Sunday, October 9, 2011

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.


Signature for blog

10 comments:

Jessica Heights said...

That is sch a sweet flashback photo!!

Drummer said...

hi..visit continue.

LV said...

Another great family history post. I enjoy them so much. Makes me get to know you and them a little better.
You do a super job on your blog. Only thing, you are so busy, you cannot do as many as some of us. When you do, it is so good, it is worth waiting for.

RG said...

Hi Maria,
It's lovely to hear your story too... it's been fun hearing how everyone names their blogs xx

Pat said...

The history of how your blog evolved and got its name is so fun to read about...

Beautiful family photos as always...your daughter was a stunning bride!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi There, You are just so unbelievably talented... Thanks so much for sharing some of your drawings with us... They are AWESOME.
Hugs,
Betsy

Janet said...

What an amazing art form! I wonder if your Reine sketch of the train is of the White Pass and Yukon Railway that runs through my town.

Unknown said...

I really love reading how the name of your blog came about :) It's always fun to learn more about my blog friends, especially how they got started with blogging. I'm glad that you share so much of your art with us because they really are very unique and very well made. I'm also glad you share so much of your family and of the stories from your past too :)

xinex said...

I love your art work, Maria. You are very talented. Come sign up for my giveaway...Christine

Andrea . Charcoal and Crayons said...

Wow - your work is amazing! It's incredible how you draw with names! I love the newspaper clipping and family photos too - such a beautiful family!

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