Blog Update & Introducing the Cricut Explore One

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. 

Like any blogger or crafter, there are times that we get writers block and become uninspired.  Have you ever experienced one of those dry spells?  When this happens, I take a little time off from crafting to catch up with the other things that need attention.  The bad thing is that it leaves me with no material to share with you.  But, I have some good news. I will be posting some projects in a few days, so check in or subscribe to the blog to get it in your e-mail box first!  

In the mean time, I want to share with you a craft machine that is perfect for those who are beginners to the wonderful world of crafting -- or even if you consider yourself to be more of a "basic" crafter -- then Cricut's brand new machine is just for you! This nifty new machine is called the Cricut Explore One™ and it's perfect because it offers a simplified design-and-cut system that is incredibly user-friendly. The Explore One™ actually offers most of the same features as Cricut's other Explore machines, it's just priced lower!

In addition to its affordable price, here are a few other things about the Cricut Explore One™ that you're sure to love:

• It can cut over 60 different materials, from the most delicate materials like vellum to thicker things like leather. It can also cut card-stock, vinyl, fabric, balsa wood, leather, and more…without complicated settings.
• You'll have free access to Cricut's Design Space™ online software and iPad® app so you'll able to design on your computer or your Pad®. You'll also be able to use a Bluetooth® adapter for wireless cutting.
• The Explore One allows you to cut a wide range of shapes and sizes with exceptional precision, from ¼" tall up to 11½" wide x 23½" tall. You just select the material that you're using on the Smart Set® dial. From there, the machine's Cut Smart® technology will deliver a clean, professional cut.
• You can upload your own images and use your own fonts -- for free!
• Each machine comes with over 25 free 1-click projects and 50+ free images to get them started right away.
• If you want to use the machine to write or score, you can easily swap out the cutting cartridge with the Cricut Explore One™ Accessory Adapter and Pen.

The Cricut Explore One™ makes it easy, fast, and affordable for you to explore your creativity and delight your loved ones with personal handmade projects and gifts! And if you purchase your very own Cricut Explore One™ before the end of May - you'll get free shipping when you use code MAYSHIP!  You can't beat that!

Didn't I tell you that it is perfect?  So lets get our craft on!
Watch out for my next craft post coming in a few days, see you then!

Effectiveness & Quality of Blurb (Part 3)

*This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links.

Thus far you've heard the Blurb story and learned a bit about the extensive tools and resources that Blurb makes available to their book-making customers. While all that is impressive, what’s really remarkable to me is how they offer all of that and provide visually stunning books made on photo-quality paper—AND do it all at such an incredibly affordable price. It’s really is something to marvel at. 

Since day one, Blurb has been praised for their unwavering commitment to quality, which is why renowned photographers, graphic designers, architects, artists, and other creative professionals repeatedly choose Blurb to display their works of art. That speaks volumes in my book (no pun intended) because, if they trust Blurb to showcase their work, then it just seems logical that I should too. 

Professional-Quality Books and Magazines
Whether you’re creating a photo book, a trade book, or a magazine, Blurb allows you to choose from a wide range of trim size, covers, fonts, layouts, and paper. Paper type is actually really key to any book which displays images. Other book-making platforms may have some nice quality paper, but you’re going to pay out the wazoo for your book. Others use recycled paper, which is good environmentally, but not so great for producing visually-rich images. 

Blurb, on the other hand, provides customers with several paper options, including standard paper that has a smooth, semi-matte finish on 80# stock, to un-coated Pro Line semi-gloss paper on 140# stock that’s ideal for high-end photography and design books. 

Digital Books/Ebooks
Blurb is actually one of the few book-making platforms that gives you complete control over creating an ebook. Blurb lets you make ebooks in both fixed-layout (Apple iPad®-only) and flowable formats (iPad and Kindle devices). You can even convert any book or magazine you create into a gorgeous ebook so you can share and distribute it in a way that’s easy, affordable, and earth-friendly! 

Price
If price is a factor (when is it not?), Blurb is bar none one of the most affordable printers out there with one of the lowest price per page available – especially when you consider their quality and array of creative options. So that you will know exactly what you’re getting at what cost, Blurb developed a Pricing Calculator. I mentioned their pricing calculator in my last post, but to recap, this fantastic tool lets you see what your price per book will be based on the selections you choose (e.g. soft cover, 7 x 7 photobook, on Pro Line un-coated #100 paper). 

You can also compare the pricing of different types of books (trade book vs. magazine, vs. ebook, etc.), covers (hard or soft), sizes (7 x 7 vs 13 x 11), paper type (matte, glossy), etc. 

Although their pricing is already impressive, take note that Blurb is generously offering you 15% off any book you create from now through 5/30! Get started now! 

I recommend sorting through those pictures on your camera, smartphone, Facebook feed, or Instagram page and start creating your very own book. You’ll be so excited with the results that you’ll probably want to make a copy for all of your friends and family (I’m speaking from experience here!). 

If you need some inspiration, I’ll be sharing examples in next week’s post of how some people have used Blurb to create their own creative and useful books—so stay tuned! 

What You Should Know About Blurb

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links.

So last week I shared a bit of the Blurb story and how they came to unleash the power of self-publishing. But Blurb is actually way more than a self-publishing platform. They are really a tour de force of creativity that strives to help give your story – your inspiration – a stage.  And they provide some really incredible tools to make that possible. 

Here are a few of my faves:

1. Free book making tools – This one may be obvious, but there’s more here than meets the eye. Blurb offers multiple easy-to-use bookmaking tools and templates to give you complete creative control and customization:
   BookWright: The only desktop publishing software built for creating professional-looking print books, magazines, and ebooks. It’s super simple to use, which means you won't need to hire a fancy designer, know a line of code, or buy expensive software. BookSmart: A user-friendly book-making tool that allows you to create beautiful, professional-quality photo books, notebooks, and planners.
   Adobe InDesign Plug-In: If you use Adobe® InDesign® then this Blurb plug-in is for you. It lets you create and lay out books and magazines directly within InDesign and output in both print and digital formats. It also includes free professionally designed starter templates for photo books, cookbooks, portfolios, and magazines.
   Adobe Lightroom: This book creation tool is fully integrated into Lightroom, so users can make a gorgeous photography book without needing to leave the Lightroom workflow. It also includes 5 paper choices, including high-end photo-quality paper from Mohawk Fine Papers®.
2. Online photo books – With this tool, you can create your very own online photo book in less than an hour. The online templates and layouts are gorgeous. All you have to do is drag & drop your photos from your computer, Facebook, and Instagram accounts.
   Instagram Photo Book: Blurb allows you to make a little 7 x7 book that’s as unique as your Instagram feed. You can start with up to 60 images and go up to 240 pages! It’s like a tiny museum devoted to your style!
   Facebook Photo Book: Now you can turn those favorite socially-shared memories into a book-store quality book! You just curate your photos and any Facebook comments you want to include and voilà! You’ve got a beautiful 60-page book of shared experiences.
3. Step-by-step Tutorials & Webinars – If you ever get stuck on how to do something or just need some creative inspiration, you’ll definitely appreciate Blurb’s interesting and informative Webinars and Tips and Tutorials sections. So helpful.
4. Free Tools to Use - Not sure what size book you want? Blurb shows you what a 10 x 8 book would look like versus a 13 x 11 with their creation and layout tools. You can also see what different paper types would look like, such as Premium Matte or Proline Uncoated and what makes them different.
5. Pricing Tool – Blurb’s Pricing Calculator will save you from pricing surprises. You just select your book type, number of pages, type of cover, and paper you want and this tool calculates what your book will cost. They also have special pricing on large orders (e.g. 300+ books).

I encourage you to take some creative time for yourself and explore Blurb’s unique and valuable book-making tools. And remember that from now through 4/30 you can get 20% off any book you create, just use code: APRILLIGHTS! If you are thinking of self-publishing or starting a fundraiser use code: BIGAPRIL and get 20% off 20 or more books! 

What are your favorite Blurb tools? 

An Intro To Blurb

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links.

I really enjoy Blurb and the quality of their books, and yes I know that there are other companies out there that do the same, if not similar work.  But having seen other books, Blurb tops them all. 

 I want to share with you Blurb's story.  

Like many great companies before it, Blurb was actually started by accident.  In the early 2000s, Eileen Gittins, Blurbs' Founder, rekindled a passion for photography while trying to figure out her next career gig. 

She wanted to compile her photos into a nice coffee table photo book, but she only wanted to print a handful of copies. The conundrum was that every publisher was quoting her hundreds of dollars for each book! She found this curious – and frustrating.  So she asked herself, are there other people like me who want to affordably create their own high-quality book from their photos? The answer, of course, was yes, and it changed her life – and book publishing – forever. 

In 2006, Eileen launched Blurb, a simple book-designing platform and a publishing process that could quickly produce beautifully made books at game-changing price. 

Everyone from award-winning photographers, to couples wanting to commemorate the birth of their child started using Blurb – and they continue to do so today. Even after almost a decade, people are still blown away by Blurb’s user-friendliness, quality, and affordability. People trust Blurb to create every kind of book imaginable, including:

• Cookbooks
• Photo books
• Yearbooks
• Ebooks
• Magazines, and more

Blurb doesn’t just help people make books and magazines, they also help market them by providing publishers with their own dedicated sales page. Blurb’s dedicated sales pages allows authors to:

• Make their book or magazine available to the public or by invitation-only
• Write a compelling book description
• Customize a preview of their book
• Share their book with others on social media

Blurb also created their publishing platform to work seamlessly with Amazon and Apple iBooks Store so authors would have even more options for how they sell their books. 

There are so many remarkable things to share about Blurb – too much for just one post! So keep an eye out for next week’s post, because I’ll be sharing some of my favorite Blurb tools and tips -- which, if you’re like me, will leave you thinking … “I didn’t know Blurb could do all that!” 

Oh! And I almost forgot to mention that now through 4/28 you can get 20% off any book you create! 
Can’t wait to see what kind of book you create! 

Words Matter Letterpress

Aren't these wooden letter blocks cool?  They have a simplicity to them and yet have a big
impact on any home decor when put to good use.  My favorites are the numbers on the
front of the home and the Est. sign as well.  You can find these over at DaySpring by clicking the images.

DaySpring is currently offering these lovely letterpress blocks so that you can create
your own words for your decorating needs.  Drop by their site and view some of the decorative ideas that they have available.

What is your favorite?

*(This post contains affiliate links and may be compensated if you make a purchase.  
   Thank you so much for your support.)

Big Savings Just in Time for the Holidays:Blurb

(This post contains affiliate links and may be compensated if you make a purchase after you click the links.)

I've been making little adjustments to this holiday's decor.  It gets simpler every year, so the only thing I have been decorating is our tree and well that's it.  Not to mention a wreath on our front door. 
I usually add little something here and there as the week progresses, but I'll just have to wait and see.

With the Holidays rushing through and with so much to do, I wanted to let you know that Blurb has added an extra promotion to make sure you can still save big on your gift books.  Make your gift giving easier this year.  Now we have the time to gather our photos and make a gift book.

Save 30% off print book orders $175+ with code:BLURB30% or 25% off print book orders $150+ with code: LARGEGIFTS through 12/9. Now's the perfect time to create those gifts!

Save with Blurb's Black Friday Sale

(This post contains affiliate links and may be compensated if you make a purchase after you click my links, thank you.)

I have been thinking about gifts this year and what do you give someone who doesn't need anything?I've got it!  How about a book created especially for that person on Blurb!  I am thinking of creating a book with fun memories of past times with photos, family stories and poems for a beloved relative such a grandparent.

Some of the best gifts we've ever received have been books made by our family and friends. With Blurb, you can create your own present for someone special to you. You could make a photo book with memories that last a lifetime. Another idea is to create a book filled with your child's artwork or make a cookbook consisting of old family recipes. The gift-giving possibilities are endless at Blurb.

Since it's Black Friday, you can get 20% off print book orders with code: CYBER20 from 11/26 through 12/1. Now's the perfect time to create those gifts!

Decorating with Cotton Stems

Antique Farm House

    It's almost the start of the holiday season...and I have noticed many people itching to decorate their

    homes, myself included.  One of the things I love to decorate with is cotton.  Yes, you read right, cotton!  Living in the south gives me the advantage to use natural cotton stems for my decorating needs.  I just love how it looks!

    For the folks around the world that will like to decorate with cotton this year, Antique Farm House has cotton available right now!  You may want to visit them this minute, because it's a one time deal. There is a different deal everyday and today it's cotton, so get on over there and get your cotton!

I have posted two of my favorites items, the cotton wreath and cotton garland, I just love them!  I wanted to give you the opportunity to grab some and start your holiday decorating.

Antique Farm House

I have added below a few ideas to inspire you this season for decorating your home using cotton and other natural elements.  As for the wreath below, I could not find the original link, it is only available on pinterest, but if you know the original source, please let me know.

These are some of my favorite ways to use cotton on decorative pieces including the Christmas tree.
There are many other ways to decorate, so I hope that you feel inspired.

pinterest

Sophia's Decor

Sophia's Decor

Perfectly Imperfect

Hope that you enjoy!

(This post contains affiliate links & will be compensated only if you make a purchase, thank you)


Linked to:

Craftberry Bush Domestically Speaking

Publishing & Selling Books in the Blurb Bookstore

(This post contains affiliate links and may be compensated if you make a purchase after you click my links, thank you)

Many bloggers out there have worked hard on their blogs and even use the means to promote 
a business or their personal stories.  Today I want to help you take a step further and show you 
a way to create your own book and sell it to your readers. 

If you have an idea for a book, but don't know how to get it published you are in the right place. 
Self-publishing tools like Blurb BookWright are helping independent publishers just like you 
become successful authors. If you’ve been working on a novel, cookbook, craft book, 
or your blog, now’s the time to finally publish it!  

Publishing couldn’t be easier with Blurb BookWright. Not only can you easily publish your 
book, you can sell in the Blurb Bookstore with the help of Blurb Direct Sell. Through it, 
your book will get its own page in the Blurb Bookstore and you can use the Personal 
Storefront widget to promote your book to your readers. You can even sell your book on 
Amazon when publishing with BookWright. Self-publishing a book has never been easier! 
If you're ready to try it and sell your book, download BookWright.
I hope that this helps you get started! 

Inspiration via France - You're Never too Young to Create

(This post contains affiliate links and will compensated only if you make a purchase after clicking my links.)

On my last post I introduced you to what Blurb is doing this fall.  I told you that each week, Blurb will be highlighting makers all over the world and that they will be focusing on each person's craft, on their culture, on their traditions, and on their favorite moments right? 

Today they share with you someone from France.  When we think of France we think of taste, elegance, and style. Some of the greatest art, design, and fashion in the world has a French accent. That's why they turned to France to see what the next generation of creative genius will look like. 

Meet Tolly Dolly—a fashion blogger with big ambitions and an impressive resume of brand partnerships and press coverage. Her goal is simple—to be a fashion designer. She already has her first design contract—all this and she's just 14, wow! Here we talk inspirations, ambitions, and all things festive. For the full interview click on the image above to read how this young girl got started.

The holidays are quickly approaching, save 15% off any order (no minimum spend required), and 25% off Landscape and Portrait photo books ($100 minimum spend required)
which is great news if you're planning to make a gift. This deal ends November 25th.

Sweet Gift Making Inspiration From Paul Lowe

(This post contains affiliate links and will compensated only if you make a purchase after clicking my links.)


This fall, Blurb is highlighting makers all over the world. They will be focusing on each person's
craft, on their culture, on their traditions, and on their favorite moments. One of those people 
is Paul Lowe, creator of Sweet Paul magazine. 

Sweet Paul magazine features spectacular food photography, scrumptious recipes, and 
inspired crafts. His work is truly amazing! In Blurb's interview with Paul, he discusses 
his childhood in Norway and provides a delicious recipe. You'll love Paul's stories of gnomes, 
trees (and tree-related disasters), food, family, and memories. At the end of the interview, 
Blurb features great gift books reminiscent of Sweet Paul. Read the interview here, 
I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did!

Save 20% on photo books with code OCT20%, which is great news if you're planning 
to make a holiday gift. This deal ends October 31st. 

Photo Book Design Secrets from the Pros, Compliments of Blurb

This post contains affiliate links and will compensated only if you make a purchase after clicking my links. Hey friends!  Have you been taken plenty of photographs the last few months, years? I'm pretty sure that your photos are stunning, because you snapped them.  Your photo galleries are sublime. You've spent hours sorting and editing your shots  into individual masterpieces, and are now ready to take the next step— publishing them into a printed collection of your art. 
Before you jump online and start pouring your pictures  onto the blank pages of a photo book, take a look at this video from Blurb.  In this video,  learn graphic design secrets to create a clean, high quality photo book—such as how  to avoid falling into the "gutter".  Blurb will help you turn your photography into the  magnum opus that graces your coffee table, as opposed to just another book of pictures. 

Ready to start publishing? Save 20% on photo books with code OCT20%, which is  great news if you're thinking ahead to the holidays and making your work of art  into a gift to send.  Special offer for new customers only—save 25% on photo books  with code OCT25%… even better for those of you who are new to Blurb books.  Just don't wait because these deals end October 31st, so get going. I hope that you enjoy these tips as much as I did.   What photos will you include in your photo book?

Getting Started (Making a Book)

*This post contains affiliate links and will compensated only if you make a purchase after clicking my links.


I've wanted to make another book, but the idea of starting it is pretty daunting. What should 
I put in it?  How do I get organized? (Don’t get me started about getting organized.) It seems 
almost easier to just give up. That’s why this Blurb video was so great to find! It answered 
all my questions (well, most of them) and got me pretty much squared away to make a really
sweet photo book. Check it out for yourself and see what you think. And, if you make your 
purchase by 9/30, you can Save 15% off photobooks at Blurb with code SEPT15%. 

For NEW customers; New customers save 20% off photobooks at Blurb with code 
SEPT20%

I hope that you enjoy your book making experience!

A Place for Your Travel Memories

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Traveling during the summer is a great time to make memories that you can cherish forever.  A trip to the Grand Canyon, to the lake or the mountains, serves as a canvas for awesome photos.  I remember heading over to the Disney Parks as a child with my family.  My dad could not always make it to our vacations, but we were able to share our adventures with him. We looked over the photos that my mom took of us on our outings and we recollected every moment. Those were the albums of the past and not in the best condition today. You can't bring everyone with you while traveling, but you can share what you loved about a place in a one of a kind travel book.  

This is the summer to create the book and preserve your memories, a custom travel journal documenting your favorite adventures—even to sell and fund your next trip.  Get step-by-step instructions and book ideas from great travel books created with Blurb to help you make a book you'll be proud of.

Are you ready to get started on your travel book? Use promo code AUGUST15 and Save 15% on all purchases now through August 25th.  

Save also 25% on print book orders of $75+ on 1st purchase only, now until August 25th. (New Customers only)  Use code TRYOUT. 



Enjoy creating your book!

Win a Cricut Explore™ (Closed)

*This post contains affiliate links and will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking my links. 

I'm so excited you guys!  I get to share an opportunity for YOU to win a Cricut Explore; how cool is that?  Have you ever thought to yourself, "Man, if only I didn't have to cut up all this paper/ vinyl/ vellum/ card stock/ chipboard/ aluminum/ leather/ felt/ acetate/ fabric by hand!  I always think of that when I am working on a craft project.  

Here's what you can do for a chance to win one for yourself! Here's what you do! Sign up below to receive the Cricut Newsletter by August 19th, and you'll be automatically entered into a drawing to win a Cricut Explore™! Use your email or login with Facebook and you will automatically sign up for the Cricut newsletter and be entered to win the giveaway.  The Newsletter is filled with tips, crafting ideas and deals on Cricut products. 

ENTER HERE to Sign up!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


In the meantime, get yourself ready to receive that winning Cricut Explore™ and go shopping on Cricut.com. You can get free shipping on all orders of $35 or more, when you use the promo code: FREESHIP35 at checkout. 

Does that sound good to you? It sounds good to me.  So remember to win one of these lovelies, Sign Up for the Cricut Newsletter and Enter to Win a Cricut Explore™ and don't forget FREE Shipping on Cricut Orders of $35+ with code FREESHIP35
Good Luck!

What Can Cricut Explore Cut?

*This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking the links.  



Cricut Explore cuts more than you can imagine!

I love to share some of the things that I create at home, especially the most recent projects.  But I have to confess that some of my projects would have saved me more time, if I had one of these amazing machines. 

When I viewed the Cricut Explore list, I was really impressed with all that Cricut Explore can cut, have you viewed their list?  It is simply amazing! Imagine all you can do with this machine, all the wonderful projects and decor for parties, holidays, school, clothes or whatever you set your mind to.  You know, if you have someone who loves to make things in your life, this would be an awesome gift! Hint, hint!

Here is what Cricut has to say about their amazing product.  "We have been pushing the Cricut Explore machine to its limits, and guess what we discovered? It can cut! It handles various types of paper, vinyl, foil, tape, and much more."

Take a look at the complete Cricut Explore Cut List to explore the limitless possibilities of what you can create. Also, shop now and get free shipping on all orders of $35 or more, when you use the promo code: FREESHIP35 at checkout. 

Happy Shopping!

Instagram and Interior Design with Lori Andrews

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Today I want to share with you my awesome Blurb find.  As you know, I’m a big fan of Blurb, I love their products due to their wonderful quality and just everything they offer.  Blurb is my to go place when it comes to creating any kind of book.  And I love to hear the stories behind the amazing people that make their books with Blurb. 

Recently I came across this video profile of interior designer and Instagram star Lori Andrews. She draws her inspiration from colors, patterns, and Wonder Woman (yes, the comic book hero!). In fact she even has a Wonder Woman costume of her own.  She is a great inspiration when it comes to being creative.

Check out her video below and if you’re as inspired as I am, you can make your own Instagram Photo Book book with your Instagram photos on Blurb. 

Now through June 30th, Blurb is offering 20% off purchases with no minimum! This offer doesn't last long so hurry to get 20% Off at Blurb.  The code to use at check out is CELEBRATIONS.

Impressions of Keyhani - Blurb

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

I have thought about placing my creative work in a book.  I have already created a memory book and think that a book featuring handmade items will be a fun thing to do. It is an excellent way to gain more exposure to the blog and handmade shop.  I have also considered recording the progress of updates in our home; although it is a very, very slow process, it is nice to have a book with all the before and afters. 

This is something that can be wonderful for a blog, online shop, crafters, painters, artists, home makeovers, or just family photos and all creative minds.  I love this idea because you are the artist, the illustrator, writer, photographer even. Blurb has had the opportunity to help create this artist's work in his own book.

Let me share a little inspiration with you and see if you get any great ideas for your own book.

Mostafa Keyhani is an extraordinary painter. Drawing from the Impressionist tradition, his work is alive with color and texture as he uses thin washes, areas of bare canvas, and thick impasto to impart an expression of organic life. While his paintings fetch high prices in galleries across the United States and Canada, his self-published books give each of his fans a chance to own his art. Keyhani is a Canadian resident born in Iran, and has had a journey as fantastic as his art. In this video, Blurb captures a glimpse at Keyhani's remarkable creative process. Perhaps it will inspire you to make your own book with Blurb.  View the video for your next inspiration and tell me what would be something you would want to put in a book.

Making Magazines with Blurb’s BookWright: An Interview with Trevor Ehle

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.



Recently, I had the chance to chat with Trevor Ehle, the Senior Product Manager at Blurb who’s been working on BookWright. BookWright is a great new way to make a book, and more importantly, a magazine. Let me share his insider information about the new things you can do with Blurb that make it pretty easy to make a magazine—whether you’re an experienced designer or not.

Apparently, building the foundation for your magazine using words and images in BookWright is pretty much the same process as making a book—but there are some differences, according to Trevor Ehle, that you should keep in mind before you start. 
Here are Trevor's tips for making a stunning magazine...

1. "The magazine format has the option of printing images and/or text on the inside of the front and back cover. We think this is a nice design addition that is exclusive to this print format. You’ll find it in the 'Covers' section of BookWright."


2. "To keep printing costs as low as possible, Blurb requires that all magazine page counts be divisible by four—so keep that in mind when setting up the content for the pages portion of your book. You can always add blank sheets at the end to make your magazine fit this page count. But don’t worry—BookWright will let you know on upload if your magazine’s page count is incorrect."


3. "The magazine’s spine is relatively small, even at larger page number counts, so it might be best to use an image, background color, or texture on the spine in place of text. Given the limited space that is available and the variation of the printing process, you are more likely to get a final product you are happy with if you stay away from using text."


4. "BookWright has soft proofing built in. If you have ever visited our [color management page] you know how complicated this can be—yet it’s an important part of your book design process. We’ve takenBlurb's ICC Profile for color management and integrated it directly into BookWright to help save you time and make it available for everyone—regardless of technical ability."


5. "As you drop images into your book, we automatically apply the color profile to help manage colors more closely. (However, this can also be disabled in your Preferences view, if you wish to work without it.) If you are designing an ebook, BookWright will disable the profile automatically so you see the true colors, since digital files do not, obviously, need to be calibrated for print."


Are your creative juices flowing? I know that mine are.  Are you ready to publish the next Life magazine? Bookmark these tips, then head on over to Blurb. Right now, Blurb is offering 15% off on all printed products for returning customers and 25% off for first purchases made by new customers through May 31st! Simply use the code MYFIRST at checkout for new customers and 15%SAVINGS for returning customers. These deals expire next week, so if you're going to grab one, you better hurry! 

How to Add & Sell a Pattern on Craftsy

(This post contains affiliate links which means I will be compensated if you purchase after clicking these links.)



Hello friends!  Today I'm excited to show those of you who love to sew or make patterns, how you may add AND sell your pattern on Craftsy.  I have posted about Craftsy & their wonderful classes and sources in the past.  In addition to wonderful online courses and craft supplies, Craftsy also has an independent online pattern store that lets anyone upload and sell downloadable e-patterns with no fee!  

How do you add a pattern to Craftsy and start your pattern store? It’s easy! 

1. Make sure you have a Paypal account. All pattern transactions happen through Paypal, and Craftsy requires that you have a Student, Premier, or Business account in order to sell patterns.

2. Put your pattern in .pdf format. You can’t upload any patterns to the online pattern store unless they’re a .pdf file format, so if they’re currently saved as a Word doc, .jpg, or other file format, you must convert it to a .pdf before you upload it to Craftsy.

3. Include a photo. All patterns must have at least one photo to accompany them, but you can add up to five photos. Colorful, interesting photos tend to work the best for catching our members’ eyes!

4. Fill out the pattern description. Craftsy will ask you some basic questions around your pattern making it easier for Craftsy folk to find your pattern and know what your pattern is for. Make sure you have info about your pattern handy for this step. 

For more information on how to sell a pattern through Craftsy, or to get started, visit Craftsy today!