No posts through the weekend . . .

You want to know why? I bet you are thinking I worked really hard on that table!? ESPECIALLY since there were absolutely NO posts! Well, . . . . you are dead wrong!! Lonnie actually put another coat of paint on the table - he really pulled through and did his part {that he agreed to do!} - BUT me, well . . . let's just say that I didn't hold up my end of the deal! Yes, it is my fault the stupid table isn't complete - But give a girl a break!! A big Break!! I swear that I had every intention of working on that joker. But Saturday, we had company that showed up {I knew they were coming} BUT, I really thought I would still be able to work on it! And it rained on and off and I have to do my part of the job out in the open and not in the garage! My freak-a-zoid husband wouldn't dare allow me to crank up the hand sander {or for that matter - use a sheet of sand paper} in the garage - Good LORD, we got to protect that motorcycle!! But it is ready for me and I will do something about it this week {I Hope!}

I got a little sneaky peeky for you all - I really don't want to show the piece in it's entirety because, well . . . it's not finished! But it almost is and I'm lovin' it so far! I don't know if anybody noticed {besides Jenn - cause she emailed me and asked if she won a prize since she was the first one to say anything!! Hahaha!} but I did change the name of the "charmed collection" - You know, I felt it never fit!! But "funny bones" sure does - so that is what it is!! Well, my dear friends - this new painting is like a reversed funny bones or a stretched funny bones or just something like funny bones! And I think I might just put it in it's own collection - if the response is good! We'll see.

And this is a silly request - BUT Stephanie H - the one that placed an order on Thursday, June 26th - if you are out there and read my blog {maybe - long shot - but possibly} - can you contact me!! Your email address keeps sending me a note that says,

Delivery to the following recipients failed permanently

Is there anyway you might email me with your phone number or another email??? I must confirm some things with you before I get started - paleeez! Thanks!

It's the weirdest thing - I've sent the email now about 27 and a half times and it keeps rejecting me! Oh - I can't stand it! Does anybody know why it does it! She sent me an email from THAT address and she had THAT address in the order form - so why is it "failing"!?!? I just don't get it! Computers are soooo aggravating - to the extreme!!

I L-O-V-E this bedding!

I did this painting recently that was given as a gift - I loved the way the piece turned out. Matter-of-fact, others did as well because I've had to paint more of the same design. But the funny part is it was made to match bedding . . . . . . . and what a match!? I know I've said it a million times on this blog, but I'll say it again {because we might have a "newbie" reading today!} - I'm always scared to death of "my paintings" not matching. So, when they do - my chest puffs out, I start cheezing, I call everyone I know to tell them and then I want everyone to see it! Yeah - I'm Proud!

And I must shout out to this couple - Ashley & Charlie - they will meet their new sweet baby on Monday! Nothing is like having the first one - though I barely remember - NOT that it's been that long, just toooo many kidlets that I've had since the first - now it all just runs together! And the fact that I have a mind like a steel trap - RUSTY!!

I normally check emails at night. Soooo, for those who have emailed me these past few days and haven't gotten a response - I'll be getting on it as soon as a publish this post! The past 2 nights I've crashed and burned around 9 or so o'clock. I normally do that about once a week, but 2 days in a row {?} - {if I didn't know better, I'd think I was pregnant - BUT I do know better - and I'm not - let's just get that straight now!}

But I have completed a few pieces! Here is one that is about to make her way out to Hot-lanta!
I've got a couple more that I will complete today - but, I, of course, will be working on a specific black table this weekend! And yes, I will post pictures!

I've been tagged, yet again . . .

But I sooo love it! As I said before - the best way you can meet me!! My good buddy, Holly, got me this time. I must share 6 unimportant things about myself.

1. As a child {say around the age of 5} I wanted to be an ice cream truck driver in the summer and a hair-dresser in the winter. {And I wish I was kidding!} I had some theory that business would be bad in the cold months for ice cream, BUT everyone would want to get their hair done so that their heads would stay warm. And if that fell through, I always had plan B - figure skater . . . on skates {of course!}

2. I was the absolute champion of the limbo . . . . on skates! I loved the skating rink and I really was a great skater {wait a minute - I'm still a great skater - people like me still have their own skates - and still use them!!} But I'm no longer a great limbo-er - actually I would be embarrassed to even try the limbo - but know this legend still lives!

3. I love the fashion, music and decor of the 1920's, 30's & 40's.

4. I eat some form of a potato with at least 2 meals a day! I actually tried the "no-carb thing" once - Lonnie was afraid to go to sleep one night because I was DT-ing and I needed a potato desperately. So, at 10:30 pm he went to McDonald's and bought me 3 large orders of fries. Truth be known - I could have eaten more.

5. I laughed {hysterically} throughout my entire wedding ceremony while my husband cried! Obviously, neither one knew exactly what we were getting into!

6. I've never in my life finished an antibiotic. Has anybody?? If I do take any, it is normally the first 2 {maybe 3 days} and that's it.

Now that is some useless info!

But wait, there is more - A new friend over at Priddy Creations also got me!

The first question is what was I doing 10 years ago - BUT since I've already done this one recently - let me change it up a little . . .

1. What was I doing 5 years ago - I was finishing up college and had been married less than a year. Lonnie had been deployed, but never left Fort Rucker. That was about the time they were sending them back home.

2. What are 5 {non-working} things on my to-do list for today - Empty dishwasher, finish the 2 loads of laundry I started, eat my iced honey bun, respond to some emails and then go to bed {I don't normally put bed on my to-do list, but I ran out of things!}

3. 5 snacks I enjoy - obviously honey buns, white cake {with no icing}, vanilla ice cream, raw carrots & squash

4. Things I would do if I were a billionaire - the question here is "what would I not do?"

5. Jobs I've had - babysitter, worked in several horse barns, a nanny {different from babysitting - believe me!}, worked in a dental office and then I started popping out kids and you all know my story from there!


Don't you guys feel like you know me so much better?

Another project on the horizon . . .

Here is my kitchen table - well not the one I'm currently using - but a newer one that I hope to be using next week!We found it while cleaning out the garage!! tee hee Let me just say that we should have finished this joker about 6 and half months ago! I started on it New Year's Eve and for some strange reason - it never got completed!?As you can see - I got pretty far with it! Soooo, you are asking "why did I not just finish it and take that mug up on in my house?" {yeah - I'm a mind reader!} Well, because I never FINISHED it! But this weekend - it will happen - this table will be distressed and then parked in my house {and not the garage!}

And that my friends, will leave my husband an even bigger space to work on 2 beds!

You know, sometimes I really shock myself!

Okay - no paintings today! Yesterday, I slaved over 2 tables {or I should say night stands} for the boys' room. My husband has turned up the heat and is making me help him get rid of stuff in the garage!! How dare he! Alot of the junk is unfinished furniture or stuff that needs to be repaired, reupholstered or just redone in general!

Sooo, here we go sorting out the mess. We had a huge pile that went to recycling - a pile ready for consigning - and a big fat pile for the trash. Now he can at least walk through the garage and I guess that was the main goal! But here are my cuteness of tables! I painted them this green color first - the same green I painted one of my groovy chairs! Then I sanded them - every inch of them. The reason = if you notice in the above picture it was more of a celery green. When I started sanding the edges, the yellow really came out - which is what I was going for!
Then I slapped on a coat of stain {golden oak} and then wiped it off and VIOLA!!! Yeah, I'm proud! Eventually, I will finish this room!
Now, picture 2 more beds like the one below - lined up on that wall - with these 2 tables in between - I have "carson" & "lawson" paintings above their beds, as well as different letters - red base lamps with "abc" lampshades {Pottery Barn Kids} sitting on those groovy green tables - with a massive stack of books piled high on each of those lower shelves {those come tumbling down pretty quickly!} Yeah - I'm one, cool mom!
So, that my friends, is why we have to clean out the garage - Lonnie made the {above} bed and needs the room to make the other 2! I must admit that he has got his talents - and building furniture is one! What a peach!

3 year old + dry erase = "I hope you didn't have anything planned this week!?"

I have been really using this dry erase calendar-board-thingy. And it really has helped - meaning I can keep up with everything. {But only to keep up with what needs to be done, not necessarily doing it!} Well, my precious and darling son, Hudson, has figured out he has some "magic" in his wee little fingers. He "made the numbers go away!" as well as the words.Nice - I guess those goals for the month just got bumped to something more realistic - since I was behind on most of them!

The finished cherry blossom painting!!

I must say that I love this one!! And since I've yet to create Miss Em one - I just think it will be looking something such as this . . . .It is to match the Pottery Barn Kids bedding Pink Cherry Blossom Nursery. Like I've said in other post, I can't match it exactly due to copyright {and the fact that I can't paint a straight line!} And just in case you don't want to click the link, here is the bedding . . . .The colors in the bedding are actually louder than what they look in this picture. I really hope Kylie's mommy LOVES it!! It truly is one of my faves!!

And just to prove that I'm not a slacker . . . .
That would be 2 more that I just completed this morning!! Go me!! I normally do not post many of these "classic collections" - because I feel like when you see one you've seen them all - BUT I tried a new "aging" technique and wanted to get some feedback!
The "M" is the new way and the "R" is the old way. Funny thing is the "R" actually looks aged UNTIL I did this new treatment - check out the differences! It looks like the "R" is just painted on ivory paint!! Now I swear they both have the exact everything {duh - except the letter!} But what a gitisimo difference - soooo, WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK!? I'm really diggin' the new way!! But I'm leaving it all up to you guys - so post the comment!

And I've been meaning to blog about the day I did the post with all my do's in one week. Can I just tell you all that I got so many hits on my stat counter! Uhmmm - Wow - apparently everyone wanted to see what I look like. Then I got a several emails over the past couple of days about me hair!! HA - never in a million years would I had thought people would want to see me and ask sooo many questions about my "fluffy do"! To answer the questions - My hair flips out like that on its own and puffs up at the crown on its own - as long as I have my hair dryer, I can do anything with it {question about the first picture!} - I actually liked that look {even though it is the same do I had when I got married}, but wanted something just a tad bit simpler in the mornings. That do took styling products and when I'm at home, I normally don't put anything in my hair! When it is short, I like to get it cut every 3 weeks - hence it's an expensive up-keep. But, I've noticed I don't get the "grown-out look" when I get the cut at the 3 week marker! It's not thick nor thin and tends to be on the fine side. No, I don't use a razor {that makes my hair feel like straw!} BUT it gets the heck chopped out of it with thinning shears! It has alot of natural body but I still like to use all the volumizing products. I think that answered all the questions AND for the sake of it all . . . . . . . a picture of me right now as I post on the blog!

And thanks everyone for the comments about getting someone to come in and clean my house - the more I thought about, the better it sounds AND Lonnie is totally game! Now, I have to budget it in some how! hehe

Back up people . . .

I've got another coming at ya'. Oh, you heard right - ANOTHER O-N-E!!! Okay, well this is only a little sneaky peeky - because I technically won't finish this one for another few hours - but it's naptime and I had a moment to post before I pick the paintbrush up - so I thought I might as well post a picture NOW! I've got to clean up those sides - so don't look too hard - like I said "it's not complete!" I've come to the conclusion that I really need to hire someone to come clean my house atleast every other week {I wish every week!} By the time I paint, computer, play with the kids, daily laundry & dishes {oh, and cook - rarely **snicker-snicker**}, the house just looks plain nasty - Trashy McNasty to tell you the truth! I would be so embarrassed for anyone to come over and see this joint - I'm tellin' the truth when I say it's just gross!

BUT, here is the issue - do I really want someone up in my HOUSE cleaning it?! I mean, I am a stay at home mom and I do find it extremely comical when I hear of someone that actually pays another to come in and clean their house when they don't have a job!! {I'm not trying to offend anyone with that comment} I mean, it is their prerogative - but I do find humor in it! I guess it is something that I will think about - maybe something I will start in the fall. Ahhh - who knows - by then I might have my act together and can get it done myself!

Well, I'm off to bust my butt, gut and anything else on my body that needs busting to get some work done around this house {my trashy - McNasty house!!} And probably finish a few paintings as well!

Another one . . .

Who doesn't love some blue on blue on blue!? This one really turned out Cutie-McCute-Cute!! This will always be one of my favorite designs!! After all - it is the one that got it all started!! It also has to be my favorite font!!

Do you guys want to see some art???

I thought I would ask since it seems to have been a very long time since I posted any pictures!!

I have a feeling someone has been waiting to see these pictures! I hope the wait was worth it!!

How cute is the bedding below?? Don't you love it!?

I'm soooo vain . . .

I've been taking a picture of myself daily for the past several weeks to figure out what I wanted to do next with this "do" of mine. One thing that is constant - my hair changes all the time. Actually, I don't look like the picture to the left much at all - or atleast my "do" doesn't!! I decided to chop it all off {again} - but I was still taking pictures to see how many "good hair days" I was getting with the new look. Now, I do want more length in the front, but I think that is all I want to change {for now!}

Sooo, check out the many faces of Kim - OR should I say all the many do's of Kim!!

The day before the hair was chopped - that is why it looks so good - those little hairs knew that the next day was going to be their lil' deaths - the "good hair day" the day before the haircut = suicide!Day of haircut - immediately after I got back from Rena's {my do-dresser}

This one was just funny - First thing in the morning!

Miss Em is in this shot - but the side view of the new do is looking pretty good!I call this pool hair - because I was on my way to the pool - but I still had to wash and dry it! I would have scared everybody if I went out of the house with "morning hair" - I scare myself - you did see the morning do picture above{?} - Well, that was tame compared to normal!Good hair - but my shirt looks WAY TOO small!This shirt is much better {probably because it is one of those snug fitting Liz Lange maternity shirts -that I'm still wearing 3 months after I had my baby!} Oh, and I like my hair here too!And I might as well throw in today's picture!!

I love this frame . . .

Check out this mamma jamma of a frame!! How cool is that!? I received this picture attached to an email from someone who said she "loved it!" This is why I only do these in an 8x10 - once you put such an awesome frame around them, they are the perfect size for any neglected wall!

Shannon, thanks a bunch for sending me the picture and I'm soooo glad you love it! Now, I need to know where in the heck you got that frame!?

As promised . . .

my art that Kijsa did! Oh, how I'm so in love with it! I do plan to frame it, but couldn't help myself and just had to get it on the wall ASAP! This is the spot that I originally wanted it, then I was going to move it to the kitchen - BUT decided that my Grandmother's old secretary needed it desperately!! Sooo, back to this spot it went!

check out the detail!! The reds - a perfect shade of blue - ahhhhh . . .

I nice crackle {somewhat aged} finish to it. . . .

beautiful muted background . . . .

with an amazing pop of color!!!

This cute lil' thing will be sitting propped up on a piece of furniture that I have in my kitchen that will be making it's way into my living room!!

I wish you could have seen the packaging! Sorry, I couldn't help myself and I tore into it as soon as she handed it to me! But my friend, Rachel, was with me and she can totally vouch for me and say how incredible it was! It was wrapped in brown packaging with twine to tie it off. Attached was her business card {that looked like an old, rustic door that had an old lock on it} with a {real} old rusty, vintage key!!! How cute!? Got to love some fan-tab-U-lous packaging!

Okay - as I said in the last post, go get you some Kijsa art!! Here is her blog, her website and even her and her sister's blog!!!

Oh my - I think I've died and gone to heaven!

Well, something really cool happened TOOO-day!! Oh you all already know - I met Kijsa!! She is soooo cute!! And oh my good-NESS, let me tell you of the paintings she did for me - uhhh, no I'll wait till tomorrow and just show you pictures - know they are freakin' perfect!!! And you all need to go get you one {or 2, maybe 3 - like I did!}

But let me tell you the best part - I've got to set up the story . . . . In one email she had asked me about "doing a show" - of course I said yes, because I thought she meant "her doing a show here in my town with her stuff" - I mean she is the "Art Goddess" {in my book anyways} - are you following me{?} - well, anyhoodle, I asked her about it when we met up today and she said "NO, she wanted me to come to her "town" and set up in her studio the weekend before Thanksgiving" - they are planning to do a show and wanted a couple of other folks and their wares there - are you still following me{?} - she wanted ME to set up my ART at her studio?????

I'm like "what theee . . . meeee . . . oh myyy . . . well, of course . . . " I think she thinks that I'm a REAL artist? Man, I've got her fooled! Little does she know - I'm not an artist!! Seriously, when I wrote the bio for my website - It was VERY hard to title it "about the artist" - because I don't feel like an artist. I'm a normal person who just paints - but not an artist! To me, an artist is Picasso, Di Vinci, Monet, Rousseau, Van Gogh, Kijsa!!! But not me! This is just a fun hobby that makes a little money to buy Stride Rite shoes for my kids {as well as art for my walls!}

I really am honored and don't know what to think?! You guys really have to see some of her work up close - in real life. Her work is fabulous and for her to like my stuff enough to invite me to do this with her and her sister - WoW - that really is all I can say!

He is home!!

Normalcy can once again reign the house! Whoo-hooooo! Not only that, I got my pictures from Krista! Sooo, I updated the site with few of them! You will have to go check it out - watch the slide show on the home page. I added 3 new pictures to that {hopefully I can get some more up soon!} And one of them has my really cool and fantastic chairs I painted!! I also changed up a couple of the pictures on some of the text pages. Check out the {expectation} and {gift certificates} - they are both under "Details". I need to beef up the wording for the gift certificate page - but I need to think of something witty {meaning it might be a few days before I do it!}
Sooo, check out the above picture - how cool is that?? I looove that bench and yes that is the way I store my brushes - cute huh? And no, I didn't take this picture - you all know I can't take a picture if my life depended on it! But I just love it! Krista, you did a great job - like usual!!

And to end this post {and maybe now you will believe me when I say my kids are on permanent nut patrol} I will leave you with a few pictures for your entertainment . . . . .

And then there was one!

It's me again Margaret!

Well, I'm back - finally - counting down the hours that Lonnie will be home - which will be in 11 hours! Thank the good Lord! I really don't want to tell you what the kids ate for supper tonight - trust me, you don't want to know! And they didn't get in bed till 10 {literally seconds ago!} But who cares - Lonnie will be home in less than 11 hours!!

It really has been tough these last few days. I think my biggest problem is that I'm relatively a scheduled person and it is very hard to maintain a schedule with only one adult and the brood of kidlets I'm raising! The other MAIN problem is my kids like being on a schedule and everything falls apart when we falter on the norm!

I really haven't been able to paint these past couple of days, but Lonnie says he will let me have time this weekend and take the kids so I can get some stuff done. I've got 3 close to going out - so maybe, just maybe I'll get some pictures of art posted within the next couple of days!

During this trying time {you know, being home alone with the animals,} I've discovered a new love - "Peanut Butter & Fluff sandwiches" or as someone else called them "Fluffernutters" - Do you know what this is?? One of my BFF posted about it on her blog and I had to try this. I don't know why - I actually hate peanut butter - but for some strange reason it really sounded good.
I have eaten a whole stinkin' container of the above "fluff" - It made me weak in the knees!!! "Where have you been all my life?" Seriously! You've got to make you a sandwich with peanut butter and marshmallow creme!!! Delish! I really can't get enough - okay, now we know why my scale is broken!

Other good news - I'm meeting Kijsa on Saturday! Yes, the famous Kijsa {and don't we all love her and her sister's blog!} we all want to meet. I know a couple of girls who are probably REALLY jealous about now! This one and this one!! She is going to be in Nashville and we are {hopefully} going to meet up so that I may pick up a couple of things that she did for me! And I'm extremely excited - so excited that it made my day much better!

More good new, I got Em's birth announcements today! Of course now I have to find the time to address them and get them out. And for all those wondering - I did change the color up just a smidge to match the back!

On a sad note, a really sweet friend of mine had a miscarriage today. I called her and {like usual} made some comment about being pregnant before I even said "hello" and she burst into tears! I think I might be the worst person when it comes to saying something before thinking! I felt like a big o' hill. My heart really aches for her and I hate that she had to experience this. But overall, she really had a positive attitude about the situation once we got to talking and got past the initial part of the conversation. She never ceases to amaze me and I know she is going to make one Fan-tab-U-lous momma one day!

Well, I really need to go clean the house so that my husband really thinks I had it together while he was away - ha! He probably knows better!

Kim, paging Kim . . .

So, I went all weekend without blogging - that is pathetic! I tried desperately to paint. I had to because I don't know how much I can do this week - because my husband is gone - AGAIN - until Friday - 5 whole stinkin' days - me and my 1,2,3,4 kids - by myself!! I'm telling ya' the truth when I say, "it is an absolute miracle from God that all 4 of my kids got fed, bathed, teeth brushed {for those who have teeth} and tucked tight in bed tonight!" and I'm scared as H-E-double hockey sticks that I've got to do it again tomorrow night!

Folks Carson and Lawson made a meal out of 2 applesauce cups {each.} I had to give them 2 because they feed themselves and most of it ends up on them - Not in them! They also split a bowl of ravioli - but Laws is the only one who eats those - so technically Carson only ate applesauce! Uhmm - Hudson had white cheddar cheeze-its! For SUPPER!?! What kinda mother am I!! Desperate - that's what I am!! Desperate and pathetic . . . and you all now know. I beg of you - do not call DHS - I swear to feed them a healthy breakfast in the morning! All I can say is thank goodness that Em drinks her dinner 'cause it would have been likely she would have skipped a meal if it wasn't ready automatically! I can't believe I just admitted to you all what my kids ate for dinner! Please tell me that I'm not the only one out there that has done this! I'm feeling really guilty right now. But what the heck am I going to do about it now - wake them up and make them eat a real meal?? Heck no - it's 10:45 at night. I might be crazy, but I'm not dumb - I'll just live with the guilt.

This really is depressing {and stressing} - my super-hero strength is gone. I no longer can do it all. I think it might have to do with the fact that I'm 30 {=old} - I mean, maybe having 4 kids so little could possible add to the madness. But I really think the "old" is doing it - ohhh and the fact that my scale is broken. I couldn't possible weigh that MUCH! With 4 kids, running around the house chasing 3 of them while carrying the 4th one - - - that stuff should melt off my body! Melt off like butter!

Thanks for listening to my whining - I will come back tomorrow in a better mood - I promise!

For the love of bloomers. . . .

Ladies, I've been waiting a long, long, LONG time for days like these!! Check out what I picked up yesterday!!!
Who is not just lovin' these?! Not only am I going to get her 3 month pictures taken in these {butty naked!} But her 6, 9 & 12 month pictures as well!! As long as her squishy, cute lil' butt will fit in them! This lady did an awesome job and extremely reasonable!! If anyone needs some embroidering done - let me know - I'd refer her in an instant!!

Tagged AGAIN!!!

I actually love these things . . . a way for you all to get to know me without me having to "think up" some way to post about me! This one came from a new friend that lives in FRANCE!!! Can I come visit you . . . please?! You must check out her blog - the pictures are fantastic!! It looks like scenes from a movie!

So here I go . . .

-What was I doing 10 years ago. . . .
must say that I was in college, had been dating the same guy for 2 years {at that point} and thought I was in love with the man I was going to marry! {ha - what a joke!} I had recently moved out on my own and was living in the COOLEST {and cheapest} apartment in the whole of Murfreesboro! {does anyone remember that fantastic little place?} I was babysitting and making a pretty good living watching others' kids. I was 20 years old and the sky was the limit!

-5 things on my to do list . . .
as of today's "to DO" list
1. Dental appointment
2. Drop off 3 paintings to a customer
3. Pick up some hysterically cute panties {bloomers} for Emsley that I had monogrammed
4. Work on 2 paintings
5. Upload Em's birth announcement to Mpix - {NO, I've not done that yet - what's it to ya!}

-5 snacks I enjoy . . .
1. Little Debbie Honeybuns
2. Rootbeer float
3. Fruit {of any kind}
4. fruit roll-ups
5. apple fried pie! Yum-O - uhhhh only 5, this list could keep going!

-Things I would do if I was a millionaire . . .
Buy an oil company - apparently that is where the money is at these days! haha


-Places I've lived
-Shelbyville, Tennessee
-Christiana, Tennessee
- Flat Creek, Tennessee
-Murfreesboro, Tennessee

{okay, so Shelbyville & Flat Creek are "technically" the same place as well as Christiana & Murfreesboro - but I had to fluff it up a little!}

There you go - MORE useless info about me!!

Okay, so I'm about to upload this birth announcement - want to see what I ended up with??


This is the back - I totally lifted this poem from a friend of mine - thanks M!! It was super cute and I had to use it!!! And that is Emsley's light fixture!! How cool is that? Seeing them together - I wonder if I should darken the pink {on the front} to somewhat match the background of the backside?? Jeez - decisions!! I'm going to have to stare at it to make up my mind!!!