by Amy | Aug 16, 2014 | Blog, The Art of Art, The Art of Living
Through the summer Minot holds Arts in the Park every Thursday and Sunday evening. A few months ago, I was blindsided when I got a call from the Minot Area Council of the Arts contacted me and asked if I’d be interested in being a featured artist.
Arts in the Park works like this. A band plays in the band shell, people come and listen, and an artist stands off to the side. You can do anything you’d like to as the artist, they just encourage it to be something interactive or a demonstration. Like most things, my art is pretty diverse. I had no idea what they wanted me to do, but they were clear that I could do anything I wanted.
So I did what I usually do in a situation like this. I try to think what I would want to see if I was just attending. This is what I came up with.
It’s a community canvas. I drew a black outline of a design {inspired by sunflowers, so perfect for this time of year.} Then I put a dot of color in every space, denoting what it should be filled with. People are welcome to come and fill in as much or as little as they want. And when it’s all filled we are left with a lovely piece of art that many hands had a part in creating.
And people loved it!
Which was so flattering, since I tend to think that my arty stuff is only stuff that my mom would like. Better yet, a woman from the arts council asked if she could buy it. {Say what??!} But wait–there’s more. Minot has an “Arts in the Schools” program that sends local artists in to schools to teach art to kids…and they asked if I’d be interested in being involved. {Duh!} Nothing is super official, but it’s still nice to be considered.
Here’s a progression of the canvas throughout the night.
What I’m getting at is that is was a great night. A night much needed as this fell right around the time of the “Unstuck” post. It was an up that I was in need of. Arts in the Park is done for the season, but if you live in Minot, you should keep a pulse on the cool things the arts council is doing. These folks are working hard to infuse our community with art, culture and fun activities, which I think is something we are all in favor of.
xo
Amy
by Amy | Aug 13, 2014 | Blog, The Art of Art, The Art of the Moment
Let me start by saying–IT’S NOT ME. Really, truly, honestly…this post isn’t about me.
Recently I had the fine privilege of shooting a pregnancy announcement. When we sat down to brainstorm how they wanted to break the big news, we decided that a custom chalkboard background would be just perfect. So, Derek moved the panels inside and I went to work drawing up what just might be the best background I’ve ever created. Which is why I couldn’t resist showing it to you.
Making this chalkboard wall was one of my best decisions ever. I just love drawing big, giant word art up there.
The photos, however will be kept secret until their friends and family have found out. So until then, I guess you all will just have to speculate.
Amy
by Amy | Aug 12, 2014 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
Sunflower Mini Sessions
Hello night owls! I’ve been on the road all day traveling back to Minot from visiting Rapid City for the last few days. But, as many of you know, my sleep schedule is pretty weird right now…so I decided to go ahead and post a few of my favorite photos from the first round of sunflower mini sessions.
I think they are great. I mean, even those of us who get really awkward in front of the camera, {ahem…Kelleys} look great in a field of giant flowers stretching as far as the eye can see. It’s North Dakota romance at its best. Enjoy!
Oh, and I just couldn’t resist one more. This little one had never seen sunflowers before. I think it’s safe to say she like it.
If you like what you see here and are living in the Minot area you–yes, you–can have your very own sunflower session {details here}. I’ve got session space left on Wednesday August 13th between 6 and 7pm. Annnd–because a couple folks who had scheduled had an unforseen scheduling conflict {thanks, Air Force} I’ve decided to add a few sessions on Saturday Sept 16th. If you are interested don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Amy
by Amy | Aug 7, 2014 | Blog, The Art of Living
Yesterday’s post was set in a thrift store. Today I’m going to tell you about the amazing deals I found there. It’s going to make you so jealous. Unless, of course you live in Minot–in which case you’ll just be thanking me for the tip.
Okay, so starter info. This is useful to anyone anywhere. We all love Target, right? I have yet to meet someone who’d rather be at Wal-Mart. Barf. Anyway. Local Targets always make a deal with a thrift shop. At the end of the season, when they change merchandise out, or have overstock, they donate it. Brand new, untouched, off the rack, off the shelves overstock. In a lot of places it goes to a Good Will. But not always. I’d even venture that you could call your Target store and ask them who they have a deal with. Then shop there.
In Minot, this stuff goes to the Dakota Boys & Girls Ranch Thrift Store. If you don’t know, it’s on Broadway just south of Heritage Park and it looks like this.
{Image via}
It’s not just clothes. There are lampshades, table cloths, bedding, dishes, yard stuff. After Christmas this place is a treasure trove.
But right now they are having an amazing sale. All the clothes they are getting from Target, as the store makes room for back to school merchandise, are coming here–and they are all $0.99!! They have a ton of clothing from baby to adult and they are all less than a dollar. Best of all, I talked to an employee and she told me that they have received so much they will be processing it all through the month of August and the sale will last until the end of the month. So get over there already.
Did I mention shoes are a dollar too? And purses? Yep. And everything from Target is new, untouched and usually still comes with the tags on.
It’s practically stealing.
I went a little crazy. Here is a small sampling of what I picked up.
To give you the full rundown, I bought a dress, a skirt, two shirts, red pants, a pair of jeans, a scarf and five pairs of shoes.
Derek also lucked out. Well…I lucked out for him. He hates shopping, but his wardrobe has been looking really sad. I am talking olive cargo shorts with the hem ripped off of one leg–sad. Really, we are old enough and financially stable enough to afford pants. Come on. But he has been out of town, and as stated he hates shopping. So I took a stab in the dark and picked up a pair of new cargo shorts, some khakis, three polos, a pair of flip flops and another pair of shoes. All fit. Less than $10.
Awesome.
So. Be jealous, or get out to the Boys & Girls Store.
Amy
by Amy | Aug 6, 2014 | Blog, The Art of Living
“Why don’t you work on your blog? I like reading it.”
“Ugh. Because I have a bad attitude and I’m not doing anything interesting or anything worth writing about.” As soon as I say it I can hear my awful, negative attitude oozing from the words. As soon as the sentence is out there, I want it not to be true. And it doesn’t have to be.
“Maybe I should go on an adventure. Or find something that actually can that won’t leave me feeling like I’ve been run over.”
{Image via}
We are standing in a thrift store and I’m talking to a woman I’ve only met a handful of times, but am wishing I knew her better and as this conversation is going on, I’m creepily scheming up ways to find myself in her company more often. Which is probably even more creepy…since she told me she reads the blog, and I’m sure she’ll know this is about her. But I’m so awkward I throw caution to the wind.
We are there–in the thrift store–with another friend. And, little do they know, the two of them are pulling me out of a rut. An awful, annoying, terrible rut.
For a few days I’d been caught in a cycle of pain, Percocet, inactivity, anxiety and insomnia. One leading to the next, the next and the next. I stopped writing {which many of you know if my favorite activity} because, as stated, I wasn’t doing anything worth talking about. Outside of memorizing my daily verse from Colossians I couldn’t even bring myself to spend time in the Bible in order to write a good devotional.
But Saturday, as we scored major deals {more on that later}, I started to feel more like myself again. I was having a great time, doing something unique, getting an unbelievable deal. And my sense of adventure was restored. I was reminded that I am a creature of free will. There is no rule, fast and sure stating that I am to succumb to a case of the forever down-and-outs because I can’t do all the things I used to. There is no regulation causing me to mourn my old self. There is no reason I can’t come up with interesting things to do despite my physical restrictions.
And I have. Since Saturday when this all went down I have done all kinds of interesting things. I just haven’t written them because I haven’t had time. And when I had time I was too tired. I hope you’ll forgive me, but I’ll really try to stay more interesting and less David Coppery {disappearing and all.} Sometimes it just takes a minute to get back on track. Sometimes it takes a person, or people to get you back on track…even if they don’t realize what they are doing at the time.
The point is this. It can be really easy to stay in and be down. Especially when we are physically down. But there is always a choice. Sometimes that choice is very hard to make. Like really, really hard. It might even take all of the sapped strength you have to make a choice to take a single step toward your regular, happier self. Maybe so, but that’s always a step worth taking. Trust me. I get off kilter more often than I’d like and it’s a step I’ve taken more times than I can count. But it’s always worth it. Always.
Amy
PS–I’m eager to tell you about the outrageous scores I found at the thrift shop. But they just didn’t fit in with the vibe of this post. Come back tomorrow and I pinky promise you’ll be jealous. Unless you live in Practically Canada…in which case you’ll thank me.
by Amy | Jul 31, 2014 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
It’s that time of year again…sunflower time!
One of the most beautiful features of a Practically Canadian summer is humongous crop of sunflowers covers many a rural field late in the season. Sometimes they can be tricky, especially since in the three summers I’ve spent here never once have the fields been planted in the same place twice.
But alas, I’ve found a field. A lovely field at that and for the first time ever, I am pleased to be offering Sunflower Mini Sessions for anyone and every one interested. There is one a couple catches. First of all, the sessions will be soon–since the crop doesn’t last forever. Second, the number of sessions is limited–since I can’t set up permanent camp in a field somewhere.
So if you are interest get in touch with me. Facebook me, text me {574-361-7268} or email me at amyallender@gmail.com.
Here’s how it works. You pick a time, come ready to smile and I’ll get some lovely seasonal photographs for you. You can choose to get 5 images for $50 or 2 for $30. Either way, they’ll arrive electronically and you’ll get a print release, online sharing release and a custom Facebook Cover photo. Pets are most definitely welcome and you can split your five images into any groupings you like–mom and dad, just the kids, each kiddo alone, just your dog…whatever you like.
After booking, I’ll send you directions. After the session your photos will be ready within 10 days.
It’ll be fun. Come on out. Hope to see you there!
Amy
by Amy | Jul 18, 2014 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
This is the Gallegos family. Aren’t they just beautiful? The smiles, the personality and those dreamy summer colors–some of the photos from our shoot in the farm lands of Practically Canada go down as some of my favorites to date. Their flash drive is in the mail and they’ll soon be sorting through their whole session. But for now, I’ll share some of my favorites from the day.
I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
Oh, did I mention that this one is having a train themed birthday party??
by Amy | Jun 28, 2014 | Blog, Crafts, The Art of Art, The Art of Design, The Art of Projects
Hey all! Well, let me tell you. Lots of things have transpired since I last posted. In case you missed the last post, it was the BIG, Fat Reading List. Much anticipated…lots of great recommendations from my most trusted readers. If you are looking for something to read this summer {or ever} you should check it out.
So, I had surgery. On the back. But I’ll tell you about that another time.
Tonight, I want to do a little show and tell and plug. Tomorrow is Minot’s Integrity Jazz Festival and I’ll be there. Yes, I know I just had back surgery. But I committed before I knew I was having surgery. And I’ll just be sitting there. Very similar to sitting at home, just with better music. And Derek will be with me. So no worries.
For the last few weeks I’ve been in what I like to refer to as Sweat Shop Mode. That’s where I work all day and all night on products. It happens a lot at Christmas time. Since this is my first ever vendor experience I kicked it into high gear to be sure everything was ready and I wouldn’t have anything left to do to prep post-surgery.
That’s what I’m showing off tonight. Some of the things that will be for sale tomorrow. I’m nervous. I just don’t know how this is going to go. Or if anything will sell. Which would be a giant bummer since printing all these pieces wasn’t exactly cheap. So–if it doesn’t go so hot tomorrow…you’ll soon be seeing these items for sale here at amyallender.com. And then I’ll probably drop the prices and beg you to buy–if only to salvage my self esteem.
But enough chat. I’m nervous even showing you this. What if you hate it? Okay. Here goes.
Stationary sets some are hand drawn. The Practically Canada stuff was digitally designed. And I hope the people I meet tomorrow have a good sense of humor like you guys.
These I designed and drew and colored by hand. Then I digitized them to make them printable. They might be my most favorite of everything I’ve got for sale.
You may have seen book clutches floating around online. They are precious. I love vintage books and had a great time designing these. What I think sets mine apart from the loads of others in the world is that I sought out some really cool vintage books. The covers are lovely…and I left their original charm intact. Some are outfitted to be wallet-ish. Others are made to hold e-readers. But they make great carry-alls for toting items to the pool {sunglasses, phone, card, cash sunscreen}, holding make up, stashing stationary, etc.
You know I love canning things. Usually I make labels for myself…so I thought others might like them too.
I came across these vintage flour sacks at an antique store. They were too adorable NOT to make into market bags.
These might look familiar from another post…but I’m really proud of how these summer themed pieces turned out.
And lastly…I’ll have these adorable journals for sale. I made these from salvaged pages of vintage children’s books. I developed a technique for removing the page text and added my own graphic. Then I bound them into journals and notebooks. On a side note, I’ll also have individual pages with printing on them for sale. They’ll look super cute in a frame or decoupaged onto something else!
Now the plug. If you are in Practically Canada–you should totally come by the Jazz Festival. It’s at MSU in Anne Nicole Nelson Hall. If nothing else, you should just come say “Hi” and remind me that I am a fool for committing to do this just two days after surgery. Wish me luck!
Amy
