Another one that just got wrapped up . . . .

So, I'm sure you all know what I'm going to say . . . MY fav-O-rite design!! I can't help it - I love it! The dots on the side look "electric" blue in this picture - but I promise they are "true" blue, with my signature red rhinestones to compliment the fire engine red name!


I had a question as to how to order the "boo" - just go to the site and click on order form. Fill out all the info and where it says "desired name or initial", just type in boo. And then where it says "your chosen design & size", type in Halloween 2008. I'm trying to avoid truly advertising the "boo" canvases here on the blog {I'll just talk about selling them}, BUT {I don't really remember all the details} something about this digi-kit used on the blog, not for commercial use and not suppose to sell stuff on the blog with the use of this digi-kit . . . . so, technically you will purchase my art from the site! That way we "beat the system"!!! {I think?} Anyways, if you have any questions or issues {or just want to talk}, you can email me or comment on the blog. I'll answer you as soon as I can!

Once the dust settled . . .

I realized that I needed more 5x5's!! Michaels has no more . . . . Hobby Lobby has no more . . . . and Kim has no more! I have an order in, so hopefully I will get them in within this next week! I have most all "boo" sets completed except for 4 sets! My plan is to ship out a bunch on Tuesday! I never would have thought that you guys would want anything like that!? Obviously, I know I have to come up with something good for the next holiday!

Well, we got about 65 more bags of mulch {rubber mulch} spread around our Ark {or should I start calling it the "pirate ship, arrrgh!!"} That is a total of 150 bags so far! And it's not quite were it "needs" to be. {No wonder we have no money - That mess is expensive!}


This is the view from our bedroom window. Next weekend, we plan to tackle the ship. It needs to be cleaned {thoroughly} and we have to "pirate" it up. Ya' know with a Jolly Roger and a name painted on it {which we still have not come up with!} - Suggestions?

You know, what really bites is this full sun back yard!


This was our backyard at our old place - LOVED IT! The only thing missing was a fence! Wonderful patio, car-port, porch swing {can't really see in this photo} & SHADY AREA! Oh, how I miss it! My ferns, hostas, . . . . ahhhh and this really isn't the best picture, but it was the only one I could find. Lonnie has tried to convince me that this new place is a clean slate and it will look better than the old house - Too bad, we haven't really done anything to it - And tomorrow will be our 1 year anniversary here at the new place! Time, money and patience - which I seem to never have enough of!


Well, speaking of "pirates" - I got the invites completed last night. I inked till my fingers had the nastiest residue on them! And for those who don't know - I have a MAJOR sensory issue! To make this long story short - I had a little anxiety starting with the 10th one - but then I busted out with the rubber gloves! Much better! Hudson thinks the rubber gloves are funny. I use them when we play with play-doh, sidewalk chalk and {get this} finger paints {just to name a few!} Yes people, I freak out when paint touches my fingers!!!!! That is why I wash my hands, apply lotion and cuticle cream about 97 times a day! Again, a sensory disorder that I've never been able to shake! I'm 29 +1, it's not going to change!

And since we are talking of Hudson {and not my weird antics} - check him out!


That would be him painting with his new favorite color! {That is what he said!} When he takes a nap - and goes to sleep without me threatening his life - he is rewarded with painting. He said that he was painting the words, "I love you, too, Mommy and Daddy" - Isn't that sweet?? But then he told me that I needed to paint circles and an "h" on it when he gets finished!? I'll oblige.


This stinker went to the doctor on Thursday for her 6 month check-up - because she was officially 6 months old on Thursday! Can you believe that? My baby is already 6 months?! Depressing how time flies! Anyhoodle, I'm not going to give all her stats - I need to save those for the fam blog that I've all but abandoned! This girl only weighed 12 lbs 8 oz!!! She is in "about" the 3rd percentile! Technically she isn't on the chart - I think we just decided that the 3rd sounded better! I did look up my stats for a quick comparison - apparently I didn't go to the doctor at 6 months {figures} - But my 4 month weight was 10 lbs 2 oz {so was hers} and my 9 month was 13 lbs 5 oz. So, I'm guessing I was around the same. Like normal, the doctor wasn't concerned and told me to keep doing what I'm doing.


And yes, she is sitting up unassisted AND crawling, too! Hudson said, "Look, it's an inchworm!" HAHA!!!! And he was dead serious and did not see why I found his perception to be so funny!

Okay, tons of pictures and alot of randomness - I hope you all enjoyed! ha

TGIF . . .

{Does anybody remember that back in the day! All I remember was Family Matters and Full House came on - I don't even remember what channel!?} Back to my post . . .

So, it has been one L-O-N-G week! Everybody has been suffering from a head cold - {including myself} - and much of nothing has gotten done around here. Currently, here is my table - this does not include my drying rack or the other table - which both are covered{!} . . .

description = "hot mess"

I've got to get some order going on around here - it is just too chaotic! My husband {thank the Lord!} is off this weekend and he has absolutely NO idea, but he has a major list of chores he MUST get finished this weekend! We are really trying to get ready for 2 - 2 year olds birthday party - Pirate style!!!

So, for fun - check out the invitations {and for all the lurking creeps - my address is removed!! Last thing I need is some Chester at my kids party!}
Kinda cheezy - huh? Who cares, love it for the kids!!! Here are the words . . .
You should be able to click on them and blow it up so you can see it to read it! Don't get to impressed - totally lifted these from somewhere on the web - I don't specifically remember where, because a bunch of folks had used them. So, every link I clicked on . . . there they were! It was the "burning bush" saying I needed to use them! I did change a few words {since I didn't find anything for a twins party!} So far, we have went somewhat big for all the kids first birthday - but poor Hudson has gotten the shaft the past couple of years! BUT he doesn't like big crowds {until now}, so I don't feel like he "really" lost out on anything!

We decided this year to go big - really obnoxious and big! Lonnie and I agreed that the birthday is for the kids so let's play it up. Unlike Christmas, where we keep it skinny! Just so you know, we give each kids only 3 gifts {hence 3 wise men gave Jesus only 1 gift each = 3 gifts} - Keeps the meaning of the season! Now, ol' Santa does bring one bigger gift {and stockings} because we couldn't leave that out either! We were determined to not have to out do last year or go broke trying to. Easy enough and a great lesson to boot! {that wasn't an original idea either!}

But again - Birthdays are a different story! That is their day so let the party begin!! So, while I'm busy with everything else, know I'll be planning a gargantuous party for Carson and Laws {which is in 22 days!} We got a lot to do - from burying booty in sand to naming our pirate ship!

Here she is . . . .

Queen Flo {that is short for Flossy!}


I was so excited to take her picture that my sealer wasn't quite dry! Didn't realize it till now . . . OOPS! This ol' girl is wrapped up now - to late for new head shots! So, really - how funny did she turn out? Definitely good for a laugh! If she was for me - I would have added much more "stuff" to her fluff - but I didn't want to go overboard when she isn't going to live here {with me!}

I'm not going to lie, I have several other paintings complete - but I'm stretching them out for more blog posts!! Isn't that shady? Who cares cause I just read some great news . . .

"Big Love" will be back the first of 2009!!!! And you will only understand that comment if you were at bible study Monday night! heh-heh!

Kaemi . . .

Isn't that a cool name?? Welp, here is the bedding . . . . at first I was struggling with the red?! Drove a ba-gillion miles to look at it {at the Babies-R-Us store} - uhhh, yeah - they didn't have it! Lesson learned - will call first to see if the bedding is in the store!

After a few emails, we found out it was an apple red - not fire engine - not cranberry - but apple red. Now I can work with that description! Really, I can!!


Nice side view! You can't tell so much, but on the face of the canvas there is fine, yellow glitter on the yellow circles! But again, only on the face of it - not the side!

After the red, I started beating myself up over the white/beige! The fabric behind the dragonfly has got to be white {you can really see it in the curtain valance} But then the piping around the blanket looks ecru! I just stuck with the white - can't go wrong there!

Ta-Dahhh! Another one down - Wheewww!

For all those wondering about Mom's Day Out yesterday . . . . they said Carson and Laws chilled out shortly after 9:30ish {that would be about 5 minutes after I left the building! Hey, the kids didn't know I was there - so that is not why they were crying!?} At that time, they went to their music class {all of my kids are OBSESSED with music!} So, that must have been what done it {you know, calmed them down!} Hudson actually answered a few questions when asked - Amazing!! For those who don't know, Hudson just started talking this summer. Before that he just screamed {seriously!} all the time! That was his form of communication. I think he would get to frustrated when he was trying to tell us something or ask for something. The only words he knew where - letters, numbers, shapes, colors and very few basic words such as mom, dad, book, ball, milk . . . . oh and "meta-cognition" {don't ask, just know that one of my kids would really say that and actually know what it means!} Just a strange situation - BUT he is doing much better!!! Thank goodness!

So, I just saw that Clay Aiken just came out and said he was gay. Really, was that ever a question?? Or did we just know it before he did? And who really cares?! Sorry, just some of these "headlines" that I see are freakin' silly! And then even sillier is when I actually click on the link to read about it!!!! Man, I need to get a life!

Friday??

Has it really been since last Friday since I posted??? CraZy! Well, I'm officially 5 canvases behind schedule! So, since I have several that need to be out of here ASAP, I'm going to have to shuffle a few around!! Those who are expecting yours at a specific date - I promise you will get them. I pinky-swear! These kids of mine are not cooperating here lately and to beat that, 3 of them had a cold this weekend! Ugghh. . . . I took the worst one to the doctor yesterday to get the "go" for school today. I mean, I didn't want them to miss a day if they were not contagious?! They are all acting fine - they just have a cough. Let's all pray {and hope} they don't call me and ask me to pick them up!

The flamingo officially has a crown! Actually it's a short stumpy crown {somewhat like a tiara} - of course I'm looking at it now, thinking I should have done a tiny, tall - skinny crown {does that make any since??} She also is sporting just a smidge of glitter on those chicken legs. And I'm still debating about the pearls!? The comments on the name were HYS-terical!!! When I post her finished - I'll post the name! hehe

I've literally been painting constantly. So much, that I've not went to anybody's blog in about a week! I did start visiting some this morning, but then Em woke up and that ended all computer time!

{this next paragraph is for those who think I have it all together!}

And why was I visiting blogs when I have soooo much to do? Someone answer that please! Let me just break it down like this . . . . Hudson had a leaf in his backpack. I was suppose to attach a family picture {or pictures} to this joker. The kids in his class are making a "family tree" and they needed everybody's leaves to complete the tree. This should be easy, right?? Who are we fooling?? That thing was due LAST Thursday, people! And here it is Tuesday morning! At 8:15 I'm printing out pictures of everybody {individually} because we have never had a family picture taken - ever! Again, printing them out on regular ol' paper because I never develop pictures either! I load all the babes in the grocery-getter {by 8:30} with backpacks, lunch boxes, scissors and a glue stick {just to mention a few things!!!} And can I tell you that I was cutting out our heads while driving down the road!! Not only did I cut us out - I glued us on that leaf! And wrote all of our names on the back! Can I get pulled over for that? Probably - I think that is worse than texting {which you will all be happy to know I don't do!} Now, Hudson thought this leaf was too funny and really wanted to carry it into school when he saw it! Praise God! He, thankfully, transitioned great into his classroom this morning {with leaf in tow} - Carson & Lawson, not so much! They cried the entire time I stood outside their classroom! My guess is they are probably still crying {or at least Lawson!}

This is really starting to bug me! I know those teachers probably hate to see us coming and frankly, I've started dreading this as well. But I know that I'm not doing any of my kids any favors by NOT taking them, so somehow I will just struggle through this. I know it could be alot worse, so I need to quite whining!Ugghh! Prayer list please!! We need to be on top of that joker! You don't have to even use our last names, God knows us! Just say, "Hudson, Carson and Lawson" and he will be "Oh the Wheelers again!" Yeah, that's pitiful - I know!

Well, I have a couple of things to do before I pick the natives up - I'm glad I found the time to blog - maybe tonight I will find the time to visit all of you!

It is pretty bad . . .

when you got friends emailing ya' to ask if everything is okay because I "haven't posted much this week." HAHA!!! Yes, I'm fine - everything is perfect except for the fact that my kids have not napped much this week. That kind of cuts into blog time {and paint time for that matter!} And speaking of paint time {I'm not going to mention how many orders are up on the board -but know I'm smiling with delight!} I've gotten several orders for the "boo"!! How cool is that? Soooo, a friend suggested to me that I should do a painting for each holiday AND once that holiday is over - that painting is retired! Like I'm famous or something and you guys really care if you have a "retired" piece of me! Hey, sounds like a plan to me! So, be looking for my next seasonal painting! Fun, fun!!

Okay, so I'm working on a big one right now {3 canvases actually} and I keep having to break from it {so, I don't get burnt out from the design!} Well, during the breaks I've been working on this HYSTERICAL painting. Oh, you guys are going to love this one . . . someone is having a little get together at her house at the end of the month and she "desperately" needed something for her half bath {because everyone will surely be using it!} The house has a beachy theme - but with some chocolate brown thrown in {hence the chocolate background you are about to see} - We both have wracked our brain trying hard to come up with something for this room - a shell, a palm tree, a crab, etc . . .- but it had to be something "funny" {I can't wait for her husband to see this one - hehehe!!} Then it hit us . . . A FLAMINGO!! With a crown!! And funny orange striped legs! And maybe a pearl necklace!!! I'm not quite finished with this funny lady, but I thought you guys might want to see her so far.

Introducing {insert a great name here} . . . .


Are you not just cracking up at those legs?? I must admit she looks so much better in person! So, here is where I need some help - big crown or tiny crown?? Pearls or no?? Thin stripes of orange glitter on those skinny legs?? Eyelashes?? And this sister needs a name!

Help?!

I love these pictures!

I asked this momma her permission for this picture - I swear!!!! Love this baby - love that dress - love that matching brown bow!! How cute can she be???

And I must confess - I love that art, too!

Haunted House = B-U-S-T!!!!

Boo hoo!! Here is the deal - it was really taking a lot of effort! Not that I mind giving the effort, because I don't - it's just that I should do one for "me" before I try to bust out with some "awesome something" for somebody else!! It was actually going to be for my sweet and sinister partner - not Rachel. The reason I said "this is for you Rachel" is because she wanted me to show some pictures.

Well, since it didn't quite work out for me with the haunted house - which I will pursue later "for me" - I had to whip out something else! Now, I was already behind as it was - so the pressure was definitely present. Let me just say that this is something that I told you guys I was interested in doing - this situation just lent me the reason to just do it! Now, mind you - this had to be something Black - white - And orange. It was very hard for me to stay within this color range - but I did. And I love how this turned out! Okay, are you ready?? Seriously - this is going to be cute!

Here it comes . . . .






ahhhhh - So, what are you thinking?? Lovin' it{?} - hatin' it{?} - tell me!!! The suspense is killing me!

Yes, these are 5 x 5's. I am going to offer this size on the site. Bad thing is I can't really find the size as cheap as I wanted to - so, I'm going to sell this size for 20 smacks for each individual letter. Now, I will give a discount when you buy more than one - I've just got to work out those details.
I know that Halloween isn't everybody's holiday - but you guys have to tell me what you think?? I'm probably going to bust on myself and tell my partner to check out this post. I just can't wait - I have to tell her - that is why I'm NO GOOD at Christmas!! Or birthdays for that matter!! If it is from me - you are going to either get it early OR I'm just going to come out and tell ya'!! Sorry, just not a secret keeper when it comes to gifts!
I really like painting this size - ALOT! It is one of those instant gratification things - I think? I just start painting - and "poof" - there it is - the end result!
Look at that "baby" spider! If spiders looked like that, I wouldn't smoosh them! I actually hand stitched some shiny ribbon for his legs! And in between each orange dot is a tiny dot of orange glitter {Have I ever told you guys how much I love glitter?} This spider was my husband's fav-O-rite!
So, there you have it - different designs - different fonts - but it all matches just as well! Tell me - is this size good OR bad?? I thought they would be great for the small, neglected walls or sitting on a shelf or nook?!

BTW - Arsty Mama is opening up another sweet and sinister swap - so, if any of you are interested, contact her.

Comments please . . .

I'm struggling . . .

This is for you Rachel! Here is the sneaky peeky - actually the widow's peaky! Unfortunately, it's no where near completion and I don't know if it ever will be. I'm having some technical issues with this one. I see it in my head - but I can't get it "right" on this canvas! But what you see is looking cool - or so I think! Since I don't know if you will see this one completed, I'll just tell you it is suppose to be a silhouette of a haunted house. We will see how it turns out . . . I just don't know about this one!On to more stuff . . . I always get asked the difference between the "gold" and the "taupe" background colors in the classic collection. Well, I finally have the same letter in each . . .

Let me tell you that when I first took the picture {with NO flash} I could barely tell the difference. But with the flash on you can see. The gold one has gold accenting the chocolate swirls behind the "R" while the taupe one has a mix of gold and silver accenting the chocolate brown swirls.

I also finished a sage green "C" - if I only had a red one, you could see all the background choices! Sorry - no such luck!! I noticed that I didn't have any "R"'s on the site - I guess that is next on the my list for today {you know, add the "R"'s on the site!}

Well, I'm off to work on the haunted house a little longer - after I add the "R"'s to the site! It's going to be a long weekend because this house has officially put me 2 days {so far} behind schedule! And I'm determined to stay ahead.

Another one of those moments . . .

It's been a few days. I've been having some issues with my email {thanks comcast!} So, I've just tried to avoid the computer all together. If you have emailed me, I just got into it today - so, I promise to get back to you within the next day or so.

All three boys started Mom's Day Out today. I was a basket-case. Hudson really has had issues the past 2 years he went. What can I say, I must just be the fun-time parent and he really likes to be up my hiney! I mean, wouldn't you? Just kidding and please don't answer that! Seriously, the first year was just a rough one, but his teachers were wonderful and worked with him. The second year {last year} was even rougher! How could that be, you ask?! I don't know. It just started off bad. Especially when I was told, "maybe he isn't ready for this program" by someone in a leadership role. Okay, so he was okay to be here last year, but not this year? Where did you get your degree from? That is the stupidest thing I'd ever heard! And actually because of that one comment, it pains me to give this place my money - but overall it has a rockin' curriculum so we stuck through it. I hate to tell them, if they wanted to get rid of me, they shouldn't have made such a comment - we had to prove them wrong! Now, if I really thought he was "unhappy" - oh, you better believe I would have pulled him out in a heart beat. But when your kid is at home doing imaginary play of what happened at school earlier that day - trust me, he's not unhappy. He's hacked off because I wouldn't buy into his little plan of pulling his crying butt out and taking him back home!

Poor Hudson is nothing but quirky - BUT I look in the mirror everyday and see the same quirks! haha!!

But this year, not only did I have 1 kid going but 2 more. I was sweating before I got out of the van. I'll just cut to the chase - All 3 did exceptional. We have Awesome teachers this year! Hudson was so stoked about going and Carson and Lawson were just happy to get out of the house! Don't be fooled - they all had momentary break downs - but they were happy when I came to pick them up! Thank goodness and praise the Lord! I don't know if I could have handled 3 crying kids . . .

Don't forget . . . .

about the silent auction that Kim is hosting over at Today's Creative Blog!!! So far she has 17 items listed!! There are more yet to come! And a piece of me is up for grabs - I know you want it!!! Go bid - I'm lucky number 13!

Remember all the money raised is going to the recovery of Christian and Stephanie Nielson. If you haven't heard about their story, please click on the picture below.

Got a new one!

Not a very good picture - but I'm working on that!! So, what do you think?? How stinkin' cute is this one?! It's a 5x5! I think I'm going to start offering these small ones! But first, I need to make sure that I can get this size before I start offering them up. But what do you guys think of the design?

I thought what would be cute is if you spelled out something and all the designs were different on each letter? Similar colors - but different designs AND fonts! Ohhh, how cool would that be?! If I do carry this size, I'll make up a couple of samples so you will see what I'm talking about. Then again, I might make up the samples and think, "ghett-O"! But I'll still show you! Pinky swear!

For those who don't know . . .

My friend Kim, over at Today's Creative Blog is having a Gimungous Silent Auction for the Nielsen Family. Have you heard about them?? If not click here . . .

There will be tons of stuff to bid on! I'm pretty sure "everybody" is donating including myself! If there was ever a time that you really wanted a small words piece - THIS is the perfect time! All proceeds go to the family. Go check it out - so far {at this precise moment} Kim has 4 auctions listed! I can't wait to see what all is up for bid!

We had a casualty . . .

It was a super sad day for us {or at least for me} - Buggs died. Poor, poor Buggs. It really was horrible. I'm so afraid his death was slow and painful. Secretly, I'd been hoping he would kick the bucket. And finally, he did. So, I did what we all would have done . . . I flushed him. Poor, poor Buggs! Buggs was my black moor goldfish!

The joker had some kind of tumor like thing growing on his head for the past two years. I talked to some people about it at the local {chain} pet store {like they actually know what they are talking about - hear that sarcasm?} Anyhoodle, they explained to me that more and likely he had Oranda in his blood. An Oranda, you ask?? It is that gold fish that looks like a brain is sitting on his head. They informed me that you just "shave it down" - eeeewwwww - gross! That would be a "No Thanks!"

Well, apparently it was something other than that 'cause it ruptured! Got a visual!? That is all I'm going to say about that!!!

Moving right along - since the death of Buggs, I felt the need to clean out the tank. Oh and what a chore! I drained out half the water {it's only a 30 gallon}, scrubbed all the stuff in the tank {which is actually a big "no-no"}, I even cleaned out the filters {and even bigger "no-no"} and scrubbed the sides down {yeah, you guessed it, another "no-no"} BUT in my defense I added more living bacteria, fed them an orange slice and a couple of peas and Goldie Hawn and Honk were happy as could be!!

I want to get another type of gold fish - but my problem is the size to get!! For those who don't know, you have to get the same size fish or the bigger ones pick on the smaller ones. When I got all my fish for ever ago they were the 2 dollar kind and tiny - fast forward to today, I would have to pay 30 to 40 bucks to get one the size of the other 2!!! And let's face it folks, I'm cheap! So, I don't know what I'll do. I'll just wait it out. With the major over haul of tank cleanliness, I might have just killed the other 2 - we'll see in the morning!

Of course with all the tank cleaning, I had to clean my bathroom. Because I was dumping that nasty - and I do mean N-A-S-T-Y - water down the drain in my tub! So, I had to clean the entire bathroom afraid that a drop of the nastiness splattered somewhere in the room! Since that bathroom was getting a cleaning - the other bathroom had to get cleaned as well! Let's just put it this way - basically my entire upstairs got cleaned because one think led to another and If You Give Mouse a Cookie, you know what is going to happen! {I hope you all got the mouse thing - if not, ignore it or you will think I'm one gitisimo of a dork!}

That sums up my entire day - cleaning. Man, I hate cleaning. But it has to be done!

As usual, I've got some canvases calling my name - so I gotta go!

Happy Friday to me!

So, I got a package today - I was thinking about this package for days! Days!!! Do you remember when I told you about PVE designs?? Well, Patricia had a wonderful French scene she had sketched out when she was traveling by boat in a canal this summer while vacationing {in France of course.} I saw it and was in love instantly!!! **By the way - I'm obsessed with art of other artists.** I was completely overwhelmed when I found out she SELLS her work!!

Today, the door bell rang - I about broke my neck to get to the door - because I knew it was my mailman!!! His grumpy ol' self had to get his bald head out of the car and come to my door and ring my bell because my package would not fit in the box! {thank you Patricia, if you only knew how much I love antagonizing that man - another story for another post!} Everybody was eating lunch - but the dog and Hudson ran close behind me. I threw open the door and we all stood still in our tracks - there she was - my package!

I got everybody back to the kitchen - washed my hands and started ripping through the box! And there it was - this . . .
Look at it!? Aren't you jealous?! Who cares what is in it - look at that wrapping! Oh, how I love packaging! I held back the obnoxiousness as I slowly opened {didn't quite tear into this one - couldn't - it was just so dang beautiful!} Then the heavens parted, the angels sang and there was the most beautiful sight I've ever seen . . .. {okay, maybe not the most beautiful - My kids are actually tied for the number 1 slot!} But anyways there it was . . .
My sketch with an unbelievable 5 inch mat encompassing it's beauty! Just in case you cannot tell - I love this kind of stuff - L-O-V-E it!

And that's not all people . . .
She sent me a lovely note, as well as . . .
Notecards she designed!! Only special people will be getting these! And my absolute fav-O-rite . . .
Oh, it's Red!! And it's going in a frame in my studio!!

So, how much do you love this? Go check her out - and get some PVE art for you - you will be so glad you did!

Obviously, I didn't break up with my dear friend {!} - how could I when I received a package like this - my point would not have been felt with a bunch of {.}!

!

So, what happened!!

I guess you are all wondering what the heck happened with the "skidmore"?? Well, I got to tell you she is already {officially} making her way to her new home in Kentucky! She got picked up tonight and all is well!
After I finished and sealed her - I was very pleased with the turn out! Actually, I like this style alot- and you might just be seeing some new stuff before long with a design similar to this. I think it will go well for those who think the classic collection is a bit stuffy.
And "yes" that is the black table that only makes small guest appearances in pictures with all the famous paintings. When she gets her final treatment, you will finally get to see the big reveal!

By the way - so many have complimented my great dry erase board! That was the frame I got for a "steal" at Hobby Lobby - it was a custom order {an odd size} and some reason it was rejected! I bought it - had them but a white mat-board behind glass - and there you have it! But I hate to tell you - the frame is officially discontinued!! Boo-hoo! I actually had a bulletin board framed in a red frame similar to that one! Don't you want to see it?! Maybe one day you will - there is too much stuff that needs to be done to it. I really need to get to work on it - so that when Mary Engelbreit calls and is ready to feature me in Home Companion, I'll be ready!!

I have got to stop using exclamation points so much. Look in the above paragraph . . . . Is there a period anywhere? It's either {!} or {?} or Both!! Look, I just did it again. But it's the way I talk! I'm typing the way I talk - that is ridiculous! I once read a post somewhere in blogland where the person was trying to "break up" with the {!} - I wish I remembered who that was. I laughed hysterically - because I relate! Check me out - since I pointed it out in this paragraph, I still can't control myself and hit the {!} anyways!!

Okay, it's now my turn to break up - I will try desperately to refrain and only use it when necessary. From now on - no more {!} . . . . and it will probably be easier to stop breathing! Ahhh - I did it again . . . Oh good grief . . .

Well, I have 2 more paintings to tackle that I desperately want to finish before the night is up. Lonnie has surgery "too-mario" and needless to say "I probably won't be getting anything done this weekend" because of Lonnie's "baby-mode", but we'll see. Until then . . .

Hey I didn't use not a one in the above paragraph! Oops. . . .

I am my own worse critic!

That is what my friends, Natalie and Jennifer tell me all the time! And here is a prime example - I really like this painting - alot - but I'm afraid it needs something more!

First off, it's not for a kid!! And it's not quite the "classic" collection I do either. This is no where near complete and actually I have done more to it since this picture. {that "s" looks cool! - Just thought I would add that} Hopefully, I will post the picture in full tomorrow - OR I might just be starting over?! Seriously, I'm afraid I have attacked it too much since this picture.

Let's just face reality - you know I make mistakes, it's another for you to see them {purposely}!!! What I'm trying to say is - if this thing looks bad in the morning light - it's back to the drawing board, so don't expect to see a completed painting tomorrow!

I finally found what I've been looking for all my life . . .

This incredibly cute fabric . . . .

Michael Miller - Carnival Bloom {brown}

I'm thinking of window treatments in my studio/office. It has all my colors! All of them! I'm so in love . . .

Got a few phone calls about this . . .

Yes, phone calls! You know who you are! Wanted to see these "so bad - will you hurry up!" So, I'm obliging and posting them now!
This painting {above} was bought as a gift! No special request - just needed a canvas that read "Madison". Well, funny thing - the soon-to-be receiver of the above painting came to me and wanted 2 12x12's. She wanted me to pull some of the designs out of the bedding! Ha! {I think she already knew she was getting a "madison" painting already!}

The bedding picture {above} doesn't really show the bedding well - so I know you are all wondering why the lavender?! Well, her one request is that I use more purple - the bedding only has a smidge of purple - but enough to really play on. So, she loaned me some of the bedding and off I went! The colors are very vivid on the bedding - hence the brightness of color on the canvases!
As most of you know - there HAS to be some kind of embellishment on the paintings - JUST something extra - you know, other than paint! How cute is the ribbon and beads?!

There you have - the brain freeze is officially over!!!