special items | Little Winged Ones

Hello, friends!

It has been a while since I’ve posted here and I just wanted to start by checking in and giving a big welcome to anyone who is new to this page. I am both sorry and thankful that you are here.

I have been taking a little break from my artwork and writing, as our family welcomed another little one in January. That makes five kids at home, the eldest of whom is eight years old. I have heard people liken having young children to being “in the trenches.” That sounds about right. Only the enemy is sleep and diapers and clutter and dishes and laundry. And your fellow troops are sweet and adorable and loving and funny, but are double agents – working for both sides – and don’t realize it. Our new little guy is so sweet, though, and we are all loving life with a new baby in the house.

Anyway, it is spring right now, and that means that I have my girls on my mind. And when my girls are on my mind, I think of ways that I can honor them and keep their memory alive.

Right now, finding ten minutes together to accomplish something is a challenge. I had to stop three times already just writing these first few paragraphs to kiss a boo on my toddler’s foot and return the binky twice to the baby’s mouth (I have a love/hate relationship with that binky!). It’s part of that aforementioned battle. So finding time to write and paint and sketch is difficult. But that doesn’t mean I can’t do it. It just means that I have to work harder to carve the time out. And I’ve been thinking about ways that I might be able to be more efficient about that process.

It occurred to me that I might be able to create some hand-painted Their Names artwork, make high quality prints of them, and then personalize those prints with names of little ones. The prints would be frame ready at 5″ x 7″ and would be available in my Etsy shop.

But I need some ideas, and that’s where you come in!

I am not yet able to do custom work, but I created a few of these pieces last March for giveaways in Fiona’s memory.

I would like to paint them again and include them among the options for prints. But I also thought I would include one more for now. I’d love it if you could give your vote for one of the following prints, or offer a suggestion if you have another idea.

Would you rather see

A- A candle with the words “Your light shines on,” as depicted here:

B – A yellow butterfly on a blue background with the words “Always in our hearts,” similar to what is depicted here (of course, these are pink and the phrase is spread between two paintings. The new version would be all on one 5×7 print, but it gives you the idea):

I would love it if you would offer your thoughts on this by placing a vote for A or B, or giving another idea if you have one. Just remember, the phrasing will not be customized. Only the names will be. Everyone who votes will be entered into a drawing to win their choice from the first batch of prints that is made, personalized with the name(s) of their own little winged one(s).

To vote, please leave a comment on this post (NOTE: not a comment on Facebook) by midnight on March 31, 2015. I will choose a winner on April 1.

Thank you for being here with me. I’m so grateful!