it started as a normal day...

So today started off normal, I woke up early and ran, Ryan got ready for work, I began my day doing some errands and then the bottom dropped out.

Ryan called me at the grocery store and said "I was just laid off."  I don't remember much after that, I know I screamed "you are kidding!" and then we hung up and then I called my dad because I was so shaken by the whole thing.

So here we are, both jobless bums - no really Ryan is doing well - this wasn't performance at all - the company is hurting, like most and they are downsizing, again, for the third time.  So we sit here analyzing his small, but thank-goodness-he-has-one severance package and going over our options.  He's already putting out calls and emails and such, it isn't a matter of if he'll get a job, its when and hopefully soon.  

How does this effect you? Well extra prayers are always good - keep your ears open for any opportunities and pass them on freely.  Oh and did I mention that I can paint...

catching up with the pages

The phrase "we've been busy" is an understatement.  Where to begin - the weekend after our 10 day visit with the Pages of Tennessee, we had my Cousin Caity and her husband Jim and their adorable children Peter and Sophia.  Then the kids and I went up to my dear friend Darcy's, to camp in their camper with her beautiful girls, Katie and Karlie.  Whew!  All this and I still managed to finish a custom canvas that I will be shipping out in the next couple of days, along with another cause ribbon that I have yet to photograph - nevermind the heaps of laundry that I WAS caught up on, but have miraculously reproduced like rodents in a small cage.  

Who's excited about a vacation?

I am happy to say though that I am thrilled with that fact that this time on Saturday I will be in North Carolina on my way to holding my best girlfriend Traci's new baby boy Beckett!!!!  This is my longest overnight away from the kids (I won't be home until Tuesday- no email, oh the horrors!).  I am confident that they will be fine and what a great chance to hang with dad (let the pizza roll dinners begin!) But for now, I have shopping for said pizza rolls, laundry and cleaning to do to prepare for my time away - next week I will be posting pictures of my newest paintings - so check back and until then - thanks!

Dad and his biker gang!

Penny's got flair!

Just a side note, so my mom was notorious for buying the kids cowboy boots in all sizes, "just in case" they grow out of them and need the next size.  Well, Miss Penny was no exception, I believe my mom bought these little gems when I was 7 months pregnant.  They are white with pink stitching and glitter in the accent areas - totally all girl.  Well they fit Penny now and she belongs to the "Drew: House of Fashion" and likes to pick out her own shoes - the girl has flair!  Anyway - here she is modeling her latest creation! (and yes we do have an "AIM" sign above the toliet - now if I could just get a "Flush" sign we'd be all set) - ah, I digress...

June showers bring July's flowers?

I wanted to space out my posts, but of course I am an impatient girl, so I am TRYING to wait a day or two between posting new projects.  It is so hard when you are doing them simultaniously and want everyone to see what's new!  My fantastic girlfriend Jill, who happens to be married to a pretty handsome fella and owner of Temptation Soy Ice Cream (if you live in the Midwest and can get to a Whole Foods, you will not be disappointed!) Back to Jill, she asked me to paint a single canvas in my flowers are de'vine theme for a co-workers little girl.  Since it was a single tile, I bumped it up from a 4 x 4 to a 5 x 5, you would be amazed at the difference between the two when it comes to substance on a wall.  So this is the little piece I did for Audrey:

Here is what Jill said:

It is beautiful!  Thank you, Annie - it is even prettier than I expected in person!  I just got back from vacation yesterday and it was the first piece of mail i opened, of course  =)  I'm giving it to Audrey today for her b-day and i know she's just going to love it.  Thanks so much!!  Can't wait to order from you again!!  xoxo- Jill

Again, forgive my photography - one can only do so much in iphoto and with a point and click - maybe for Christmas, if I am a good little girl, I can get Photoshop!

Happy Birthday Audrey and thanks again Jill!

big boys and bugs

A couple of weeks ago, I received an email from a friend from college.  Heather is a fabulous lady that I had many a laugh with during my last couple of years at Ball State.  She was in the graduate Historic Preservation program and I was minoring in HP.  If you know Historic Preservation and some of the individuals that work in that field, they can be, oh how shall I put it, kind of dry in my opinion.  While that may be true, Heather was far from dry and she and I were the comic relief and had a ton of fun, regardless of our situation and much to the chagrin of some of our professors. Fast forward to today, Heather wanted me to paint my great outdoors theme for her son, Asa.  This art piece would also be one of their gifts to celebrate little Asa's first birthday!!!  I was so touched that Heather wanted me to do something so special for her little fella!  Here are my not so great, don't do it justice pictures of little Asa's painting:

Here is what Heather had to say:

Hey Annie --

I got the package yesterday and wrote you a note, it is wonderful!! Everything is perfect and we're going to find a spot on the wall for it today.

If you know me, I am impatient, so I HAD to post this painting - I do have to say that I am thrilled with a handwritten note - it is a lost art - one that I love!  So thank you Heather for your note!!!  I am also thrilled to be doing a custom piece for Heather that she will be giving to a friend that has a little one a few days older than Asa!  Talk about confidence, she ordered that custom piece before she received her own piece, so thanks again Heather, I am so touched!!!

Speaking of pictures, I have to give a shout out to my friend Betsy for connecting me with a fantastic gal (and photographer) Leslie, who will be helping me out with my pictures from here on out (more on Ms. Leslie soon). I have been functioning on my mom's little point and click digital, it doesn't do terrible, as long as the lighting is perfect - which is not always the case.  I am looking forward to Leslie's wizardry of photography to capture what I see and eliminate the blur!  

Have a great day and Happy First Birthday Asa!!!

6 months ago today

So this isn't going to be my normal happy go lucky post - perhaps a bit dark for a child art website and blog- but it is part of me and therefore part of this.  6 months ago today my mom passed. I think in one of my initial blogs, I mentioned how painting became my therapy as her caring needs increased.  It was my release, my outlet.  Mom was also my biggest cheerleader and would constantly tell me that I needed to do craft fairs or sell my wares because she always thought I was so creative.  I remember drawing out my flowers are de'vine theme for the first time in her room on her bed and her thinking it was beautiful.  She really liked it finished, but unfortunately she was a bit distracted by her physical decline to truly appreciate it or much of anything else.  The weeks leading up to today, I don't think about the "anniversaries" of her passing, but my mood changes and I guess subconsciously I get pretty melancholy.  So this time six months ago, I was in the beginning planning stages of preparing mom's services and such.  It feels like a lifetime ago, but in a lot of ways, just yesterday.

I was blessed this weekend with a visit from my dear cousin Caity and her family.  My cousin Caity was my mom's eldest sister, Paulette's daughter.  Paulette too, battled breast cancer and lost that battle too early in life.  Last night we stayed up until way too early this morning talking about a gamut of things, but mostly about our mom's, loss and life from this point forward.  It was hard, it was wonderful, I am exhausted.  I felt her presence with us last night and I know she walks with me each day.  For today I am just having a lazy day with my family and spending time enjoying each of them.  

Mom and the kids last Spring

Momma, Me and Penny at Christmas

Sorry for rambling, thanks!  My latest paintings should be received my Monday at the latest -so I promise, happy, happy bugs next post!

t-shirt contest

So I was asked to be one of three individuals that came up with a design for this year's t-shirt at Jon's elementary school.  I wowed one of the mom's with my pin-the-nose-on-the-pumpkin game and killer drawing of a pumpkin.  Jon's school has a squirrel as a mascot (if you know me, you know I have an unnatural love for squirrels), it was kismet - I was meant to design this shirt! (okay a bit dramatic) Here is my design, its kind of Rosie the Riveter meets Rocky the Flying Squirrel, I like it and hopefully the kids will too.  It will be voted on at the ice cream social next month, so we shall see.  Even if I don't get picked (oh the pressures of grade school popularity brewing), I know I'm an okay gal (at least thats what my mom would say)!  

The Front

The Back

Next up: Asa and Audrey!

what i said was...

Okay, so I promised I would photograph and post new pictures of my latest projects.  Well I did indeed finish them, and I think they turned out fantastic. I was able to finish them in record time, which boosts my confidence in being able to deliver a beautiful painting on time.  I also realized that it is really easy to finish 4 x 4 canvas' faster than 24 x 24 canvas' (insert "duh" here).  In all these realizations, I realized, "crap, I can't post these paintings!" Why you ask?  Well because I need to send them to the owners, and I believe the recipients should get the first peek!  So yes, I have finished two more projects, and no you can't see them - yet!  I am also happy to report that I have finished two more cause ribbon projects, just waiting for my dear carpenter, Ryan to return his saw home so I can get them edged. I've started a new cause ribbon painting, but that one is under construction, so to speak.  So I have nothing to show you today, sorry, but for the clients patiently waiting, your paintings are shipping tomorrow! I also finished my idea for the t-shirt vote at Jon's school, I will finish coloring that one tomorrow and submit it Friday - nothing like putting your ego on the table for 5 year old through 9 year olds to vote on!  Ah well, it was fun nonetheless.  Thanks again for checking in - until next time!

coming up...

I have a secret confession, as artistic as I can be, I can't cut matte board worth a damn.  So while my latest project is finished, it isn't totally finished because I need Ryan to cut the board for me.  Oh I have tried, I have been shown, I have definitely put forth effort, but alas, I have many half chewed pieces of matte board to prove my efforts.  So I have no picture for you today, tomorrow, hopefully.  Happily though, I am finished with little Asa's bugs and almost finished with Audrey's flowers.  

In the mean time I was asked to contribute a design for Jon's elementary school's 2008-2009, t-shirt.  The kids will vote at the ice cream social next month.  When asked, one of the questions was, "Would your feelings be hurt if you don't get picked." I had to laugh - my response was that I had enough confidence in this point of my life, that if I didn't get picked I'd be okay.  I suppose some people would get their nose out of joint. I'm not too concerned, really.  My sketch is due on Friday - yikes - I have my idea all fleshed out in my head - now the tricky part of putting it on paper!  Once I get that one done I'll share it too!

On a personal note we went to Chicago this weekend to a White Sox game, it was kind of in honor of my mom - an enormous White Sox fan since she was a little girl.  A year or two ago she bought a memorial brick for our family (for Steve, mainly) to be set in the ground outside of the stadium.  My brother and Anna, my dad and all of our Page contigent went and saw it this weekend.  It was also the kids first major league ball game.  They did phenomenal, lasting until the top of the 8th.  It was 10:30 our time and it had been a very long day for all the little pages.  The boys were donned with brand new t-shirts and hats, Miss Penny had a new tank and they charmed the fans surrounding us.  Just to give you an idea there were several Bye Penny's heard when we left - she had been giving high-fives and knuckles to the - ahem, questionably sober gentlemen next to us and untying the shoes of the older fans behind us.  The boys got to play in the "fun-damentals" area, where they have what else, but baseball activities for littlen's.  All in all, it was a long, emotional, great day - mom should have been there - she would have loved to share a popcorn with the kids and sing take me out to the ball game (which she had taught to Jon by the time he was three) one last time.

There is a great picture that we took at the ball field of our whole family - we ordered it and we can view it online, but of course because of copyrighting I can't grab it - blah, blah, blah.  Here are a couple that we took that did turn out:

If you look closely at the tip of Jon's shoes you will see our brick, "Thanks for the Memories! The Renzino's".  Pardon the cleavage- it was hot out and mama needed air! 

The boys!

its out of the park...

After a long, but wonderfully productive day I capped off the evening by finishing Jon's baseball vignette! I promised I would have a little less me and bit more Penny Pickles - so here it is:

The boys bedroom is slowly becoming a "big boys" bedroom and they are definitely showing their affinity for sports. That being said it made sense to do tiles that reflect their interests. They are my 4 x 4 canvas tiles, mounted on white matte board. I wanted to do a "scene" instead of just the typical balls and sports accessories - I mean he is my kid, why not make him a little something special.  Next up will be Drew's football vignette and I have had a request for a golf one as well.  I know nothing about golf, so I am going to have to do my research.

I don't think I'll get much work done this evening, we have family in from the Boston area and our hosting them and some of the local fam for a big dinner.  Tomorrow though, Ryan is going to see Dark Knight and I get to cozy on the couch watching What Not To Wear and TalkSoup.  A secret confession is that I love to paint with that stuff on - I don't really watch it obviously, but listening to it is entertaining nonetheless.  

I have a bit of stuff to do before the family comes...until next time!

oh happy day

today is ryan's birthday - my dear hubby is 33, a young pup, really - so here is to you my love - Happy Birthday!

our evening out was wonderful - we started at the Tile Shop - which sounds romantic, and it was, perusing aisles and aisles of marble, travertine, slate and more and not have kids to corral or hear the familiar whine, "can we go?"  we then proceeded to Clay Terrace our outdoor mall, ahem, excuse me "lifestyle center."  again so nice to go into stores and not have to have "the lecture."  if you are a parent you know what this is: "don't touch anything, pay attention to where you are walking, you will be put up for sale if you break anything, yada, yada, yada..."  we had dinner at our favorite fish place, Mitchell's Fish Market - and capped off the evening at Dick's to get ryan a bike and accessories for his birthday.  

we normally don't do big gifts or anything for our anniversary- getting out is a treat and gift in and of itself.  ryan surprised me though and bought me this:

i was shocked, first because this is much more decadent than we've ever done, and second, he had it all wrapped up in a box from an etsy designer I love.  i'm not a big fan of the journey necklace series, but i love this one.  first, who doesn't love diamonds?  second, it is in the shape of a figure "8", two things here - one being it is our 8th anniversary and two, it is also the shape for infinity, which is significant to me.  needless to say i love it, i feel loved and thank you so much ryan for spoiling me.

this was a tough act to follow, so my gift for ryan was what else?  a painting!  i was sitting at a friends on the fourth of july and was inspired by the moon and its reflection on our reservoir. so i came home and whipped this little fella up:

it is on an 8 x 24 inch canvas, done in acrylic and is my interpretation of the moon rising over the water.  i've painted like this before, but this is my first public display - be gentle, k?

i promise the next post will include less me and more Penny Pickles.  tonight we will be matting jon's baseball vignette and i am almost finished with my latest project, not to mention two more that i need to start... busy... busy... busy....

happy anniversary

so today is ryan and my 8th anniversary - I'd share a picture of our wedding day, but we are so low-tech that all we have is negatives (can you imagine?) so here is one from my cousins wedding we went to this weekend:

if you are wondering why ryan isn't smiling, it is because i tease him unmercifully about his squinty eyes when he smiles, it looks like his eyes are closed - its those page cheeks...

anyway, exciting stuff going on - I am finishing up jon's baseball tiles and will post those in the few days. I also received an email from a friend and she wants me to do her son's name for his first birthday in my bugs theme tiles!  I just can't wait!  well I didn't and started last night and am well on my way!  looking forward to sharing them with you!  have a great day - and ryan, I love you!

"G" is for gorgeous!

I am so excited to share with all of you my latest custom piece of art. I was commissioned by a wonderful woman named Amy, that I had met on the Diaper Pin web forum. After launching my site, Amy contacted me and asked if I could create a canvas for her daughter, Genevieve's room. Miss G was transitioning from a little girl room to a big girl room complete with new bedding. So based on the color criteria, new bedding and flower preference I painted a 24 x 24 inch canvas similar to my flowers are de'vine theme. Amy was fantastic because she shared her complete vision, which made my job easier to deliver. I went to work and I am thrilled with the end result.

The complete work with white wooden edging to frame the canvas.

Little flowers, little birds.  

I was so anxious all day, wondering what she would think - I was blessed with this response on the email this evening!

 
I AM THRILLED ANNIE!!!!!! I cannot tell you how ecstatic I am with the beautiful piece of art!!!!!! It is absolutely PERFECT, and better than I dreamed. It is going to look fabulous above her bed. (I bought the Penelope quilt!).
Wow, I just can't thank you enough. I LOVE IT!!!!!
And, AND, Genevieve love's it too! Can't wait for my husband to get home so he can see it as well.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

~Amy

Needless to say that just made my evening.  I was my pleasure to have been able to work on such a wonderful and unique project and with such a fantastic client.  Thank you!

I couldn't close this post with out a quick shout out to two of my closest girlfriends Brooke and Heather (Hea).  These lovely ladies are celebrating their birthday today.  I love you both and I hope your day was spectacular! oxoxoxo!

oh nikki your so fine...

my large custom piece is making its way to California, so in the mean time I will share with you my little piece for my cousin, Lisa.  her daughter Nikki is 8 and her little girls room is transforming into a big girls room.  Lisa asked me to paint a my fairy lady tile with Nikki's initial, making it similar to the one I painted a few posts ago.  happy to oblige, I painted the sweet little fairies and finished it last night.  I will give it a more finished look by attaching a simple white matte board behind the canvas to make it "pop" a bit off the wall.  (gotta love HGTV buzzwords)  I think that Lisa will love it and little miss Nikki will too!



since the wrath of God is coming down on my house in the form of rain, my lighting options are limited, so only one pic for today, the others didn't turn out due to the one-two punch of my camera and lack of natural light.

gotta go, working on a super secret project for ryan, for our anniversary and the Page invasion starts tomorrow, so not alot of time to work. have a safe and happy fourth of July! yeah USA!

bite me in the butt

so my custom piece is finished, but the lacquer on the frame is being finicky - grrr.  i am almost finished with the small fairy piece for my cousin and i am recharged after my girls weekend to get my brushes going. on my smaller canvas' i can paint a few at a time, so i can get through them pretty quickly.  not much else - just watching paint dry - literally!  can't wait to share it with everyone - especially my client!!!

have a great day!