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,

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,

Name Signs Featuring Quotes

Very often I get requests to create personalized signs that include quotes. The quote can be something very well known made famous by a poet, songwriter, author or whomever. Or the saying can be an inside joke between the customer and the person for whom they want the sign made. When I get these kinds of orders I almost always end up loving the outome!

Here are a few photos of some signs I've created that feature various quotations...some are very simple in design while others can be somewhat detailed...

Over the years I've created many signs that feature fun quotes...these are only a few of my favorites. If you have any ideas for a sign fashioned with a famous saying please feel free to ask me...I am always interested in doing something unique and outside of the box!

More sharing on the way...until then,

My Biggest Selling 'Girly' Theme

Today I want to share some samples of my biggest selling name plaque design for girls...I call it my fairy name sign or the Flowers, Fairy and Butterfly theme.

The very first plaque I created with this theme was made for a close friend. Her co-worker had just given birth to a baby girl and she wanted to give a unique personalized new baby gift. My friend requested that I do whatever design I wanted just make sure it's girly and pink! So I went to town and this is how it turned out:

The 'Sophie Grace' design has a pale pink background, fuschia trim, yellow flowers and purple butterflies.

Ever since I created the infamous 'Sophie Grace' name sign and subsequently posted it on my website the design has taken on a life of it's own. I've painted many name signs that were requested to be exactly the same.

I've also had many other customers decide that they like the theme but requested to have the colors tweaked to match their little girl's room. Well, that's my 'schtick' so I gladly honored their requests!

Here are several samples of how I can adapt this theme to suit your needs...bear with me...there are several of them!

'Amanda' is very similar to the original only with pink flowers...

'Ansley' has a white background, lilac trim, daisy style flowers and a blue fairy...

'Ava Victoria' has a pale lilac background, fuschia trim and multi-colored flowers...

'Bridget' has a pale pink background, bright green trim and multi-colored flowers...

'Emma' has a pale lilac background, yellow trim, multi-colored flowers and a yellow fairy...

'Katherine Shea' has white background, lilac trim, pink and purple flowers and a light green fairy...

'Lola Marie' has a pale pink background, light blue trim, pink flowers and a light blue fairy...

And finally...

'Penelope' has a yellow background, lilac trim, pink and lilac flowers and a light pink fairy...

By looking over these photos I'm sure you get the idea that I can adjust any design to suit your needs! I've even had customers request the fairy have darker hair or darker skin. I can adjust that for you as well. It's a very simple process...just let me know when you place your order. My goal is to please so don't hesitate to let me know your thoughts.

Next, I will compile a handful of name sign themes created for boys. The most popular selling theme for little boys? Well, I have to say it's a toss up between 'Sports' and 'Big Trucks'. But I'll address those themes next!

More sharing to come...until then,