fresh picked whimsy

Under the Sea Valentines to You, Love Me

Hi Friends! I appreciate all of you so much. Please enjoy and share these FREE printable Valentines and know that they came straight from my heart! xo 

Christmas Pop Up Wrap Up!

 

I know, I know...it's January and I'm just now posting pics from our Christmas Pop Up.  I'm trying to play catch up.  There's so much going on in the studio right now, but I don't want to bypass all of the great stuff that happened over the holidays.  So, I'm going to show you all of the fun things I made for Christmas and how amazing our pop up was!

I had never had my pop up over the Thanksgiving weekend, but I decided to give it a go this year.  I kicked it off with a midnight madness opening on Thanksgiving night.  It was insane! There were people waiting at the door when we opened and then in a matter of minutes, we were wall to wall customers.  Truly, the line to check out was to the door!  I couldn't believe it!

I asked Katie to decorate my front door.  I gave her the words I wanted it to say and just gave her free reign to do it up.  Seriously, she's amazing.  My niece Megan helped her fill in some little snowflakes.  How cute are they?

Then, I asked her to create something on my chalkboard wall in the kitchen.  I wanted it to say 'have a holly jolly Christmas', but again, told her she could do anything she wanted for the design. My jaw hit the floor when she was done. 

I loved it so much that I asked her to make it into a print. 

We gave the prints away to everyone who came for the midnight madness and then sold them for the remainder of the weekend.  They're also available in my etsy shop.  They are my favorite!!!!

I was incredibly inspired this holiday and incredibly busy! It was kind of nuts. These are a few of the fun wood signs I made.  They were all different sizes and shapes...

These were 2.5 feet long!...

and these were my favorite...made to lean on your front porch or entryway.

I found that yummy plaid fleece and it inspired me to make these...which I've made a few more of for Valentine's...again, in the shop!

I thought these were kind of fun...

We had a yummy hot cocoa bar set up for the weekend...

I invited my friend Jenny Elkins to join me for this sale.  We love working together.  I think our work complements each other.  We're both on the whimsical side, but definitely each have a unique style.  We had to capture this moment when we realized that Katie, Jenny and I were all wearing black and white stripes...

These were my new ornaments this year.  The wine glasses were a big hit!

Santa was a jolly addition to the collection this year...

and who doesn't love a giant candy cane?

I added a few new designs to my prayer candles this season.  Ones for your loved ones and ones for world peace...

I created a few new magnets/pin back buttons, too...

This guy came about because I had a piece of scrap wood sitting on my table and I sketched it out while I was on the phone one day.  He just makes me smile...

Phew! Last picture, I promise.  Thanks for hanging in there with me.  I told you I was inspired this year! :)  I'm already busy working on fun things for spring and summer.  This was the last sign I made before Christmas, but I think it works year-round.  Everyone needs a little sparkle in their everyday life!  Don't you think?

 

 

 

2015 Yummy October Pop-Up Shop was magical!

Dreamy, Lovely, Cozy, Octobery

Yes, yes, I just made up that word.  But, it describes our weekend sale perfectly! The weather on Friday was grey and chilly, which made our pop up shop so inviting! But then on Saturday, the weather was crisp and bright and the sky was a vivid blue...which also felt like autumn perfection!  Everyone who came seemed to be ready for the change of season.  We're definitely feelin' all the good feels after a very successful and fun Yummy October Pop Up Shop!

My parents lovingly made all of the paper chains we had hung up on the studio ceiling! Definitely added to the festivity of the room! I had a lot of fun making the glittered magic wands...they came from a magical place...the back yard! They were a fun addition to our tablescape!

Had so much fun doing this with my friends Jenny and Stacey.  Our artsy stuff seems to really complement one another...my art, Jenny's art and Stacey's antiques, furniture and upcycled home goods.  We work really well together.

Come in, grab a hot cup of coffee or some cider and a few sweet nibbles and take your time browsing...oh how I wish all of my sweet friends from the blogosphere could have come...

Stacey made fun Halloween garlands from vintage bingo cards, I sold quite a few of those dotty horseshoe door hangers and how cute is that skull canvas from Jenny?

Stacey found me some really great old books and I hand painted over the covers and spines to turn them into spooky spell books...

I kept Mark busy once again, in the workshop making these fun hats...

 

and these sweet ghosts... {that's a brand new print, too! You can find it in our shop}

Jenny made these amazing witches' brooms...so creative!

 

and some really fun hand painted pillows, too.  I had to add this one to the McDonough family Halloween décor collection...

Just like last year, I painted tons and tons of these striped monogram pumpkins, too.  This year I had more orders for the faux pumpkins than real ones!

 
these tall signs were a hit, too.  I should have taken a pic of them before the sale day...there were lots of them in lots of colors.  This is all I had left at the end of the day!

and finally, probably my favorite new item from the Pop Up Shop is our Family Rules sign.  This is something that I've had many requests for over the years.  I've seen them all over the place, but I wanted to make it my own in my own style.  It's also available in our etsy shop and I'm taking orders for them until Dec. 1st for Christmas delivery.  It's totally personalized and I will help you compose your family rules...

and, I had to do it, friends...a Halloween version of our Daydreaming Yard Signs!

 I am jumping right into Christmas making this week.  I'm not ready to transform the studio into a winter wonderland yet, but I do have the Christmas music playing! I'll be announcing the date for my Christmas Open Studio very soon.  In the meantime, thank you to everyone who stopped by this weekend and for all of the supportive messages and comments from those who couldn't!  I got to meet so many new friends and some who have been long time facebook and instagram followers! That was awesome! Thanks to Stacey and Jenny, too...same time next year?! xo  

Enjoy this beautiful season, friends!

{Stacey supplied the bushel baskets and I painted them!  Mums by Costco!}

summer blurrrrrr

Well, that went fast. Summer, what was your hurry? I thought we were having fun and stuff and then you had to go and run off...

there was a brand new firepit to enjoy...

and family fun at an Indians game...

a cousins visit to Indy...

and my first time meeting up with The Peach Truck...

the time we spent under water...

 and by the sea...

and swung by Georgia on our way home for brief, but quality time with my sister and brother in-law and nephews...

stopping to smell the flowers...

and getting up earrrrrrrrrrrly to watch the hot air balloon race out at the State Fair with my Katie...

a friend spied us on someone else's instagram feed {who I don't know!} that day, which was super funny!...

we loved the race so much, we decided to go back that night for the "glow"...

loved watching the balloons and loved watching sweet, young love grow between Riley and his girlfriend, Jen over the summer, too...

 we love you, summer! 

 Why can't winter go by that quickly?

it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Gosh, i hope you can come! I promise to put you in the holiday spirit with all kinds of holiday goodness and cheer! xo

 

the yummiest

Finally getting around to blogging about our first ever fall open studio... the Whimsy Studios Yummy October Pop Up Shop!  It was amazing!!!

As i told you before, i had some special guests join me for this sale.  We had originally planned to hold this event under white tents in my front yard and then spill into the studio.  Mother Nature had other plans and gave us a rainy, blustery, cold weekend.  So, plan B...we squeezed it all into the studio.  When we first brought it all in to begin staging, we were overwhelmed, but somehow, it just fell into place perfectly and the studio was transformed into this cozy, magical shop. 

Let me show you around...

My friend and neighbor Stacey, of The Rusty Toolbox brought all of the fun vintage stuff and my sister Susan, of The Gingham Chair brought the re-loved painted furniture.  We had so much fun doing this   sale together.  It was sweet having co-workers for a change!

My sweet Katie and her adorable roommates surprised me and drove down from school just for a few hours.  Those crazy kids made my day!

Susan and I really missed our sister Kim, who lives in Georgia.  Couldn't resist taking a family selfie "with her" when my parents stopped by...

These striped monogram pumpkins were the surprise hit of the day for me.  More on those tomorrow...

Thank you, so much to everyone who came out to support us!  I loved meeting so many new people.  It really was a blast! It was a huge success and we will do it again!  Next up for me is my Holiday Open Studio, the weekend before Thanksgiving.  Susan and Stacey will be participating in the Holiday Market on Cherry Tree in Noblesville on November 8th. 

It will be November at the end of this week, so it's time to get crack-a-lackin'!

Thank You, friends!!!!

18 years flashes before your eyes

Everything was going just great and then Riley goes and does this...

And then without notice i look over at him at any given time of the day and a movie reel of the most precious moments of his life play in my head with an equally emotional soundtrack and i'm choking back the tears. 

I see him in that cap and gown, but what i'm really seeing is him on his first day of kindergarten...

Of course, there is a kind of spoiler alert as they begin their senior year in August.  You do know how it's going to end.  With that cap and gown, parties, prom, diplomas, and tears {mine, not his}! But in August you think to yourself, oh geez...that's not until NEXT YEAR! And then, BAM!...it's May.  And, so begins the emotional roller coaster of firsts and lasts and letting go.

i snapped this pic of him doing homework at his desk in his room.  one of the little things i will miss about him is seeing him there on a school night.  In the fall, that desk will be empty.

Last day of school...last time i will kiss him on a school day morning, standing at the front door telling him "i love you...drive carefully!" as he says "i will mom, i love you, too!"

ever.

The letting go.  I wrote about this when Katie graduated.  It's palpable.  It needs to happen.  It's the way it's supposed to happen.  But, it doesn't mean it doesn't hurt your heart.  This sweet, funny, snuggly little boy is a man now.  He used to need me to tie his shoes, tuck him in, hold his hand and wipe his nose (ahem, and other things).  And now he's driving, shaving, dating and leaving home in 2.5 short months. 

I'm telling you people, with little people still in the business of growing up.  This will happen to you, too.  And, you will vaguely remember me warning you about this.  Because in the right now, your life is messy and loud and you're breaking up fights over barbies, the xbox controller and who gets to ride shotgun in your mini van and really, you're just trying to use the bathroom without someone yelling your name.  But, i promise that one day, your little people will grow up like mine and you will miss all of that. 

We had a little party for our Riley, which we co-celebrated with our next door neighbors.  When we moved to this house, Riley was 2 and Nick, next door, was also 2.  They have been best friends ever since. 

We have embarassing photographic proof.

We capitalized on this when decorating for the party, which we held between our two yards...

table centerpieces (pics of Nick are on the other side)...

we lucked out with the most perfect weather.  We recycled the picture frame photo booth from Katie's grad party...

 It's been so much fun watching Riley and Nick grow up together.  They have a really wonderful group of friends. We got them all together for pictures the day before graduation. 

What a priviledge it is to be your Mom, Riley.  I am so very proud of you and the young man you have become.  There is so much excitement and wonder ahead for you!  Here we go!

i love you, Ri

"say woo-hoo"

Prom

It was a night to remember.  Riley's senior prom. 

It's one of those life events that nobody forgets.  He had an amazing experience and so did we.  It was a new experience for me as a mom of a boy.  The whole prom process from this side was really fun. 

He didn't do an elaborate "prom-posal", but he did wait for her to show up at her locker with a lovely bouquet of flowers to ask her.  Then, so sweetly sent me this...

We went tux shopping and ordered a corsage. 

and waited for the big day. 

The morning of prom, he washed and cleaned out his truck, picked up her flowers and decided that the goatee that he had grown for the past few months had to go...

Dad helped with the button covers and cuff links...

and he was good to go...

We followed Riley to his date's home to take pictures. (we were invited!)

Riley's date, Anna, was lovely.  I loved her classic dress.  They had a really great night together.

They went with a big group of friends.  I wish i would have taken a picture of the crowd of parents who were taking pictures.  It was like the paparazzi.  Crazy.

except for these two dads, who were happy to step away from the crazy...to chat.  LOL

The boys are all really great friends.  And, they're hams, too...

 Ri & Nick were running backs on the football team together...

and these two will be roommates next year at Purdue...

these 4 go back to elementary school days together...

and Riley & Nicholas have been besties since they were in diapers.  We are next door neighbors.

and then it was time for them to head off for their evening.  You honestly can't believe that they are old enough to be going to prom.  Then you see him walking her to his truck and opening the door for her and being a gentleman. 

And you melt and choke back the tears.  Happy...sad...so proud.

He was on my mind every minute of that night.  My heart fluttered when he sent me this at the end of their dinner...

 and then this one from the dance...

I'm so happy he had a great time.  His senior year is winding down.  We are just a few weeks from graduation.  Where did the time go?

I'm such a blessed mom.  i love you, Ri...you have my heart.

 

Healing

So, i'm just jumping back in here.  Yes, i'm still here.  It's been a very busy few months.  We have been getting Mark's parent's home ready to sell.  It has been a very big undertaking.  Where do you even begin?  Packing up, giving away, keeping, honoring and sorting through a lifetime of love?  So many treasures and memories.  It's overwhelming.  I'm thankful that my mom and mark's brother were able to devote so much time and energy to the task with me.  The house went on the market yesterday.

We still have much to do.  We were in a hurry to take advantage of the spring market, so we packed much of their things and brought them over to our house.  There is still a lot of sorting to do.  I've never felt more motivated to get my own home organized in my life.  {the main reason i have been absent here}  I have a new clarity about the worth of things...and a new appreciation for letting things go.  I'm very sentimental and have always been a keeper.  But, after this experience i want so badly to pare my possessions down to what is truly important and meaningful.  When you really examine what you own, and you look at it from that perspective, it's easy and liberating to purge the excess and make room in your life for what really matters. 

I'm using the same approach when it comes to my health and the health of my family.  We ate our way through our grief.  Comfort food.  'nuff said.  It's time to prioritize and get serious about it.  And honestly, it feels good.

Through it all, we have been surrounded by love.  From both friends and family.  So much kindness and support and understanding.  I am STILL writing thank you notes.  Having been on the receiving end of this outpouring of love, i just want to say that every little message, hug, smile and gesture has meant so much.  I know how awkward it is...not knowing what to say...how to say it.  But, just know that it all helps.  I only hope and pray that i can be that kind of light for others when they are in need. 

As early as i can remember, my grandmother and mom have both always had a candle on their countertops in their kitchens, which they would light as an offering in prayer...in the midst of their busy everyday lives.  i think it's a Catholic thing, primarily, but i don't see why anyone can't do it.  Whatever is on your heart...light a candle and say a prayer.  It's that simple.  My grandmother had these big chunky candles that would melt over time and eventually would reveal a plastic Virgin Mary statue.  as a kid, it was kinda magical and i loved them.  i have continued this tradition and often buy those tall, colorful Jesus votive candles in the Mexican food aisle in my grocery store.  My store also sells some that are simply clear glass and i of course only see that as a blank canvas. 

So i made these...

I found those words on Pinterest, but i don't know their origin.  If anyone out there does, i would love to credit them.  It sooooo speaks to me.  I have put them in my etsy store because i posted that picture on instagram and was happily surprised at how much interest they got.  They're sparkly and pretty and hopefully encourage prayer.  They're available here.

I pray that you all know how much i appreciate you and that you are blessed with much happiness!

Here's to happier days ahead! xo

 

Secret pumpkins

It's a little fun tradition between myself and three of my friends.  I paint pumpkins and deliver them on their doorsteps "on the down low".  This year i made them for my mom and sister, too. {wish so badly i could've put one on my other sister's porch.  Alas, a 9 hour drive for a secret pumpkin delivery seems a bit extreme :( } 

We live in a town with TONS of roundabouts.  Roundabouts and not secured pumpkins = a big fat mess!  Secure your pumpkins!!!!

One of these friends is a HUGE lover of the color pink...

You can make these, too.  It's simple acrylic paint.  i didn't even mask out the stripes...i think they are cuter with wonky-ish stripes.  if you can't draw the black shape, a simple circle or oval would be equally cute.  i hand lettered the monograms and "boo!", but you could easily stencil them on.  Top it off with a gingham ribbon and a little tag.  Done! 

*keep in mind...These painted pumpkins don't like to get wet or frozen.  You'll want to keep them indoors or on a covered porch.  I bring mine in and out according to the weather.

this was last year's secret pumpkin delivery...

Give it a try! It's easier than you think!