A Painting for Babygirl

The idea for this came from the need to have Babygirl's clothes nearby when I am dressing or changing her. Sometimes, when we're going somewhere special, I have the outfit she will wear already planned. And this outfit ended up being hung on her crib, laid on the bed, etc. I felt I needed to do her adorable clothes justice - give them a place to live besides the closet.

Then I thought, why not make something that will grow with her? Why not paint her something that she will have always, and can hang her first day of school outfit on? Her prom dress? Her graduation gown? Her wedding dress?

Great, now I'm crying.

[Mommy and Daddy I'm sorry I got married and made you feel the way I do right now! I'm sorry you have to experience it TWICE because you have 2 daughters! I will be there to console you/get you drunk on Sissy's wedding day!]

Moving on...where was I?

Ah yes, my painting. So then, after a bit of planning and talking with Hubby and finding the perfect piece of wood, this was born.

First of all, go ahead an faint at that dress. Reilly will be sporting it at Aunt Mimi's bridal shower. Mima and Poppy got it for her for Christmas. Okay, wake up, and I'll continue.

Anyway, I really love how it came out. Her walls and room are sage and neutrals, so I like how this added pink to her room. And now it usually used as a display piece for my favorite outfit of hers. I think when her first birthday nears, I will hang up the outfit she came home from the hospital in. Just to torture myself. Then I'll go ahead and have another baby. [Hubby - you in?]

I read the quote somewhere, I think it was part of a poem. I just loved it. It reminded me of her and her disposition. It reminds me of God's grace in her, and how He protects her every step she takes. And how her eyes are a little peek into her soul. Her pretty little sweet, sweet soul.

I made one more of these for a friend of mine who had a babygirl. I knew she would love it as much as I do. I love when I can paint something for someone and just know they will love it.

This part, Hubby picked out! I explained to him the vision, and said I wanted it to have "a crystal doorknob". He was so confused. He didn't know doorknobs were made of crystal. I said "No, not actual crystal." Then he came around and understood.

I think Hubby's favorite kind of crafts that I make are ones that include the sentence, "Honey, I need to you to go to Home Depot and get ________." Even if the blank is "crystal doorknob". He still loves it. And one day, he came home with this gorgeous one! I was so pumped.

If anyone would like me to paint one, I would love to! Email me and we can discuss pricing. They are totally custom, so I could change the quote, change the colors, or personalize. I could even make it boyish with a quick change of doorknob/hook! Cause you can trust that my future baby boy is so betting on of these.

Love & Dresses,

Dirt Road Mama

Santa's Workshop

Things around here are starting to look strangely...familiar...

Like I've been here before or something. Or read about it. I'll tell you one thing, it does not look like my house. It's been transformed. What do you think, Baby?

Baby?! You've been transformed as well!

You look like one of Santa's elves!

"Oh, I know Mama. He dropped this outfit off early for me. Do you like my socks?" said Reilly.

Um...yes, they look like candy canes! But why did Santa bring you an elf outfit?

"Well, Mama, because he asked me to be one of his elves. Did I forget to tell you that?" asked Reilly.

Yes, Baby you did! I'm so happy for you! That is a great accomplishment.

"Mama, didn't you wonder why our house looks like Santa's Workshop? I have been very busy after you and Daddy go to bed." said Reilly.

Ahh. Well that certainly explains things. Would you like some help, Rei??

"Yes, please! But Mama...get to work! There's not much time left!"


Reilly and I will be very busy until December 24th. If you need us, just give us a call via the North Pole. The code word is "Santa's Got a Brand New Bag". (Name that movie.)

If you'll excuse me, I have to go wash her elf uniform. She says she has to wear it while she paints.

Love & Christmas Cheer,

Dirt Road Mama

Autumn Decor

There is a place in our home where I like to hang a "garland" or
sorts each season. I guess it started with making my own version of those paper towel ghosts we used to make as kids. You know the ones? Where you crumple a piece of newspaper, drape a paper towel over it, tie it off with a rubber band, and draw a face with marker?

I made similar ones, except using fabric and ribbon. More homey, less kindergarten.

Then Halloween ended, and I felt sad to take down my new decoration! And thus began the garland saga. It's a saga, because Hubby sometimes pretends that he doesn't like it. Because he has to "duck" to walk underneath it. But he has recently come around to appreciate the tradition. I think he came around when baby was born, and my mama hung teeny socks and shoes from it. That made him smile.

So here's what I made for autumn this year, after the ghosts come down.


I took some card stock, and painted each one 4 different fall-y colors. The I let them dry, and painted the other sides as well.

Then I drew different leaf shapes, and cut them out!





I love the colors! So autumn, but neutral.

Making my own decorations thrills me. Less pennies spent, yet still such a festive home!


Love & Painting,

Dirt Road Mama

Busy Bees

This is why we are not blogging today...

My painting table looks like this.
Which I actually love.
Look what I'm painting - Christmas signs!! YAY CHRISTMAS!


And my sink looks like this.

Eeek!

It's okay, Baby! Mama will get it done!

Ha. Bet you just laughed at that face. :)


Love,

Dirt Road Mama

Dirt Road Meets Hollywood Hills

Let me start by saying this: I love painting.

When I paint, I feel excited and happy and at peace and productive and creative. I absolutely love creating and designing. And mixing colors until it becomes the most beautiful reflections of light that I have ever seen, and then permanently affixing it to wood or canvas to enjoy forever.

I used to say that I could never do a "job" that had to do with art because I could never create my artwork and then have it leave me. I love everything I make individually, and I only every painted or drew or created for people I loved. I didn't think I could EVER sell my artwork to people I didn't love, or even know! My babies going off to live in a strange place!

But then, I started painting. And people started loving them. And when I saw how happy my signs made people, it made me happy too. I wanted to paint for EVERYONE! And not even charge them! But now I realize, I do have to charge some money. Otherwise I'd be a homeless painter with very happy customers. But I do still love each sign like it's my little multi-colored child. And so much thought goes into the colors and designs that I paint, each and every one. I never sell a sign to anyone unless I would put it up in my own house. I find I often say, "Oh my God, I love this sign so much. This is my favorite one I ever made."

And then one day, this happened.

Someone told me they saw a sign I made on The Office. As in, THE OFFICE. As in, in the actual office that they pretend to do work in on the show The Office.

Then they sent me the link, and told me to go to about 5:00 minutes, and look on the back wall.

And then I fainted. WHAT?? MY BABY IS ON THE WALL!! I PAINTED THAT SIGN WITH MY HANDS!! Well, with paintbrushes that I held in my hands. But still!! I mixed those colors! I remember making that sign! I remember finishing it and saying farewell and wishing it a long and healthy life on a beautiful wall of a happy family! And my baby went off to Hollywood and got FAMOUS!! Now he lives on a wall next to other famous art! Like that map to his left.

I didn't know HOW it got there! [ But then I found out that the Marketing Department sent them to The Office as a promotion. Hi Marketing Department!! Thank you millions! :) ]

I imagined Steve Carell sitting on the set and saying, "What is a Woodloch? Where did this sign come from?" And everyone around him shrugging. But they conversed about my baby!!

Or maybe John Krasinski sees it one day and says, "Wow, this sign is great. I wish someone could make me a sign like this for my home with my fiance who is the British girl from The Devil Wears Prada."

Or maybe Ed Helms says, "Yeah, John. I wish I knew about these signs when we were filming the sequal to The Hangover. Carlos would have loved it."

Or maybe they all had a discussion about what Scranton is really like, and what Woodloch is and why people love it so much! Well, guys, you should come find out. Come on over to our mountain. I'll show you around Woodloch, take you to Scranton, and make you a sign. And then we'll go for a walk down our Dirt Road.

I am so thrilled that my little painting about the resort that changed my life made it's little way over to Hollywood. I will look for it every week, if I can stay awake past 9 pm.

No offense, Office, but see I have this baby..

She's the reason I have to charge for my signs. And the reason I go to bed at 7:00 pm every night. And the reason I laugh 11 out of my 12 hours awake.

But Thursday's just became my late night. Here's to making more TV shows! :)

Love & Dirt Road,

Dirt Road Mama