Are You Ready for A Hoe Down?

Cowboy boot - don't you just love the spur?


Hoe Down Set


Stick Horse

I didn't forget the boys - and why not include items for a cowboy - since the wild west is so envogue right now. These illustrations were commissioned after a good friend wanted me to help her with her little man's "Hoe Down" birthday party. I was happy to ablidge (and will blog about these later and show off the invite). I was thrilled with the result and with so many of my family out in Texas I think they will appreciate the homeage to their great state.

I am in the process of producing a pink cowgirl boot - so the little cowgirls in my life can also take part in the hoe-down goodness. So get your "yee haw" on and enjoy the addition of a little of the wild west over at my shop - www.theenglishpea.com.

Enjoy!

Bring May Flowers

Daisy Flower


Flower Power Set


Pom Pom Flowers


These little flowers came about in January - yes, I have been working on these illustrations since before Christmas. I was inspired by a quilt I saw in Pottery Barn Kids and I wanted a graphic that a girl or woman could use. We ladies always love flowers and they are an obvious addition to include in the Spring. So... I hope you enjoy these May flowers - which will actually be titled "flower power" in my shop over at www.theenglishpea.com. :)

Please note that all of the designs you will see featured can be ordered as individual graphics. Also, be sure to check back Monday, April 5th, for the announcement of my giveaway.

April Showers...

Happy April and welcome to my 2010 Spring Debut. Today I am showcasing my "Singing in the Rain" collection. Obviously one needs an umbrella and a cute pair of rainboots to war against the weather - or just go a singin' in the rain.

Would love to know what you think. I will be debuting more designs each day so stay tuned and next Monday I will announce the giveaway that I will be running with this new collection so be sure to check back - you won't want to miss it! :)

Mommie's 90th Birthday!

Mommie's party was Sunday afternoon after church. She probably had 40-50 friends and family come out to celebrate. I was so glad that we were able to be there as it was a very special time.

Charlotte was thrilled about the big and beautiful birthday cake. I seriously thought she was going to have a meltdown several times since the cake was delivered Saturday afternoon and she wasn't able to eat it until the next day - that was tough for a two year old. She finally got her cake and was happy as a clam.

She and my grandmother really hit if off and my grandmother kept telling me how much Charlotte took to her - which is her way of saying how special that made her feel. Obviously I was thrilled that they enjoyed each other so.

So glad I made the effot to be there. We are exhausted and traveling with my two munchkins is not my favorite thing to do, but we had a wonderful time and this past weekend will be a special memory I will have with me for always.

Side note: Dora the Explorer was played multiple times on the drive there and back. Now every time Douglass Charles sees something that has Dora on it he yells out "Dora, Dora." He never said this until the twelve hours with Dora in the car. Too funny!

"Sippi" Bound

Gearing up for the drive ahead


Charlotte stating "We're Here!"


Charlotte exploring at the family farm - my uncle and aunt have a beautiful home on a 200 acre farm that is my grandmother's.


I'd be lying if I said I wasn't jealous of the view my aunt gets to look at out of her kitchen window every day. I love the countryside!

"Sippi" was Charlotte's way of pronouncing the cumbersome name of the state in which I was born. We left out Friday morning, bound for Batesville, Mississippi, the childhood home of my father, the home of my grandmother and my uncle's family. I tried to remember how long it had been since I had been to my grandmother's and it has been far too long. Since my grandfather died, my grandmother has lived with either my parents or my uncle and his family and once my parents left Atmore I haven't had the opportunity to see her - much less visit Batesville.

So... her 90th birthday seemed reason enough to make the 6 hour trek with my kids by myself. Those of you that travel farther than that just chuckle to yourself and smile, but this was quite a challenge for me.

The kids did beautifully and I so enjoyed revisiting childhood memories with my cousins, attending my grandmother's church, and sharing my children with the special person my grandmother is.

lipstick

It is official, my Charlotte is a girly girl. Her discovery of lipstick came into play at Christmas when Adeline, her cousin, introduced her to her own "play" lipstick. Ever since it has been an obsession. Oh, it doesn't matter if her favorite t.v. show is on the lipstick must be applied.

I snapped these pictures last week after one of her many requests for lipstick and I just happened to have the camera close by. We apply at least once a day and in addition to having her lips done, her hair must be done as well - as she will not leave the house without a bow in her hair. That's my girl! :)

Gearing Up for April

So I have a few things up my sleeve that I am going to "try" next month - in addition to debuting some new designs next Thursday! The first is a trial on my ever favorite site - Etsy. I currently do not pay for advertising, I just relist my items on a regular basis on my Etsy store and it tends to generate sales for me. Things have been trucking along in the sale department, but I would love to see a little increase. So... I am going to renew my items more often in the month of April - the goal is every day. I currently only do it twice a week. I am going to try to stick with it a month and see if I see a difference. I will report back in May and let you know what I find out

If you are wondering why I am posting more often it works kind of like ebay, your item winds up at the top of the list when people are viewing things in a products category, thus giving you more exposure.




The other thing I am going to start is making my menus based on what I can find on sale. I love shopping at Publix and by using www.southernsavers.com they not only tell me what is on sale, but what coupons are available to pair with the sale items. I will also do this with Kroger and Walmart. So... I will let you know if I save any money and if we eat well on top of it.

Lastly, I hope to start sharing recipes that I come up with or find for using my left overs. I might as well share my findings with you and you gain benefit.

So here's to trying new things... speaking of new things, your prayers are greatly appreciated as I venture out on my own with the two kiddos to Mississippi this morning. I have never done this before - and I may never do it again. At least we will gain memories and get to celebrate special milestones with beloved family. Happy Weekend!