Football and Beaches

This time of year is always extremely busy for us. I always think people wouldn't be shopping so soon after Christmas but it always has been and remains as our busiest time period. Maybe because with the holidays behind us and a new year ahead a lot of us feel the need to purge, organize, finish projects and plan for what's ahead. Whatever the reason I find myself painting, painting, painting!

I thought I would take this opportunity to show off a few of the new designs that I've recently completed as often they hit the website without much showing off!

Believe it or not this is the very first strictly football themed anything I've done! I do sports all the time but never only football. I'm not sure how that has happened in an entire decade but perhaps now that people see this one I'll be doing more!

I will also have many new products coming up soon and I can't wait to show them off! In the meantime - Happy New Year!

Full Sized Ruler Growth Charts Available Now!

I don't know about your kids but mine are forever wanting to measure themselves. Daily. They seem to think that overnight they've sprung up a few inches and some days it feels as though they've done just that!

Our Wooden Artwork Growth Charts have always been a hugely popular item. Customizable to just about anything I've painted hundreds over the years to match pretty much any room or theme requested. These days a new trend is slowly showing up. People are passing over the themed rooms in favor of rooms that will last longer than the baby years. Rustic, vintage, shabby chic, "not babyish" and classic. All words that are showing up more and more in emails I exchange with my customers. People want a softer, more grown up look to the items they're choosing to surround their babies with.

That's why when the requests for Ruler Style growth charts started coming in we listened! New to the store these vintage inspired growth chart rulers are the perfect family heirloom to treasure for generations. A beautifully rustic piece of functional art allows you to capture your child's movement from toddler to teen.

Kids love marking their progress month by month and year by year as they grow from a toddler to a big kid. This wooden chart makes it easy for everyone to see just how fast your child is growing.

A beautiful addition to your child's bedroom decor or hang in the living area for all to see.

These Wooden Ruler Growth Charts measure 7" wide x 6' high so they're nice and big to accommodate even the tallest of the big kids! Designed to sit 6" above floor to avoid baseboards and make for easier hanging.

Choose from a variety of stains or CeCe Caldwell Chalk paint finishes. You can even opt for a dual process stain with distressed painted overlay for a more vintage fee. Whatever your choice it will be sure to be a wonderful keepsake for years to come!

Not Just A Hobby

The other day I got asked a question about my business and I haven't been able to shake the feelings it brought out.

"What are you going to do when your kids are older? Are you still going to paint baby and nursery stuff? I would think that you wouldn't be as interested in it once your kids aren't so young anymore."

The reason such a question struck a nerve with me is it made me realize that some of the most important people around me don't even realize the passion, dedication, drive and hard work that I've put into this business to get it to where it is today and to where it's headed in the future.

I started Bouncing Off The Walls before I had children. Three years before as a matter of fact. Art is something I've always been talented at and wanted to pursue as a career and I'm lucky enough to have found not only a great niche, but an area that I love as well.

This isn't a fun hobby to do while I'm on maternity leave or something I do to pass the time while my kids grow. In fact, being self-employed there was no maternity leave at all! I worked through the pregnancies and births of both of my children with no more than a few days off. I work during nap time; I work long after the rest of the world has gone to bed, I work when my husband is home and can watch the kids. I put my blood, sweat and tears into this business because I not only want the business to be successful, but I want my children to see how hard work can pay off.

Not once has it ever crossed my mind that I may not be into baby and children's products anymore. I love it. I always have. I've been accused on more than one occasion of being a grown child myself. I get excited to see a new line of bedding or a funky piece of kid's furniture. I love surfing the Internet looking for new and unique decor items that I haven't seen before. I love trying to come up with new products myself. There are babies born every day around the world just waiting to see their names up on their bedroom wall or a cute growth chart to measure their years by and I plan on being here to give them something they will treasure always.

Now don't get me wrong; my children are, a big part of my business! They inspire me every day. They've been the light-bulb moments for a few new products. They're my best and worst critics and sometimes even my helpers. They teach me to put the paint brush down and go build a train track, a puzzle or read a book. To take time off.

They continue to grow every day and it amazes me how fast time can go by. Give it all up because they're older and not into baby stuff anymore? NEVER! You haven't seen the last of me or my business yet!

Big Success!

This past weekend I spent my time in a little 10x10 booth at the Calgary Home & Interior Design show peddling my wares and chatting it up with everyone who stopped in. It was great to meet some of my past customers face to face, create new relationships with future customers and network with other businesses. Trade shows are, indeed, tiring but fun all at the same time!

Thanks to all those who stopped by to chat and I hope to see some of you at the Calgary Baby Show on October 3rd and 4th, BMO Centre at Stampede Park!