Vote for me!!

Kristina Vanderwater is a nominee for the SavvyMom Mom Entrepreneur of the Year Award and needs your vote to win! The Grand Prize is worth $15,500 in cash and prizes, which would help immensely with the growth of Bouncing Off The Walls!

Kristina has been working extremely hard trying to introduce some new custom products to her line including custom bedding and furniture. With 2 small children at home it can sometimes be a challenge to get it all done and this prize will not only help with time management but will give Kristina the opportunity to hire part time help!

Please support and vote for Kristina by clicking on her personal page at Bouncing Off The Walls
Please also help us spread the message by inviting all your friends to join our Facebook Event!

Voters are also eligible for some fantastic prizes.

Thank you for all your support!

Back In The Saddle

Bouncing Off The Walls originally started as a wall mural business. After having two kids in two years I had to put a hold on the mural side of things. Trying to balance a very active toddler and a high maintenance baby along with a household and a business was just getting too tough. I decided that I had to prioritize a little and the murals had to go!

My youngest just turned one this past Friday also marking a year and a half since I'd last painted a mural for someone. I'd turned quite a few people down over that time and most regrettably repeat customers who were now welcoming another baby into their homes and wanted the nurseries painted.

One of my past customers contacted me shortly ago asking if I would paint their 20 month old's "big boy room" now that they had baby number two on the way and he'd be switching rooms. Here's the thing about me; when I come to paint in your house I don't just paint and leave. I connect with you and probably talk you ear off! I've lost count of how many great customers have turned into even greater friends. It's the thing I love the most about this business. So how do you say no to a friend?

Well, I didn't say no and as a result I spent this past weekend painting for the first time in a long time! Big Boy Dylan was switching rooms so his new baby brother could take over the nursery and an ocean theme was what we had lined up. His mom had bought a bright, whimsical quilt that was to be the basis of the mural theme. Happy, smiling octopus, crabs and sea turtles!

I didn't get a chance to see what Dylan thought of his room as his little brother decided to surprise us with an early arrival the day before I came to paint so Dylan wasn't home to see his ocean wall, but I'm sure that just like with his pond animals mural I painted in his nursery that he'll have to kiss all these creatures goodnight too!

If you live in the Calgary area and you're interested in discussing a mural with me please call me at 403-969-3355 or email at kristina@bouncingoffthewalls.ca If I am unable to do a mural for you I know a fantastic lady who can! Denise from Creative Artwork By Denise is not only a very talented muralist, but also a great person to work with! Please check out her site!

Wee Welcome Parent Power Contest

I've just signed up for the Wee Welcome Parent Power Contest (about 3 weeks AFTER it started!) It's a contest for parents who are also business owners. I'd love your votes, especially since I'm coming in so late in the game! The link to go vote is here: Parent Power Contest Please feel free to also leave a comment!

Yes, you do have to sign up to vote, but it's nothing complicated. This is so that no one can manipulate the contest in their favor and they know you're an actual human being that's doing the voting!

Come on! Show me some love!
Contest ends on May 31st, 2009

Thanks!!

Speaking of Awards!

I discovered the other day that Stephanie from A Pocket Full Of Buttons blog has gifted me with this wonderful Lovely Blog Award! Thanks Stephanie for passing this award on to me!

Here are the rules:

1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.

2) Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

These blogs are definitely award worthy!

Favors With Love
Babyjo Blog
Petit
Two Stray Cats
The Genuine Article
Crystal Allure
A Second Time
Crafted By Lindy
Cochrane Toy Box
Decorative Writings
Loopdiloops Baby Gear
Nursery Murals and More
Glimpse
Princess Ratbag Pettiskirts
After The Bump

And the award for the most unusual order goes to....

...my latest Paramedic custom order design! Who thought I'd ever be painting blood on a wall letter?!

This letter was for someone who just graduated as a paramedic and is very proud of that! The rest of her family thought a design that encompassed a little bit of everything she loves about the job would make it a much cherished keepsake! The colors match a gorgeous plate that they also bought her!
This is a great example to show that, YES, I can customize the design just for you! Anything! Really!

It's All About The Extra Touches!

Recently I've had a large growth in the sales of my custom, hand painted drawer knobs. Customers are having them made up to match previous items they've ordered like letters or a growth chart, but a lot are just simply looking for that special little touch that can finish a room off and give it that extra little WOW!

All knobs are painted on a 1 1/2 inch round mushroom knob then sealed multiple times with a protective spray to protect them from daily use. Use them on dressers, night stands or even closet doors! They're funky, fun and definitely pleasing to look at! For more designs check out Bouncing Off The Walls!

Signs of life

April showers bring May flowers. That is the correct saying. However here April has been a month of snow. Every time the sun comes out and you start to feel some spring fever the clouds move back in and the flurries start! Very frustrating for those of us who were born to desire after a more tropical climate!

Well, today we have nice, blue skies again and nice enough temperatures that we could go outside. (After another night of snow! Go figure!) With the sun warming my back for a change, I ventured around my yard and lo and behold there is some May flowers poking up after all! Proof that spring is on the way after all!