Artist Tara Reed's Blog

This blog has moved…

artisttarareed — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 04:23:05 +0000

If you happen to have bookmarked this blog site, first let me say THANK YOU! I am flattered!

I have moved the blog to a WordPress.org blog (from this .com blog) – it gives me more flexibility and features and I finally found the time to get it done! So from now on, you can find my blog here…

www.TaraReedDesignsBlog.com

Come on over! – Tara

Halloween Window Cling Pictures from Menards

artisttarareed — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 18:35:39 +0000

A BIG “Thank You” to Brenda Baker for sending me these photos of my window clings actually hanging in a Menards store! I don’t have them here so no chance for me to ‘visit’.

Brenda also told me that her daughter has been re-arranging the pumpkin clings about twice a day! That’s what makes window clings so much fun – what an inexpensive way to keep the kids amused. They can be moved many times and still cling just as well. When my son was little I used to let him play with them on the car window as we drove around doing errands…

Thanks again for sending me the photos Brenda – I appreciate it!

– Tara

Dog Chef spotted at Home Goods… but where is the Cooking Cat?

artisttarareed — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 21:17:51 +0000

My sister emailed me this photo of my “Dog Chef” that she found at Home Goods. It came with a reprimand for not telling her to look for it. That is the beauty and the curse of licensing, sometimes you just don’t know where your things are.

If you want some cooking cats or dogs in your kitchen and can’t find them in your local store, click on the link below and grab a print or two online. And email me if you ever spot things out in the world too!

This store brought to you by

Fish Market

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Cooked to Purr-fection

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Dog Gone Good Eats!

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Bunco anyone? My new product line is putting art on the Bunco table.

artisttarareed — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:17:03 +0000

It has been an interesting journey to Bunco land.

My friend wanted me to go to BlogWorld – a convention in Las Vegas where all the intense bloggers gather to talk blogs, network and who knows what else. (This will be my first trip.)

Being easily persuadable and interested in new networking possibilities, I get on a plane on October 15th. But what will I talk about? What do I have to offer these bloggers that will be a win-win?

I went back to a Digital Birthday Party Kit idea I had a while back. That moved slightly to the right to a ‘print your own bingo’ concept. Then over toast and eggs with a girlfriend, it morphed into www.PrintYourOwnBunco.com

I’m excited and let me tell you why!

First, it is women who like and buy my art. (mostly)

It is estimated that 7 million women play Bunco regularly in the U.S. (and 17 million have played at some time.)

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, Bunco is dice game that serves as a way to connect, build community and have a great time – what better place for my art! Noticing that the same (boring) score sheets are often used month after month, I decided to “change the look of Bunco, one party at a time.”

One of my new missions is to put art on the Bunco table. I need some help telling the 7 million Bunco regulars so feel free to tell everyone you know, ok?

There are 15 themes and more on the way. There is a free kit just for signing up for a monthly newsletter. Immediate downloads. Personalize and print at home. Make your next party as unique as you are!

I’ll be blogging more about it but wanted to give you the overview. I would also like to give you a little bribe for checking it out, trying it and sharing the information with everyone you know who plays Bunco.

As a website launch, use the code “NEWBUNCO” to receive 50% off your first Bunco Party Kit. (Good through November 30th)

So what are you waiting for? CLICK HERE and check it out!

– Tara

Halloween Window Clings available now at Menards Stores

artisttarareed — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:44:43 +0000

If you live in the mid-west and have a Menards store near you – you just might wander in and find window clings for Halloween featuring my designs. I received my samples a few weeks ago and was so excited to put some on my window yesterday. (Of course my 16 year old thinks it’s a little early but I told him the time to buy Halloween stuff is NOW and I needed the photo for the blog!)

To find a store near you, visit their website at www.menards.com.

Unfortunately, if you don’t have a store near you, I can’t help your window situation this year… but still wish you the spookiest of Halloweens!

– Tara

Doing a “Happy Dance” – my new “Play Your Song” fabric line is amazing!

artisttarareed — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 20:57:39 +0000

My latest fabric collection from South Sea Imports is a big hit with my family. My son, brother and sister-in-law all play guitar and are fighting for pieces of my fabric. I have yet to decide who gets what and may just send them all to the store to buy their own!

Musical notes, instruments and messages like Play Your Song and Listen with Your Heart add emotion to the art. SO… dance on down to your favorite fabric store today and ask to see the “Play Your Song” collection from Tara Reed.

If you would like a free project sheet that includes a quilt, piano bench cover and 2 notebook inserts (all designed by the good people at South Sea Imports), CLICK HERE. And if you make something you love with the fabric, let me know! I’d love to post a picture.

Happy creating!

– Tara

Reindeer Stamps are ready for your Christmas crafting…

artisttarareed — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 02:06:11 +0000

“Anything But Plain-Jane” has done it again! Look what she did with one of my new holiday stamps from Janlynn:

Sunday, September 6, 2009

“Santa’s Reindeer” ..and a twist..a “Tara Reed” design

This is a card I made using a stamp from “Janlynn” called “Santa’s Reindeer”

Even tho you can make a million cute Christmas cards with this guy I decided he looked like he could be missing someone too… I have been blessed to have my 4 children home with me every Christmas but one. My oldest (30 next month) lives in North Carolina and one year he decided he should work instead. That was one of the worst holidays I ever had. We thought it would be okay, ..he needed the money…WRONG..On Christmas day we KNEW we had figured wrong. We missed him so much and things were just not the same. Since then we have been together every Christmas. Now I know this wont always be..but for now I will appreciate it! My heart just breaks for our Military men away from their families at Christmas and I dont know how they do it. God Bless them ALL and their families. On to the card recipe! DP is Memory Box, “Dewfrost”. I used a couple MS punches and colored with Copics! TFL! Check out all the new and CUTE stamps over at Janlynn. You wont be disapointed!

Posted by Jane Wetzel at 6:23 PM

To see more of what Jane is up to… visit http://anythingbutplainjane.blogspot.com/

Thanks Jane and keep up the cute work! I’ll draw, you stamp, we’ll both share. Deal?

– Tara

Halloween Mugs at Ross!

artisttarareed — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 14:23:14 +0000

One of my favorite Halloween collections to date, “Midnight Monsters”, is now available on coffee mugs at Ross Dress for Less stores nationwide. If you are a Ross shopper you know it’s like a ‘treasure hunt’ – you can never be sure what you will come across in each store. So head out today if you hope to add these fun characters to your Halloween collection!

– Tara

P.S. Like these designs? They are also available in many independent fabric stores… 10 designs in all. CLICK HERE to see the blog post about the fabric line.

Single Mom’s need inspiration too!

artisttarareed — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 09:30:29 +0000

I don’t know how much of “my story” you know but when I was just starting my business in art licensing, I ended up getting divorced. Now if you have gotten divorced or know anyone who has had the displeasure of going through the experience you know that a person’s self-esteem is not at its high point.

I have talked to different people about the business of art licensing and how I got started and mentioned this “cross road” moment… do you keep trying in spite of the turmoil in your life (I had a 10 year old at the time as well!) or do you go the safe route and get a regular job? I obviously decided to follow my passion and would love to help other women (or men) do the same. Five years later I’m “through the fire” as I sometimes say and life is great. It takes a lot of work but it can be done!

On August 13, 2009 I had the honor of being a guest on “The Carolyn Gable Show” – an internet radio show to encourage and empower single moms to live their dreams. Here is the official information about it from the website:

About the show:
A live, call in show focused on empowering single mothers to achieve their dreams. Get the word out to all your friends and family who are single moms!
Call the show at 877-474-3302, Listen at wsRadio.com

Show Info:
The challenges facing single mothers are diverse, and every day is different from the last. From time management to financial struggles to sharing custody while still being “mom”, Carolyn and her guest will help you overcome your specific challenges.

As a single mother of 7 children, ages 9 to 34, the CEO of New Age Transportation, founder of Expect A Miracle Foundation, Author, and Professional Speaker, she shares her life experiences on how to overcome the struggles of a single parent.

About the Host:
Carolyn’s rags to riches story seems impossible to believe. After graduating high school, she wandered as a beautician for a year until she settled as a waitress. Twelve years later and raising two children by herself, she took a risk that changed her life forever. Today, Carolyn is a single mother of 7, ages 9 to 34, and continues to manage a successful business career, philanthropy, motivational speaker, all while balancing the responsibilities of ‘mom’

Host Website: www.carolyngable.com

If you want to download and listen to the segment I participated in, CLICK HERE. Share it with a friend who might need some inspiration. See who the weekly guests are. It’s a great show and maybe just what the doctor ordered! Thank you again Carolyn, it was a pleasure to be able to talk with you and share my experience with you and your audience.

– Tara

Ready to “get stampy” for Christmas? Two of Tara’s holiday stamps are now available at Michael’s

artisttarareed — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 01:24:17 +0000

Yippee! I went in to Michael’s this afternoon to see if the holiday rubber stamp end cap was up yet and the answer is YES! So what happened next? I had to find mine then scope out the store for some crafters that might have steady hands and be willing to snap a pic with my iPhone. Obviously I was shopping alone – always more fun to find your things with a friend to jump up and down in the aisles with you but sometimes it just doesn’t work out that way. But that doesn’t stop me – I still do my little happy dance, both inside and out.

So here is what you can find at your local Michael’s (among other things of course) – the row of smiling snowmen and a brand new swirly holly. Both from Janlynn, the makers of Stamps Happen brand stamps. If you happen to get them and make something fun, please email me a photo – it always makes my day and often makes my blog.

Happy creating!

– Tara