vol.25

I am loving this today

Remember the bathroom remodel we started a couple months back? Well its still not finished, but it hasnt kept me from "monitor shopping" for new ideas. I came across these wall flats from design public. I LOVE them! Texture like this is great, and completely unexpected on a wall. There are SO many different textures, its hard to choose just one. This particular style is called "Shangri La" and it matches the sheets we have in our bedroom perfectly.

Here is what design public has to say about the wall flats;

"Inhabit's Embossed Wall Flats are designed to expand in any direction. With peel-and-stick adhesive tape and an automatic pattern repeat these wall tiles are simple, modern, versatile and goof-proof. You can cover an existing wall, help disguise a not-so-smooth wall or add a modern pattern to any room setting.

Customize them by rotating every other tile or row, mix-and-match patterns or paint them to coordinate with your decor. The rule is there are no rules and the important thing is to have fun with it. It¹s low stress, low commitment and a big payoff in the way these tiles will impact a space."

I love that they are paintable too.. it seems like the possibilities really are endless. If you are not covering a real large area, the prices seem reasonable. Definitely perfect for an accent wall. I am not sure if I could afford this for the living room (as much as I want to) with our super high ceilings and all... but the bathroom would be just perfect. Oh, and maybe some for my laundry room too. The only thing I wonder is, how hard would it be to hang artwork on a super textured wall? Has anyone used these before?

it is just a little too cold...

Where did the summer go? I mean really... it is the end of August already!? Well regardless of the chillier weather, we went ahead and bought ourselves a swimming pool. Yep, at the end of august. :) It was a "clearance spur of the moment purchase" Well I guess I really cant say that because we ended up leaving the store without the pool, and kicking ourselves later for it. So a second trip to the store provided us with a new swimming pool. We have always planned on buying one at the end of the summer when we could save a little money.

This particular pool is 18 ft wide, and 4 ft. deep... so its not too big, but big enough for us. Our yard wouldnt take much bigger of a pool anyhow. :) The pool was regularly priced at 399.00 and we ended up paying 199.00 It came with the cover, ground cloth, filter, pool skimmer, pool volleyball net, ladder basically all the good stuff. It is still filling up with water, and we figure this evening it should be full. Which is real nice because I am tired of not having any water pressure in the house. :)

I had to laugh at Jaydon today. After all the work it took him leveling the ground and setting up the pool, he was determined to use it today. Even if it was a little cooler and somewhat overcast. Trinity was more then happy to join her daddy. I intelligently watched from the pool ladder. I did get my feet wet, and that was as far as I went. Journey was napping and I just knew as soon as I got in we would hear her over the monitor, waking up. So I took pictures and enjoyed the breeze. :)

Well, I hope you all had a good weekend. Ours went by fast as usual. But then again, who's doesnt right? :)

apartment therapy mention

A recent "mention" over on apartment therapy was super exciting last week. I have been meaning to share this good news with you, but I have been staying SO busy trying to keep up on everyone's orders that I haven't had a chance! :) I knew apartment therapy was big in blogland... but I had NO idea how big. :) Things were starting to slow down from last weeks mention, when the original post resurfaced last night as one of the "hot posts for 8/16/08." So, once again it has been directing some super sweet new customers my way. :) Yay!

Now, I have submitted my work to apartment therapy for review, with no luck of a mention... so I really have to give the credit to ana from rearrangeddesign. You may remember my original post about a couple months ago, where she interviewed me and did a house tour of our home. Well, shortly after that she purchased "remember Happiness" from me, (You can see it here framed in her home. Doesnt it look amazing!? I love the other art she paired it with) and apparently apartment therapy seen her post about it on her blog, and then blogged about her post. :)

So, anyhow thanks ana, and apartment therapy. :) I have a coordinating print in the works, and will be offering the two in a print set. Its a trailer I have already drawn and uploaded on flickr, it just needs a facelift, and then paired with the perfect quote. :) So, I will keep you updated on that.

Also- I have been trying to finish up another project I have been excited about... making my own scrapbook paper for a little scrapbook I am doing for journey. I will be sure and dedicate a special post for it, cause its a really neat idea I think you may want to try!

Well, Journey is napping... and I think I may try to take a nap myself. Although she has now slept through the night 2 nights now! Although they were not in a row... I am grateful! :)

301 sales giveaway winner...

You guys rock! I couldnt believe all the great suggestions you gave me. :) I think I am going to have to do this a little more often. Definitely gave me a ton of inspiration, I also already have a few of the ideas sketched out. So... to not keep you waiting any longer, the winner of the pack of postcards is "bunny" who said:

"Sigh... I love your artwork!!! Congrats on your awesomeness ;)

How about bunnies? (How obvious)
Or "I Carry Your Heart With Me" by E.E. Cummings.
How about unicorns? :)"

So, bunny please e-mail me (vol.25@hotmail.com) your address. :) I used the bunny idea and sketched them into a possible christmas card. Oh- and I do actually have some unicorns in the shop, although I would like to go ahead and sketch another illustration using unicorns. Growing up, I was SUCH a horse lover. I think most girls are at a young age. :)

EDIT: I just remembered we are supposed to have two winners this time around. :) SO... our second winner is Crystal who said:

How about "You steal my Heart" and have a ferret with a paper heart in his mouth. That would be a great valentines card too heee heee

Going with the bird theme: "Don't let life ruffle your feathers"

-Crystal please e-mail me your address as well. :) vol.25@hotmail.com

Anyhow, thank you so much everyone for your comments, ideas, and support. :) I think an early Christmas giveaway needs to be in the works. I am very curious to hear what everyone has in mind when they think of modern trendy christmas cards. Something a little different, then what you might expect to get in the mail. I also want to add more christmas tags. Something similar to what I had listed last year in SparksFLy. Oh- and I also have tons of the blue Christmas Postcards left from last year. For anyone who wants to snag a set, I will be relisting those as well.

So, anyone hear any word on the popular trendy colors for the christmas season? I am thinking I may try to do a card with only cream and white, with a touch of pink. We'll see though, I have a hard time using light colors. :)

Well, thanks again everyone!

301 sales, AND another comment to win giveaway!

This morning I hit yet another milestone... 300 sales! WOW, I am still amazed. I feel very fortunate for the success, and would like to pass some good karma onto a couple of you very good readers/supporters. :)

Just comment with a future idea for a new print, and you will automatically be eligible to win this free 10 pack of postcards. A $12.50 value

I will be randomly choosing two winners, so please be sure and leave a way for me to contact you! :) OH- and the giveaway will end on saturday. :)

* I really have sooo much stuff to tell you, but I will have to break it up into a couple more postings over the next couple of days. :) Have a great middle of the week day!

jess

Finally... another sale offer

Its been months since I have offered a buy 2 get 1 free sale. But, good news! Today I have officially announced another one. I figure August is as good a time as any to start your early bird Christmas Shopping, or even treat yourself to a print. I mean after all you did make it through summer break right? :) Or maybe you know someone in need of a little cheering up? At any rate, I hope this sale will come at a good time for most of you. Everyone deserves to have at least one piece of "make me happy" art hanging in the wall. :)

D E T A I L S ::

Buy any two 20.00 prints and get a free print of equal or lesser value. Be sure and tell me in the message to seller which print you would like as your free choice. Sorry... offer excludes print sets. :)

Hurry though! sale ends Monday August 18th at 12:00 AM PST

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To stay up to date on future sales and special e-mail offers be sure and subscribe to the newsletter.
 
I also added another new piece of art to the shop:

"Whatever floats your boat" is a phrase I use waaay too often, so it only seemed appropriate that I include it in a print. :) Hope you all enjoy! Have a great monday!!

August Giveaways!!

love who you are is the new print being offered for the love my customers giveaway. Every purchase made for the month of August enters you into the giveaway to win this print: Click HERE for a past contest describing all the details...

and come the end of August.... current subscribers to the newsletter will have a chance at winning you make my heart with the e-love contest: Click HERE for all the details.

Also, here are the winners for both contests! I did announce them in the newsletter, but I will also post them here.

love my customers giveaway: Julie from Nebraska
e-love contest: Stephanie D.

The prints are packaged addressed, and ready to head to their new homes. I hope you ladies enjoy them. :)

Thanks again to all for reading the blog and participating!

select artwork now available on pendants

How exciting huh!? MadisonReeceDesigns now has these three pendants listed in her shop. She also has several other pendants created using various etsy artists' work. In addition to the artists' collections, she also offers a wide variety of other pendants custom designed and made by her.

I am really excited about this new collaboration with Melissa. She is super sweet, its been nice working with her on this. Melissa is incredibly patient with me, since these days it takes me twice as long to get things done... and that is after I finally remember to do it! :) Melissa also just started her own blog. Be sure and pop on over for shop updates.

The artwork for these pendants is decoupauged then stained on a 1" piece of wood, then sealed with a thick coat of resin. They look beautiful, and truly feel like a miniature piece of art you can hold close to your heart. I plan to order one for each of my little angels. :) I think they would make a really unique and special keepsake. Trin is at that stage now where she loves playing dress up. She has waaay too many play necklaces, tiaras, and bracelets. But I suppose that is normal for most girls her age. :)

Well, all is well here. I hope things are well with all of you. I am STILL trying to work into a routine with Journey, and we are making progress... but I think I need to have a little more patience. She just turned 4 weeks last saturday. Already the time is flying by...

you make my heart go boom...

Hi everyone! I took some time this morning to finish up a print I started a couple days ago. This print in particular just goes to show how inspiration can come from the randomest of things. :) I was reading decor8 the other day, (which btw has an AWESOME new fresh, updated look) and she had made this statement; "I’d like to share a few products today to pretty up the office that, to borrow the expression from my pal Steven, make my heart go boom, boom, boom!" As soon as I read that sentence I was instantly hit with a creative burst and knew JUST what I wanted to do. :) This print was the result. So far, I am loving it! I hope you all do too! :) Thanks Holly for the continued inspiration.

Oh- and also the newsletters did go out with the names of the winners from both contests. Stephanie D. I will be contacting you for your mailing address! :) I have been meaning to post this months current giveaways, but it has still been super busy around here! I have even considered doing away with the giveaways, or at least one of them... but then I think "I cant do that!" :) So, just bear with me I promise I will get to them!! Quite possibly the first of the week.

Also- Thanks for all the congrats on my current "stamping artist" status! ;)