A little of this and that.

Is it actually happening? Look close. Really close. Wait! I think I see it!!! I think it might actually be the start of spring!

This winter has been the snowiest ever (thank goodness...I can't handle brown winters) but it has meant a lot of COLD.

So, here is to new spring. New life. New mud (for the boys of course) andwind and rain blowing away any chill that has the guts to stick around any longer.

Addie has loved the March wind. On saturday while we were out running errands, she said "Oh Daddy! Hold me tight! If I blow away you will miss me!"
I about died of a love attack in my heart. I love these children.

And speaking of love.

My mother got to wake up to this the ONE day she was here visiting last week. 7 am never felt so good.

Speaking of good things...I am finished with my batch of new designs for the next couple weeks. Here is what is NEW in the shop.

I am pretty tickled at how incredibly cute these invitations are. I just love them! I don't always LOVE the stuff I post...I am my worst critic. But these just make me so happy.

And these new prints are slight variations from the ones featured in SMALL MAGAZINE. These look better in print than the ones that I posted in the online magazine. Amazing the difference between what is on your screen and what is in your hand.


But between you and me...I am ready to go play some more in the mud with my kids. Ian counted to 3 today, Addie wanted to go to a breakfast ball this morning (she wanted a Ball, I wanted her to eat breakfast, so we compromised by eating scrambled eggs with paper crowns) and they both are just so snuggly! Happy days.

Support in the Studio.

There are so many components to running a small business from home, and I am the first to say that I have not done this alone. I need to pay tribute to so many of you who have helped me and supported me this far!


My husband for believing in me and being patient with me when I choose to say up all night on a project. And for just being the most incredible husband on the planet.


My parents for supporting my ideas and always paying special interest. (sorry Dad, Carol and John...I coulnd't find a quick picture of you!!!)


My wonderful cousin Liz who has been my new "hired help" the past two months and can do just about anything!

My sisters in law Robyn and Megan for being my on-the-spot babysitter when I find my self in a mini-crisis and Ann for being an AMAZING financial advisor!


My dear new-found-friend Kelly for all her incredible advice and wisdom

My online friend Jaime for her support and advice about the details of running an art business

And to all of you who have offered up words of encouragement and support along the way!

This list could go on and on. I am just so grateful for all the help I have received! I could definately not do this on my own!

And that brings me to my next item of discussion:

PRICING MY ART

I am raising my prices starting in March. This has been a really hard decision for me, since I aime at making my art work affordable for all. I really "poo-poo" all the children's art work that is incredibly overpriced and seems to sell to the "elite" few who can afford hundreds of dollars in art for their children. But I also feel, that under priced art work isn't in any one's interest either. With needing more hired help these past couple months, and with the value of the materials that I use in the art making process, I am raising my prices just a bit to compensate. The challenge comes with placing a value on my work, and I have struggled over this one. But I feel that now is the time and I hope that you can support me on this one.

I mention this to you, because I want to give you a chance to buy before the weekend is out and my prices go up $5 per print. My prices will remain the same until Sunday March 2nd.

Once again, thank you to all of you who continue to offer so much support and encouragement! I just am a very lucky gal!

dollhouse.


I gain so much inspiration from other mothers who are figuring it out as they go just like me.

But today, here is some inpiration from Grandma.

She is the mother of 10 (no twins) and a do-it-yourself / make-it-yourself kinda gal. I could write a book on this woman, for the sake of writing time this morning, lets just say that with a small house, not a lot of money and a lot of kids, she leaned on her creativity day in and day out.

You all notice how the true wooden doll house has made a comeback. Well folks, this is the REAL thing.


I just have to share how awesome this house is: it was built like framed house...beams and everything...a miniature house in every way. I remember playing with it with open walls in it's "pre-finished" state. We got to imagine so much with it!

My grandmother has since added foam core walls (some rooms are still a little makeshift), carpet linoleum and even finished the roof by breaking off the leaves of pine cones, placing them carefully in rows and painting a thick coat of paint to make it look like terra cotta tile. Oh...and notice the stucco siding.
We all love looking at ingenious ideas from mom/craft/parenting blogs. But this my friends, is from grandma. And it has lasted for my own kids to enjoy.


Now Anyone want to build this for me?

Tagged.


Ok...I think I have been tagged about a jillion billion times (wow! That is a lot!) by my cousins, and so now I am giving in to the blog-peer pressure.

But before I do: Note the picture above. Mica, Me and Hannah (we are the oldest girl cousins of 50 on my dad's side). And between us three gals, we have 6 kids!!!! And, even better...we still fit on one bed like we used to at sleep overs when we would talk about the day we would be Mommies. Oh how time flies.

Speaking of which:

What I was doing 10 years ago......FEB of '98: Falling in love with Kenneth. 10 years ago was my freshman year at BYU, and Kenneth and I had all the same classes together (except for one). Let's see... In feb I think that Kenneth and I were choreographing a musical production at a local private school together.

5 Things on my "To-Do" list:
JUST 5?????
1. Dishes
2. Update my Business finances
3. Finish my "march" print
4. Practice music for a benefit concert coming up in a week.
5. clean my office.

3 bad habits I have:
1. Putting off housework
2. Late library books
3. I always put off making phone calls
(do you see the procrastination theme here?)

Day of choice? Fridays

Places I've lived: (in order)
Utah
Orange county, CA
Wellesley, MA
North Potomac, MD
Orem, UT

***I am adding: Places I wish to live:

Provence, FRANCE
Wales
Tuscany
I want to retire in a cape style cottage in New England.

Marriage date: Dec 16, 2000

Favorite indulgence: Sleep. reading magazines. hot baths. hmmmmmm:)

Phobias/fears? I have nightmares about being on stage and not knowing my part. So, does that mean I fear not being prepared?

Reason to smile: Blue sky, ocean, my kids' laugh, my husband's hugs, travel, fresh flowers, when I am in a cycle class, my family being together, good food on the table, going on a spontaneous adventure, art museums, and just the joy of being alive.

Season of choice: I actually love every season. Change is always a good thing.

Vegetable: asparagus, artichokes and sugar snap peas.

Oranges or Apples? crisp braeburns...unless we are in CA, and then oranges for sure.

# of brothers/sisters: 1 sister, three brothers.

Ok! It's your turn Becca, Mica, Sasha and Cait! Ya, ya. You can take a month or so like I did.

Perspective.

My Laundry is piled up to my knees in my laundry room!

But it is piled high with dinosaur and footie pajamas.

I have cleaned Addie's room 3 times today!

But we played zoo and trains 5 times today.

My head hurts from all the yelling!

But the yelling was because there were pink and purple monsters on the hallway ceiling and somebody had to scare them away.

There are paint stains on the kitchen table!

From painting the "ocean at nighty night"

My eyes are tired from Addie waking me up too early this morning.

But "I just want to snuggle my mommy. I love my family!" she says.

There are ripped up drawings in my office.

But then Ian gives me a kiss and his puppy dog eyes say "I'm sorry, Mommy"

There is snot on my sleeve.

"I want my mommy tissue."

My bathroom floor need disinfecting

But Ian looks so darn cute on the potty when he pretends to be like his big sister.

Addie is still awake.

But she is singing lullabies to her measuring tape (from dad's tool box) that she is currently snuggling with in her bed right now.

Sometimes I cry. But really, I just love being your mama.


I've got sunshine.

Yesterday, Addie, upon seeing the sunshine outside, ran into her room and grabbed her flip-flops (we call them slippers in our house) and demanded to go play out in the sun. There she was, pajama shirt, princess underwear, and beach shoes...ready for the 20 degree cold outside.

So, I said "OK" and with a chuckle, opened the door.

20 seconds later: "OOOOOOHOOOOHOOOHOOO!!!" She ran to the couch and burried herself in blankets.

Well, she was determined to enjoy the sun.

So, she pulled out a couple KIDS chairs, put them in from of the window, and informed me:

"Mom, I need to take a belax (her word for 'relax') on the ocean."

So, with feet out, head back and eyes closed, she sunbathed. In her underwear. In the middle of February. In the middle of our family room.

When life gives you cold weather, find that sun and bathe in it!

(Even if it is in your underwear!)

My kids come FIRST...

...first class that is!

Running a business while running after children is always an exciting adventure! The other evening I was tending to Ian, and Kenneth was in the kitchen. Addie came up to me wanting to play with Ian, and this is what I found. "DO NOT BEND" right in the corner of her mouth. I instantly searched all over her body for any more tatoos, but didn't find any! Going into my office though, I found a few bubbled mailers completely covered in "DO NOT BEND" stamps. "I was doing my work, Mama." She is such a little mommy.

The irony in this is that Addie doesn't really bend! Two days ago, she claimed that she had a papercut on her finger. (I still don't know if she really cut herself, or if it is pretend). I put a bandaide on her finger and that was that. Well, after a hand washing, the bandaide began to peel. She needed another bandaide to keep it "stuck." After a bath, both started peeling, so she needed another. (For whatever reason, that evening wasn't one to fight her on this). Well...I am really not kidding when I say this...we haven't added any more bandaides since, but going on TWO DAYS now, she has had her left hand clinched in a fist to keep them from coming off!!! Last night I woke up at 2 am and went into her room to make sure her hand was relaxed. (I was too tired to think of taking it off while she slept!) We have tried all the little games to get her to open her hand, but to no avail. We even went out to play in the snow yesterday, and she wouldn't wear a glove because her hand was in a fist. She has ALWAYS been my stubborn and determined one. Addie was my colicky baby...the one that could only sleep in my arms while bouncing and when her head was in a certain position in the crook of my elbow. Oh, some days I wish I had the mental energy to have blogged then!

On Ian's side of the table, we had a big first yesterday!!! Ian went to the potty...kind of. He kept getting out of the bath tub, telling me he had to go potty. Well, after the 4th time of my slippery seal covered in bubble bath sitting on the porta-potty, he went....but because he is a boy, I realized maybe sitting on the potty isn't the best choice! He ended up spraying all over the floor and all over me! Oh we had a good laugh...and a good celebration. It may have been messy,but Firsts are Firsts!!

Speaking of firsts, Horray for all of you who took part in my first "BUY TWO GET ONE FREE" deal! So fun! I will be sure to do more of those! But I am going to stock the SHOP with some more goodies first!

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