Hi I’m Amy Locurto! I believe we all need a LOT more happiness in our world. My mission with Living Locurto is to share fun and easy recipes, party, home and travel ideas to help you live a more creative life!
Amy Locurto DIY Lifestyle blogger from Dallas, Texas
What started in July 2008 as a blog about creative things I did at home with my kids, Living Locurto has since turned into a popular DIY lifestyle blog featuring amazing recipes and whimsical party ideas!
Today, you will find delicious recipes, party ideas, crafts, easy home decor and travel tips. As a social media influencer, Amy’s online fanbase currently totals over 700,000 people.
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Amy’s Background
I was born in Missouri, but grew up in the small town of Pawhuska, Oklahoma. After college, I moved to Texas where I met my husband and started a family. We now have a teenage son, tween daughter and a very fat cat! My son actually shares a lot of content on my Facebook page. He’s known as Jack, the snarky teenage summer intern and nicknamed “Mr. Spinach” by one of my favorite readers. Ha!
With a Fine Arts Degree in Graphic Design, I worked for various companies in Dallas as an art director and in 1999 took a huge leap to open my own graphic design firm. My new company grew quickly! It was exciting, but I was working very long hours while also trying to raise two small children. Deadlines were tough, clients demanding, life was hectic and sleep was scarce! I started a blog as a creative outlet to save my sanity.
Over the years since starting Living Locurto (finely named after my love of Ricky Martin’s song Livin’ La Vida Loca aka “Living La Vida Locurto“), I gave up ALL design clients but one and have never been happier! With only one design client, I can focus more on providing them great service and create amazing blog content as well! I enjoy traveling, creating products, speaking and doing freelance creative work for brands and publications.
As Seen In
Amy has been featured in numerous print magazines, web sites, morning TV talk shows and newspapers such as Woman’s Day, Better Homes & Gardens, Cosmopolitan, US Weekly, and more!
- Tamron USA
- D Magazine
- Parents Magazine
- CBS This Morning
- Studio 512 – TV segment
- Better Homes & Gardens Magazine Feature
- Apartment Therapy Interview
- Blogger Genius Podcast Interview
- 50 Favorite Design & DIY Bloggers
- Top U.S. Women’s Websites
- Cosmopolitan
- Country Living
- People
- Wayfair
- Women’s Day
- Dallas Morning News
Amy’s Products
My current and past products include:
- The Living Locurto Fun Club ~ A private membership with access to creative printable designs.
- The Elf Ideas Shop ~ Cute printable designs for your sneaky Christmas elf!
- Printables By Amy ~ Stylish digital party designs.
- Party with Amy Locurto ~ A line of papers and embellishments designed for American Crafts.
Travel Passion
A few years ago, I promised to take my kids to a new U.S. city each year. With my travel passion, that one city has turned into dozens! We travel all over the place now making life one fun adventure! I’m a HUGE Outlander fan, so one of our most recent family trips was with National Geographic to Scotland. What an amazing journey!
Find me on: Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitter
Interested in working with me on a creative job or speaking event? Please visit the PR Inquiry page.
Get to know me by listening to my interview on the Blogger Genius Podcast.
Follow our travels on the Travel Fun Adventures Instagram Feed.
Beyond Living Locurto
Besides the traveling, managing this blog and my design firm, I also enjoy creating products! You can join the Living Locurto Fun Club to get access to an exclusive printable library of goodies.
Find my printable party collections in the shop, Printables by Amy, and a signature line of paper products, Party with Amy Locurto, through American Crafts.
You can also find me sharing all things about chickens over on my Chickens are Fun Facebook page!
Contact Us
Have a question? Please scroll down to see the FAQ’s before emailing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What paper do you use?
My favorite paper is Red River Paper, they specialize in ink jet papers. The 60lb Polar Matte is awesome, it produces really bright images.
I also really like double sided matte paper for when I print on both sides. Epson and Staples brands are both good. You can always find several packages of sticker paper on my shelves as well.
What were you doing when you decided to create your own business?
I started my career as an Art Director for Fossil in the early ’90s. I was in charge of photography styling and design for the catalog, designed watches, belt buckles, key fobs, and packaging, and even worked on some design for the retail stores. Then the internet boom came, so I moved into a career focused mainly on internet design and marketing materials for large businesses.
How do you do all that you do?
I don’t sleep much! Seriously… I only get about 5-6 hours of shut eye a night. My husband helps out a lot too:-) Now that my kids are older, I have them working for me as much as possible. But that is getting harder and harder to do with their busy schedules.
What is your favorite pastime besides arts and crafts?
I love to travel, photography, reading, yoga, and tennis (used to play, not anymore!). Hip Hop dance class is a blast too. Love to read too? Find me here on Goodreads.com.
How do you make your printables? Are they original drawings or stock? How can I do what you do myself?
All of my designs but a few are original and usually hand drawn, then scanned and traced in Adobe Illustrator. I have gotten pretty good with drawing directly in Illustrator, so some designs I whip out pretty quickly.
Unless you’re a professional designer, you don’t need Illustrator. I’m on the hunt for affordable drawing programs because I get this question so much. Right now, I have been recommending Photoshop Elements. You can download free trials of Adobe programs at Adobe.com.
How do you stay so organized?
I AM NOT an organized person! I have good intentions of staying organized, but never follow through:-) It’s the artist in me that works best in clutter I guess. I do love this personal planner though, it’s a life saver!!
Cary Suprobo says
Hello Amy,
Thank you for stopping at our booth this past week end and talked to us about going to Indonesia for your vacation.
Kind Regards,
Susilo “Cary” Suprobo
Shawne says
Excellent!
Phyllis says
I would like to mention and post a picture from your site. Just checking, is that legal? Do I need a written permission. All credit would be mentioned and linked to your site. Please advise. I have never done a grouping of ideas and pictures from others before.
Thanks for your advise,
Please respond to my email. Thanks!
Amy Locurto says
I have my permission and photo terms in my sidebar and also here: https://www.livinglocurto.com/advertise/copyright-terms-of-use/
Overall it’s best to get permission from someone to use their photo if they don’t state their terms on their website. Thanks!
Monique says
Thank you for all that you share..I just downloaded some Easter things and Birthday..I may decorate some things for my husband’s birthday..and would take my own photos for my own blog..
I would of course thank you on my blog..and refer to your site..But..I am unsure how to fill out your form as they would be my photos..?
Thank you..Don’t want to do anything wrong..
Monique
Amy Locurto says
As long as you link back to my site for the free printables you’re fine:-) My terms say you cannot upload a pdf to your site, but must send people back to LivingLocurto.com. I would love to see your photos when you get them. I like to feature people who use my designs. Thanks!
Cyndee says
I am trying to print the Hunger games printable on my mac and cannot seem to get it done. Each time I click on the link it pulls up a blank page…ideas? I love it and want them so much!!
Kate says
Couldn’t seem to leave a comment on the New Year free printable site, but wanted to thank you for all the wonderful ideas you have given all of us this past year. You are an inspiration and very talented.
Thanks, Kate
Amy Locurto says
Thanks Kate! Have a Happy New Year.
Amy @ Frugal Mama says
Hi Amy,
Just wanted to say it was great to hear from you on my blog about the business side of blogging. I have admired your site and printables for a long time, so it was an honor. I already have a hold at the library on the book you recommend.
Thanks again for stopping by and saying hello,
Amy
Kay says
Is there anyway that the cardboard box barn can be purchased? I am not a creative person…