Christmas in June

Yep, They'll be available SOON!

So.... how ya doin? Sorry for the long blog break but this has to be the MOST stressful and hectic summer of my life. 

I'm still packing up the old house, trying to strip wallpaper and paint walls at the "NEW" house, find fun things for the girls to do (and finding people to do these things with them), get estimates and get work started on the old house so I can get it on the market in 3 WEEKS!

I just started planning Ellie's 4th birthday party that is this weekend. Bad Mommy...

On the business end, I have a wonderful lady that had seen my keyfobs in one of my shops and contacted me. She is now repping my line and adding new shops left and right! That is ALL GOOD! But now I have to be a little more professional and make ordering books, brochures, ordering forms etc. Not to mention getting ornament samples done this week to be photographed.

I'm sure my mother is still disappointed that I didn't post about her on Mother's Day, and I wanted to post about my wonderful hubby on Father's Day and I missed that boat too. 

Anyway, enough about poor me. Thought I'd show you more of our UNIQUE house. The first pic is what I call the cave. It's very dark and cozy. This is our makeshift bedroom for now. You can see the way it opens up to the second floor.... interesting? I think instead of stripping that wallpaper, I'll have some wallpaper put over top of it.  Any suggestions? 

I'd better get back to work.... so little time...            

Chimp Eden

Totally love this show, if you haven't watched it before, give it a try. Great family show!

Mural Work

I've been doing a little mural work. It use to be a big part of my income until a couple years ago. When I went to Atlanta's Americas Mart, I picked up 70 new shops and was painting key fobs, frames, canvases, bottles, buckets, ornaments, stockings and plaques! I was so overwhelmed  with the massive orders, I had no time for mural work. I lost a bunch of those shops because I couldn't keep up. I have since cut my wholesale product line down to key fobs and ornaments only but I'm going to start adding some other items in the next few months. Wish me luck!

*There will be a painted name canvas hanging between the 2 palm trees.

My new shoes!

I spent the rest of my Mother's Day money on these Volatile flip flops. I love them! I'm 5'4" so not only do they make me feel tall but they are so comfortable! 

Great Mother's Day!

I hope your Mother's Day was a happy one! I had a great one! Cash was my "gift" along with a box lid diorama Rachel made for me. I actually ran to TJMAXX with my cash as soon as they opened. I bought a bright blue and green tunic and some sunglasses to wear to our Mother's Day dinner at historical Hall's on the River

It was so good! I had a Seafood Hotbrown and we all shared banana peppers and fried green tomatoes AND hot fudge cake. I'm hoping we'll be able to become regulars there once we move into our new home since it's really just down the road from us!

We went back to the NEW house, my mother headed for the COT that Tom sleeps on , while the rest of us headed for the pool table.  I made it a fairly short stay. The girls and I came home and snuggled on the couch til bedtime. Tom stayed down there of course. He's trying to tame the landscape at the moment and has to stay on top of the yardwork.  I fear he's getting a little to carried away with the saw. I've laid down the law concerning the gigantic Wisteria that's growing by the porch. If it comes up missing, he will too! 

Mother's Day gift ideas

Just a few ideas of things I would love to get ... hint hint dear hubby!  

Derby Day!

Derby Day is here! This IS a holiday here in the Bluegrass. I hope you take the time to watch it today..."My Old Kentucky Home" always gets me emotional. I am very proud of my Commonwealth. 

My picks for Derby... Papa Clem (to win), Pioneer of the Nile, Hold me Back, and Mr. Hotstuff  

Artfire

I just opened ARTFIRE shop! Check it out HERE!

New listings!

Just listed new items and new pics in my etsy shop!

Lots to do!

The girls and I spent most of our weekend at the house. I've been removing wallpaper from the dining room walls. Not a bad job. It peeled off easily except for the backing and a little soapy mixture is taking that off. The guys finished the plumbing (YEAH!) but discovered termites in the process (UGH!). Hubby is moving on to the electrical repairs and working on the grounds.

I'm sure there is a Wisteria vine next to the studio and I can't wait to see it bloom!

There's a stray neighborhood cat that the girls have named Miss Priss. she comes to visit us quite often. This weekend she gave us a show and delivered a kitten on Tom's army cot! the girls witnessed it all, great moment! She then carried it off to our neighbors house and delivered more.

At home, I'm packing up and moving a few boxes everyday, getting things gathered for a yard sale, and making lists and plans for our current home ( lots to do to get it ready to sell). I haven't worked on the chandelier any more BUT I did paint a couple kid's furniture pieces this week. A child's vanity with lots of pink stripes, dots, and some Swaroski crystals and a big table and chairs set with pink animal prints! contact Peggy's if you're interested in purchasing one of these. 

Business has picked up A LOT.  I have a couple new stores that have started buying from me and a couple more interested. I had a meeting about doing some murals, I'll be presenting sketches for those this week. I really need to finish up some paintings that will be sold as prints and I want to put some things in Cafepress . Then it's time to start working on Christmas ornaments!     

 I missed so many great photo opportunities this weekend. All of my cameras have problems and I will be shopping for a new one this week... any recommendations? 

Rate my Space

Hoping they'll pick this room for a makeover!  Rate my kitchen!

I'll never see my husband again!

We have started moving stuff into the new house, mostly things we won't need here at the old place.We've met our neighbors, they seem nice and have a lot of knowledge about our house! For example, the former owner was a woman from New York that had twin daughters. She had an issue with one of the bathroom showers. It could not be shut off in any way, so she left the HOT shower run continually for 2 years! Tom and his sweet brother "RAIL" (they all have fun nicknames given to them by their dad) are redoing ALL the plumbing this weekend, the electrical redo is next.  

Tom is just so happy with our new home regardless of it's problems. He has a new pooltable in the detached garage (mancave) and has been sleeping there on an old Army cot. So with all the work to be done AND his love for the place, I really won't be seeing much of him except for my daily boxed deliveries!   

The girls and I spent yesterday painting their playroom a beautiful Tiffany blue, see the room above. Good bye Burgundy! I've also started making a FUN chandelier to go in the room. I'll post it and the instructions on how to make it next week. 

Today I have packing, glazing ,painting and cleaning to do. Better get to it, have a great Sunday!

Happy Easter!

Must watch!

New Kitchen Pics

This kitchen has  beautiful wood walls and ceiling. It's odd shape and sections require some creative thinking! This round window overlooks the wrap around porch, to the right is cabinets and counter with dishwasher, see 3rd pic...  
This is the area when you first enter the kitchen (entry is on the right, past the stove) Cabinets are definitely going to be painted! I really love glass tiles and am thinking of adding them as a backsplash to break up some of the wood.  A new countertop is on the list. Really not sure about a color scheme. Creamy cabinets...some blues? Keep in mind there's going to be a lot of DIY projects with LOW budgets, Heating and Air are the money eaters in this house. You'll see wall air units and baseboard heating throughout.  
This is the dishwasher area...to the right is a step down to the breakfast area and the built in fridge. Maybe build an island with a cooktop over here?
This area will have a table, maybe a bench built in to the left side and some comfy chairs to complete the seating. These beautiful big windows... love them but what do I do with them?

There's also not a lot of wall space for artwork..gasp! I'll figure out something! 

I'm thinking I'm a great candidate for HGTV'S Rate My Space makeover....   

We have a winner!

Comment #21, Craftola is the lucky winner! Congrats and thanks to all who entered and or posted about my buckets on their blogs! I hope everyone had fun during the party! 

I really didn't get to enjoy much of it. Besides being swamped with orders, WE GOT THE HOUSE! Actually my stepdad is closing on it this week( THANKS Charlie Pop!), we will be buying it from him AFTER we sell our current home. Lots of work to get this place ready to sell! The job will be so much easier after we move a large portion of our STUFF to the new house!  I start packing TODAY. We are so excited about this move! Lots of big changes for us but all for the good we think!   

The above pic is at the new home, looking thru the kitchen to one side of the wrap around porch.

Ultimate Blog Party!

I had so much fun at this PARTY last year! It's not too late to join in, just go to 5 Minutes for Mom to sign up, you won't regret it....lots of prizes and you get to meet so many great women!

My prize picks would be 

*free advertising on boutique flair

*biz cards from boutique graffics

* a $5o.oo Target gift card from HERE

or the cute flip flops or jewelry or books or....  ANYTHING!

Leave a comment here and telling me about your favorite item from the above grouping and I'll draw a name at the end of the party. You'll win your choice of a small easter bucket, a key fob, or a soap bottle! 

P.S. get a second entry by following me! Just add a second comment telling me you did it!

Shop Update

The shop has been updated FINALLY! I was not techy smart today. I could not for the life of me figure out how to get pictures from email to iphoto!  Any hoo, I listed what I could and will be adding more a little at a time. I still have some small eggs and buckets to add then it's painting time all weekend. EXCEPT... remember this? Well we made an offer so put us on your prayer list or cross your fingers that if it's meant to be it will work out!

delayed posting....

I've been trying to put everything in the shop... give me a couple more minutes, I'm having iphoto issues. Issues meaning I'm dumb today! 

Easter buckets and more

Just giving you a heads up. I'll be adding Easter Buckets and MORE to my Etsy Shop on Friday at noon.  Each can be personalized with a name or monogram and there will be some small ones too. I'll try to post pics here tomorrow so you can see the new designs. I expect them to sell quickly at $25.00! Tell your friends! 

key fob sale!

Here's the sale I was talking about. Buy any key fob and get a custom key fob with initial, name, or monogram free! As always you choose colors and design! Sale lasts thru Thursday. Purchase here and include your info for the free one! Thanks! 

Job Hunting

I'm trying really hard to follow the "If you can't say anything nice..." adage.  Hence, no blogging for the past month.  I have managed to pick up some new shops and they HAVE paid me, I wish I could say that about ALL my accounts. I have shops I've been doing business with for years that have yet to pay for Christmas merchandise. I now have a NO PAY NO SHIP policy.  

  Anyway, I'll be Job Hunting after 7 Years of being self employed, I really really don't want to but I have no choice if I want my kids to eat, have power and water etc.  I know a lot of other artists are experiencing the same thing.   

Better shut up before I quit being nice...

I will be having a SALE posted later today if you're interested. 

Giveaway From Melissa!

Melissa at Fischtales is having a giveaway, you know I want to win but I'm sharing the love!

This makes me happy...

I have a new favorite blog, well one of many. It's French Essence and ooh la la! I've been a bit on edge lately, can you tell? This post on the CHANEL fashion show has me swooning... yes, I said swooning.  I am a little disgruntled that I don't live in a world where I can wear these clothes, they are so gorgeous! If I had access to such beautiful frocks maybe I'd get out of my jammies and the house more often! Any way, click on the link to see all of these beauties and tell me which is your fave and where you could wear it. 

P.S. CPSIA has pushed back the enforcement of the testing law to 2010! Hooray! Now get to crafting!

Adding Fire to the Flame... CPSIA Law

Check out the prices you could be paying after Feb.10th 2009. Be sure to click on a few items and read their descriptions about their prices. I assure you these are real prices. This is a legitimate crisis!  So many items are involved including BOOKS already on library shelves. Items that are to be DESTROYED by Feb.9th. Bottom line... if it's for 12 or under it HAS to be TESTED or destroyed. Costs to TEST ONE item $300- THOUSANDS! 

Read Sara Jane Studios post with all the info here. 

Then go stock up on paperclips that will be illegal to buy after this law is enacted.

No wonder I'm grumpy. Anyone else?

Once Upon A Time...

Today UGH!!!

I must admit that I have become way more emotional this year than I've been for 7 or more years. I may be at my rope's end today!

It seems MY STREET got the worst of the storm, at least from what I saw on the way home last night. The tree my husband planted when we bought our home 13 years ago... destroyed... nothing left but a stick. The wonderful shade tree in the back yard that my children have climbed over and over and over... will have to be cut down. It just makes me sad. THEN to add to it...

If you know me at all, you know I LOVE my pets. My stupid stupid stupid neighbors (that are attempting divorce for the second time in a few months) decided it would be better to just DROP their newest dog , puppy really(pictured above, date on photo is wrong) somewhere, out in the country? For what meanness? To hurt each other? Dumb! STUPID! IDIOTS! I did not hold back telling them so either. I've tried to be a friend and help them several times, I'm DONE!       

My prayer for today... Lord keep one hand on my shoulder and the other over my mouth! 

Snow Day #2

White, originally uploaded by Firenzesca.

If you are among the lucky/unlucky that are having a snow day... enjoy!

Lots of changes!

I've been busy doing nothing! I have some wholesale keychain orders that I am finally getting around to doing. I'm thinking it's a mid-life crisis, not sure. I have been so SICK since the New Year began. I've decided to make a lot of changes with me and my business. The first is that I will only sell keychains to my wholesale accounts from here on out. I love painting them so this will continue.  I had been painting anything and everything (especially for local shops). Second, I will be doing some art prints that are fulfilling TO ME and I'll be selling those on Etsy. You can see my first idea above(actually there are more sketches of this theme). A young Obama. I can't help myself. I love love love the new first family!   I will be incorporating his inaugural speech into some paintings. Loved it!

Third, I'm going to focus more on MOMMY TIME! Time that I will spend taking care of ME(I've joined spark people to monitor my nutrition and exercise, Love it!)  AND quality time devoted to my family. All have been neglected over the last 7 years.  The business has been my focus for way too long!  Mommy time may also include a part time job and some volunteer work. I have to get out of the house more often! 

It's really going to be A LOT of work! I know I can do it. It truly is a NEW DAY!

  

  

A new Year!

I'm so excited about the new year! NO resolutions, I just want to become a better me. Eat healthier, exercise, be more organized, be a better mommy, a better wife, a better daughter and sister, a better cook, well you get the picture.

I'm technically on vacay til the 5th.  I did something to my back on the 26th which meant I got to read 2 whole books in 2 days! Really unbelievable! That hasn't happened for years. I read both of the first 2 TWILIGHT books (wanted to read them BEFORE deciding if Rachel could read them) and now I'm hooked! I love the fact that the lead characters are so smart and Bella's priority besides Edward is HOMEWORK. You don't see that often! Also makes me wish I were a teenager again, what a great love story! Check out this shop for the pendant above!

I'm also trying to climb my way out of a cluttered and unorganized home and studio, not an easy task!

I am also redefining my business. I hope to be adding a lot of new items to my shop and dropping others. FOCUS is what I need, it's been so long since I've been able to focus on designing. 

I hope that after the 5th my blogging will be more consistant, creative and informative.

I hope if you made a New Year's resolution that it works out for you, Best wishes! 

Family Portrait

I just had to share. These pics were sent to me last night and I got such a good laugh from them. I love how they all matched their clothes! My mother, stepdad, and "sister" Raven.   

Finally!

365-215 (Christmas tree bokeh), originally uploaded by knittinging.

Finally finished with all my orders except for a few for local stores. Tom and I STARTED our shopping last night and I'm hoping to get up to Ikea in Cincy today. 

Monday I hope to have a little CRAFT party with Rachel's friends. We'll see. 

The house is a wreck, I think I can get it clean with a couple hours commitment every morning.

Old toys must go to make room for new ones. Lots of needy people around here to give the slightly used items to. We're definitely cutting back this year. There simply isn't room in this house for anymore BIG stuff! We're still praying for our dream home, it's still on the market! 

If I happen to not make it back to the blog before Christmas, I'm wishing everyone has a safe and HAPPY Holiday!

Working hard!

I've really had my nose buried in work, lots of deadlines to meet this past couple of weeks. Thought I'd share with you some Etsy purchases I made yesterday. The print is from Emily at The Black Apple and the stars are from The Starcraft. Check them out for unique and affordable gifts. I really will be posting ornaments in my shop soon... have patience!

Obama!

Dreams really do come true and I am giddy with happiness!
I can see and feel a much needed change... coming.
I feel a unity and pride of country like I have not felt before. It's time to unite and make our country all it can be.  What a historical day. God bless America! 

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