the wit and "wisdom" of whirleygirl

The nose knows...

that it is summer!!

I love the smells of summer - seriously - no "fresh cut grass" scented candle can mimic the real stuff. I lurve it....

I can't remember if i have put these nose-y switch plate covers in the spotlight before but they are a fave of mine - so fun to paint and i think the concept is pretty hilarious, if i do say so myself!! :)

Other things that are making me laugh these days:

* have you seen these high heeled shoes for babies??

*how to turn your ordinary hard boiled egg into a fish!

*the latest season of Kathy Griffin: my life on the d list on Bravo

*Mattels new Barbie inspired by Alfred Hitchcocks "The Birds"

Must try these soon: how to make a homemade ice cream drumstick

Have a happy summersniffing day!

Happy 4th of July!

Just wanted to wish everybody a safe, healthy, and happy 4th of July! One more painted sketch to go today and the three day weekend will be here for me - yay! Mr. Amanda is all ready to grill up his not-so-famous asian drumsticks( this is not his exact recipe but close to it) and I'm making my Portillo's knock off chocolate cake (in cupcake form of course!! To shake things up a bit i am going to do a coconut frosting - yummy!) Add some friends to those yummies and i think it's called party!

Do be safe, have some fun, light some sparklers,  and also take time to relax and rejuvenate. Celebrate your independence...be yourself!!

July Giveaway!

       

I'm feeling a little lucky today. Not really sure why but I am. It probably has a lot to do with the fact that i have made a conscious decision to look at all that is good in my life instead of what is not so good . I recommend that everyone try this.

To spread a little luck, for the July giveaway, the winner gets to choose one original painting from my fortune cookie series. (there is even a little sparkle action on this quirky piece ! :) ) Just comment on a post in this starlicious month of July and tell me one reason you feel lucky and you will be entered to win!

**There will be one winner chosen randomly from the reader comments posted July 2nd thru July 31st. One entry per person (but feel free to comment all you want!)**

Have a lucky day!

New Item - Children's Placemats

These placemats have been swimming around in my head FOREVER!

Current themes include: Bluebird, Starfish in both pink and blue color ways, Cowgirl, and Cowboy. There will be additional designs offered in the very near future - i was just so excited to get these out into the world. :)

Each one is completely painted by hand, sealed with three coats of water based sealant for extra durability, and for an extra kick of fun, the back is coated in chalkboard paint.

These little cuties are available here.

Any design suggestions - just let me know!

Buongiorno!

Well now that the jet lag has passed, and the fact that i no longer am walking up to strangers asking "Parla inglese? " utilizing a horrible American accent, I can mentally process what a great trip we had to Italy. Truly - it was a great 10 days. We ended up spending 3 days in Rome, about 6 days in the Tuscany region , and a day in Florence.  I could go on and on as each day brought it's own adventure but alas, some of my "favorito":

* there were murals and frescoes everywhere! Seriously...even on the ceilings of some of our hotel rooms. Art is definitely incorporated into life there in such a different way than it is here. Although still considered "precious" it was much more touchable there than i find it is here in the States. I love that!!

*Yes, all the ruins are spectacular and amazing but the Crypt of the Capuchin Monks, beneath the church of Santa Maria della Concezione is truly unbeliveable. It is a bit morbid but there is beauty in that i suppose. The link explains it all but PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THESE IMAGES MAY BE DISTURBING TO SOME.

* My American coffee drinking experience is now forever ruined. Italian "caffee" has changed everything. Seriously. This was in my inbox when we got home, explains it all, and brought tears to my eyes. MMMM. i can smell it from here...

Also, food wise, i  discovered fresh Asiago cheese (thanks Chris! ) ..I'm not even a huge cheese person but oh my goodness - YUM!

oh yeah, one word...gelato.  *sigh*

* If in the Tuscany region, Radda is a great place peruse and have lunch. The ricotta and spinich dumplings i ordered came served in the shape of the most perfect star sitting atop tomato puree - gorgeous! (yes, i am one of those weird people that take pictures of their food.) There were many vineyards/wineries to stop at along the way for tastings as well.

* In Sienna, we met a delightful artist,Silvia Tanganelli, whose watercolor landscapes truly capture the essence of Tuscany . Although her website is in Italian, you can see some of her work here. 

* I laughed when we got home and looked at all the pictures i had taken - they were of my meals, my espressos, or close-ups of all the carved stonework and door knockers that were everywhere! If i ever get around to starting a Flicker account, I'll share all the pics.

Well, that was a "piccollo" glimpse of our experience...hope I wasn't too long winded!! It is always good to get away, and then good to get back home. I had to start painting right when i got home because i felt like I had gone so long without. New creations being introduced to the world on Wednesday - come take a peek!!

Ciao Bella!

Arrivederci!

Well, we are off to Italy! I'm excited and nervous all at once and am convinced I haven't packed the right outfits! I did make sure to pack my sketch book and my camera is ready to capture all that awaits us. Have a great week!

SHOP NOTE: Although I will be far, far away eating lots of pasta, you can still place orders at the etsy shop or the main whirleygirl designs webshop. They will be filled beginning Monday June, 23rd.

Playing catch up...

The secret is keeping busy, and loving what you do.
Lionel Hampton

I hope this is true! :)  Things have been super busy lately but busy with all sorts of fun things - even the work stuff! Finishing up projects of all shapes and sizes, traveling to weddings and bridal showers galore, and....getting ready for our trip to Italy!! All good things but good things that keep a person busy, busy, busy! As the weekend is upon us, a good time to play a little catch up with all the random thoughts and questions that are swimming in my mind...

* The trip to Italy...we'll be leaving next week for Rome and Florence. Any suggestions of great things and places not to miss? Anything i should make sure to bring with me ?

* I am going to make these oreo truffles this evening to bring to a birthday party tomorrow. Yum-yum!!

* Yesterday, For the first time in my life, my back "went out on me." (that sounds so odd...) Literally, I was fine one second, bent over to pick something up, and *bam* i couldn't stand up straight. The pain was excruciating..i was stuck in various places in the house all day long - it really was comical at times. (A big thanks to those of you that helped me get "unstuck." :) ) I'm moving around a bit better today ..Anyone have any suggestions on how to prevent this from happening again?

* Totally addicted to the game Singstar for PS3. Seriously, nothing better than singing with friends in our living room at the top of our lungs. I don't care what anyone says, we ALL have an inner rock star that is just waiting to come out!

* Just an FYI, there will be no giveaway in June - too much life happening but will do the next one in July. I've got new stuff in the works that i can't wait to debut in July!!

Have a great weekend - make sure you stay busy will all the things you love!

Sporty lockers

Another mural that i finished up recently. The average closet doors turned into a set of lockers filled with a little boys favorite sports teams!

And the winner is...

The winner of the May picture frame give away is....Heather of Ohio! Congratulations Heather!

Thank you to everyone who posted comments - keep your eyes posted for the next giveaway!

You're a superstar!

I painted this little ditty in the dress-up area of a playroom - including rhinestones on the wall and glitter paint for that extra touch of bling! The parents have turned their entire finished basement into the most creative and inviting play area - there is an art area, little playhouse, and reading area as well -and now this "Hollywood wall" is the final piece for the little superstars!

Hope everyone had a great weekend. We traveled to Wisconsin for the first of five weddings we have been invited to this summer. This one was in Lake Geneva - it was a great location and we had a blast. Congratulations Leeana and Rob!!

On the way home we stopped at Taliesin which is located in Spring Green, WI - if you enjoy touring Frank Lloyd Wright spots, this is the place for you.

On the way home, we of course, had to stop for cheese curds! What's a trip to Wisconsin without getting some cheese??!!??  Yum,yum,yum...