I love original artwork on stretched canvas. A few years ago I bought a set of three canvases (a giraffe, an elephant and an orangutan) for my son’s room and I absolutely adored those paintings. There’s something about hand-painted children’s art and that stretched-canvas look that adds whimsy to a room and you can’t help but smile when you see it, which for me was every day.

That’s why I love the artwork by Anna from eyecandy4kids. Anna specializes in unique paintings that appeal to children and adults alike. Her collection includes everything from smiling alligators and shiny red engines to Little Bo Peeps (did you notice the sheep in the tree?) and lovely silhouettes. The paintings are done on 100% cotton duck and coated with a non-toxic gel to keep them waterproof and give them UV protection. (You’ll still want to hang them out of direct sunlight—man, those rays are powerful things!) Oh, and their ability to induce a smile is that much more powerful in person. I should know; we’ve seen Anna’s paintings in person and George and I smile every time we walk into his room…because what we see is what you see pictured in the photo at right.

When I opened the package containing the vintage train painting Ann from eyecandy4kids sent us for this review, George was as delighted as I was. We immediately headed up the stairs and found the perfect spot for it on his wall. The colors are bright and fun and add that all-important whimsy to his room. My favorite feature of Anna’s artwork is her attention to detail. I’m talking about the little extras you’ll find painted around the edges of the canvas: a child’s name, a saying that ties to the picture or even that curious panda’s cute little tongue (see below). In our case it was a wonderful plaid border matching the quilt on his bed!

Anna, a “mother of two who believes that art for kids should be as fun and unique as they are,” offers not only her collection of original paintings but also murals and custom orders. The silhouettes on her site are to die for! I love the ones my grandmother had in her home of my mother and her siblings…nothing like a work of art that is also a beautiful heirloom! Canvas art like the designs you’ll find on eyecandy4kids may be a bit pricier than the boring mass-produced wall decor you’ll find elsewhere, but consider it an investment in your and your child’s happiness because you’ll find yourself smiling every time you walk into the room.—Emily

* Promotion eyecandy4kids is currently offering customers 20% off all 12×12 paintings including custom orders. This offer is good only until October 25th so hurry! (Offer can not be combined with other promotions or sales.) Anna also has a Fall promotion: Through November 31, 2009, if you link to eyecandy4kids from your blog or website you will earn 10% off any one painting from her gallery or your custom order. If you have a friend place an order you will receive an additional 10% off your order.

Hello Friend!

I couldn’t be more excited about LOVE! My newest fabric collection for Rowan has me reeling.

I’ve gone over-the-top with prints and color to make a luscious and yet “bite-sized” collection of 26 quilting/fashion weight fabrics and 12 Home Dec weight fabrics. A marriage by design coming from a love affair of rich, soulful, organic florals and architectural prints passionately inspired by my recent trips to Indonesia and England. Rich tropical colors with ethnic imprints and elegance found in over the top florals like full roses and exploding peony blossoms join together in an optimistic celebration of print and color.

Print stories ” heart ” and ” soul ” provide the most positive vibe! Let the un-limited mix of design and color fuel your customer’s next creative project! Click Here to view the entire collection, I hope you and your customer’s fall in love with them all!

One of my favorite parts of my Love collection is the expansion into different substrates! I had a blast creating my new Love projects. Keep in touch and continue to check my website to see the new lifestyle and project photos and to learn about the releases of Love in quilting, home dec, flannel, laminate and double-faced quilted fabrics! We will be updating the website and adding free downloadable patterns featuring the different Love fabric weights throughout the month of September. I can’t wait to see all of the fun projects you and your customers come up with.

Westminster Fibers is accepting orders now for all substrates so be sure to contact your rep to place your order or call 1-866-907-3305 to set up a new account. I hope that Love inspires you & your customers to create great things this fall.

Peace and Joy,
Amy

Oh Yummy! These gorgeous carpeting options are now available from our dear friend Amy Butler! Here’s her email:

“I have been keeping busy the last few months with many new projects; one of the most fun has been my new hand made rugs. I have been lucky to work with my friends at Chandra and come up with 19 amazing rugs for you. Some of the designs you will recognize from my fabric and bedding lines and there are a few new ones too! After designing the rugs I was lucky enough to visit India and watch the entire rug making process, I had such a blast and learned so much. The process is truly amazing to watch and see the final product appear before your eyes.

My new rugs are made from 100% New Zealand Wool, hand made and even semi-sustainable – using no harsh chemical washes, the industries safest chrome dyes and natural latex adhesive. It took me a long time to decide but I finally picked one for my living room and I love it, it’s the cat’s new favorite hangout too! I put together a great slideshow of photos for you to review and you can get all the details on my website; I can’t wait to hear what you think! For wholesale information you can contact info@chandrarugs.com. Thanks for spending time with me today, keep in touch!

All my best,
xoxo Amy”

I stopped burning candles regularly after living in an apartment when I found soot collecting on my walls and ceiling—and I didn’t even burn candles that often or for that long! Though I still light them now and then on special occasions (when the kids aren’t around to blow them out), I prefer a candle warmer to a lighted wick when it comes to daily candle use.

Some of you may grimace at the idea of a candle warmer; you’re picturing the sterile white, totally un-chic candle warmers of the past. I admit that’s the kind I used to have until Candle Warmers, Etc. sent me the newest addition to their candle warmer line, the Contempo Candle Warmer Lamp. At first glance you’d think this was a stylish-yet-functional reading lamp of sorts, but it is really the most awesome of candle warmers. I’ve had this baby plugged into the wall socket in my kitchen since it arrived and it hasn’t moved since! The Contempo Candle Warmer Lamp comes in four finishes: black, brushed nickel (my choice), oil rubbed bronze and vintage brass. The brushed nickel matches my kitchen faucet and the hardware on my cupboards perfect, and I love that the base doesn’t get hot like my previous warmer.

My favorite part about the Contempo Candle Warmer Lamp isn’t that it has successfully warmed every size candle I own but that it adds beautiful mood lighting to my kitchen in the evenings. It gives off this super cozy feeling when I’m sitting at my computer late at night and pop into the kitchen for a late-night snack. It’s so homey without being homely (sorry, sterile, white, so-not-chic candle warmer!) and is the perfect way to keep soot build-up off your walls.

I also love the Illumination Fragrance Warmers and the Ceramic Candle Warmer & Dish combo. Candle Warmers, Etc. has one of the most stylish selection of candle warmers and accessories I’ve seen. I’m one that’s usually all about the burn, but that’s when it comes to working out. When it comes to candles I’m all about the warm!—Emily

* Promotion! Candle Warmers, Etc. is offering Daily Dish readers 10% off their purchase! Simply enter code BP10 when checking out; offer expires June 30, 2009.

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