Tag Archives: resources

creative resources / apps

Before I get into sharing a few apps I’m enjoying lately I just have to say, you guys are seriously amazing.

I’m so encouraged by all of your sweet comments on Tuesday’s post. It really means so much to me to have your support in my decision to cut back in posting frequency. I’m amazed how much more I’ve been able to accomplish during the day and then STOP WORKING at a reasonable time! So, thanks for being awesome.

On to a few apps that have also made my life a little bit more organized recently!

In order of newness on my iPhone: ( because I’m weird + need a reason to order them? Ha! )

Pocket

This app isn’t exactly new but for some reason it took me a while to give it a try. When I finally did, I fell in love!

I always come across web pages that I don’t have time to fully check out at the moment, but don’t want to forget. Instead of keeping 800 tabs open on my browser or dragging a ton of links onto my desktop and slowing down my computer, I can just click a little button on the top of my browser and the page is saved to my Pocket account. Then, when I have time, I just open the Pocket app on my phone, iPad or computer and all of my saved pages are there.

Download the app here + the Chrome extension here!

Mailbox

There is a lot of hype about this new app, and for a good reason! It has really improved the way I do email – not to mention it’s beautiful UI, perfect for design snobs. ;) It makes it easy for Gmail users to keep their email under control. AND there’s extra incentive to get the inbox to zero: getting to see what awesome image they’ve discovered and shared with us. ( Seriously, it really makes me want to get through my emails every day just a bit more. Ha! )

There is a waiting list for the app but it is well worth the wait. ( Also, my husband just signed up recently and I swear it’s going much faster for him! )

Download the app here!

Sunrise

Aaaaaand now for the newest app on my iphone. I was pumped when Taylor told me about this new calendar app! I’ve started using Google calendars more recently for scheduling work and life events so this came into my life at the perfect time. ( Trying a digital version of my time management system in case I don’t have as much office space when we move. ) It also syncs Facebook and LinkedIn events. Also, I dig the design.

Download the app here!

You know the drill.

It’s your turn! What apps have you downloaded and loved recently?

new in the shop: customizable blog post templates

Happy Monday! Here’s something exciting to start off your week: new products in the CLC resource shop!

There are three sets of blog post templates for you to pick from. Choose the one that best fits your site’s aesthetic and use them to speed up your blogging process and create a unified look without spending a ridiculous amount of time laying out images for each post!

Inside the Photoshop file, just drop your image on top of the shape you want it to fit into and it will crop to that shape! Super easy.

Please feel free to come to me with any questions you have about using the templates!

If you use them on your blog, send me the link! I’d love to see. :)

► Grab the templates for your blog!

newsletters + changing up the CLC insider email list

We’re gonna keep it real today with an honest talk about newsletters.

Most of them are completely annoying and impossible to unsubscribe from. BUT some of them are really great! And only the really great email newsletters get flagged to read later ( or even better read right then ) instead of being sent directly to the trash or spam folder. So what makes email newsletters worth subscribing to? Let’s find out!

A few email newsletters worth subscribing to:
Continue Reading →

january desktop background

Happy Friday! How was the first week of 2013 for you? Mine was pretty crazy! I’m working overtime trying to finish all of my current projects so I can do what I was planning to do over Christmas break: take time to organize + polish up my business. ( okay, I’ve already rearranged my office… a few times ) But more on that later!

Today, Chelsea of Lovely Indeed is launching a new, exciting series called Desktop Designers! I’m thrilled to be kicking it off with the first design. ( There’s also a mini interview! ) Hopefully it will inspire you to do amazing things this year.

Go grab your free desktop wallpaper on Lovely Indeed + have a fab weekend, friends!

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> go read the post on lovely indeed

> get a peek at my desk arrangement ( for now! )

design elements by CREATE LIKE CRAZY design studio

my blogging story + a giveaway

Yesterday I shared a bit about how I got started in the art world. Today I’m excited to share my blogging story!

We’ll start at the very beginning. ( here’s my first post.. eek! so embarrassing. ) I started a blog because I had recently discovered my artistic talent, refined it a bit, and was ready to share my work. It was very me focused. There was really nothing of value to my readers, unless you were my mom or grandma who were probably my only readers anyway. ( I do love that they read my blog by the way! ) Although it’s a bit painful design-wise, going back through that old blog for this post was actually very encouraging and exciting. It was like looking back through a scrapbook recording my artistic journey. ( that’s another post, for another day )

My old blog was just that, a journey. Once I figured out my artistic strengths and passions ( for now at least! ) I was ready to move on to something bigger than myself. I wanted to offer real, valuable content to other creatives as well as showcase the talents of others. So I pitched my crazy idea to a few people that I greatly admired for their creativity and talent to see if they wanted to join me. I fully expected every one of them to say no. They all completely surprised me by not only jumping on board, but being just as excited about the new venture as I was.

That was three and half months ago. I could cry thinking about all of the blessings and joys that have come out of create like crazy. Yes, it takes a lot of time and can be stressful at times. But here’s why I do it and I love doing it:

It’s a creative outlet. As an artist, it’s very important to create work that no one is telling you to create. Designing the blog design, post layouts, printables, desktop wallpapers, etc. for CLC is a great way for me to find my style and play with new techniques.

It’s a source of business. The majority of my clients find my through my blog. Since I design everything that goes up on CLC, they get to see all aspects of me – from my work to my personality – and see if I am a good fit for their project before they even contact me.

It brings wonderful connections. I can’t even begin to count the number of amazing people I’ve met through the blogging community. Some of those people I now consider a few of my closest friends!

I’ve learned so much through my blogging experience and had to learn a lot of things the hard way. Which is just one of the reasons I’m very excited to be able to giveaway two copies of Hayley’s newest eBook, The No Brainer Blog! I had the chance to read through it and learned so much! She has done a wonderful job of taking all that she has learned through her years of running her blog, The Tiny Twig, and clarifying what blogging is all about and giving great practical advice on making your own blog successful. You can also buy it here! I’d say it’s well worth the $7.99!

There are 5 ways to enter! Leave a comment telling me when you started blogging and what you love about it ( if you don’t have a blog, tell me what you love about your favorite blog ). Get four more entries for the following… ( please leave a comment for each! )

The winners will be chosen at random on Wednesday, November 21st at midnight and will be announced the following day. Please make sure to leave your email so I can let you know if you win! Good luck!

Shoot Hayley a quick hello and thank her for sharing her wealth of blogging wisdom with us!

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( photography by Sarahdipity Photos for create like crazy )

> want it now? buy The No Brainer Blog eBook here!

design elements by CREATE LIKE CRAZY design studio

CREATE LIKE CRAZY

empowering the creative in you

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