Lately in Instagrams

I'm trying to wrap my head around the fact that tomorrow is March. The past month or two has been a complete blur. For some reason I thought things would "slow down" after Valentine's Day. Once Valentine's Day passed though, I started to realize that I had been saving everything else that I needed to do for "after Valentine's Day."

The most important of those things being Australia plans. We leave in less than a month and have a huge list of things to get done. I'm a planner. I like to plan things. I've probably made about 10 "Oz' to-do lists. But yet, I still get overwhelmed and worry that we will forget something, say, a voltage converter, and we will try to charge our cameras and they will blow up, therefore leaving us camera-less before shooting the wedding. (Hi, I'm a worry wart). So yeah, lots going on in that area.

I also started a little garden. This is my first ever garden and I basically have no idea what I'm doing. I love the way it looks (now) but who knows how it will look in a month. Let's hope still alive. I did use some of my basil this weekend to make the Strawberry Basil margaritas from this post. Yum!

I've also been working hard to get new cards in the shop. Designing is something that I have definitely missed lately and have been making a huge effort to make time for. I listed my first card for mom, along with quite a few birthday cards. More are in the works too! It's such a good feeling to add to my product line! Any special occasions you need a card for?

And as always, I'm trying to put a limit my work and enjoy myself as well. Whether it's a ride to the park, or extra cuddle time in bed with Penny girl (her favorite place in the world), these are the things that are most important to me. I never want to take them for granted.

Today is the last day for my February sponsors! Be sure to head over to the right column of my blog and say a last hello to them!

Quick Photography Tip: DIY Reflector

Since good photos are such an important aspect of selling products online, I wanted to share a quick tip I sometimes use for my product photography. If you've ever seen a photographer shooting on locations, he/she is most likely carrying around a huge reflector disc with them. Reflectors are used to put fill light on to your subject. This helps create less harshness in the shadows. They are also helpful in low light situations. This tutorial takes about a minute and can make a huge difference in your product photography.

What you'll need:

Foil

Tape

Cardboard

Now how do you use it? You want to point your reflector towards the main light source to direct that light back at the product. Keep your eyes on your product as you move the reflector around to find the right angle. You should be able to see the changes in your product when the reflected light hits it. When I find the right position for my reflector I prop it up (I used a candle!) and start to shoot.

What do you think? Can you see the difference?

Sponsor Spotlight + Giveaway: Mister G And Me

This giveaway is CLOSED! The winner is #16, Lauren.

I'm happy to have Ashley back as a sponsor this month, she has been such a pleasure to work with! Be sure to show her (and her adorable pup Mr. G!) some love by visiting her shop and blog!

Hi! My name is Ashley and I'm a 27 year old yoga teacher, craft blogger, and Etsy shop owner. Life is such a beautiful adventure and I'm so thankful to share it with my best friend John. We got married 3.5 years ago on an island! I love practicing yoga, knitting, baking, thrifting, and kayaking. I have the sweetest little dog, Garrett-- who my blog and store are named after.

I recently opened my Etsy shop where I sell handmade cards featuring my original photography. Check it out! I'm offering 25% off all orders to Julie Ann Art readers. Use the code "JAAFEB" at checkout! Whie you’re at your computer, why don’t you stop by my blog and say hi! I would love to meet you :)

Shop // Blog // Twitter // Facebook

Ashley is offering one lucky reader a $20 credit to her lovely shop AND a medium ad space on her blog!

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Follow Ashley's blog and leave a comment below letting me know you've done so. Please include your e-mail address.

*you must follow my blog to participate in sponsor giveaways*

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1.) Like Ashley on Facebook

2.) Follow Ashley on Twitter

3.) Follow Julie Ann Art on Twitter
4.) Like Julie Ann Art on Facebook

5.) Share this giveaway on Twitter. Be sure to tweet @julieannart!
6.) Share this giveaway on Facebook. Be sure to tag @julieannart!

Be sure to leave an additional comment for each extra credit option! That gives you a total of seven chances to win! I will announce the winner, chosen by random.org, here in one week! Good luck!

Spread the Shine

I'm so happy to help announce the brand new project, Ashley, of The Shine Project has started! If you read this post where I showed off my Shine necklace, you may remember that Ashley is trying to make the world a better place! Her latest endeavor is pretty amazing and I'm so excited to help her spread the word! 

Here's Ashley: "Pass It Forward was designed to get people to do little things, everyday, that makes an impact on the community around them. Pass it Forward is designed around a card. Each card is given a unique ID number. Lets say we're at McDonalds, and I decide to pay for the person behind me in the drive through. I'd give the cashier the card, and tell them to pass it along to the next car when they give them the food that has been paid for. I then go home and log into the website that was on the card, and find my unique ID number. I log into it, and add my information... My first name, city, and a description of what I did....

Let's say the person behind me was you, you would pass it forward to someone else, and then would go home and do the same thing. From the very beginning, you will be able to track where your card goes, and how many people you affect just by doing one simple act of kindness.

I AM SO EXCITED. This project had the potential of working small miracles in the lives of those we pass, and we will then be able to see how far one simple act can go. I want to spread the shine community into something that is in every city, so that we can get more projects done and change more lives... I have strongly felt like this is a big way that will get accomplished."

Pretty incredible right? Such an easy way to brighten a day! And the whole idea of tracking the card?? This girl is genius and I really admire her ambition to go after her dreams. Check out Ashley's blog for more information on how to get your very own Pass It Forward card!

February Group Giveaway

This giveaway is CLOSED. The winner was #105, Tara. Congrats!

Hi there! Ready for a group giveaway from some of my lovely February sponsors? They have offered up some really great prizes for one lucky Julie Ann Art reader!

Shop // Facebook // Twitter // Blog

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Julie Ann Art readers can get 25% off with the coupon code JULIE.

Shop // Twitter // Facebook

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Julie Ann Art readers can get 15% off with the coupon code JULIEANN15.

Shop // Facebook // Twitter // Blog

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Julie Ann Art readers can get 20% off with the coupon code JAAFEB.

Shop // Facebook

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Shop // Twitter // Blog

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"Like" or follow each of these lovelies on Facebook or Twitter and let them know I sent you! Leave a comment below letting me know you've done so. Please include your e-mail address.

*you must follow my blog to participate in sponsor giveaways*

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1.) Leave a comment with your favorite item from any of the shops
2.) Share this giveaway on Twitter. Be sure to tweet @julieannart!

3.) Share this giveaway on Facebook. Be sure to tag @julieannart!
4.) Pin this on Pinterest using the Pin It button below this post.

Be sure to leave an additional comment for each extra credit option! This gives you five chances to win! One winner will be chosen using random.org and announced here in this post next Wednesday. Good luck! 

My Style: A Day at Home

I had yesterday off work so I thought it would be a good time to shoot an outfit post. But since I had just been getting things done around the house, my outfit wasn't exactly "outfit post" material. But then I thought, so what? Why not share the casual look I normally wear around the house? I'm sure not dressed in "outfit post" attire every day of the week! So take a look at this super styling outfit I chillaxed in all day long today.

Outfit details: Leggings + Cardigan: Target, Obey T-Shirt c/o Jordan's closet

That was fun! I think it's time to spread the word on comfy clothing outfit posts! What do you think? Who's next? ;]

DIY Repurposed Spice Rack

When my Mom visited last month she brought me her old spice rack that she no longer needed. I was not completely thrilled by the sight of it but considering she packed it in her suitcase specially for me, I had to do something with it right? While we don't have much free wall space in our kitchen, we do lack storage space in our bathroom. That's when I realized I could make it into a cute cabinet for all my nail polish goodies that are currently taking up way too much space in our medicine cabinet.

All I had to do was tape up the glass with painters tape and spray paint it with primer and paint. It's pretty amazing what possibilities painters tape and spray paint give you. You can take something that you would never hang in your house and turn it into something that totally fits your style.

It fits my nail polishes and manicure tools perfectly! Thanks Mom! ;]

Rubber Stamp Giveaway from BabyJewels

This giveaway is CLOSED. The winner is #62, Ashley!

So remember last week when I shared this awesome custom stamp that Cat, of BabyJewels, made for me? Well I'm happy to introduce her to you guys today! And, bonus, she's offering one lucky reader a stamp too!

Hi there! I'm Cat Dubail and I've been a graphic designer for over 12 years. I love illustrating, all things DIY and personalized products - so Babyjewels Designs is really about bringing together things I love. My stamps are professionally lasered wood handle stamps (and self inking too). I pride myself on offering unusual designs, quality products and a quick turnaround. Most every stamp design can also be made into an embosser, a fondant stamp, gift wrap or fabric decal, so you can brand the look you love. In addition to the Etsy store, you can also shop with me at www.lovebabyjewels.com. On the horizon, I'll be branching out to a line of printables for parties based on some of my favorite stamp illustrations to include invitations, banners, cupcake toppers and more.

Get 15% off all orders with the code SHOP15 at checkout!

Etsy // Facebook // Website

Cat is offering one lucky reader a Custom Address Rubber Stamp (Cooper Style) plus a Black Colorbox Ink Pad!

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Pin your favorite item from Cat's Etsy shop on Pinterest
(You must publicly follow this blog to enter)

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1.) Like BabyJewels on Facebook

2.) Follow Julie Ann Art on Twitter

3.) Like Julie Ann Art on Facebook

4.) Share this giveaway on Twitter using the share button below

5.) Like this giveaway on Facebook using the share button below

Be sure to leave an additional comment for each extra credit option! That gives you a total of six chances to win! I will announce the winner, chosen by random.org, here in one week! Good luck!

February Sponsor Love

Say hello to some of my lovely February sponsors! You may have seen them over on the right sidebar but I'm going to help you get to know these them a little better! Be sure take a gander at their wonderful shops/blogs!

Hi, I'm Lauren! Ohio born and raised, and lover of all things vintage. I am the creator of MGPdesigns, where I sell my handmade whimsy chic accessories.

Shop // Facebook

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I'm Sandy and I make unique greeting cards using a technique called "Quilling", which is centuries old. You can think of it as "paper graphics". I happen to be a super love-geek so most of my cards are of the cute and lovey dovey nature. (But you'll find lots of other things in there too.) I live in the Big Apple with my twin boys and my hubby, love DIY's and making things pretty.

Shop // Blog // Facebook // Twitter

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Blissfully Happy Wife, Blogger, Movie Buff, Animal ♥er, Event Planner, Busy-Bee, Shopaholic, Philanthropist, DIYer in Training, 30-Something Southern Gal, etc. I just opened up my Etsy shop, AnnLeigh Creations. Stop on by!

Blog // Shop

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Hello! I'm Tsuki Fox of Little Gray Fox on Etsy and Blogger. I've been trying to focus more on my blog and Etsy shop this past year. I love sharing crafty DIY projects. I also share a LOT of pics of my dogs. I can't help it, they're adorable :) My Etsy shop features embroidery and felt crafts. I've loved embroidery ever since I was 6 years old when my grandma first taught me. I also love working with polymer clay and have been trying to incorporate that into my felt/embroidered pieces. For example, my beaver brooch with the little clay log charm :) I think my crafts revolve around my two loves: nature and sweet treats! I have a huge sweet tooth! When I first opened my shop it featured a lot of polymer clay charms...mostly cheesecake and S'mores! (My weakness around sugary snacks has definitely helped keep my dentist in business!) More recent projects are nature-themed. I love animals and have always wanted my own mini-farm with chickens and a mini-donkey or two; maybe one day!

Shop // Blog // Twitter // Facebook

Tsuki is offering Julie Ann's readers 15% off with the coupon code JULIEANN15 at checkout!

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Hi, we’re Kim & Candice. We’re the sisters behind Paper, Lace & Confetti Handmade and wedding planners to boot! We make jewelry and other fun, small gift items on our online shop, blog about our wedding and craft inspirations and take long coffee breaks in between. Come stop by, say hello on our blog or stop by the shop and maybe you’ll find something pretty to take home with you!

Shop // Blog // Twitter // Facebook

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Hey, I’m Dana! I blog over at Wonder Forest and create retro inspired plush and home products under the same name! I am a designer/artist in ‘real’ life and love a good DIY project, shopping online, and believe in being creative every day! Stop by and say hi!

Shop // Blog // Twitter // Facebook

So proud to have this group of  talented females on my blog this month! Be sure to stop by their shops and blogs and show them some love!

Gratitude

Well, it was a very special Valentine's Day season for Julie Ann Art. I am so thankful and honestly, just amazed. I knew this Valentine's Day was going to be bigger than past ones, but I had no idea just how busy it would be. A lot of that is because of this blog, and therefore you, so thank you!

I've expressed before how this blog has affected my life. The greatest benefit is that it has given me the ability to interact and connect with others. I've been able to build relationships with customers, fellow bloggers, and Etsy sellers.

With that said, I want to mention a few bloggers that really helped me out over the past month. They all stepped up to support a friend and that is something that's so great about the blogging community.  It's very special to me to have a group of girls who not only inspire me, but are there to help me out when I need it. I reached out to each of these girls because I respect them, their blog content, and their friendly etiquette. Definitely stop by their blogs and say hello, if you have not already, as they are all my daily "go-to" blogs! This is the least I can do to show my gratitude for their inspiration and support. I'm thankful to have their friendship.

Now, there's some one else I need to thank. (I'm going to warn you, this may get a little cheesy.) The number one contributing factor to me keeping my sanity (for the most part) over the last month, was Jordan. Without his constant support and help, I would most likely have turned into a crying ball of stress on the living room floor a couple of times.

It's a new thing for me to be in a relationship with some one who is so involved in my creative projects. Jordan honestly doesn't get enough credit for all the things he helps me with. So frequently these days I'm talking about ideas or brainstorming the next step, and he's always there to lend an ear and offer advice. It's really special for me to have some one like him. Thanks Bub! :]

My Style: Valentine's Day

Outfit Details: Dress and Tights - ASOS, Shoes - ModCloth

Happy Valentine's Day! Tonight we're getting dolled up and going to a comedy show. I love comedy shows!! I mean, who doesn't like laughing till your cheeks hurt (well, hopefully). Doing anything tonight? Special or not? xo JA