Personalized Sketches and Sentiments

I usually manage to get only one post up a week, but after I read my dear blog friend's post about how she came to name her blog TaylorsOutback...& then read that she joined in with As Sweet as Cinnamon, for Dawn's question and linkup:

"What's Your Name?"

...joining in with this fun Blog Hop...

First a little background, just in case you are new to my blog. I am blessed and thankful for the Lord Jesus, my dear family, friends...a wonderful life.  I love to sew, craft, cook, crochet, quilt (I am a novice quilter) and I love to draw.

I have been doing the art that I do since 1985. More on that HERE.  Since those first orders in 1985, I have called it Personalized Sketches.  Each "sketch" is drawn entirely with a person's name.   And I have always said it as "Personalized Sketches...it's All about You!" or "P.S...it's All about You!"

 This is a newspaper clipping taken in 1988, when my hubby was in flight school and we lived in Alabama.

I love, love, love to do them and love the great stories of those that they were drawn for.  Go here: Steam Engine to read the fun story behind it.

It is so fun to see what people ask to be drawn...Any subject matter is possible.

Well, for many years, I have had customers ask if I had a website, so that they could share with and show their family and friends.  (Often it is hard to visualize what it means that each is drawn using a name. & even when I am at a show and some are actually looking at the samples displayed, some initially do not "see" the names over and over...until *click* there is that "ah-ha moment!" :o)

...but I felt that I was not computer/tech savvy, so I was very hesitant to get connected on line.

Until in 2009, our daughter (Girly~Twirly) showed us her wonderful blog that she started while they were in medical and dental school and newlyweds.   Prior to that, I didnt even know what a blog was!

Also, that same year our cousin started her very successful Etsy shop.
Well, with the patience and help, answering many questions, I started my Etsy Shop. Etsy shop.
At that time, our daughter gifted me with a blog design, so that I could get this blog started.

I knew that I wanted to share the art that I do and a bit about what was behind the art...my wonderful family...I'm so thankful for them.

 (Our Christmas 2010 family photo)

"Awesome" (son-in-law), Girly~Twirly", "Girly~Whirly", "Heartbreaker", 

me, & my handsome Hubby

...This is the "Sentiments" part of my blog name... Sentiments of family memories and photos (that I can recall and have for our future grandchildren to look and read). 

...and also those kind Sentiments that customers have sent me about their art that they had ordered, given or received.

I wish that I had known back then that my URL address did NOT have to be what my name on my blog was going to be. If I had known, I certainly would not have made my address to be so long! www.PersonalizedSketchesandSentiments.blogspot.com! Goodness! It took me forever to scribble that down on a piece of paper for people that I would bump into. haha

...So, I definitely made new business cards right away, with that ridiculously long URL address! lol

Now that it has been a couple of years since I started my blog,  Etsy Shop and facebook art page, I am feeling more and more comfortable with how this all works!  I am still learning as I go and I appreciate soooo much all the blog friends that still answer the questions I have.  Also, like I mentioned earlier, I still usually manage to get my "ONE post a week" post up, each week.

I am blessed to have met so many wonderful blog friends that otherwise would not have been possible otherwise!

*******

I also usually like to share some past art orders at the end of each post. So, I close with these:

I thank all you for thinking of Personalized Sketches
...of your homes....

...your careers...

...your interests...

...your hobbies...

...your military service...

...your wedding...

....your births...

 ...your children...

...your pets...

...your passions...

...and whatever it may be that is special in your lives...

*******

Thank you for stopping by! I do try very hard to be sure to return your visits and hope you come back by my place...any time!

Oh one last thing, my last week's post has a great giveaway from UPrinting that is great to use either for your business needs or even personal invitations, announcements, etc... Please be sure to take a look if you are interested. The giveaway for the 250 cardstock printed flyers, ends Oct 20th at midnight.

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

ALPHABE-THURSDAY "M"

&

on Friday, with Alicia for 

FRIDAY PHOTO FLASHBACK. 

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).

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...)

Fantastic Friends and Memorable Moments

Over the years throughout our military moves, our family has been blessed with awesome friendships.  Growing up as an Air Force dependent daughter, I moved with my family about every 2 years.  And with my hubby in the military, we moved about every 3 years.  Because I have not done better with corresponding, sadly, I have lost track of some very dear friends.

Thankfully, not every friendship has been lost.  No matter how many miles away or how long it has been...when we are given the opportunity to get together, it is like no time has passed!  Of course, when we talk about times where we first met and where our kids are now, it is amazing to realize just how time has flown!

This past Friday and Saturday, Mr. B and I were very, very blessed to have our dear friends T and K fly down to spend some time with us!  T and Mr. B flew helicopters in Hawaii together and we lived across the street from each other on Schoffield Barracks, Hawaii. They took care of our girls when I went to the hospital to have our son. And we took care of their two girls when K had their 3rd daughter.

Oh, how wonderful the fellowship was! Laughter over memories, current moments, and future plans :o) (Our heartbreaker and their beauty that were born in Hawaii, can't get away from the parents' dreams and schemes of an arranged marriage haha... the workings of getting the stallions and dowery, etc are brought up during phone convos or whenever we get the chance to be together :o)  Of course, we don't talk exclusively about the combining of our families, but the two young 'uns know that at some point this is enthusiastically discussed amongst the parents :o)

The time was short, but so sweet and greatly appreciated!  Here is a video clip of some photos with these dear friends...

And this one is of some more special times shared over the years with the L family...

**********

And here are some photos of some completed orders that I have meaning to post.

This Personalized Sketches artwork was ordered for a wedding gift.  It was a monogram that was from the wedding announcement of Erin & Keith Nacis.  A happy celebration to a new life together as one.

**********

The next one was given in memorial of a little one that went on to be with the Lord.  A sweet little one,  dearly loved and in her short time on earth became such a big part of her family's heart.

**********

The couple was done for Nancy from BacardiMama as a Christmas gift for her in-laws. Sh-h-h...it's a surprise ;o)

These cute dachshunds belong to Suzanne from Coloradolady. You can see some photos of her precious pups on her blog.

Thank you all for your orders! I have enjoyed drawing them and appreciate your interest!  I do have quite a number of others that are completed and I will be posting them the next time.

I do appreciate each and everyone of you that come by and also thank you for your comments.

Blessings & Aloha!

Our Handsome Hawaiian Hero...& Thank you...

...to all those who have served and are serving in the military!

Here are a few photos of our Handsome Hawaiian Hero... He looks and was a tough military man...but one with a big, soft heart...especially when it comes to little ones!

These little ones were from various deployments during his active duty service. There are more, but I couldn't find the other photos.  There is one little girl with beautiful eyes, that he had met when they were helping at one of the schools in Iraq.  He said when he was deployed and would see these little ones, he would think of our 3 he missed so much.

~~~~~~~~~

Throughout the years, I have been blessed to have a large number of orders that are military-related.  Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, Merchant Marines...  Reserve, Active Duty and Retired...  And for every occasion, besides a personal gift for a loved one, such as farewells, promotions, thank you gifts, retirements... And everything from a military mascot to a tank, ship, insignia, patch, crest...  I love the stories behind them.  Most often given in celebration for a person's duty, honor and service and some given in remembrance...

This is a recent order completed and shipped twice... Thank you Janelle, for your patience when your first one arrived damaged (one end of the heavy duty shipping tube got crushed through the post office) !  I am so happy to know that your second one sent through UPS arrived perfect!

& 2 of these were ordered for the 2 wives of Army soldiers. Thank you Kimberly, for thinking of these to give as farewell gifts.

I am currently working on 15 drawings for a military unit out of Alaska that will be given as farewell gifts for their soldiers leaving.

God bless all those who have served and are serving our country!  And God bless their families, who are an integral part of the military community.  The military personnel and their families have given so much in order to support, protect & defend the rights of every citizen...

With a husband who served in the Air Force and Army, father who served in the Air Force and National Guard, brother in the Navy, father-in-law who served in the Army, uncles and cousins who served in the military... and our many dear friends in the military... our family thanks everyone who has supported our military members and their families through prayers, thoughts and actions.

Thank you!

~~~~~~~~~

Also, thank you for the great giveaways!
I recently won the UPrinting poster from Tara...

and the neat Pocket Dots from Naomi!

I will be posting their links, when I get back from work :o)

Blessings & aloha!

Art Blog Hop... Personalized Sketches...it's all about You!

I started this blog at the same time as my Etsy shop...It's a wonderful way to meet new people that otherwise, would not have been possible.

~Here are a few recently completed drawings~

The Kentucky map with the "My Old Kentucky Home" lyrics was a donation for the 3rd Annual Smiles for Life Fashion Show, Brunch & Silent Auction hosted by the University of Kentucky's chapter of American Association of Women Dentists.  This was held on Saturday, the 12th. Our daughters are involved with this worthy event. (with organizing, t shirt designs, modeling...) 

100% of the proceeds support women and children in crisis and need of dental care in conjunction with the Bluegrass Domestic Violence program.  One of the speakers was a recipient and not only received dental care, but was diagnosed with oral cancer.  Currently undergoing treatments, she spoke from her heart and said without these funds, she would not be alive today. 

~~~~~~~~~

Molly was one of the winners of a gift certificate selected during the Rooster Party Post.  She is a very talented artist and she sent a photo of one of her paintings for her 8x10 Personalized Sketch.  It is done with her name: MARJORIE.

~~~~~~~~~

Nancy is another winner of a gift certificate.  She sent me a wonderful photo of her and her hubby and used her gift certificate towards an 11x14.  Her image was drawn with her name: NANCY & her husband's image was drawn with his name: DICK

 EVERY drawing is drawn ENTIRELY using an individual's name.  ANY subject and ANY name can be done.  (I have been asked in the past if I do them on computer.  (Me & computers...hm...that's another story!) 
These are drawn individually by hand.

~~~~~~~~~

& if you're curious as to how Personalized Sketches got started, please go HERE.

I will continue to post samples of Personalized Sketches that I have done, as well as, new orders along the way. 

Thank you for stopping by, please leave a comment, grab a button, ask any questions or request...the drawings that have been requested have been of just about anything you can imagine...

Blessings & Aloha!

Time to Welcome all... & winners announced...

What a wonderful week! I've tried to get to all of the rooster parties and the Baby picture Blog Hop. Whew! There were so many and time just flew by! I have to take a breather and then get caught up on my regular blog reading...


Here's a little glimpse of our humble abode...
Come along... We've had a lot of rain, which has been great for the yard and plants. But, I'm so glad today is so sunny & gorgeous here in Coastal Georgia!

I also want to share a few other homes that I've "visited" over the years, through the Personalized Sketches I do...

I truly appreciate everyone for stopping by & leaving such sweet comments during the rooster party Bella Vista hosted last Friday. I made sure you were given an entry for each possible way:
1. just for commenting... 2. & if you follow... 3. & if you got my button and posted it @ your place :o)

Because of the response, I decided to have my hubby pull 4 numbers out of the entries. In no particular order... they are:
1. Suzanne @ Coloradolady
2. Sherry @ Ex Marks the Spot
3. Molly @ Country Memories Home Place
4. Nancy @ Bacardi Mama
Please contact me with what you would like drawn and with the name of your choice.

I'm thankful & blessed by the interest in the artwork that has been expressed here & over the years.
*I thank the Lord for the ability to do something that I truly love to do...


...I hope you've enjoyed visiting and remember:
"You're welcome back any time!"

Blessings & Aloha!

Bouncing Babies...

I'm excited to share our Bouncing Baby pics on ROXIO. I won a yr's premium from Katie @Katie'sNestingSpot! Some of you know I'm learning, and learning, and learning as I go! ...and I may be a bit slow. (ok...maybe a lot slow...)

So...for your viewing pleasure! (& if I was excited to figure out how to embed the little Portuguese rooster video" on my last post...whoo-hoo...now, I feel absolutely "computer-tech savvy" excited!

...at least for the moment).

I thought "Bouncing Babies" was appropriate... some of us were a wee bit more "bouncy". :o)

Here are some stats:

*on the birth certificates*

Mr. B: a 10lbs + Christmas baby born @ 4:38pm, Hawaii.

Me: the smallest of us all (of course, that was back in the good ole days!) @ 7lbs + born @2:15pm, Philippines.

Girly~Whirly #1: @ 8lbs.2oz born @ 10:43pm, New Mexico.

Girly~Whirly #2 @ 9lbs.2oz born @ 1:40am, Alabama.

Heartbreaker @8lbs born @ 5:46am, Hawaii.

~~~~~~~~~~

Here are a few more babies...each drawn with their name.

The 2 boys are not the same, but coincidentally, drawn in similar names. Brantley drawn in 2006, Brant drawn in 2008.

It's been great having you here!

...I'll be checking out more beautiful babies on this week's blog hop...

Blessings & Aloha!

*added note: a blogger had emailed to ask about the 2 gift certificates towards a drawing order that I have on my last post: Tales of the Portuguese Rooster. No, it does not have to be a rooster :o) The gift certificate can be used towards ANY image drawn with ANY name.

...so, if you would like, please feel free to check out my Rooster Party & see how you can enter. The winners will be picked on Saturday (Sept 5th) after all the Rooster Revelry is done. :o)

Tale of the Portuguese Rooster...

(Personalized Sketches photo of an original)

*Click on image to see it is drawn entirely with the last name: CABRAL*

*each original that I do, is done in a fade-proof ink that shows very well.

...however, some values in the sample photos/copies often are not true to life, due to camera lighting.

*some have asked about color in a drawing... The majority of the Personalized Sketches I do are black and white. ...but I have done some with color added afterwards with watercolor pencils, like this rooster.*

Now on to the Rooster Party...(and I do have a couple of little gift certificate giveaways that are used towards a Personalized Sketch of your choosing).

~~~~~~~~~~

Mr. B's great grandparents came from the Azores on ships sailing to the Hawaiian Islands. They're Portuguese. (with some Spanish, French, a teeny-tiny bit of Irish) This Rooster Party celebrates the tale of "Galo de Barcelos".

The Rooster of Barcelos has become a national symbol for Portugal. It's been said it symbolizes "The winning of justice when you fight for it". The legend is many hundred years old and there are different versions.

Come sit a spell...A Tale to tell...He tells it well...

(This cute animation was created by Daniel Oliviera Prins)

~a Willem de Kooning Academy student~

~~~~~~~~~~

This ceramic Portuguese Rooster is one of two that made its roost long ago in my hubby's childhood home. His younger sister and her family now own that home, which is so full of memories... My request for a photo was more than fulfilled, when her beautiful 12 yr old daughter sent all 4 views.

~~~~~~~~~~

Sesame Street's Big Bird at the annual Portuguese Cultural Club Festivities?... No, but how about his Portuguese...um...cousin? Galo de Barcelos

*Once again...Mr. B comes to the rescue! He found several rubbermaids full of photos! Was I surprised when this was in one of them! I didn't remember that we posed with this rooster... & as I looked at the photo, I thought maybe it was a huge statue. But then, I looked a little closer and yep, you can see this rooster has a wing and... a yellow hand??

Baby Girly-Whirly1 looks like she's trying to figure him out...is it a bird...or isn't it? haha

~~~~~~~~~~

What? Doesn't everybody love standing, facing the door, waiting til their other half repeatedly adjusts for the perfect lighting and the perfect angle... and proceeds to take ten or more pictures in order to get the perfect picture of a Portuguese Rooster on the back of a Portuguese Cultural Club Polo?

...heehee... my sweet, patient hubby did! His parents were very involved with this club. As teens, Mr. B, his brother & 2 sisters were members too. The hip, cool group of teens performed traditional dances and sang. (I wish I had some of those photos...but maybe on another post...for now, I need to stay focused on the Roosters!)

~~~~~~~~~~

...so that fellow rooster fans... is a bit about the roosters that are a part of the Portuguese Culture...

Oh, here's a fella with his chest all puffed up! "Mr. Rooster"

(Personalized Sketches copy of an original)

*Click on image to see it is drawn entirely with the name: FRANK*

~~~~~~~~~~

And with a Mr. ...here's a Mrs....

(Personalized Sketches copy of an original)

*Click on image to see it is drawn entirely with the name: DOT*

~~~~~~~~~

When a comment is left...it's sorta like a calling card to say you came by ;o)

I have 2 "Gift Certificates" to give... (of course, please don't feel any pressure at all...I'm just so happy to have you visit :o)

Each "gift certificate" is worth $20 towards a purchase of an 8x10 single figure drawing (regularly priced @ $65 /B&W or $70/color; matting & framing are not included)

...done in ANY name you choose & of ANY subject matter...a rooster or ANY thing you can think of... (I had to put an expiration date, since Christmas time for me gets very busy with orders.)

(certificate designed by Personalized Sketches)

PLEASE leave a comment for each possible entry.

Here are the possible entries:

1. one comment left on this post telling me what type of drawing you might be interested in

or like to see in a future post. or just let me know what you think about this rooster party :o)

2. if you are a follower (or become a follower)

3. grab one of my buttons & have it on your blog

I will draw the names and notify you in a post and also by email (so please leave your email information).

Since Bella Vista is leaving this party up for a week...the drawing will be done on the following Saturday, September 5th, 2009.

If you'd like to see some Radiant, Red, Refined, Rustic, Rowdy or maybe even Real Roosters, come with me to Bella Vista, she has the Rooster Roster all lined up.

Bênçãos! Até que nós nos encontrarmos outra vez!

(Portuguese for "Blessings! Until we meet again!"