A few more for Prairie Hearth...

Here are just a few more paintings that I've been working on for Prairie Hearth (a WONDERFUL boutique in Fremont, Nebraska). 

I am super excited to get to work on some ideas I have that combine painting with dimensional embellishments.  I can feel a Hobby Lobby or Michael's trip in my future!  :)  Importantly, I need to stretch a bit and try something new.  Stay tuned...

Twig Flags

Ready for some thrift store junkin' and nature walks?  Now is the time.  Here is your excuse:  TWIG FLAGS!

Show your Memorial Day and 4th of July spirit by making some of these fun twig flags.  They add a special pizazz  to pots or make a great display in an old watering can or Ball jar.  Here's how: 
1.  Hunt for flag picks at thrift stores.  (Remember that if you choose to tea-stain these, the fabric of the flag pick may/may not take the tea-stain.  I had the best of luck with the cotton-ish kind.)  I found mine for around 30-50 cents each.
2.  Go for a walk and pick up old sticks that are straight, dead and about 1/2"-5/8" in diameter.  Cut them to the desired length.
3.  Remove the flags from the dowels and get out the Lipton- -it's tea-staining time.  Squeeze excess tea-water and lay flat to dry.
4.  Once dry, get the glue gun fired up and attach the flags to the twigs.
5.  Sit back and smile at your creation!  Embrace the oooooos and ahhhhhhhs.  :)

I LOVE MY JOB!

The other night while shopping at a local Gordmans store I saw my plates!  Gordmans is carrying some of my designs that I created for The Hearthside Collection!  I saw my teacher's apple design, large house platter and plates from my Mud Room/Pantry/Kitchen/Laundry set.  I know this sounds so dorky, but I turned a few over just to see my signature on the back.  It was a great moment.  I had a smile from ear to ear and was able to take a good deep breath.  I can't tell you how much that moment meant to me.  I was, and am, so thankful and so thrilled. 

P.S.  Giddy, I immediately called my husband and my mom from my cell to relay the news.  :)

hail on our deck... the kids were in ahh

In sketching mode...

'Just a little pencil sketch that might be whispering to get painted...

GIANT coloring "page" mural

Living in the Midwest, we are used to heading to the tornado shelter...often.  Even with toys tucked into the emergency kit, it can be a challenge to keep the little ones occupied in the shelter for lengthy periods of time.  How could that dark, unattractive space under the stairs be more kid-friendly?
I took to the drywall, with pencil in-hand, and created a one-of-a-kind wall mural that is a GIANT coloring "page" - for them to actually color in!  I made sure to place most of the design on the bottom 1/3 of the wall (so the kids can reach it).  Then, the penciled mural was traced using large-tipped black markers (found at the Dollar Tree to save bucks).  The kids helped by erasing all remaining pencil lines.
Now, the tornado shelter is stocked with crayons and a new activity.  They can color in the mural while we wait for better weather.

*This GIANT coloring "page" idea could easily be done in any kids play space.

Okay...just one more...

"The circus is coming to town"

Okay....just one more kids painting for my Prairie Hearth delivery.....er.....maybe one more after that....I'm having such a fun time with these...

a weekend of celebrations...

Happy Mother's Day!  ...and Happy Pella, Iowa Tulip Festival!

A sneak peek...

These are just a few of the paintings I've been creating for an upcoming delivery to Prairie Hearth boutique.  As mentioned, I can't stop painting flowers.  Today, I even bought flowers for the yard!

I'm in the process of having greeting cards printed that utilize some of my original artwork.  Let me know your thoughts.  Should I just sell them at boutiques or try selling them on-line via Etsy?  Do I sell them individually or in bundles?  Thanks in advance for your comments!

"Daisy-lion"

This lil' ray of sunshine nearly got painted over.  I started out by painting in the background- a pretty purple, but the brush stokes were terribly noticeable.  Panicked and crabby about it, I quickly rubbed over the entire surface with a clean paper towel to remove as much paint as possible.  Well, today I decided to go back over the background with a blue and things just started to flow from there. 

Tomorrow (hopefully) I will be taking on the task of applying stain to 12 of my folkart paintings.  Once done, I'll start posting photos of those as well!

More whimsical kid paintings for Prairie Hearth boutique...

A little kids decor...

There are 12 paintings nearly complete in my studio.  All of which are in my folkart style and happen to have flowers for the subject matter.  I think I have spring fever! 

While sketching, I decided to put aside 4 canvases to try some new whimsical kid art.  I just had to share this first one.  The others will be done soon. 

Stay tuned for more images- - of both my folkart pieces and whimsical kid art.