fresh picked whimsy

Busy busy girl

In the midst of putting together Craft Casserole, i've been swamped with custom work.  It's been a huge blessing, even if it has me hopping!!!  I thought i'd show you some of what i've been up to.  A few custom canvases...

 I'm thinking about creating a listing in the shop for these.  You know, to match baby nurseries or kids' rooms.  What do you think?

As i was painting away in the studio, Griffin was creating oragami.  He said some of the kids at school had made these and he was intrigued.  So, he pulled out the ipad and found a tutorial and figured it out. 

Then, he was bitten by the oragami bug.  He loves following the step by step progress and watching it develop into something awesome.  Just like it does when he puts together a Legos set.  We spent an hour or so making these guys...

and then he starting making a sun...which temporarily looked like a crown!  He is so fun to hang out with.  Seriously, if i was an 11 year old boy, he would be my bff.  What a great kid!  He did finish it but i didn't get a picture of it yet.

This week is his 5th grade play.  They are doing Willy Wonka Jr.  They've been working on it since Christmas break.  I've only seen the last 5 minutes or so of it, but what i've seen is ADORABLE.  So I've been creating a little bit of scenery/props.

 

  I love doing this because it's so fun for my kids to see it and be able to say "my mom did that."  Every time i bring in another piece, the kids oooh and aaah and i can see him puff up a little with pride.  That is priceless.  These are the last few months of elementary school for us and this play is kind of like the last hurrah.  Can't believe it.  I'm going to miss all of it so very much.

Sales on etsy have been so wonderful.  Thanks to you awesome people, it's pretty steady these days and once or twice a week you will find me here...

sending out some more happy mail!!! 

This morning we had the most amazing lovely fog.  The sky was clear but the fog lay very very close to the ground.  Griffin calls it clouds on earth.  I captured this picture before Mass this morning.  It was breathtaking! 

By mid morning it had lifted and i found this beauty by my back door. 

I've got the windows open and we are supposed to hit 74 degrees today!  I love it!  Wherever you are, i hope you are enjoying the sunshine today, too! xo

 

Leap Day BOGO Sale!

That's right!  I'm having a ONE DAY ONLY...Leap Day BOGO Sale in the shop today! 

Here's how it works:

BUY any one print in the shop, and GET any one print FREE!  Simply purchase the first print and leave a message in the "note to seller" section of check-out telling me which print you would like for your freebie.  The freebie must be of equal or lesser value as the purchased print. 

CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER OR COUPON.

No limits...buy 1 get 1 or buy 10 get 10. 

Happy Leap Day, friends! 

{Since I'm late in posting this...i will keep the sale open until noon (EST)tomorrow 3/1/12}

Click here to go to the shop now!

Blessed!

{new print in the shop!}

True dat.  I say this to my children everytime they say "i/we/you are so lucky".  Because I want them to remember to count their blessings.  It's not that i don't believe in luck.  I do.  It's lucky to find a penny heads up.  It's lucky to win a buck or two on a scratch off lottery ticket.  And, it's lucky to win a game of go fish.  But, if there's one thing this Italian-girl-who-married-an-Irishman has learned, it's that everything wonderful that comes into your life is a gift from God. 

Ponder that the next time you declare yourself lucky for not missing your flight or for running into a friend who encourages you on a day when you needed encouragement, or when that spilled cup of coffee nearly lands on your lap, but falls to the floor instead.  It's not a lucky break, or your lucky day...or as luck would have it.  It's God and He's got your back.  So next time, remember to count your blessings instead of chalking it up to luck. 

Now, before you go throwing away your lucky bowling shirt or lucky rabbits foot {eww}...there's nothing wrong with looking for luck.  In fact, i think it's a really fun way of looking on the bright side or being hopeful.  I still make wishes on rainbows and falling stars and pick up every heads up penny i find.  My kids LOVE the challenge of searching for and finding! four leaf clovers...

and we still bait our leprechaun trap each St. Paddy's Day waiting to catch that elusive sprite red-handed! 

However, when i read the lovelies that you leave for me after i post, or when i see that you've pinned something of mine on Pinterest, or when i get a sale in my etsy shop, i don't think i'm lucky.  Because luck has nothing to do with it...i am blessed!

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?

brokenhearted and discouraged

I HATE that i have to write this post.  But i do. 

My art was stolen twice over the holidays.  Twice, that i know of.

The first time, a friend found my art on some bottle cap pendants being sold at a local craft fair.  My copyright had been conveniently cropped out of the pendant.  After some sleuthing, i was able to find the vendor on etsy and confronted her online.  She admitted she was doing it and promised to stop immediately after i threatened legal action against her.  When i asked where she got the images, she simply said "i found them on the internet".

The second time was bolder.  Another friend found all of my FREE printables {Christmas gift tags, lunchbox notes, etc...} being sold by the sheet at a different craft market in my own hometown.  I found this vendor actually had posted a picture on her facebook page of my printables for sale in her booth...

i was outraged and confronted her on facebook.  She apologized but denied that it was her fault.  She claimed it was "a friend" who gave them to her to sell for her because "she was trying to make some extra money for Christmas".  Again, i threatened legal action and angrily explained how disgusted i was that an artist would do this to another, let alone in her own hometown.  I explained that it was stealing.  This woman was actually the organizer of this craft market and claimed they never sold any and that they would never do it again.

I feel angry and sad and frustrated.  It makes me want to pack my art up, wipe it clean from the internet and hide it away.  But you know that wouldn't be me.  It's not what i really want.  What i really want is to educate people.  I want people to understand that just because they find an image on the internet, it is not theirs for the taking.  In both cases, my watermark/copyright was all over my art.  In order to print those FREE printables, you have to go to my download page, which has a disclaimer in bold letters at the top stating that they are copyrighted and are for PERSONAL USE ONLY.  I know, it's the honor system.  But, sheesh, really people?  I make those FREE printables and put them out there to share with good folks who support me, read my blog, pin my stuff on pinterest and follow me on FB and twitter.  I love doing that.  It makes me so happy when people send me messages, emails, tweets, and comments on my blog telling me how much they love them and appreciate them.  I appreciate those folks so much and my FREE printables are just a small token of my appreciation. 

Print as many as you want, share them, give them away to everyone you know, but do not claim them as your own and sell them.  It's as if they put their hand in my purse and took money from my wallet.  That's how violated i feel and that's how illegal it is.

I feel the need to explain that my art is my trade.  It is how i make my living.  Just as a chef sells the food they cook, or a builder sells a house they built, or a plummer sells the service they provide...my art is my product.  In this day of pinterest and flickr and the blogosphere, it is out there.  I know that.  But, i do always have my copyright/watermark on everything that i put out there and hope that you would be honest enough to follow the link back to me and rightfully purchase it from me.  Because i am a small, independent business owner.  Truth be told, i'm a mom...putting my art out there, hoping you'll like it enough to buy it, so that i can continue to stay home with my kids, contribute to my household expenses and help put my kids through college. 

Friends, please pin responsibly...be sure that your images directly link back to the original source.  Take inspiration from all that is out there, but don't take images unless they are offered for FREE download by the original artist.  I am so thankful for friends who keep an eye out for me and have my back.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart, for all of your encouragement and love.  I won't let a few bad apples stop me from doing what i love. 

Thanks for hearing me out.  Sorry for the negative post but it was necessary.  I'll bring back the happy stuff tomorrow! ♥

it's just the beginning!

I've had a wonderful time with family and friends over these past few weeks...and am looking forward to all that 2012 has in store for me!  See you back here tomorrow, friends!  Have a fun New Year's Eve!  Be safe and enjoy!

Love, Lori

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!

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!!!  ♥