Dad Dollars

I found this idea in Family Fun magazine - you can print out "Dad Dollars" that your kids can earn and redeem for money or whatever other rewards you want to use. It's easier than always having to have cash on hand, but still teaches your kids about money, and it is much cleaner thank regular money. We are making a list of how they can earn Dad Dollars, then they can trade them in for treasures, fun little field-trips, or things they would like to buy. Now we need to also print up some Mom Mula!

Here is the link for the web-site where you can print your own, personalized money - with your own picture... festisite.com/money

Here is what our Dad Dollar looks like...

Tooth Fairy Award

Last night my "baby" lost his first tooth. I created an award to leave with the money and thought I might make a generic copy to share on this blog. I made it small, 3x4" to seem more "fairy like" - I printed it just the right size to put the money inside and roll up as a little scroll. I even included a line about helping other children, to give a little extra reward "of the heart."
My son was so excited this morning to find his money and the little note just for him. Please feel free to print one for your own special child. First, click on the image below, when it opens, you can right-click to save it to your computer, then you can open it in your photo-editing program and print it in your desired size.

Bleak House

I am a huge fan of anything Dickens and just by chance came across PBS Masterpiece Theater's mini-series rendition of Bleak House. I absolutely LOVED it! The story is of course, being classic Charles Dickens, intriguing, mysterious, and offers superbly fascinating characters. Here is a synopsis from the PBS Bleak House web-site...

"Acclaimed writer Andrew Davies turns his talents to one of Charles Dickens' most brilliant novels, arguably the greatest ever depiction of Victorian London -- from its splendid heights to its most wretched depths.

Honored with a Peabody award and ten Emmy nominations, Bleak House features some of the most famous plot twists in literary history, including a case of human spontaneous combustion and an infamous inheritance dispute that is tied up for generations in the dysfunctional English courts.

An epic feast of characters and storylines, Bleak House is Dickens' passionate indictment of the convoluted legal system that is as searingly relevant today as it was in the mid-19th century. The court of Chancery becomes the center of a tangle of relationships at all levels of society and a metaphor for the decay and corruption at the heart of Victorian England."

The show stars Gillian Anderson, Charles Dance, Alun Armstrong, Ian Richardson, Nathaniel Parker, Richard Griffiths, Phil Davis, Joanna David and Carey Mulligan. I must add the acting is perfection, the characters are completely broght to life as the story unfolds. I highly recommend this older, but fantastic, PBS series.

Bluff Trail

I had a lovely time on the coast this weekend, I found a twisty staircase up the bluff trail and took a photograph. I was actually able to create something out of a foggy, blurry exposure. Using multiple layers, vintage tones, Orton effect, and a canvas texture I came up with this...

Three Speckled Hens

My mom and I attended the Three Speckled Hens antiques show and sale this weekend. What cute shabby-chic items they had, I loved looking at all the old items and imagining their history. It was also nice to have some "girl-time" with my mum, haven't seen her in a while. I didn't buy much, just a vintage flower print and an old-fashioned glass bottle. I love simple, 20's-60's era colored glass and adore vintage art, especially nature prints. Here is a pic of my new-found treasures, now where shall I put them???

Feature - Inside Solo!!!

I have just found out one of my works has been featured in the online publication Inside Solo - an exhibition of artist's on RedBubble by the editor Frannie Moore. This is basically an online art gallery. I am so excited, it is a great honor that my work was chosen and that it has been contributed to such a fine publication alongside many fine artists.

From Inside Solo - voll. 11...

"Garden Vanity, a fantasy dream-scape by Colleen Battistoni, asserts the certain charm of a favorite illustrated children’s book, and may evoke faded recall of a moment in your past.

Colleen, a digital artist and graphic designer, accomplishes this with the softened background and pink and blue-green hues of a rose laden picket fence and lavender shadows throughout.

A single 1940’s framed photo on the dresser beckons for you to pick it up. But that would scare the Cardinal away. So instead you gaze on the fat rabbit and what might be a Grosbeak on his wire patio chair, and wonder if you saw something pass in the mirror."

the work that was featured "Garden Vanity"

Hand-Made Heart-Made

I know it's a bit early to speak of Christmas but being that I have always loved making gifts for others, I kind of have to start thinking about it soon. Last year we made most of our Christmas gifts ourselves. Our family loved them, we saved money, and we enjoyed creating artistic keepsakes much more than we would have shopping at a hectic mall, our heads throbbing from smelling the heavy perfumes and claustrophobic noise and chaos. I try to avoid the mall as much as possible all year long, so would much rather stay in on a cold winter day, making crafts with my kids and sipping cocoa (with marshmellows of course).

Another thing I would like to do this year, for when we do spend money on pre-made items, is support fellow artists. As an active member of RedBubble.com, there are some amazingly talented artists involved, I see the quality of the items - T-shirts, Calendars, Prints. I must admit, the prices are a little higher than at your local Wal-Mart but the quality and beauty is worth it. I have added several of the artist's calendars to my shopping list, they will make such unique presents. Plus, I am supporting another fellow artist, which softens some of the monetary blow we will be feeling with this season's economy issues.

Another great resource for buying handmade items by real artisans is Etsy.com  Here you will find the most gorgeous trinkets, knitted wonders, and other artistic treasures. The prices are usually quite reasonable, and again, you will be supporting artists and mothers with families, while also giving beautiful gifts. I will even have my own Etsy shop soon, just in time for the holidays.

I know Christmas time is not "about gifts" - or it shouldn't be anyway - but part of it's joy is giving to others, seeing a smile or hearing a laugh. So wouldn't handmade and truly artistic gifts be best this year?

Here are a few of my favorites from my shopping list...

Here is a Calendar offered by Redbubble.com, by one of my favorite artists Aimee Stewart - it is called Dream Traveler and has the most beautiful illustrations AND inspiring quotes. I think anyone with a bright imagination would find it extraordinary, children and adults both. Aimee's art is truly amazing - be sure to check it out!

Etsy.com, all handmade artisan crafts,  true antiques, adorable knits - I just love browsing through all the interesting items, such a wide assortment of interests. You can also find ideas for making your own creations, great crafting supplies, and patterns.

More sweet Etsy treasures...

Just the hat of course not the baby, lol. Although she could be considered "handmade"... hmmm?  I can not knit one art medium I certainly haven't mastered. So, if I ever want a cute hat like this one, I'll buy it here!

Waldorf dolls, they are so sweet and innocent, every child should have one, especially babies and toddlers.

Etsy also sell the wooden toys and "silkies" scarves. For more about Waldorf...
Philosophy Waldorf on Wilkipedia

Shop BeaneaththeRowanTree

I love the jewelry on Etsy because it is unique - my type of jewelry. I love old fashioned, vintage pieces and original artisan ones that are never in the usual stores. There are so many to choose from. I have done some jewelry making myself, it is a lot of fun and kids love to do it too.