Sponsor Spotlight: Stencil Revolution

Stencil Revolution Stencil RevolutionI’m so excited to introduce So About What I Said’s newest sponsor today! Emily Rosas is one of the graphic designer behind Stencil Revolution, the small, family-owned operation based in Spring Hill, Florida. Launched just two years ago, the family team (including a couple lovable dogs who keep everyone company) has grown from a two-person operation to a full-fledged team of skilled stencil designers, laser technicians, and customer service representatives who are experienced with all forms of stencil art and production. And all their hard work shows! Their online shop is stocked with all kinds of fun and festive stencils — everything from animals to nature to flags to sports to words to holiday themes! Read on to learn more about the appeal of stencils as well as tips for working with stencils… xoxo

Keep in touch…
Official Web site: Stencil Revolution
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Tell me about Stencil Revolution. What’s the inspiration behind its launch?
One of our founders started cutting stencils with a small laser cutter in his house at the end of 2016. Things took off pretty quickly and before long, it became a full-time business with nearly everyone in the family pitching in. Now we have three lasers and several employees all thanks to stencils! When you place an order, a member of our family personally cuts, packs, and ships it directly to you! We don’t outsource anything and every dollar you spend with us stays right here in the USA, helping our family and friends live a simple, purposeful life.

What do you think are the appeal of stencils, even as an adult?
They are fun and easy to use. Crafting is so popular right now, with people having a greater appreciation for handmade goods. A stencil is a quick way to turn a craft into something special without a ton of effort.

What are you top 3 tips for being creative and working with stencils?
1. Always make sure the stencil is firmly pressed down when painting
2. Use a very light amount of paint on your brush or roller. Off load as much paint as possible onto your tray or a paper towel to avoid bleed.
3. Avoid using spray paint if you want the cleanest results.

What is your favorite piece in your shop and why?
The world map stencil is my favorite! I love how versatile it is, it’s also very popular.

Stencil RevolutionThank you for sharing your story, Emily!! Be sure to visit Cherry Laurel Studio and check out these shops for more inspiration too! xoxo

Spring Print Giveaway!

Spring Print Giveaway Spring Print GiveawayI’m *so* excited for today’s spring print giveaway, friends! A few months ago, I introduced you to Elizabeth and her amazing shop Cherry Laurel Studio! The design and letterpress studio features greeting cards, prints and gifts — everything from birthdays to graduations to parenthood to sympathy to even thank-yous. I love that everything is printed by hand in Georgia!

Today, Elizabeth is giving this pretty spring print to one lucky reader! The print features a wonderful quote from Audrey Hepburn (“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow“), in both script and hand-styled type, and the quote is surrounded by a mix of ferns and other plants. Plus, I love how the green paper just screams spring, don’t you?

As Elizabeth says of the print: “Audrey Hepburn and gardening are a perfect match—and this print, a quote of hers framed by ferns and botanika, is perfect for gardening season or those times when we are simply wistfully thinking and dreaming of spring.”

Spring Print Giveaway!
We’ll be using Gleam this time around for entering. For your chance to win, simply visit Cherry Laurel Studio, and leave a comment below telling us where you’d display this pretty print. See above for LOTS of extra chances to win. A winner will be chosen at random on Wednesday, May 30th, so you’ve got two weeks to enter. Have fun, friends! xoxo

Update: Congrats to winner Nancy!! Thanks so much!

Ooh, These Beautiful Pies Are Magical

Beautiful Pies Beautiful PiesDon’t mind me, friends, I’m just enjoying the wonder and splendor that are these beautiful pies this morning! Aren’t they truly a work of art? Lauren Ko lives in Seattle, and she started making these creations just a year ago. Yes!! A YEAR AGO!! Can you believe that?

“I come from a family of eaters and phenomenal home cooks, so it feels a bit like I’ve been cooking and baking my whole life,” she says.

Beautiful PiesHer Instagram is filled to the brim with her delicious creations, and I’m particularly fond of Starry Nut, her take on the Van Gogh classic Starry Night!

Beautiful PiesLauren also says she’s forever brainstorming new color combos, and, boy, does it show! I’m loving all the color that’s bursting from these photos, aren’t you? Which pie is your favorite? Aren’t you hungry just looking at these photos?? xoxo

Cute City Totes

City Totes City Totes City TotesHow awesome are these city totes from Brooklyn artist Claudia Pearson?? She designed these adorable bags based on her own drawings of landmarks and iconic spots in various cities across the United States!

I love how each bag seems to capture the heart of what makes a city so special. The Bean in Chicago! The beach in Miami! The fish market in Seattle! The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco! There’s something for everyone, which is one of the things I love about visiting big cities! I also love that there are memories tied to each place I’ve visited, you know?

Which city tote is your favorite, friends? What wonderful city have you had adventures in lately?? I’m just daydreaming over here in the cold Midwest winter!! xoxo

P.S. More city-centric goodies: Posters and tattoos!

These Food Puns Are Deliciously Hilarious

Food Puns Food PunsHere’s something I know my friend Lexi will really appreciate: Food puns!

At the suggestion of his son, artist Chris Durso began The Foodnites States of America, and, YES, the project is just as intriguing and wonderful as it sounds. Durso created some of the 50 states using food, like using peas for Mississippi and Swiss cheese for Wisconsin. I love them, but I sure do wish there was one for Illinois!

Food Puns Food PunsHow fun is that? And the best part is that you can also purchase posters, which would make a cool collection of all the states you’ve ever visited! Do you have a favorite one, friends?? xoxo

[Via Mental Floss]