Over the last year, I have been working on a couple projects at about turtle pace, and have been enjoying them most of the time!   Some of the projects I have completed and you have seen such as the cute knitted baby hats…..the baby greeting cards available at Mothers Haven down in CDA and at FairyTales & ZanDoozles in Sandopint…etc…etc.  I do have a couple more projects that are still in the works…..one of them being a sewing project for Bella…..some super fun and darling photo shoots I still need to do with my own kids…..and a baby blanket that I am hoping to finish by the end of October!

One of the projects that I have been working on is my “art gallery”.   I originally envisioned the art gallery to be a place that I could display all of my favorite artsy fartsy pieces that  just make me happy.  Don’t get me wrong…my babies and my client work are the shibang! and my fav by far, but occasionally this  girl needs some spice in her life!   I think my  art gallery is going to give me just that touch of spice I have been looking for!  As of right now, under the “art gallery” tab on my main website, you will find some of my art work available for sale as a fine art mounted print, a fine art canvas, or as a set of  greeting cards.   I will be adding more prints later on and showcasing them as well….but for today….just this one for the introduction!

Something about this print speaks to me…..the colors……the lines…….the warmth….the peacefulness…..everything about it seems so whimsical and dreamy to me…..it just captivates me every time.   And I knew immediately if I was going to launch the art gallery with this piece, it would have to have a name…..not just any old name…something special……a name that would fit perfectly.  I looked at this print and the colors…..and the name popped in my head immediately and I knew it was a fit!

AMBER.

Looking at this print, I don’t feel like I choose this name, it choose me….and I couldn’t be happier.   Amber is actually the fossilized resin from ancient forests!  How perfect.  Guess what my print is of?  YEP!  A tree!  Here is a little article I found on the meaning of  Amber that is quite interesting.   And also some other little weird tidbits about the colors of Amber….

Another 30×40….this time in the bedroom!

This next example shows a 20×30 “AMBER” canvas in the hallway.  I just love this print on the darker wall.  It makes the colors and lines so much more dramatic.  

Now…on to my FAVORITE!  The AMBER print comes in many different sizes.  Again, this display is in a hallway, but I can see this set up in the dining room behind the table on a main wall!    Or three across the top of a bed!  The combinations  are endless as to how you can decorate your home with the AMBER canvas!    ***One word of caution though, if you are ordering this combo as shown below with the the four 20×20 canvases, please send me an email so we can discuss the layout and where to have the hooks installed on the canvas!!!  Thanks!  Also, look for the 10×10 & 20×20 canvas special collections in the shopping cart options!  If you buy 4 of these sizes in a collection you get a discount!

And last, but not least, another favorite!  This is a room I would have loved pre-children!   So clean and modern!  There are no toys scattered here and there, no cherios stuck in between the couch cushions, no dirty finger and foot prints on the couch and floor!!!  No chewed up pillows, no bright red juice box spilled on the white carpet, no black sharpie art on the side of the beautiful leather couch!!!!  aaaahhhh yes…before kids….THIS room would have been heaven!   Everything neutral with a giant bold and sassy splash of color!   aaaahhhh!  So nice!  This is an example of a framed and matted  “AMBER” print.  Quite a different look wouldn’t you say????

If you would like to purchase your own AMBER print or canvas and enjoy the  rich, warm, smooth colors that will be sure to add feelings of warmth, balance, love, and peace to any room please go back to the main website page found here.   Add the print to your cart, then go to your cart and select the size and type of print you would love to own!  Then check out and pay with paypal!  Super easy!  But PLEASE!, PLEASE!, PLEASE!,  if you have any problems ordering or have any questions at all, please email me at: stacibaileyphotography@yahoo.com

To celebrate Labor Day AND the official launch of my online gallery, please enjoy 25% of your purchase through the end of September.  Just enter Amber 25 at the checkout!

Thanks so much!

Also, be sure to keep reading my blog and following me on facebook because I will be adding more of my artsy fartsy art work here and there…..AND….also doing some great specials this fall for Christmas gifts that you don’t want to miss!    Oh yes…and don’t forget to tell your friends too….you won’t want them to miss this either! 

***All fine art prints come mounted on foam board for protection and have a lovely linen texture to them.  Metallic paper is also available to purchase.

***All canvas art pieces come with paper backing, hanging clips, and bumpers. The canvases are 1.5″ deep, have black edging, and the frames are made with real wood.  All wraps include a high gloss laminate to protect the gallery wrap from scuffs, scratches, and cracking.  The laminate also provides UV light protection.  Metallic canvas is also available to purchase.

***The 5×7 blank greeting cards come in packs of 25 with envelopes and are printed on water color paper for a soft and sublte look without compromising the rich colors.

***Please inquire if you are interested in a size not listed in the shopping cart.

***The Amber print is copyright 2010 Staci Bailey Photography – it may not be downloaded, shared, or distributed in any manner other than purchasing through Staci Bailey Photography.

This time a $25 Gift Certificate to Fairytales AND a $10 Gift Certificate to Starbucks!!! WOOT! WOOT!!!

You get 3 entries to up your chances of winning!!!!    Want to know how?

#1 – Go here to my facebook page and become a fan…..then come back and leave me a comment on what would be super cool for the next give away!  Already a fan?  THANKS!  Just leave a comment and you are entered!

#2 – But wait!  There’s MORE!!!!  OH yeah!  After you “like” me on facebook, go here to Fairytales facebook page and like them too!  I like them….LOVE them actually and you will too!  Leave me another comment to let me know you are now a fan of Fairytales and that’s another entry!  After this, you will have two entries……and if you do both AND win the gift certificate, you will also get a coupon for 20% off  your purchase at Fairytales!   HELLLLLLLO!   Anyone in the mood for some shopping?    Want to know something even better?  Fairytales just got in some of their new fall line…..Zutano newborn clothing, Rabbit Moon, See Kai Run shoes, Angel Dear clothing, Tea Jammies, AND my fav….new RAIN GEAR!  Froggies, Ladybugs, Kitties and more!  It’s that time of year again….you might want to stock up…..everything is oh so cute!

#3 – Oh!  Want ANOTHER entry???  Go check out my friend Amber’s super cool site…My Miche!!! ….then go here to her facebook page and become Amber’s friend to learn about all her cool products!  She’s new to town and new friends are always great……AND the purses she sells are too die for….AND she has diaper bags!!!  Then, you got it……come back here, tell me you did a friend request…and voila!  3 entries!  And since Amber is super duper cool….she is offering the winner a 20% coupon off of any purchase!!!  WHOOP!

OK….OK…I am super thankful for my 800 likers….I LIKE you too!  But, I am not going to lie…I want more!!!  Right now, my goal is to get to 1000….I have a $100 Cabela’s gift certificate just sitting here WAITING to be given out when I reach that goal (Christmas is right around the corner you know)…heck!  I might even add more goodies to that give away…..but I am still 200 away…..so how bout helping a sista out?   Be sure to request my page to all your facebook friends!  It’s super easy….just go to my page and on the upper left click “request to friends”.  Click on all your pals and send away!!!  Easy peasy.  And THANK YOU in advance for doing so!

The giveaway will end on Sunday at midnight and on Monday I will announce the winna!  Have to say it that way because there are just too many cool giveaways!

AND NOW….for the picture (and a little story)…..SIGH…..isn’t she DREAMY?!?!  I think so…and not just because her mama happens to be one of my life long best friends….this little girl is my family and I love her.   She is so much like Bella was as a baby it’s not even funny!  They both have the heart shaped stork bite between their eyes….they are both chubba bubba  babies…..they both have big lips, long lashes, dark hair, and darker coloring compared to their blond haired blue eyed older brothers….who are 2 years apart but the same size and think they are UFC super stars!  I have never seen two little boys go at it for so long…wrestling, kicking, punching, throwing…..and laughing the entire time!!!   Boys are SO WEIRD!  Anywho….back to the girls…..they are both colicky, fussy, demanding, screeching, crying sass-a-frasses  babies (sissy ended at 3 months and hopefully this little miss does too!)….AND lastly they are both little beauties!  Meet my new cousin Baby “M”…..she is just shy of 7 weeks old and cute as can be!   I did a little mini session with her yesterday and then enjoyed a wonderful dinner with my family…..a perfect day!   My cousin and her family don’t get to come home very often, so I relish our time together.  As little girls, we were the best of friends….and even though we live so far apart….when we get together it’s like we have never left each other and are little again….giggling and laughing the entire time……except now we are the mommies and sometimes have to get after the munchkins….but then laugh after scolding them because we remember those days of being on the other end!    Yesterday, we had to get after the boys quite a few times….they were crazed!…..but, having the time of their lives!  This was only the 3rd time they have met and they were instantly the best of buds!!!   One of the greatest joys of my mom’s side of the family is how close we all are…..THANK YOU! for that Grandma Mary!   See?!?!  I told you she was the best!  (Thank you too Grandpa!  Wish so much you could see all of them together!  And that they could meet you…miss and love you! xo)….I love all of my cousins….and all of our kids are just as close as we were when they get together and play…..LOVE that!   More of baby “M” coming soon……but for now, my favorite!

Sorry folks for the book…..it’s very late and I am feeling sentimental from being so blessed with so many wonderful family members, friends, clients, and likers!!!   And I must say one last time THANK YOU! again and again for being so wonderful and getting me to 800!…..you all really make me LOVE my job that much more!!!  And just for the record….this IS NOT the pain meds talking!!!    Wishing you a wonderful weekend!!!  xo

I love this photo…her blond hair and blue eyes are so pretty!

But I loved the b&w too….so you get to see both!

Thank you again “R” family!  Your gallery will be ready soon!

First of all, I completely forgot my manners last night and wanted to apologize.  So Sorry!  I owe so many people a big THANK YOU!  And even if I have written you a private note, or told you in person, I wanted to do so again here….just in case you really didn’t know how THANKFUL I was!  Thanks to my grandma Pat for taking care of me and my babies when I was off in la-la land the day of the incident – I am so thankful you were with me and I can’t tell you how reassuring it was to know the kids were taken care of while I was being transported in the ambulance and in the ER…..THANKS to my mama for taking off of work immediately to come help me in CDA and for cleaning my house, doing my laundry, cooking my food, moving furniture for carpet cleaning, and taking care of my family this last week while I have been out of it.  (Ryan misses you!  hee hee)  We all do!  Love you!  Thanks to my grandma Mary for coming out and helping us too…..AND for cleaning my fridge!  She’s the best!  Thank you to my sweet husband, who is on the verge of a break down from having to “take over” as Mr Mom this last week….you have been AMAZING and I love you so much!   SO MUCH!  Thank you to my babies who are hanging in there while mama is out of commission…..sissy told me yesterday “I will take care of you mommy…..just breathe mommy…..breathe……breathe….that’s it!  Now you are better!”  And my son who has been my biggest helper.  Thank you Randy for coming into the hospital when we had to take Owen in and also for you and Glenda watching the kids the other day so I could rest.   Thank you Jen for calling and checking on me day after day…sorry I was always a mess to talk!   Thank you to Amy, Margaret, the nurse that helped me, all my ER doctors, ER nurses, medical staff, and Dr Owens.  Thank you to all my friends and family for the well wishes….it means so much!  And if I missed anyone, I am super sorry!!!  But THANK YOU!  Oh yes…thank pain pills for helping me get through this awful time…but I think you have done more than enough.  You can go on to help someone else now……

I have some exciting announcements coming up….don’t want to give too much away right now, but I have been working on some special projects that I am super excited about!   Hopefully my first one will be released soon!   Also, stay tuned for some great sneak peeks coming up this month…..lots of awesome senior girls….gorgeous brides and their weddings….and some adorable toddlers!  I am also hoping to get a few mini sessions in with Bella…..I have a tutu and fairy wings that have been sitting in my room waiting patiently for some photos!  AND a new Matilda Jane outfit on the way!  I have waited 2 years to get sissy a MJ outfit!!!!   If you can’t tell….I am SUPER EXCITED!

Lastly…I am planning on doing mini family photo sessions this fall!  YAY!   I was hoping to release all the info at the beginning of the month…..but under the circumstances, it’s going to be another week or two.  What I can tell you, is that they will be held in October and I will be posting this years holiday cards soon!    As of right now, I am booked for September, have a couple openings for full sessions left in October and November and will only be taking a limited number of mini’s….so if you are planning on photos this fall, please contact me soon!   I am taking December off for sure and possibly January too.  BUT as always…..I do take newborns anytime!!! So if you are having a baby and would like to get newborn photos, please let me know right away.  It is best to plan ahead for newborn photos as they photograph best when they are less than two weeks old.   I can’t stress enough to schedule soon if you are expecting!  I want to make sure I have enough room!  Right now I have 3 babies scheduled for the end of October and could not be more excited!!!!  I am in the process of making a new blanket AND am planning on getting some darling head bands….I already know one of the babies coming up is a GIRL!!!  Whoop!  Finally!  Some pink around here! 

And of course a photo for my post…..Princess Bella.  I got a quick photo of her yesterday on the swing while she was brushing her hair with the bubble wand and making sure it was just right by looking in her pink magic mirror…because that’s what princesses do you know!  Wishing you a great day!

Forget about it…..I was excited…..we were going to meet up with my super awesome friend Amy and get our family photos!!!  I was so excited!  Upon arriving at her studio, I got out of the truck and froze….not voluntarily either…..frozen from pain.  Now, not just the one spot hurt….my entire back was in PAIN from a muscle spasm…and I mean PAIN.  I just stood there, bent over for who knows how long…probably looking like a total weirdo, but I didn’t care….I seriously could not move it hurt that bad!  Again…..I waited it out…and again….the pain subsided and I could at least walk now…..just a little bit stiffer than after the last spasm.   I finally made it inside….and just drank in the sight!  Lot’s of oh’s and ah’s from me…..Amy’s studio is GORGEOUS!  And of course it gave me the studio itch something bad!  So now I have the studio itch AND a back that is seriously ticking me off.   Thankfully Amy had some Ibuprofen and a cold bottle of water for me….LOVE her!  AND LOVED our photos….will share those later.  After lots of chit chat and shop talk, I figured I better get back to the truck and get us on our way.  One more stop before Cabela’s!

Just a quick stop really…..I wanted to stop in at Mother’s Haven and pick up a gift and say hi to Margaret.   This time getting out of the truck I was still mobile…no freezing episodes…and I made it to the door.  As I turned to close it gently, it happened.  My entire body froze…..my back seized up into the biggest back spasm EVER!  I couldn’t believe the pain….it was unbearable.   I just stood there…hoping to wait it out….and then came the waves.  The ocean waves.  That is what I hear right before I know I am going to faint.  So immediately I looked over at Margaret and her customer and asked for a chair….I was going to pass out!!!  They ran a chair over to me and no sooner did my rear hit it was I engulfed in complete blackness.  I woke up on the floor….having no idea how long I had been out.  Lucky for me, the customer was a nurse from Kellog (THANK YOU NURSE!)….and if I had been more on top of it, I would have remembered her name….sorry nurse…but THANK YOU AGAIN!  They called 911 for an ambulance….called my family for me….and informed my grandma who was now going to have to drive the kids to the hospital!

Long story short….OK, well it’s already long…but I could make it LONGER!  Anywho…..the short version….I went to the hospital in the ambulance….taught the ambulance drivers and anyone in ears distance a few new cuss words I am sure…..got 3 shots of pain killers and muscle relaxers before my back finally stopped hurting……stayed in the ER 5 hours before I could even move to sit up and get in a wheel chair to go home…..the pain was now radiating through my hip and down my left leg….OUCH!   The ER doc said muscle spasm….I said yes muscle spasm and SOMETHING else….he said no, muscle spasm and sent me on my way….went to my regular Dr for a follow up…definitely a muscle spasm AND like I suspected something else…..she is sending me to physical therapy with a diagnosis of an acute sacrum ilium joint strain? – which after reading a little bit online here’s what I found -the sacroiliac joint is where the sacrum vertebrae in the lower back connects to the ilium or hip bone – yeppers!  That’s where it popped and that’s where it hurts!  Not sure if this is what it is…could just be a muscle spasm?  Who knows?  But I could not make it to my therapy appointment today to find out more…..my back was hurting (where it popped the first time) and I was feeling quite nauseous so this time I decided to stay home and couch it!   Oops…got ahead of myself there……ok, backing up……after the ER visit, I spent a week on pain pills and muscle relaxers still hardly able to move until one evening when we had to rush our son to the ER.  Poor little guy….mommy instinct kicked in and I forgot about the pain…..I might have been dingy as all get out….but I put aside the pain until I knew he was going to be all right.  Then a few days later I was back in the hospital…STOP reading right here if you can’t take the heat….because it’s going to get ugly…and GROSS!

APPARENTLY, you are supposed to take some type of stool softener while you are on any type of pain medication or muscle relaxer…….yes…..I am sure you know where this is going.  After a week….YES! a WEEK! (well 6 days is a week to me) I realized that I wasn’t feeling that well…….light bulb!  I suddenly realized I had not gone #2….in yes….a WEEK!  I immediately took some psyllium….LOL…ha ha ha…..like that’s going to work at this point.  At 1:00 in the morning my husband rushed me to the hospital….and after 4 hours of misery, pain, screaming, and more cussing…I finally got to go back home.   No need to go into details…..but I will say one thing….I had my first child with no pain medication….all naturel…..and I would rather have another baby with no pain meds than go through that HELL again.   PLEASE!…make a note to yourself to buy milk of magnesia if you are ever in need of pain pills.  Enough said.

So……you see…..my absence has been involuntary and I am just now getting back to work.  My back still hurts…..a lot…..and I am not completely off the pain pills as I hoped…..but I did get through editing a full session tonight!!!  So…..tomorrow I will have a sneak peek for you of the sweetest little girl….YAY!   That is the good news!  The bad news?….hopefully you aren’t reading this post tonight so you won’t go to bed with nightmares!   It’s approaching 11:00 pm which is way past my bed time….so I am going to sign off now….and be back tomorrow with a much better post!

PS…..NO photo today…..I just can not put a picture up after sharing my horrid week.  ugh.

If you haven’t figured out by now…..I have reserved Monday’s for the Bailey Circus….hence the name “Monday Madness”…because that’s what it is around here…pure MADNESS!   I have a personal blog that I used to document all the madness….but haven’t posted to it since February!!!  ACK!  Big slacker….but no time.  Realizing it’s been 6+ months and in tears over that fact, I made a promise to myself to work on my photos and journal at least 20-30 minutes a day….I won’t be posting any of it other than the occasional photo over here for Monday Madness…but I am hoping that will get me caught up a little bit for now and give me a little peace of mind!   With so many busy weeks in our life, I like to start the week out with a little bit of fun and hope it carries through the week!  So for today’s Monday Madness…..you get to hear all about our weekend camping trip!  LUCKY YOU! 

Needing to unwind a little and actually spend some fun time with our family we decided to get away and go camping this weekend with our friends S,K,A & A.  We always have so much fun together….and always have big adventures!    We had hoped to go Thursday, but with so much work to be done before the weekend we didn’t make it down until Friday evening!    It was short….but oh so sweet!   We went swimming, went on a 4 wheel ride, had yummy food and s’mores….and the dogs even behaved better than last time!  That’s right…..no kids pooping out in the woods and NO crazy Alli Bear eating the poop out in the woods and then coming over for a pet from her mama (and throwing in a lick – EWE!)…..THEN licking the marshmallow sticks!  DOUBLE EWE!  YES…..last time we got pretty grossed out by Alli Bear – she’s weird, but she fits our family….she did just fine this camping trip!  Thank goodness!

One afternoon we had a camp fire on the beach and of course with the evening approaching along with good lighting I wanted just one picture of my son on this camping trip…..oh, and I got ONE…….lucky me got this one!  Here he is…..the one…the only….the weird “O”!  LOVE HIM!

Earlier that day, we went on a 4 wheel ride up Gold Mountain…..beautiful views and so fun to explore new places.  Sissy with her riding glasses on…another weirdie!  

And lastly…..ending the night with roasted marshmallows!  This was my husband’s birthday present from his mother in law…..hee hee……he only wishes!   He has a male version too for hot dogs….but I figured this was creepy enough!    Don’t want to scare anyone!  Yes….more weirdness!

So today I say goodbye to the fun, relaxing weekend….and get back to the grind…..but that’s not a bad thing for me…..I am feeling a little refreshed after our camping weekend and ready to take on another BUSY week!  Speaking of busy…..when I am busy, that means SSSLLLLOOOWWWW over here on the blog!  Just sayin!    Sorry…another stale blog week….but for today……wishing you a fun filled happy week!  xo

See you next week!

THEN, the cell phone alarm goes off…..THEN Ryan’s alarm…..THEN my alarm…….it’s time to get up!!!  No problem…..I told myself yesterday I am getting back to my fly lady routine and getting something done today!!!  So I popped out of bed, got the coffee going, enjoyed a cup because I felt like I needed toothpicks to hold my eyes open!  After having my one cup (cutting myself off these days), I  got ready for my Insanity workout….which was interrupted after the first 5 minutes by a phone call……yes dear, I am working out….yes dear, I can get the bid done for you…yes dear, I can do it right now….aren’t I the BEST wife and secretary!?!?!    (rolling eyes)  Stop my workout….say a little prayer that the kids sleep in so I can finish my workout in peace…..and get the bid done and call it in to the boss.   Did you know that if you smile while talking on the phone it makes your voice more pleasant even if you want to punch the person in the nose?  Oops…did I actually write that?  DOH!  Sorry Lovie!  xo    OK……FINALLY back to my workout and 5 minutes later, the oldest muchkin emerges from his cave and guess what?  Wants breakfast!  Too bad…..I NEED MY WORKOUT!!!!   AAARRRGGHH!!!!  Lucky for me, since it was still early, he crawled into his daddy’s chair and I had an audience for the rest of my workout….which THANKFULLY it was a child because they don’t judge…..anyone else would probably have gone into cardiac arrest!    It was a brutal workout….I was huffin and a puffin and I KNOW I looked scary…dang…why I am always looking scary?   Oh…who cares….so glad I got it done…..now, if I can just keep it going this week!

When my workout gets done….then everything else seems to fall into place……dishwasher unloaded….a load of laundry folded and one in the wash……breakfast made…..beds made….kids dressed…..house picked up…..garden watered……dogs fed…….and now, a blog post!     It’s been a productive morning (other than this never ending blog post that was supposed to only take 10 minutes)….and some how with all the interruptions and the annoying manner in which I was woken up by….I am feeling good!    I guess I am off the fence now!  It’s going to be a good day!   Have my list ready to tackle for today and hopefully tonight we will be enjoying squirrel soup!  KIDDING!  I am TOTALLY KIDDING! 

Another one of  Bellie with her new head band…..day dreaming off in fairytale land…….wishing you a great day!!!  xo

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!!!  xo

Enjoy!