She’s definitely been busy! I also wanted to do a quick interview with her so you can learn more about her and what she’s up to. So without further ado, here’s Deena!

What is your favorite color? O, how I love color.  A deep burnt red seems to have stayed my favorite for quite some time now…

Is there a color that you don’t like to design with? probably black.  I always would rather use a really dark brown.

What is your favorite thing to doodle? Well, if I open up my MANY notebooks ( I collect them and switch between them all way too much), I see lots of swirls!  I also see lots of plans for new ideas for designs and projects. I am actually a much better listener when I am doodling, so don’t be offended if you see me with a head in my notebook while you are trying to talk to me.  Just know I am absorbing everything you say.

How long have you been designing? Officially I have been selling something that I have designed for about 15 years. I started making wallhangings with uplifting thoughts, to hand-painted notecards, then to hand-painted children’s frames.  Stickers, cricut cartridges, and paper collections came next.

Did you want to be an artist when you grew up? Oh yes. Luckily my parents didn’t mind me putting thumb tacks all over my walls with characters I had drawn.  I would have about 50 different drawings up in my room all at once.

What is the most fun project you’ve had? The most fun project I have had was probably Abbey Road for My Mind’s Eye.  They gave me so much creative freedom with it.  That made the designing really come together so easily.

If you could give one piece of advice to people trying to make it as a designer, what would it be? Take risks and don’t be afraid to get out there.  The only reason I get to have this amazing job is because I took one little risk at a time and I tried to improve myself with each step.  Also, be inspired by the world around you.  There is enough creativity in the world to go around.

What is something that you try and teach your kids about creativity? There are so many ways to be creative. It took me a while to realize that my husband, a hard core science guy, was actually really creative at his job.  He has to really open up his mind to think of all the possibilities.  Whatever my children are interested in, I want them to be innovative and creative. I don’t compare my children with one another, so I point out specifics when I notice their unique creativity. I am trying to give my children a framework, and then let them create their own unique worlds.

Do you design on paper first or only on the computer? This one depends on the project.  Sometimes I want a really clean line (like the bird in Happier) so I will design it right in Illustrator.  But other times I want a hand drawn, right off the paper look (like the cutest little Halloween Collection I have coming out later this summer).

Thanks Deena! I’ve seen the Halloween collection and it’s to die for! Here are a few crafty projects from Deena:

You must see this fun tutorial on decorating a cake:

And if you’ve got a party coming up, consider printing digital designs on transfer paper to make T-shirts:

And if that all is WAY TOO Crafty for you, Melissa Esplin has come out with some beautiful blog kits to help you beautify and customize your blog:

We’re constantly updating the DHD blog with fun project ideas, inspiration and tutorials, for scrappers and non-scrappers so be sure to check it out!

It also is featuring MME CHA Summer Sneak Peaks! You know you want to see these. Such beautiful lines! Here are just a few of my favorites:

Abbey Road (Deena Rutter)

Ooh La La (Zoe Pearn)

Boo To You

There are tons more sneak peaks on the MME blog, and they should be all popping up at your local scrapbook store in July!

I’m really excited about a new digital designer’s blog that is part of Two Peas in a Bucket! Its basically a place that all the Two Peas designers can go to share info, sneak peaks, contests, challeneges, the works! I posted a little blurb about me (with the above photo) and there are some other introductions to designers as well as a give-away for one of Carina’s new kits!

Anyway, check it out if you have a minute!

Oh and to decorate my photo I used: Rhinestone Bling Kit,  Organic Grunge Masks,  The white grunge border is going to be released this week as part of Urban Chic Boutique , and the crocheted border will be released next week! Keep your eyes peeled on my store!

The next step in my organization was to make some cute labels! My second favorite thing is to make cute labels! What a good day! So I designed these labels (Available for free download at the end of this post), printed and cut them out:

Once they were all cut out, I ran them through my xyron 250 machine. If any of you don’t know what this is — its the most amazing invention to come to paper crafting. you basically slide your paper (or buttons or ribbon anything thin enough) through the front and turn the wheel, and it comes out the back A STICKER! I’m being completely serious here. You have to see it in person, but whatever you put in, comes out with the perfect amount of adhesive adhered to the back. Get one!

Once the labels were all made into stickers, I just threw them up on the containers! 

And some up-close shots:

I am so so happy to have this done. The closets look amazing and with the labels, everything now has its own little home! Hopefully this will motivate you to do a little bit of spring cleaning and organizing. Be sure to download some labels so that you can keep all your stuff straight! I’d love to hear about your organization methods and be sure to leave a comment if you do download the labels. xoxo Jen Allyson

Download  PDF Labels>> Label Page 1 & Label Page 2

Here are a few inspiring images of the great thing’s going on over there:

Really amazing paper-crafted flower

You have to see this tutorial -- I love the whole "diamond glaze" craze

What is better than dangly hearts?!

Julie’s projects are sure are beautiful to look at. I love her unique, slightly grungy style and all the inspiring ways that she uses paper crafting products.  Be sure to check it out and leave a comment letting her know you found her here. 

This week’s featured craft blog is Princess Lasertron

I found the fabulous princess on theTwo Peas in a Bucket forums, her amazing crafts have just been recently featured in Brides Local Magazine’s Check them out if you live in one of these areas: Maryland/DC, New York, New Jersey, Boston, Connecticut, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Houston, Florida, Northern California, Southern California, Colorado, and Michigan.

Princess Lasertron makes the most beautiful projects with buttons that I’ve ever seen. On her blog you will see beautiful button-embellished bouquets such as these:

All Button Bouquet

As you can see, PL is very very busy and she really loves buttons! The best part about her work is that it will last a lot longer than real flowers!

So if you have a few minutes check out her blog www.princesslasertron.com , I’m sure you’ll be inspired, I know I was!