Friday Favorite- Custom Home Portrait

As Miranda Lambert sang, "this is the house that built me..."  I believe that a home does in fact build us in a way.  No matter how big, small, clean, messy... it is not the home itself but what fills it.  The people, love, laughter, tears, lessons learned, moments shared, and ultimately the memories made in that home create our lives.  That home serves as a concrete symbol of a childhood, a new beginning, a place where lives were shaped.

I have several homes that have strong memories within them and that is when I thought about my blog's theme...

sometimes you don't know the power of a moment until it becomes a memory.  I decided I wanted to try something new.  So I called my mom and asked for a photo of my grandparent's home.  This is a home that is filled with some of my most favorite memories!

Grandma's tea and toast when I was sick or her famous milkshakes.  Cousins filling this house to the brim at holidays.  Exploring the woods over the side of the hill (kinda seems dangerous now), sledding in the winter.  I can literally remember each room vividly, and I remember being so sad when they decided to move.  They raised all seven kids in this home and watched another 18 grand kids fill it with love- it was the perfect home to paint.

Here is the picture my mom sent...

The new owners have since painted the house blue.  It was more of a barn red when my grandparents lived there.  I first drew it all in pencil, then went over a few details in a Micron Pen, and finished with watercolor paint.

I am so excited to share this painting with them as a Christmas gift!!  This is my Friday Favorite Post because it is my favorite new listing on my Etsy Shop.  I can't wait to hopefully paint many homes that have created memories for others or possibly a new home that is just waiting for a family to fill it with love.
Find my custom home portrait listed in the Etsy Shop NOW!!!

Happy Friday!!

Handmade Vintage Market

I am so excited that this event is just around the corner!  This will be my first market/craft show ever!  I am frantically trying to organize all my prints and decide how much to bring.  I am also working on a fun and inviting booth display.
Sneak Peak of items coming to the market with me...

Wood arrows- perfect for any gallery wall!

Arrows can be customized!!

Large wood signs can also be customized with your favorite saying!! Look for NEW 12x12 wood signs as well!!

 LOTS of NEW holiday prints and cards!!!

NEW painted prints!!

This event is filled with amazing vendors (listed at the bottom)- you are sure to find something to check off some Christmas gifts and even a little something for yourself!

Want to know how you can see all the good stuff FIRST and get exclusive COUPONS?  Come FRIDAY night!  From 5-7pm on Friday night, the first 200 VIP's who enter with the $5 admission will get their first pick at our amazing one-of-a-kind (or limited) items from our vendors. They'll also get a great reusable shopping bag as well as an exclusive coupon code sheet for at least half of our vendors! Coupons include some great deals like the following: 10% off, free earrings, free wristlet, $5 off, B2G1 free and more!! You want to be one of the first 200 people entering the market! Parking is always free!

So grab your girlfriends and make a fun Friday night out shopping or shop Saturday from 10-4pm.  Either way this is a stop you won't want to miss!

Friday, November 20: 5-7pm (VIP pre-sale) & 7-9pm (open to the public free)
Saturday, November 21: 10am-4pm (open to the public free)

Location: Hamilton County Fairgrounds Winks Building

No ticket is necessary, you will pay for the VIP Pre-sale at the door.

• Amy Cornwell – jewelry to celebrate life’s events
• Courtney James Vintage & Handmade – vintage decor & handmade goods
• Eva Marie Typography – hand lettered goods
• Aleks Handmade – handmade children’s toys
• CinnersSigns – refurbished pallet signs & crates
• Coal Creek Clay – pottery
• Finally Home Shop – canvases, watercolor originals & hand-lettered goods
• Freddie & Georgia – glass vial pendants, hoop pendants & signs
• Handmade by Vickie – sewn goods
• Imy’s Joy – motivational, one of a kind signs
• It’s Sew Me – purses, infinity scarves, key fobs, pillows & other sewn goods
• JelliBean28 – handmade stuffed animals
• JLM Moments & Designs – paintings, wooden arrows, custom paintings
• Little Lila Bow Peep – handmade headbands made out of recycled t-shirts
• Lovey Blues Handmade Goods – painted mason jars & wood signs
• Melody Lane Creations – coasters, mason jar & pallet decor, Indiana prints
• MKC Illuminates – art photography prints
• Sister Soap – handcrafted artisan soap, lotion, balms & bath cookies.
• The $10 Hat – crocheted hats & other goods
• The Uncorked Project – repurposed corks made into jewelry & key chains
• Wilcoxen Designs – repurposed furniture & vintage items, home decor
• 2nd Time Studio – distressed painted antique  furniture

Hope to see lots of you out shopping for some unique handmade gifts and goods!

Friday Favorite: Lighting

Let me just say 'I LOVE lighting!'  it is something I normally always notice in homes, and I truly believe that lighting can completely transform a room.  So when I first began the home building process I thought lighting would be a fun thing to select.  I am sad to report that lighting is quickly becoming something that is overwhelming me!
Our home is pretty open concept, but also has distinct rooms within that space.  So the issue that creates is selecting lighting that is not too matchy, matchy but has an overall style flow.  No problem I thought.  So what's the problem... I like too many things and I am having the hardest time deciding on which overall lighting feel I want.  And once I decide the feel I want then I am left with the question of what finish (antiqued gold, silver, black, bronze).  I find that I like some modern fixtures while still loving the country cottage look.  How do I decide and make all of my lighting styles work together???!!!
While I stress over something that really doesn't need to be given this many hours of thought, I will give you some of the fixtures I have my eye on.

Which of these do you all like?  Any lighting suggestions right now are so very welcome.  The hubby's opinion only revolves around price (men).  So I am turning to my talented designer Jessica Stout Design for some major guidance on this one- I am about burnt out on all this decision making.

On an exciting update, we have drywall installed and stone on the outside!!! Progress makes me happy!!

We had a slight nervous 'ahhhh' moment when we saw the stone mortar as such a dark color.  We want everything to be very light and blend all together... we have been assured it will dry MUCH lighter!! 

Our Halloween Recap

We really had the best Halloween this year.  Emersyn was the perfect age to really begin to understand the dressing up and trick or treating.  We checked books out from the library and began reading about all things Halloween at the beginning of October.
So after a few weeks, we talked about what she might want to dress up as.  Each and every time her answer was always the same...a witch.  So we borrowed an adorable witch dress from a friend and purchased a witch hat.  She even had down the cackle.  A witch is was... until...Emersyn found out her best friend Ellie was dressing up as Minnie Mouse.  Once Emersyn found that out she was done with all things witches and became determined to be Mickey Mouse.  HAHA- kinda love how her little mind works.
And I have to admit the two of them as Minnie and Mickey were pretty darn cute!!

First up Zoo Boo:

Emersyn singing Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!!!

Trick or Treating time:

I must say my sweet girl makes a pretty cute Mickey and she certainly had a blast! 

Now we are on to understanding Christmas and who Santa is.  The holidays with a little one are really like nothing else- pure joy!!!