22 – Clara

I’m hoping this means I’m on a roll. Because yes, this is the 3rd post in 3 days. And so you all know, I have 23 other canvases to blog about as of this moment. {But if you follow me on facebook, you know this!} That has potential for a month’s worth of posts!!!

This canvas is for Clara, which I have painted for in the past. She is growing up and must have moved into her big sister’s room, Ava. {**sniff} It is funny how I don’t know so many of you in real life, yet I feel like I know you! And let me tell all of you that although I’ve never met or seen Clara in person, this child is beautiful! I really want to lift a picture from her 3rd birthday party that I saw on facebook, but I’ve not asked for permission so I will refrain. But you will have to take my word for it – she is gorgeous!

If you look closely, you can see the tone on tone white dot in the center. I remember painting Ava’s painting. It was the first time I had painted different layers on a single canvas. I was also scared about how it was going to turn out – which is exactly why I did white on white!! haha! I’m quite sure the biggest lesson I’ve learned through painting is get over the fear. It is just paint and it is just a canvas. You can always paint over it or just get a new canvas!!! {I’ll remember that when I make a huge mistake after I have about 8 hours invested in a piece.}

And because I use to love doing sneaky peekies so much ….

This sneaky peeky is for a child who is close to my heart. I’ll explain tomorrow!

41 – Ella {not}

Well, let’s get these posts started! I feel like I need to post some reminders about some things. And since I’ve been MIA, I’ve been making tweaks and changing things to keep things rolling over here at Small Words! First thing –  the number you will see in the title will be the original number given from the original list. I hope it doesn’t confuse anyone since I posted the updated list a week+ ago. I have been fortunate and everyone has been so patient. So far only 1 person has not responded to their “are you ready to get started on your painting” email. And I even found the person on facebook and messaged them just in case their email address changed or they didn’t get the email! Still no response!!! But seriously – only 1!! That is fantastic!

I also want to remind you that I try to keep 5 orders going at a time. Most of the time, I’m only painting 1, sometimes 2 at a time. But the emails are going for the others. This way, I have all my information ready to start the next one and hopefully, I have no down time waiting for the information for each painting. Unfortunately, there are many, many times that this plan fails miserably and I’m waiting on 5 people to email me the next bunch of answers to my questions. And I wait and wait and wait. Now, let’s be frank – I’m horrible at getting back to people UNLESS I’m working on your order! I have 30 something emails right now asking me questions and about future ordering that I’ve not responded to yet because of time, so I get that sometimes you don’t have the time to get back to me right away – totally understandable. But I really need to be painting at least 1 canvas, so I move to the next number in line. And sometimes the next and I’ve even went 3 people “next.” Then my squatter moves in – “Murphy.” He has probably moved into your joint a few times as well. When Murphy Brown is here, every single person I was waiting on will email me on the same day. Every single one of them. And especially if it is 10 people!

It really is funny. And it happens every time.

Soooo, I’ve tried doing something different by working in local people OR siblings during this dead time instead. Basically because I can get all the info I need from locals immediately. Clients with siblings know how my process works since we have worked together in the past and have always been super quick to get back to me {thank you!} I tell each of these clients {locals and siblings} what the stipulation is. You must have all the info I need asap or I can’t do it. This has actually helped me so that I’m not waiting with nothing to do. BUT I wanted to let you guys know so that when you don’t see a number beside the name at the top of the post, you will understand. Other than that, I promise I’m going straight down the list. I hope this all makes sense and no one is going to be hacked off at me thinking I have some line breakers! Because it really isn’t like that.

Now after I said all that, let me reiterate that I totally understand that it takes time to get back to me with the details! And, again, my inbox is ugly with people waiting on me to respond to them. I do ask a lot of questions that need answers you are not going to always immediately know off the top or your head. You might be sending me swatches and that will take time between getting them together to the delivery through the mail. Finding links to the bedding, especially if it discontinued, is fat pain for you. One of my favorites – the time it takes to clean your kid’s room before you take pictures to send to me – hahah! {Don’t even try to act like you don’t know what I’m talking about!!} Digging up the name to your wall color isn’t always as easy as looking in your garage and finding the paint can. And even if you know exactly what you want, your brain will start going crazy with so many other options as soon as you get the email from me that I’m ready to start. It is very rare that when I email someone I get a response back with all the specifics and wants that I can immediately start painting.

RARE.

Please, nobody start freaking out on me when it is your turn and you are not answering immediately or you are indecisive. It is like that for most. Just understand that I will either go to the next name on the list OR if I feel I have too many “waits” on that list, I’ll hit up my sibling list or my local people.

okay?!

Another BIG thing is your the number of canvases you have listed that you want. First off, if you have 3 listed – but due to some crazy, unforeseen “tragedy” {because I’ve had some really horrific reasons} you don’t need 1 of those, just let me know. You are not obligated to order 3 canvases. Let’s go to the other extreme …. say you have now found out you are pregnant since getting on my list for another child. If you know the sex, name, bedding, etc – YES, you can get that baby a canvas at the same time. Another example is the Christmas painting you see throughout this post! Because  I have received a few emails inquiring about it after yesterday’s post, I thought I would skip to it and then pick up where I left off with the other paintings on the next post.

Number 41 was suppose to be “Ella” but she changed her mind and decided to go Christmas. She told me what she liked and I went with it. The only thing I will change about this painting if I paint it again {other than the name} is the design on the ornaments. BECAUSE I love this one so much that I don’t know what else I would change up to make it different! The font will stay the same. The colors the same. Seriously, it is a really good balance!

I hope I’ve explained everything. If you have more questions, please just email me or comment to this post.

Finally! A Post!!!

Have you been wondering?? You know, where I’ve been?? Some days I do, too! I cannot believe I have neglected my blog and you for so long. And so much has happened! Nothing major. Not really. Or I should say not to the masses. But for us, some major stuff! I might as well do this in bullet form to give it some type of flow.

  • This Saturday will be Hudson’s 11 week steroid free. Do you know how huge that is?!? That joker has been on steroids since November 2008! And every time we would ween off of them {which usually took about 6 months,} he would be back on them within 10 days if not sooner because his urine tested positive for protein. And the cycle would start over. He went for his check up with his nephrologist on Tuesday and now we are working towards getting him off the other medicine he is on. Fortunately, it doesn’t have any side effects. So, I don’t mind if we stretch this out a bit hoping it gives him more time to out grow the minimal change disease. The guy is so skinny now. I’m actually having to tighten up his pants – the same pants that were too tight at his highest dose of roids! I can’t tell how thankful I am. He isn’t in the clear yet, but we have never been able to see the light at the end of the tunnel until now. For all those who took their time to pray over Hudson, Thank you!
  • I just realized today {after a friend of my husband’s posted on his facebook wall} that Carson and Lawson are the “kids of the week” in our city! Lawson made it a couple of years ago, but they both made the cut!

Lawson is in the blue and he is actually 1/4 inch taller than Carson {and has been since birth.} But Carson pulled him in and it really gave an illusion.

  • About 5 months, I started taking Accutane – or whatever it is called now since there is no such thing as Accutane anymore. Please, no one give me down the road about the side effects of this stuff. I have been having issues with my skin since the year before I go pregnant with Hudson. And the cystic stuff is for the birds – over it. And unless you have that problem, no one tell me anything bad …. okie dokie? But I say this to say, it isn’t working – haha! But at the same time, it is! My back and chest area are so clear. But my face – geez! I have oily skin and the crap has dried me out. Yet, I’m still getting about 7 to 9 places a month. Then it takes them forever to heal and go away because the spots are so dry. I have 1 more month and then we are trying something else. I’ll let you all know how it goes.
  • I made a huge decision about school next year. Right now, Carson and Emme go to the same Pre-K. It is an awesome program and I’ve not regretted sending my children there at all! I choose to pick the kids up at noon for two reasons  1.} I can’t afford to leave them any longer and 2.} Lawson gets out of his pre-K around 11 – so, since I have one  at home, it really would be stupid to leave the others at school. But next year, Hudson will be in second grade and the twins will be in kindergarten. I’m so ready to work and really paint, so ….. Emme will be staying full time in the same Pre-K program! That is right folks, I’ll pick up the 3 boys after school and then go pick up Emme. August people!!! I love my children, but I can’t wait for the added time to my day beginning in the fall.
  • Speaking of list – have you seen? I am at 74 to go! And if I was smart, I would start blogging tonight of all the art I’ve finished so far. Just have one piece automatically post every morning at 6! But it is 2 am right now, so that isn’t going to happen! But I’m moving right along.
  • I had a b***hday this month and my friends took me to the Melting Pot. Have mercy! It was an experience that I’m ready to experience again. You know what I mean?
  • Today, I painted a sailboat on a canvas and a Christmas canvas – so weird. And 2 different extremes! And because I know you want see a little something ….

What? That isn’t enough?? How about this??

  • I’m so tired. I need sleep.