Chevron Print Decor - A Popular Pattern

As you might suspect I spend quite a bit of time online working with social networking sites that are heavy on images such as Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook and more. Over the past several months I noticed a design pattern that was trending--the Chevron print. I loved it right away but wasn't sure if I'd ever be able to reproduce it in my work since everything I create is hand painted. There are so many lines--and straight lines at that! I never thought it could be reproduced by my hand so I decided I would simply enjoy this print pattern and let go of any idea of ever painting it.

Then, as we all know, the universe unfolds in it's own mysterious way. A few weeks ago I had a customer place an order requesting I use this Chevron print on a name sign for a baby girl's nursery. I was excited at the idea, but then immediately I became nervous because I couldn't imagine how I'd be able to recreate the pattern and keep my lines straight and keep the final sign looking clean and neat.

However, after some thought I figured out how I could do it. I found a pattern online...there are so many from which to choose...

I resized it so the pattern would work well on the size sign I have. (I didn't want to make a pattern that was really small on a larger piece of wood--that would be very tedious and hard to paint.) Then I cut along the lines, traced the edge of the print onto the piece of wood...

Next I painted it...

And voila! Here's the finished Chevron Print Room Decor Sign!

I am very please with how it turned out and it wasn't hard at all!

OMG!! I love what I do!!

Okay...I have lots to do so I best be going! More fun coming 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,

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,

Well, hello!! It's been awhile!

Yes, it been awhile, hasn't it?!?!

Well, where have I been?? I've pretty much been lost in my own little world. I'm sorry to say that I can't blame my lack of posts on being overwhelmingly busy filling orders. Oh, sure, I always have orders to process, but as of late they are trickling in since the holiday season passed. But that's okay...I'm very grateful that my little business is still moving along...slow but sure.

Since it's been calm and quiet on the name sign front most of my attention has been directed toward getting my home life together...something that was a big necessity! We recently bought a new dishwasher and a washer and dryer. Next on our list is a new refrigerator. I never thought I'd be so excited over new appliances, but most of them were getting really old and worn out.

Along with the new appliances my husband relocated his office space right after the new year so that took my time and attention, too. But that's how life is...change...change...change, right? There's always something! Needless to say, the result of my redirected focus has left me with a very neglected blog.

But I'm working on getting myself back in the swing of things and I plan to keep my nose to the grindstone regarding my business. I love to create and share things on my blog and I plan to get posts out on a much more regular basis. So you'll be hearing from me more often in the coming weeks and months.

Meanwhile I wanted to share a name sign I created for a customer a couple weeks ago...the theme was based on my "Horse in Pasture" theme that is displayed on my site. The customer asked me to tweak that design a bit by adding a sunset sky with a couple more horses...

I was pleased with the outcome. I love to blend colors like in this sample.

Okay...on my way. I have some family coming over soon to visit. More sharing to come soon...until then,

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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,