I did this three painting mural for my mother in law. She asked me to do it a few months ago after her own mother died and found peace at last in her Heavenly Father. She was of course very sad. At the funeral, this song struck a chord in her. She loves this particular part of the lyrics:
I sing because I’m happy
I sing because I’m free
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.
She asked me to incorporate part of the song lyrics into a painting to go above her sofa in her living room. I FINALLY finished it last night. It’s HUGE. The middle painting alone is 2 feet long by 20 inches high, just to give you an idea of scale! I knew she wanted large scale pieces because her living room has huge vaulted 2 story ceilings, so everything is dwarfed by them. She asked me to do a series of three, so this is what I came up with. I made them a mural, where they all are connected together, but I also painted them so that if she changes her mind and wants to hang them individually, they can stand alone as well.
Whew… I’m not the fastest painter. I’m pretty slooooow, actually, because I’m never really satisfied with it. I HATE doing special orders like this, actually, because the whole time I about make myself sick worrying that whoever has ordered it will actually hate it, but not want to hurt my feelings, then end up feeling like they have to hang it anyway. Then start to resent this huge eyesore in their living room! I work myself up into a big stressball over it. I know, I have issues.
Thankfully, my MIL seemed to really be pleased with the painting. SO, I’m totally relieved. Here are some close-ups. Note: You can see the frame lines behind the canvas on these, but I’ve since restretched them and you cannot see that at all anymore. Much better now.
I just love that old hymn, don’t you? I also love the part of Mathew that I think must have inspired it….
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” Matthew 10:29-31
It’s so comforting to know that he knows every detail of the universe.
I pray that you know the comfort of His Word and love as well, my sweet friends.
I’ve been asked by Cerri of Little Pink Studio to join her and several other wonderfully talented gals in making some fun kits for you. This is a special event she’s coordinating with Heather of Bluhm Studios *kudos to Heather for the awesome button*. We’ll all be offering our kits beginning Nov. 9, which is about 5 minutes away! I thought I’d give you a sneak peek at what I came up with for you….
Isn’t it cute? It’s a little sugared house on a bed of snow, with Christmas trees, tinsel, pom pom trim, crepe paper and a bow all on a fun box. The cool thing is, it can be ANY color you choose. You tell me what color for the pom pom trim and then paint the house to match. I’ll include everything you see here, except glue and paint. Mainly because glue and paint are kinda hard to put in little plastic bags! I’ll tell you more about it when we get closer to the date. I’ll show examples of the houses you have to choose from. You may want one of each!
So far, I know Cerri has also invited Heather, Lori, Joleen, and Heather. This makes 6super artsy-craftsy gals all with fun kits available on the 9th. I know I’ll be shoppin! You can read all about it here on Cerri’s blog.
Thank you all so much for the sweet wishes and prayers for my sick little family! The boys are still kinda weak and nauseated, but much better. I’m going to try to go work the show with Kasse tomorrow. Hopefully all my guys are on the mend!
OK, I’m off to bed. I need as much beauty sleep as I can get! LOL
FINALLY this week, we’ve been given a break in the hot weather and have been enjoying a brisk nip in the air. OH, I love it. I am so in the mood for candlelight and fires in the fireplace. Bring on the snow days, the christmas shopping, the hustle & bustle….. I can’t wait!
Sadly, though, my kids are sick. I mean, SICK. Throwing up non stop sick. My poor little guys. So, in between cleaning up vomit and sanitizing the house today, I made this:
Isn’t it CUUUUUTE? I had so much fun with this today. It’s not as messy looking in person, just really glittery. It’s a pale powdery blue with a white roof. Very icy/snowy! I don’t know if I’ll make any for sale or not, they’re a lot of work to make em look cute, but so worth it. Isn’t the fence sweet? I love the little vintage reindeer too. I was inspired by the vintage houses like this, as well as the one’s Cody Foster does. Here they are at Miss Duffy’s shop. Aren’t they amazing? I love his work.
I have been working on a few other little vintage-y looking Christmas crafts. I’ll have to finish those after all the men in this house stop puking all over me! I haven’t changed clothes so much in one day since I was a teenager. And you should see me. Or, actually you should be grateful that you can’t see me! No shower today, because I just knew that my little guy would have a puke-fest while I was in the shower. So, I’m lookin sweeeeeet. Aren’t you glad I’m sharing this with you?!
So, obviously I am going to miss some of the show I was doing this weekend with my friend Kasse. I’m going to try to at least do Sat & Sun, but Friday’s a bust for sure. Oh well. I’m praying that God blesses us and I know he doesn’t need my help there. *sigh* so hard, isn’t it? To just let go?
I have not been doing much blog reading or email answering the past couple days either. Sorry guys….between the two back to back shows and my sick kiddos, I’m a tad out of the loop. I didn’t make it to the PO yesterday or today either because of the puke business, but Hubby is home tomorrow, so I’m goin first thing in the morning.
My little ones are calling for me, so I’m off to tend to my babies. Say a prayer for them and me and hubby! XOXO
Hello sweet friends. I was thinking of you all today… truly thinking of you ALL. I was thinking of how blessed I am to have such sweet and supportive friends. Then I started thinking that I have not made a point to personally thank each of you for your comments. Let me tell you this….if you comment on my blog, I read it and I LOVE it. I’m thankful for it. I always think things in my head about what I’ve read, but I haven’t been so good about jotting those grateful thoughts down and sending them to you in an email. Some of you may have never heard from me directly, but I’ve read your blogs, looked at your flickr, and feel like I know you from your comments. I don’t always comment on flickr or blogs, but I still feel like I know you. So, if you think I don’t notice…think again! I notice and get excited about everything you ever say! And if you’ve BOUGHT something from me, know this… it has been a blessing to me and my family. I just can’t tell you. Thank you so so much.
Meanwhile, back on the ranch……. This weekend was great fun. I sold a few things too, which is always good! I also bought some stuff for Flea Market Friday, but I am going to have to skip it again this week because I forgot I have ANOTHER HUGE SHOW this weekend too! What was I THINKIN?!!! I DON’T KNOW! So, I’m thinking I may change the Flea Market Friday to be a once a month thing during the Holidays, maybe first friday of the month? What do you think? When’s the best time for you gals? It has to stay a Friday, but any Friday is fine with me. So, lemme know.
I have pictures of the weekend, but I forgot my camera. But, a super fun reader of my blog, Cheryl McCullers, happened to stop by to say hello (Hi Cheryl!) and thank goodness, she had a camera. She’s going to email me the pics soon. If not, I will PROMISE to get good pictures at the show this coming weekend. I also got to meet Stephanie, another sweet & fun blog reader and customer (Hi Stephanie). It’s so much fun to put a face with a name! FUN!
The show I’m doing this weekend is An Affair Of The Heart, a HUMUNGUS arts & crafts show/sale at the Oklahoma City State Fair Grounds. It takes up 6 or 7 huge buildings. It’s big I tell you, big. SO so many people. Ladies save their pennies all year just to shop The Affair. SO, if you’re planning on going to the show, please do come by Kasse’s GORGEOUS booth. You can look it up in the show directory, under Miss Duffy’s. I’d love to see you there!
I also have some SUPER EXCITING NEWS. My Brilliant husband has teamed up with my brilliant friend, Heather Bluhm. They’re going to be doing websites! Woo Hoo! I’ve been telling him for years he should be doing this, he’s so talented. He already does them for state agencies and large companies. He is the best web designer I know (albeit, the only web designer I know…he he). But, alas, he ain’t the artsy-est dude, so he asked me if I thought Heather, who designed my gorgeous banner….see, up there…., would be interested in doing the artwork for the new sites. Now, no one can do digital art like Heather. Thankfully, she’s interested! Brian is almost done building the website and Heather is almost done with the artwork and I’m almost ready to be amazed at the gorgeousness of all the sites they create together. I’ll let you know the name of the site when it’s ready to go, which should be in a couple of weeks, if not sooner. So exciting!
I’m working on lots of fun Christmas stuff, it’s almost done, I’ll show you soon, I promise. I’m totally consumed with this show right now, it completely snuck up on me. Then I have GOT to finish two Christmas swaps I’m in, then NO MORE SWAPS for me for a while! I’m Overcommited! LOL
Hi sweet friends. Just a quick note. I’m working a fun holiday show this weekend with my sweet friend Kasse and I’m pooped already! It started today. So, sorry to say, there won’t be a Flea Market Friday sale this week, but I’m going to a great one on Saturday so I hope to have a bunch of goodies for you next week.
I’m also working on more “let it SNOW CONES” and having fun gathering bits and baubles for them. They’re so much fun to make.
I noticed today that I’m down to my LAST Versailles Doodle Pack! If you want it, it’s in the Vintage Wallpaper section. They’re so so pretty. You ladies who bought one, be sure to show me pics of the gorgeous creations you make with them!
I’ll have some great pictures for you tomorrow of Kasse’s gorgeous booth at the show. I’m tellin ya, it’s total glitterville in that Duffy booth!
I’ve been busy making so much fun CHRISTMAS and HOLIDAY stuff! Bring on the frosty mornings, the crackling fireplace, the crisp air, the promise of snow, jingle bells on the radio. I’m ready! So, to get you in the spirit, I’ve made some fun little Doodle Packs all in the BEST christmas colors! Check it out:
fa-la-la-la-la….la-la-la-la!
Don’t you love red and green together? yummy. You’ll get 5 generous cuts of 4 different wallpapers, two of which will be big roll-width pieces. You’ll also get a couple-few yards of beautiful true red seam binding, and a fun little vintage bell ornament to top it off! CUTE! Available in my shop tonight around 7:30 central time.
I’ve also made something new… I call them my “Let it SNOW CONES“! I know, it’s such a clever name….lol. I’ve made sweet winter inspired tussie mussies out of my fave vintage wallpapers, then added ribbon, fluff, and trims, then topped it off with 2 frosty white holly leaves dusted with mica snow and a sparkling jewel in the center. These are not flimsy paper, they’re made out of a sturdy hard cone. Love them. But..that’s not all… they’re filled to positively OVERFLOWING with fun little vintage and vintage inspired new finds for your holiday art! Yay! You get several baubles, sparklies and little bits of this and that, plus 6 FEET of this wonderful new tinsel I’m carrying in the shop. see…
and here’s the packages of tinsel that will be available tonight too…
and last, but certainly not least, it’s Flea Market Friday again! Here’s some sneaky peeks!
love this sweet vintage crinoline:
check out this amazing vintage blue cornice!
vintage frame:
and of course, many a merry millinery!
and then here’s a picture just for fun. Some of my “Versailles” doodle packs on their way out the door for shipping this last week. They just looked so pretty that I snapped a picture. There are still a few left. If you want any of my Doodle Packs, they’re under the “vintage wallpaper” category up there in the top right of my side bar.
OK….I’m off to get everything loaded on to the website for tonight. Everything will be available tonight at 7:30 pm central time! Keep checking with me every week….you never know (and I never know!) what I might find!
What seems like forever ago, three sweet friends of mine invited me to join them in doing a round robin. We’re finally going to get it off the ground I think. I’ve just finished my cover for my book and I have 4 pages in different states of completion. Since I have no patience for things like this, I have to show you the cover now, instead of waiting till I get my other stuff done.
The theme is Marie Antoinette. I think we were all coming off a sugar high after seeing Sofia Coppola’s adaptation of the tragic story of Marie’s decadent life. Because the true history is extremely tragic, I’ve chosen to be inspired by the decadence and opulence of Marie’s time…. The Versailles of King Louis the XIV. And….if you haven’t seen that movie, by the way, go rent it now!
Here’s a close-up.
I’ve been saving some favorite things for this round robin. Do you LOVE that flocked wallpaper? oh so gorgeous. And of course the pink paper that is one of my all time favorites too. I’m selling some of it in my latest Doodle Pack, but I won’t sell it again. I only have a little left and I’m hoarding keeping it for myself!
Then of course, my fave vintage velvet millinery flowers, sweet ribbon, pom pom trim and crepe paper, a dusting of mica for sparkle and my all time favorite vintage rhinestone brooch, which I love so much.
I’m working on the other pages now. I have a few other swaps going on right now too, but when I’m done, I’m taking a swap break! It’s easy to get overcommited to them, they’re so fun. And then I end up staying up all night to finish them so I won’t be late, then I’m a grumpy mom, and it’s just not a good thing. lol
In other news, I can’t get a hold of you, Miss Diane Wells, my winner of one of my wallpaper give-aways. I must have an invalid email. If you’re out there, gimme a holla and I’ll send you your wallpaper. In the meantime, I’ve drawn another name to replace ms. wells, so Lorraine Rose…you got some wallpaper comin your way, missy! Diane, if you’re out there, I’ll still honor your win too, if you email me!
I’m packing up the last of my orders from the week and trying to gear up for Flea Market Friday. My kiddos have been sick (and even worse…my husband too) and so have I, but I think we’re on the mend. Whew! busy week!
I’m soooo jealous of all you Silver Bella gals. SOO wish I could be there with ya! It’s coming up soon! Maybe I’ll go next year. *sigh*
If you’ve been reading my blog for at least five minutes, you know I have two boys that I adore. My sons are such wonderful and sweet kids and I am honored and blessed to be their (biased) mother. However. I’m a girl. I like girl things. I make little frou-frou ballerina nut cup baskets for my nieces. I make over-the-top fun crowns for myself and like-minded girly girls the world over. I paint little fat bluebirds and pink poufy roses. I am girly.
My oldest son is such a sweety. He really likes to make fun things for his cousins (all girls) but I think sometimes he feels left out because EVERYTHING I make is so feminine. So, today I went to my oh-so-fave Hobby Lobby and raided their birthday dept. Brought home black and CAMO crepe paper, green chenille stems, little plastic army men and “hero” medals and set out to make some fun little baskets for my son. He’s taking these to school for his halloween goody bags (of course, the girls will get ballerinas!). I showed them to him when I had made these two and he was so excited!
It made me so happy that he knew I made something special just for the guys. Just for him. My little sweety pie. He’s only five, so he’s still sweet. Still heavy on the hugs and kisses and wonderful little things he says like “mom, I like you better than winning at tee ball.” (he actually said this yesterday.)
Anyhooo… I thought some of you mothers of sons would appreciate seeing these. They’d be great for a birthday party! You could set up an obstacle course in the back yard and make a battlefield of green cupcakes with army men on top instead of dancing ballerinas. Fun.
Just now it occurs to me that the school might not like the army men because of the guns. Hmm. I may just make the hero badges. I don’t know. After all, the REAL Army men are our heros, aren’t they? And the Marines, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard. Let’s hear it for the boys (and girls) that risk their lives every day for us. wow. That’s not a statement for or against war, it’s a statement of gratitude. Thank you so much, my heros.
First of all…. the winners of my 100th blog post give-away are…. Cara Hutchison and Diane Wells. Woo hoo! Congrats, girls. I’ll email ya directly too. The beauty is, since you signed up for my newsletter, I won’t have any problems contacting you! So many times, people win these give-away things, but forgot to leave their email. Not this time! I’m so happy to be sending you some gorgeous vintage wallpaper. If you didn’t win, just go buy ya some! lol
OK, now for the escapees. See that photo up there? Here is another:
Know what all of these beautiful dresses and ruffly costumes have in common? They were all purchased to be used in projects in which I originally intended to cut them up! But, when I got them home, I just could not do it. I just couldn’t. I mean, how could I? Just LOOK at this beauty!
Vintage child’s ballet recitle costume. heavy and old. Yummy.
and below is a vintage baby slip. It’s TINY and has a big, stiff, fluffy crinoline.
But the main event here is this fluffly, ruffly, foofy pink perfection of a prom dress. Oh my gosh. Is this amazing or what? Looky.
Check out these ruffles! Yards and Yards of them!
So, I’ve accumulated a small collection of lovely little dresses. For Christmas, I’m asking for a sweet dress form or mannequin form to display the prom dress on. Isn’t it just so delicious? I’ve dubbed them my escapees. They escaped the knife. I am going to hang the little baby slip and recitle costume as art. Why not? It’s my house!
OK, I know I was supposed to announce the winner of my little giveaway here today, but I’m having trouble with my random number generator thingy on my computer. Soooo, I’m just gonna do it the old fashioned way and draw a name out of a hat. Tomorrow. I promise. *sigh*
To make it up to you, I’ll give away another second pack of wallpaper to someone else too! Kay? forgive me?
Yes…If you’ve bought something from me or if you’ve signed up for the newsletter, you’re automatically in the drawing, no matter when you did it. And no, you don’t have to buy something from me to be in on it…..just add your name to my newsletter list and you’ll be in the drawing. I’ve never even sent a newsletter, buy hey, I might!
