Welcome . . .

To the boys' room - Hudson, Carson and Lawson!

Like I said yesterday, I did not even start a painting for any of them - so don't look at the walls!! But I did get most of their bedding in {I actually got Lawson's quilt literally right before I took the pictures!} A sham is missing, a crazy clock and some artwork . . . but other than that, it's ready for you to see!

I've been obsessed with this room - trying to work it all out! It's not easy squeezing 3 boys in one room. And especially when I wanted to use what I already had for the oldest one - such as the bed, bedding, window treatments, etc.

When you first walk in the room you see this . . .

{yes - it's staged!} At our old house, Hudson was in a room by himself and the room had only 2 windows. Here, at our new home - we have 3 windows! The other 2 are actually in dormers and there was absolutely NO ROOM for the chipped, red finials at the end of the curtain rods. So, I kept this one {because I made them and loved the result} and used plain, nothing fancy, black rods for the dormers. And I had to make a third curtain as well . . .


My husband actually made this shelf. Originally it had a 30 gallon fish tank on it. We had the fish for several years, but grew tired of cleaning the joker out!


"Bye-bye"went the fish and the top now houses most of the pirate paraphernalia we have! The space beside the window that is blank will have one of these on it . . .

I know - kinda tacky - but you can't tell me you don't love it!?

This room is actually the bonus room - THAT is how we could fit all 3 boys up here. It has these crazy slanted walls on what is the front of the house. I added a couple of rows of twine and tiny clothes pins . . . .


Perfect for the kids' art. AND I change it out seasonally. I LOVE KIDS ART!

In the one dormer you see, we have the ever-so-glorious train table!

Actually, it is a real eye sore - but the kids LOVE it! After we nailed and glued all the tracks on, we crammed it in the dormer to get it out of the way. There is enough room for them to walk around it and that is all the space they need for it.

Continuing around the room, we have the center wall - in between the 2 dormers {such wasted space!} If it were me, I would have pushed the wall completely out and made one giant dormer! It would have been more practical and I could have put the dresser in it rather than having to put it in the closet. But I'm a woman - I'm sure a man designed this house!?


We actually found this piece at an unfinished furniture place that was going out of business! Score! It looks almost identical to the one Lonnie built {except it is obviously taller!} For the amount we bought this one, we couldn't build it ourselves. So, we bought it with the intentions of making the shelves permanent {instead of the adjustable mess it is now} and staining it to match the other one! Adjustable is too dangerous with kids {I dare you to ask me how I know!?}

I noticed I skipped a dormer {it has all the little people in it.} So, I assure you that you are not missing much {except an entire isle at Toys R Us!} This is our reading nook that I showed you all a few weeks ago. A very odd space, but I'm glad they built it in.


It is a perfect spot to house some books, a table and my groovy chairs. Does anyone remember when the table and chairs looked like this??

A few pieces of art {I know, I know - I have more . . . but I couldn't find the right frames for them!!}

On the opposite side of the room, is the beds . . . .


Hudson's is first. Remember the green tables??? There is one {and the other one is on the opposite side of Carson's bed!} I actually had this ABC quilt from Pottery Barn Kids for a few years. I loved it and I wanted to keep it! So, I knew I had to find something that coordinated for the other 2 boys!


Here is what I come up with! The train quilt is on Carson's bed and the transportation quilt is on Lawson's pull out. Both from Land of Nod. Yes, I make Laws sleep on the floor - I feel terrible, but trust me - He LOVES IT!


Here is the view from this side. There is just enough room to pull out Law's bed completely.


I should tell you that Lonnie made the beds! That was a challenge. We had made Hudson's bed 2 and a half years ago not knowing that all the boys would be in the same room later. We had to somehow come up with another twin bed that had a trundle. Carson's bed is a little longer than Hudson's - but it was the only way to get the 2nd bed under it!


I did NOT vacuum - so don't judge me! I'm actually an obsessive vacuummer {haha - that is me and I made up that word!!!} I just didn't have time to with these pictures!!! The books in this rack seemed to be the ones that we are hooked on for our bedtime ritual at this moment. I mentioned before that I thought we had around 600 books - so we swap them out regularly! The green tables each have books piled on the bottom shelf. What can I say, we love to read!!!

I'm not going to post pictures of Em's room. Only because I did already when I completed it. If you would like to check out her room, go here or here or here to see it. It still looks the same except for a few things on the dresser! Not much will change until she moves up to the next bed {which of course I already have big plans in my head - my husband is going to kill me!}

Hopefully {soon} I can finish the boys' art!

Tahiti . . .

That would be the name of the next bedding I did a painting to match!!


This is another pink and orange combination - which I really like together!


The walls are a shade of taupe. So, I pulled out the light pink from the bedding for the primary base coat.

I really liked the funky rings - so I went with those as my inspiration. I did shake them up a bit.

The sides are striped like the skirt and the window panels.

I'm keeping this post short {sorry!} I'm trying to stage the boys' room for tomorrows post. Kelly is hosting kid rooms and nursery tour tomorrow! I hate to admit . . . . I don't have paintings for any of the boys - that's right . . . , I paint kids' names and my kids don't have a painting! Sad, I know . . . I just couldn't get to them. They have been on my waiting list, but I still have several people ahead of them. And that wouldn't be fair to bump them up! Seriously! So, I will post pictures of their room with no paintings!!!

mac it is!

Well, it seems the ol' girl still has a smidge of life in her! BUT - we have made the executive decision to go mac when she dies. Which I'm sure will not be long! And to tell you the truth, I think it is photoshop that is killing her! I try hard not to even open that program up lately, 'cause I know that is what is doing it to her. I feel bad - like I'm causing assisted suicide or something. I mean, I know she is in a lot of pain - but I need her for now and I really don't want her to croak on me!!

I've actually finished up some work {but you are all going to kill me - especially those waiting to see theirs,} but I don't have any pictures! I've been busy trying to catch up and haven't taken any pics {I swear I will tomorrow!} Of course I jinxed it {like I KNEW I would} and had a lazy weekend! And I do mean LAZY! To the point I feel actual guilt and can't stand to look at myself in the mirror.

Yeah, that bad.

Anyhoodle, I spent ALOT of time with my kids though and it was great! Just true time with them. The number one thing about having so many kids {4 in 35 months if you needed a reminder!} has got to be . . . . . .


. . . . . they have each other!!! When I say they played together, I mean the had a fun time sharing the water table! Of course Hudson got to splashing everybody. But . . . .


. . . . . but got slightly upset when Carson thought it was so cool to reciprocate the fun. This picture absolutely Cracks.Me.Up! Obviously, Hudson didn't like water splashed on him! What a ninny!

Then one morning I got up really early {okay - I do that every morning!} but this time I didn't paint, didn't check the computer, didn't run, didn't even drink COFFEE! I put together this . . . .


. . . . . that's right - a pirate ship! Hudson got this for his birthday in April! Slacker mom here, hadn't put it together until now. This joker is cool!


It is all wooden! And the detail is so fun.


Thanks Joanne for this incredibly gift! {when did your blog go private!?}


I think MckMama would be proud of these pics!? Don't you think? I wish I could tell you more about my lens?! I have no idea - I'll have to ask Krista or Rachel what it is - the first advised me and the second shopped with me!


Carson has been obsessed since he saw it. And actually wants to sleep with it? I know, I know - what a weird-O! I told him that was crazy and that I would blog about it and everyone would laugh at him. For some reason the 2 year old in him really didn't care!

It came with 5 pirates - but they are more realistic looking than you would think that should come with the ship. BUT hey, we love pirates around here!! No matter the shape, form or fashion! But it doesn't matter about the pirates, the ship is for the only love in Carson's life . . . .


. . . . . Uhmmm, yeah - I'm for real! Nasty ol' Shrek! He has informed me on several occasions that "I wanna be like Swreck!" And there is always the "I wuvs Swreck." Up to that point he has never seen the movie or anything of Shrek. At sometime we had gotten these figures from McDonald's happy meals {had to be before Carson and Lawson were eating real food - 'cause since, we just buy a 20 piece nugget and a large order of fries - feeds all 4!} Carson, Laws and Em have no idea what a happy meal is! Sad, but true.

We borrowed the Shrek movie from our neighbors - and I'm shocked at how gross it is - it really is not a movie for kids! And you know, I've seen it before, knew it wasn't a good "kid movie" - but man, when you have your own kids and sit down to watch it with them . . . . let's just say it took a whole new meaning!

Sadder to say . . . he has watched it about 2.6 million times since then! Please don't judge me . . .

When we are not watching Shrek - we have been wearing out this new pool!!!


And let me say that this girl LOVES it! She is like a fish!!! Of all my kids, she needs swim lessons like yesterday! She puts her face in the water!! Kicks! Moves her arms in swimmy motions! I'm impressed!


And there is nothing in the above picture that looks like me . . . that is all Lonnie - so don't even say it!

Major computer woes . . . .

She is taking in her last few breaths - this computer of mine. Ughhh . . . I'm trying to make the big decision -Should I just have this computer rebuilt? Or buy a new one? Go MAC?? or stay with a PC????

Choices. .

Choices . .

and more Choices . . . . .

at a really bad time!

During naptime today, we are going to try to remove everything from the computer and start from scratch and see if that will buy us more time.

Maybe that will work . .

and maybe it won't . .

We'll see.

I'll tell ya' - live without a computer is not life at all! ha - I'm sure people can do it. They did way back when. I mean, people lived without washing machines too - but it made it kinda stinky!

Well, it stinks not having a computer as well!

Know that no matter what happens, I won't live without one for too long!

The Anatomy of a Painting . . . .

As promised . . . . a break down of how I work. How my paintings work. And how it all comes together. And yes, I will also give you a few tips with the brushes!

The designs are created on a personal level. Really. I think long and hard about what design will best fit the bedding, the colors, the font AND the personality I'm seeing with all the info I've been given. And from that - the design will normally come together.

I freehand most everything - hence the uneveness of all my art. And when I say freehand, I mean I draw it on first - then paint. I have said in the past - I could always draw - never knew anything about painting to even try it. Soooo, sketching on the canvas is my "freehanding" it.

Here, I painted a thin line of paint of the design I just drew out. Now, if you look closely - you will see it's not perfect - even at the beginning stages! But it's ART - it's not suppose to be. And just for your info - I use a "liner" paint brush here - A VERY THIN ONE!


I walked away for a while at this point. I had to think about what I wanted the final shape of this design to look like. I came back with this brush . . .


. . . . . which is called a "round" and just went to town! And I came up with this . . . .

NOW, you can really see some crazy imperfections! I'll work on that later! About my fonts - I draw these on too! Does anyone remember the bunnies?? Remember the tape?? Okay friends, that is how I grid it out! For balance! Below will be a "D" - don't you see it?? haha - okay maybe not! And I ended up moving them out a little anyways!


When I draw a font?? I normally just write it out as if I'm writing - that way when I'm painting I don't have to "stay in the lines" - now there are times I do - but not many - not anymore! I found it made it harder to paint "in the lines" than to just "follow a line" with my brush and paint!


Now, my absolutely fav-O-rite brush is the Filbert! I own many in every size. That is what I normally do my lettering in.


So, check it out - I posted several up-close shots for you to look at the work I just described! Again, I challenge you all to try something creative. And I say again - skip the lame excuses! I really don't want to hear them!!!


I've learned that if I highlight the uneveness with a lighter shade of paint - it looks so much BETTER!!! Who knew?


I think the rule of painting is the "no rule" - it applies everytime!


I hope that the info helps some of you. And remember that I have no formal training - this is only playing around with it that I've learned what works best for me!


And by the way - can anyone guess where this one is going??


Uhmmm, you remember this one??


I know, totally different!!! Since we had to change the spelling, I asked her if she would want to do anything different! Ha! Good thing the spelling was WRONG!!!


I've got to update the website in a bad way! This weekend I will be adding alot of new pictures of the art from the blog! Not professional ones - but the ones you have seen here!

And btw - for straight{er} lines - try using a "bright" - my fave . . . .


or a "flat" . . . .

You will be amazed what it can do! Make sure you don't load it down with too much paint!

"Luke"

I will admit {knowing I will probably just jinx it} but I've been on a mad roll with painting! I'm averaging about 1 painting every day and a half. That is freakin' AWESOME!! It has so much to do with the fact that 5 hours of the boys' weekly therapy is done here at the house. Speaking of which - I'm in a huge battle with my insurance because of it. They are denying all the claims for home health. Since "technically" the boys are not "home-bound" - of course they don't see the big picture nor do they care. But I'm trying to battle it out {in a non-trailer trash way} with the proper appeals and blah, blah - I will keep you all inform of my progress. Until then, I guess we will figure out a way to pay for it out of pocket. I've joked around for so long that I would sell my soul to the devil to continue all the boys' therapy because we have seen such huge progress with it. Well, I guess it is official - The Devil is Out to Get ME!!! Now, I don't really believe that, so no one take me serious. I firmly believe God has stepped in - afterall, I did say we have seen HUGE progress!


It also helps that Carson and Lawson's last day of Mom's Day Out was last week and Hudson's last day of preschool is quickly approaching at the end of this week! Since I don't spend quite as much time on the road or at a doctor/therapist office, I can actually put my children back on their original schedule AND I can actually get some things accomplished! Which includes paintings! And that, my friends, is why I've been posting so much art lately!


FINALLY! I hear you! I feel the same way - I feel like I'm finally able to clear out some orders that I've had sitting over here waiting for my time {that I've not had!}


The Luke painting is a gift. Not from me - but from a best friend's sister who will be giving it to a teacher she had when she was in school, who {obviously} recently had a baby. {haha - you got that?} I'm totally lifting these pictures from Luke's room - that my bestie lifted for me off of facebook. I do not have permission to use these. Soooo, if the best friend's sister's ex-teacher who just had the baby, asks me to remove the pictures I will definitely do that. {haha - now, I'm just cracking myself up!} Just know that I normally ask to use pictures . . . . but I really have no idea how to go about asking someone to use her pictures when she has no idea who I am OR that she is getting a painting as a gift! And I really wanted you all to see these walls - someone has some skills!


Maybe, just maybe, someone will get me a picture of the painting on the wall with this awesome mural!?!?

Now, if these walls look familiar and you know my best friend's sister's ex-teacher that just had a baby - please don't tell her! And if you ARE my best friend's sister's ex-teacher that just had a baby . . . . well, just ignore this post and act completely shocked when you see the painting {for the first time!} Then you let me know if I can keep the pictures up or if I should take them down! K?

I have people who want to know the difference between the 12x24 and the 15x30. I know it is hard to look at a tape measure and "really" see the difference. You can kind of compare them to each other here. The 15x30 has officially become my best seller - but here lately, I've got a ton of orders for the 12x24.

Sneaky Peeky . . . this is for tomorrow's post. Since so many people inquire about "how I do it" - and I'm talking about painting people{!} - I'll give you a little breakdown of how it's done in tomorrow's post. I normally take a few pictures of beginning stages of some art {if I remember to say, I'll explain why tomorrow!} So, I'll give you the thought process of a painting and actually share some info on some brushes.