Three!

 Cohen turned 3 on Tuesday. My baby!! (Who says, "No, I Cohen!" when I call him my baby). He played with a friend in the morning and went to a park after his nap. When Eric got home from work, we celebrated with a CARS cake and presents....which were all CARS themed, of course.

 Truthfully, I kept thinking that I was so glad we are past the baby phase. This little guy was not too fond of sleeping when he was a baby and he wanted to be held all of the time. For a year, I made supper one-handed.

 He's just so much fun! I love his energy and his go-with-the flow-personality. (Which I can tell is starting to change- he's realizing he has a say).

 I love that he collects rocks wherever we go. He ROARS when I pick him up from the daycare at the the Healthy Living Center. I love that even when he doesn't nap, he'll happily play in his room for 2 hours. He yells "TRUCK!" every five seconds as he looks out the window in the car (that gets a little annoying, I'm not going to lie :)) He is truly all boy...I even caught him playing with a dead mouse this week. EEEW.

 "Yay! I'm THREE!" (Sometimes he's "six" and sometimes he's "nine")

The "CHEEEEESE!" grin. I couldn't get him to look at the camera for anything. At least he was smiling for me! Happy Birthday, bubby!

Open for Business!!

The virtual doors to my new Etsy business is open! You can use the Etsy link on the right hand side of this blog or use the web address www.etsy/shop/amberengelhART. I am thrilled to have come this far. Each piece of art work that I make is a little piece of me. I hope that when someone looks at it they see that my heart and soul has gone into each detail. Check it out! I'd love to hear what you think!

 Here's a little peak of what's in my shop. (The tall, skinny teal flower on the left has already sold).

Have a lovely day!

lock & key

I've been pretty hush-hush about my intentions with my art. I have shared only a few pieces of my work on my blog, and few of my family members and closest friends have seen pieces in person. For several years I knew I wanted to make artwork that put a modern, cheerful spin on folk art, specifically flowers and  and playful vases. I didn't know how or what it would be. I had taped an old calendar page in my closet with a vase of flowers that were rather primitive looking. It was my inspiration piece- but I still lacked direction.  I finally gave myself permission to play and experiment and not worry about "where's this piece going to go?" (I felt like everything I made needed a purpose and a home.) I have spent the entire summer making sketches, coming up with a color palette, defining my style, researching to make sure my style was really mine and of course, making some really great art pieces that I am so proud of. I look at them and they make me smile. Oh my goodness, it would be a dream come true for my art to make other people smile, too.

I've designed my logo: amber engelh{art}, a business card, a label for the back of the artwork. I've re-designed my blog to represent my artwork. I've ordered a stamp with my logo on it. I have recieved an unbelievable amount of support from the family and friends that I shared my dream with. They were excited for me. They believed in me. So, it was time to believe in myself and start sharing my intentions with other people. Each time  did, I was supported and encouraged, which left me feeling even more inspired. My husband has been my biggest supporter and will be my sidekick as we venture into to the world of selling artwork.

I'm going to take a deep breath and open that lock...because I am ready to share with the world what I've been pouring my heart into these past 4 months.

Friends, meet amber engelh{art}! These canvases are 20"x16". I hope you love them as much as I do! I have a studio full of completed projects- just waiting for  the opening of my etsy shop, and about twenty blank canvases waiting to be transformed. Oh, the possiblities!

So, what do you think? Do these pieces make you smile?

Flying Lessons...

I have been eagerly anticipating this e-course by Kelly Rae Roberts, called "Flying Lessons." It's basis is "tips and tricks to help your creative biz soar." How great is that? Just in time...because I'm ready to do just that: soar into success! Being a "real" artist has truly been a life-long dream and I'm heading in the right direction...I just know it! This class will provide me with the in's and outs of e-sales, blog traffic, even time management. Kelly Rae is an amazing, successful artist and mother- making it all work. I am thrilled that she is willing to share her knowledge- because right now, I'd be spinning in circles, wondering what exactly do I do next. I am so looking forward to this next chapter in my life!

Crate Paper: September Color Challenge

 

I don't use red often, but when I do, I love to pair it with pink.

Eric and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary on the 7th, so I made a page dedicated to the two of us and our marriage, using a picture we took on our last date night about 2 weeks ago.

baby faces...

    Cute, huh? The picture of Ella: May 2011/ Cohen: September 2012

First Day of School: Ella

 Hello, Kindergarten!

 After three years of pre-school, today feels like it's been a long time coming. My beautiful little girl, heading off to Kindergarten.

 She's always eager to pose for the camera!

 Little Miss Bright Eyes!

 This is my favorite of all the pictures.

 Off we went, to the bus stop. I love that Cohen and my shadows are in the picture- because it was very important for her to lead the way...when we started our walk.

 It wasn't long before she slowed down and we were walking side-by-side. It wasn't long before her hand found mine.

 The bus stop! At this point, I still wasn't sure if she would ride the bus or if I would take her to school. I at least wanted her to go through the motions and let her make the choice.

 A phone call from Daddy, wishing her a good first day of school.

  Climbing those giant steps...toward her future. :)  Yay! She decided to take the bus. The bus driver said: "Congratulations on your first day of Kindergarten!" How sweet. I watched her walk through the aisle and take a seat. Her little head looking up to find me. Me waving excitedly, putting on a brave face for her. As the door closed, I choked back tears and fought the urge to take off running after the bus.

And there she goes! Out in the world without her Mommy and Daddy! She arrived safe and sound and returned home the way she left. A little boy yelled, "Bye, Ella...maybe we can have a play date sometime."  When I asked her how it went she told me she wanted to go back and that she couldn't wait to ride the bus again. After lunch, she walked a circle around the house and asked me what she was supposed to do now! The transition must feel strange. I'm glad to have her back home...and we get to do it all over again tomorrow.

First Day of School: Cohen

I got lucky today. This kid usually says "no, mama" the second he sees the camera. He was so excited about his first day of preschool (and Ella and I were super excited, as well) that he was very cooperative.

Hello, Mr. GQ. I wish this picture was better focused- but it's adorable none the less.

"Hey guys, it's me, Cohen."

There are a lot of "CHEEEEEEESE!" pictures.

And some posing. LOL

Awwww!

Does it get better than this?!

Yep. Just got better! It's the moment when you forget about the yelling, fighting and hitting and just see how much they love one another.

Silly faces.

Somebody please pinch me. I ended up with some really fun pictures.


Oh, I should probably mention that Cohen had an awesome day at preschool. He took his stuffed Lightening McQueen from Papa for show-and-tell. He walked in the classroon and didn't look back. When I picked him he ran out of the room, into my arms, squealing and giggling. And then walked out of there like he owned the place. Tomorrow is Ella's day. Will she ride the bus or will I take her to school....to be determined by Ella in the morning.....

mixed media: "harvest"

Another Fall-themed mixed media piece. This one is on wood- I believe it was intended for a cabinet door.  When my Mother-in-law picked it up to look at it, she said "oh, I just love this!" And with that, I knew she had to have it. I wanted her to have it! When you put your heart and soul into a piece of art, nothing is better than knowing it's going to a good home! :)

Meet the Teacher Day!

 Last Thursday was Meet the Teacher Day for both Ella and Cohen. First up was Cohen. He got to meet Mrs. B and Ms. Cancel, who was Ella's assistant teacher in her 2 1/2 year old class, as well. The first thing she said to Cohen is "I've gotten to see you grow up!" (I was pregnant with Cohen when Ella started school.) And Mrs. B's son was in Ella's 3 year old preschool class. It's fun to see that we've really made roots here in the past few years.

 Cohen's preschool friends! I'm really excited that Hannah will be in his class; I've been good friends with her mom for over 2 years.

 Next up was Ella! It was a bit more chaotic, as all of the elementary kids were at school with their families, filling out paper work, dropping off school supplies, meeting their teacher and checking out their classroom.

We checked out the library and signed Ella up for Girl Scouts. What a fun morning! It's a bit surreal that both of our kids will be starting school this year. They are both at such a fun age!