May Day is approaching...

The kids and I worked on May Day baskets today.  Nothing beats Elmer's glue and some glitz!

Works in development...

Shifting gears...

It's time to get to work on a group of paintings for my favorite boutique...Prairie Hearth.

Here's how the process usually goes...

1.  Once the kiddos go to bed, sit with a sketch pad, sharp pencil and DVR'ed shows such as The View, Oprah, etc.  Sketch, sketch and sketch anything that comes to mind.

2.  Sift thru the thumbnail sketches, selecting those that 'speak to me'.  Begin matching up the sketches with the canvas, wood piece, etc. that makes the best fit.

3.  If I'm working on canvas, wood boards, etc. I usually just go for it...taking my little sketch as general inspiration and, by hand, penciling in a general layout of the design for painting.  (For my licensed work, I take a much more controlled approach- enlarging the sketch to actual size and transferring it using carbon paper.)

4.  Paint in the morning.  Paint during the kids' nap/rest time.  Paint late at night.  (I'm learning to be more flexible and go with the flow...painting when it's best for our family.)

5.  Stain, photo, inventory, tag and price items.

Tomorrow I will be moving on to step #4.  This is the exciting part!  I can't wait to get into that art room and paint my little heart out.  This is when things start to move fast for me.  Most of the time, I'm working on several paintings at once- all different designs.  I love seeing how they come together and what happens spontaneously in a painting that puts a smile on my face. 

Stay tuned...  

     

A relaxing day today...

After reading about Earth Day, the kids and I decided to get some sunshine.  We walked to the park, looked at ant hills on the way and even picked some beautiful "daisy-lions"...

Back home, we decided to break out the Easter treat ingredients ahead of time and whip up just a few to tide us over until Sunday...

Race for the Cure 2011

What started out as a secret birthday surprise for my mother, a breast cancer survivor, has turned into an annual tradition for our family.  Each October we bundle up and walk in the Susan G. Komen 'Race for the Cure' to help fight breast cancer.  I am always amazed by the sea of people...thousands... smiles, tears, runners, walkers, adults, kids, pink boas, pink wigs, etc. etc.  

Word spread that our family participates and others have asked to join us.  There has even been talk about having our own team t-shirts.  Here's a rough sketch of an idea that has come to mind...

P.S.  MANY, MANY thanks to The Hearthside Collection for offering my 'Courage, Hope & Strength Pink Ribbon Plates' and for donating 30% of proceeds to help fight breast cancer.  What a wonderful, compassionate company!

Keeping my fingers crossed...

It is no secret that I LOVE Where Women Create Magazine.  I get giddy every three months as I anticipate the release of a new issue.  Completely unlike me, I spend the $15 (I am a cheapskate...I mean, frugal) AND I literally read it from cover to cover...including all those ads in the back.  Well, this last issue had an interesting ad that mentioned the start of a new magazine called Create With Me.  The magazine will focus on artsy parents and what creative projects they do with their children.  OH MY GOODNESS!  I can't wait.  In the meantime, I got up the nerve to submit a project to the magazine for publication consideration.  And.....once the ball started rolling, I wound up putting together a different proposal to submit for FamilyFun Magazine.  It's just fun to try something new.  I'll keep you posted as to what I hear. 

http://www.wherewomencreate.com/magazine.html

http://createwithmemagazine.com/

http://familyfun.go.com/magazine/

A sneak peek into my studio...

I am obsessed with robin's egg blue.  A quick glance at my closet and you'll see it in my shirts, sweaters, purses, etc.  So, why not paint the walls of my work space my favorite color?!  

Most of the plates were found at rummage sales or thrift stores.  I like this organic display....I can keep adding to the collection without it looking 'off'. 

Every girl needs a large zebra print area rug! 

My IKEA spice containers work out nicely for my paints...

After combing the antique mall for vintage dominoes, I finally found enough to frame out two large store-bought corkboards.  The pushpins I 'bedazzled' for a lil' sparkle and I love, love, love my Dollar Tree wall sticky (that comes complete with a chalkboard finish)!

My business cards are hot off the press!

I had been researching business card options on the Internet and leaning toward MOO cards.  Check them out if you haven't heard of them.  www.moo.com  (Each card can have a different image.  VERY COOL!, but a little pricey.)  In the meantime, Office Max had a great deal on custom printing so I decided to go for it....I paid around $7.99 for 250 cards.  Better yet, their customer service was outstanding....they took a painting I brought in, scanned it, did some computer magic to add text and helped me create a card that represents my work.  I received my order in less than one week.
*Note:  I attach my business cards to all the creations I sell at boutiques.  When my pieces head off to a good home, my contact info is there for any follow-up needs, as well as my new blog info!

The Easter bonnet parade was today...

Today, Macy and I put our bonnets on, did our walk in front of the judges and turned out getting 2nd place!  We were given a $75 gift certificate!

P.S.  It's already burning a hole in my pocket.  :)

I think I'm going to pick up some sassy cards and maybe metal yardart. 

All in all, the Easter bonnet contest was a fun way to get the creative juices flowing and to share some special time with my little punkin.  If she is game, I think we just might make this a yearly thing.

I'm wrapping up a special painting (which I'll be posting images of asap) and then it's on to another collection of painted decorative plates and trays for The Hearthside Collection.  The blanks just arrived in the mail.  It feels like Christmas- - opening those boxes seeing what sizes and shapes have been sent.  Even while opening the boxes I had to stop and sketch some ideas.  I love my job!

  

We're officially ready for the Easter bonnet parade!...

Done!  Now I hope that there is no rain on parade day.....or wind!

P.S.  The contest requires each entry to have a title/name.  Any ideas?  Leave me a comment, I'd love suggestions!

Did I go a little overboard? :)

Here's a  peek at my lil' Macy's bonnet for the upcoming Easter parade.  She 'carefully' plucked all the florals off their stems, I manned the glue gun, and she gave the orders.

So.....I decided to go a different route with my Easter bonnet.  I wanted a 'wow' factor, so I thought 'why not have a paper mache bunny on the top of my hat'?!  There are prizes at stake, so why not go a little crazy?  Right?  P.S.  My husband thinks I'm nuts.  :)  

Stay tuned....I'm painting the bunny tonight.

 

I can't resist a good creative competition....

Look out Easter Bonnet Parade!....Here we come!....

A new discovery!

Okay...I must admit...I am technology-challenged.  However, I am super excited that I've found Picnik!  In just a few minutes I was able to quickly upload a photo, adjust it, add text and even figure out how to place a copyright symbol on my images!  WOO HOO!
Check them out.... http://www.picnik.com/

The Kick-Off!

I am tickled pink (...and a little nervous) to kick-off my new blog!  Here's to new challenges, new adventures and taking the leap!