Showing posts with label just small words business . . .. Show all posts
Showing posts with label just small words business . . .. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Excited . . .

I finally did it - picked out paint colors for the walls in my house! With help of course! I just can't do it on my own you know!? I know - I paint, but I can't pick out my own wall colors. Pitiful! I'm shocked at the direction that Em's bedroom walls will be . . . very shocked! But I'm certain it will look good. I just need to get started. For those wondering, her furniture is definitely going to be the muted pink as is her crib. And just in case you don't remember - the furniture I'm referring to is her dresser, mirror and night stand. But it will be a few more weeks before we really get started! I still have to work on the rest of her bedding {I still don't have anything other than fabric!} Such a tedious job . . . that I LOVE!


Last night with a friend, I was discussing what direction I wanted to take small words. I got so excited and pumped during our conversation. For the first time, I really felt what I did with halting new orders was definitely the right thing to do! And I realized that the "stress" I've been feeling is not the typical stress - but stress from excitement. You have to know what I'm talking about - when you have soooo much running through your head and you are thinking of it all at one time. And you can't really get your thoughts organized on paper, much less in your head. And then you get that really crazy feeling that is close to overwhelming. And as you have the overwhelming feeling wash over you, you realize you really can't do anything you are thinking about, because you have all the immediate issues at hand?! Yeah - that's where I've been.

Tonight, I'm going to do my best to put my number of orders at the top of the blog. And then knock down the number with each painting I finish. Which could be obvious - but it's really not. Only because I don't post pictures of every piece I finish. Sometimes they are gifts, sometimes Classic collection or sometimes surprises - so sometimes you never see a picture of those. This way, you all can see where I'm at during my Operation 'Catch-Me-Up.' Embarrassing as it is, you will really see the weeks I'm able to work . . . and those that I'm not.

I still have not emailed quite a few folks {actually it is a lot, I'm only pretending it is a few for sanity purposes,} to see if they want their orders. So, my numbers will really drop {I'm sure} as soon as I do that and hear back from them {or not hear from them - I can take a hint!} I don't know why I'm still putting that off - except for the fact that I earned the title Queen of Procrastination years ago! Seriously, look up procrastination in the dictionary and you should see my picture.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

I'm back and we need to talk . . .

I've been without internet for about 32 hours and I've been going nuts! But not only do I now have internet, but I'm sitting in my living room {watching green stripes dry} watching the news while checking email on my new computer! My new MAC!!!!!! That I have NO IDEA how to use! I keep screaming at my husband to come downstairs and tell me what to do next. Sad, I know.


We have spent the past 2 days moving Emme's room into my office/studio and my office/studio into her room. Basically, she needed more space since she will be moving into a big girl bed soon and I really didn't need as much space as I had. So, we did the room switch. And soooo glad I did. I can't wait to show you pictures! Which obviously, you will not be seeing any pics in this post - I'm trying to figure out the "delete" key!! Haven't even thought of the picture thing yet! {sorry!}

Okay, so I said we needed to talk - Here is the deal, I think I might have confused some folks with my facts post. So, let me start over.

I'm currently not accepting orders. None. For nobody. If one of my kids asked me to paint something, I will not do it. ONLY because I'm that behind on my current orders. I spent the past 2 hours working on the ugly part of the business - paper work. I have 97 orders. Ninety-seven! I need to send out a butt-load of emails to see who still want their orders. Saying that, I might actually have only about 2 orders?? I don' t know.

Truthfully - I thought I would have knocked out a ton of those before Christmas {didn't happen.} Am I sick about it - MOST DEFINITELY! Might explain the fever blisters I keep getting! I really wanted a clear slate for the first of the year. Ugh.

And to keep the truth flowing, I should have slapped the "indefinite" title on my acceptance of orders {rather than January} when I stopped taking orders in the fall. But I really thought that 4 months was all I needed to get me caught up!

So, 97 orders later . . . . I will not be accepting orders till further notice.

Good news - I'm hiring a babysitter for some temporary relief. If I can just get some help 1 day a week I'm thinking I can catch up!

If you have talked to me - email, phone or face-to-face about an order . . . you're in line. If you have sent me an order form {whether I've responded yet or not} . . . you're in line.

I hope this all makes sense?!

I'm trying hard to line things up for major changes around here. But catching up is going to be the biggest thing. As well as the hardest.

Again, if you have any questions, please email me . . .

Friday, January 1, 2010

2009 Recap . . .

What a year it was!

It was a year that alot of babies were born. {And I do mean alot!}


Throughout the year, I received alot of pictures of babies with their paintings {can't thank you enough!}


This year also provided me a few more professional shots on my website. {Just makes the home page that much better!}


2009 was the year that many small words canvases were given as gifts for birthdays . . .


and as gifts at baby showers . . .


This was the year that many families celebrated joyous reunions {and just happened to really want a set of canvases to remind them of the happy occasion!}


All through the year, I did enjoy opening up emails to see pictures of small words canvases hanging on the walls over cribs, . . .


over many changing tables, . . .


over some incredibly, cute, decorative tables, . . .


and over {my fav-O-rite kind} cutie, children's tables!


And the absolute best EVER thing about 2009 . . .

all of you that sent me emails and small notes expressing what kind of inspiration you got from the blog! The boundaries you stepped over and the goals you reached left me speechless!


I did NOT paint these canvases{in the picture above or below,} but aren't they fantastic! They told me "thank you" for the inspiration! Crazy ladies - I need to thank YOU! That is my inspiration!

Bless each and everyone of your pea picking hearts! Looking forward to 2010!

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Facts . . .

I did it. Finally. Under the pressure of friends and family. AND the fact that I woke up to yet another fever blister this morning!!! I do believe that is my 8th one since the week before Thanksgiving?! I only get those when I'm stressed. And I don't really get them very often {even with 4 kids!?} So, yes - I'm stressed.

What did I do, you wonder? I stopped accepting orders that is what I did. Until further notice .



Bummer for you? I don't know, but a huge bummer for me. I'm afraid I might have just killed my business! But I've got to get caught up! I personally hate placing an order and it taking for-evah to get! And yet, I'm doing it to all you guys!

Let me tell you my dirty secret . . . during the whole month of December, I didn't work as hard as I could. No, really I didn't. But you know - when one of my kids would ask me to hold them, I did it. I would stop everything I was doing and hold them. Not for "a minute" but more like 30 minutes. Seriously! And I have all those kids. And they all wanted their 30 minutes. And I just gave it to them.

Not just that. But when they would ask me to play play-doh. I did it. With gloves on mind you - because I have horrible sensory issues {such as Hudson,} but I did play with them. We played with that mess so much that a lot got thrown away because it just got nasty! Just gross, I tell ya'! But it has been replaced, so please don't worry.

And we colored. So much so that none of the crayons have tips anymore. Of course that has alot to do with the fact that Em kept throwing them down on the tile floor and breaking them off - but hey, they still worked and we still colored {for longer than 30 minutes!}

I did alot this December. Things I know I'm suppose to do. And do you know, I still got done with all the orders that "had" to be finished before Christmas! I was still stressed out - but I did it anyways. This month has been amazing to me and for me.

I also found a stack of orders that were placed at the first of the year! I have no idea how they got misplaced. I'm sure it was something I did. I just don't know what?! I still have not emailed these people to say "sorry" and " by any chance, do you even want this order?" I'm afraid I'm going to get the "kiss-off" email - I really don't want that kind of email. That is probably the reason I'm stressing!

I will not stop painting. I'm only getting caught up.

*With all my current orders.
*All the gift cards I gave as gifts. {I'm sure they want their gifts!}
*Emails {I haven't confirmed about 20 orders!!}
*Updating some things with small words.
*Studio needs major improving.
*and so much more . . . .

I really thought the past 4 months would give me the time I needed. It didn't. Just the plain truth.

But I'll still blog {changes, I hope, you will see here, too!} And definitely paint!

If you have any questions, concerns, comments, positive affirmations . . . please email me or comment.

I'm not going anywhere.

I just want my kids to have memories I don't.

Thank you all so much!

- kim!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Playdate . . .

I'm done! Oh yeah - that's right! Finished! Finished 1 day before I did last year! Because I finished yesterday around 4:30 in the afternoon! Of course I was suppose to ship yesterday . . . didn't quite happen - ERRR! But I'm about to print out FedEx shipping labels and then head to FedEx!!

The funny part is where and how I finished!! I worked on my last painting {which I'll post either later today or tomorrow} at one of my bestie's house. That is what I said. I loaded up all 4 kids, all the painting supplies I would need and headed to her house in Nashville. I had to drop off the the 3 16x20 Classic Collection paintings you see above yesterday morning. The drop off was somewhat close to her house . . . so we figured we would let our kids exchange gifts NOW instead of waiting till we did our annual Opryland Hotel Christmas light par-TAY.

I didn't expect to make this visit all day . . . but we did. I really thought we would do snack and leave - haha! We not only did lunch, but dinner, too!

Between the 2 of us, we have 8 kids. Yes, 8. Since July of 2004, we have added 8 kids to our mix.

We are fully aware that this is a playdate for some people - say 6, maybe 7 moms . . . but this is our playdate of only 2 moms. haha!

MEET

Jake - You will always know what is going on in every room with this kid! He likes to "inform" us of everything. The good and bad.

Hudson - This kid has issues with remaining dressed - no matter whose house we are at. Notice the pants are missing?? He also loves standing in front of the TV and screaming at it! Makes for fun times.

Will - If the room goes quite, this kid is NOT in it. Or he is asleep {fat chance!} Look at that twinkle in his eye!

Carson - We will all say has got to be the quietest kid in the bunch. ONLY because they have so many "new" toys. Every single time we leave, he tells us what he wants for Christmas {or birthday?!}

Lawson - Has got to have his "numbers" when he is at the Spence house. And he will drive us NUTS until we find enough "numbers" for him to carry!

Alaina Claire - This girl is the observer. We normally don't hear much from her . . . she just watches the crazies.

Emme - Loves AC. Idolizes her. Covets all her baby doll toys. Loves the hand me downs we {use} to borrow before they both started wearing 18 months . . . at the same time! She too, observes, but with funny looks and all the while sitting in a doll stroller.

Eli - Our newest member of the group - AND let me add the final member of our group. Has to be the happiest baby! We have learned that talking about Disney World really tickles his fancy. He will crack up at the mere mention of the Best Place on Earth. I'm sure he is really excited that we are going to attempt to take all of them in the fall!

Ask us how we do it and we will tell you that we just let them run crazy.

Like normal, we had a blast! Thanks Rachel! And Hudson woke up this morning and asked if we were coming back over today! When I said no, he was totally understanding. He then asked if we could come over after you went to the grocery store! haha! {Obviously, that was why we were not coming over today!}

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

I know some of you think I have died!

I haven't! But I might feel like it in the morning since this looks to be an all niter - I have sooo much to catch up on it is ridiculous. I'm going to cram alot into this post just so you feel like you haven't missed anything . . . okay? So, stick with me - I'll throw some art in the mix for those that don't really care about what is going on, but only want to see what is new in with business! {haha - which isn't much!} So here goes . . . .

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First off - I'm still going through all my emails - please don't give up on me. It really has been chaotic. And then something weird happened to my email account and I didn't get a bunch of mail until a week later! Luckily, I don't get a whole lot of spam - so basically all the mail is legit - but it looks horrible when I don't get back to people asap! And fortunately for you reading this, I thought the blog was needing more attention!

Because it has been something like 18 and a half weeks since my last post - o' yeah, a true slacker in the internet department!

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The boys had a birthday party! I think I made small mention about it in one of my last post. This year we went with a monster theme! And let me tell you . . . the older monster {by 2 minutes} is only slightly obsessed with the monsters now?! We really had a blast this year. I think because they really got what was going on - especially Carson!


This picture cracks me - kinda gross - but funny none the less! I bought these little guys at Target. I had seen them, but when I went back to get them several days later {I was waiting on payday?!} the jokers were gone! So, I ordered them online! They really don't fall in line with my Halloween decor, but they match wonderfully in the boys' room! And it's a good thing - Mr. Monster Obsessed can't stop looking at them!


Unfortunately, I made the cake{s} this year. My caterer friend, {Rachel normally does all my cakes,} is pregnant this year and I was trying to give her a small break . . . . only because I was planning on her making some of her own food for her baby shower! haha - just kidding! But no one ended up in the hospital till several days later . . . so you can't blame any of my cooking!


This picture was taken right after Carson and Lawson opened gifts - this wasn't near the kids we had at the party, but I like how I was semi-trapped by the kids in the corner {story of my life!} Notice I'm still carrying on a conversation AND using my hands during the conversation- sheer talent!


And since Carson has been talking about the "dragon castle" for weeks {after a brief look at one at another friend's party - in JULY,} the world was right when he saw he finally got his own! Seriously people, this boy has been "dreaming" of the dragon castle for the past week because he knew he was getting it for his birthday! It was one of the most precious things ever!

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I also gave Lawson a haircut in the back! This boy doesn't do so well when we get the do done. So, I've been trying to clean up the neck to make the chore easier for my hair doer. It only took me 3 days! And you all will be happy to know that tonight {while he was bathing} I finally got around the ears. It took so long, his water was cold! Oops! Definitely not the best haircut - but they didn't teach that in business school!

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**Home Love Alert**


This was my old faucet. Nothing is wrong with except it was just wrong. That sounded stupid, I know! But let me clarify - My sink sits at an angle. This faucet sits too low and too much water would run off of whatever I was rinsing onto the counter behind the sink. Well, my 5 foot self is just too dang short to reach behind it and wipe it up every freakin' time!!!!! I would have to literally walk around the bar to clean off the counter! It was getting ridiculous!

Okay - and the fact that it just isn't my style and doesn't quite fit in with my taste!!


My plumber didn't get started till 12 {midnight!} But very shortly after . . .


the new guy was installed! I'm not a fan of brushed nickle - but until we redo this kitchen entirely {if we ever do,} nickle is what it will have to be! This style works so much better!!! I get very little "mist" on the backside of the counter and I can easily reach it! Nothing like the puddles of water before.

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We also went to the pumpkin patch.


An incredibly easy corn maze! {Nothing like the one we got stuck in for 4 hours in the middle of the night at Rippavilla 5 years ago! Too bad I didn't have a blog then - that would have made one hysterical post! As a kid I watched Children of the Corn way too many times - not comforting when it's 1 am and you hear very unusual sounds in all directions! And your lost - in a field of CORN!!}


Em had way too much fun in the troughs full of corn!


So what was Hudson making this look for?? Let me tell you why . . . .


He's not a dummy - he wanted to know "what a watermelon had to do with a pumpkin patch!?" Who cares the fact that it weighed way more than he. And sitting on it was the last thing he wanted to do! haha!


Lawson was mesmerized with all the pumpkins - and he was stoked that he got his own! We do aim to please!


Carson wanted to walk so badly. He is really at the age to where he wants to be big. Towards the end of the big day, we let him walk a little. The choo-choo wagon is great for all the kids. And I feel very comfortable walking behind it so I can see all my little chickens. But sometimes we have to give in to the fact that they are growing up a smidge. And let them walk!


Here you can tell how much my daughter DOES NOT look like me!


And my attempt to get all my kids in one picture looking at the camera - who cares that no one was smiling! I love how Lawson has the serious look - he does in every single group shot we have ever done!

I know we didn't dress very "fallish" but I was just wanting pumpkins - pictures were an after-thought!

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And guess who started preschool on Monday!?

Lawson

And though it has only been 3 days - you are not going to believe the difference in this kid!!! It is amazing how they break into his little head! I was a little stressed before he started. For one, he goes to a different school than Hudson. Long story - but Hudson goes to the school we were zoned for last year. They built a new school that opened this year that we are now zoned for. I had the option of moving Hudson to the new school, but I chose to keep him where he was at due to his hate of transitions. AND I was hoping Carson would get in when Lawson did. AND they don't put siblings together. And since there is a morning and afternoon program, I could space it out with one at the old school and 2 at the new one. {Are you following me?} Welp, Carson is considered "typical" so he didn't make it. But Lawson one the other hand, did get in. BUT then I was told that only afternoons were available. I wanted him in the morning {because he still needs a nap} and the simple fact that Hudson was in the afternoon program 14 minutes away at the old school.

So, you just asked me how I was going to be in 2 places at one time? I don't know - I was just going to make it happen! Actually, I prayed to God that He would make a child in the morning session move to another city and give his slot to Lawson. And He did. Okay, so not all of that is entirely true - a child did move, but I didn't pray that. I did, however, know this is exactly where Laws was suppose to be and I really did ask Him to make it happen. And although I was a little stressed about it, I knew it was going to work.

Yeah, I know - WoW!

And let me add - these are not the schools we are really zoned for. We are only zoned for them for preschool - because the school we are zoned for doesn't offer the program we need!

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Last night I ended up in the ER - no pictures! Sorry! I had been in incredible amounts of pain, but it had finally began to subside. And when I say pain, I could barely walk. And I still stayed in tune with the daily doings. Which made it so much worse! Lonnie was so afraid it was my appendix - so he made me go to the hospital.

So, I took my happy hinny to the hospital, checked myself in and waited . . . . forever. I sat there long enough to convince myself I was pregnant! I did! I watched a fantastic documentary on the PBS channel and heard the name "Brooksley" and thought I was for sure having a girl and that would be her name! No lie. I really was thinking crazy. After they pushed around on my abdomen area, we really were concerned it was the appendix. So after some nasty "joo-joo" they did a CT scan.

The results - a ruptured cyst on my ovary! I've had a couple of these in the past - years ago! I never, not one time, thought that the pain I was experiencing was that?! They also saw something else to cause me to have an ultrasound for a little further investigating. Dang birth control pills! Yes, I'm off of them and that is what happened - I'm sure of it! I have another week of so before the ultrasound - I'll let you all know.

So, apparently my husband's vasectomy worked. I now have to push away my plans for baby Brooksley far back in the recess of my mind and forget about it!

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**Art Alert**


The background of this one is white. I just took this picture in the evening - so the lighting is not quite the best!


"Dane" is to match the Oscar bedding by Pottery Barn Kids. Great color combination in this bedding! But of course I would think that - it would match the boys' room perfectly!


The sides are a very pale blue!


The car cracks me up in this bedding! I just like it for some reason! ha!

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Well, I have approximately 2 months to finish up all my current orders! Unfortunately, I found several that were put somewhere other than my clipboard once they come off the printer. These were from a long.long.long.time ago. As embarrassing as this is, I'm going to have to email each of these people and ask if they are still interested in these orders. I have no idea how this over site happened. But it did. I'm fairly organized - but obviously not enough! I really have to get better at it! Ugh! I feel horrible!

But, I'm currently jammin' away to some Christmas tunes to help me finish up the last 70 something orders! I really want to be done with all current orders by Christmas. Two months - I can do this! I can!

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Hello - are you still here?! Unbelievable!

Now seriously - 499 followers!!!! First off - I can't believe that many people follow me. Second - the one more is going to drive me batty for the 500 mark!

Just saying!

I think that sums it all up! Now I have to get some coffee! It's going to be a long night!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

My inbox is so FULL all of a sudden . . .

Have you emailed me in the past week??? Well, I think I just got it?!? I just checked my email and I have a TON and they have dates that date back through the week? Let me go through them all and I'll get back to you by tonight.

I thought it was odd that I wasn't receiving much mail - but now I see why.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Orders . . .

I will no longer be excepting orders for this year. I've debated to post this because I really thought I would see a slow down. But my inbox continues to overflow with them. I'm swamped. And delightfully happy because of it. I have quite a bit to keep me busy through the rest of the year and I thought it only fair that I let you all know that I cannot possible take on anymore till January. Please feel free to fill out an order form on the site, but know that I will not be able to get to the order till the first of 2010. {Unless of course, . . . I get caught up!}

The support, prayers, love and awesome comments you give are immeasurable and I appreciate them all in so many ways. With the push of my husband and some incredible friends, I'm going to do this and hope I don't run anyone off. I have Big Plans for Small Words that I'm hoping by stepping back a little will let me devote more time and energy. Of course I will continue to blog, but now {hopefully} I can get my head above the waters.


Thanks guys for understanding!

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Housekeeping . . .

** updated again - the "j" is sold!! Thanks guys!

** updated - the "S" is sold! Still have a "J" - any takers!?!?!


It's 3:30 in the morning. My day has officially started. ?? Not that I intended it to - I fell asleep in a chair downstairs in the living room. I've been doing that a lot lately. Since we got rid of the tv, it is so quiet and peaceful in that room. And well, it is just easy to relax for a minute to only wake up 5 hours later! Funny thing is that Lonnie {normally} is asleep in the chair beside me! His snoring usually wakes me.

Poor thing went back to work for his old employer. So not only does he work his full-time day job, but a second, part-time job. When our insurance decided not to cover the kids speech therapy {although it is clear that they both have severe speech delays,} we both got scared as to how we were going to pay for it. Since he left his last job due to active orders, he can easily go back at the same pay rate. It really was our only option and was stupid if we didn't. Things have somewhat worked out for the speech and our therapist is actually volunteering her time! {She loves our kids THAT much?!} She works it in when she comes over for Hudson's feeding therapy. BUT we do finally have someone in our town that just started accepting our "crappy" federally funded Tricare insurance. So, somehow I'm going to see how we can adjust the schedule AGAIN to work in that 4+ hours a week since that will actually mean we have to leave the house for those appointments. And we decided that it was in the best interest of the family if Lonnie kept the second job. We need to pay off a couple of things and start saving more money. So far we have done just that! And the burden it has lifted is huge!

The kids and I will also be involved in the RIP program in our area starting next month. I'll explain later {I'm sure} about what this is if you are in the dark. But it too will take up 5 to 6+ hours a week {for the next 6 to 8 months.} This will be the first time I'm pushing something into our evening hours. BUT it's finally come down to the fact that I have NO MORE time to give during the working hours of the day. And if I wasn't so desperate, I totally would not be doing this.

I live in my van.

Saying all this, I wanted to let you guys know some things . . . .

  • I will only be accepting Christmas orders through this week. THAT means that Saturday {August 22} is the last day you can place an order and expect it before Christmas. If we have already talked but you have not "officially" put in your order {probably because you are waiting on info from me?} You are safe - I've got you on the list - so no worries from you guys.
  • I will NOT be creating a Halloween or Christmas piece this year. I hate that, I really do - but I'm still trying to catch up from last years orders!!!!
  • Speaking of last years orders - I set a number that I would do of each of those sets. The number has been met - I will no longer take any orders for either set.
  • I currently have over 70 orders. If you placed an order within the past couple of days, don't expect it a couple of days from now. I don't mean that to sound mean {I swear,} I've just been dying to say that - haha!
  • I have an "S" or a "J" that are for sale . . . . $35 for each plus shipping. I made these for displays. Nothing is wrong with either. They are both wrapped and ready to go. Each is an 8x10, but the canvas is only 3/4" deep {not my usual 1 1/2".} Both are the exact same colors as the "hudson" painting that you will find a super close up of on the site under "funny bones."


I also want to ask you all to keep in mind that I'm a mom first. And although I seem to work all the time, my time constraints are different each week. And each day is a surprise as too how many hours I'll have to squeeze in for work. My kids take precedence over all business related "stuff" and I know that it is impossible to find the balance between the 2. I've tried and I've failed miserably. I'm so honored to have some exceptional people in my life that are currently trying to help me. One person in particular is catching up on all my paper work and other business related stuff. This is a legit business that pays taxes, licenses, etc and I try to keep up on copyrights and invoicing. None of that is the part I like but I have no choice in the time consuming, busy work. I've needed to give that to someone for a long time. And chances are if you have been waiting on art for a while, that stuff has been taking up more time than painting has!

I've said it before {so this is going to sound rhetorical} but I never dreamed small words would be where it is. I thought that maybe by the time Em was in school, that I might have a couple of orders a week . . . . haha! I have you all to thank. Thanks so much for the all the work you have given me, for all the people you have sent my way and just for reading my blog. As I've thought long and hard as to what to do with the business, I've been thankful for all of you out there.

and by the way - I'm out of ink in my printer. If you are waiting on a shipment it might be tomorrow before those go out! And I've got a "few" emails to answer from yesterday! It might be later today before I get to you guys!

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Where have I been!?

**updated** The "B" has found a home! Thanks friends! I really didn't think anyone would want it! I need to start thinking outside the box! I might have some more "practice" stuff around here! I'll keep you all posted.

I really had no clue it had been so long since I posted?! Bet you all think I got a lot done since I didn't post? haha - yea, I wish! I really have no idea where I've been, except the daily grind! And I've really not alot to say today?!

Okay, give me a minute and once I get going I'm sure I will!

I have only a few minutes to do this post - I have to wake up my kids from nap {early} and get them ready to go to a birthday party at "Monkey Joe's" {what a name?} - a bounce place and Hudson is actually excited?! I'm shocked - normally he would scream at me, "No Monkey Joe's" only because he has no idea what it is! But I showed them all pictures, we have talked about, etc . . . I'll let you all know how it goes! I'm excited {somewhat} but dreading it at the same time. You never know with this bunch!!


So, how funny does my almost 16 month old look with NO TEETH!? I know you think you might see something on top - don't fool yourself - it's nothing! Not a single tooth bud to be felt!?! Crazy - I tell ya'! And yes, this is the "new" face when she smiles for the camera - she "wants" the flash on! And gets upset if it isn't? Weird - I know!


Anybody like this "B" . . . enough to own it?? I tried a new aging technique {practicing} and it really darkened up the green. Alot more than I wanted. There is nothing wrong with the painting, it's just not the "sage" color I offer - more of an "olive" green. The accent is gold on the brown swirls.


It's packaged and ready to go! If anyone wants it - please email me - I'll offer it up to the first person who responds! {I don't know why I said that - no one might want it!}


I package the classic collection up a little different than the other paintings. I try to give it more of a grown-up look and not so cutesy as my other packaging. Sooooo, basically the "B" you see above would be a great gift if you don't "need" it . . . Christmas is around the corner! For Pete's sake, Hobby Lobby has already started setting Christmas stuff out!

I'm really about out of time! So in closing. I'll leave you with this . . .


Why yes - that is a sneaky peek! I'm so glad I could paint my dot roses - it's been awhile and I love them so! Uhmm, and yes that is the same stripes from these paintings!

Monkey Joe's here we come!