Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Me...and My...

...blog called Personalized Sketches and Sentiments...
It's about the artwork that I do and a bit about my family and friends that are dear to me...
& random things in our lives...


...I started this blog at the same time as my on-line Etsy shop, so that hopefully you can get a glimpse of who is behind the artwork. 


In past posts, I have done slideshows of my hubby, children and other family, so I thought this would be a good place for a slideshow of the photos I found of me when I was little. (I love how easy Roxio slideshows are to put together).







& With each post, I try to include a sample of the Personalized Sketch (aka drawings done with a name).


The timing for My post "Me...and My..." works out Magnificently :o)  And I'll explain why...                   
On Thursday, I am joining in with Jenny for







&
on Friday, with Alicia for 






I have been joining with another wonderful blogger Midday Escapades and meme Friday Follow, but I am having a hard time keeping up, so I thought I would just do these 3 this time. I really enjoy meeting new bloggers, as well as catch up on the amazing blogger friends that I have met since I started blogging.


This is Me... at about 7 months old...



 a recent photo of me...today :o)
(I just took this "self-photo" this morning! Whew! if you only knew how many "self-photo" shots I had to delete! ...I look so tired!)
These original drawings, I draw entirely with a person's name. & have been doing them since 1985. 
You can read about that here

I've taken orders over the years at shows and through word of mouth, but was hesitant to jump into the world of computers and the internet.  Even though, over and over, customers have asked if I would, so that they could easily show others about the drawings, it has taken a very long time for me to be "brave" with doing things on the computer.

But here I am, and slowly I am feeling more computer savvy as time goes on! haha (but one thing you may notice is it is an accomplishment, if I can manage one post up a week!) 

So, that is why I said that this works out Magnificently...
...because I am able to do 3 wonderful memes at a time!
~~~~~~~~~~

I am joining in with 5 Minutes for Mom for the 2010 Ultimate BLOG PARTY! 
(I'm a wee bit slow in joining).

Ultimate Blog Party 2010

This party is for bloggers and non-bloggers alike. There are LOTS of prizes.
It's 100% FREE!!
Just write a party post of your own, provide the party URL on Mr. McLinky at 5MFM.
After you have provided your party link at 5MFM go PARTY!!
Start blog hopping, hanging out with new and old bloggers.
Especially try meeting new-to-you bloggers.
Last year there were over 2,000 bloggers participating.


A Little about Me:

(1) I am blessed with an awesome hubby for 28+ years (retired Army helicopter pilot), adorable~and grown~children (Girly~Twirly, graduates in May as a dentist; Girly~Whirly, second year of dental school; Heartbreaker, in his 2nd year of undergrad); amazing son-in-law (our older daughter's MR, graduates in May and begins his residency for Dermatology). ...They all love the Lord.  They encourage me, inspire me and support me...I love just being around them...laughing and sharing.


Our Family Christmas 2009 Photo

(2) I LOVE to blog, even though, it wasn't until our daughter - Girly~Twirly (aka theluckiestmrs.) - showed us hers last year, that I even really knew what a blog was! And this past summer, I decided to start a blog along with my Etsy shop, so that you can get to know a bit about me and my family behind the artwork shown here.

(3) I LOVE doing the artwork that I do!  It is always so much fun to hear what a person is interested in having drawn...for themselves or family or friends.  I have been showing and taking orders for these at local shows for over 25+years, ...but not being "computer-savvy", it was only last summer that I jumped into having an on-line shop.

(4) I LOVE that I grew up as a military child and then a military wife.  I would love to continue traveling, but also would like to live closer to where all our family are...  Especially when all the grandbabies start "a'comin".



(5) I tend to be word-y...but will stop here... So, I'd love for you to stop by any time and take a look around my blog... And if there is something that you would like drawn for any occasion...birthday, graduation, retirement...or a "just because" gift...please feel free to let me know.


And You can go here to read A Bit About Me...my very first post.


It is so fun meeting all of you bloggers!  I do go and visit all those who leave a comment. 


Prizes I would like: 
                                    U.S. Only Numbers

US95, US11,US107, US112,US8,US49, US52,US6


My greetings to you are Blessings & Aloha! 


(Blessings to you and your family! Aloha means many things...such as, hello, love, until we meet again...)
~~~~~~~~~
Ooops! I almost forgot to show some recent drawing orders.  
These were just completed and shipped out. 

(Thank you Brandy for this order 
and for the one of Tyler and his dog Sara.)

(Thank you Alicia for thinking of a monogram for a wedding gift.)

And this one was just received in the mail.
Thank you Amber for your email:
Maria,
I got the drawing today and it looks wonderful. Thank you so much! I know my father will love it!  I am passing your word around on my facebook and also to the FRG! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU~ Always going to keep you in mind for a wonderful unique gift! You do amazing work! Thank you, Amber

(*FRG stands for Family Readiness Group, a great support system for military spouses for the company that their spouses serve in.)


Please feel free to stay a while and look around...(oh and I really do love finding your comments, so if you would, please be sure to let me know what you think :o)


& I'd love for you to pick up my BUTTON and take it with you back to your place :o)
(The code is on my sidebar). ...and if you do, please let me know...











Whew! this is a really huge Blog Party! I'm so glad I was able to join in, but I heard about it too late to submit a giveaway.  However, when I eventually reach my 100th post, I will be doing a giveaway for a Personalized Sketch done in the winner's choice of name. (This is my 88th post...)

41 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glad to see you again Maria! I don't think you look tired at all! :-)

Alely said...

enjoyed this post! it's a beautiful self portrait of you maria! i agree, you don't look tired at all. you look amazing for a woman who has 3 grown children!

Debbie Petras said...

You are adorable as a baby and even now! Love the self-portrait. I had to laugh as I could see me deleting many photos before getting just the right one. Your family is so attractive too. And I love how you've shared with us about them too.

So glad you blogged today my friend.

Sending you a blog hug,
Debbie

Anonymous said...

Wow...you do beautiful work. Welcome to the party!

mrs. c said...

You are so talented! I cannot believe that you have been married for 28 years, i would have thought that is how old you are! Thanks for joining Alphabe-thursday!

Miriam said...

Welcome to the party! I love your work!

lissa said...

you were a cute baby, sweet pics!

theluckiestmrs said...

Love the slide show, mom! Haha...all those little mom pictures were SO cute & hilarious! & that ice cream shop looks familiar-is it the same one that we'd go to with Grandpa??

Anyway, can't wait to see you all next weekend! love you!

Christy said...

Cute, I love the pictures of you as a baby!

Carol said...

Incredible! Your art is fantastic! You were a cute babe! Welcome to the Alphabet party!

Betty said...

You are adorable! Enjoyed all the pictures and what a nice family you have there.

Viki said...

What great photos of you when you were little. Too cute.

GardenOfDaisies said...

Your name drawings are amazing! I clicked on your link... the man on the horse reminds me of a Remmington! WOW!

Unknown said...

Amazingly talented, you are!
lovely post.
Happy Thursday!
Have you a great week!
hugs
shakira

Unknown said...

What a amazing drawings! Stopping from UBP and Mrs. Matlock.

Nina in Portugal said...

Oh Maria...YOU are Beautiful!! I don't care how many pictures you had to delete...I'm sure they were all lovely!

I like how you take care of everything in one post! You are certainly a multi-tasker!

You have a lovely family....so very beautiful. God Bless you ALL!

jeff campbell said...

Your artwork is excellent...I just love it!

Amy said...

That baby picture of you is SUPER cute... you should do a drawing of it! Also, I was shocked to read you've been married for 28 years... you hardly LOOK 28!

Jenny said...

Adorable baby...beautiful woman!

I liked how I could see the curiousity and intelligent continue to grow with you through the years.

Your talent is inspiring!

Thanks for making my journey through Alphabe-Thursday this morning so Mesmerizing!

A+

And enjoy your day off!

Amy said...

Wow your stuff is amazing!! I love that you have jumped into the blogging world too.

tracy said...

Hello Marira
Your pictures of your youth are sweet,I love that liitle yellow dress..I do adore yellow!!!The music acompaniment was grand!
Well I have been ill for a while unable to chit chat with my fellow bloggers...Iam making a bit of a come back,sorry it took so long...but you have been on my heart...I remember,your first blog and your first comment to my blog...you caught my heart girl.Stop by to say "hi".

Bearly Sane said...

Hi Maria ... what a long read I had today, I don't know how you manage it sometimes.

I will say this, you always look beautiful, yep even when you're tired!

Warmest Hugs,
Sandi @ Bearly Sane

Mary Beth @ Live. Laugh. Make Something said...

I think you look "M"arvy! Such a sweet baby picture!

Brenda said...

I am glad to learn more about you. You have a lovely family. You are very blessed and a great artist.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Your drawing are so unique and pretty! What a wonderful life you've had..it was nice getting to know you!

Jo said...

What sweet baby pics! You have an amazing talent!

Killara girl said...

hi, i'm catching up on my blog reading too....this is just a fabulous sepia...what a great keepsake. isn't it funny when you compare our baby pics to the ones today, flawless. i have some of me as a baby somewhere i'll have to hunt around for them!

Pondside said...

What a cute slide show - perhaps I'll be inspired enough to try my own.
You have a beautiful family!

Steph said...

Your family is lovely. It's fun to finally have you as a focus of a post. You were a precious little girl and are a very special woman. I picked up your button.

Melanie @ Whimsical Creations said...

It's wonderful to learn more about you & your family. What wonderful photos. Your drawings are beautiful.

Tina said...

I really enjoyed your slide show. And of course, seeing more of you drawings! Aloha to you, too!

Muthering Heights said...

You always post the CUTEST photos! You were such a sweet little baby!

Alely said...

maria...i am passing on a blog award to you on my blog. i'm sure you've already gotten this one but i wanted to pass it on to you anyways from me. you can choose to pass or play. it's up to you!
xo, alely

Laurencita said...

Oh! when I saw your picture I was wondering you look Filipino and yes! now I know. For me also my daughter convince me to do blogging for my past times. She has many blogs and earning out of it...It's really a financial blessings for them as the family are working full time in ministry in Thailand. Nice knowing you.

Small Burst said...

Hi. I found you through Alely's blog. Your atrwork is Beautiful!

MrsJenB said...

What a cute little baby you were! And your artwork is beautiful!

xinex said...

You are just so pretty and talented, Maria and you have a beautiful family. You are truly blessed!...Christine

More Than Words said...

Maria, I love your baby picture. You haven't changed a bit :)

And I don't think you could ever take a bad picture. Your beauty runs through your family!

Bacardi Mama said...

An adorable little cutie grew up to be a beautiful lady. Even if you hadn't drawn me some wonderful drawings, I'd still be glad we met in the blogging world. We had our first grandson this past week. Stop by my blog and meet him. Have a great week.

mary.anne.gruen@gmail.com said...

I understand how hard it is to do a self picture. Yours came out very well!

I love your "Miny Me" video with the cute pictures and change of music as you got older. It went beautifully with the present day photo of your family. And your artwork as always is amazing!

Angie Vik said...

I loved your slide show. I haven't seen one done like that before. Very cute. I enjoy the tone of your blog. You come across as a very nice person. Blessings on your family.

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