Night Fairies and Imps

I mailed out my final contest piece last week and in an effort to renew my confidence in the USPS, they got that painting to Steph in record time!  I couldn't believe it when she emailed me on Saturday and said that she had already gotten it!  Perhaps they heard they were on the bubble with me...

On to my canvas.  Steph had come up with the idea of Night fairies and Imps - so I thought this would be a quirky take on the fairy idea!  It was fun to do and I am so happy with how it turned out.  See for yourself:

Colorful, no?

Night Fairy

Steph followed up with this wonderful review:

Oh my gosh, we LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE the painting! It is utterly adorable, and seeing it made me realize that you really can't appreciate--until you see one of your paintings up close--just how careful and detailed they are. The flowers with faces are so delightful, the color scheme really really pops, and we just know that our little R will absolutely love seeing this personalized canvas hanging above her bed! it's amazing! I love love love it! Thanks so much-- we're thrilled with the painting and couldn't have imagined anything cuter.

Thanks again,
Stephanie & Jamie

Yeah!  Thanks again for the awesome idea - it was such fun to work on and enabled me to something so different from what I've done before.  I can't wait to have my next contest!!!

I'm busy here working on Christmas orders and birthday presents!  Things have been busy and great and I owe it to all of you!  Thanks again for keeping Penny Pickles busy and inspiring me to do some adorable, unique art!

Happy Pickles!

Contest Car Tracks

I am so excited to share with you some of my latest paintings.  As most or all of you know a few weeks back I ran a contest for new themes.  I was overwhelmed by the response and the ideas! They were phenomenal!  It was difficult but I was able to narrow it down to two winners - a boy and a girl theme.  I have finished the boy theme - a lovely woman by the name of Lori came up with car tire treads.  I just loved the idea - but I wasn't sure how I was going to do it.  Beyond that, Lori has two adorable little boys, so she ordered an additional canvas.  Being a mother of two boys myself, I understand the need at times for "2" of something.  I struggle initially with how I was going to incorporate the names - but after some brainstorming and playing around I got it and I am so happy with the outcome.  Without further ado - Jack's and Ben's Tracks...

Thank you again Lori, for your wonderful idea!  See contests are so fun!  

Coming up next Tuesday a painting I did goes up for auction.  One of my first clients, Amy Taylor, is the author of the blog below - she is a stay at home mom, like me, being called to do something greater than herself.  Here is the link if you want to check it out.  All proceeds will go to the International Justice Mission.  

Thanks again and have a great day!

Finished and Facebook

I did it, I did it!  I finished six pieces, sealed, framed, all done!  I am so very excited. I finished my nursery art and the tribute piece - those will ship out later today.  I also finished a surprise for a friend, and the painting that will be auctioned off (more details to follow).  I also completed my first contest give away, which the winner, Lori, also purchased an additional one for her other son - so I have both of those that I will deliver tomorrow afternoon!  It was a busy night of getting things just so, now all I have to do is wrap, package and ship - which I can't do until I photograph.  

Thank goodness Leslie is back and I will be invading her home this morning with paintings o'plenty.  I will admit that it is so nice to have someone else take the pictures - first because she does an amazing job, second because in my infancy in painting for people it is so nice to get a vote of confidence from someone other than my husband and kids.  I mean they HAVE to like what I do, don't they?  Leslie of course is so gracious and kind -so I don't know if she'd be honest if she hated something -but the fact that she nearly cried with my latest piece makes me pretty sure it turned out well.  I am excited to share these paintings with you over the course of this next week.  

If your name is Steph and you are wondering, "Where is my contest piece?" Do not worry - yours is sketched out and I will be starting it tonight.  I only have one other one that I am currently working on and it is a Christmas present, so it will sit on the shelf until yours is completed.  I am so excited to start this contest piece because I think it is going to be quite adorable! - At least my sketch is - so it has to get better from there!

On to Facebook.  So I am a bit of a 70 year old when it comes to these new fangled online communities.  I was reluctant to join a cloth diapering forum last year when I began to cloth diaper Penny (which I still do btw- go me!), but that turned out fine and I actually met a couple of really great friends as a result of that online forum.  So I am slowly a believer.  I have been dodging the Facebook train for a while - mostly because I am more of a person to person type of gal - I have a friend that is amazed that I have met up with so many of the people I have met online.  That's just me.  In any event - I thought I'll take a look - and I joined, now I sound like an E-Harmony commercial! Well it has been pretty neat to be connected with my old high school friends, to see them, their pictures, their families. I will say that I have been reluctant to invite friends - do they want to be my friend? do they like me?  All of my insecurities resurfacing and it isn't helping that a handful of people, mostly college, have not replied.  Either they aren't as "active" on Facebook, or I do in fact suck.  I had a friend from college excitedly contact me early in the summer. I responded and never heard from her again - I guess a stay at home mom of three, who paints isn't so exciting.  Maybe when Oprah highlights me (I wish) - I will finally have value to some.....  ;o)

So I have been sucked in, as has Ryan. See I have a modicum of control, whereas Ryan does not. He was up until too late last night uploading pictures and looking for old friends.  Now don't get me wrong, I get kind of involved, and check my email, my blog comments and my traffic on my website more than I should, but I can turn it off and move on.  Mostly because I have to and have three little chickens distracting me so.  With that, I am glad for having joined, I am connecting with some great people and surprise, surprise, planning coffee with an old friend for this weekend!  

Okay, I'm off to check on any new friends - check back each day this week - I will be posting all the new paintings I've done and what's up for Penny Pickles.  Thanks!