This week, we’re excited to highlight Toni Imlay, a talented designer known for her creative and beautifully crafted designs. Toni’s work is sure to inspire your next project.
Explore her shop here: Toni Imlay’s Design Store
As a special treat, all this week you can download her free design here: Hearts and Dots in a Bunch Cutout
Learn more about Toni and her creative journey below!
Get to Know Toni
Hello to all of you awesome souls!
I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to get to work with Silhouette, and be the Featured Artist. (…Cue LOTS of virtual cartwheels done by me!!)
To share a little about myself I probably should start from the beginning… For as long as I can remember I have loved being out in nature and have taken more photos than I can count of sunsets, sunrises, flowers, plants, rocks, etc… A love that I inherited from my dear parents. And, while I enjoy spending time alone in nature, I love getting to adventure with my loved ones! I am extremely blessed with a wonderful, supportive hubby, 7 beautiful, amazing daughters, (so far) 4 kind, helpful sons (in-law), and 8 adorable grandkids! They are my inspiration and my why!
I have been making crafts from the time that I could draw. When we had children I wanted to document our wonderful life, which turned into my scrapbooking, card-making, and craft (including paper & supply) addiction. To further my love of crafting, I learned how to make digital designs when I got my first Cameo. It has since snowballed, and I LOVE IT! Now I get to share this joy with you!
How long have you been a Silhouette user?
I became one as soon as I could! Back when the first Cameo came out, I did a bunch of research for the best cutting machine… And the Silhouette Cameo won! I can make practically anything with my Cameo! My cute hubby & girls bought it for me for me as a gift. <3
How would you describe yourself as an artist? What’s your creative style?
I would say that I am driven by spontaneity and emotion in my art. I can be out in nature and/or on an adventure or have a feeling of gratitude wash over me, and it inspires me to create my next piece.
Tell us about your artistic career. How did you get your start?
I had always wanted to have a career in the crafting world, because I love making everything! But it wasn’t until our youngest daughter got into school all day that my vinyl business took off. Now, I also get to sell more digital designs online, Yay! Which makes it even more enjoyable…by getting to share the joy I feel with the world! You can read more about the variety of my adventures on my blog or YouTube channel. I am blessed to get to work from home so that I can here for my family. (My hard-working hubby is a huge part of that!)
When did you start designing files for the Silhouette Design Store?
I got my first designs in the store just last May 2024…and I am super ecstatic and have been smiling big ever since!! I had applied a few years prior and got denied, because I still had more to learn. But I studied a lot, worked hard, and reapplied… and, Yay!! Here I am!! (insert, virtual cartwheels!)
What is the design you’re proudest of?
I know that it may sound kind of silly, but I love all the designs that I make. Obviously some more than others, haha! I think it has to do with the time and effort that goes into each one. But, if I must pick, then it is definitely the “Sunflowers with the Brick Wall stencil card” that I designed last fall. They just remind me of home… That’s where my heart is!
Where do you find creative inspiration?
With my family and being outside. They are my biggest inspirations! I love seeing beautiful things, especially with my loved ones. It makes me want to go create something to keep in my heart forever and share with the world.
How do you overcome creative blocks?
I have to just walk away! …Get outside, take a break, go for a walk, run, bike ride, a hike, hang with people, read, just do something different. Then, magically, the inspiration returns.
What’s your favorite thing about what you do?
Just getting to create something that brings others joy!
What advice do you have for artists just starting out?
First, don’t ever compare yourself to others and their art. Second, just be yourself! Thirdly, never stop learning and growing. Lastly, do what makes you happy and follow your dreams!
Life is too short, so LOVE and SPREAD SUNSHINE!