Over the years I have built some amazing relationships with other artists in my business. One of those artists is my friend Cheryl at Serendipity Hill. For years Cheryl and I worked together. Her with crazy, creative ideas and me helping her ideas come to life by supplying her with the letters, shapes and odd bits that challenged me often! She made some amazing products that she successfully sold for a number of years.

Many of you will remember her name plaques as they were her top item.

Cheryl has made some big changes in her life and business over the past year or so - you can read about that on her page and she no longer makes the name signs that everyone grew to know and love but she is still creating and you must check out her art. It's amazing! Follow her! Follow her page, follow her Instagram, follow her shop. You will not be disappointed!

You may see some signs similar to ones that Cheryl did popping up in my feed now. Have no fear, I am not stealing Cheryl's ideas! We have had some great discussions and for now if you are looking for a sign similar to what Cheryl was making I can help you out. It won't be the same. We each have our own unique artistic touches. That's what you want from true, hand crafted pieces. Now go check out her art!

Name Signs

This year we added some new wooden name signs to our website. The first few have made their debut and there are many more on the way! Hoping to hit every price point and size option meaning you should find one that will be just perfect for you!

Large round wooden name signs hand painted in high quality Osmo stains and waxes. Find this sign here: Nixon Sign

Shabby Chic Devyn sign done in a hand distressed white wash stain and vintage inspired accents. Find this sign here: Devyn Sign

 

This large round wooden name sign contains the first and middle name along with a bird and flower accent. The round board is hand distressed with coordinating accent colours showing through. Find this sign here: Hana Sign

Show 'Em You're A Tiger!

The options really are limitless when it comes to what shapes we can put behind a name for a gorgeous theme shaped wooden monogram. Oliver LOVES tigers! Everything he has in his room is tiger related so naturally a tiger is what had to be done for his shaped monogram!

This tiger is a big guy and measures at about 2 feet tall by almost 3 feet wide! I'm having a lot of fun with these wooden shaped monogram names! Can't wait to see what else will be next!

Shaped Monograms Are Here!

I get SOOOOO many ideas in my head all the time! These wooden shaped monograms have  been up there in this  brain of mine for quite some time but idea to production is tough when you just need to get orders done! Fortunately I have a friend who was after some cool new decor for her kids rooms and I was able to use the sports and activities they are both into to start off the first of what is sure to be a new popular item!

Her son is a ski racer and spends his winters on the slopes so it was fun to create a vintage ski themed monogram for him.  The shaped monograms are sized the same as our Initial Name Letters so the shape is 24" in height with the name made in proportion to the shape. (Widths vary depending on the shape and name length) These are a nice, large centerpiece for any room. They would also be awesome with a family name as well!

Her daughter is a dancer! This one was fun as I added real ribbon for the entire thing to hang from and added some metallic paint for a satiny sheen.

I have some more in the works and always welcome new ideas so stay tuned!

Her daughter is a dancer! This one was fun as I added real ribbon for the entire thing to hang from and added some metallic paint for a satiny sheen.

I have some more in the works and always welcome new ideas so stay tuned!

Win A $500 Gift Certificate!

 

As many of you may remember, last year I did a similar raffle because my husband and I were raising money for the Canadian Diabetes Association so we could go to Iceland in August of 2015. What you don't know is that we didn't make it on that trip last year. Almost a year this April my mom, who was going to watch our children for us while we were away, was diagnosed with terminal cancer. At that time we decided it would be best to postpone the trip for a number of obvious reasons. The "unknown" being a big one. We had been well on our way with the fundraising but luckily Team Diabetes allows you to save the money you've raised and transfer it to another race at a different time when the circumstances are as ours were.

I'm happy to say that my mom is still with us and continues to fight her battle every day. (Insert #cancersucks hashtag here.) Postponing the trip has allowed us to get all our ducks in a row so to speak and now we're gearing up to try again this August! My sister will be coming to watch our kids and Iceland bound we shall be! But we still have money to raise!

We have a few fundraising events planned but this raffle was so successful last year I thought I'd give it a go again. So what is it exactly? What can you win? Only $500 of the best handmade, custom items out there of course!

Here's how it works:
You click here and purchase your  raffle tickets: RAFFLE TICKETS!!  
(Tickets are $10 each or 5 for $40)

We will randomly draw for a winner on April 30th, 2016. We will contact the winner via email and send them a gift certificate. Winner shops our store online for whatever their little heart desires! Easy!

Of course, you can also make a direct donation as well. I won't turn you away! Here's the link to my very own personal page: Kristina's Page

HAPPY!

Here in Alberta we've had a very mild, not-typical winter and it's felt like spring for all of February. Blue skies, warmer weather and sunshine inspired these new signs I created today! Measuring 21" x 12" and done in a rustic, barnboard style they're the perfect addition to brighten any room! I currently have these two in stock in my Etsy shop (where I put all the in stock stuff by the way!) so hurry over and grab one up!
Custom orders are always welcome as well!
I hope you're having a HAPPY day too!
~Kristina

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!