Two Little Monkeys Window Painting

Earlier this week I was invited down to paint the windows at Two Little Monkeys, a children's consignment shop in my neighborhood by the owner, Sarah.  Sarah buys & sells  gently used kid's clothes, baby swings, strollers, baby carriers, bikes, trikes...you name it, she sells it.  (And at incredibly reasonable prices I might add.)

The store front has 8 windows at is about 20' long.  

I used Sarah's existing monkey characters but gave them both the signature cheesy grin that you'll find on all of my own characters.  The monkeys are having a water fight with the hose to beat this oppressive July heat here in Boston.  (Though as I type this it's a dreamy 70 degrees outside and you could even get away with wearing a hoodie.  Eep!)

I also added the shop's logo right on the center glass at eye level for greater visibility for passersby.  (I love that word.)

Contact me if you have a window that could use some love.  The designs are waterproof but also easily removed.  Perfect if you're renting or if you just have commitment issues. 

Enjoy the rest of your Summer!!

Boston Public Garden Swan Boats Window

In the wake of the terrible tragedy that occurred in Boston during this year's marathon, the true beauty of this city and it's people has taken center stage.  People donated money in droves to help those most effected by the bombings, there were fund raisers every day, at my work, Beth Israel, people regularly check in on the care givers who were present that day & you don't go more than a couple feet without seeing someone wearing their Boston Strong shirt.  The people of Boston are determined to not let this event define our city.  And that is a wonderful feeling. 

I wanted to focus on that beauty and highlight one of the true gems of Boston.  The Swan Boats at the Boston Public Gardens have been run by the Paget family here in Boston for over 130 years.   The pedal-powered boats glide through the pond in the Public Gardens throughout the Spring and Summer and are part of the fabric of this city.   

The boats cruise by the Make Way for Ducklings statues at the far end of the lagoon before circling back to go under the foot bridge that was built in 1867 and once held the record for being the shortest suspension bridge in the world.   

And it seems the price for this little trip around the lagoon hasn't changed in over 130 years either.  Tickets are only $3.00 a person, $1.50 for kids and babies under 2 are free.   Pretty awesome.

Boston is always a beautiful city but right now especially, it's a good time to be a Bostonian.  

Custom Artwork with a Paisley Print

 These paisley paintings were done for a little lady's room inspired by the lampshade her Mom bought  at PBK from the Tera Paisley Collection.

All of the designs mimic the style of the fabric but are completely original to match the overall color-scheme of bright pinks, purples, greens and blues in her room.

Because there is no discernible top or bottom, left or right, they can be hung in any order and any direction.  They can be hung separately, one on each wall, in a row, in a grid, in a circle, on the ceiling...whatever her little heart desires.  

This one kind of looks like some sort of weird amoeba.  I'm ok with that. 

Contact me if you'd like some custom paintings for your own little one.  Thanks for stopping by!

Dresser Makeover: Recreating a $799 dresser for $42

Recently I was approached to recreate a beautiful dresser with a staggering price tag.  The Collage Dresser retails for $799 and I'm sure it's well worth it- the dresser is lovely- but "in this economy" (aka the catch phrase of the 21st century) who can really afford it?  The recipient also wanted a decidedly less "shabby chic" version of the dresser with no distressing or faux wear on the paper.

To make this dresser I started out with my basic supplies.  My client already had an old cheap dresser in her house so we saved money on having to buy one though you can always find cheap dressers on Craigslist if you were looking to do this project.   Cost of project: $0.00

I also had some semi-gloss, oil-based white paint left over from another project and used that to paint the dresser.  It's a good idea to use a gloss or semi-gloss on dressers so that you can wipe them down if necessary.  I did 3 coats of the white with a roller.  So far the cost of this project is still $0.00.  Excellent.

I ordered some vintage wallpaper on Etsy from 2 shops, Vintage Sheet Addict and Threads & Memories, I spent about $16 at each shop and the paper is awesome.  There were so many cool designs it was really hard to decide which ones made the cut.  Cost of project now: $32.

I laid the paper out on the drawers and experimented with placement until it looked right. 

One drawer in particular gave me a considerable amount of trouble.   I got it right on the 3rd attempt. 

I glued the wallpaper in place using Tacky Glue and then smoothed it out using a brayer.  (You can find them both at Michael's, AC Moore, Blick, etc.)  This worked better than Modge Podge because since this is vintage wallpaper that's been rolled up for God knows how long- it didn't lay as well as regular paper would and the corners kept curling up on me.  Because the Tacky Glue is true to it's name and "tacky", it was easier to make the edges stick to the drawer.   

Then I spent $10 on some basic black knobs from the Target General Super Store and my dresser was complete.  Bringing my grand total to $42 and some change.  Not bad considering this project was done as a trade- I got to spend a week at my client's house on Cape Cod in exchange for creating this dresser for her.  I think I got the better end of this bargain.

Thanks for coming by!  I hope you liked my project.  If you did, let me know in the comments below and don't forget to go "like" me on Facebook.   (I told my Mom I was popular...I don't want to disappoint her.)

Hand Painted Strawberry Clogs

These custom clogs are for a globe-trotting young sassafras who originally hails from Ireland.  She needed something worldly, bright and most importantly adorable.  I settled on a Matryoshka inspired strawberry theme and threw in some of my own flair.  They are painted by hand using weather-proof paint made exclusively for painting leather and will wear just like a leather shoe and sealed with an acrylic sealant to protect the image. 

Let me know if you have some clogs that could use a makeover.  It's $60 for most  designs. 

Thanks for looking!  -m

Happy 4th of July!!

July is National Pickle Month!

Good Morning and happy first day of National Pickle Month!  To kick off this month-long pickle party I went over to Grillo's Pickles, my local pickle store, painted their window, ate way too many pickles and talked about world pickle domination.

Travis Grillo, Chief Pickle Officer, started making and selling pickles in 2008 using his family's 100 year old recipe.  He was slingin' them out of a pickle cart at the Park Street T stop 2 for $1 and now has made his way into Whole Foods all over New England, Fenway Park and at his very own pickle store.

The store is located in Inman Square, Somerville (on the Cambridge/Somerville line which I hear is referred to as "Camberville" but I'm not buying it) at 1075 Cambridge Street and they are definitely worth a trip.

Go over, check out the window, have some pickles (try the hot ones they're AMAZING!) and tell them Mandee sent you!  Happy Pickle Month!!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all you lawn mowing, silly-face-making, BBQ grillin', honey-can-you-fix-this Dads out there.  And especially to my wonderful husband who is celebrating his first of many Father's Days with our little girl today.  You are an amazing father Sweetie, we are both so lucky to have you!!

And to my own Daddy who taught me how to throw a sucker punch, change a tire and shoot a gun, thanks for not treating me like some sissy girl.  Love you Daddy!!  Happy Father's Day!!

Mandee-ville Open Studios

This weekend is Somerville Open Studios and the whole town is bustling with people with street maps seeking out houses with orange balloons.  It's a really cool event and I love going to see everyone's studios every year but, alas, I don't have a studio of my own (unless my drafting table in the basement counts) so I did a little public art in Union Square instead on the windows at River Dog. 

River Dog is located at 321 Somerville Ave in Union Square, Somerville.  Go check 'em out!

Approved by 1/8 of the Red Sox

Five players from the Red Sox came through work today to personally thank some of the staff who were here last Monday with a meet-n-greet and while they were here they stopped to see my new window. 

From Left to Right: Stephen Drew, Will Middlebrooks, Jackie Bradley, Mike Napoli & David Ross

It's been a difficult week in Boston and an especially trying week here at work so it was really classy of these gentlemen to come by and spread some love.  #redsoxnation

#icantbelieveimissedthemby10minutes!

Photo by Bruce Wahl.

2013 Boston Marathon window painting

In honor of this upcoming Monday being Marathon Monday in Boston I painted a course map of the marathon route on the window in the EU.

At the beginning of the marathon in Hopkinton, MA we have some excited runners posing for a photo next to the now-famous 'Welcome to Hopkinton' sign.

From there it's time to stretch and make your way to the starting line.

At the starting line you may recognize some familiar faces, father-and-son Rick & Dick Hoyt who to date have competed in over 1,000 races together.  You can read more about their inspirational story at their website.

The race then takes you through Natick, into the halfway point in Wellsley, MA and then up the dreaded Heartbreak Hill in Newton.

Over the hump and down the hill, the route now goes through Brookline where a Subway car with the name Rosie on it speeds past the other runners. Rosie Ruiz famously "won" the 1980 Boston Marathon only to be stripped of her title moments afterward when it was revealed that she took the T for most of the course and actually only ran the last mile of it.  Tsk!  Tsk!  Rosie!

The course goes through Coolidge Corner and towards a packed crowd at Fenway park which is the marker for the final mile of the race.

And on to the finish line on Boylston Street downtown where the whole of Boston is there to cheer you on!!  Congratulations!!  You did it!!

And, because one of our own is running the marathon this year, I obviously had to paint her a special message from some adoring fans and her cute dog, Bachi.

We're proud of you Jackie!  You're gonna do great!!

Happy Marathon Monday everybody!!  

Sophie's Safari

24"x36" wall size custom canvas painting for Sophie.

Including her name, date-of-birth and her favorite little Caterpillar.

I'm always accepting commissions for custom artwork and quotes are always free.

CONTACT ME if you have any questions or want a painting of your own!

Parenting Project #1: Homemade Baby Wipes

In honor of today being the first day of Spring, I thought we could start our Spring Cleaning by focusing the most important object in the house: the baby.

And more specifically- her bottom. 

When my little Sadie Jean was a mere 1 week old she got the most hellacious diaper rash I've ever seen.  (**it should be noted here that I've probably only seen 3-4 diaper rashes in real life but still, it was BAD!)  So- I started asking around to my circle-of-Moms to find out what they use to cure them and more importantly- to prevent them and was handed down this awesome Do-It-Yourself Butt Wipe recipe from my friend Katherine, who's the mother of twin boys, and I'm happy to report that Sadie is now 12 weeks old and has remained diaper rash free!  This is a big deal in my life.  (Thank you Katherine!!)

So, without further ado, I give you the...

KATHERINE'S RECIPE FOR A HAPPY BABY BUTT

• 1 roll paper towel, cut in half
• 2C water
• 1/8C baby oil (that's 2 Tbls)
• a squirt of baby wash (just a dab'll do ya)
• 5 drops tea tree oil (a natural antibacterial)
• a rubbermaid container with a lid

To make these wipes, first cut a roll of papertowels in half.   

(I use Viva because they feel the most like cloth)

Remove the inner cardboard tube and pull out the first square of papertowel.

Now mix your ingredients.  I put mine in a seperate jar and then dump them over the papertowels while already in the Rubbermaid but you can do whatever you want.  It's your party. 

Swirl the ingredients gently to mix but don't shake them up or it will get all foamy and not soak into the papertowels right. 

 

Put the half roll of papertowels into the Rubbermaid, pour the mixture of the entire roll and let sit for at least 15 minutes to get them completely wet and you're done!  You've made your first batch of butt wipes.  These are not only a nice way to cut down on the amount of chemicals being used to clean little Juniors rear end but they're also economical.  For this roll of 88 wipes the total price was $.98!!  You just can't beat that!!

Hopefully these work for you as well as they've worked for us! 

Diaper rash free in one-three!!

Be Mine!

the best thing about parenthood?  PHOTOSHOOTS!!!  

because every infant needs a feather fascinator.

happy valentine's day!!!

OMG! OMG! OMG!I'm Featured on Ecka & Pecka!! (no big deal)

Hey dudes.  I got the best email this morning from a sweet little thing named Meream over and Ecka & Pecka telling me they featured one of my projects on their adorable blog!  Huzzah!

And this little boost could not have come at a better time as I am exactly 6 weeks into my maternity leave today and have been wondering how in the world I'm going to fit painting back into my new life of bottle washing and diaper-figuring-outer-ing.  

It's amazing how such a little thing can help make a girl feel re-energized and ready to paint!  Thank you Meream- you dream boat!  

(Maybe I'll even get the paintings I've been promising my very own daughter done now too....baby steps.)

"We" just became "Us!"

We are overjoyed to announce the arrival of our daughter:

Sadie Jean Sullivan. 

She arrived December 21st @ 8:16pm weighing 8 lbs 13 oz. 

I will be on maternity leave through March 2013 to introduce her to the cats and have daily photo shoots.   

Photos courtesy of Sadie's Auntie Jenn of McCabe Photography.  Thanks Jennifer!!

Liz's AMAZING Half-Jewish Ugly Christmas Sweater!

What do you do when you're both half-Jewish and you're invited to your friend's ugly Christmas sweater party?

Well, if you're Liz, you go halfsies on a sweater with your best Dude and make an incredible half-Hannukah/half-Christmas sweater that is so amazing that you just can't help but stare at it and keep saying, "oh my God, it's a full menorah when you're side-by-side!  I can't believe it!"   Well played Rosenberg, well played.

Happy Hannukah/Christmas everyone!

Winter Fireplace Window Painting

This month's window painting is special not only because it's some magical fireplace burning out in the middle of a snow storm but also because it's going to have to stay up for 3 months- a.k.a. the length of my maternity leave.  

My last day of work is on Wednesday and Baby Sadie is expected to come by January 1st!  Which should be plenty of time to disinfect my entire house top-to-bottom about 3 times before she gets here...this nesting thing is no joke.  

Let it snow!  Let it snow!  Let it snow!

Elf on the Shelf: Gender Reassignment Surgery

For as long as he can remember, Jingle Bop knew he was different.  While all the other elf boys were out playing reindeer games, little Jingle was in his Mom's closet trying on her best Christmas Eve frocks.   While the other little elves were saving their elf allowance to buy their first sleighs, Jingle was saving his for a sewing machine.  Well, it's all payed off because now Jingle Bop is the #1 Elfinware Designer in the whole North Pole and he's just released his Holiday 2012 Collection exclusively on our site!

 Below we have a sweet red felt skirt with snowflake details and a lovely white waistband that, as you can see by the look on his face, Jingle is particularly proud of

and here Jingle is modeling a white felt mini with holly berry and jingle bell details.

We're proud of you for being yourself Jingle.  You look fabulous- boy or girl!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Today is NOT Black Friday Eve!!!

I hope you're spending the day with loved ones and spending some time thinking about what you're truly Thankful for this holiday...and not in line at Target mad at the lady in front of you for cutting the line.

BUT- if you are out and find yourself shopping- maybe you could consider picking up something for someone less fortunate.   Here's a full list of needed items that Toys-for-Tots is trying to accumulate to help victims of Hurricane Sandy: TOYS-FOR-TOTS LIST.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!