What's New?!

I have been a busy little bee creating new products for my store. I was in a funk - a real funk - but I channelled (one L...two L's???) all that funk into creative energy.

The early creations of personalized silver that I created were made with pmc (precious metal clay) and kiln-fired. I still make a bunch of that, but I added sterling silver, copper and gold-filled pieces which I hand-stamp with metal stamps and a hammer. So fun! I get out some serious frustration that way!

Personalized Sterling Silver Cufflinks - great gift for Valentine's Day!!

XOXO - Oopsie Charm. I made a little oopsie on this, so it is ONLY $10. Snatch it up before someone else does!

Wear your inspiration close to your heart. Personalize your charm your way!

GROW - A whimsy little reminder that we are always growing.

L.O.V.E - it's all you need!

Love Squared - A little copper goodness for ya.


Silver is pretty (my favorite next to platinum, of course) but I also love color. I needed to create something that was more colorful and a little less expensive...to appeal to the masses. Fun and Games Jewelry is the newest catergory at Little Painted Polka Dots. How fun are these? You can choose a pre-designed piece or submit your own graphic or even a darling photograph of your children...your pet...your spouse...or of YOU. That's right! Give that pretty face as a gift to someone else!

Thanks for looking. Please share my site with your friends and family. I appreciate your support!

For the love of the long pause.

I have nothing creative, witty, eloquent or profound to talk about. Not that I have in the past, but I surely do not right now.

I am in a funk. A downright diiirty funk. I don't want to be awake, I cannot sleep, I want to call in to work every single day (however, I do not.) I'm not depressed. No, no, no. I'm just in a funk. I know why, but I feel like there is nothing I can do about it.

Do you ever wonder if you fixed that "one" thing that was all wrong in your life if your new life would truly be better or would you just find a new "one" thing that wasn't right? I know, that was one long, incorrect sentence...too bad.

I don't want to work at the Playhouse anymore. I truly and whole-heartedly hate it there. I hate it now more than I have ever loved it. There is just so much bad juju* there. It's not that I don't want to work, because I DO. I just don't want to work there. J tells me to leave and find a new job, but I don't know how to do that while still being able to have time for LPPD. I put in a ton of hours from home for the Playhouse that they refuse to pay me for, but I actually only go into the Playhouse 3-4 days a week. This leaves me 2 weekdays and 1-2 weekend days to work on LPPD and I spend many hours into the late evening/early morning working on Playhouse stuff and LPPD stuff. I am tired, drained, and feel like I am going nowhere.

In my dream world (which is obviously blurry at the moment) I just want some chic boutique to say "Oh Lisa, your LPPD products are fabulous and we would like to buy thousands to stock our shelves." PERFECTO! Then I can quit the Playhouse and focus all my energy on doing what I love. Oh yes, I would also have money to pay bills and help support the family. I don't need much. Really, it is far less than most need and I would work hard to earn it. See, I want to work...just on what I love...not on what I hate. Oh boutique owner.....are you out there? Do you have a big bankroll and a desire to invest in me? Lol... if all else fails can't I just win the lottery?


*bad juju - compliements of lj...thank you for finding the right word.

Little Painted Polka Dots is celebrating it's 1st birthday! There are lots of new pieces being added to our collection in 2009. Here are just a few...a Lotsa Dots Canvas, Polka Dot Mirrors, and Polka Dot People Plaques! They are located under Special of the Month.

Take a peek!

Enjoy some birthday sales!

Birthday sales will be offered from January 18th through January 31st, including:

• Free Shipping on any order – use code: NOSHIP

• 20% off all orders over $75 – use code: BDAY20

• Free Foofy set with any Little Bella Tutu purchase

• Free Funky Photo Stand with any Wall Art purchase

• One lucky customer will receive a $50 gift certificate

Cookies, Crying and the Couch

I'm afraid to even exhale as I truly don't think life will be back to normal until after the first of the year. Make that the 4th, since we have a party on the 2nd and I'll need the 3rd to recover. Life for me (and I'm sure many of you) has just sped by these past few months. Holidays, shopping, baking, visiting, parties, long work hours, and finding time to decorate the tree have consumed me. As much as I live for the "feeling" I get around Christmas, I can't wait for it all to be over. Sadly, I don't think I ever had that feeling this year. *sniffle, sniffle* I'm over it though... I think.

I made it through Christmas day with only crying once. I am a crier. Everybody knows that. I usually cry on Christmas for two reasons. At some point I am so overjoyed with all the happenings of the day that I just cry and at some point I am also usually disappointed in a thoughtless gift or a gift I've given going unappreciated. I am a bit embarrased to say that the reason for my tears this year came bright and early.

There was no excitement when I woke up. No giggling and running to see if Santa came. (Yeah, I'm 28 and I usually still do that.) This year I got up first, plugged in the tree, turned on the Christmas music and just patiently waited for J to get up. We did our stockings and set out to take turns opening our gifts. I knew that there wasn't a big surprise under the tree this year and I was okay with that. We truly did not need anything and other than a baby, there is nothing that I really wanted. So we decided to make gift-giving a game this year. We could only spend $50 on eachother (we both cheated a little) and we had to give 5 gifts. No more, no less. We could buy 5 $10 items or 1 $40 item and 4 $2.50 items. Whatever it was we had to have 5 at $50 total. I gave him plenty of ideas and I had to wing it for him as he gave me nada clue! I was a little excited to see what he had chosen for me, so I opened my first gift. I couldn't hold back the disappointment when it was a shirt (too small) from a store that I HATE. There is no surprise at all that I hate this store. Trust me, he learned after last Christmas. I have told him numerous times that I do not shop there, do not like their clothes, so do NOT buy me anything from there...especially not a shirt that is too small. So, yeah, I was a little teary with disappointment. Imagine how I handled it when he proceeded to toss box #2 in my direction as he mumbles "you might as well open this one then too." Yeah, folks. Another shirt from the same store in the same size. Gaaah! See, you're probably thinking that I shouldn't be greedy and that Christmas isn't about gifts. If that is what you're thinking then zip it! I am NOT greedy and Christmas is NOT about gifts, but this was our plan, our game, and quite frankly those two gifts were failures. I shed some tears and got over it. I wasn't upset that I got shirts as 2 out of my 5 gifts. I was upset that he obviously waited until the last minute, and put zero thought into it. My other three gifts were great. I got a yoga mat (pink with white flowers) that I will have to use a lot to fit into those two small shirts, a Chia Herb Garden and a laptop cooler thingy that sits between your lap and laptop. That wasn't even on my list, as I didn't know it existed, but I LOVE it and couldn't be more thrilled with it.

As for the cookies and the couch, well... that is today. I am enjoying this box full of Pizzelles that came from my Grandma as I sit on the couch and play the new video game that I got from my parents. I don't see how people do this. The first few hours were very fun, enjoyable and self-indulgent. Now I just feel lethargic, despite the sugar rush, and my back is sore (from sitting on the couch all day.) Good thing this only happens once or twice a year. Tomorrow I will go to work and continue on until that blessed day of January 4th comes. It's been a _____________ (fill in the blank) few months, but I am ready to go forward.

Black Friday Bonanza

Stay home! Don't fight the crowds.

Take advantage of the Black Friday Sale

at Little Painted Polka Dots.

FREE SHIPPING ALL DAY!

(use code: NOSHIP)

$10 off a purchase of $50 or more

(use code: BF10)

$25 off a purchase of $100 or more

(use code: BF25)

Check that out...

that is a minimum of
20% off AND free shipping.

Organization at it's finest!

I can't believe I am doing this, but I wanted to show you all some before and after shots of my studio/home office/workout room. I know, that is some lofty goals to live up to for just one small room. Mix in an artist's organizational skills and this is what you end up with:

Upon first entering. The bike is only there because I drug it out a few days prior so I could watch TV and ride. I'm a multi-tasker, I know. The mammoth package of Bounty is there because well...it is MAMMOTH and wouldn't fit in the normal spot.

Yes, my friends, I run on that treadmill at least three times a week. Do you love my new Nike running shoes (the ones on the treadmill, not on the floor)? The red "beer pong" cup is actually a water cup that I was using to wash my brushes, and the garbage can is only there because I was finally cleaning.

Just another angle of the chaos and madness. Sorry family, there are still some birthday presents in those bags. Well, not as of now, but there was in the photo. I love my gifts, thank you very much!

This picture sums it up. Oddly enough, I knew where everything was. I've never had a hissy fit about not being able to find the eyelet hammer or even the teeny tiny eyelets for that matter. To you, chaos, to me...not so much.

It was however, so very overwhelming to look at. It was also an eyesore for guests. So I devoted the entire day (last Monday) to cleaning it all. It was a process. In my mind each thing already had a home. I knew where it all was and I didn't have to open a drawer to get at it. Putting it away only to take it back out seems a little silly, but just like making your bed everyday (only to mess it up again every night) it is just one of those things you should do. So, I did! I love it cleaned. I feel so refreshed when I walk in there. I can actually paint in there now. The only down side is I don't have much to look at when I run on the treadmill anymore.

This is the NEW VIEW! I love walking into this room now. Check out the ribbon hung neatly on the wall. Okay, so it is not the best "hanging job" but it works, for now. I am also normally very anal about certain things (hard to tell from all the pics above) but when I find a spare moment all the ribbon spools will be displayed by color. ROYGBIV please! Notice the tulle in the drawers. They are in that order.

I have all my marketing, advertising, and packaging materials, along with supplies all put in a specific place. I have my 2009 calendar on the wall a few months early and I have my clipboard with orders in a list, so I know what I am working on. That is some fancy organizational skills right there.

Another view. Please look to above picture #4 for shocking comparison...lol.

Last but not least, is the workout portion of this room. I had to put my printer and shipping boxes there for lack of room, but all in all, I am happy with this new clean little space. Yay me!

My Dirty Little Secret

To be honest with you, one of the perks of working from home is having the luxury (if you will) of working in bed... in pajama's... in pajama's that I've had on for two days in a row. Today was like that. It was almost noon and I was busy working on the computer (boring marketing stuff.) My hair was a mess and I had last nights mascara smudged under my eyes looking like an NFL linebacker.

The day was getting away from me as I sunk hours into my work. I still had to go grocery shopping and work out, among many other things. I had to do it in that order or they just wouldn't get done. Like I said, time was slipping away. I couldn't justify showering, grocery shopping, working out and then showering again. That is where my "dirty little secret" comes in. Don't say "ewww!" I do not want to hear it. Keep in mind that at this point I am in pj's, my hair is a mess and I have not showered.

Well my friends, nothing hides the funk like a fabulous coat and a cute little hat (my secrets). I just so happen to have both of those items. Brilliant! I washed my face and put on some makeup (that is a no-brainer) and off I went.

I have to say... I fooled people. I giggled on the inside as the construction worker at the market plaza attempted to flirt with me. Most days it would be a "I'm flattered" type giggle, but not today. It was more of a "ha, you sucker! If only you knew my dirty little secret..."

Just a Few of Life's Choices

I'm stealing this from Mama Smurf at My Life.

Here is a little insight about me...lol!

I choose......

• Tom Hanks over Tom Cruise
• avoidance over confrontation
• Mexican food over Chinese food (although I like both)
• Nights over early mornings
• Beer over wine(hmmm...that is really a toss-up)
• NBC over CBS
• Salty over sweet
• Beach over mountains
• Chocolate over vanilla
• Dogs over cats
• Mistakes made over opportunities missed
• Lipgloss over lipstick (any time, any day!)
• J.R.R Tolkien over J.K Rowling (honestly, I am not into either, but chose Tolkien for my dad)
• Football over Hockey
• Cake over pie
• Half full over half empty
• Sense of humor over sense of style (you can always buy new clothes, you can't change a personality)
• Wheel of Fortune of Jeopardy (unless it is the Teen edition)
• Pro-life over Pro-choice
• Soda over iced tea
• The Breakfast Club over Dirty Dancing
• French Toast over French Fries
• Belle over Cinderella
• Small Town over Big City
• The Olympics over the Oscars
• Too cold over too hot
• Ketchup over mustard (again a toss-up. I like both)
• Caesar salad over house salad
• Movies over books
• Pedicures over manicures
• White wine over red wine
• John Cusack over John Malkovich
• Apples over oranges
• Fast cars over big trucks
• treadmill over elliptical
• winter over summer
• time with girlfriends over alone time
• vacuuming over mopping

Bringing back the Barter System

Wouldn't it be great if I could always get fabulous things from others just by offering up my wares? No money changing hands, no receipts, no sad faces because I simply can't "justify" another purchase. Nope, none of that is allowed in my happy bartering world. I would see something I like and the owner of that something would just want my products in return. Wouldn't that be amazing if it worked everywhere? Hmm...I feel like a Starbucks. The barista will take a Foofy. Off to the market for some organic produce and diet coke (staples in my life.) Well, that'll be one Cotton Candy Tutu as payment. Gasoline now...that is surely worth a custom Growth Chart these days.

Somehow, the rest of the world doesn't feel the same way I do. Go figure. One fabulous girl did let me live in my fantasy for a moment though. That is Natalie at Cotton Candy by Natalie. I saw something I just had.to.have! I knew that after shelling out a pretty penny on the camera itself, that I could not justify another purchase at the moment. I took a leap and contacted the owner of the shop and asked if (just maybe) she would be interested in a trade....and SHE WAS! (Insert happy dance here!) I traded some personalized silver jewelry for this absolutely amazing, colorful, beautiful, fantastic, fabulous camera strap!

Isn't it AWESOME! I seriously get so happy every time I look at it. Thank you Natalie for believing in the barter system with me.

**Disclaimer: The barter system worked for both parties this one time. This does not mean that either party will be interested in trading again, but it never hurts to ask! :)

My first love...

...is Photography. Without aging myself too much, I have to say that I loved "old school" photography. The real stuff. Film, the dark room, the chemicals, manipulating the photos with your hands and tools and light...not a computer. That is what I did in highschool and college. Once my degree title turned into "Photography...and Digital Imaging" I began to lose interest. I didn't want to do it on the computer. I didn't like it at all. Like an immature child, I took my toys and went home. I put my camera in the closet and moved on.

That doesn't mean that I haven't taken thousands of photos since then, but they were all just snapshots of friends, family, myself, and things that I found snapshot worthy. I took these photos with a snapshot camera and I was happy with it.

Lately the photo bug has been biting me so I went and bought a new camera and started dabbling with some "digital imaging." Don't laugh or criticize the next few photos. My goal was to take everyday things and turn them into something I wanted to look at. I didn't leave my front porch or back deck to take these. I put my zoom to use and had to hope the neighbors didn't mind. This is what I came up with. Not bad for not leaving my porch.

This little guy was on my porch. When I grabbed my camera he ran up the tree to the "hole" and sat there.

These flowers are waaaaaay far away on my neighbors back deck. Just a simple dandelion.
A little treasure in my other neighbors garden.