fresh picked whimsy

songs that Grandmas sing

 This one's for you, Mimi...

Listen to the Doris Day audio of the song "a Bushel and a Peck" ...

A Bushel and a Peck

...don't you just LOVE Doris Day?!

Mark's Mom has been singing that song to my kids since they were born.  They call her "Mimi".  Those sweet sentimental memories inspired this new print.

{Katie and her Mimi 1994}

{Mimi and her grandbabies in November}

I posted a copy of this new print on my personal facebook page and couldn't believe how many of my friend's parents or grandparents sang it to them, too.  I loved hearing all of their stories.  Now, i'm all nostalgic and i'm thinking i need to paint the song my grandma {whom we also called "Mimi"} sang to me!  My sisters and Mom will know exactly what song that is.  The rest of you will have to wait....!  Do you have happy memories of songs that your grandmothers sang to you?

doodled door

if you can draw a heart...you can do this! 

Have you seen these awesome water-based Sharpies?  I found them at JoAnn's, by accident when i was looking for traditional Sharpies.  I was so excited and i knew exactly what i was going to do with them!!!

If you absolutely cannot draw a heart, you could always use a stencil, or trace the cardboard ones that you can buy at any craft store.  Then, just turn them different directions and embellish them a little with polka dots, stripes, arrows, scallops, etc... if you mess up, simply wipe it off and start over.  easy peasy.

You can even personalize them...

It was a little tricky to photograph on a snowy day, so i had to wait for night fall before i could take a picture from the inside out. 

After Valentine's Day, they will wash off pretty easily with a little windex and elbow grease. 

doodle away, my friends!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

 
{your first peek at new holiday art, available now in the shop!}

...at least it is, over at whimsy studios!  I know, i know...the leaves have only just begun to turn and fall and i'm blogging about Christmas?!?  Well, I've been embracing my inner elf and working on Christmassy things!  Pandora has been playing Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole and Harry Connick, Jr. holiday faves, putting me in the mood for all things yuletide! {you should see my kids faces when they get home from school and hear Christmas songs blasting throughout the house in September!} And, did you know that there are only...

88 days until Christmas!

No worries...i've got your holiday shopping woes taken care of!  Very soon i'll be announcing the dates for my Holiday Open Studio and other local holiday shows where you can find me.  And, have no fear, if you are not from the Indy area, i will of course, have special deals in my etsy shop to coincide with my events!  So, start making your lists and check them twice!  I will have art that's very, very nice!  xo

Now, i suppose i better get to changing my blog banner from the dog days of summer to fabulous fall!  Back to the drawing board!

{Christmas countdown website available here}

I'm that girl...

 

a new print in the shop today inspired by my LOVE for stopping at garage sales, thrift stores and antique malls...the rush of finding a great piece that simply needs a little love, paint or elbow grease...collecting even more blue Ball jars, daydreaming about learning how to sew...and gifting something handmade.  I am in awe of the massive creativity out there in the world, and thrilled that Pinterest has made it so easy to see so much of it, all in one place!  To all you DIYers and fellow treasure hunters...this one's for you!

hope

My sweet blogging friend, Kristina of One Happy Mama, is doing everything she can to raise money and awareness for Type 1 Diabetes.  This is a cause that is near and dear to her heart, most especially after the diagnosis of her daughter, Caylin, this past March.  She and her husband created the Caylin's Cure fundraiser and have set a goal to raise $10,000. 

 

I offered to create a custom art print for her to auction off for Caylin's Cure and she sent me a scripture that she finds comfort in.  Her only other request was for me to include a ladybug somewhere in the print...

  
 
So, hop on over to One Happy Mama to find out how you can contribute to hope and win one of two framed prints, or learn how you can receive an unframed print, too!  Thank you, friends and God bless!

Thought this week would never end!

 
{new art in the shop today!}

My hubs has been out of town all week and it just happened to be one of those weeks when i needed to be in 10 places at once.  It would have been handy if i had been able to clone myself.  Doc appointments, sports carpools, church committments, meetings, school open house...you name it, we had it.  But, it's Friday and we made it through!  Phew!  My fella is on his way home to me and life under the Big Top will run a little more smoothly.  ♥  Have a wonderful weekend, friends!

visions of gratitude

 
Last week we had a scare when Katie was diagnosed with a large ulcer on her cornea.  Her pain was extreme and she had to endure painful procedures, to boot!  Throughout those procedures, i found myself trying to distract her with thoughts of favorite vacations, movies and of course, boys...anything to help her get through the pain.  Because her procedures were on her eyes, she couldn't simply look away!  It broke my heart.  Thankfully, she is now on the mend and her vision is coming back around.  We learned how strong our brave girl is and we learned to never ever take our vision for granted again...something we don't often think about.  That is, until you are faced with the possibility of losing it. 

Having just been to the State Fair, lingering thoughts of carnival sweets and dwindling summer days helped to illustrate this new Katie inspired piece in the shop today! 

soul sister

 
New art inspired by a dear friend, with a HUGE heart, who is celebrating a very BIG birthday.  Happy happy, Anne.  Love you! xo

why not...

 
a new sunny print in the shop today!  Happy Friday, friends!

 

this way or that-a-way...

This was one of those ideas for something that i have always wanted to make and i finally did it!...

 
We replaced our old stockade fence last summer with a new fence and had all of this wood piled up waiting to go to into the bonfire.  But, i had this idea and knew this wood would be perfect for it! 

 
We made a list of all of our favorite places in the world.  Most we have been to, and some we hope to visit someday.  Then, Mark used Google maps to find the mileage and i handpainted each and every one. 

 
 
We installed it just in time for our annual neighborhood pool party this weekend and it was a real conversation piece.  Everyone was brainstorming the places they would want on their signs.  They all want one, too!  Who knew?! 

 
 
 
 
So, we are putting together the details so i can list them in my etsy shop.  In the meantime, until i get it listed, if you think you may want to order one, leave me a comment or send me an email.  I will put you at the top of the list!

 
It's a great addition to our little backyard beach.  Speaking of that, i made another special sign for our gate to the backyard, too...

 
Just my way of making our life in landlocked Indiana feel a little bit more like a tropical vacation every day!  ♥