Hog wild

You people are Fancy!!!  I've had quite a few piggy banks in the works to start off the new year, and a few really challenged my artistic abilities.  First up, we have a piggy for the family I babysit for, who wanted a fun way to start saving for a trip to Disneyworld:

I really wanted to use the Walt Disney font, and was worried I wouldn't do it justice, but I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out:

And you probably know by now that I am the worst at drawing faces, so I stuck with a basic silhouette of Mickey and Minnie:

Maybe the Joneses will save enough to invite us along?

Next up is a tried and true Batman piggy for Zachary.  I made a piggy for Zachary's new baby sister a few months ago, and his Nana promised he'd get one of his own as well.  Jealousy among siblings bodes well for business!

Last we have a piggy I knew would challenge me.  Kimberly wanted a Super Mario Brothers piggy bank for her nephew, and I was a bit terrified because I knew I'd have to draw a face somewhere on this piggy!  I sat down with a glass of wine (I swear it helps me relax and get the creative juices flowing!) and a print out of some SMB characters.  While staring at the pictures and trying to figure out how to arrange the characters on the piggy, I was slapped in the face with my favorite idea yet:

He makes me giggle!

Even with my limited knowledge of video games, I realize Sonic isn't a SMB character, but it's one of Kyler's favorites, so he gets prime real estate on this piggy bank. 

Yoshi is another of Kyler's favorites, so he gets a prime location as well.  

All of the piggy banks above are the large size, and can be purchased for $25.  Medium piggies are also available for $15.  Find me on Facebook or email me at karen.psimas@yahoo.com with questions and orders.  Don't forget...new customers get 20% off their first Fancy Fonts purchase through the end of January (which is this Tuesday!), so get your orders in, newbies!  And remember that with every order placed between now and the Polar Plunge on February 4th, Fancy Fonts will donate $1 to Special Olympics Virginia.  Freezingly Fancy!  

Now that the old school Super Mario Brothers theme song is stuck in my head, I'm off to enjoy some very Fancy pancakes, courtesy of the hubster!

Project 52: Week 4 - One on One

I get time alone with Camryn every Monday and Friday while Brynn is at school, but I usually take advantage of only having one child in tow and get as many errands done as I can (when beach weather hits, however, this will no longer be a true statement).  Ryan had a few errands to run when he got home from work tonight, and since I had a houseful of kids today, he did me a solid and took Brynn with him.  It's a rare occurrence for me to have only one child to tend to for dinnertime, bathtime, and bedtime, and Camryn and I fully enjoyed our one on one time at the end of a long day:

Love my little nugget.  And I officially look as tired as I feel.  Good thing the picture is a little blurry.

Legitimately Fancy

In case you missed it, earlier this week I announced that Fancy Fonts is now a legit business, with me obtaining a business license on Thursday.  I still can't believe what started with addressing envelopes has turned into a full blown business of all things Fancy.  I am ever so grateful to my friends and family, who have supported me by being loyal customers, cheerleaders, and think tanks.  They've challenged my artistic skills and continue to make me dig deep and see what I'm made of.  Here are a few things I've been working on this week - some are old favorites, others are the new kids on the block.

 First up are a few plate sets for some of the cutest kids you ever did see.  They belong to my friend Ali, who I've been friends with since middle school.  She has a super cute, super fun little girl named Charlotte, and now she's got twin baby boys, too!  

Plate set includes one plate, one bowl, one insert for each - $15

While Ali's twins were in the womb, I lovingly referred to them as Beavis and Butt-head, and thought it was only fitting they received a plate set to reflect this:

I did make Beavis (Jackson) and Butt-head (Logan) inserts with their actual names on them, but forgot to photograph them before I sent them off to Scahhhhhsdale.  Trust me when I say they were very Fancy.

I finally got around to finishing Rachael's zebra piggy and sending her off to the northeast this week.  I was pleased to be informed she made it up there in one piece...good thing, because she is one of my favorites:

Large piggy bank - $25

  

Now for the newbies.  I had quite a few orders for conversation heart wall hangings when I introduced them, and here are a couple of the finished products:

 Three 5" hearts - $18

Five 4" hearts - $25


Another new product was inspired by my friend Lori's work at Peas 'n Carrots Embroidered Gifts.  Lori made name signs for my girls' bedroom doors, and because we have since changed out Camryn's bumblebee themed nursery for her fishy themed big girl room, she needed a new sign for her door.  First, the room:

And now the sign:

6 inch room sign - $7.50

I've been working on a little something new for 2012 this week as well.  I've been seeing these wooden wall plaques with quotes or initials or names or what-have-you everywhere, and I think they're such a great way to add some color and personality to one's home.  They're still a work in progress for me, as I'm learning to be Fancy with a paint brush as opposed to a pen, but I think I'll get there with some practice:

I love this quote (and this color!), and I know exactly where this will be hung in my house once I'm pleased with the final product.  I think the conversation hearts were a gateway to a number of new Fancy products, so stay tuned to see what gets Fancied next, and keep the suggestions coming!


Find me on Facebook or email me at karen.psimas@yahoo.com for ordering and information.

Project 52: Week 3 - I've got a dream

I feel like I need to clear the air a little bit before I get to this week's P52 post.  I do not write these posts to paint a pretty picture of my life.  It's not all sunshine and rainbows around here, and I don't intend for it to seem that way.  Here's the thing...not everyone who wants kids is lucky enough to have them.  And some who are lucky enough to have children aren't always lucky enough to have healthy children.  And some who are lucky enough to have children, healthy or otherwise, aren't lucky enough to stay home with them full time.  I happen to be one of the luckiest, and I'm sure those in the other categories would rather not hear me complain.  So I write these posts to highlight the positive - the humor and joy - my children bring to my life, and if it brings a smile to your face too, that's a nice little bonus.

Moving on.  The timing of this week's post is rather comedic, with having just celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday.  You see, when we were under house arrest potty training Camryn a few weeks ago, we watched Tangled a lot.  A LOT.  Camryn really took a liking to the song "I've Got a Dream," and would be happier than a pig in slop to have it on repeat all...day...long.  And when I will no longer obey her command to play it "AGAIN!", she makes me sing it to her.  Over and over and over.  She's even choreographed her own little routine to the song, inspired by "Punzel," Flynn Rider, and the ruffians from the Snuggly Duckling.  She mimics all of their gestures, and her grande finale includes climbing up on the coffee table, much like Rapunzel climbs up onto the table in the movie: 

 "Cuz way down deep inside I've got a dreeeeeeeeeeeam!"  Oh, this little girl!  

Project 52: Week 2 - The Apprentice

As much as I enjoyed it when both of my kids took naps at the same time, it's awesome to have some one on one time with Brynn without Camryn around, stealing the show.  I try to get some Fancy things done while Camryn sleeps, and typically I give Brynn a project of her own to work on that goes along with what I'm doing.  Today was a Fancy Fonts first...I let Brynn actually work on my project with me this time!  I figured it would be hard for a 5 year old to mess up painting a wooden heart, so I gave her a brush and some paint and let her have at it:

I love her serious little face!  She did a great job, and was quite proud of herself.  But it's never all work and no play around here..."Pumped Up Kicks" came on Pandora and Brynn had to stop and take a dance break:

Not really sure what this move was, but I enjoyed it!  Brynn can be a tough critic when it comes to my mothering skills, but today she told me she thinks I'm the "best arter ever."  As long as she thinks so...

LOVE!

I got on Pinterest to try to find ideas for Fancy Fonts, but ended up finding a bazillion ideas for DIY crafts that were just fun (and free!) to make.  Then I stumbled upon some Valentine's Day decor that excited me so much that I immediately ran out to Michaels in the pouring rain, came home, and got to work.  As soon as I laid eyes on these little guys, I knew I wanted them in the Fancy Fonts family.  I hope you love them as much as I do!

The hearts pictured above are 5 inches long, and larger and smaller sizes are available as well (3, 4, and 9 inches, I believe...I'll double check today).  I can use a variety of sizes for one wall hanging, like a large heart in the middle of two smaller hearts simply saying "Happy Valentine's Day."  The possibilities are endless!  These conversation heart wall hangings are a perfect gift for families, whether complete or still growing...just give it back to me and I'll add another heart for new additions!  Prices are based on the number and size of the hearts - the 5 inch hearts I used are $6 each, making the entire all hanging above $24.  I'll check out the other size hearts while on my Michaels run today and list prices for those as well, but the price will increase with the size of the heart.  

As always, feedback and suggestions on this or any Fancy Fonts product are always welcome!  Find me on Facebook or email me at karen.psimas@yahoo.com to place an order.  Don't forget - new customers get 20% off their first order through the month of January!

Pinning!

"The only thing I'm addicted to right now is pinning." - Charlie Sheen

Ok, so Charlie Sheen said "winning," not "pinning."  I, however, am addicted to pinning.  I love ending the night looking at pretty things people share on Pinterest, and I've actually been inspired to create things of my own, somewhat successfully, might I add!  I'm excited to tell you all I completed not one, but TWO Pinterest-inspired  projects tonight after I put the kids to bed.  Here's the first:

Don't mind the black wire on the left...I had to keep my phone plugged in to take the picture!  This is a very Fancy looking three tiered serving tray, made from three coordinating plates I found at a thrift store, two candlesticks from Walmart, and some Gorilla Glue we had at home.  Total cost:  $10.80.  Total assembly time:  3 minutes.  

The second project is where you come in.  I combined a few ideas I pinned to come up with a colorful (and quite Fancy) birth announcement.  Take a look:

Penny for your thoughts?  I'd love some feedback on this project, as I'm thinking of adding it to the Fancy family.  Email me at karen.psimas@yahoo.com with comments or suggestions...I'd love to hear what you think!

Project 52: Week 1 - Camryn vs. the potty

A few weeks ago, the thought of a diaper-free world excited me, saddened me, and filled me with dread, all at the same time.  The excitement was for obvious reasons...no more buying diapers, changing diapers, or toting diapers around in my bag.  But the thought of having two full blown kids and no more babies makes me more than a little sad.  I'm a baby person...I can sit and watch babies do baby things all day.  They're amazing.  Trading the coos and cuddles for sass and backtalk has been tough for me, but seeing how much more fun Ryan has with the girls now that they're both a little older certainly helps ease the heartache.  

Now the dread...oh the dread of potty training a strong-willed tyrant of a toddler!  I was expecting a challenge with Camryn, but I don't think I was expecting as many tears as we got.  See Exhibit A:

As well as Exhibit B:

She did NOT want to sit on the potty at first, and had no qualms about screaming that fact in my face.  Rewarding her with M&Ms for successful attempts on the potty was somewhat helpful, but after Brynn ate all of Camryn's prizes, I had to come up with something else, pronto.  I found an old bag of jellybeans in the pantry (from last Easter...unopened, thankfully!), and immediately had flashbacks of giving Brynn the very same type of jellybeans when she was going through potty training.  I can't say I blame them...Starburst jellybeans are quite tasty!  

I have never been above a bribe to get my kids to cooperate, so why should this enormous task be any different?  When Camryn found out she would get one of these jellybeans just for going pee pee on the potty, it was game on.  Once we found our magic bullet (and Camryn realized I wasn't about to quit), she turned a corner and really started making progress.  She's really started filling up that potty chart (or "charch," as Camryn calls it), and is so proud of each little stamp:

What a difference a week makes!  This time last week, I was wondering if we'd ever make it out in public again, but today I took the girls on a city-wide search for a surf calendar to give Ryan for his birthday and Camryn did great.  Phew!

So as I stand here with my self-awarded trophy for achievements in potty training, I'd like to thank two people, without whom this success would not be possible.  The first is Gina Ford, the English author whose methods I used to potty train both of my children.  The second is Ali Smith, the English angel who let me borrow her Gina Ford book the first time around, and has been a rock of support for me during this challenging time.  Thank you Ali...I owe you a lunch at the very least!

New year = new customer discount!

Once again, I'm a few days late announcing a new month's special.  My apologies!  After suffering through a case of the Mondays this morning (so what if it's actually Wednesday!), I feel like I'm getting back in swing of things.  Drum roll please...

I've decided to celebrate the new year by honoring new customers with 20% off their first Fancy Fonts purchase!  So to all you folks who've gotten Fancy with Karen Psimas already, tell your friends to take advantage of this great deal for newbies.  Sure, the holidays just ended, but if you're anything like me, you've got friends' and family's birthdays lighting up your calendar like a Christmas tree!  I bet they'd like something Fancy, like perhaps...

a piggy bank?

Or a plate set?

I still have a few small orange pumpkins and assorted sizes of ornaments in stock, so they are available for purchase while supplies last:

Getting married or hosting a Fancy soiree this year?  Book my calligraphy services in January and get 20% off (new customers only)! 

I'm still working on some new product ideas, so hopefully those will be available before the end of the month as well.  As always, suggestions are welcome!  Find me on Facebook or email me at karen.psimas@yahoo.com for ordering and information.