When your kids get bored get out the paint

With school about to start, my kids suddenly become almost unmanageable. Too much fun in the summer and not enough structure? You think it would kill them to be home for just one day. They are bored, they have nothing to do (yeah right). So what does a Mom who happens to be an artist with all this crafty stuff at her fingertips do? Does she dare take out the acrylic paints and Oh My Gosh (gasp) let the kids use them? Yes, she does and you know sometimes these little boogers can really surprise her! Oh no did my kids inherit the artsy gene? Yup they did, but hey that is not such a bad thing! Sometimes you just have to channel all that boredom and turn it into creativity. Sometimes it works and sometimes they just make a mess that only Mom can clean up completely. In this case, the art turned out fabulous and yes, Mom has a lot to clean up. You gotta give my little guy credit though he did try. The soap dispenser is proof of that now that it is covered in paint. The sink and counter and drips from the table to the sink are proof that he meant well right! That is all that matters. Throw him in tub (before the mess travels through the entire house) amd give that boy a good scrubbing. You can deal with the mess in the kitchen later because you first have to admire the great works of art your little one created!

These two Picassos are going up on the wall for sure! Not bad for a 6 year old don't you agree? The top is a pirate ship (like Mommy's Painting he says) and the bottom is a car out for a drive!

Gotta Have these knobs!

When I saw these fabulous hand painted wooden knobs by Mickie Calascione of La Rysch Designs, I had to know more! They are gorgeous! Each knob (there are dozens to choose from) is 1.5" in diameter and is coated with 3 layers of non-toxic clear acrylic. They are ready to install with hardware included. Why not spruce up the bedroom with these works of art for a perfect finishing touch! I asked Mickie to tell me more about herself and how she began creating these fabulous little paintings on wooden knobs!

Here is her uplifting story:


"As a former elementary school teacher, kids, color and fun have always played an important role in my life, and of course, getting a little messy along the way. After the birth of our 4th child, teaching was not an option any more. Our 4 yr old at that time(now 8 and healthy as a horse), suffered from chronic croup , constant asthma attacks, scary visits to the emergency room in the middle of the night, treatments under my desk at school, and "my" calling more subs than I care to imagine; so we said, "enough already". I was finally "just a mom". A role I had wanted to play for a long time. I won’t say that it was easy, financially it was hard, but worth every penny we didn’t have any more. God has blessed us 4 times with the most perfectly, wonderful children anyone could wish for, and no amount of "Gold" in the world could replace the riches that we already have in them.
Since then, four years have passed; our children are older, happy and healthy; our 2 dogs have turned into 3dogs plus 2 cats; and our pennies are still pennies, but now I have more time to "do something with that art thing", my husband, whom I love dearly, likes to say. My dream has became reality, "La Rysch Designs" is here to stay . Born out of the love of my family, and named after my children (Ryan, Lauren, Shelby, and Cheryl). My business allows me to be a mom and wife first, and do what I love to do daily- create, enjoy life, and dream a little.
I believe that if anyone has a dream out there, no matter how big or small, believe in it and it will become reality. So many of us wait for the perfect time, save for the right amount of money, wait to have children, etc, and then the "perfect" time has already come and gone. If "we" had waited for any of the above, than our perfectly, wonderful children would still be waiting up there on their stars, La Rysch designs would still be a dream, and no one would be able to have any of these cute, little, whimsical creations of mine! "

~Mickie Calascione

What an inspiration! Thank you Mickie for sharing your talents and wonderful story with us! If you are a boutique or store owner and would like more information on how you can add these fine knobs to your inventory, please contact Mickie directly at: laryschdesigns@hotmail.com

Remember the bunny painting I was working on?

Remember the Bunny Painting I was working on? Well he is done and up for sale in the A.B. Baby Boutique. What do you think? Beth suggested I add daisies. I think she was totally on the mark! Thanks Beth!

Got a new baby?

I absolutely love these. I wish I would have thought of them when my boys were little. But back then I was lucky if I had time to think. Not that I have time to think now, but being that this is what I do for a living, I am always in this creative mode. So I introduce to you a different approach to your typical wall hanging.

Got a new baby? Here is an adorable and clever way to let guests know that they should keep their voices down. Hang one of these adorable signs on baby's door! Handpainted and ready to hang with a coordinating striped grosgrain ribbon. So cute and makes a perfect gift! Available in two gender neutral styles.

Look for more to come and if you happen to want one custom made in your colors or style. Feel free to email me for a

custom creation. There is no extra charge, just give me a week or two at the most to

create one for you! Email me at kristen@abbabyboutique.com or purchase one of these ready mades in my boutique!

Current Projects

This is me...

I can see why my husband lets out a big sigh and then chuckles when he comes home to this...Nothing like making a mess... too bad I have to clean up my own messes...hey that's a concept, wonder why my boys don't seem to grasp that...aah that is a battle I will leave out this fine Friday eve.

Here are some of my "works in progress" notice I said "works" that is one of my issues. I have to have lots going on at once. Have a peek and I will let you see the finished product(s) when they are finished!

I almost forgot to mention my chair! I covered a hideous old chair and made it absolutely fabulous! What do you think? I just love it.