My daughter started Kindergarten last week and my son is now in second grade, so things are definitely changing around our house.  Lots of peace, quiet and work getting done, which is definitely not always the norm!

Here’s one of my favorite shots of my kids – whispering to each other outside their elementary school on the first day back.  Big brother has been walking little sister to her kindergarten class every day so far.  Cute just does not describe it…

Hope your kiddos have had a great first week or two of school!   Stay tuned for exciting Chalkydoodles news for the Fall, including lots of new products, some great sales heading your way and our Holiday 2010 preview!

I love this simplistic vintage chalkboard sign and message. 

 The summer is getting a little long and hot, but I am loving the extra time with  my kids at home.  Yesterday I played a nice, long game of Scrabble with my son, looked through my daughter’s baby book and photos (per her request), and sang lullabies from when they were both infants.

Good, purposeful stuff.

Made with laminated versions of your favorite designer fabrics, these Splat Mats & Tablecloths are the wipe-clean solution you’ve been seeking for your high chairs, craft tables, art easels and more.

Available in a variety of shapes and sizes.   Check out our entire line of Laminated Cotton Splat Mats & Tablecloths!

Thanks for the blog mention and for the sweet Tweet, Oilcloth.com!

In the spirit of things,  my little zookeeper asked me if we could make these cute Beavers for a snack today.  I couldn’t help but share them - first because they make me laugh and second, because I love the way our Brown Gingham Kid’s Oilcloth Tablecloth looks under the colorful plate!

And what do you know – those peanut butter noses wiped right off the oilcloth when they were done!   After all, you’ve got to keep the zoo nice & clean…

Can’t think of anything cuter to go with Dad’s new tie!

Happy Birthday to my sweet little gal!

P.S.  Wanna find out about her CUTE Hello Kitty shirt?  It was a gift from my crafty friend at Modern Frills.  Check it out here.

Built in our front yard in Dallas, Texas using the almost 6 inches of snow we received on the First Day of Spring!

We were among the throngs shopping last-minute at Target for packaged valentines to give to her pre-school classmates.   And there, among the tattoo-, magnet- and candy-adorned miniature cards,  I found these eco-friendly, plantable  “Paper Blooms” valentines by Paper Magic.

Each little valentine has a slot where you stick a small, pot-shaped piece of red handmade, plant-able paper. The paper contains tiny annual and perennial seeds that bloom when planted – how sweet is that? 

The recipient can plant the paper and in a week or two, sprouts will appear!  My daughter and I had a lot of fun assembling the valentines (easy to do), and the concept was thrilling both to me and to her!

Planting directions are included on the back of each card, along with a place to put your “to” and “from” and a sentiment from your child.  All the sweetheart needs is a small pot and a little soil and your valentine can be transformed into a live plant (as opposed to a short-lived gift eventually destined for the trash).  Plus, both your child and the giftee will have been given the opportunity to appreciate the joy of giving, receiving and growing a living thing.

And, Paper Magic goes one step further with these Paper Blooms cards (quoted from their labeling) - the “cards are printed on recycyled paper with vegetable-based ink.  Their paper is purchased from Cascades, who saves 47 million trees each year and runs their factory on biogas energy.”  The company also “prints their boxes on recycled stock and has been for 20 plus years!”

Eco-friendly and oh-so-sweet!  Time to go plant our valentine…

Last fall, a friend and I met a terrific pair of up and coming designers at the Etsy Dallas craft show.  Alyssa Krismer and Joslyn Krismer  not only have a great story (they are former college-roommates, turned sisters-in-law – now married to twins!)  They are also the co-creators and co-owners of  Jane Joss a new Texas-based creative crafting company that is home to the Sweet Leaves™line of fabric plants, now available on Chalkydoodles.com.

Joslyn and Alyssa have a refreshingly-different eye for design, and have created a line of home decor that is unique, natural and sustainable – Sweet Leaves™ fabric plants.  Perfect for those of us with less than a green thumb, Sweet Leaves™ look great season after season and never require the proper amount of sunlight or watering! 

Made from a wide selection of designer and vintage fabrics in tons of different shapes and sizes, these creations by Jane Joss are the perfect addition to any decor.  From potted plants to adorn your kitchen window sill to dainty branches perfect for your home or office, you’re certain to find an empty corner that would make the perfect home for these sweet creations.

Sweet Leaves™ also make the perfect, everlasting Valentine’s Day gift!  Give them today, enjoy them for years to come!

Check out the selection of Sweet Leaves™fabric plants at Chalkydoodles Shop > Order by Tuesday, February 9 for delivery in time for Valentine’s Day!  FREE local delivery in the Dallas/Fort Worth area is available.  Contact us  for more information or to create your own custom design.