noticing...

Are you in tune with what's going on around you? Being a mother,wife, friend, daughter,sister, girl scout leader, volunteer, owner of my own business,sometimes it can be hard but I make an extra effort to really pay attention. Because if you really pay attention, you will be in awe of life. The connections I've made, the people that keep popping into it, the art I discovered in my shower curtain(water  formed this most amazing art, I meant to take a picture of it..but forgot!) It's all around you... Life! Be present in it and be prepared to be amazed. Try not to focus on other people's journey but instead focus on your particular journey and what the purpose is and what it all means. It can be so joyful.

Taking the Oprah Challenge...

As I'm riding shotgun on the way to the beach to get some much needed relaxation time, I'm catching up on some magazine reading. Oprah magazine has an article in her latest magazine that helps you find your true calling by answering 3 little questions. So, just for fun thought I would share.
1) How does what your doing make you feel?
When your honoring your calling, there's an undeniable sense of stimulation and exhilaration.It feels like you're giving and getting "juice" from the experience. It just feels so right.
I've tried a few different things over the years, but what I'm doing now gives me this exhilaration I've never felt before.
2)Does it have a positive impact on others? Anything that makes you feel strong, connected, and aligned with your truth does the same when shared. Nothing that really calls you is ever for you alone. I love this, I hope to have a positive influence on kids and adults alike...it feels good to share who I am.
3)Does it turn up the volume and increase the vibration of your life? whenever your engage in the business of who you're meant to be, you're more awake, alive, and ready to play a vital part in your world. When others see your light shining, they'll be inspired to shine theirs, too. I love this! Shining my light inspires others to shine their lights.

I hope everyone finds their lights... And if you haven't, don't give up! Take stock of your strengths, find your passion, and forge ahead. don't wait, life is too short!

relationships

One thing that has been a nice surprise in starting this business, is the ongoing support and relationships I've made. I've connected with strangers, made friends from customers and met fellow artisans. It's always nice to have one of my "kids" that was in my art camp, stop by my booth at the Chattanooga Market and go "Wow, did you make all of this?" I think it's a good message to them, that I'm doing what I love and putting myself out there. I am being brave, or so a customer told me. Brave, hmmm. I told her I had no choice but to be brave, because I love what I do, it's a passion that won't quit. Sure, I can get alittle unsure when no one stops by my booth or buys anything..but I just remember all the times I've inspired kids and adults alike and remember that I am fearless, brave, talented, blessed and right where I'm supposed to be.

Moooo.....

Cows have become my fun pieces...People love cows! I always get a ton of people admiring my whimsical cows. They sell pretty quickly too! Here's a look at some of them...

This is my most recent one...It's available for $70

This one I did for my daughter's room...

words...

I love old pieces of word! The possibilities are endless!

A saw! a Very handy tool.

My mother gave me some old pieces of fence a few months ago and I haven't had a chance to figure out what I wanted to do with them until last night. Found the saw in the garage and starting sawing, which I found out this morning the reason I was having a tough time with it, was because I wasn't doing it correctly...heheh, I know, sometimes I'm clueless when it comes to tools! But I'm a fast learner and I whipped out close to 20 signs today! I'm also very handy with a drill:) I hope to have my own workshop with "big" tools soon!!

Words are sooo wonderful.

 

Dreams

Dreams...$200 available for purchase

So do you dream with your eyes open? hmmm.......interesting question. YES, I do. Always. I think about my dreams sooo much that they have to come true, I'm persistent. If something fails, it stinks, but I definetly try something else to get me there. My dreams make me work hard! Here is a new piece that I've worked on for awhile.....what do you think?

Social Media

Wow..so having a business can be hard enough in itself but throw in alittle social media...and voila life is crazy! I took an online class with the amazing artist Kelly Rae Roberts and well her advice was having a strong online presence! So between my blog(which btw I'm not totally doing my best..must carve out more time for it!) facebook fan page( doing the best with this) pinterest(gettting more addicted) twitter(totally still figuring it out...) hmmm..am I missing anything? Oh, yeah Etsy! Posting my work on Etsy is soo time consuming and not sure if it's even worth it? Not sure if peole looking at my Etsy get directed to my facebook fan page...but if they did then it would be worth it just for that!  SO, with all my social media going on, when do I paint? heheh...I'm finding the time somehow, especially since we are nearing the holidays and I am so inspired. I can't wait to paint my ideas, it's like I can't do it fast enough! So anyways, please join my twitter, pinterest, add me to your circle on Etsy, join my facebook fan page so I can feel the love...

New work

Its been raining for days and now the weather is to perfection...60's! Oh how I love the 60's and 70's! I think this is the time of year when my creativity is at its highest. Summer is so hard, because the kids are home and I have no time to just hole myself up in my studio and paint, which is fine, because I love the pool, vacations and just hanging outside. Fall is amazing. Kids are back in school, and I'm in the studio again, getting things ready to go sell my wares at our local Market which is truly an amazing place, google Chattanooga Market to see what it's all about. Every Sunday I get to go set up my booth, meet new people, purchase some fruits and vegetables, and see what other creativity is going on.  Here is some of my latest work. What do you think? I love the mixed media aspects of each piece.

8 x 10

12 x 12

12 x 12

6 x 6

6 x 6

Custom Signs



a new fall sign I did...pick your main color and if you
want birds or owls or BOTH:) $25



How many birds are in your family?



Great for teacher gifts...

 I love making custom signs...my customers love a personalized sign for themselves or for a gift, and I love being able to do my artwork. Its a win-win! How do you order a sign? Well the first step would be to peruse through my photos on my facebook fan page(Sunshine Girl Designs) to see what I've done before...it will give you good ideas..I'm excited about my new and improved signs this year. I've got a ton more fonts to use and lot more fabulous ideas...

need an original sign you have come up with? just shoot me
an email and I will see what I can do!

Halloween signs are so much fun to make!!

need a christmas sign?

I need the family name, color, year established and VOILA
your sign will be made, shipped and delivered! I make ones that
say COTTAGE, BACK PORCH..etc..

need a sign to say your favorite quote? This one was
done for a son's room.

Inspiration is everywhere

Good Morning...

I wanted to share some of the quotes that inspire me. I hope these might inspire you too..

I think this is very important! I'd rather have quality time with a small group, then quanity with a big group. I also try to be careful and spend time with people who really "lift" me up.

Being sad sometimes is normal, but I try and not dwell on the sadness and look to the happiness of life:)

EVERYONE has a talent.

This is exciting...life is not set in stone, you have the ability to change it all up at any moment!YAY!!!

Isn't it always the simplest of things that make you happy? A cup of coffee, a book to read, laughter from the kids,a kiss from the husband=1 HAPPY life

"Where laughter falls like lemon drops"

This is how I live my life now...It can be a bit daunting at times, but I am loving every second.

I'm dreaming of a white kitchen....

I'm getting ready to start the process of picking out the "look" of our 3rd house...I am a color person and have always chosen color for walls but right now I'm thinking of being a bit dramatic and doing an all white house(paint) and just popping the color in with pillows, bedding, linens, art..   Here are some pictures of what I'm liking for the kitchen thus far. White..hmmm..really liking it.

bellemaison23.com

traditionalhome.com
love the pops of red!

simplifiedbee.blogspot.com
definetly going to be doing white subway tile

apartmenttherapy.com
love, love the doors!

oliveaux.blogspot.com

40th Fiesta Party for the hubby!

So my focus this month is not art...gasp. It's the love of my life's birthday party, that has my complete attention. I am a procrastinator my nature, so I must hold myself accountable, have goals, have ideas....oh the pressure!! Love it! Have you found pinterest yet?  I must admit it it a wonderful place where you can pin ideas on styleboards and keep everything organized. Organization, what a concept!! It's really helping me with this party...Here's what I'm thinking thus far. What do you think? Any ideas you wanna share? Oh, btw if you wanna follow me on pinterest just type in Melanie Underwood....



need to make tons of pom poms, in all colors



love the idea of this














cute, definetly going to do a photo booth!





love the props, would make great photos







all looks yummy