Laurie Speltz's Blog

This is my place to share creative thoughts, inspirations, nonsense and adventures. Thanks for joining me on my creative journey!



Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Celebrate a Slice of Summer

Hello summer...

This is the new pattern getting ready to be sent out to our members of our original paper pattern club.  Our original club is still going strong.



It is so appropriate that we prepare to include painting in our summer activities.  I know it is so tempting to just put the brushes away and wait time fall.  New patterns and books will be in great supply come August but there is so much that can be done this summer.

Laurie's Summer Guide to Painting Fun


  1. Summer is a great time to watch video classes.  Even if you don't have time to actually paint the project, viewing the videos will give you an idea of what fun you will have ahead. Take your computer, tablet, ipad or phone with you on vacation and when you have time click on a link and enjoy a little video.  Click here to check out our classes and workshops.
  2. Make a list of your favorite blogs and websites.  Make a point of checking in to see if they are offering something new or special.  
  3. Join some painting Facebook groups.  Search and see what groups are available.  If they are a closed group ask to be added to their list.
  4. Collect images on Pinterest.  Did you know that a person from Iowa was one of the creators of this?  Another example of "If you build it, they will come."  LOL  Make searches for specific items.  Snowmen, Santas, Gingerbread etc.  You will find lots of ideas for projects and even how-to lessons and information.  You can even follow your favorite people or boards. It is a great research tool and you don't have the clutter of stacks of paper.  Look me up and follow me in Pinterest.  Just look up my name.
  5. Take your painting outside.  If you yearn to be outside take your brushes and projects out with you.  You can easily use a picnic or patio table.  Take your paints camping with you or to the beach.  Use the beautiful setting as an additional inspiration and motivator.
  6. If you are not in the mood to paint, take time and clean and organize your studio.  It will be time well spent.  
  7. Make a plan for fall painting.  If you have deadlines for craft shows or boutiques, now is the time to look at the calender and plan out your inventory.
  8. Look for new trends in the gift stores as they start to receive fall and Christmas materials.  Catalogs will be coming out in the summer months and it is time to start looking.  Also look for color combinations and lettering styles.
  9. Make a wish list of supplies and projects you would love to try.  
  10. Take inventory of all your surfaces and try to find designs to fit specific surfaces you have on hand
Most of all have fun with painting and make it something you look forward to and yearn to do.  You will be surprised how much more fun it will become when you search out new things to try and serve as inspiration. 

So take time to enjoy summer but keep painting as part of the pie!

Keep a smile in your brush : ) Laurie

Saturday, June 7, 2014

New Video for Laurie's Foam Texture Stamps

My new Foam Texture Stamps have become a great hit.  They can do so much to embellish a background, add design and just plain have fun with them.  I thought you could use a more detailed video on how to use and take care of them.

Click here to watch the video...

Hope you will find it helpful.  Have fun!

Monday, May 5, 2014

Spring 2014 Creative U Review

Our spring Creative Coach University was here and went.  No matter how hard you try, it just goes by so darn quickly that it barely is a blink.  We did so much in just a few short days.  Our participants work very hard to meet each of the challenges.  We talk about "going outside of their box" a lot.  Many start with trouble leaving what is familiar and trying something new.  What can even be harder is trying to come up with something different from your neighbor.  They learn very quickly that there are no right or wrong solutions.  Just ones that maybe work a little better.

We worked on fun backgrounds, new lettering styles, image transfers and tried out new products and techniques.  We try to include our traditional painting techniques with new techniques and approaches.





Dates are up for fall 2014 and spring 2015 - www.lauriespeltz.com

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Our 12 Days of Creating is HERE...

If you are participating in our 12 days of creating, you are in the right place.  Today is day 7 and we are asking for your participation today on the blog.  Leave your comment below.  We will contact holiday gift winners directly after the 12 days are over.  Good luck!

Laurie

Monday, June 3, 2013

New Online Classroom - Opening Soon

We are excited to share the announcement of our new online classroom.  Now almost anyone can attend a class from the comfort of their own home or studio.  People often ask if I can go home with them, now I can!  More specifics will be coming out shortly but here are some of the basics. 
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Introducing Laurie Speltz’s Online Creative Classroom – Summer 2013

Laurie’s Creative Online Classroom will be offering classes and workshops that can be viewed anytime from anywhere. The classroom is open 24/7 so you can work when you want to. The classroom never closes. It is a self-paced workshop. You work at your speed in the comfort of your own environment. There is no traveling to attend. You can view the videos and materials as many times as you like.

How it works:

The classrooms are password protected. You just need to register and then you will get the information to get going.

During opening week, the workshop will have a 5 day release of materials. Each day you will receive lessons which are done through videos, a series of photos, written instructions. Lots of how to videos and reference to lots of projects will be shown and then there will be a new project for the day. During opening week there will be even opportunities to share your creativity and we will even have some prizes awarded. Most of all it is meant to be a week of fun that you will want to repeat over and over.

You can join in at anytime. You will have lifetime access to all materials. During opening week of the workshop materials will be released each day. After the opening week, you will have access to all the materials at anytime. Just register and get started.

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Our Summer School 2013 consists of 3 great workshops. Each workshop contains multiple projects, video lessons, project photos, written instructions, linework, downloads, reference materials and more…

Our main focus is to create a fun, comfortable learning environment that is packed with visual aids, ideas and seeds of creativity.

The 3 workshops for this summer school are:

Laurie’s Summer Painted Mix - Opening Day June 24

Explore the excitement people are having with combining painted projects with tools and techniques of other mediums. We will cover using stamps, stencils and assorted household items to create outstanding backgrounds and areas of interest in your project. We will combine decoupage into our projects and learn all kinds of functions for it. If you have heard the term of “Mixed Media” you will see how it relates to paint. There will be 5 fun projects plus lots of extra ideas to try.

Christmas in July 2013 - Opening Day July 8

The workshop covers new ideas for the upcoming Christmas season. There will be 5 projects. We will be working with snowmen, Santa, gingerbread, holly and vines and holiday lettering. There is great information and ideas for crafters and people wanting new projects to paint for the upcoming holidays.

Paint and Doodle Too - Opening Day July 22

Laurie has been a “doodler” all her life. With the popularity of the “Zen” style of doodling, it is exciting to add our own style of doodling skills to our painted projects. Doodling consists of the use of repetitive patterns and linework. We will learn to “doodle” with both paint and ink. We will use various brushes and pens. Learn how to include the use of stencils to enhance your projects. There will be lots of practice exercises and project ideas galore.

Take advantage of the Summer Pass or Early Bird Registration
Click here to sign up or get more info

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Here is more information on how the classroom works:



Our workshops are online classes meant to be enjoyed when and where you choose. Our Creative Classroom is intended to provide creative inspiration for use anytime from anywhere. It never closes. You may purchase/register for a class at anytime after registration opens.

Workshop classes are presented in a blog format. The lessons and materials will be presented in a set number of days and posts. If it is a 5 day workshop, new materials will be presented each day for 5 days. Materials provided are listed for each workshop. They may include videos, photos and pdf’s to print out and keep. Lessons, instructions, patterns, detailed supply lists, templates and reference materials may be included for downloading. Workshop materials will be listed with each workshop class. Our class materials and videos are presented in English.

Each class has an open date when the classroom will open and materials will become available. Materials will not be available until that opening day. You can purchase online or you may call your order in by phone. Call us at 515-253-9881.

Once you have registered, you will then receive a confirmation and welcome email within 48 hours. On the opening day of class, you will then get an email with the protected password information and link for your class. If you are purchasing classes after their initial interactive/release week, you will be allowed immediate access to all materials upon entering and will receive the password and link with the email confirmation and welcome email.

Once in the classroom you have the freedom to work independently and view the materials at your own pace. Do as much or as little as you want at one time. You may move around the classroom and view the videos, still photos, step-by- step instructions, downloads and extra info as you wish. You have unlimited access so you may view videos as many times as you want, spend as much time as you would like and review as many times as you need. You have LIFETIME access to these materials.

During release week, you are not required to enter at any specific time or at all. Just know that new materials and activities will be available each day of that week. To participate in any activities that week, you will need to post or comment by the given deadline date to be eligible for prizes, specials or to share in the galleries or discussion with your creations or comments.

*All materials including videos, photos, patterns, instructions are protected and copyrighted. We encourage you to enjoy them all and use them to death. You may not however share or sell any class materials you are provided. They are intended for the use of the person who has purchased this class. Just as you would need a ticket to attend a class or workshop in person; this works the same way. You may however create any of the handcrafted finished items presented for resale at craft or art shows. Any other commercial use of these items or materials is prohibited. If you have any questions, please contact us for more information or clarification.

*All class fees are non-refundable in most cases. If a technical problem occurs please contact us for assistance.




Friday, May 31, 2013

Creative Coach University - Spring 2013

We have some great blog sharing for you today.  Walnut Hollow is featuring some of our work from this spring's session of Creative Coach University.  They have been a great supporter to us over the years and offer a great product line.  Check out their blog...www.walnuthollowcrafts.wordpress.com

See more about these projects and more....




We are asked so often exactly what is Creative U all about.  I think we have put together some great information in visuals to tell some of the story.  Students will often take their projects home to finish, redo or try again.  They experiment and try lots of new things, they build a new foundation to put their painting on.  They learn to create on their own terms.  I am in awe at what they come up with.  To find out more about CCU and upcoming activities go to http://www.lauriespeltz.com/store/WsPages.asp?ID=19

Congratulations to the Spring Class of 2013.  Look for some of the participants also being featured in upcoming Artist Club catalogs with their work.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Christmas Fest in Ohio

We were asked to teach at the Cupboard Distributing Christmas Festival this year.  How fun is that?  We came up with a combination of mixed media and painting projects.  I am very pleased with the results and we are looking to have a great time with these.  Some of the classes are close to being full so if you would like to join us, check it out NOW!!!  Better to get in now versus wishing you had. 

Here are 2 of the projects we will be doing:


Go to the website to check out the other ones.  There are also classes from Chris and Kelly Hoernig.  There is even a video showing the projects.