Saturday, June 13, 2009

I've Got a New Name

My Thought Exactly will soon be known as The Chubby Dove. After much work, by people more techy than I, I have decided to change the name of my business. I will have to start a new blog and update my website and etsy store and all that jazz, but I really like the new name better.

The name "The Chubby Dove" is very special to me. My favorite aunt who was also a dear and loving friend passed away about a year ago after battling cancer. One of her little pet names she called her girls was "chubby dove". So, this name change is kinda in honor of her as well.

Things have been ultra crazy here. Today, my family and I returned from a week long vacation. I'm unpacking and doing laundry. Monday, I will start packing again for our move to NC at the end of the month. At some point very soon, I need to work on my new blog.

Hope you have a great weekend, friends.

Friday, June 5, 2009

June Giveaway Winner

Good morning. Here at my house, we are currently preparing for a wonderful week long vacation to St Augustine Beach, but first before I hit the sand, let me announce the winner of my June Giveaway.

Congratulations to Tina, the former owner of a milking cow.

Because I shall not be leaving my chair by the seashore for the next 7 days, I will be shipping out your prize to you on June 15th. I so hope to be going to the post office a slightly tanner version of myself. The monkeys are so excited to meet you and your family.

Have a great week everyone!

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Best Friends and Birthdays

My son's last day of 1st grade is tomorrow. He has a friend in his class who is very near and dear to his heart. She made him an award for 'being the best friend she ever had'. Well, of course I had to get a picture of the two of them together. And because we are moving at the end of the month, I also had to make her frame for it.



Saturday, a sweet little person in my life is turning the big 3! I made her this mirror that coordinates with the rest of room. She's a princess and every princess needs a mirror, right?



Lastly, I got an order the other day for two Elmo frames. Here's the first one...



Remember...you have til midnight Friday night to enter to win my June Giveaway. You must comment on THAT post to be entered.

Sunday, May 31, 2009

June Giveaway

Ok, in honor of my two most favorite little people, my boys, this month I am giving away this set of sock monkey magnets.



Tell me what your favorite childhood toy was or is (I know some of you still sleep with that teddy bear) and you will be entered to win automatically. I will announce the winner this Saturday morning, the 6th.

My favorite, if I had to narrow it down to one, was a stuffed Snoopy. A dog, who despite many a bath, always looked gray and drab, but I loved him just the same. I don't have him anymore because my mom probably threw him out when he became "furless".

Me, The Busy Bee

This has been a super busy time in our family. We will soon be relocating to NC and I have been busy packing and still trying to manage my business and my life. My studio will be the last room to get packed, so I have been working hard to get the rest of the house done while also house hunting, attending end of the school year functions, helping my sis in law who just had the most beautiful baby girl and taking care of the daily doings around here. Whew, I'm tired just typing it out...

Here's a little something I worked on last week. Monkeys and baseball was the order and I just went bananas when I finished this frame. I love how it turned out!



Tuesday, I will be announcing my GIVEAWAY for June, so you hafta check back.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

And The Crown Goes To...

A big thank you to everyone who entered to win the crown frame in my monthly giveaway. Your sweet comments were very much appreciated.

Drum roll, please...

And now the winner of the crown frame is SCREEDEN.

Congratulations!

Have a great weekend, everybody. I'm looking forward to hanging with my guys this weekend and getting spoiled tomorrow. Woo!

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

If You Can Read This, Hug A Teacher

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week and if you are a teacher or have ever been a teacher...BLESS YOUR HEART. I, myself, survived three years of teaching preschool long before I had my own kids and let me say, it's one tough job. I so appreciate my son's teachers and what they do and the sacrifices they make to teach him everything he needs to know in his little first grade world.

I wanted to do so much more than give them a handmade gift. How do you thank them enough for their time, effort, patience, strength, love and constant care? They truly are a blessing and I'm so thankful that our son had these teachers.

Because I know they must be counting down the days til the end of year as much as the students are, I thought these gifts would be most appropriate for the end of the year.

This first one is a frame celebrating summer and all the things we enjoy about it. Picnics, ice cream, grillin' out, lemonade, vacation, etc.



This photo/memo clip is going to the college student that helps the teachers out on occasion. Just a little something to say thank you. Maybe one day, she'll use it in her own classroom.



This last one is about the beach, baby. Sun and fun wrapped up in a little frame. It features a surfboard, swim trunks and a bathing suit.



Hope they like them!

Monday, May 4, 2009

My May Giveaway




Oh, it has been a crazy... well, life. We are moving soon. So, trying to pack and take care of my family and business has kept me pretty stinkin' busy.

Let's cut to the chase here... My giveaway for this month is one of my favorite things. One of my very own little crown frames. Wouldn't it just look darling in a little girl's room?

Leave a comment on THIS POST before midnight Friday, the 8th - tell me whose little face you are picturing in this frame. I will be announcing the winner this Saturday morning.

Have I said "little" enough yet?

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

This was a gift for my sister in law who is ready to have a baby girl anytime now. She already had something similiar in her son, Charlie's room and since she is having a girl this time, she wanted to have the same pieces for Kate. I created a girly version of the same frame that reads, "Our home has been enlarged by 2 feet". Perfect for two little footprints on the bottom right corner. I also made two plaques - one for a handprint and one for a footprint. I was very happy with how they turned out and I always say, since I have two boys, that I love doing girl stuff!



If you are interested, let me know. I can make these for the little person in your life, too.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

And The Winner Is....

Good morning. I guess our boys are getting older because we were actually able to sleep in this morning...

Before I reveal who the winner of the giveaway is, I wanted to say why I think my mom is the best. Ever since I can remember, she has always been a giver. She taught me over the years what serving others is all about. She has been battling breast cancer for over 10 years now and the doctors recently stopped treatment because of the damage it's done to her kidneys. She still makes sure she is there to help in any way that she can. Whether it is helping someone move, babysitting their children, shopping for birthdays or just a greeting card to let someone know that she cares. She is amazingly strong and brave and most of all loving. I'm so blessed to have had her in my life.

Ok, now for the winner...

Sandy at God Speaks Today. Congrats, Sandy! Even though you left two comments, I only submitted your name once. I guess this canvas was meant to be your's.

Thank you everyone for your comments. Please visit me next month for another giveaway and in the meantime, go hug your mom!

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Bunnies, Bunnies Everywhere



I've just met a dear mom on Etsy who has two boys, just like yours truly. Her youngest is turning 2 this week and he's having a bunny theme birthday party. Since this weekend is Easter, she also ordered an Easter frame. These two frames were so fun to make and I think they went over pretty well with mom. Happy Bunny Birthday, Cooper!



*Don't forget to leave a comment on yesterday's post to be entered to win the Mother's Day canvas*

Monday, April 6, 2009

A Giveaway for Mother's Day


Hey Moms! Today is the joyous day that I announce what I'm giving away this month. I really wanted to do something "Eastery", but it wouldn't get to you in time for Easter. So after much thought, I whipped up this adorable 8x10 canvas for Mom. What a great gift this original piece of art would make. Since the deadline to enter this giveaway is this Saturday, you will have plenty of time to make your decision. Hmmm, should I give this to mom or keep it for myself?

All you have to do is leave a comment on this post and tell me what makes your mom the best. That's it. You will be entered automatically. You can enter until midnight Friday night and I'll announce the winner Saturday morning after I have my coffee.

Good luck!

And You Know What Day Tomorrow Is....

I'm "hard at work" planning and creating a special little something for my giveaway this week. If you remember, last month I started Giveaway Day on the first Tuesday of the month. Come back tomorrow for the reveal and details on how you can win.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Springtime fun!

This is some stuff I did before our vacation this past weekend. This frame matches the bedding of a "soon to be born" Harrison. Gotta love that name!



The front of a very cute Easter Photo/Memo clip



...and the cute back



Don't forget that April 7th is the first Tuesday of the month. I will be announcing the prize for Giveaway Day.

Mother's Day is Sunday, May 10th. If you want to order something for your mom, please contact me before April 30th. I want to be sure to have enough time to complete your gift.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

It's A Dog's Life



Picture this hung on the wall next to the door with Fifi's leash on it. It's even got some bling! Your pampered pooch will love this collar & leash holder and you will, too. I just finished it yesterday and I have to say, that I want it for myself. I mean my chihuahua, Crouton, wants it. However, I'm going to put it in my Etsy store and personalize it for free for some other lucky dog!

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Life Is Busy, Life Is Good



This is a canvas I made for a mom of a four year old boy named Nolan. She recently had bought one of my frames from a local shop here in town and contacted me about making an original, fun piece of wall art for her son's new big boy surfer themed bedroom. I love how it turned out!





A surprise for another customer who just happens to be a friend and one of my son's teachers. She had placed an order with me and I thought since her birthday is coming up and she likes to decorate her house for all holidays, that she definately needed a birthday themed photo/memo clip. Now she can use it for all the birthdays in her household.



A sophisticated monkey frame for a girl. That was an original request, but I managed to pull it off. It was so fun and I totally love the monkey!!



It's so in my heart and head to blog more often. However, I'm at the mercy of my darn computer that decides when it wants to work. Currently we are borrowing one that doesn't have a card reader and I have to arrange time wth my dear sis in law to use her's.

So, for now I will show you what I've been working on in between the boys' basketball awards ceremony, taking care of my house, recovering from surgery, making puppets for a class project and all the other fun and sometimes mundane things in my life. I'm so thankful to have a creative outlet. My hubbie is very supportive and our boys love to come in my studio and hang out doing art projects while I work. Life is good!

Saturday, March 7, 2009

And The Winner Is....

I have had so much doing this giveaway. Thank you everyone for checking out my blog and leaving your sweet comments.

The winner of the St Patrick's Day Photo/Memo Clip is.....

VALERIE 2350

Valerie, let me know your address and I will get this out in the mail to you. I hope you enjoy it.

Please come back again and remember that the first Tuesday of every month I will be doing another giveaway.

Yippee!

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Hooray for Giveaway Day!




Top of the morning to you!

Welcome to My Thought Exactly's first Giveaway Day and announcing the cutest ever St. Patrick's Day Photo/Memo Clip. It can be your's free if you win the drawing. I will be selecting the "lucky" winner on Saturday, so don't delay in leaving a comment on this post.

Who needs a pot of gold when you can have one of these?

Tell your friends and remember to visit my Etsy store at mythoughtexactly.etsy.com and shop your little green britches off.

Good luck!

Monday, March 2, 2009

Giveaway Day Is On Its Way!

From now on, the first Tuesday of every month, I will doing a giveaway...and the fun starts TOMORROW!

Come back tomorrow, leave a comment and you will be entered to win. It's that easy. Feel free to tell your friends too (if you promise me you will be happy for them if THEY win)

See ya tomorrow!

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Pocket Treasures




As a mother of two boys, I tend to find lots of odds and ends in my washing machine. It would always break my heart to throw away these special items that they had discovered while in a store, playground or parking lot. A few months back, I decided to start saving these little trinkets in a jar. I labeled the jar Pocket Treasures and it now has a place in my laundry room right above my washer. I will eventually upgrade to a bigger jar because this one is filling up fast. The boys don't know that I've been saving up all this stuff. One day, when they are much older, I will show them the jar and we will enjoy sharing the memories together.

Visit me again next week when I will doing my first ever GIVEAWAY!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

So Tweet


Valentine's Day is just a few days away. Our six year old is excited to give and receive valentines from his friends at school. However, I still needed to come up with a gift for him to give to one of his teachers. She's young, single and stylish, so I came up with this. I thought it fit her perfectly. It's a pencil and pen holder, but I think it's a piece of art that works part time as a desk accessory. I filled it with mini candy bars, a fancy pen and hip pencil. Her first name starts with a "C" so there is a "C" hidden on the birdie. I hope she likes it. I am going to make more of these and have them available in my etsy store soon. If you want one custom made that would be even "tweeter".

Thursday, February 5, 2009

John Deere and Horses



I recently got an order for a John Deere frame and here is the finished product. This the second John Deere frame I've done for the same customer, actually. I guess there are alot of little fans in her circle.
The horse frame was another one I recently finished. I loved doing this one. I think the rope adds a nice dimension to the frame.

Friday, January 30, 2009

The Charlie Series




This is a series of 3 paintings I have done for our nephew Charlie. He is turning 2 tomorrow and has recently graduated to a big boy room. Because Charlie already has quite a stash of toys, I thought I would create some original works of art. His room is decorated in vehicles and primary colors, so these should look perfect.

The top one is called Gator On The Go, the middle one is Dog Gone and the bottom one is titled Fly Dog. The cars have wheels and the plane has a propeller. So cute and they were so fun to paint. I hope Charlie likes them!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

I Want One!


Check out this cute memo board I made today. Our friends' little girl is turning 3 this weekend and since we just celebrated Christmas, I thought I would make something for her "big girl room" instead of buying another toy.
I love how it turned out. I hope she likes it, too. Pictures and notes just tuck into the ribbon. I think I am going to start selling these. After I make one for myself, of course...

Friday, January 16, 2009

Love Is In The Air...

It's getting to be that time of year again when you fell the desire to get a special something for that special someone. Here's a few things I've been working on lately. This Sweetie Pie Handbag, the Hugs and Kisses Photo frame, the Love Mini Scrapbook and the Love Is In The Air - Photo/Memo Clip. These one of a kind creations are now for sale in my ETSY store along with lots of other treasures. Go shopping today-just go to my sidebar and click on Shop In My Etsy Store. It's that easy. If you see something you like-snatch it up. If you would like a different color or theme, just let me know.
I LOVE custom orders!
HAVE FUN!

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Back to Life

I'm back. Our trip to NC was super fun and relaxing. I missed our boys, but knowing they were in good hands made it a little easier. They got to eat things that I usually don't let them eat (a whole candy bar and a pile of ice cream). I'm surprised that they were excited to see us, now that I really think about it.

I'm very excited to get started on Valentine's Day stuff. This head of mine is full of ideas. I'm hoping to put some new things in my etsy store soon. I am also excietd about my custom orders. Oh, love...ain't it grand?

Keep checking back and the best way to do that is to follow this blog.