant will win a 100% discount to the event.
• If you're already registered, that's okay! You'll get a full refund courtesy of Assemble. (I hear tickets are going fast--so be sure to snag one soon).
• To win the ticket, comment below with your name, an email address (if your name doesn't link directly back to you), and why you'd like to win the ticket!

Easy as pie. We will announce the winner on Monday evening (that's June 3rd). Now who wants to win?

Drawing by Mr. Powers



Tuesday, May 28, 2013

An Evening with Madewell

Hanging out with Madewell on Thursday for our Assemble + Madewell = BFF party, was one of the most fun nights in Assemble history, and we're so happy that so many of you came out to make stamps with us! The stamps were a hit, with stripey shirt, chevron or arrow template options! We made cute little gift tags for tying on sweet Madewell gifties. Mint-citrusy punch, tiny donuts and oh-so-much-shopping was had. If you didn't get a chance to stop by and see us, here's a sampling of photos below to enjoy. Thank you, Madewell and Assemblers!!

assemble and madewell crafting and shopping night make your own stamps
assemble and madewell crafting and shopping night make your own stamps
assemble and madewell crafting and shopping night make your own stamps
assemble and madewell crafting and shopping night make your own stamps
Some snaps from our Instagram

assemble and madewell crafting and shopping night make your own stamps
assemble and madewell crafting and shopping night make your own stamps
assemble and madewell crafting and shopping night make your own stamps
assemble and madewell crafting and shopping night make your own stamps
assemble and madewell crafting and shopping night make your own stamps
assemble and madewell crafting and shopping night make your own stamps
assemble and madewell crafting and shopping night make your own stamps
assemble and madewell crafting and shopping night make your own stamps
assemble and madewell crafting and shopping night make your own stamps
assemble and madewell crafting and shopping night make your own stamps
assemble and madewell crafting and shopping night make your own stamps
assemble and madewell crafting and shopping night make your own stamps
assemble and madewell crafting and shopping night make your own stamps
assemble and madewell crafting and shopping night make your own stamps

Photos by Christian Powers

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Crafty Project: Linoleum Block Stamps

We're getting all ready for our Madewell event this coming Thursday, where we will be making custom linoleum block stamps (+ shopping + snacking!) While we were making up some super-secret samples for Thursday, we decided to make another quick one to show you what we're going to be doing on Thursday with Madewell.

how to make a linoleum block stamp tutorial

In honor of my nephew (being born on Thursday!), we made a little dinosaur stamps. He's a fan of dinosaurs...we've decided..? Check out the steps below and get ready for Thursday!

how to make a linoleum block stamp tutorial

You will need:
• ink or pigment
• a linoleum block
• a linoleum carving tool
• an image of your choice
• pencil
• tape
• paper to print on

how to make a linoleum block stamp tutorial
Print or draw your image on a piece of regular or tracing paper. Make sure to draw all text backwards. Flip the image over, and color (especially over lines) with your pencil.
how to make a linoleum block stamp tutorial
Turn the image back right side up, and tape to the linoleum block. Use a toothpick or a sharp pencil (careful not to tear through the paper) and trace your image.
how to make a linoleum block stamp tutorial
Peel the image off of the linoleum block. You should have a result something like the above.
how to make a linoleum block stamp tutorial
Begin gently carving around the edges of your image. Outline the entire image before deep carving. A light touch will help with small details.
how to make a linoleum block stamp tutorial
When your outline is complete, begin carving away the negative space on the stamp. Get rid of anything that you don't want to see in your imprint with your carving tool.
how to make a linoleum block stamp tutorial
When you think you are close to being complete, ink up your image and note which pieces of negative space are also inked. Continue to carve until only the image you want to imprint is inked. Then, make a few practice impressions and adjust your block with the carving tool until it is to your liking. And there you have it! Your very own stamp!
how to make a linoleum block stamp tutorial

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Madewell + Assemble = BFF

Yes. This is happening...and very soon. We could not be more excited about our first event with our favorite clothing store, Madewell! A shopping + stamping good time!

invitation to madewell stamping party and shopping event in Seattle

On Thursday, May 23rd (that's next week!) join us as we partner up with Madewell at their store in University Village, Seattle for a fun and crafty event from 7pm-9pm.

We will be there, teaching you how to create your own custom linoleum block stamps--lickety split from one of our custom templates (a little stripey Frenchy shirt? An arrow? A chevron pattern?), while you try on awesome jeans and dresses. Shop Madewell's brand new collection (there might just be some deals in there) and enjoy sips & sweets with us. Cause we miss you! Plus we'll have a few Assemble goodies on hand for sale as well!

7-9pm at:
Madewell
University Village
2666 NE University Village Street
Seattle, WA

RSVP to store.241@madewell.com


___

Plus, if you're looking for something amazing to do with your Memorial Day weekend, our dear friend, Jenn Blake will be hosting an awesome Scout Pop-Up Shop at Trophy Cupcakes on Saturday & Sunday! Don't miss it--a bunch of goods from the Scout collection to be for sale! Plus, cupcakes. Obviously. See below for the details:

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Product Love: Carve a Stamp, Y'all!

I apologize for the y'all. However--we are going stamp-raving-nuts over here at Assemble, working on our Kickstarter. We're getting all those stampy files ready for the stampy plate makers and the stampy rubber makers. It's so exciting! We've got so many goodies coming to all of our backers soon!

However, we aren't the only ones making great stampy kits. We are absolutely in love with this Carve a Stamp Kit from our friends at Yellow Owl Workshop.

carve a stamp kit by yellow owl workshop
carve a stamp kit by yellow owl workshop
Look at the templates!!! Ack!!

Similar to our old Carve a Linoleum Block Stamp workshop, this kit has all that you need to make your own stamps, like:
• Easy to follow instructions
• 25 templates
• Block with two sides for carving
• Carving tool with multiple blades
• All purpose ink pad

We don't carry it in our shop--yet--but you can always pick it up directly from Yellow Owl Workshop or check out all of their other awesome products in our shop. We just were really excited about such an awesome kit--we love kits! And we love Yellow Owl!

Images via Yellow Owl Workshop

Friday, May 10, 2013

Those Girls: Our Moms // What They Taught Us

Neither Emily nor I will see our moms this Mother's Day, so we thought we'd put together a special Those Girls post for them. They truly are "those girls"--how the heck did they do it?? We still have to call them for advice on recipes and stitches. We both had such different childhood experiences: Emily with a traditional, large Chicago family bustling with activity every day, and Andie with one sibling and a childhood on the road with the Air Force from England to New Mexico. See below for some of the important lessons we learned from our mummies.

EMILY & HER MOM, BETH
Emily & Mom circa 1984--little Emily is the spitting image of Henry!!

"Your mom is a saint," people very often say to me and my siblings. What they mean is to honor the attributes we all admire about her: complete selflessness, humility, and unending patience. My mom's virtues stand out so strongly, mainly because she doesn't realize these things as choices--it is just who she is through and through.

Most of the things I like about myself and keenly notice in others, I learned from my mom:

• Welcome everyone/anyone into your home. Offer tea and something home baked (which, of course, you always have on hand.)
• How to plan for a party for four or forty. My mom can throw a party together with her eyes closed!
• How to be a good listener. Exercise that patience and selflessness, especially when someone needs your help.
• How to can tomatoes. More, how to grow them first, then can them, and use them later as sauce for a lasagna to feed an army.
• How to travel and enjoy new places. The first time I saw my parents as "real" people was in college, while traveling abroad together. My parents showed me how to enjoy a late-night cappuccino in Paris, how to make friends with strangers on a tour to Africa, how to gamble (!) and how to enjoy a mid-day cocktail in the hot Spanish sun. I remember thinking, "Wow, my mom is really fun!"
• Motherhood, with all of its hardships and joys, is a gift.


ANDIE & HER MOM, RONDA
Mom and Dad, 1976 (above), below Mom in Hawaii, 2002

One time, I was in the car with a friend who was bragging about what her mom did for a living. I do not remember at all what she was saying, but in defense of my own stay-at-home mom, I blurted out: "Well MY MOM makes FOOD." It has become family legend, that yes indeed, my mom makes food. We led a nomadic existence when I was a kid, and my mother was always the backbone of the family. She raised us to be independent, smart, considerate and healthy. Here are some lessons I have kept with me, and hope to instill in my kids, from my mom:

• How to eat healthy, and cut fat in recipes. Our dessert growing up was usually either canned pears or a tortilla with some honey on it. One time I asked my mom what it was and she said "that's a Sopaipilla." Now that I'm older and know better--it was NOT a Sopaipilla, it just wasn't terrible for us.
• Be healthy. My mom was(is) always a runner, and to this day probably has a better body than I do. I looked up to her pursuit of health--not just looking good.
• Say no. Not just to drugs and bad things--but to favors, or going out when you're tired. Never say yes to something you just don't want to do, regardless of the reasons.
• When someone shows you who they are, believe them, whether positive or negative.
• Trust in God, but lock your car.

We love you, Moms!

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

After-Workout 200-Calorie Omelette

I don't know about you, but after a good run, I'm STARVING. This past weekend, I took a quick trip to Washington DC for my sister-in-law's baby shower, and she made me quite possibly the most delicious omelette I have ever tasted. And--to top it all off, it was quite healthy! I thought I'd share this super-fuel, easy-to-make, post-workout-breakfast with all of you!

how to make an after workout low calorie omelette

Click below to read the rest:

Monday, May 6, 2013

Brand New Jewelry Pieces by Muchodesign

Brand new jewelry pieces are now available in our online shop today by Muchodesign! Check them out, perfect for warm weather birthday gifts! Click here to see more of their work!

handmade jewelry with thread macrame and leather

Friday, May 3, 2013

Love Is In the Air: Wedding Week Fever

Boy, do I have weddings on the brain right now. This week is Christian and I's 1st wedding anniversary, and it has gotten me all goo-goo, ga-ga over weddings again. Check out our special day on Green Wedding Shoes.

bride barbie yellow shoes
A wedding gift from my mom, an early 1960s like the one she played with in a replica of my wedding dress by Susan Fedore.
Photo by Jaquilyn Shumate Photography

For our anniversary, we are going to be eating a mini replica of our delicious cake, made by Cult Cakes. I cannot wait. White cake, buttercream, lemon curd and raspberry mousse. I cannot wait. I cannot wait. Let me say it again: I cannot wait. Check out this Instagram photo of our last slice:


With all this excitement, I was happy to hear about our friend Stephanie's sweet contest for couples in love that are looking to create their own wedding bands. With These Rings is offering one special couple a chance to wine a wedding-band-making workshop (a prize worth around $500), plus lunch and a champagne toast. So if you are getting married, or know someone who is, run over to their website to check out the details--hurry, voting closes May 30th!

With These Rings from Stephanie on Vimeo.

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Class Is In Session! // 3 Warm-Weather Workshops

Get your pencils and your books! A bunch of our friends are hosting some fun classes for the spring and summer that will help you get up the courage to focus on what you really want out of your career and life. We are even participating in a few of them.

First up, some self promotion--there's only a few more days to sign up for my From Scratch to Success: Starting Your Own Creative Small Business class, which starts next Monday, the 6th. Work at your own pace, plus one student will win a $500 grant from Go Mighty + a free business consultation from me. **Use the code "MIGHTY" to get 20% off of the regular $20 price.


Also, starting on May 6th, be sure to check out our good friend Melanie's brand new online workshop: Start Your Spark//Creative Writing! This one is $75 for a six week program, and looks like a great way to initiate your writing brain power to wake up and get that pen moving!


And for all you bloggers out there, don't miss the School House Craft's Summer Blogging Camp! On June 14th, we'll be speaking on a panel with other bloggers like Megan Reardon of Not Martha, Blair Stocker of Wisecraft, and Arianne Foulks of Aeolidia. For $45, the camp includes two panels with Q&A roundtables, plus a healthy lunch buffet that will include vegan, omni, and gluten-free options. Yipee!!


See you at school, kids!

Blogging tips