Meditation Room Decor - Creative Do Not Disturb or Shhh Signs

Meditation room décor has grown in popularity and is now a regularly requested door sign theme for me. I've also become very interested in the topic and recently thought, "I need to create a space in my house so I can meditate without interruption." This idea, in turn, reminded me about this theme of décor and how I should share it with my readers. While I've been painting these types of signs for a while now most of them have been in recent years.

I'm pretty sure this door sign is the first meditation themed sign I painted...Jacqueline must have liked to meditate with her dogs!

This next sign was based on a larger 18"x24" painting I created a few years ago that looked like a rising sun....

My customer asked if I had ever created any designs that had a meditation theme to it. I showed him a photo of this painting and he felt it fit the theme he was looking for. He requested I use that same design for the background of this door sign...

And here's another small door hanger I wanted to share. With this sign the customer requested a peaceful mountain scene. I've done many of those over the years so that was an easy request to fill. I love painting mountains! This meditating sign is also a popular image that has been repinned several times from one of my Pinterest boards...

And, finally, I wanted to share this sign. Peaceful ocean breezes, waves rolling off the sea...what a way to relax and clear your mind!

Okay, time to get myself back to painting. But...hmmmmm...now that I've gotten myself in the mode maybe I'll take a few minutes to meditate first! I'll be sharing more with you soon! Until then,

Railroad and Train Themed Boys Room Decor

Hello! Yes, it's been a while since I last posted. So much going on with my family as we are getting ready to send our second child off to college next fall. It's been a long process as she is planning to major in musical theatre. Pursuing this major entails that your child must first apply to the school and get accepted academically. Then the student has to wait through the audition process. This takes time and can be very nerve wracking. She is pretty sure what school she'll be attending, but nothing is etched in stone yet. Soon though we hope!

Meanwhile, back in the studio...

I've been working away over the past few months I just didn't make my blog a priority. Bad, bad, bad, I know! But I'm back and ready to go!

In looking over my blog posts over the years I don't think I've ever shared one of the most popular themes for boys rooms...the railroad train theme! This surprises me because this is such a popular theme that doesn't ever lose it's steam. Lots of little boys have a huge fascination with trains--I know both of my boys did. We had so many train toy sets it was crazy. We constantly stepped over and tripped over train pieces. But it was also fun to build the train tracks with them. Lots of fun memories!

I've sold many train station themed name signs and growth charts all of which sold in large quantities. It doesn't really matter what design you like better they are all big sellers! All you need to do is pick the design you like the most, tell me your color scheme choices, how you'd like your item personalized and we're all set. Here are a few sample photos...

These two designs are our biggest sellers...

And, yes, we can even make a train themed item for a little girl! Here's a growth chart for a new born baby girl that also includes animals taking a ride.

Here's one I love...the colors are so fun and vibrant!

And here's another big seller...the vintage train design in our 7"x9" wall plaque...

These are only a few samples. I've painted lots of lots of train designs so if you don't see something you like please let me know. I will be glad to share more photos with you via email and we can work together to come up with something unique just for you.

I must be getting back to work now...lots of orders in front of me! I'll be sharing more pictures soon...until then,

Holiday Ordering Information for Creative Name Signs

As you know the 2013 holiday shopping season is upon us and at Creative Name Signs we continue to receive orders for our custom hand painted personalized name signs and room décor. With that being the case we have no choice but to put ordering deadlines in place. Otherwise our customers won't receive their orders in time for holiday gift giving.

Therefore the holiday ordering information for Creative Name Signs is as follows:

If ordering any item on our website as a Holiday 2013 gift you must place your order prior to Nov. 30, 2013. If you should choose to order any of our hand painted personalized items after Nov. 30, 2013 we cannot guarantee that your order will be completed and shipped in time for the holiday gift giving season.

Should you place an order after the Nov. 30, 2013 deadline with the hopes of having your item shipped in time for the holiday your order will be CONSIDERED only if you agree to pay an expedited shipping fee. We ship via United States Postal Service Express Mail. The expedited ship fee will be determined once we have your zip code.

***Please understand that this is the busiest season of the year for us so whether or not your order is processed will be left up to the artist's order schedule.***

If you have any other questions please feel free to contact us. We're happy to help however we can!!

More to come soon...until then,

Owl Themed Nursery Decor

As you may have noticed owl themed decorations are a big trend these past few years. When I first noticed this theme I found myself questioning it, "Really?? Owls??? Why owls??" I saw them all over Etsy and I just didn't get it.

I recall from my childhood that owls were a big theme, too, and I noticed that many artists and crafters were recreating that 70's style owl theme. I wasn't crazy about that retro style so I assume that's what caused me to scratch my head in confusion as to why this theme was so popular. But finally the day came when I had to face the fact that I didn't have a choice and I had to work with this theme. You see, I was presented with a request from a customer to create a growth chart with an owl theme. My customer requested that the growth chart have girly pastel colors which set my mind at ease. Using the browns and the oranges from the retro style just wasn't for me. It was then that I realized that if I put my own spin on the theme I could make it more fun, whimsical and child-like.

After I began painting this theme grew on me. And grew. And soon after I became hooked!

Here's a photo of the growth chart...

Then as fate would have it I got another order for an owl themed baby name sign and nursery decoration. This one was a little different. My customer requested that the setting have a night sky and she requested that I paint snow owls in the trees. "Oh how fun!" I thought to myself. Here's how that one turned out...

Then as expected shortly after that order was completed and shipped I got another custom size owl themed sign. this one was made for a teacher named Mrs. Hooten. With a name like that an owl theme was necessary! This customer requested that her sign be painted in bright tropical colors. Woohoo! Again I was so excited! I love, love, love to paint in bright colors! I shared this sign in a blog post last year but here it is again...I just love this one!

So as you can see I've developed a love for owl themed décor and while I can create this theme for a baby's nursery I will gladly find a fun way to adapt it to something for any age.

Okay, peeps (pun intended)! I better run now. Lots on my 'to do' list for today. I'll be back soon with more fun! Until then,

Custom Made Wood Signs - Painted Wood Signs

As a blog follower you are aware (hopefully) that I create and sell hand painted and personalized signs. While most of my signs are usually small I also create and sell custom painted wood signs in various shapes and larger sizes. Over the years I've created a large number of custom shaped signs in various sizes and I always enjoy creating something a little different. But I created one recently that was very heartfelt and meaningful.

A few weeks ago I was contacted by a female customer who was looking for a larger sized custom designed sign--about 7" wide x 36" long. The customer was inquiring to see if I could create a sign that included the words from a song that her father used to sing to her and her sister when they were little. She explained that her sister was having her first baby and since their father had passed away this cute little song held great meaning to them.

I began asking a series of questions regarding the colors and theme she wanted to use on the sign. Since the song was sung by their father every morning she explained that she would like a theme that showed the sky going from night to morning with a moon and stars along with some sunshine. This design was right up my alley since I've created several signs with that very theme. So I shared a few sample photos of signs that I had made in the past and we zeroed in on how she wanted the background theme to look.

Since the design calls for a varying degree of darkness and light I use what I call my gradient blend of colors from dark blue to light blue then I add in a tiny bit of yellow for the sun. After working the blended colors I finally got the background to where I wanted it...

Then I painted the lettering from the song. Here's how the sign turned out...

I was very please with the outcome. I shipped the sign off to my customer and while I never heard back from her I feel confident that she was happy with it as well. I've learned that I must keep this mentality in mind with any of my orders--'No news is good news!' I figure that if a customer isn't happy I will definitely hear back from them.

Well, I best be on my way. It's Friday morning--TGIF!! And I have a few orders to get ready for shipment. I'll be back soon sharing more fun! Until then,

Transportation Themed Nursery Room Decor for Boys

Transportation themed nursery room décor for boys is one of the biggest selling designs offered on my website. While a few other themes are popular as well--i.e. sports, trains and animals--cars and trucks are definitely a top choice. I don't know why but the name signs I have displayed below always stick out in my mind...I think maybe I like the color scheme on each of them...

I offer several items with this theme, not just name signs. Take a look...

Here's a 6"x6" door plaque with cars and trucks:

This is my transportation themed growth chart:

And here's a wall clock with the same theme:

Lastly, I want to share this cute step stool with you:

I've created so many more items with this similar theme, but I think these will give you a good idea as to what I can do for you. So if you find yourself searching for something for that special little guy in your life feel free to check out my website, Creative Name Signs. And please feel free to ask questions...since everything I create is hand painted I can always make small changes if you'd prefer something a little different!

I better run now...lots of things happening today and it's time to go! I'll be sharing more fun soon...until then,

Sock Monkey Nursery Room Decor

Over the years I've seen a variety of nursery room décor themes and trends come and go. One of the more recent trends that I really enjoy is the Sock Monkey theme.

I love the retro feel of this nursery room theme and I'm sure this fondness stems from the fact that I actually had a sock monkey that was a part of my stuffed animal collection. I can't recall how it ever came into my possession, but I know it was one of my favorites. Once I went off to college my mom probably stuck it in a bag with all of my other stuffed 'toys' and put it in the attic and it was never seen again. Oh well...we all must grow up at some point, right?

Regardless, I'm sure the reason I have such an attachment to the sock monkey theme is because of my personal history.

A few years ago I had a customer request a few room décor items with sock monkeys on them. I was somewhat surprised to learn of the trend coming up on the horizon, but I was more than happy to figure out what I could create for her new baby's nursery. One of my favorite items that I created for her was this stretched canvas wall art...

Since that first sock monkey order I've had quite a few customers request the same theme. Here are a few more of my sock monkey creations...

A sock monkey growth chart for a little boy...

And here's a sock monkey growth chart for a little girl...

And, as can be expected, I've created sock monkey themed name signs, too...

So room décor trends come and go. I'm sure someday soon there will be another theme that will take hold and sock monkeys will not be nearly as popular. But I will always hold sock monkeys near and dear to my heart!

Okay, I better get a move on...lots of work in front of me today! More fun to come very soon. Until then,

It's That Time Again...Back to School!

Yes, it's that time of year for getting the kids ready to go back to school. I have to admit it can be bittersweet for me. On one hand I'm ready to get them back in some sort of a normal routine. I look forward to those beautiful autumn days where you can go for a walk and not end up being a big sweat ball. I enjoy going to the high school football games and feeling cozy in my hoodie and jeans. But on the other hand I get sad because I know this means cold weather will be upon us very soon. The days are much shorter and our daily schedules are overwhelmingly full. And my least favorite thing about the Back to School season is the fact that I have to set my alarm lock again for 5:30 a.m. Ugh!

Another signal that it's back to school season is my stack of orders through my Creative Name Signs website tend to be chock full of teacher name signs and door plaques. Many of these orders tend to be placed by a new teacher who wants a sign for his or her door. On other occasions the mothers of the students choose to give their children's teachers a 'Welcome Back to School gift'. I also had a principal of a small private school order a sign for one of her co-workers at a different school within her district. Whatever the reason this is the only time of year--aside from the holiday season-where my teacher name and door signs seem to a most popular seller.

Here is the teacher name sign design that is most likely the biggest selling design I offer:

Then this door plaque is the next most popular design:

This design is one of my favorites...I call it Crayon Theme Room Decor simply because it doesn't have to be a design solely for a teacher...it would look good in a child's room, a playroom, a day care center or whatever you can think of:

And I'm sharing these final few photos just to show you that any design you choose will work...take a look:

So if you're in the market for a teacher gift at any time of year feel free to contact me at Creative Name Signs. As you can see we a nice variety of designs from which to choose.

As for now my daughter begins band camp today, my youngest son begins golf practice tomorrow and my oldest son has to begin getting ready to head back to college in less than two weeks. Yes the "Back to School season" is definitely upon us!

More fun to come soon...until then,

Hand Painted Step Stools for Kids

While the name of my website is Creative Name Signs and the bulk of my sales come from my personalized signs I also sell a variety of personalized room decor items.

One popular selling room decor item of mine is the hand painted step stools for kids. I've painted a large number of step stools over the years in a variety of designs and styles. Of all the styles I've painted I would have to say the most popular design is the flower step stool for girls:

And I would say that the best selling step stool design for boys is the airplane step stool:

Beyond those two designs for sure the next most popular step stool is the animal step stool:

I think the animal step stool is a good seller because it's very versatile. I can use different colors and add (or take away) a variety of different details depending on if it's for a girl or boy.

Overall I really enjoy painting my step stools for kids and from the feedback I've received over the years I think it's safe to say my customers enjoy them as well.

Well, time to go paint, paint, paint! More interesting stuff to come...until then,

Personalized Signs for the Medical Field

Here is another grouping of personalized signs with a theme...these have all been created for people in the medical field...

These were designed for doctors...

This sign was created for a couple who was getting married...
BOTH of whom were podiatrists! How cute is that design idea?!?!

These signs were for Nurses...

And someone even remembered their school nurse...

As usual, with any of my signs...the ideas are limited only to your imagination!

More fun to come soon...until then,