It's been a rough few weeks.....

Thank you to everyone who have been so kind, thoughtful and understanding. I appreciate it more than you know.

This flu season has us all up in arms.... My kids have caught the flu a few times already, including myself, and flu season isn't even in full swing yet. The flu is so rampant here that the school district has called every single home telling parents that they're losing to much funding because a large population of kids are not attending due to the severity of the flu season. They were demanding that all parents send their kids to school so that the State pays them for attendance, with an empty threat behind their message. So....the parents sent the kids to school sick, and now the problem is worse. So, the school district sent a notice out to parents telling us not to send our kids to school sick, wash our hands, etc. But when we keep our kids home, we get another notice from the school..... What do you do....?

The last two to three weeks have been crazy at home to say the least. With all of the kids being sick, including myself, I have also been diagnosed with two health issues that has me facing the possibility of closing my studio. I have a lot of catching up to do not having the chance to paint my orders recently, and I'm praying that everyone can hold on tight for me while I try my best to make up some lost time.

Thank you to everyone who has been so warm and kind....
Many blessings,
Audra

Our Halloween Birthday Party

My daughter's birthday is the first week of November, but this year she really wanted to have a Halloween birthday party, so she did! We celebrated with cake and ice cream at home and opened gifts (which she hasn't put down since her party this last weekend). Then we hopped into the car and went to Johansen Farms to celebrate. My did we ever have fun, and the weather was chilly, but perfect!
{ click any picture to enlarge }

Instead of using party hats, we used witches hats. She also picked out the colors and design of her custom cake and it was scrumptious!

First we held baby chicks. This was so cool! They're so tiny!

We went through a corn maze and petting zoo....

And of course we couldn't leave out the bouncers, slides and train rides {my son's personal favorite}!

Can't forget the pony rides..... This was a real hit!

And before we left we went through the pumpkin patch and picked out pumpkins for everyone to take home and decorate.

In Celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Etsy Finds

{ etsy.com }

I am a strong supporter of all things handmade, and these items hold a special spot in my heart. Below are just a few one-of-a-kind items that are made by the hands of very talented women that are celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness month that I'd like to share with you. Feel free to click on the pictures or the links below to find more information about the products and to purchase them.

Fight Like A Girl Brag Bag by aquinagt

Engraved Stone by designerengravings

Crystal T-Shirt BaDaBling

Greeting Cards by MrsMac05

Sterling Silver Necklace by beadznthingz

Survivor Necklace by ConFused

Pink Party Printable Download PDF paperandcake

Pink Ribbon Watch by SS10001

Pink Ribbon Earings by SKWDCreations

Charm Necklace by onelifejewelry

Beaded Bracelet by mompotter

Cell Phone Charm by lariescreations

"Dress Up In Style" Girls Semi~Custom Personalized Boutique Painting in Pink & Brown

Shopping In Style!

Semi-Custom Art on Canvas

Choose Your Image, Colors, & Features!

Bright and beautiful, this one of a kind gallery art piece is for all of those little girls who love to shop or play dress up! When I first painted this years ago it was right after my own daughter was playing dress up (as she did every day), and was dancing to princess music in our living room in my heels. Sometimes pictures just aren't enough when it comes to precious moments like this. The expression "A painting is worth a thousands words" is very true, and having a painting of a special and happy memory in a child's life can now last a lifetime on canvas. Your artwork is semi-custom so you are able to pick out certain styles and coloring to the artwork that are listed below.

YOU CAN PICK OUT THE COLOR OF:
HAIR (to match your little one's hair color)
THE STYLE OF HAIR (pig tails, pony tail, down, curly, straight, etc.)
SKIN COLOR
DRESS COLOR (can match her favorite color and will be the same color as her hatand shoes)
COLOR OF HER PURSE
COLOR OF HER SHOPPING BAGS

Your beautiful art piece is hand painted on all sides of a large 16" x 20" stretched canvas so there is no need to frame it. You will also be receiving a scrumptious nail cover painted to match your art piece and coordinating ribbon to hang with.

Click here for more information or to place your order.

"L is for Ladybug" Custom Canvas Name Letters to Match Lil' Kids Bedding

These custom ladybug letters are soooo scrumptious in person! They're so vibrant they almost look like candy. Yummy! Each panel has frolicking ladybugs having fun like any child would do if they were in a park. "L is for Ladybug" is also included for that extra whimsy that can be found in the bedding. No detail was left behind! I've also painted coordinating Nail Covers and Drawer Knobs.

These will be available for purchase on my website soon!

Fire Fighter Custom Canvas Name Letters for the Baby Nursery or Kids Room

I love, love, love how these letters turned out! I've added a few NEW things to this set such as a new fire house, fire directional sign, little fires here and there, dripping water, and an emergency light that really brings this scene to life. Any of the colors can be modified.

To orders these canvas wall letters, please click HERE.

THE FAMOUS OPRAH VIDEO

I Got A Feeling

I am not a YouTube person, but this week has definately been a fun week coming into contact with a few video's that have been posted there. After seeing this video with The Black Eyed Peas and Fergie on Oprah, I couldn't resist posting it here. I was AMAZED at the audience! TOTALLY AMAZED! All of it started with just one girl....

Fast Forward up to the 1 minute mark if you'd like to jump start the video. Otherwise, grab a cup of java, sit back, and enjoy the largest cooperative block party ever right here in Chicago. You might just be as amazed as I was. Feel free to share this video with your friends.

National Anthem that will blow your mind!

National Anthem will give you Goosebumps!! This was at a Texas Tech University basketball game . . . The National Anthem is sung by five little girls. The two on the right are six years old. The two in the middle are seven and the one on the left is eight.

An entire arena remains completely silent throughout the song. You could hear a pin drop. Take a moment to listen to this. Trust me, you will not regret it.

A Tribute to Beyonce.... This will make you smile!

Great dancers aren't great because of their technique; they are great because of their passion.

She takes a stand against Bank of America's interest hikes.....

Bank of America rose her interest rate to 30% on her revolving account even though she was never late on a payment, had good credit, and was a customer for 14 years.

Here's what she is going to do about it......