Guess which one is my favorite?

Okay...seriously?!...Easter was the last time I posted?!  EEEEEK.

Well, I've boxed up and mailed off my designs to The Hearthside Collection.  Standing in a sea of bubble wrap and tissue paper, it's a bittersweet moment.  I can feel a weight off my shoulders that I've reached my goal and am proud of the collection I've designed.  Along with that comes some anxiety...knowing that they are out of my hands and that I desperately want them to arrive on time and in perfect shape.

I'm now working on new pieces for Prairie Hearth.  'Trying to focus on 'everyday' items that would be a great fit for spring and summer.  With the warm weather we've been having, I've been outside trying to spruce up my outside decor a bit.  I am in LOVE with these giant polka-dot pinwheels from Hobby Lobby.   

This summer I'll need to focus on preparing for the busy fall/winter season.  Before long I'll be stocking up on burnt orange...painting pumpkins is right around the corner for me.

HaPpY EaSteR!!!



large acrylic on wood hanging

Happy Birthday!

This was so much fun to make.  With a sheet of foam core from the Dollar Tree, some hot glue and trying to think creatively in the candy aisle, the kids and I made this fun birthday card for Grandma.  I'm anxious to try a 'kid' version soon.  Stay tuned...

oh, how I miss coffee

I am in the process of painting my new line of decorative plates and trays for The Hearthside Collection.  So, I REALLY have to watch the coffee intake.  I literally get shaky with too much caffeine and have difficulty painting details, lettering, etc.  Oh, how I miss my coffee.  So, as I sit dreaming about a huge mocha (...complete with whipped cream on top of course), I figured- 'why not post a recent photo of one of my large coffee mug flower paintings?!' that I delivered to Prairie Hearth.

Check out my work on The Hearthside Collection's website:

http://www.thehearthsidecollection.com/store/index.php?dispatch=categories.view&category_id=218

Or stop by Prairie Hearth in Fremont, Nebraska.  Tracy's shop is FABULOUS!...packed with her gorgeous paintings and painted furniture, hand creations from other talented artists, yummy soups, dips, kids decor, jewelry, etc. etc.

http://www.prairiehearth.com/

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.