I am loving this new design.  It's sweet and simple, yet a bit sassy.  The 'Letter Whimsy' e-course I recently took with Teresa McFayden was such an inspiration.  Pushing my lettering has really opened up my creativity.  I have to admit that I always used the tried and true handwritten style that came natural to me when adding wording to my paintings.  It was time to push myself.

Home Sweet Home is a large acrylic painting done on wood, hung by wire.

Gnome Sweet Gnome

A few months ago I got a bug...this intense desire to paint gnomes.  Lots and lots of gnomes!  I have painted them peeking out of watering cans, hiding in potted flowers and even a lil' gnome couple holding hands.

After feeling quite pleased with my new springy artwork, I eagerly pulled my husband into the studio to show him my latest work.  As always, he was very sweet and made nice comments about my paintings....but then added...

"I don't think gnomes have pointed ears.  Elves do."

Of course, I had to immediately google it.  Who would've thought that one day I would be madly researching if gnomes do or do not have pointed ears.  Some sites said 'yes' they do, while others said most definitely 'no'.  I've decided that my gnomes DO have pointed ears.  Otherwise, they'd just look like little Santas wearing dunce hats.  :)

I have been painting like a crazy woman!  So anxious to share images with you.  Stay tuned.  I'll start posting images this week.

lovin' the ladybug chart

It's not unusual for there to be a task chart taped to our kitchen cabinet doors.  The typical grid chart was getting so boring that I decided to get creative.

As shown, once all the ladybug dots are colored in (or stickered!) our preschooler earns a treat--- she usually asks to go to the 'dinosaur museum' or children's museum.

These charts are a fun motivational tool...and a good way to keep that positive reinforcement going!  I've found that if the chart looks like fun, our little one is more interested.

We also recently updated our phone number poster that hangs on the bottom portion of our fridge.

It now has the photo of our loved one to the left and their phone number to the right.

(We also added a photo of emergency vehicles and '911' at the very top.)

We started using a chart like this when our 5-year old was little.  Before I called a relative or friend, I would ask her to refer to the chart and dial the number.  It was a fun way for her to learn her numbers and understand how to use the phone (in case of an emergency).