I have the best job in the world! Stay at home mom and artist.... Could not be more blessed than that!!!
Here are a few ornaments I'm making for my show in May! Super excited about all the ideas rolling around in my noggin!!!

Owls

Stocking up on some Owl ornaments and felt rings for my show in May! Super excited about all my new work.

Inspiration is running through my veins

I am going to try and do a better job at updating my blog. I'm really excited because I am going to be participating in a show this spring in Atlanta. I will explain more later but for now here are a few new paintings I have been working on!

Owls

I had a hard time keeping up with the orders for these but each stitch was sewed with LOVE!

These are a few if my felt owl ornaments.

A few things I made this Christmas

I have been so busy. It was such an exciting year and I'm hoping this one will be even better!

I stayed really busy with Homeschool and my art. I am just going to post some of the things I made this Christmas!

Happy New Year!

Centerpiece for a ladies Christmas dinner

I guess people think because you are an artist you can do anything crafty. Well I panic when I am given a project that I feel I am going to completely mess up. My mom and I accepted this challenge together.
We are having a ladies Christmas dinner at our church next week. We were asked to decorate a table. I had no idea what we were going to do.
Our idea started coming together and we went and bought supplies crossing our fingers and toes that this was going to work.
My procrastinating on the project had to come to an end so today I began to pull it together. Here are a few pictures of our set up for next week. I must say I'm pretty excited.

Fall is in the air!

Well it was time to change out our "Masterpieces" bulletin board. The girls had pretty flower drawings with bright pinks and purples. Now it is time for fall colors. So yesterday we walked around the back yard collecting unique leaves to decorate the board. I cut out a tree I drew and traced their hands to use as leaves.
We haven't finished yet but it was a start! I love doing projects with my kiddos! They are so talented and love trying new things.

Sunday Summer Day

I had many little blessings today! I'm overwhelmed when I look at my family and know they are all mine!!!

We went to church this morning and worshipped our amazing God and were reminded once again He conquers all burdens and heartache. Although my heart gets heavy now and again I know my God is in control. There is so much heartache out there and loneliness and only God can fill those empty spaces.

After we got home from church we grilled hot dogs. That is a favorite around here during the summer days. Summer is coming to an end so we are going to take advantage of them while we can.

After lunch Steve worked in the yard and I home schooled Emma. We needed a break and to run off some energy so we headed outside into our fenced in backyard. It was wonderful. We laid in the grass, watched Ivy (my parents puppy) chomp at knats and Steve and I spray painted our new mirror we will be hanging in our living room soon. (post to come on that)

While we laid in the grass I was looking at the vast sky and how BIG it is compared to us. Steve and I talked about our next big project we want to do on the house and some smaller ones to keep us occupied through the winter.

A little over a year ago we wanted to put the house on the market but when we talked to a Realtor we realized our home has depreciated even though we have upgraded and remodeled different rooms we would still have to come up with a significant amount of money to get out of our mortgage. We were told the same ol crap that "others are also in our shoes". Made me mad at first cause I thought we did everything right. We bought a starter home to get our life started and upgraded appliances and some outdated features then put the house on the market and upgrade ourselves. Well it turns out many do the opposite. Took me about a month to get through my anger and disappointment with lots of talks to God. I was disgusted. After some time I came to the peace that we like our home. It's ours. We made it ours and if I had a cardboard box I would make it ours too. I needed to count my blessings. So we started thinking differently. Our plan today is to continue working on our home in the corner of this BIG world and make it more enjoyable. I don't know how long we will stay here. Maybe till my kids are gone or maybe we will be gone in a few years but it's our home and my heart lives here. More importantly my family lives here!!!

You have the key to my heart

This will be on display at the Newnan library. It is painted on 19x19inch wood.
I'm so excited to have all these new pieces out there.
Don't forget to check me out at the Corner Arts Gallery down town Newnan across from the Times Herald. I am also selling some of my work at Bell's Handcrafts down town Newnan next to Scott's book store!
Xoxo

Owl Always Love You mixed media on wood

Painting, painting, painting! I am on a roll and just can't sit still.... Here is a new one painted on wood 19x19inches.
This will be on display at the Newnan library also. It is for sale. $45 You can contact me by email @ Chirploveart@gmail.com

New mixed media piece

This was actually inspired by an artist friend of mine who has amazing work and encourages me with my work. This piece will be displayed in the Newnan library. It is for sale but I will not be posting the price there. I am charging $45 plus shipping.

If you have a particular saying or lyric you can message me and I can recreate this piece or if you are interested in another piece let me know. Lets work together so you feel connected to your painting.
Chirploveart@gmail.com

My new vintage button bracelet

I have had such a great summer so far. I have been so busy creating, homeschooling, working out and soaking up some sun in our newly privacy fenced yard with my girls! It's been a blast! We go to the beach next month and hoping to go to Disney in the fall!

I got a really cute sundress a few weeks ago and needed a chunky piece of jewelry to go with it. So I decided to pull out some of my favorite vintage buttons in my collection and make a cuff bracelet.

I thought I would post a picture of it! Btw it looked great with the dress!!! :)

Friendship bracelets

I went through a stage about ten years ago when I lived near the beach making beaded anklets and bracelets. I still have several left but I used to sell them to a local surf shop in St. Augustine Florida. I loved putting colors together and trying new things that no one could buy at a regular store.

Although the original history of a friendship bracelet is made from embroidery thread or floss I made gifts for friends with beads instead. The embroidery thread bracelets became popular in the 70's but have continued to come back about every 10 years. I plan on teaching my girls the skill of making them when they get a bit older.

However today I decided to let Emma make her first friendship bracelet out of beads for her friend who is having a birthday party today. Both my girls seemed so interested in what I had and were occupied for quit a bit. Lol
It was a lot of fun. I just love getting to do things like that with them and hope someday they will remember the days of experimenting and trying new things with their mama. :)

Whats been keeping me busy....

Sooooo much to say...It has been a busy busy spring and now summer has finally arrived and I am still going going going!

I'm not sure where I left off or even where to begin. I wanted to share a few things that have been keeping me busy and at least give you the excuse as to why I am horrible at updating my blog. : (

Last month Steve and I traveled to Chattanooga Tn for a folk art show which was so much fun. Since then I have been selling some of my work here or there with full profit going to Jude's recovery.

I started selling my work at Bell's Handcrafts and now I am selling at Corner Arts Gallery downtown Newnan. I have sold two pieces so far and that just puts a smile on my face and I hope whom ever has bought too!

We went to the beach the last week of May and had a great time just being a family. Got to soak up the sun at one of our favorite beaches Steve and I used to go to when we lived in Florida. Now we get to take our girls there.

We had swimming lessons two weeks ago and last week was VBS! Me and my good friend Jodi always teach the crafts.....exhausting but so much fun! I claim her every year cause she is a real teacher and knows how to run a class. LOL

We are still homeschooling but because we go through the year we are doing four days a week right now. So excited about starting 1st grade soon. Emma amazes me and makes me laugh everyday.....not all days are perfect though. : )

Well just a few tidbits about what has been happening at the Smith's house! We are having a blast and excited about the future. I will post new work as I make it.

Happy Summer my friends!

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Bell's Handcrafts

Well my friends I have exciting news. One of our local stores here in Historical downtown Newnan is selling some of my work.

I haven't sold my work in a store in a few years. Actually about 5. I have changed so much as an artist and there have been so many changes in our lives that I've stayed pretty busy. However, I am finally at a place to give this a try again and see how I do.

Go check out their Bell's Handcrafts website and find their facebook fan page and click 'LIKE"!!!

Find chirploveart on Hellocotton

Peppy

Today we had to put our 16 year old cat down. So sad and all the memories I have of him are cherished. He was a good boy and will be missed greatly!

I will miss how every morning when I get up he greets me in the bathroom for fresh water in the sink. Anytime I have chicken or turkey out he comes running and rubs up against my leg and leaves cat hair all over my pant legs. He was the only cat I knew who loved to run with me on the treadmill and he hated my singing in the shower. He would whine at me and let me know he was sick of hearing me!

Yes, my little buddy will be missed!

Who-fest 2012

OK, so I am really late on posting any pictures from Who-fest this year but I got tons of excuses.....just maybe not good enough ones. So here are a few pics of our fun weekend. Unfortunately we had to leave Sunday morning due to the rain so I did not get to visit or take as many pictures of my friends as I normally do. Bummer!!!! We did have a great time and appreciated all the hard work involved in making this a successful show. Looks like a Who-fest too is coming this September and if all goes well I plan on being there.

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Some of my new work

A few of  my favorite new pieces I made for Who-fest that sold. We had such a good time and I just love seeing people walk away with my work and a smile! : )

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Painting for Jude

It has been such a beautiful spring! I cannot believe that June is just a breath away. Trying to keep up with homeschooling and domestic duties keeps my time pretty much filled but I thought I would sit down and type a bit about what has been going on.

Well, first off I posted a few weeks ago that my brother's little boy Jude has been diagnosed with leukemia. It was a shock to all of us and especially to them. Jude has been in and out of the hospital with a few complications but we are reminded daily God has him in the palm of HIS healing hands. Their baby girl is due this Friday so I will have a niece which is their first girl! I know they are really excited about that but weighed down with new responsibilities and stresses. They have a long road ahead but seem to be handling things well. They are very blessed to be surrounded by so many that care for them and are able to help. I wish I was able to do more but we live too far away so we do what we can and pray! If you are interested in keeping up with Jude's journey to recovery here is a site my brother is updating as he can. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jbgriffinhttp://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jbgriffin

A few weeks ago I felt led to paint this painting. I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out but by the end of the day I really liked what I saw. So I posted it on my facebook fan page and a friend of mine saw it and said she wanted to buy it. I told her all profit of this particular painting will be going to Jude's medical expenses. A few minutes later another friend said she wanted one too so I decided how ever many of these particular paintings sold I would donate the profit to Jude. After a day another friend contacted me and requested one too. lol

We were at Who-fest in Chattanooga TN. a few weekends ago and I sold another painting in honor of Jude. This is the painting that sold.

Pretty Is As Pretty Does

My grandmother's famous line..... "Pretty is as Pretty Does". Ain't it the truth???

So many people are focused on the outside and have such an ugly attitude which depreciates the real meaning of beauty.

One of my goals as a mother of two little girls is teaching them that pretty is what is on the inside. Sharing God's love and being a true friend is "pretty".

I have heard little girl chatter and it disappoints me with some of what they say. I speak frankly to my girls about loving one another. That it is brave and "ok" to say no or I don't want to. Being different doesn't mean you are weird. It means you are strong in Christ and focus on what God would want you to do.

If you know me at all you know I am not a writer so I am going to leave it that! I hope you shine your light God gave you!!!