Shop Opening and a GIVEAWAY

Happy Monday friends! Are you ready for another week?  We had some sunshine this weekend that left me feeling energized and ready to tackle what comes my way.  I'm excited to share that my art shop is back up and running, after being on vacation for a couple of months.  I don't know what works well for other artists, but I know for me I need space.  Space to play, rest, try new ideas, and simply have fun with my art!  So that's exactly what I've been up to the past few months and while I'm certainly still having fun, there was a different feeling in the air while the shop was on vacation.  

It just freed my fingers up a bit. 

You can find my shop here.

If I were to write a few lines about this new collection I'd say that it felt fun, full of joy, deeply personal,  and cheerful to me.  It felt like putting hope down on the paper as I created each of these pieces.  

Some advice I've given myself is to "paint what you know."  I suppose that's contrary to what some experts might suggest because there's a whole movement of painting without any end in mind.  What I mean is, I gather the colors and ideas that speak loudest to me and then I start and don't stop until I feel that "finished" confirmation in my soul.  I paint what my soul knows, which is that art can save, heal, and encourage.

Will our lives be changed by hanging a pretty piece of art? Perhaps not.  But I beg to differ.  Maybe those few seconds a day of taking in a colorful,  whimsical, encouraging word will wiggle their way into the cracks and holes of our days that simply need filling up with something good.

 I believe that, you know I do. 

I create art because it makes the light shine brighter and the dark less scary.

 This post was intended to only be about the big shop re-opening but how could I do that?  If I only made art to sell I'm afraid life would feel very empty.  Instead, I make art and happen to sell some of it, but a large part of what I make is simply just to fill me up, to express my soul, to feel happy.

It seems only fair I give you a peek into both. 

 You can find many of these photographs and art prints available as an 8x10 in the shop.  There are also a number of original canvases as well as handmade, cedar-framed originals and photographs.  I'm proud of these because my husband Brett made them for me! 

I want to celebrate the shop re-opening with a giveaway! 

Entering is easy.  Simply visit the shop and leave a comment below, telling me your favorite item!

The winner will receive a $50 credit to the shop! 

Giveaway ends Wednesday at 8:00 p.m., Arkansas time.  Make sure to leave your email in the comments in case you win so I can notify you! 

Also, come back to the blog each day this week for a look at the story behind my new art and a daily special on one 8x10 art piece.  

Giveaway time! (my favorite things)

Remember how I had a birthday almost a month ago and I mentioned that YOU, my sweet readers, were one of my favorite parts of year 30?  And I made mention of a favorite things giveaway? 

Well, it's here. 

See, I told you I wouldn't forget. :)  We're just on the "better late than never" kind of clock around our house.   

You really are my fave.  Every time you read my posts, send me emails, or leave a trail of sweet comments....it just brings such a huge smile to my heart and face.  I don't take it lightly that you choose to be kind to me with your words and spend time here, at the Rosy Life.  My world is certainly much, much rosier because of you. 

And since I can't send you bushels of sweet potatoes and buckets of coffee, I suppose these favorite things will have to do. :)

Included in the giveaway:  polka dot alphabet stickers, Project Life scrapbook cards, confetti, a mini clipboard, square frame rubber stamp, baker's twine, alphabet stamps, Rosy Lips chapstick (it really is called that!), a fat quarter of fabric, card embellishments, and this print from my shop.

Giveaway starts.....well, now. 

And ends Monday evening after the kiddos are in bed, around 8:30 or so! :) 

To enter: leave a comment with one thing that makes your world rosy.

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!

Jen, of the blog Sacred Moments, YOU are the winner!! (using random.org)

Email me at sunshinebysara@hotmail.com ! :) 

:)

Giveaway Winner!!

The winner of the spring giveaway is

Empty Nest Full Life! 

Email me (sunshinebysara@hotmail.com) with your address! 

Big post and a BIG spring giveaway!

The GIVEAWAY is officially closed! 

I'll post the winner later tonight! 

:)

Hi friends! I hope you're seated with a cup of nice hot coffee (preferably with half and half).  My favorites.  Our ice and snow is still slowly melting today and that is very freeing feeling.  Spring might actually, for real, be on its way now!  We have a garden just waiting for us to sink our hands and shovels into.  Bring on the dirt, backyard sittin', and bluegrass listenin'.  

The girls and I have had such fun playing together inside during the snow days.  We especially like our new puzzles.  Anna Ruth is a born, natural puzzle lover.  I am a trained puzzle lover, meaning I participate because she likes them.  :)  I do this with such enthusiasm (because she matters to me) that I'm convinced it will someday be a shock when she realizes mom actually isn't that great at puzzles.  

I've still been participating in Christy Tomlinson's She Art workshop, which I am loving. 

It has my fingers, brain, heart, mind, and inspiration creating and thinking in a whole new way. 

I didn't know I would like this mixed media type of painting so, so much.  It is by far one of my favorite art forms I've ever participated in.  Now to find someone in real life who shares my passion... 

Anna Ruth got to paint her own mini canvas in the craft room with me one day.  I love the little size of these canvases because they are very do-able for me with my limited amount of time.

Beginning stages....so much possibility lying ahead for this little canvas. 

I love that.

 I have to be honest about two things.

1.) This little gal was supposed to be for the blog giveaway at the end of the post.  But I made her and just couldn't bear to give her up.  Ooooooooops.  Forgive me?!

2.) I feel like stepping out and sharing my love and passion for art consistently is a very, very brave (and sometimes lonely) thing to do.  You know how people talk about book characters "saving" them and keeping them company....getting lost in a book or feeling at home in a book? 

That is how I feel about the particular bloggers below. I don't know very many (at all) people in real life who share my passion for art and creating.  I usually feel odd and out of place for showing up places with paint on my hands.  I'm praying to "find my people" someday. Gals who get mod-podge and paint and mixed media and Dottie Angel.   But for now, there's these gals and this is why I love blogging so much.  They make me feel not so alone, and very "normal." :) 

Check them out! 

1.) Christy Tomlinson

2.) Alisa Burke

3.) Jeanne Oliver

4.) Pam Garrison

5.) The Pink Couch

6.) The Turquoise Paintbrush
7.) Homegrown Hospitality

Brett is truly such a great daddy.  The girls eagerly await his arrival home since.....oh, about 7:00 in the morning. Basically, as soon as he leaves they look forward to him coming home again.  They wait for the sound of the door to open and pounce on him as soon as he walks in.  He devotes every single second with them until their bedtime.  These sweet images.....are just so, so sweet to me.  

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And now for a Spring Giveaway! 

My twin sister won a giveaway this week on someone else's blog and I was sharing in the excitement with her when I was reminded of how much I love blog giveaways.  They're pretty much some of the best things in life. Ever.  So, I decided I'd have one too! Just because.  Some of my favorites are included in this BIG giveaway (big in my opinion at least!) ....

 Like this panel of fabric from a favorite illustrator, Cori Dantini !

You could cut each panel out and frame it,

sew something with these,

or simply clip them up on the wall! 

 Next up is my favorite magazine, Fresh Style !

And last....a pack of colored pencils for sketching and creating, wrapped in an old book page, and little doily in my favorite color;

a pack of my favorite spring-time photos from my blog,

and a mini bunting in the cutest, springiest colors! 

To enter:

1.)  Comment below with your name

and favorite springtime activity!

Giveaway ENDS Friday, March 7th at 7:00 p.m.! 

GIVEAWAY winner. Was it you?

The winner of A Homemade Year book is......

Jennifer Dvorak!! Email me (sunshinebysara@hotmail.com) with your mailing info! :) :) :) CONGRATS!

Happy Birthday to ME! (and a giveaway for YOU)

It's here. The big 3-0. Happy, happy, happy birthday to me! 

The new decade. The unknown. The dreams so big God will have to blow my mind BIG time for them to happen.  Which He's already in the process of doing! 

I'm working on a list of fun things to do, see, taste, and more during the next season of my life. 

But for today....let's lay all the serious heart reflections aside and PARTY! 

In fact, let's do a GIVEAWAY!!!! :) 

Because you, blog readers, have been one of my biggest and best surprises of the last year. 

I'd love to send ONE lucky reader a package of some of my favorite things. 

I'll leave it at that and you can be surprised when you receive it! :) :) 

TO ENTER: 

Leave a comment with your name and where you're from. And just for kicks and giggles, leave a question for me.  You can ask (almost) anything and I'll probably answer ;) 

Giveaway open 'till Monday, September 9th at 2:00 p.m. (sharp, lol)

I'll pick a winner (hello random generator) and announce the winner on the blog! 

My parade

Congratulations entry #3-Andrea, you are the Giveaway Winner! :)
Message me (sunshinebysara@hotmail.com or via facebook) 

to determine the details of your pin and bunting! :)

 This is some of the fabulous fabric I got at Sew Flakes in downtown Broken Arrow !
Something you might not know-I love down towns. 

For real.

I even had an idea once to photograph and visit down towns all over the U.S. :)
Hot Springs has a great downtown too.

 Last week I filled the shop with these happy little pins :). So easy to put one on and dress up your mood and outfit!

 Something Anna Ruth, and all babies, are born with is such a natural curiosity. I pray and hope to continue to nurture that in Anna as she gets older. I've noticed lately how 'plugged in' everyone is. I want Anna Ruth to be curious, fascinated, and use her imagination with everyday things!

 This day we had a blast on the kitchen floor, with a box. :)

 My life will never be the same! She can crawl backwards and do 360's on her tummy so fast she's discovered the drawer under the stove and the dishwasher. She's into everything!
for all the negative comments I've heard about this stage ...don't rain on my parade! :)
I enjoy watching her come alive!
Anna Ruth is now crawling! As of last night (3/12/2012) :) she's an official crawler. It just makes me laugh and laugh with joy..it's so cute to watch.

This shelf is getting cleaned out today! No longer can I keep the older cousin's play things on Anna's shelf! She gets it all down and some things are just too little for her little body.

Don't tell Anna Ruth though-she thinks she's just as big as anybody!

Please pray for a friend of mine's daughter who has had an allergic reaction and is in the hospital with hives.
****************
I had something last week (a sinus infection I believe) but didn't want the high doctor bill to go in for a visit and know that God wants us healthy! So, I rested, drank lots of water, and most importantly prayed! (And had my Dad pray for me at church) I am feeling so much better and back to myself!
Prayer Works.