fresh picked whimsy

Have i mentioned that i love my job?

Spring has definitely sprung!  Thought i would share with you a couple of projects i just finished.  Both allowed me to tap into this gorgeous weather and blooming flowers everywhere for inspiration!  This first one was for the religious education program at my church...

...and this one is for Faucett & Flame.  That is the store that i did the Holiday Shoppe with in Zionsville this past Christmas season.  Well, this event is being held in the Faucett & Flame store in Lebanon, IN.  I can't wait to check it out!

I also created a few custom recipe cards for one of the elementary schools' PTO...more specifically at the request of one of my besties who is soon to be the PTO head poobah at that school.  Sets of these cards are going to be given out at the volunteer appreciation event...

they were bundled with a ribbon and this little tag was attached...

do you know how much i hate slapping my watermark across these?  But, it's a necessary evil.  sigh.

However, i have LOVED creating these custom goodies...are you looking for some custom illustrations?  Send me a message, email or comment.  I'd love to make something for you!

Have a wonderful weekend! xo

hello? it's the 21st century calling...

Great big hugs and kisses to all of you who have left me sweet messages here and on FB about our sweet Kismet.  Your kindness has been heartwarming.  She's hanging in there and we are spoiling her.  I promise to keep you posted.

♥♥♥

Mark surprised me and bought me an iphone for Christmas.  {major hubby points scored} Believe it or not, it's my very first smart phone.  I'm looking forward to all the ways it promises to help me stay on top of my business.  Right away i knew i had to create a custom case for it.  Mark did some research for me and found Case-Mate made some super durable cases that i could personalize.  It was really quite a simple process, once i figured out what i wanted.  i began with a drawing...

digitally colored it in Photoshop...

uploaded it to the Case-Mate site...

and waited very impatiently for it to arrive in the mail!

 I'm so happy with how it turned out.  {it's a gloomy day here today and i struggled for good light to take this pic, so the color is a bit off} I am currently trying to figure out how i can create and sell customized cases (affordably).  I've got a few leads for suppliers, and i will let you know when i get it all worked out.  oh, the possibilities!!!!

That said, if you use any apps that you just can't live without...let me know about them!  I'm looking for the best pedometer/walking app out there, too.  Any suggestions??

 

Decembering...

I'm soaking up all the happiness of this season.  My kiddos last day of school before break is tomorrow!  Oh, how will i get it all done?  Somehow...i will.  I always do.  I wish i was one of those people who have their Christmas cards mailed and shopping done by Dec. 1st.  Never gonna happen.  I just don't have it in me.  I'm a hustle and bustle kinda girl.  I think i work best under pressure, actually.  That's my story and i'm stickin' to it!  December in our house...

thank goodness for online shopping!  So excited about all of my etsy purchases this year!

that pile of laundry doesn't care that it's messing with the zen of our beautiful tree.  It just keeps on comin'...

my favorite ornaments on the tree...

thank you, Pandora...

Jingle, our family elf has been quite naughty!  First he doodled on our family portrait...

then he got into my jewelry box!...

we printed out the schedule for the 25 days of Christmas on ABC Family.  we love all those Christmas specials.  We always save It's a Wonderful Life for Christmas Eve.  I hope to have a family night this weekend to watch White Christmas, too. 

we enjoyed our very last elementary school holiday choir concert last night. I still can't believe griffin is almost done there.  We got the middle school orientation information in his folder last week.  listening to kids singing christmas carols is always so sweet...

LOVE this holiday flash mob that is making the rounds on pinterest and facebook.  I want to be in a flash mob.  someday.  it's on my bucket list for sure.  even though i can't really sing.  or dance.  it still looks like so much fun.  enjoy!

 

the merriest day of the year {in the studio}

The Holiday Open Studio is always just the most fun day! 

So many of my wonderful friends dropped in throughout the day.  I took lots of pics before it started, but was so busy while it was open, that i didn't take even one picture with everyone here! Ugh!  Anyway...here's a little virtual tour of my studio all decked out... 

My mom baked some cakes, i had baked some cookies and we had my fun Christmas mug collection ready and waiting for coffee... 

this darling little hutch was lovingly made for my mother-in-law by her uncle when she was a little girl.  It was in Katie's room when she was little, too.  It's now a perfect little display for my happy little houses. 

i scored this green cart for $12 at a local gift shop this past summer.  They were having a store fixture sale in the parking lot and this guy was covered in icky spider webs and dirt.  I SO did not want to pick it up and put it in my van, but i did and after we cleaned it up, i was so glad i did!  So cute!

These artsy fartsy necklaces made from my art were definitely the hit of my open studio...and just about sold out.  I have since made more and if i can find some spare time in my day {ha!}, i will post some in my etsy shop!  If you see one you just have to have before then, message me and i will set up a listing for you.  They are $12 plus s/h.

always a topic of conversation are the hand cut snowflakes that hang from my studio ceiling... 

I tell everyone how easy they are to make, but nobody believes me, so i made a batch to sell.  I kept supplies in the van and would cut a few every night in the football carpool line and also cut quite a few while watching tv right before bed each night!

My sweet friend, Jane {aka "Fun with Frannie"} was at it again delighting all the kiddos who came with reindeer balloon hats and fun little goody bags filled with festive activities. 

If you are local and you are looking for a fun birthday party idea, Jane is your gal!  She does balloon twisting, face painting and painted temporary tatoos for kids! She is amazing and so so sweet! I've blogged about her talents here. Check out all she has to offer here.

A special big thank you to my parents who came and spent the day with me.  To my mom for baking, my dad for tending bar for the evening session and making a pizza run for my family between sessions and to everyone who came, brought their friends and made the day a huge success. 

I am busy, busy, busy filling orders and completing custom requests.  It's like the North Pole South here.  Thanks to all of you, there will be lots of fresh picked whimsy under many folks Christmas trees this year!  ♥

whirlwind

hi guys!  whew!  i know i've been absent.  But, this is the craziest time of year for my business.  whimsy studios is everywhere!  Faucett & Flame Holiday Shoppe in Zionsville...

Bab & Company in Carmel...

Last Saturday i was at the Hoosier Artisan Boutique in Noblesville...

and tomorrow is my annual Holiday Open Studio in my home studio...

I've been busy, busy, busy!  On top of all of that we had Thanksgiving and Riley's football team won the Indiana State Championship!  Exciting times around here!  I promise to be back this weekend with regular postings and my 2011 holiday gift tags {free printable} and photos from the Open Studio!

If you're in the carmel area tomorrow, stop by and see me!

Grab a cup of something good, sit right down and join me for...

the recap of...

This little girlfriend gathering has become such a treasured tradition.  We look forward to it all year long.  {You can revisit our past trips here, here and here}  Then, when the leaves begin to fall, our countdown begins.  When the actual day arrives, we are positively giddy!  We left our sweet hubbys and children sleeping in their beds in the wee hours of the morning last Saturday while the moon was still high in the sky...

and met in one driveway to load up and head out!  Rooftop carrier...check!  Hillbilly hitch...check!  Cincinnati IKEA or bust!

All our children were still sleeping at home with the exception of one...Joy's sweet baby Delaney!

It was baby's first trip to IKEA!  She was sooooo good and we all got our baby fix!

 

One of the best parts of the day is always the time we spend in the car...chatting and noshing {and as you can see...gazing upon darling Baby D}!  Starbuck's {of course} fruit, chocolate, pumpkin chocolate chip muffins and Stacey's pumpkin spice donuts! mmmmmm.  I took advantage of the time and chaufeur and worked on a flurry of snowflakes for my booth at an upcoming show in Noblesville. 

Cheers and squeals of delight every time we see this... {squint...in the distance just over that hill}

 We are seasoned IKEA shoppers.  We have a system.  We have lists and tape measures and calculators.  We stick together and we take our time.  Seriously, take our time.  We were there when the doors opened at 10 am and didn't leave until 4:30.  That may seem like torture to some, but for us it is bliss. ♥  We get our carts and start upstairs with our parade of parusing.  Love!

I did get some goodies, but left behind 2 things i would have loved.  This snuggly chaise for one... {not in the budget}

and this multi-purpose sliding bed tray, which would be so awesome for our bedroom.  Unfortunately, it's built for a platform bed {very low} and won't work for our bed which is on the high side.  :(  Hmmmm...how can i {talk my hubs into} build one of these?

 

Time for lunch break.  we are easily entertained by the lunch tray cart...

 

Now, to enjoy the unofficial meal of IKEA...swedish meatballs, lingonberry jam, mashed potatoes and chocolate cake...

With full tummies to fuel us for more shopping,  Martha found a buffet for her dining room and we waiting while she negotiated with her hubby over the phone.  Girl's got skills...the buffet looks lovely in her DR now! :)

This ad slogan became our catch phrase of the day...

We got really excited when we saw this wine down by the check out! IKEA wine...with a cute label!?!

 alas, it wasn't meant to be. Such a tease...

more Delaney lovin'...

and just then... we spotted him! This was his 3rd appearance in 3 years.

If you remember, last year we spied him at Jungle Jim's...

the year before, at Starbuck's...

and now, at IKEA! He really is keeping his eye on us. i always have to be covert in my photo snapping...i'm afraid he might be on to me. i always have to take a few random shots so he won't become suspicious and put me on the naughty list!

Now, to pack it all in the Suburban.  Hmmm.  Let's see...

but, IKEA says it should be a snap...

I think we figured it out {and by we, i mean them, as i was too busy snapping pictures of IKEA signs that make them look silly}  :D

We did manage to make it home without losing any of our precious Swedish cargo.
Finally, to our surprise, if we had any doubt that it was Santa we saw earlier in the day...when we finally pulled into the driveway at home after midnight, this is what we saw just a few feet from us in Monica's yard! A doe and a buck...reindeer! Ok, Santa...we believe! we believe! :)

 

 

 Ladies, as always, it was a fabulous day that will have to sustain us until next year.  I enjoyed every single minute of my time with you.  Thanks for the giggles, adventure and love, my friends.  xo

Shop your local independent businesses this holiday season!

i have been asked to be a part of a fun holiday shop this season!  whimsy studios will be at the Faucett & Flame Holiday Shoppe in Zionsville, Indiana beginning this Saturday, November 19th through Christmas. 
I will be among many other creative local vendors in a darling store in the heart of downtown Zionsville. My mom has been helping me get my space all decked out and ready for the shoppers.  If you are in the Indy area, please come see us and bring your friends for a charming holiday shopping experience!  We are open daily 10-6...grand opening in two days!!!!  I will be there all day on Saturday; come see me!

one lucky day!

Hooray!  It's...

how cool is that?!  So, i thought...we should have a HUGE special one day only sale in the shop to match the awesomeness of this day!  How about this...

This is a one day only offer...11/11/11 and ends at midnight, EST, USA.  This offer cannot be combined with any coupon codes. 

**This offer does not apply to any prints that are personalized {i.e.: lake lovers, ocean lovers, best friend, prince charming, princess lovely} and does not apply to Save the Gulf or Fight the Good Fight, which both benefit charities.

Shop til you drop, friends.  It's 11/11/11, it's Friday and it's Veteran's Day.  Now, go hug a Veteran and tell them thank you for your freedom!!!  ♥

in my camera...

hard to get back into the swing of things after the vacay.  Had so many nice comments and messages here and on FB about the pictures.  Thanks for that.  Our tans are fading and we're going through a little paradise withdrawl.  :(  Wondering when we'll use these passports again...

Halloween was waiting for us as soon as we got back.  Griffin was my only trick or treater kid.  The big kids are too cool for that now.  Bummer.  Sigh.  This was the first year in a long time that i didn't have my grandfather with me to hand out candy to the kids.  Missing the good ol' days, for sure.  That's my Griff, i mean Paul Blart, Mall Cop...

i Love the deep red leaves this time of year...

homework...shomework...yuck!  my deep thinker...

 love waking my family up with something that smells yummy like french toast...

Sunny hung out by my feet hoping to catch any crumbs...

they look like they're all snuggly and she's holding his arm, but really, she is so clumsy in her old age and tried to make it around the coffee table where he was laying down and fell on him.  Then she became wedged between him and the table.  i couldn't resist the shot, though.  They look like an old married couple...

 
Sooooooooo looking forward to my annual girlfriend's trip to IKEA this weekend!  Me and my neighborhood homegirls are hittin the road at the butt crack of dawn on Saturday for our road trip to Cincinnati.  There's still no IKEA in Indiana, but what would we do if there was?  That would really mess things up!  I'm makin' my list and checking it twice!  My creative neighbor Stacey made everyone one of these chalkboard trays...complete with a countdown to our pilgrimage.  I helped her deliver them to all the girls on Saturday.  Check it out...isn't it cute?!...

i have the BEST NEIGHBORS EVAAAAAHHHH!!! 

raindrops keep fallin' on my head

two chilly, rainy, gray days in a row for us.  call me crazy, but i kinda like it.  at least for a day or two. 

Griffin took my camera in the van on our way to pick Riley up from football practice and snapped this one... he was trying so hard to get the windshield wipers "in action".  mission accomplished, G!

i bought this yellow rain coat at Sears about 10 years ago and i'm still wearing it.  but how many days a year do you really wear a raincoat?  so, it's still in great shape, and i'm gonna keep on wearing it.  its' sunshine on a rainy day.  hello, yellow!

i found this darling rainy day art on etsy in Tammy Olson's shop  {cute stuff in there!} and it made me think of my katie when she was little and loved to stomp in puddles...

Don't you love the sound of a slow, steady rain outside when you are snuggled up in a warm bed?  found these two on our bed last night...

guys, did you leave any room for me?

here's the forecast for the next week...brrr!

makes ya wanna fly off to a tropical island somewhere...

pssst!...my sweet friend Carolyn of Sweet Chaos Home is hosting a whimsy studios giveaway on her blog!  Head on over there and enter to win a $30 gift certificate in my shop!  Yay!