What I Learned at Alt Summit

Posted by kait / March 5, 2013

Well, this post is incredibly overdue but it was only now that I felt prompted to write it. It has been just over a month since I attended Altitude Summit in Salt Lake City. It really took me a while to absorb exactly what I learned and achieved out of the three days of extreme networking. As soon as I had returned from ALT, I headed back down to Colorado for a media fam trip to Vail Resorts for a week. The end of January was kind of a blur but now it is all coming back to me.

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I have to really give a big shout-out to everyone who wrote amazing recap posts about ALT. Here were my favourite recaps that absolutely captured the essence of ALT:

Leslie Fandrich: After ALT – Making New Connections

The Proper Pinwheel: The Business of Alt’s Business Cards

Whitney Johnson: Advanced Blogging Skills

Bright Bold & Beautiful: 25 Things I Learned at ALT

It was my second year at the design conference and just like the first year it was overwhelmingly inspiring and creative for me. I thought instead of recapping every single thing I did while I was there, I thought I would break it down into my ultimate highlights from those three days.

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Traveling with Shelley. I was really lucky to be traveling with a great friend and kindred spirit to ALT. We traipsed from the Grand America all the way to Whole Foods and back again with heavy bags stocked with Pellegrino, fruit & gluten-free treats. We partied and listened and learned. I think I also learned a lot from Shelley during the trip and I look forward to see what she does this year.

Crafting tiaras with Land of Nod. During a particularly busy day at ALT (the combination of panels & freelance work deadlines was stressing me out a bit), I decided to take a break and craft with the lovely ladies from Land of Nod. The tiara I made ended up being part of my outfit that night for the Mini Parties.altsummit3

Spending time with Jana. My other ALT roomie was the delightful Jana Roach from the Vintage Whites Market. I met her last year at ALT and had also attended two of her markets in Montana this past summer so I was super excited to see her again. That girl is one vintage glamour queen. I loved checking out here amazing outfits every night at the parties. I know so much more will come out of our friendship – hopefully a collaboration soon!

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Spontaneous Balloon Party with Color Me Katie. This was quite possibly the moment where the overwhelming goodness exploded in my brain. It was like “ohmygosh! this is so amazing and i can’t believe it is happening right now -slash- i think i am going to cry because i can’t believe this is happening right now’. Yes, I was feeling a little emotional during my trip. Anyways, Katie was so endearing as a public speaker and was so inspiring in her art practice. It was really refreshing to hear from someone who was so actively ‘do-ing’ and ‘living’ her life as opposed to the feeling you get from some bloggers that they are strictly just doing things to make a buck. She ended her keynote with a big balloon party that was an absolute blast. What a great way to end the conference.

Thought-provoking conversation instigated by Chris Anderson’s keynote on the next industrial revolution. I have still yet to delve into Chris Anderson‘s book that we were kindly gifted during the first lunch keynote of the conference but I have been thinking about his talk ever since. Essentially, he talked about how we are entering a new age of industrial revolution where we will start using the technology that has been invented over the past 20 years to the fullest extent. He focused a lot on 3D printers, a concept that still boggles my mind.

There was truly so many aspects of ALT that have already impacted my outlook on blogging and freelance work. The community surrounding ALT is incredible and exciting with new opportunities to be the best you can be around every corner. I am sure I will still be mulling over my experience until next January. A year goes by quickly…

Images all from my Instagram.

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Learning to Make a Life List

Posted by kait / March 4, 2013

Learning to define and set goals is one of the hardest aspects of your life to find dedicated time for. I figured it was time as I started feeling overwhelmed by the millions of ideas swarming my already busy brain. I couldn’t determine which ones were worth writing down and which ideas were just fragments that I may not necessarily pursue. I decided to learn how.

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This past week I participated in a SkillShare class with the ever-wonderful Go Mighty co-founder, Sarah Bryden-Brown. The class is called Identifying Your Goals: Make a Life List with GoMighty and was everything it said it would be.

First of all, SkillShare is an incredible resource I only came aware of recently. Essentially, endless online classes that inspire you to learn new skills, become a better person and make new connections. It is even more niche than Twitter due to the fact that the people in your classes actually paid to be there. I was very impressed overall with my experience on SkillShare. I love the emails they send out with exciting new classes as well as notifications letting me know when I’ve made a new connection.

The Go Mighty workshop was an instant release of amazing ideas as I started reading my fellow classmates’ goals and plans for the future. Based on Sarah’s teachings and recommendations for getting started on my life list, I started to craft together my collection of goals. Ranging from long-term to short-term and from simple to complex, my goals started to take shape. While I won’t go into complete detail here on these goals, you can see my developing life list here.

The one thing that really stood out to me throughout this week-long experience was how accepting and supportive people are once you start voicing these ideas and goals. The amazing community on Go Mighty is just filled to the brim with good souls, who like to see good work done and done right. Everything wants to connect and reach out and help eachother. It is a group of extreme dreamers and do-ers. And I think you should sign up too. The founders of Go Mighty often work hard to help make the Mighty members find their way to completing their goals through sponsorship opportunities. That kind of dedication is often unheard of in our fast-paced internet-based lives. It is something really special.

Making lists like a pro (Images): 1. My Showroom Blog 2. Me 3. Me

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meet me at azuridge

Posted by kait / February 26, 2013

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I think that some of the most relaxing and memorable travel experiences are those that are close to home. There is nothing quite like a staycation. No airplane required. I was recently whisked away 40 minutes out of Downtown Calgary to the stunning Azuridge Estates Hotel with several other Calgarian media friends. Located near Priddis and Spruce Meadows, Azuridge is literally the only luxury spot outside the city limits.

We pulled up to the property in our plush limo bus and I was immediately wowed by the stunning scenery that surrounded Azuridge. I spotted a soaring water tower and large tiered gazebo off in the distance, not to mention the gorgeous wood and stone main buildings. Their friendly staff greeted us eagerly and ushered us inside to celebrate our evening with a glass of bubbly.

After a few pop, fizz and clinks we headed off to check out our rooms for the night. My husband and I were so excited to move into our luxurious room and get well-rested but alas we still had dinner to get to.

We were then toured around the property where we got to see nearly every single room in the place. Not only is there a private theater room where you can stretch back in super comfy chairs and a faux fur blanket. A gorgeous fitness center looks out over scenic foothills and the Rocky Mountains. Talk about an inspiring place to workout. We also found out that one of our fellow attendees’ room had a tent in their loft plus an Xbox console. Lucky!

Soon enough it was time for dinner and we all met up in one of the fabulous dining rooms. The meal was so eloquently presented and each morsel was jampacked with flavour. My favourite part of the meal was the cocktail of New Brunswick lobster and Louisiana crawfish with mango and avocado.

We had only just finished our amazing dinner when out came a wonderful gift from Azuridge! Hunter Boots for everyone! I received a sweet pair of shiny grey boots and Byron got matte black boots. What a great surprise.

Apparently, they wanted to keep the surprises coming because out came Calgary-based musician Michael Bernard Fitzgerald who was going to serenade us this evening by the fireside. Delicious après dinner drinks were offered (I indulged in some Baileys & Hot Chocolate!) and giant marshmallows sat by the fire. MBF played some beautiful songs for us and humorously snuck the word ‘Azuridge’ into his lyrics. It was fabulous.

It was the end of a long week so a tuckered out group of journalists headed off to their rooms for a great night sleep. I was ready for bed too but not before I indulged in the beautifully presented cocktail hydrotherapy bath treatment. Salts served up on a martini glass and bubble bath in a shot glass – this was one deluxe bathing experience. What could really be better than a big jet tub that you can stretch out in. So nice and relaxing after the perfect day.

We checked out in the morning after enjoying a lovely little breakfast with cappuccinos and fresh juice. Watching the sun rise over the property was something absolutely magical. The dewy lawns and the ethereal glow around the forest surrounding Azuridge just added to the fairytale feel.  I could have stayed all weekend.

So, perhaps the next time you feel like you need to get away from the city for some R&R, call me and I will meet you at Azuridge.

 

photos by kait kucy

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Happy Friday!

Posted by kait / February 22, 2013

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Longing for summertime roadtrips right now. Byron and I have been brainstorming ideas for camping trips today – can’t wait to hit the road every chance we get once the weather warms up. So many places we want to stop this year – any campground recommendations would be appreciated!

And it is finally Friday. How come short weeks always feel the longest? I’m looking forward to a nice weekend chock full of family visits and exciting brainstorm-y meetings with friends. Besides all of that, I think I will keep daydreaming about summer. What are you up to?

My posts on Vitamin Daily this week:

Pink Marks the Spot

An Affair to Remember

A Touch of Quirk for the Bookshelf

Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting!

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It’s a Mad Mad World

Posted by kait / February 20, 2013

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It feels like an awfully long time since I last watched Mad Men. Too be honest, I was losing interest until I saw these photographs today from Banana Republic. Their Mad Men collection is back with a fabulously late-60s vibe! A collaboration with the Emmy Award-winning Costume Designer for Mad Men, Janie Bryant, the collection is deliciously late 60s. The bright popsicle hues paired with op art geometrics has got me ready and reeling for the next season of MM. Inspired by Megan Draper (Canadian-born actress, Jessica Pare) and modeled by the fab Coco Rocha, I can already tell this collection is a winner. It launches in stores on February 27th while the show’s premiere is slated for April 7th.

Spring can’t come soon enough.

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Organizing Your Crafting Space

Posted by kait / February 19, 2013

This post is brought to you by Jewellery Maker. Everything you need to make your own jewellery.

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As an avid crafter and self-proclaimed DIY gal-around-town, my hugest obstacle to getting stuff done is staying organized. When you have feathers, crepe paper, foam core and paints always at the ready, it is really hard to find them a permanent home. And you’d think with the daily reminders from my husband to clean up the crafting supplies all over the living room floor (that I was totally too lazy to pick up after shooting a DIY for the blog) that I would have a grasp at how to make this work.

Well, I am getting there. I am learning. I have been working from home now for about eight months and I need to remember that our entire condo is not our office. I have a dedicated space and I need to stick to it – for the sake of our belongings, our design aesthetic and probably for the sake of my marriage! Like most other married crafters I know, their husband doesn’t appreciate leaving the house with random glitter in his hair or on his face. Haha! So, keeping organized in a dedicated small space is tricky but it also makes you reevaluate your furniture choices and what supplies you absolutely need to keep around. Like everything you need to make your own jewellery.

This past weekend I decided to move my replica tulip table out of the office and swap it with our larger kitchen table. The kitchen table is long and useful for photographing and working on bigger projects. I usually end up out in the kitchen to work on my DIYs so why waste good eating space with hot glue and glitter junk? Now, we have a smaller kitchen table but it actually opens up the space more and is more comfortable to sit at when it is just Byron and I. And now I have this lovely big table in my office that can hold my iMac, sewing machine, cutting mat and paper roll. I am loving it already.

One thing I definitely need more of is shelf space. I have four IKEA Billy bookcases and two small Expedits full of stuff and I am definitely taking a second look at what is on there. I have decided to pack up all of our paperbacks and novels for now. Not only are they taking up valuable supply space but they are really only there for sentimental value and also to make us look super smart. We aren’t going to be re-reading them anytime soon so into boxes and storage they go. I want to make back issues of my favourite magazines more readily available as well as art and photography books that I can grab for daily inspiration. The empty shelves I want to utilize with bins and boxes to organize the supplies I want on hand.

How do I organize within the boxes? Simple, I use my favourite organizational tool out there – ZIPLOC BAGS! These are especially great for loose crafting supplies like beads, paper scraps and past projects. I also like to keep similar tools and supplies in them. I just bagged up all of my glue into one bag so it is at the ready anytime I need them for a crafting event or big project. Seriously, you will thank me for this one.

All in all, the key to staying organized in a somewhat chaotic place is to determine how you work as a crafter and how to compliment your process in the best way possible. You might need to change around your furniture or invest in some new pieces but when you get the formula right, you will be so much more productive and creative than you have ever been!

image by kait kucy

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Anthropologie Party

Posted by kait / February 11, 2013

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This past Thursday was an absolute blast! I hosted a Card Workshop at the Calgary Anthropologie and had an absolute blast. Setting up the tables with my favourite crafting supplies (aka GLITTER!) was a thrill and getting to meet new and old friends was such a treat.

The team at Anthropologie was such a dream to work with – the girls in-store set up such a beautiful display of treats and drinks. It was perfect.

The craft turned out to be a hit too! I had sewn up little red and pink vinyl envelopes and made blank cards for the crafters to decorate like crazy. There was some serious creativity brewing in that room, let me tell you. I made a couple of examples of different cards you could make but these girls just took it to a whole new level. I even noticed that a couple of girls brought their own secret papers to make their Valentine’s cards even more special. Now, that is some intense dedication to the craft.

Thanks to everyone who came out to the workshop! I had so much fun meeting all of you and hope to craft with y’all again soon!

Happy V-Day!

xo

photos by: morgan mclaren

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Frills & Bunting Valentine Decor

Posted by kait / February 4, 2013

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Let’s have a Frill Party! I am a big fan of Valentine’s Day so I highly recommend pulling on your ruby red shoes and plan a total love fest for you and your loved ones. Today, I am sharing four quick and easy love-inspired DIY projects that you can easily adapt for your sweet-as-pie soiree.

In this post, I am sharing two great projects for a red & pink themed photobooth at your lovely party. These projects are super easy for kids to work on if they are comfortable using a rotary cutter and hot glue gun. And the best thing about these frills? They are made with plastic tablecloths for the dollar store so you can decorate with style – on the cheap!

To get started on the ever-popular frills here is what you need:

  • Plastic Tablecloths in Red, White & Pink
  • Rotary Cutter
  • Self-healing Mats
  • Ruler
  • Scissors

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Step One: The tablecloths come folded so to save time, I like to cut them like this and then pull them apart after. Line up the tablecloths on the cutting mat and measure off 1/2″ with the ruler. Using your rotary cutter, trim off length. Repeat until you have cut entire length of tablecloth into 1/2″ pieces.

Step Two: Pull apart lengths and drape over a chair, ready for gathering into bunches.

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Step Three: Gather bunches of “ribbon” together and double up, cutting apart loops. Twisting the center of the bunch, pull around and make a thick loop. Using a separate piece of “ribbon” wrap around loop and tie to secure. Trim ends to same length!

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Okay, these glitter bunting banners are the absolute easiest! I just cut out shapes of hearts and triangles in glitter paper and hot glued them to red & white twine. I love how easy these are because they look amazing as a background for a photobooth. You need a lot of these to flesh out the back-drops.

xoxo

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Silhouette Kisses DIY

Posted by kait / February 4, 2013

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Smooch! Excited to share another fun and easy DIY craft for Valentine’s Day. This is a great way to get your whole family involved in the holiday crafting and make a super unique and special gift for that special someone. I absolutely love Victorian silhouettes and this is a great modern spin on this traditional portraiture.

Here is what you need to make this adorable V-day gift:

  • Wooden plaques – picked these up from the dollar store!
  • Craft paint
  • Glitter hearts
  • Paint brushes
  • Pencil
  • Self Healing Mat
  • X-acto Blade
  • Washi Tape

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Step One: Create your silhouette! The quickest way to do make your adorable silhouette is to take a photo of your subject against a white wall with a light shining to create the contrast. Open it up in your photo-editing program, up the contrast and make it black & white. Print it out on cardstock.

Step Two: Using an x-acto blade, cut out the silhouette. I used some washi tape to affix them to the mat, so they didn’t move around while I was cutting them out.

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Step Three: After, cutting out your stencil, paint the wooden plaque white with a foam brush and craft paint.

Step Four: Once the plaque has dried, tape your stencil to it and fill in with black paint carefully. You may need to use a smaller brush for detailed parts of the silhouette.

Step Five: Dress up your silhouettes with sweet love-themed notes, red hearts and kisses.

This is the V-day gift that keeps on giving. A wooden card that can be hung on the wall afterwards as a reminder of your love! As I mentioned, super easy project to do with your kids or even a great activity for your Valentine’s Day party! Inexpensive and fun!

xoxo

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