appropriate?

Yesterday is over, today is a new day . . . . I thought my shirt was appropriate!

It is going to be a LONG night!

It has been one of those days . . . . . and I'm over it! Seems like I ran into idiots all.day.long. I was basically finished with another painting and it got damaged . . . . . messed up so bad that I have to start over! From scratch. Trash the original. Can't even recycle the canvas in any way. I'm bummed. In a bad way. It wasn't my fault. It wasn't even my kids' fault {that's amazing - I can normally always blame one of the five of us!} It was a friend. I know it was accidental - but I'm hacked at the situation anyways.

You want to know why?? I'll tell you why . . . . as of this very moment . . . {wait for it}. . . . I have 99 canvases to paint. You read right - 99. Not necessarily 99 orders, because some are sets - but 99 none the less. I don't have time to REDO a painting! And instead of starting over, I'm venting about it on the blog . . . . only because I know the person who trashed the canvas {by accident} doesn't use the computer - I so don't want to hurt her feelings, but "uuggggghhhh!" I'm so stinkin' frustrated.

There has been some other stuff that happened today too - no point in hashing it all out!

Well, the hubs has just come in to help with backgrounds! I guess I need to dry it up and move forward . . . . maybe I'll laugh about this one day {as I roll my eyes!}

My goal is to finish quite a few this weekend - so you might not see me until Monday! Have a good weekend!

Making it right!

Okay, I had to tweak the "Concept 3" painting from yesterday! Because it isn't just "Concept 3" . . . . it's actually "Concept 3 inc." Now, like a big dummy, I didn't put it on the painting!


So, here you go! Done right! Ready for sealer! I will kiss her bye, because she will be on her way to Georgia by tomorrow morning!

btw - did anyone watch LOST last night?? Finally, we are getting somewhere! I really think that once the show is over {next year,} I'm buying each season on DVD and am going to watch the whole stinkin' thing!!

Sometimes the body needs some sleep!

Last night I crashed - immediately following Biggest Loser! I love the brown team by the way - that episode had me in tears! And tonight is LOST!! My fav-O-rite night of the week!!! Is anyone else addicted to that show??? And these long frickin' waits in between seasons is KILLING ME!

Okay on with the show! Last night, I did have intentions of posting about the last sneaky peeky that you all saw! Because I did finish her up! {Now, if you can't tell I'm from Tennessee with that last sentence, I don't know what your smoking - that sounds like I'm a hick!} So, I tried hard to get the post up earlier today - especially since we had such a HUGE SNOW and ALL this ICE!!

Don't you see all the snow . . . and ice?! All I see is my neighbor Jill and her son, Connor, and that stinkin cute dog they have, Indie! Schools were out - so I had NOWHERE I had to be today! I just knew I could quickly get this post up! And . . . sooooo . . . here it is 3:30 in the afternoon and I'm just getting to it! Sorry!

This is the first picture I took . . . and then I noticed the 3 blended in alittle too much!

I made it right and took another picture! Much better! This is actually the logo for a dance fashion and accessories store. You will have to visit her site if there are any dancers out there! She is in the Atlanta area but will ship to anybody {I'm sure . . . actually I'm guessing, but I'm pretty sure she will!}

She wanted something just for her! Can't be replicated for anyone else! With pinks, browns and white colors! And of course a crown!

You know the economy is bad when . . .

magazines stop publications! I got one of those postcards {AGAIN!} from Martha . . . . Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion will be no longer!!! Boo hoo! And you know, that happened to me last year with Blueprint {Martha Stewart's mag} - that was the BEST magazine ever - gone forever! How depressing! Waaaa!

Okay, I'm sure my stat counter went through the roof with someone hitting refresh a bunch of times to see if I had updated today with her sneaky peeky! Sorry, been really busy up to this point!


I decided to give you a couple of peekies!


I'm thinking you will possibly see the rest tomario! Just maybe!


Guess what we ate for supper tonight? Seriously . . . we had that for supper! Because I'm one of those moms.

Laws - the one who will eat mostly anything couldn't get enough!


Carson was raised in a barn - he really does eat cake {and ice cream} this way?! Don't ask . . . . because I have no idea.


And a miracle happened! Hudson tried it! WoW! He really wanted to eat the sprinkles because he thought you "were not suppose to!" Remember, he really won't eat food - but he loves to eat play-doh and paints! Yeah, I'm proud! Jeez!

And like normal, the camera comes out and we get these shots every time . . . .


I swear this is the smile she gave me when I said, "Emsley, say cheese!" What a ham!

Meet Avery . . . .

Remember this post?

I love those window treatments!

Shannon - that baby has your mouth!

I think I'm becoming an electronic junky!

I have to admit . . . I've been accumulating some crazy electronics. What is soooo crazy is I'm so not the electronic gadget kinda girl - at all! It started with one of those tiny digital picture key chain. Now, I know that is not very technical - BUT then I got a digital picture frame - I thought I could use for displaying pictures of my art {maybe - I don't know!} Then I got an MP3 player - Now for me, that is a big deal! But I got even braver and purchased my mamma-jamma camera!


Nice picture of my camera?? I took that with my webcam that I got last mother's day {another tech purchase??} Not only did I buy just the camera, I also got my new love - that lens you see attached that I really don't know what it's called - but I love her! I was just told to look for the number 2.8 - and I did - and I'm sooo not disappointed!

Of course I'm getting to my latest purchase . . . .


My hp mini-notebook! Look how freakin' tiny she is!?


And she weighs something like -3 pounds! Of course then you put the battery in and she is bumped up to +3 pounds - but she is still light as a feather! Now, I know a few of you are Mac snobs - can't say I blame you AND once the computer at home gives out, I'm seriously thinking of going that way! But for now - it's an hp and what a fantastic idea!! Perfect for all the parking lot waiting - waiting room waiting - and any other kind of waiting I do!

Maybe now I can comment on some blogs!!! I'm so excited!

All I can say is, "Happy Birthday to me!" ------- WAIT, I don't have birthdays - they are anniversaries . . . anniversary to my 29th birthday! So, "Happy Anniversary to me!" {much better!}

BTW - the leg warmers can be found at Target in baby sock isle! Now, the pair Em has on in the picture came from a boutique here in town back in the day when I had only 1 child! {Yes, I did only have one - briefly - but I did have only one!} They are called baby legs and they are much longer than the typical baby leg warmers. But you can find them also in the same section at Target! When Hudson was smaller, I put them on him, but they prevented him from crawling! A baby spin out! HYS-terical!

And let me add - we have another beauty that sports the leg warmers . . . . meet Ella . . . Warning: You are about to crack UP! Allison - I got the same pair for Em!! That baby is too funny! I like how you have them over her heels - that is the way I wore mine - because remember . . . . I was really cool!

What a feeling . . . .

I actually finished this one last night, but just getting around to posting it. This one is similar to Emsley's - which is one of my fav-O-rite designs!


Speaking of Emsley - who doesn't love a baby in some leg warmers! Have you ever seen somebody cuter???


I had these on under her pants. I'm always afraid her legs are cold when her little jeans ride up her legs while I'm holding her - and it has been frigid around here!


I had a blue pair when I was in the first grade - I wore them to school - with my "jazz shoes" - did anyone else have jazz shoes?? I was cool - really cool! I also wore them during dance class with my leotard. Again, I was really cool. But here is my question - why was it cool to wear leg warmers during ballet and tap?? Did our legs get cold while dancing?? I mean - I sure don't remember them getting cold - but possibly. Didn't home-girl in Flashdance not wear her leg warmers?? And let me tell you, she doesn't look very cold.



{You can thank me later for this song playing in your head for the next 24 hours!}

Just so you know how cool I was - I had this soundtrack . . . . . on cassette . . . . . and I played it so much it warped.

And Purple Rain, too!

Lonnie just turned "old" . . .

We normally do not make a big deal with our birthdays {the kids - yes, but us adults - no!} Thanks {by the way} for everyone that called {and texted} to wish him a Happy Birthday!

When, Lonnie called on his way home from work - I told him to expect a small something.

His small something was a Garmin Nuvi - he hasn't shut up about this thing since they first come out! Talking about getting on my nerves! So, being the good wife that I can be, I got him this stupid thing! This was the look of actual surprise . . . .


Oh, but it gets better - this is the look I got when I told Hudson how much I spent on that joker . . .


Here is the look Carson gave me when I told him I chipped in the few extra bucks to get the one that would say the street names with each turn . . . .


My fav-O-rite look of the night came from Em when I told her that it would talk to us with a foreign accent . . . .


And the look Lawson gave when he found out it was a toy only for Daddy and not for any of the little people that live in our house {sorry, buddy} . . . .


And yes, we sometimes eat with no shirts on - the kids that is! Hey the secret to battling stains is just preventing them!

Happy Birthday, Lonnie! I hope you and your Nuvi have a long and happy friendship!

I really am on a roll!

***edited again - Uhmmm, yeah - thanks for pointing out my HYS-terical title to this post! Did I mention it was the middle of the night when I typed this?? I swear, that is my excuse everytime! So, why did only one person say something?? Did you think it was a play on words or something?? 'Cause it wasn't!!!!***

**edited - I've got a ton of emails about facebook - check me out under Kim Tate Wheeler! Friend me!**

But I know I just messed it up with that title! Four in four days is not bad! I'm actually very impressed with myself - and I've started on several more! Nevermind the fact that on Saturday night I never went to bed - okay, well actually I fell asleep with the paint brush in my hand around 5:50 in the morning! Only to wake back up an hour or so later to my kids trashing out the house. Lovely!


I normally do not paint matchy - matchy stuff {So, please don't ask.} I don't mean to be offensive - but it is hard trying to make someone else's work look like mine {does that make any kinds of sense?} I did try to change the pattern up a little - but I'm sure not enough that omits me from all the copyright laws.


The mother made the bedding herself! I did that with Hudson - slaved over the bedding - and I made a coordinating set when the other two came along. I bought Em's - didn't quite have time to make supper, much less bumper pads, crib skirt, window treatments, etc . . . . ! So for all the women who do make your own nursery bedding - I applaud you!


Look how cute the bedding is?? She did a great job! Piping is not the easiest thing to sew, nor are those ties!


And just because I do have another one started that should be next {but not quite ready tomorrow,!} I give you yet another sneaky peeky!



Updates, house keeping and opinions . . . .

So, I know all of you have heard of Harper Brown Stamps! It looks like they got great news today! She had a great post today! After having 2 babies in the NICU, I could not agree with her more. You try hard not to look at the other babies around you, but you can't help it. Then your wonder turns to worry as you try and guess why each tiny thing is in there. The hardest part for us, was to watch babies who came in after us, leave before us. But I never once thought my two wouldn't make it. Never. I couldn't imagine what Kelly is going through and we need to keep baby Harper and every other little baby in our prayers.

Okay - people, I did it - I jumped into the world of facebook! Will you be my friend??? Hahaha!!

I took Lawson today for his first OT - and guess what?! I was told that he doesn't need 3 days a week - 1 will do! Praise Jesus! That just freed up 2 hours in my week! I really could use it!

Need some opinions . . . I'm really thinking of getting a mini notebook - do you know what I'm talking about?? I could link to one - but I have no idea which to get. But one of those small laptops. It would just come in handy now that I spend so much time on the road with the therapies, schools and everything in between! So who has one?? And what do you think?? Is it worth it?? I only want it for email purposes - which include all business related stuff . . . . . and blogging {and I might as well throw in facebooking, too!} I think it would free up time here at home if I could answer emails and invoice and update orders and blah, blah, blah . . . while I'm out and about {which normally means sitting in my van waiting or in a waiting room waiting.

I'm so tired - I think I'm actually going to go to bed at a normal time tonight. Ignore the fact that it is almost 1 am!

I'm not going to say anything . . .

- in fear that I might jinx myself! But here is painting 3 - again, I'm not going to say it is my 3rd painting for the 3rd day in a row! Especially since you can easily look back and see that . . . . . , so really there is no need to say it and mess up the rhythm! Ya' know?!


This is an 8x10 with a box frame! From now on if you order this size, it will be the 1 1/2 inch box canvas. UNLESS it is from the classic collection - those will be the thinner - but gallery wrapped - canvases. Since that specific collection is made to frame, I need to continue painting them on the thinner boxes. It would be difficult {if not impossible} to frame the wider canvas.

Okay, I'm going to keep this short because I'm trying to keep up with this pace . . . .


Another sneaky peeky - maybe you can see it tomorrow! Can I just tell you that I love this new lens!!!! And I don't even know how to use it!! And I'm still getting some crazy-great pictures!!! It makes these peekies even better!

btw - someone asked me how long it takes to paint the 5x5's - it really depends on the design - anywhere from 45 minutes to 3 hours.

It's a miracle . . .

Two in Two days! Crazy, I know?!?

btw - this is a 5x5! I love this size!

And while I'm at it, I guess I could show you a tiny bit of the next one!

Alright people . . .

Here she is! Sorry for the glare - I was just excited to get the picture up! This painting started out totally different, but I'm glad she ended up here!


I did dress the dots up a little - the pink ones have a smidge of glitter.


What is crazy - is the fact that the dots are matching to the sheet?! I never looked at the sheet till I had completed the painting! I worked off of a sham {that looks like the sham above} that I had ordered from Pottery Barn Kids!


Gotta go - more stuff to paint!

Only because I'm completing the finishing touches . . .

I'm giving a sneaky peeky! I've got to dress up my naked dots and finishing up the name . . .


But I know that some are waiting ever so patiently to see her. I tried hard to find a spot that has most of all the colors . . . .


Here is the bedding {quilt.} But the sheets have the polka-dots!

You'll just have to wait till tomorrow to see her!

Because I know you all love to see where they go . . .

**edited to say that OT is occupational therapy.**



Here she is, Clara, in her perfect spot! This bedding is so cute and I loved working with it!! You will have to read the story here about what happen with the bedding . . . . and then email Sunni and find out who she used just in case you are in the market for bedding . . . . that way you will know who not to use {I think?}

Anyhoodle - a super cute and cheerful room! And I know she appreciated all the packing peanuts I sent with the painting! hehe! Not much longer and there will be a baby in that crib! Good luck!

Okay - I'm afraid that some people think that I don't want anymore orders after my last post. I had several people email me asking me to "please paint one more" or "is there anyway you could possible do another one, please....." - I didn't mean that at all with the post. Really, I didn't! I love orders and I hope to continue to get them! So, please keep them coming!

Last night Laws had his assessment for OT. Finally. I have to say that it was my fault that the assessment kept getting put off. I had to reschedule several times and blah, blah {not that you all care for all the details,} but we went in for Hudson's OT today and I was told that after Laws' assessment, he needed to come in 3 times a week for OT. Three times a week?? Are you kidding?? Now, how in the world am I suppose to squeeze that in?? I guess it doesn't matter, I figured out how and we are now set to go for the 12 weeks!

So, to give you all the reader's digest version - Hudson goes to OT {1x a week} and feeding therapy {1x a week}, Carson goes to speech therapy {2x a week} and feeding therapy {1x a week}, and Lawson goes to speech therapy {2x a week} and OT {3x a week} - Hudson gets speech through the school system and hopefully soon will get OT through them as well - meaning I don't have to take him anywhere - they come to him while he is in preschool. Praise God! Remember - Hudson also goes to PreK 5 times a week while Carson and Laws goes to MDO 2 times a week! Poor Emsley, she is just along for the ride! Which is all day long.

Can I tell you that I just busted out laughing when they said Lawson needed to come in 3 times a week - Just cracked up - I know they think I'm retarded. But I just couldn't help myself. For those who don't know - that must be my defense mechanism. Laughter. When I'm nervous and especially when there is nothing I can do about a situation. I just laugh. Hysterically.

Okay and for the dumbest part of all of this - I have to admit to you all that I have horrible english - I speak slang - I know I say words I shouldn't {but I spell alot more for fear of repeating - haha - not that that helps when my 3 year old can sound out words!} What I'm getting at is that I think I need speech therapy! I need to speak properly - and it just ain't happenin' {see, I can't even write in proper english anymore! ahhhh!} Trust me, it's probably a Good Thing the kids don't really speak - I'd be afraid of how it would come out!

Example - Hudson had his finger stuck up his nose.

me, "Hudson, get your finger out of your nose - that's just plain gross!"

H, "I'm picking my brain out."

Clarification - normally, when the kids are digging for gold, I say, "stop it, your going to pick your brain out!" Apparently, that is what Hudson was trying to do - "EWWWW, gross!"

Okay, I'll leave you with that one - I've got a painting I have to finished, so expect pictures of "Gracie" tomorrow!

No naps = no time

Since last week, my kids are not really taking the usual 2 + hour nap they are use to having. Now, not only do I have C.RA.N.K.Y. kids, but no real time to do anything during the day! I want my kids to take a nap, but due to this crazy schedule we now have that includes all the speech and feeding therapies, OT, Mom's Day Out and Preschool - we are just always on the road! They do get some sleep in the car - but not much. And to be honest, I'm getting somewhat of an overwhelmed feeling. You know when you just have so much to do and it's not getting done!! Well, that is where I'm at right now. So again, I beg you all to forgive me if I don't comment on your blogs - I've got to get some stuff accomplished around here someway or another . . . . ugh!

Last night as I was painting pink, green and brown dots, my husband volunteered to help - ha!! He really didn't think I would take him up on that offer - what was he thinking?!


Go, Lonnie, Go!!! He painted 13 canvases last night!!! 13! I only wanted him to do the base coats - and he did! Of course, he was sitting at the table saying "this is fun . . . how relaxing . . . . no wonder you like to do this . . . I can do this too . . . ", etc. Then he goes into saying how he can have his own line of art within the small words "company" {as he put it!} My response, "Go find your own people! Just because you put 2 coats of a solid color on the background {that will mostly be covered up when I start on it} doesn't mean you can paint!" He is still working on a plan for something to do when he retires from the military. Oh jeez - that is all I need, him home - with me - all day - bad idea!

Since he was painting on my table, I had to find a new spot to paint. My room {like usual} was trashed!} So, I spent a good 30 or so minutes cleaning it up. I found something hideous! Heinous! I'm talking about Hurt My Eyes!!! It's so bad, I'm only showing you a smidge of it! Only a smidge!


Can you guess what it is?? Trust me, it took me 15 minutes to find a straight line to take a picture of!! A few of you are going to know - since it PROUDLY hung on the wall for 1 year or so!

Okay, I'll tell you - it is the first painting I ever did - 4 years ago!! Really it was about this time 4 years ago when I picked up a paint brush. I might {eventually} show it to you - just maybe. But I'm not ready to today! Yikes . . . the only thing good on this piece is the FRAME {okay, and the color choices do rock!}

So check it out!!

Another one complete! {and yes, that 'gracyn' painting is making another appearance!}


Since this is for a little girl turning a year old, I was trying to match the colors and not the pattern {per request.} I gave it a little swirly like pattern to coordinate with the branches - but I didn't want to simpatico it all up so when she moves up to her next bed, there is a little more freedom with the painting to the decor {existing and new.}


This is not the actual room - I lifted it from the dwell site.


Closer shot of the fabric pattern {which they wouldn't send me a sample of! - How rude!}


I added a little glitter along some of the chocolate swirls. Couldn't leave them naked!!! **gasp**


The biggest difference with this one {from any other one I've ever done} is that I didn't carry any type pattern onto the sides. At first I thought of replicating the flowers . . . . but . . . ., I really think it would have been too much! The bedding is so simple and with soft pink walls {and also an added complimentary color of celery/minty green as well as some butterflies,} I just wanted to keep it simple.


She has been shipped and sent out on her merry way!!