Greetings, earthlings! I am not dead... just a little burnt out. Vacation wasn't exactly what I had been daydreaming about. I guess that is my fault. I often do that to myself. I will spend COUNTLESS hours thinking of how something will be, & then it ends up being completely different... & I am so disappointed. There is no one to blame but myself.
I am also a little... no VERY upset because it turns out, I got stiffed for my Father's Day picture frame for Connie. I guess I am now trying to resell it, as is or whatever. I just want to sell the danged thing. It is so frustrating to look at it, knowing I spent hours on it & she doesn't want it now, I guess. She is not returning any of my messages. I have learned a lesson from this, that is for sure. I will never begin work on something again until I have been payed for it.
Sorry, such a negative post. I'm not very much fun today.
On a better note, the band "Crooked Still" is rocking my socks off.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
Mark & Christina
Right now I am packing up for the beach.
I am SO excited. I can't wait to get away from the city... for a WHOLE WEEK. Not to mention the fact that I get to see my family. My mom & dad, sister & brother-in-law are all coming! It would have been an amazing trip with just my hubby and I... but this is just icing on the cake.
The beach house, sadly, does not have internet. So I am leaving you for a week as well. So, I thought I would leave you with a blog about the last Father's Day plaque, because I sent it off, and it was beautiful.
Christina, my cousin, finally got her marine husband, Mark back. He had been over seas for several months. While Mark was gone Christina continued in her pregnancy with their second son, Gavin (LOVE love that name). Gavin was born in April. Mark came home in June. ....Get it? I can not imagine going through my pregnancy without my husband. Even more than that, I can not imagine going through labor alone. ... I am not half the woman that Christina is. I wasn't even there, and as unfortunate & sad as it is, i haven't even met Mark yet... but I would go as far as to say that time stood still for that moment when this precious family got their Daddy back. I am quite sure it did... how could it not?
So, for this beautiful family. I had the privilege of painting a FATHER'S day gift. Are you kidding?! Painting for a Father who sacrificed so much to defend our freedom... my freedom....It was such an honor. In a way i felt like i was saying, "thank you''
but somehow, there's no words for that. but these are the words Christina chose for the plaque...
walnut plaque. Acrylic paints. Sold.
it still brings tears to my eyes. That is the sweetest.. most honoring thing for a man... ANY man to hear. But for a marine... i can not fathom how those words will weigh on his heart.
Thank you for reading. i hope you all have a wonderful weekend & week. Talk with you soon.
I am SO excited. I can't wait to get away from the city... for a WHOLE WEEK. Not to mention the fact that I get to see my family. My mom & dad, sister & brother-in-law are all coming! It would have been an amazing trip with just my hubby and I... but this is just icing on the cake.
The beach house, sadly, does not have internet. So I am leaving you for a week as well. So, I thought I would leave you with a blog about the last Father's Day plaque, because I sent it off, and it was beautiful.
Christina, my cousin, finally got her marine husband, Mark back. He had been over seas for several months. While Mark was gone Christina continued in her pregnancy with their second son, Gavin (LOVE love that name). Gavin was born in April. Mark came home in June. ....Get it? I can not imagine going through my pregnancy without my husband. Even more than that, I can not imagine going through labor alone. ... I am not half the woman that Christina is. I wasn't even there, and as unfortunate & sad as it is, i haven't even met Mark yet... but I would go as far as to say that time stood still for that moment when this precious family got their Daddy back. I am quite sure it did... how could it not?
So, for this beautiful family. I had the privilege of painting a FATHER'S day gift. Are you kidding?! Painting for a Father who sacrificed so much to defend our freedom... my freedom....It was such an honor. In a way i felt like i was saying, "thank you''
but somehow, there's no words for that. but these are the words Christina chose for the plaque...
walnut plaque. Acrylic paints. Sold.
it still brings tears to my eyes. That is the sweetest.. most honoring thing for a man... ANY man to hear. But for a marine... i can not fathom how those words will weigh on his heart.
Thank you for reading. i hope you all have a wonderful weekend & week. Talk with you soon.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Liberation
As I write today, I sigh with such relief. I am finally done with my painting for Father's Day & for Marge. It feels so good to look at everything & be happy with the end result.
Marge's painting turned out just as amazing as I had expected. It is so rich & ...INVITING. It makes me want to sit down & have a cup of coffee RIGHT NOW. Marge told me she wanted a coffee sign for her kitchen. The colors she gave me to work with were brown, yellow & red (so cute!). That was it. She just let me roll with it! How fun is that?! I got to just... PAINT. It was so freeing & exhilarating, knowing I could do whatever I wanted. I hope she loves it as much as I do... otherwise, I may just buy it back from her. :)
Yellow Pine. Latex & Acrylic paints. Sold.
I also had a lot of fun experimenting with this project. After a great deal of frustration, I finally gave in.... & I bought a paint pen. I never wanted to use one before, because I kind of felt like I was cheating. So, I had just been using really skinny paint brushes... & carpel tunnel is real fun & everything, but I was just done. I went to Michael's & finally bought one.
BEST.DECISION.EVER.
It was such a breeze to do my main lettering with a PEN! Who would of thought! Er, Duh? It made editing an exciting process instead of aggravating.
I also did a little other experimenting recently. Thought I'd give you a glimpse.
Marge's painting turned out just as amazing as I had expected. It is so rich & ...INVITING. It makes me want to sit down & have a cup of coffee RIGHT NOW. Marge told me she wanted a coffee sign for her kitchen. The colors she gave me to work with were brown, yellow & red (so cute!). That was it. She just let me roll with it! How fun is that?! I got to just... PAINT. It was so freeing & exhilarating, knowing I could do whatever I wanted. I hope she loves it as much as I do... otherwise, I may just buy it back from her. :)
Yellow Pine. Latex & Acrylic paints. Sold.
I also had a lot of fun experimenting with this project. After a great deal of frustration, I finally gave in.... & I bought a paint pen. I never wanted to use one before, because I kind of felt like I was cheating. So, I had just been using really skinny paint brushes... & carpel tunnel is real fun & everything, but I was just done. I went to Michael's & finally bought one.
BEST.DECISION.EVER.
It was such a breeze to do my main lettering with a PEN! Who would of thought! Er, Duh? It made editing an exciting process instead of aggravating.
I also did a little other experimenting recently. Thought I'd give you a glimpse.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Just for Joy (The Goose Beary Shop)
I have something special for you, today. All I have been thinking about & writing about lately is Father's Day. So, today I am going to post a gift. I was reading a friend's blog today about where we were a year ago as opposed to where we are now. & I remembered, a year ago I didn't know her. She's a wonderful friend, mother & wife. & now, being in charge of The Goose Beary Shop, she is a sewing maniac!
When I had my sweet baby girl back in February, she came to the hospital with a BASKET full of handmade goodies. It was so thoughtful & encouraging! Some of the things she gave us are a part of my daughter's daily necessities. Once her birthday came around, I KNEW I had to make her something in return. So, I made her these blocks. They were specifically designed for her around her etsy site. I personally love them. They were so much fun to make & they turned out GREAT!
So, here's to you, Joy. Thank you for reminding me of all I have to be thankful for. This year has been good to me... & sometimes I forget all about that. I am married to my best friend, we have a sweet, sweet baby girl & I am selling my ARTwork. How awesome is that?!
& for the rest of you, my dear friends, like Joy asked, "what about you?"... what has this year brought into your life?
When I had my sweet baby girl back in February, she came to the hospital with a BASKET full of handmade goodies. It was so thoughtful & encouraging! Some of the things she gave us are a part of my daughter's daily necessities. Once her birthday came around, I KNEW I had to make her something in return. So, I made her these blocks. They were specifically designed for her around her etsy site. I personally love them. They were so much fun to make & they turned out GREAT!
So, here's to you, Joy. Thank you for reminding me of all I have to be thankful for. This year has been good to me... & sometimes I forget all about that. I am married to my best friend, we have a sweet, sweet baby girl & I am selling my ARTwork. How awesome is that?!
& for the rest of you, my dear friends, like Joy asked, "what about you?"... what has this year brought into your life?
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Sunday satisfaction
So, I couldn't resist posting this. I am finally done with all this Father's day madness! And, if I may say so myself, these are friggin cute.
This is for a gal named Connie. She contacted me a while back wanting something for the special man in her life on Daddy's Day. All she asked of me was that it have light blue, "#1" somewhere, and for it say, "world's greatest Dad"... here you are, my dear.
Wooden frame. Latex and Acrylic paints. Sold.
The next is possibly a favorite. Once again, this is for Destiny (she's such a good customer). You remember the corn, well that was for her great-grandfather, the gardener. But, her grandfather likes to fish.
Wooden frame. Larex and Acrylic paints. Sold. And yes, that is a wee wooden fish... and real fishing line. I know, too cute.
Pictures really don't do it justice. Let me put it this way, my husband said, " that's cute"... yes, he did.
Now, I just have to finish up this coffee sign for Marge & I will be able to breathe again.
This is for a gal named Connie. She contacted me a while back wanting something for the special man in her life on Daddy's Day. All she asked of me was that it have light blue, "#1" somewhere, and for it say, "world's greatest Dad"... here you are, my dear.
Wooden frame. Latex and Acrylic paints. Sold.
The next is possibly a favorite. Once again, this is for Destiny (she's such a good customer). You remember the corn, well that was for her great-grandfather, the gardener. But, her grandfather likes to fish.
Wooden frame. Larex and Acrylic paints. Sold. And yes, that is a wee wooden fish... and real fishing line. I know, too cute.
Pictures really don't do it justice. Let me put it this way, my husband said, " that's cute"... yes, he did.
Now, I just have to finish up this coffee sign for Marge & I will be able to breathe again.
Friday, June 11, 2010
"Save me a piece of that corn!"
Hello again.
Things have been so busy. I am finally starting to feel a little better, but now my wee one has caught it. Have you ever heard a 3 1/2 month old cough? Oh my, it is so heartbreaking. I feel like such a monster for getting her sick. She is so sad. No more morning smiles, just lots of pouty lower lip-ness. In the words of my friend Napoleon Dynamite, "it kills."
On a more positive note, I am slowly but surely making progress with all of these orders. I have learned that sometimes you just have to say no. I am always on overtime trying to get all this done. It kind of feels like running in place. The good news is that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Once I get all of this done, we will be heading on a family vacation. A whole week at the beach. If I can just hold on, & finish strong... I can relax with my toes in the sand, knowing I didn't cut any corners. I don't want to ever look back & wish I had done it a little better, not when people are paying for artwork. I have to give them artwork... my best, not my "as good as it gets" or "good enough" work.
So, I have this weekend to really kick it up a notch & finish. I will finish, even if I have to tape my fingers (which I very well may have to). Hopefully on Monday I will be able to blog about a few different gifts. But, for today, I just have one.
This is for Destiny's great grandfather. He is a gardener. He grows corn. Its pretty much adorable. I don't care who you are, that corn is cute.
Wooden plank. Coated with Latex & Acrylic pants. Sold.
More to come on Monday. Enjoy your weekend.
Things have been so busy. I am finally starting to feel a little better, but now my wee one has caught it. Have you ever heard a 3 1/2 month old cough? Oh my, it is so heartbreaking. I feel like such a monster for getting her sick. She is so sad. No more morning smiles, just lots of pouty lower lip-ness. In the words of my friend Napoleon Dynamite, "it kills."
On a more positive note, I am slowly but surely making progress with all of these orders. I have learned that sometimes you just have to say no. I am always on overtime trying to get all this done. It kind of feels like running in place. The good news is that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Once I get all of this done, we will be heading on a family vacation. A whole week at the beach. If I can just hold on, & finish strong... I can relax with my toes in the sand, knowing I didn't cut any corners. I don't want to ever look back & wish I had done it a little better, not when people are paying for artwork. I have to give them artwork... my best, not my "as good as it gets" or "good enough" work.
So, I have this weekend to really kick it up a notch & finish. I will finish, even if I have to tape my fingers (which I very well may have to). Hopefully on Monday I will be able to blog about a few different gifts. But, for today, I just have one.
This is for Destiny's great grandfather. He is a gardener. He grows corn. Its pretty much adorable. I don't care who you are, that corn is cute.
Wooden plank. Coated with Latex & Acrylic pants. Sold.
More to come on Monday. Enjoy your weekend.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Tea Time
I'm sorry for such a long gap between posts. It has been a yucky week. My health has definitely seen better days. But, once again, my prince charming has come to my rescue. He's so wonderful. My husband has been taking care of our sweet baby girl and I all weekend. Yesterday he spent all afternoon outside working on stuff for all my Father's Day orders. "What a man, what a man, what a mighty good man!" I don't know where I would be without him. I think sometimes God has to bring us down to a vulnerable stage in order to give us "fresh eyes" for our spouse. This weekend, if nothing else, has reminded me of all the reasons I married my best friend. Because, whether or not we want it to, life usually comes along & causes us to forget.
That's all I've got for you today, cause my best friend is in the other room... & I'd like to go have a cup of tea with him.
That's all I've got for you today, cause my best friend is in the other room... & I'd like to go have a cup of tea with him.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Sifting
Have I ever told you about my amazing husband? Well, he is mine... and he is amazing. Not only does he spoil me with trips to the hardware store, but he is my own personal carpenter. Last night he helped me out with Marge's kitchen sign for hours. Yes, plural. He used a hand planer to put a chamfer edge around it. Then, as if that was not enough, he sanded the whole thing for me. Oh, dear ...he is so like-able. Even if I wasn't madly in love with him, I'd still like him. All I can say is, "Marge, this is going to be boss".
Today I started priming so that tomorrow -hopefully- I can use my AWESOME pumpernickel paint & begin! Here is a look "behind the scenes" so far... which, I warn you... is not much. But if nothing else, LOOK AT HOW BIG IT IS... it's amazing.
Mainly, I have been spending all my spare time on the other Father's Day plaque. I felt I needed to ask for permission before I used names... so in my last post I referred to a "woman" who wanted a plaque for her husband, the "marine". Which is still true, her husband is a marine, & his name is Mark. And, the woman, Christina... is my cousin. Yep, this story just gets better & better. I haven't met Mark yet, but from what I hear I am missing out because he is truly one amazing man. After all, he is a marine. To add on to that feeling of "missing out", I don't think I have seen Christina since I was a teeny-bopper. I hate that. This will in no way make up for that lost time... but we don't live TERRIBLY far from each other. I am crossing my fingers to meet her beautiful family & see her again sometime in the near future.
But for now, I am using what I do know of Mark & Christina to paint my heart out.
I will admit, I've gotten choked up a few times. Its hard to create something so sentimental, something that reads "Our Father, Our Hero". All the while knowing this family's father & hero have been gone for so long... knowing when he comes home he will be meeting yet another son for the first time ...all because he was doing his duty to fight for our country. For our freedom.
How would you handle that?
I've been thinking about it non-stop ...and I can tell you straight up, I would NOT be handling it with courage, strength & honor. I'd be angry. So angry. & who knows, maybe Mark is angry... I wouldn't know because I'm not him... nor Christina. But, if he is angry, he's still being a man of his word and thats something I am not sure I could do. How pathetic of me.
So, as I have been painting, I've been trying to sift through all these thoughts & emotions. ...& I need some tissues. I thank God for giving me this opportunity. & I hope that as you read this, you take a minute & thank God for what you have & WHO you have in your life.
Today I started priming so that tomorrow -hopefully- I can use my AWESOME pumpernickel paint & begin! Here is a look "behind the scenes" so far... which, I warn you... is not much. But if nothing else, LOOK AT HOW BIG IT IS... it's amazing.
Mainly, I have been spending all my spare time on the other Father's Day plaque. I felt I needed to ask for permission before I used names... so in my last post I referred to a "woman" who wanted a plaque for her husband, the "marine". Which is still true, her husband is a marine, & his name is Mark. And, the woman, Christina... is my cousin. Yep, this story just gets better & better. I haven't met Mark yet, but from what I hear I am missing out because he is truly one amazing man. After all, he is a marine. To add on to that feeling of "missing out", I don't think I have seen Christina since I was a teeny-bopper. I hate that. This will in no way make up for that lost time... but we don't live TERRIBLY far from each other. I am crossing my fingers to meet her beautiful family & see her again sometime in the near future.
But for now, I am using what I do know of Mark & Christina to paint my heart out.
I will admit, I've gotten choked up a few times. Its hard to create something so sentimental, something that reads "Our Father, Our Hero". All the while knowing this family's father & hero have been gone for so long... knowing when he comes home he will be meeting yet another son for the first time ...all because he was doing his duty to fight for our country. For our freedom.
How would you handle that?
I've been thinking about it non-stop ...and I can tell you straight up, I would NOT be handling it with courage, strength & honor. I'd be angry. So angry. & who knows, maybe Mark is angry... I wouldn't know because I'm not him... nor Christina. But, if he is angry, he's still being a man of his word and thats something I am not sure I could do. How pathetic of me.
So, as I have been painting, I've been trying to sift through all these thoughts & emotions. ...& I need some tissues. I thank God for giving me this opportunity. & I hope that as you read this, you take a minute & thank God for what you have & WHO you have in your life.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
That's an order, Soldier
Excitement is flowing from my fingertips.... quite literally. I finished the Father's Day plaque for Destiny & blogged it Friday. I was kind of bummed that I still had one plaque, all paint-less & lonely. I don't like painting just to paint. I have to know who I am painting for... why they want that particular thing painted... SOMETHING personal. Otherwise, it just doesnt matter to me... does that make sense? Its like the difference between baking cookies because you have what you need in the pantry and baking cookies for someone sick. Love is the secret ingredient. And I had no love for the second plaque yet. More like resentment towards its wasted potential. Then, thanks to Facebook, a woman contacted me & asked for a plaque for her husband.
I can not really tell you how special this project is going to be. Her husband is a marine. He is currently deployed & when we gets home, he will be meeting his newborn for the first time. Can you take a moment to wrap your head around that for a second?
Now take another moment to wrap your heart around it.
Yeah. Exactly. & I get to have the honor of painting something as special as a FATHER'S DAY gift for this family. Honestly, I am humbled by this opportunity. The best part is she wants it to read: "Our Father, Our Hero". Is this gonna be a tear jerker or what?!
The rest of the day continued to be good to me. It totally makes up for all the lost sleep lately. I continued to make-wait for it-FIVE ORDERS. ...Holy Moses.
I have 3 Father's Day orders, two for $10 and one for $25-30. Destiny's are the $10 orders for her grandfather & great-grandfather. One loves to fish, the other loves to garden. So, the first will say, "What a catch!" with a fishing pole and the other, "You're someone I look up to no matter how tall I grow" with a corn stalk. Super cute... I think. I am still waiting for details on the last order for a gal named Connie. She's finding a good quote & I'm waiting to get my hands on the perfect size wood. Then I have to finish with Marge's yellow pine kitchen painting.... can you feel this whelming me over?! Then, someone snatched up the Mahogany jewelry set (sorry folks, its all gone). Aye-yi-yi. Not to mention, two people contacted me about possible orders. Don't get me wrong, I am so thankful for the business. But, I am a little stressed. Excited to be included on SO many special opportunities, but nervous... for my hands may fall off.
Keep an eye out. Sneak peaks will be coming soon-ish. & thanks for reading.
I can not really tell you how special this project is going to be. Her husband is a marine. He is currently deployed & when we gets home, he will be meeting his newborn for the first time. Can you take a moment to wrap your head around that for a second?
Now take another moment to wrap your heart around it.
Yeah. Exactly. & I get to have the honor of painting something as special as a FATHER'S DAY gift for this family. Honestly, I am humbled by this opportunity. The best part is she wants it to read: "Our Father, Our Hero". Is this gonna be a tear jerker or what?!
The rest of the day continued to be good to me. It totally makes up for all the lost sleep lately. I continued to make-wait for it-FIVE ORDERS. ...Holy Moses.
I have 3 Father's Day orders, two for $10 and one for $25-30. Destiny's are the $10 orders for her grandfather & great-grandfather. One loves to fish, the other loves to garden. So, the first will say, "What a catch!" with a fishing pole and the other, "You're someone I look up to no matter how tall I grow" with a corn stalk. Super cute... I think. I am still waiting for details on the last order for a gal named Connie. She's finding a good quote & I'm waiting to get my hands on the perfect size wood. Then I have to finish with Marge's yellow pine kitchen painting.... can you feel this whelming me over?! Then, someone snatched up the Mahogany jewelry set (sorry folks, its all gone). Aye-yi-yi. Not to mention, two people contacted me about possible orders. Don't get me wrong, I am so thankful for the business. But, I am a little stressed. Excited to be included on SO many special opportunities, but nervous... for my hands may fall off.
Keep an eye out. Sneak peaks will be coming soon-ish. & thanks for reading.
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