I Saved a HUMMINGBIRD!

My family and I really enjoy watching the tiny hummingbirds zoom by on their way to our hummingbird feeder.  They have really gotten used to us being there and have even visited the feeder when I was watering a nearby plant and was less than a foot away!  Even my youngest son was able to watch them feed from less than a couple of feet.  We have spotted as many as 5 at a time fighting their way to the nectar.  And by fighting, I mean, really fighting!  Hummingbirds really don't know how to share very well...

Anyway, the other day, my youngest son yelled to me that there was an "Emergency!"  Now, being 4 years old, he doesn't always understand the concept of emergencies, but this time,  he was right.  There was  a tiny hummingbird in our garage.  Apparently, he had taken a wrong turn leaving our feeder and was hovering near the light in the garage.  He kept staying up near the ceiling and wouldn't fly and lower towards the door.  Every time he hit the ceiling or the wall I was afraid he'd just collapse from the struggle.  I was so worried about him.  I tried everything I could think of to lure him lower.  Turned out the light.  Put a pot full of petunias on the floor of the garage.  Hung the hummingbird feeder in the garage on a hook by the petunias.  NOTHING WORKED!  

FINALLY A FLASH OF INSPIRATION!


I actually held the hook on which the hummingbird feeder was hanging up to him near the ceiling.  To my delight, he stopped struggling to feed!  While he was feeding on the nectar, I  S-L-O-W-L-Y lowered the feeder and moved toward the door.  He was drinking and perched on the feeder the whole time!  I got him to the door and he took off outside!  YIPPIE!  I was so happy for him!


By the way, did you know that the best RECIPE for hummingbird food is actually very simple (and cheap!):

4 parts water to 1 part sugar (just regular old sugar)

I've read conflicting things about boiling the water first but I always do.  I figure I'll be cautious and just do it.  Besides, it helps the sugar dissolve quicker.  Just be sure to let it cool before you fill your feeder!  And don't add any red food coloring!  That red stuff you buy in the store apparently may be bad for them....


Happy Hummingbird Watching!

More Girl's Hair Bow Organizers and Name Signs

Here are a couple of the newest girl's hair bow organizers that I've completed.    These are designed to look like little handbags/purses for those little fashionistas and divas out there.  I have had a great response to these!

Each one is completely hand painted so no two are ever exactly alike (no stencils, vinyl, or decoupage here!).  The hair bow holders come with 2 lengths of 24" coordinating ribbon which provides plenty of space to organize many hair clips and bows.  The handle is a genuine black plastic purse handle.  I always use high quality acrylic paints and use several coats of sealer to protect the finish.

I also sell the completed plaques as name signs which could personalize a child's room or door.  The name signs (of course) are sold without the coordinating ribbon for  organizing clips and bows.

Zebra Stripes and Pink with Polka Dots
Hair Bow Organizer  $34

Zebra Stripes with Pink and Polka Dots
Name Sign  $28

Pink and Black with Polka Dots and Heart Vine
Hair Bow Organizer  $34

Pink and Black with Polka Dots and Heart Vine
Name Sign  $28

I am always designing new ones, so if you would like to see something else, please let me know!

If you would like more information or would like to place an order, please feel free to contact me!

How many times do you start and stop a blog post?

Okay, here's the thing.  Being new to blogging (and being a person who edits and proofreads constantly), I am finding it quite difficult to keep up with blog posts...


Now, of course, it doesn't help that every time I actually have a chance to get on the computer, I begin aimlessly wandering around blogland looking at all the great diy projects and envisioning them in my home (and mentally searching my "stash" of supplies to see if I can run and do any of them RIGHT NOW, without a trip to Lowe's, Home Depot, or Michaels).  


Plus, I admit it.  I am a procrastinator by nature.  I don't mean to be.  I just am.  Except when I have a project to work on for someone else.  Then I am RIGHT ON THE BALL.  So maybe, I need to try and treat myself as I treat others.  Get it done and do it right.  


So, how many other people have a problem with getting things done?  Especially blog posts.  I'm sure that it will get easier as I get used to doing it.  Everything is, right?


Good luck to you all in getting done today whatever it is you need to do.  Now, I have used up all my computer time and need to tend to the kiddos!  Happy surfing...

Girl's Hair Bow Organizers = The Perfect Gift!

I got a telephone call from one of my very favorite little girls today.  She (and her mom) had ordered one of my hand-painted hair bow organizers for her friend's birthday party.  She gave it to her over the weekend and was calling to tell me that her friend (and her friend's mom) "LOVED IT"!  She (and her mom) proceeded to order yet another one for an upcoming birthday party!  (I will post photos of this one ASAP).


It thrills me to pieces to hear from happy customers (especially when they are very fashionable five-year-olds!).  I absolutely LOVE to talk with my customers and come up with new designs and products specifically for them.  It's something that you can't buy at any store and I think it makes the perfect gift.  What child doesn't love getting something with their name painted on it using their favorite colors, hobbies or theme from their room?  

Here are photos of two that I have finished recently.   

It's what I do and it's what I love!

***If you would like to order a hand painted Hair Bow Organizer (or any other item), please contact me!***


Each piece is completely hand-painted - no stencils, rub-ons, or vinyl here! - and finished with several coats of sealer for protection from little hands.  All products used are non-toxic and come from a smoke-free home.  

Pet Portraits

One of the things that I really LOVE doing is painting (I'm pretty sure I've mentioned that before).  I also love animals.  So, one of the things I really enjoy is PAINTING PET PORTRAITS for other animal lovers!   

I have been steadily adding to my portfolio as new commissions come in and 

am ready to share a few of them with you...  

Bear, a Newfoundland mix, was painted for Deb and Kyle K.  as a memorial after 
he lost his battle with cancer.  
Bear was described as a "valiant protector" and I added this custom tag in the shape of a shield, 
as a symbolic reminder of his devotion to his loving family.  

This portrait was painted for Nancy and Don R. as a tribute to their beloved Killian.

This is a portrait of Princess, an American Eskimo dog, was  commissioned by Amanda S. and Kris R.
as a gift for his Aunt Sue.   I customized this tag for her.

This painting of "Puppers" was commissioned by Michelle W. and Steve  N. as a gift for his Mother.    

I work from photos that people have taken of their pets and I always ask for a description of their pets before I begin work.   I want to know about the animal's personality and what makes them special to their people.  It may sound corny, but I keep these descriptions in my mind while I am painting and I think that it really helps me "capture" their personality on canvas.  My customers always have the choice of background colors and I love to add personalized details to the portraits when appropriate.  One of my favorite ways to do this is by adding a custom dog tag or pet tag with their name.  Usually the tag somehow relates to the personality of the pet.  Perfect examples of this are the tags I made for Bear and Princess!  

Hand Painted Gifts!

I am a painter.  

Artist.  

But not a snooty, snobby, kind.  :)  

I love to paint things for other people.   I began painting mostly gifts for children, including personalized photo frames, Christmas ornaments, canvas, and even wall murals.   I love the excitement when a child receives something hand painted just for them, with their own name on it!

Here are photos of some of my work.   (By the way, I take requests, so if you are interested in having something hand painted, please contact me for more information!)

$14 - Christmas Ornament
Includes Baby's full name, birth date,
and birth details on back!  All details
can be customized for YOU!
Other Ornament Styles Available!

$25 "Cute As Can Bee First Birthday" Photo Frame.
Size:  Approx.  10" x 10" holds 4"x6" photo
Perfect Gift for Baby's First Birthday!

$25 - Boys Treasure Box
Size:  Approx.  9" x 12" x 4" Deep
Holds lots of little treasures!

$30 - Girls Hair Bow Organizer
Size:  Approx. 9" oval
FREE PERSONALIZATION!
Colors may be altered upon request!

You can also view my Painted Mine! Facebook Page for more samples of my work!

Our Funny List

So, I said I would post a pic of my version of the Subway Art craze and here it is!  "WHAT???"  I can just hear you all saying...What does this mean?

Well, you know how you and your BFF (or husband, wife, whoever) have those "you-just-had-to-be-there" moments?  Stuff that only makes sense to you and them and no one else.  That's what makes your relationship with that person so wonderful.  Those shared memories.  They're the glue that builds bonds in relationships, I think.

Anyway, a loooooonnnnngggg  time ago, when my oldest was just a baby, I was telling my mom something funny that he had said or done and my mom said "Did you write it down?  Because if you don't, you'll forget..."  So I've been keeping a "Funny List" (for lack of a better title) over the years and finally, FINALLY, figured out what to do with it!  CREATE SUBWAY ART, OF COURSE!  I was keeping things written down on a dry-erase board, and my kids LOVE to read it, but it didn't look all that attractive.  Now, it really is a work of art!

I deliberately wanted it look whimsical and handwritten, so I didn't stress about making all the letters perfect (like I normally would) and I left some space to add more as new things come up.  We all love it!

Hello, Blog! It's Me, Jenny.

Okay, first things first.  Let me admit that I am in total awe of the amazing people out here in blogland  who are completing amazing projects!  I have been losing sleep, literally, thinking of all those projects out there just waiting for me.   Do you do that too?  


Here's a little bit about me...


I have always loved all things creative and am definitely a diy-er.  My husband shakes his head and gives me that look whenever I see something in the store and say "I could do that" or "We could buy it and paint it - then it would be awesome!".    We moved into our first home about 5 years ago, painted and decorated a little, but mostly, I am now ready to re-paint and re-decorate.   But, like most people, I need to do it on a budget.  I have Pottery Barn dreams on a thrift store budget...


We have 3 boys and now that they are getting bigger I have a little more time to devote to home projects.   I discovered blogger and have become totally addicted!  The problem is, the more I see, the more I want to do!  Will there ever be enough time to do these projects I have my eyes on?   


Mostly, I am just so excited to be out here, in the same universe as all these incredible, creative people.   It's a bit scary, though, kind of like going back to school and really wanting to sit with the cool kids and hoping that they like me...


The boys are calling me now to go out and play in the snow - that's how things go around here...Just when I start something, the boys go and decide that they need me.  Not that I mind (too much) of course!  So, good - bye for now.  I hope to hear from some of you soon.