Looky what the mail man brought . . .

Oh, yeah - I got it!!
See it?? Not the table, but that - see it?
The Tassel!! AHHHH - L-O-V-E it!!! It is soooo perfect that it's ridiculous!
Check her out - isn't she too cute? Look, I even pulled out another piece of furniture just to hang her on!! I'm not kidding - I had this night stand in the closet!! I wasn't going to pull it out until I had something cute to put on top. Well, there isn't anything on top - but there is something incredibly cute on the knob of the drawer {same thing in my book!} I even found her a bird cage {one of those hilarious and tacky things my mother-in-law gave me!! It actually has a tiny bird that chirps and twitches when you wind up the bottom! It came from my summer home - you know the Biltmore! Okay - just kidding - it's not "my home" for those who didn't know I was joking - haha - but the cage did come from there!} And I seriously carried my lunch in that basket when I was in the 4th - 5th - 6th grade!! Every day!! Isn't that funny - NOT a lunch box - a basket! And you can also see some of my books from back in the day! I'm afraid they are considered "vintage" now! How sad - just another reminder that I'm aging!

I will eventually show this room in it's entirety ONCE that poor baby gets a painting {or 2} on the wall - but not until then!

Now - go get you one {or more!} of those cute tassels - Tell her Kim sent ya'!!

OKAY - as promised for Andrea - just a little "sneaky peeky" -
Now, I'm going to have to explain - the paint is still wet & those beads are just sitting there - just know that this one will have quite a bit of embellishments! Is it killing you? I probably just made it worse! Oh well, maybe tomorrow you will see the whole thing!!

I know, I know . . .

it's been awhile for some art - so here goes - something just a little different - for your viewing pleasure . . .
we have the above bedding . . .
check out the way too fabulous fabric {how cute?} . . .
As you can tell, I was trying to get a little fancy with these ever so crappy camera skills - please tell me you heard the sarcasm dripping off my lips?!
See all my groovy embellishments? That is my specialty, you know?
Don't you love how the paisleys wrap around the canvas?? Now, I know the paisleys don't match perfectly - that was the look I was going for! We wanted simple, people!
I must admit - not only was I taking pictures of the painting but what it just "so happens" to be sitting on . . . recognize it? Maybe you do - maybe you don't . . .
People, it's phase 1 of the table! Hey, cute painting . . . wait a minute - what the freakin' heck?? Do you see that? That!! That right there! See it?
THAT stinkin' crystal is out of place - how the heck did that happen!! Easy fix - Brooke, I swear I'll fix it before you get it!!!
Even with that jacked up crystal, that is one cuteness of a painting!!! And I'm totally diggin' that table - it's not quite finished! Just wait till the big reveal!

A major budget buster . . .

I will preface this post with . . . . I've been a budget momma this month!! I mean in a major way! I haven't charged one thing on my credit card - refusing to buy anything unless it's on sale {no matter how bad I wanted it!} - and just being frugal in general. Okay, except for that tassel I bought from the Nester! But that was needed - I'd say that was more like a life or death situation, because I think I would have died if I didn't get one! Well, like a silly fool, I went to one of the local stores here in the 'boro that is going out of business - for all you locals, it's Yours Truly - They have yet to advertise they are closing shop and only have a sign that reads "summer sale". But they are closing August 31st!! I thought it would be a great place to start this year's Christmas shopping! I mean they are having a sale - and I'm only buying sale items - Right?! So since I have all these kids - I told a friend so that maybe she could go scope it out for me. She did - and then she proceeded to tell me that there was this "perfect" hutch that I really needed. Of course, I'm thinking she is probably right - we've known each other since 5th grade, this girl knows me well.

I called in the reinforcements - my {crazy} mother-in-law - to come watch the kids. Now, I must add the main part of this story would be that Lonnie is gone {what's new} to some military conference - he's been gone for a few days {and came home today!} But if I thought it was the "perfect" hutch I would just call and ask him what he thought about getting it. Now, re-read that last sentence - I would call and ask him what he thought - NOT what I should do!

Anyhoodle, got there - my eye instantly went to the "perfect" hutch - the perfect hutch that had a imperfect price on it! I walked that store for 30 minutes debating if I wanted to pay that price or not, if I could get them to come down on the price or if maybe, there might be something comparable to the "perfect" hutch with a lower price. I looked at every piece of furniture they had. Every piece had a "sold" sticker on it - everyone but the "perfect" hutch.

Was that my omen, my sign, my burning bush?? Really - was it? The fact that every single gorgeous piece except the one that would look absolutely magnificent on my kitchen wall was sold. Well ladies, I thought it was. I thought about the conversation that I was about to have with my husband - I thought about long, hard and good. I knew what I was about to do was very crucial to get him to agree with how much "we" needed this hutch.

The conversation went something like this, "Oh my - Lonnie I have found the perfect piece of furniture for that blank wall in the kitchen. It is like the heaven's opened and God shown his perfect light on this piece. I heard him whisper in my ear that this piece was made for me all those many years ago. I am to take it home, care for it and love it - and someday pass it on to future generations. When you see this piece you are going to know it is for us and only for us. We will never be happy with anything other than this hutch. Now, wouldn't you agree that you have always loved all the furniture that I've ever brought home? Haven't you? I'll give you few minutes to think about if we should go ahead and get it today or maybe wait a few days so that you can see it in person. Now, before you answer - Know that all the furniture and displays in the store have sold - this is literally the ONLY piece that is currently available - so more and likely it's gonna go shortly. I'll call you back once you've had a few minutes to think about it. I pray that you make the right decision . . . . and don't forget I bore you 4 children within a 35 month period. Love you." And I hung up. He had said nothing up to this point but "Hello" when he answered the phone.

I waited approximately 7 and half minutes - which during that time I negotiated the price, wasn't the steal of century, but didn't break the bank either - I called Lonnie back and he busted out laughing.

Guess what momma got . . .

. . . the "perfect" hutch!

The crazy thing - check out that paint color?? Is it Deep Pongee - that is the color on my wall! Really, if you were to see it in person - there is no difference in color! CraZy!?

Okay - now I know I said it was the "perfect" hutch - but let me clarify . . . .

It is perfect because 1.) it fits beautifully on that wall! 2.) Great bones and structurally sound. 3.) Gives me the exact space I needed for all my kids paints, play-doh, crayons, coloring books, scissors, lace-up cards, flash cards, etc . . . {basically everything "fun" we do at the kitchen table!}

It obviously needs some type of jazzy paint color and I will probably change the hardware {a little rustic for my taste.} But hey, other than that it is perfect!! I'm in the process of changing the window treatments in that room - so I'm not going to change the color until those are complete {meaning it might be a while before you see an after picture!}

For Some Humor . . .

You know how you get those forwards in your inbox from people who think that the pictures of children doing "bad things" are cute?? Surely you all have gotten some of those - they are always titled something like, "you thought you had it bad" or "the reason for birth control" or something like that. Well, I got one for you . . .

What can your kid do the 3 and a half minutes you are upstairs putting away a load of towels?

OH and the kicker - Lonnie was downstairs "watching" him?! There was dogfood on the other side of the garage!! I guess next time he will "watch" him better!

I need alot of prayer!

OMG!!!

I'm soooo freakin' excited!! As I told all of you - I signed up for the "sweet & sinister swap" again this year!!
I was really nervous and excited about who my partner was going to be. Last year - my partner didn't have a blog so it was a little difficult to "meet" her & "learn" her style. BUT this year ladies, my partner has a blog!! Whoo hoo!! And, of course, I've been stalking her blog in between brush strokes! Seriously, you would think I'm getting paid to do it! Let me just say, Sadie Lou, my new friend, I will not let you down!! Whatever I do - you are going to LOVE IT!! That's right - L-O-V-E I-T!!! And I do mean luuuuv it!

Now, I'm laughing at myself because I have no idea what the heck I'm going to be creating for this swap!! But I know it will be good! And it will probably have some paint on it! Surely she will like what I make? Would you?? If no one answers that question - uhhhh, I might just be devastated! Okay - maybe I jumped the gun. Oh the pressure!!

I need to think about this . . . .

Look what I just got!!

Emsley's rocker!! When I told the guy that I was in no hurry to get it, he took me literal! I think I gave it to him 5 months ago? I knew he was busy - but man, that's busy!

I soooo wish I had taken a before picture. This was my great-grandmother's rocker and ottoman. When I got it, it had a old powder blue and mauve pattern {yikes!} - I had it reupholstered with a spring green and white small plaid. It had baby blue piping and the blue was also on the inside box pleat of the ottoman. Dude - it rocked. It was a great color choice . . . . for BOYS. So, after it's short life span of green and blue, my maple rocker has transformed into this!
I wish I would have staged this room. The two blankets should have been hidden before this picture was taken. I didn't even realize where they were until I downloaded these pictures to the computer. My sweet baby is napping so I don't dare try to take any pictures now - you will have to live with the suspense of what the room could have looked like if I had only taken the time to move those silly blankets!

Honestly, I was a little scared to use that fabric - the rest of the room is more, well, . . .pink! BUT I'm soooo glad I did, man it really looks great. You guys ought to see it in person!! Do you see the tiny lamps on the chest - yeah, those little crystal ones - I really need to paint their shades that salmon color from the chair. I think it will really bring it together!

Hmmmmm, now I'm thinking I'm missing only one thing . . . . what could it be - Ohhhh I know, I think I need a tassel from that nester lady!

I must remember to hide the camera . . .

. . . when I go to sleep - where ever it may be!! I'm going to preface this picture with this - After I posted on this blog last night, my husband just "had to use the computer" - which somewhat irritates me because he has a laptop - USE IT! Soooo, here I was patiently waiting to use my computer! I painted {actually I almost finished one!} as well as some other stuff around the room - and then, it hit me - like a ton of bricks - I was sooo sleepy! So sleepy that I got the sheet off our bed, wrapped up in it and laid in the floor while Lonnie finished up his work. I remember specific details of our conversation as I laid there - but what happened next - the world may never find out!! I was just out!

Well, I go to clean all the pictures off the camera today - and look what I found!!
That would be me - asleep! See me, in the bottom of the picture? On the floor - asleep! And check out that room - I should have been picking it up while I waited! I don't even remember getting in the bed - but Lonnie said I did get up and get in it - by myself! It must have been a long day!

By the way - you guys must go to Kiki & Lele's blog - they are hosting a give-a-way!! And I know how you all love some free stuff!! You can click on their logo below and it will take you directly to the give-a-way!

They have some super cute stuff. I think you will all like what you see! And don't you love that logo?? How stinkin' cute is that!

And just because I forgot to post this picture last week - Ta Dah!!! Of course it's already hanging up in her new home and I do apologize for those who were waiting for the end result {I actually had a few people email me and ask about it! WOW!} Cool part - you can flip it upside down and it's an "M" - what about that?? Cool, huh? okay, so I can be a little dorky! But I try to make "dorky" cool you see!

It's a fact!!

I'm a total slacker!! I actually love to blog - couldn't tell it lately with the "no-post-at-all" these past few days!! Okay, shoot me, but I'm back and soooo ready to blog . . . . about mostly nothing!! If you visited lately, I'm sure you saw something absolutely funky with my blog!? Don't know exactly what that was or even how it got fixed - but thank my good graces it did - it was looking a little tacky! I hope I didn't run any newbies off! But again, it's all better so who cares! Right?

I was actually looking at some blogs and found this today!
One cute baby with one of my paintings!! Dawson, you are nothing but a chick magnet!! And thanks so much for posing with that painting - you make it look sooo good! That Krista - I'm sooo glad she is taking these photos - they make my home page look so dang great!! Hear that Lauren - I want to lift this pic for my site!! I'm begging - please!

I've got to update the family blog {it has been an eternity!} But I promise to be back tomario!

A typical Friday night!

Typical being - we ate pizza, did our usual wagon ride through the neighborhood {I pushed the stroller}, bathed all the kids for their weekly baths {just kidding - I swear that's a nightly routine!} and put those tired babies to bed by 9 o'clock! The only change - we entertained Noah!! I love that kid! You will have to visit his blog! He just says the funniest things and he's always smiling!

But now that everyone is in the bed - I've got to get to working around here! I've had a lag all week and I've just not got going. I've finished up the painting from the last post {sorry no pictures! I'll get that one on here tomorrow} and I'm wrapping up another one. I normally try to take the weekends off. But since it looks like I took most of the week off, well, I guess you all know what I'll be doing this weekend?! I will have to work it around 2 birthday parties, but I just got to do it!

Speaking of birthday parties - I think I'm going to have a "pirate party" for Carson and Lawson's 2nd birthday this year! Especially since we have a big boat in our backyard! I want to include a treasure hunt! How fun will that be?? Just something different for October. I don't want to "Halloween" my kids out - if you know what I mean? But as of tomorrow {the 19th} I have 3 months to plan!

Okay, so speaking of Halloween - did you see what is happening again this year?? Why if it isn't the sweet and sinister swap with Artsy Mama! Oh, I did this last year and had a fun time. She has changed up the details a little but I'm sooo back in! You guys should do it. It is a little challenging for me - black and white with a splash of orange?? I love color - so to stick with black and white{?} - so hard, but I love a challenge!

I must answer some emails, check more blogs{!}, wrap some birthday gifts and get to painting! I'll post some pictures tomorrow of the painting so Ashley won't go nuts! tee hee!!

Until then . . .

I'm soooo cruel . . .

Here is your sneak peek, Ashley! Notice the "bumpy" line?? It's because I'm not finished - and THAT is why I can't show you more. Maybe tomorrow!

But I did receive more pictures today -
- remember this post? Well, here is the painting next to the bedding. I love that shade of green - a good "spring green" - thanks a bunch for the picture Tracy!!

This "M" was bought as an anniversary gift - and the client {who gave it to her parents} was sweet enough to take the picture with her camera phone! I really appreciate it! Thanks, Cassie.

I really love when I get pictures showing the "love" of my paintings! Is that subtle enough?? OR maybe something like this - Notice how well that painting above matches that bedding? I love seeing it all together! Or how about - Hey people, I sell {on average} 5 of these jokers a week - send me some pictures to post on this blog so that I can show everybody what I can do! Thank You!!!

purse? What purse??

I went to Kroger last night - actually it was more like this morning. The wee hours of the morning. See, that is what people like me do {people being the kind that have a butt-load of kids!} We go in the middle of the night! No crowds, no lines, can focus on my list, focus on the millions of coupons and all the "better" deals - if you know what I mean - okay, and the fact that it is the ONLY time I'm by myself! Seriously people, I entertain an audience when I'm in the bathroom! As much as I hate the grocery store - I SOOO love the alone time - well worth it! I just wish I could get out of it cheaper!

Okay - on with the point! I was shopping, trying to maneuver the buggy - I can barely see over the top of the gi-tisimo pile of groceries {and that is with them strategically placed AND organized} - when all of a sudden, I realized I was carrying the diaper bag as my purse!! Folks - that is bad, really bad, soooo bad that I'm embarrassed that I'm telling you all about it! A freakin' diaper bag!! With diapers in it - all 3 sizes that we use!! Are you getting this - I'm shopping at midnight - with NO kidlets and using a stinkin' diaper bag to carry nothing but my wallet, keys and cell phone?! What is wrong with this picture?? I don't think I've carried a purse in 3 years - pathetic!
OH, for more humor - Laws "mommed my ride" yesterday!! If you have no idea what I'm talking about - visit here!!! This kid is addicted to some chalk - I'm finding this mess everywhere! Thank my good graces this stuff washes off easily.

Another one completed . . . .

{ . . . and sooo many more to go!}

The bumper is the only piece of the bedding that is going to be used {or at least that was the only piece that was on the registry} - The room has a theme of sailboats. I'm dying to see it - I really like that theme - alot!

It's really great to see a picture of the art beside pictures of the bedding. Until now, I've not seen them together - the color match looks good - {it was bought as a gift - so, like normal - I pray it matches!}

Heather, you will have to let me know!! It will bug me until you do!

202 post already???

Can you believe I've actually posted 202 times? And probably not a one worth reading?! I normally try to keep them short {especially lately} but tonight {since it's a Saturday night and I have nothing better to do} I thought I might make it a little lengthy.

Let me start by showing the painting that I F-I-N-A-L-L-Y finished!!
Do you guys remember this post - the one where I got a little help from Hudson?? Well, here is the final canvas - 3 canvases later! Like I said, he did me a favor because I like this color combination "mow better" - that is how a little Guatemalan man that worked on our old house said "more better" - even though that is not even a proper phrase?! Who cares - we say "mow better" all the time because of him. Rambo was his name - haha - and he was so scrawny!!! I wish I took a picture of him - you guys would crack up.

Focus, Kim, focus!!!

But, anyways - this does look better and I do think it took me forever to finish this one 8x10!! Forevah I tell ya'! I really think I need a new camera - or maybe it's just me {the one taking the pictures!}

I had a comment about this painting in this post - actually I had several comments about the painting - If anyone is interested in a painting similar to that one, just email me! I say similar - because I can't replicate my own work! I just can't - literally, if I wanted to - I couldn't do it! Does that make sense?

I don't know what in the world reminded me of this tale I'm about to share with you - but I got to thinking about it and got to laughing and it's late and I can't call anybody and share - sooooo, I thought I would share with all of you!

It was this time 4 years ago, I went with one of my best friends in the world {Rachel} to New Orleans. Her brother, Trever, who she is extremely close to was getting married. And his fiance wanted to have her bachelorette party as a weekend long trip to New Orleans. There was only Shannon {the fiance,} her cousin, her best-friend, Rachel and myself that went. Let me back up and tell you that I just found out I was pregnant with Hudson! So, you got ME, pregnancy, bachelorette party & New Orleans - not a great mix, but I had to go for Rachel!! I also must tell you that it wasn't my first trip to the stinky city sooo I knew what I was getting into!! Now, I'm not going to get in all the details - but I did want to share a little as to what happened.

At every place we went, I being pregnant, ordered Sprite. That was the nastiest, flattest carbonation I had ever had before! Every server, waiter, bartender . . . , would ask, "just Sprite?" Of course I'm thinking, "didn't stutter - just a sprite you idiot - not everybody wants to drink alcohol!" But I was polite and would say, "yes, please - Just a sprite!" Of course I would then make Rachel take the first drink to make sure there was no alcohol in it! I wasn't taking any chances. Obviously, Sprite wasn't ordered very often - so that was some nasty JuJu as it sat and sat and sat and waited for a sober, pregnant chick to order it!

At one club, some guy tried to get his freak on with me - I tried throwing out the, "uhhmmm, I'm pregnant" line - didn't work - he was even more determined as ever and tried to RUB MY STOMACH!! As he commented, "as long as it ain't mine!" What a wanker!

Some how we actually got on one of the balconies along Bourbon Street. Don't ask how - just know we did. I think it was a bachelor party - don't worry, none of the people I was with did anything we would regret! But there were tons, and I do mean tons of people on the street below wanting beads. And the guys {who were having the bachelor party} gave us a bunch to throw down. So, here we have a bunch of drunk, grown men screaming down to these folks, "show me whatcha got!" "Ladies, I've got beads, You got to earn them!" and blah, blah, blah!! Can I tell you that these silly girls actually lifted up their shirts!! Yeah, I couldn't believe it! It was crazy!! Crazy being these girls weren't wearing a bra! Now, come on - who doesn't wear a bra?? In public!? Well, don't think I kept my mouth shut - I started yelling down at these silly girls,

"Oh my, girl - I will be praying for you!!"

"Put those things up - those can't earn you a bead, much less a string of them!"

"I hope those weren't expensive - You need to get a refund!"

"Go to church and ask for forgiveness!"

I could go on & on with my list of comments. Just know that I was really blown away when some guy pull his "thing" out!! I screamed, "Ewww - If I give you some beads will you promise to put it UP!!" as I was throwing-up in my mouth! Trashy - McNasties! Needless to say, every drunk fool on that balcony was laughing! If I remember right, I think they asked Rachel what I was drinking?! She told them, "flat sprite." haha!!

Okay - can I tell you that I have SO MUCH respect for those who can stand up in such a place as the streets of New Orleans with a big white sign that says "Jesus Loves You" and hand out fliers about salvation to the millions of {drunk} fools that walked past them! Rachel and I were so amazed by these people. One day they will be greeted at the gate with open arms - I'm sure of it!

It is a very interesting town - and was a very interesting trip. There are so many great stories from that weekend. But I'll leave it at that! Rachel, if you were awake - I would sooo call you right now {and remind you of all the Hot Dog stands!}

I love it when a plan comes together!

Such as this one . . .
And I really love it when I get pictures to prove how the painting is sooo LOVED! I tried desperately to match one of the squares in the bumper {it's the blue one} - you can probably get a better look at it here when I posted about it originally. I'm not kidding when I tell you that I had about 29 pictures of this bedding that I was looking at when I did this one. Every kind of picture imaginable - from the million that were online to the pictures the new parents took! I could see that there was a slight shimmer in some of the colors - and I was trying to mimic it - I'm happy with the way this one turned out! I was cracking up when in the her email she said, "It just didn't seem right for it to be anywhere but over the crib. I told my husband it was like an unstated rule for it to be over the bed . . ." Her husband apparently has never been told the rules of nursery design!! haha
Thanks Megan for the pictures - oh and a big fat thanks for letting me post them on the blog!!

By the way - thanks for the sweet comments on my last post!! And as far as those eyebrows - I need to thank Ms. Rena {my hair-doer} for those! She's been waxing those jokers for years!! Now, I don't have a uni-brow - but I'm not joking when I say those fools grow down to my eyelids!!! Who said furry/fluffy/full {whatever you want to call them} brows have ever been in style??

Only if you are a bear, maybe?!

What's shakin' bacon . . .

That's me - shakin' that bad attitude from yesterday! Nothing alittle chlorine therapy won't cure! That's right my friends - I took my 4 kids to the pool! Don't be alarmed - I called in the cavalry! Rachel {with her 3 small babes}, Stefanie {who needs to update her blog & just happens to be Rachel's sister} and the "Mommy" {with her 2 kidlets AND who designed this incredibly cute blog!} Thank the good Lord they were here - there is absolutely NO WAY I could do it on my own!! That is why I provide lunch you see!!! So thanks a bunch for all the help guys! Obviously - I NEED IT!

Okay, so on to my VAIN ways - I got some new head shots - I don't know if I like them. First off, I've got to shake some of this "bigginess" that I have going on with my body {like that{?} - it's the nice way of saying I'm fat!} Now, I'm not stupid - you guys, I know, you are looking at this picture saying, "FAT?? What?" But the fact is I'm about 10 pounds heavier than where I was when I started reproducing! And people, when you are only 5 foot tall - 10 pounds is a lot!! It amazes me that 10 pounds also equals 2 sizes!? I want my clothes back! And truth be known, I would like to lose an additional 10 pounds - so that is 20 honkin' pounds this body needs to shake! But it will happen - eventually! So, until then - this will be the new head shot you will see on the site - oh yeah, and when I leave comments!

{insert name of post here}

I don't even know why I'm posting - really I don't. I don't even have a name for this post AND it's just been a rough day - my 3 boys had haircuts - I hate, no despise haircut days. Probably not as much as my hair-doer does. She probably would rather have a root canal than to cut my boys' hair. Okay - maybe that is stretching it. Carson is totally still - so maybe she would rather have a root canal than to cut Hudson and Lawson's hair - and I wouldn't blame her! If you guys could see me in that chair - forcibly holding my kids down - you would say, "Kim, people like you shouldn't have kids!" And the bad part, I don't feel bad for being soooo mean! They act stupid in that chair - screaming, crying, thrashing, throwing their heads around! I mean just plain stupid! Length on some lil' boys is cute - BUT not mine! MY little boys need short hair! When they are grown - say around 32 -they can make the decisions on how to wear their hair - until then, it's mine to make!! No matter how stupid they act when they get it cut! Oh what to do!? Of course Miss Em laughed the entire time - she knows it's going to be a while before she has to set in that chair - Ms. Rena' is counting her blessings for that one - she doesn't know how many Wheelers she can stand!

But on to a better note, I need to thank all you guys for all the orders that have been rolling in! Words can't express how I feel. I absolutely love when I check my email and I have a "new client inquiry" - LOVE it I tell ya'!!! Of course with all the orders, I've yet to paint Miss Em one - I really don't think she minds waiting!

Welp, paint has dried on the two that I'm currently working on - so I must get back to it. Maybe, just maybe, something of more interest will happen later so you can read a better post tomorrow.

Always will be my favorite color combination . . .

Funny thing - I was working on these 2 at the same time as I was working on this one - but for some strange reason, he {being my kid, Hudson} only painted on the one!! I guess these 2 looked so much like his that he didn't want to change them!


I went with the above color choice the very first time I did this design - and I loved it! Actually, the painting above was the very first one I did and it matched perfectly with all the crazy colors in his room. Of course now, he shares his room with Carson and Lawson - who I've yet to do a "new" painting for. I've battled with what other color options I should use - or if I should use the same colors but mix them up - blah, blah - I'm sure you get the picture. BUT guess what folks - if ain't broke, don't fix it! I'm using the exact same colors in the exact same spots!!! Yeah, I know boring - but who cares - man, it just looks so dang good the way it is! OR atleast I think sooo - and I dare someone to tell me different!

Whatcha think of that cool border on the first picture?? Pretty cool, huh? Yeah, well don't get toooo impressed - Brandi made if for me and had to send some directions with it so I would know how to put the pictures in it! tee hee! But it don't matter now - it looks good and I did do it {even if I had to have cheating instructions.}

It's art!

I will be starting on a new canvas tonight - for the 3rd time! Yes, it is the same canvas that I've attempted to complete 2 times already and will make a 3rd attempt in just a few moments. I know you probably have absolutely NO IDEA what I'm trying to explain - so let me show you in pictures with fabulous captions . . . . ready? here we go . . .

First attempt {apparently I had just started - it was nowhere near completion!}
I really do blame myself - what other idiot would leave an array of wet paint within reach of a budding artist?

"Hudson, did you do this?"
His reply, "It's art!"
Yeah sure, so what am I suppose to say to that one!?

Second attempt {got a little further this time} Again, my fault. If you are going to leave the wet paint out - TRY LOCKING the door! You really can't see it - but he tried mimicking the green dots with blue dots on the sides - see it?? He did that with his finger! Smart kid, I must give him some credit!

This time the conversation went like this,
"Hudson Wyatt, did you do this!!!!???" I really screamed this time.
"Uhmmmm, uhmmmm," he says.
"Hudson, this shouldn't be something you have to think about - I don't care what your answer is, you're in trouble!" And yes, I'm still screaming.
"Be nice!" He screams back.

Again, I ask - what do you say to that!

Yes, he tried licking the paint! Kid is on a permanent fast, but will eat paint - don't ask! And do you notice the paint on his shirt - that was from ANOTHER time!! Ask me, just ask me - Have I learned my lesson?? Apparently he hasn't, but have I - obviously NOT! I still leave wet paint out in an unlocked room - it's a free for all!!!

He is showing me his finger - how he did the dots on the side.

Here lately, I remind myself how I felt when my mother yelled at me. And I will tell you that it really beat me down and I hated the way she made me feel. I honestly think it is one of the worst things I do. I'm sooo trying to beat the cycle and not continue the same trends. Now, don't get me wrong, I did threaten to cut off his fingers if I found another canvas with paint on it - he laughed - even my kids don't take me serious.

I didn't like the way that one was turning out anyways - he did me a favor.

Something a little different . . .

Okay, if you know me, you know that I don't like to do any words other than a name or initials. I don't know exactly why but, I feel like you can use the wall clings {or whatever you want to call them} for that stuff. So, I really try to stay away from lettering other than personalization. Well, I had a request for a canvas that read "relax" - for her bathroom - above the tub . . .
Natalie - you better like it!! I stepped out of my comfort zone for this one!! If you don't - lie and tell me you do!! You live in Florida, stuff it in a closet and pull it out when I come to visit!!

You can tell that I have 4 kids. . .

. . . because pictures like this are the best ones!!Emsley - 3 months


Are you laughing hysterically?

NEW DESIGN . . . .

Let me start off by saying I had inspiration . . . .
NOW, if you guys don't leave any comments about this joker - I don't know what is wrong with you!! That has got to be THE-COOLEST-FREAKIN'-CHAIR-ON-THE-PLANET!! Don't think I didn't ask where in the WORLD she found it - Bombay - yeah, that's right - a store that went out of stinkin' business!! Check that thing out - I love that chair so much that I'd marry it!

Okay, back on track here - this rockin' chair belongs to a friend of mine who recently had a baby, Stephen. This baby has a big sister, Jane. Stephen and Jane are going to have to share a room for a short while. Sooo, as a baby gift - I of course - decided to paint up a little number. Now, Joanne {the mom} knew to expect a painting because I asked her to bring over a piece of the bedding the next time she was in town {you all know it has to match!} Well, during this trip, she not only brought me bedding to match, but about a million dollars worth of clothes for Miss Em. I love me some hand-me-downs!! Not only is Stephen getting a canvas but, as a surprise - I made Jane a painting for helping us dress Miss Fancy Pants {that would be Emsley!!}

{My poor little corduroy chair is trying to hide behind the canvases - ashamed of how she looks in comparison to the "other" chair!}

Now, the best part of doing a boy & girl - matching canvases is that I can easily make it into a collection! I love them - Joanne I hope you do to!!

Cuteness to the tenth power!

And I'm talking about the kid {not my painting!!} This would be another fan-tab-U-lous picture that Krista took! I'm just glad her momma thought to bring her painting and throw it in some of the pictures!! You will be seeing this one in the slide show of my home page on the site!

Let me set you guys up with the story about this precious baby in the picture. Her mother is Rachel and we went to preschool together {. . . I'm sure this girl knows some secrets about me!} Well, when she had her first baby, Jake, my husband and I went to visit her & the new little family immediately. Let's just say that I was ready to have kids as soon as I saw THAT baby! Good thing 'cause ten months later - Hudson was born! Ten months after that, HER 2nd was born, Will. Oh and 5 months after that - Carson and Lawson were born. Then we all took a short break and 14 months later the above baby, Alaina Claire was born and then just a few, 3 short months after AC's birth, Emsley was born! Could you all keep up? Yeah folks in less than 4 years - between the 2 of us - we had 7 kids!! Seven kids!? The bet is on when she is going to have baby number 4 - 'cause your next friend!! tee hee - I doubt she's laughing!

Hey, for that matter, I'm not laughing either . . . . take a break Rach - everytime we plan a trip to Disney World, one of us gets pregnant! And it better not be me . . .