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,

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,

Wine Making - Our New Hobby

My husband and I recently bought a wine making kit. At first it was something we both expressed an interest in, but now I'm the one who has done most of the wine making work. Not to make my husband sound bad...I just think as time has passed I've developed more of an interest in it. Besides he's more of a beer drinker. Perhaps if we bought a beer making kit he'd be more interested. But whatever...it's all good!

Meanwhile regarding the wine making...I'm hoping perhaps it will become my new hobby. I certainly love to drink the stuff! But I'll have to try the first batch before I get too involved. If it's an epic fail then I guess I'll have to find something else with which to entertain myself when I'm not working on painting and filling orders!

Meanwhile as the wine ferments over the next few weeks we are (more like 'I am') thinking up a name for our wine as well as a label design. I have a few different ideas stirring around in my mind for the name, but no big decisions yet.

But I do have an idea for the label. Many years ago I hand painted a decorative little stool...here's a photo of it:

I sold the step stool a few years back but thankfully kept a few pictures of it. I've always loved that design! The colors are warm and bright yet somewhat distressed...right up my alley where decorative tastes are concerned. When we first bought our wine making kit that design was the first idea that came to mind for our own personal labels for the wine bottles. I'll be playing around with the design I'm sure, but I have a feeling this will end up as our little logo...even if it's just a part of the overall design.

I'll be sure to keep you posted on the many decisions relating to our wine making hobby. Even if it doesn't pan out at least I'm having fun and learning something new!

More fun to come soon...