Miscellaneous Business, Plus Some GREAT News!

So, first off, I want to say thank you so much for all your congratulations on our news! It is definitely exciting for us, and now that I'm feeling better (other than a week-long round of the flu for everyone in the house from which we are finally recovering...), I am in full-on planning mode.

We're going to do some rearranging of bedrooms in the next few weeks, and then I get to decorate a new nursery- fun, fun, fun!!! By the way, can any of you give me recommendations on good fabric websites or brands that sell vintage-inspired children's fabrics (preferably larger scale images as they'll be used for curtains)? I used to have a bunch of links, and then lost them at some point...

Then, I also want to send out a special thank you to Jenny, for this wonderful package she sent me! I won a giveaway on her blog, and she really spoiled me with treasures! Tons of vintage stuff, and some of her adorable cupcake art! You should have seen my kids when I got the package-they thought it was Christmas! I let them help me unwrap everything, and I almost think they were more excited than me!

Here are some of my favorite bits. LOVE these little bunnies!!! I'm not sure yet what I'll do with them- I have a feeling they'll make it into the baby's room though...

I also think these adorable felt animal images will show up in there as well!

And of course, you know where this will go!

And onto other business, I often get questions about whether I teach classes or not. I haven't recently, just because with little kids, I haven't had time to go to any of the great retreats around the country. And, in general, there's not a real big market for my kind of art right around where I live.

However, I'm pleased to announce that I will be teaching an all day workshop on June 20th in Jacksonville, Florida! It is being put on by the public library, which also means that it is completely free (other than perhaps some supplies which will be required)!!! So if you live within a few hours, it may be worth it to make the drive!

It is called "Playing With Blocks", and we will create a piece similar to the one on the left. I don't have all the details yet, but let me know if you think you may be able to attend-space is limited to only 40 students, and I'd love to have some of my blog-readers come!

(And no, this isn't even the really GREAT news yet!)

Now, onto some artwork. The first is a piece in Riley's journal. We recently went to the Monster Truck Jam in town, and my kids LOVED it! Riley particularly liked the truck named GraveDigger, and he is now mildly obsessed, watching the trucks on TV and playing with his own trucks constantly.

I used his actual truck to make tire tracks on the page, and now he frequently requests to sleep with his "GraveDigger tracks"!

The next is a spread in the new baby's book about feeling the baby's first kicks in my belly (referred to as "quickening").

I really like the way these pages turned out!

And now, onto my really GREAT news.......!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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(drumroll please....)

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Oh my gosh, I am still floating on air about this! I can't believe I am finally having a girl! For those of you who have followed my artwork, you know how desperately I've always wanted a girl. I just couldn't fathom the thought that I may never have someone to share in my love of "girly" things, and honestly, this was my last chance, because three kids is enough!

I probably don't need to tell you that I cried in the ultrasound office when she told us it was girl! So now you know what I mean when I say I'm excited to decorate the nursery- I just can't wait! Not to mention buying all new baby girl clothes-hurray for PINK!!!

The "We did it!" item at the top of the first page is from a card Jason gave me, attached to a bouquet of pink roses!

So, that's everything for right now! My camera's on the fritz right now; otherwise I'd show you a few new vintage/thrift finds I've acquired, but I'll save that for next time. And of course I'll keep you all updated on my nursery decorating progress!

Hope you all have a great weekend!