Monday 31 May 2010

A little sneak of the new look Altered Chic!

Here is what I have been working on the last few weeks. Altered Chic is undergoing a makeover. It's going to be more fun, more colourful, much more to see and we're also going to be shipping worldwide!

Here are a couple of snippets of how the new website will look...





Lisa x

Sunday 16 May 2010

DT Call!

We are looking for some new people to join our team at ECP: The Challenges!

Our fortnightly challenge blog has a range of challenges including colour assignments, sketches, themes and more!

We are not just a card making challenge blog. We love to mix things up and love everyone to join in where they can, whether you are a scrapbooker, make jewellery, are an altered artist, like to play with textiles, a painter or want to take part with some other form of art and crafts.

Take a look over on the blog for more details. The deadline is Sunday 30th May at 11:59pm (GMT) so there is plenty of time to get your entries in!

Lisa x

Monday 10 May 2010

Pretty Colours

Last week really didn't go plan.

I did manage to do some spring cleaning but most of it was downstairs in the kitchen - not in the studio.

I've also had some time to think the last couple of weeks about my business and where it is going. Indie Business has been a big kick up the bum. So has Notonthehighstreet.

I'm really starting to focus on where I want to go.

First thing, I need a new look - new branding. The current one is just too limiting for my products. Doesn't really suit all the pretty colours of my ranges and I want them to stand out as pretty things people will want in their homes.

Hence the new logo, website and labels I've been working on over the weekend. We're also creating a brand new online shop which will be so much easier to use. Prettier to look at and will also include some great new features!

I'll explain all when we are a little closer to being ready. And I'll be sharing a few sneak previews really soon.

In my world... it's little sister's birthday this weekend. We're going to be spending much of the weekend with family. I can't wait to be able to get my camera out for something other than product shoots and random photos!

We're also planning the introduction of craft classes in my day job. I'm really excited about this as I love sharing inspiration (see Easy Craft Projects) and getting to this this face to face will be great!

It's hard for me balancing all aspects of my life - not only my day job and my business. I'm working much harder on this and starting to feel alot more balanced. It makes for a much happier me.

Lisa x

Tuesday 4 May 2010

Time for a spring clean...

My studio has been looking unfinished and a mess since last year. I have had way too much on my plate and tidying up is always last on the to-do list.

I have just under 4 weeks until the next craft fair and I'm determined to give the studio a spring clean and make it look all pretty again.

To get myself inspired I've been looking for pretty craft room/studio pictures...

Elsie's old studio

I just love all those pretty bright colours in jars and the turquoise cutting mat. I'm in the middle of giving my business a 'sprig clean' too and adding some colour is high on the list.

Country Living


I love how fresh this craft room looks. I need a lot of storage for all my supplies and it would be nice to have some furniture to be able to hide the messy objects in. Maybe I need to go hunt some down on Ebay.

Singer Sewing Machine


I have a beautiful old Singer sewing machine. I just don't have anywhere to keep it right now so it's stored away. I think this must be something I need to solve!

SouleMama's Craft Room


Have you seen the colour of those walls?! They're gorgeous. I love the way everything 'pops' against them. I don't really have time to repaint but I think I'm going to put up lots of new artworks. I also love those fabric filled embroidery hoops hanging on the wall. I've seen them done before but grouped together they look extra pretty. Plus I have some nice fabrics I'd love to show off.

Central Workstation

I used to have my desk facing into the middle of the room. It used to be a bit messy with all the cables to my PC but if I could find a clever way to hide them - or even better, find somewhere else for my computer I'd love a central workdesk again. (My desk is currently tucked away in the corner and I don't get much natural light to it.)

Pretty Storage


I need to make my storage a little prettier. Most of it I bought around 5 years ago when I was getting ready to move to Edinburgh and money was very tight. Ikea was very 'in' at the time - especially those card boxes with the metal trims. I'm sure you know the ones. I have a few in different colours (collected from verious rooms in the house over time). I'm thinking, seeing as I can't afford new ones that I'll cover some of them with pretty papers. The same for the magazine files. I also have a pretty wire cupcake stand bought for my craft fair displays that I'm no longer using so I will have to make use of that too.

Wilna's Studio


I think this is my favourite studio/craft room. I love the freshness of it. She seems to have got everything just right. Again I think it helps that the awkward supplies can be kept out of sight. And who wouldn't want a chandlier in their craft room?!

If you have any other ideas for me to make my studio look prettier and more organised, or just some photos of craft rooms to share post them in the comments. I'd love to see them.

Lisa x