Friday, January 24, 2014

Grow Your Blog Party

Hello!  I'm excited to be participating in the "Grow Your Blog" party again this year.  I met some wonderful friends last year and I hope to do the same thing this year.

 My name is Lou Anne and I live in Southern California.
I chose this picture because it's one of my favorites.  It was taken around 1968 with my cat, Punkin, and me.  Punkin lived with me all the way through my third year in college.  I'm still a cat lover.

My husband, Tracy, is a photographer.  I made this photo of him in Kauai.

Here's a more current picture of me.  I consider myself a mixed-media artist, though my current work is overwhelmingly digital.  I have a background in photography and am passionate about digital collage.  There are lots of my digital images all over this blog.  I am proud to be a creative team member for two outstanding digital designers.  "2 Curly Headed Monsters" and "Altered Amanda Studios" design kits for scrapbookers and art journalers.  I have designed quite a few freebies kits myself (check out my freebies page) and I sell some of my digital designs in my Etsy shop.

My other passion is visiting thrift shops and antique stores.  I loved it so much I had to open my own booth in an antique store.  It grew to two booths.  I either had to give up collecting or open a shop to sell some of my treasures.  I enjoy having an actual brick and mortar space, though I have to dust it more often than an online shop.  My space is nestled in with many others so it's fun to visit.  I often end up leaving with items that I've purchased from someone else.

If you like free digital collage kits you'll want to check back here on February 1.  I'll be participating in the Pixel Scrapper "Be Mine" February Blog Train.  There are always lots of participants so be ready to download some digital goodies!  Here's the color palette.
I'd love to have you sign up to follow my blog.  I frequently post free digital downloads and it's a good way to make sure you don't miss one.   You can sign up on the right sidebar.


And finally, I'd like to offer a prize for one of the people who leave a comment.  Simply comment below and you'll be included in a random drawing to win one free digital collage sheet from my Etsy shop.  (I've placed two samples above but there are a lot more to choose from.)  I'll contact the winner via email shortly after February 15, 2014.  You'll be asked to select any one of my collage sheets and I'll send you the download.    If you want to check out what's available, you can click the link to my Etsy shop in my right sidebar.  (If you're not a digital scrapbooker or artist, you can get the sheet printed at any office supply store that offers those services.)  Make sure you include your email address so I can locate you if you win.

Thank you for stopping by!  This "Grow Your Blog" hop is one of the best things I've ever participated in and my thanks go to Vicki from 2 Bags Full. The link to her blog and the list for the party is here.   Hope to see you again!
Photobucket

40 comments:

  1. Good Morning ! Although I'm already a follower,You may not be following Me so I thought I'd drop by so You could meet one of Your followers :) I also live in South.CA.-Rancho Cucamunga so We are neighbors too. Blessings Denise

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    1. Hi Denise. I always love meeting my followers and it's really great that we're practically neighbors. I enjoyed visiting your blog very much!

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  2. Hello and welcome to the GYB Party!! I am Shannon, one of Vicky's volunteers for this event just coming around to help check out everyone's blogs:) Hope you have a fun time at the 'Party'!!!

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    1. Hi Shannon. Thanks for stopping by. I love this event and I appreciate everyone who helped put it together!

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  3. I can get lost in thrift shops... for hours and hours. Old books (and new ones) seem to stick to me, the same goes for colorful shiny things.

    It is very nice to meet you!

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    1. Well, Magaly, we have something in common for sure. Those shiny things just call out to me! Thank you for visiting. It's a pleasure to meet you too!

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  4. I didn't know you had a booth (or 2) in the antique store! How cool, wish I could visit...I love browsing and picking up treasures. Love the picture of you and Punkin. It's so special to have a pet as long as that. Happy weekend!

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    1. Hi Maggie! Thanks for stopping by. Maybe we'll have time to browse some shops next time you're in town. Stay warm!

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  5. Hello Lou Anne - thank you so much for visiting my blog so I thought I would reciprocate. I love the picture of you and Punkin! I have one of me at that age with my cat and the pose is the same and the vintage is pretty close! Thank you for the opportunity to win one of your lovely collages!

    Karen H
    http://faeriesandfibres.blogspot.ca/

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    1. Hi Karen. Thank you for visiting me. With your Fairies and my Mermaids we have something in common!

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  6. Thank you SO MUCH for kicking me up the bum and getting me to join this blog hop! You're epic! I honestly thought I'd be a grumpy cow and not enjoy it, but it's been awesome fun so I'm sending out a HUGE hug from me and a casual paw wave from the Colonel (he's not an energetic puss) and I promise I'll do the email catch-up when I'm done and have some time. Off to blog hop again - tra-la-laaa! xxxShroo:)xxx

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    1. Hi Rachael and Colonel H. Thank you for stopping by. I'm so glad you're enjoying this party. I'm only sorry that I didn't post some catnip or mouse videos for the Colonel. Maybe he'd perk up a little. Then again, he is a cat after all so I guess a casual paw wave is pretty fabulous praise. See you soon! XXOOO

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  7. Your blog delights me! I'm so happy that Vicki's GYB led me to you...it's all absolutely charming...and imaginative...and creative...and inspiring~~ I love everything! You'll find me here often...I have visions of happy hours spent "mining" your posts for treasures! Sara

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    1. Thank you for your wonderful comments! I'm so glad you like my blog. Please do visit again!

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  8. Nice to read a bit more about you Lou Anne!! I currently moved my old blog to a new one.

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    1. Hi there. I visited your new blog and am now following it. Thanks for stopping by.

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  9. Hello,

    Nice to meet you.:)
    I would like to participate in your giveaway.
    petitearmoire2@gmail.com

    Greetings.

    Bernadett

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  10. I am having fun finding new bloggers to follow...love sewing and quilting. Greetings from Oklahoma, USA. crystalbluern at onlineok dot com

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    1. This is a fun blog party isn't it? I love sewing and quilting, just not doing it myself. Thank you for visiting!

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  11. I love thrift shops too!
    Yep, we're still here, but this rural internet is a whole new sort of challenge! Great to see you, enjoy the party!

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    1. I wish you lived closer. But then, I don't wish that because where you live is so beautiful and a great place for Evening to grow up. Thanks for stopping by.

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  12. Beautiful digital work and a space in an antique mall is a dream come true for me!

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  13. Hey Lou Anne, Your digital work is amazing. I am so impressed with how you manipulate the images. Looks like you have some great places to go junking. It has been nice getting to know you.

    Hugs
    Caroline

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    1. Thank you for visiting Caroline! I appreciate your comments.

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  14. I've dabbled a bit in digital collage and love it; its a fun way to learn new computer skills too. Great to meet you on this blog hop!!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Maggie! It's always fun to meet other artists.

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  15. So nice to meet you at the party!! Very interesting creations! ~Terri

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  16. Hello. I live in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. Nice to meet you. I'm trying to visit all the blogs - that is very time consuming but fun :) Your work is very interesting.

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    1. Hi Judy. I still haven't visited many of the blogs but I sure appreciate you stopping by.

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  17. Love your work and your blog. Thanks for sharing. This hop been so much fun. It is great to get to know so many talented artists.

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    1. Thank you for visiting my blog. It's great to meet you!

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  18. Hi Lou Anne,

    We're working our way through the GYB party list. Your digital images and collages are wonderful! And we too share your love of junking--both the good and the bad, We'll be back to see what you are up to.

    Kathy and Deb

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Kathy and Deb! It's a pleasure meeting you.

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  19. I love digital collages. Your work is beautiful. I am worried that I might get too much stuff too because I love to go to thrift and antique shops! Nice to meet you!

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  20. Hi Lou Anne,

    How lovely to meet you! In fact, it's always fabulous to meet a fellow digital artist.

    Normally, I don't use elements from kits, but rather create everything myself when time allows. :)

    Happy creating and lots of greetings from Germany,
    Birgit

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