Chelle Anderson

No New Business... for now

2012-02-02T08:48:00.000-08:00

Hello all!

Until further notice, I am not taking any new business. I am sorry if this is an inconvenience for you, and I hope to take new orders soon. Thank you for being the best part of my business!

Much Love,
Chelle

Christmas Shopping... time of the year!

2011-10-25T21:52:00.000-07:00

So now is the time... time to start thinking about Christmas shopping. I know what you're thinking... "WHAT?! It's not even Halloween!" I know, but dear, if you're going to be giving the BEST gifts, it takes time! You can't buy custom at Walmart! Start thinking about what you're going to order and get your order in soon! OR... You could do one better and get free stuff for Christmas gifts! Host a party and you get credits for free signs plus a GREAT excuse to have a fun night with friends. Everyone will be so impressed with your connection to such cool custom gifts... wayyyy better than candles or tupperware. Schedule one soon though, dates are filling up!

Wine and strength...

2011-10-19T11:40:00.000-07:00

My new motto:

I just love a good encouraging quote!

Pottery Barn Kids Fire Truck - NEW

2011-09-25T18:36:00.000-07:00

So I painted my first firetruck trio 2 years ago. I was pregnant with Caleb and loved the idea of it. I had seen it in a catalog for $500! Holy Cow! 500 smackers?! Can't do. So I made my own. Does it look exactly like the one in the catalog? No. I drew my own firetruck and made my own adjustments to it. Do I love it? YES! And apparently so do you!
As soon as I finished my first one, a friend that came to my house bought it right off my wall (because yes, pretty much everything in my house is for sale). Right off my wall! I thought "wow, this is going to be a hot item!"
Insert silence for two years here. Not a single order. Two years! Ok, so it's not as hot as I thought... or is it?
Fast forward to last month, BAM! FIVE orders! Fast forward to this week, BAM! Three more orders! WOW! So NOW it's hot?! That'll teach me to try to figure you people out!
So in case you're wondering, these are a couple of the Firetruck painting's I've done recently. If you're interested in ordering one, know that each one is 100% hand painted and completely customizable. I can have them finished and shipped within a week.
FYI, I have the COOLEST job ever! What I do is so much fun! SO MUCH fun!

This one is just a simple firetruck. No names, no words, just a firetruck.

Baczewski Station, ok, I'll admit, I checked the spelling like 300 times when I did this one. I loved this one because she wanted subtle blue added to it. The wall in the room is light blue, so I added a few blue highlights. You may have to click the picture to see them... they are subtle.

St John Family, chose their own station number and added "Fire Chief Aidan" I painted it with a spelling mistake on the name, but corrected it after I took this picture... :)

Enjoy!

More Signs

2011-08-08T15:36:00.000-07:00

I know... shocking.
Here is a little of what I've been working on.

I've actually done a few of these lately. They just seem to fit for little boys. I love how it has the decorative whirls but still feels masculine and boy-ish! It's about 1 foot by 2 feet. ($55)

I made this a red sign on canvas for our anniversary last year. I don't know though... I think I may like this one better. It's 2 feet by 1 foot. ($50)

As a family, we sat down and came up with our set of family rules. We tried to have encouraging words instead of a list of NO-NO's. It's almost amazing how often we refer to this sign... "What's the rule? It's in black and white one the wall!" This sign is about 20 inches by 4 feet. ($200)

So our street can be used as a shortcut and people SPEED through to save 20 seconds. I'm amazed but these signs seem to be making a difference. I made two of them (one for each direction) and they are about 2feet by 3feet with a tripod stand hinged to the back so they hold themselves up, and fold up when I need to store them away. LOVE it! ($100 each)

I like this sweet summer sign. About 1 foot by 2 feet ($55)

And of course... Mr. Incredible and I went and saw the new Harry Potter movie a couple weeks ago, and I've been dyin' to paint a 9 3/4 sign. Nathan has been reading the books too. That kid's amazing. He's on book 4 after two weeks.

Seriously Talented Niece!

2011-07-17T10:05:00.000-07:00

I just can't wait to see what the future holds for this girl! My sweet niece, Olivia, snapped a few pictures while we were on family vacation in the Tetons...
these are just two of Lily, but seriously?! wow. I love them!
My sister-in-law better watch out cause I'm gonna steal this girl! :)
P.S. as a mom, I'm screwed. Look how beautiful this Lily Grace is! Wow all around!

Welcome to my new site!

2011-06-01T13:43:00.000-07:00

Ok, so it's just my old blog, but now you can browse through more updated signs, see what I'm working on now, and order directly from one site! I'm still trying to find my barings in the new land... so bare with me while I tweek this and that. See you around!

Everly

2011-05-29T19:52:00.000-07:00

OH you have to look at this little girl! (CLICK HERE TO SEE HER!)
Everly is SO DARN CUTE! I can't take my hands off her whenever I'm around her and I just LOVE her to pieces!

I was invited to her baby shower (HA! it was FOREVER ago)... I wasn't able to make it, but I kept meaning to give her (& her mama) a little something to add to her room (Everly's mom has GREAT taste, so I was a little intimidated), I finally got off my hiney and painted a little canvas for her. It's pink on pink because you just can't go wrong with pink... hopefully.
Love you Everly!

You Make...ALL THINGS... work together for my good.

2011-05-28T09:43:00.000-07:00

I just love this saying. I painted nine of them this week... I could have painted a hundred I love them so much!
P.S. Try painting nine of these and NOT getting the song stuck in your head... impossible. It's been stuck in my head all week.

LOVE this blanket!

2011-05-06T08:56:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure what Luke is going to think of this, it's probably a little too fluffy and girly, but this is going to be our next bedspread! I can't wait to make one!

I think this tutorial's blanket is WAYY cuter than...

the original Anthropologie's original version.

It's so much softer and more welcoming.
Now... how to get rid of the kids so I can pull out the sewing machine...

some pix

2010-08-09T19:39:00.000-07:00

I'm diggin these pix...

Meet my new love...

2010-07-28T13:02:00.000-07:00

This is my sweet yellow dresser... kinda hard to part with this one, but part we must. Mama needs the cash!

I think it would be a pretty cute changin table too.

And to think... it started out as THIS...

Pottery Barn Kids Fire Truck

2010-07-14T22:47:00.000-07:00

Oh Pottery Barn... How I love your stuff. I could flip through you catalog day in and day out... gaze lovingly at things I could never afford. I could stare at your perfect rooms and oggle over your art work endlessly...
BUT I won't. Instead, I'll make my own (because I can't afford your price tag for this beauty)
And I have to tell you, I like mine more...

There is one thing I do like more about the Pottery Barn version... it is a good picture of the painting. I need to take some photography classes so I can take better pictures of my work. :(

Three 16x20 inch canvases makes a total of 20inches by 4 feet ... can customize. Click HERE for an updated version!

Free-do White Dresser

2010-07-13T09:13:00.000-07:00

Alright... here she is all finished. I have to tell you, I can't believe I painted a dresser WHITE! I usually like to do something a little more spunky. White just seems so boring... but after years of white protest, I painted this little sweetling white and antiqued it down...

It turned out okay, but I have to admit, I still like funky colors better.

I've had so many people ask me for directions, so I'll post that soon... I'm not really a professional, but I've had a few trial and error lessons.
Have a good day folks!

free-do

2010-06-30T19:57:00.000-07:00

I'm coining a new phrase... whenever i redo a freebe, I'm calling a free-do. Let's see if it catches on. Probably not since I'm mostly talking to an empty room. :)
Here is my Craigslist free find today...

hmmm... what color will she end up?

Green Dresser

2010-06-29T13:39:00.000-07:00

Here is my show off for today... I got this dresser for free on Craigslist.

I stripped it D-O-W-N!

I knew I wanted to paint it green, but I wasn't sure if I wanted to paint stripes on it, or to antique or what. I ended up antiquing it and I LOVE it! I call it my "Candy Apple Dresser."
I listed it on Craigslist this afternoon, we'll see if it sells for the outrageous amount of money I'm asking...

Chick-Diggin-Lime-Green

2010-03-09T11:45:00.000-08:00

My brother always had these lime green swim trunks when he was a teenager... he wore them every day!!! My mom tried buying him others, but the lime green were still his favorite. He finally fessed up one day and told us it's because chick's dig the lime green. From then on, we called them "Robby's Chick-Diggin-Lime-Green Shorts."

Anyway, my point is, after I made this sign, I thought, this is "Chick-Diggin-Lime-Green!"

Before baby Caleb came last week, I needed a subtle (ha) reminder. I've always loved the "keep calm and carry on" posters and stuff, but I needed something long and with some POP... so I painted this one. This sign is 8inches by four feet, and I do love the colors.

Admit it, you chicks dig this lime green too... :)

I know... the pictures a little fuzzy... sorry

Caleb Luke Anderson

2010-03-06T19:55:00.000-08:00

was born Wednesday March 3rd at 8:02pm weighing in at 8 pounds 2 ounces & 20 inches long. Labor was so much fun and I am THRILLED to hold him in my arms! He is AMAZING!!!!!

Dear Baby...

2010-02-17T09:20:00.000-08:00

Dear Baby,
Please come out today. You are such a good wiggler... I promise, there is so much more room out here to show off your moves.
Your brothers and sister are ready to have a turn holding you and your dad is ready to change your diapers.
Please. PLEASE, come out today!
I love you.
Love,
Your Mommy

ps. if you choose not to come soon, I will issue an eviction notice.

I am blessed.

2010-02-06T08:58:00.000-08:00

Just look how cute these kids are! I am blessed!

Some things I've been look at latey...

2010-01-12T09:28:00.000-08:00

I've promised myself I WILL NOT start another project until I've finished a couple others... but these ones are SO tempting.
I love this one... it's just a plain ol dresser revamped to be the perfect kitchen island. I need to check with my sister and see if she likes it... cause I don't have room for it but I want to make it. Sadly, I've already got a really cute dresser that would work for it (thank you craigslist)

So I'm in charge of Nathan's class auction project at school... I really want to do a mosaic mirror. These are pretty complicated, but SO COOL! I'm going to do kind of a "paint by numbers" only it will be "mosaic by numbers." It's also going to be a bigger mirror, I'm thinking maybe a full length, but that round one is neat too!

Lastly, I'm already a little sick of my kitchen eating area (even though it hasn't even been a year since I redid it). Anyway, these benches are adorable and would be so cute in our nook. This first one is made of two end tables and she just slapped on some 1x6's for the seat. HOW EASY IS THAT?!?!

Second, this happens to be my favorite. It's just a headboard and footboard. The footboard is inverted and she added the bench and some supports. This may be too big for my space... okay, it's DEFINATLY too big for my space, but how cute!

I really wish I had made note of which website I saw these one... If it was yours let me know so I can give you credit. (and be publicly jealous of your fabulous work!)

Snowman Ornament!

2009-12-15T10:55:00.000-08:00

These are so much fun and REALLY cheap to make! I sat down today and made one with my 5 year old and he didn’t even need that much help. Kids love making them for school teachers, Sunday school teachers, friends, neighbors… they’re just fun. And YES they are really GLASS bulbs, and you really do bake them! You can embellish them however you want and do all kinds of creative things… we’ve done snowmen ballerinas, snowmen Santas, snowmen with a jester hat…

So here we go… let’s make a snowman!

Supply List:

Small glass ornament

Foil

White scupley clay

At least one other color clay

Toothpick painted orange

String or ribbon

Hook (optional)

Black and white paint (optional)

Blush (optional)

Step 1: WASH YOUR HANDS!!! And the surface you’ll be working on. The clay will pick up any imperfections, so clean clean clean!

2- remove the ornament top (the hook part) and if you didn't buy an eye-hook, use your pliers to twist the ends of the hook together and make your own eye hook (set that aside til later). Then roll foil into a ball around your finger leaving a space for you to put it over the top of the ornament. This will be the head, so hold it up next to the bulb to gauge if it's the right size. You'll add clay to it, so make it a little smaller then what you want the head to be.

3- Wrap foil ball with white scupley clay. You can roll it in your hands to make it smooth, just be sure you leave that hole in the bottom. You put foil in the head to keep the ornament light enough it doesn’t topple your tree… and it bakes more evenly.

4- making two small white balls, gently roll one end of each ball until it is tapered into this shape. Wrap them around the ball and connect them just where the ball and head meet in the back. You’ll want to push the clay together so it has a nice hold to it. This will also help keep the head attached.

5- roll out the second color of clay until it’s long enough to wrap around the head. Cut a straight line across the bottom and wrap gently around the head. When you have it positioned how you want it, gently press it into the head just enough to join the clays together. Also, press the seam of the hat together in the back. Gently gather and squish the hat down and pinch it together at the top to make the shape of the snow hat..

6- roll out a snake for the scarf. Gently roll it out. I like to use tools that have a cool texture just to give the scarf a little umph, but you can roll it flat too. Drape it around your snowman and gently press together where it overlaps.

7- make another small snake and roll it flat and wrap it around the brim of the hat. You can make one more for the tip of the hat and cut slits in it to give a little tassle look, or you can just roll a ball and squish it into the hat tip.

8- cut off the pointed end of your orange toothpick and insert it into his face. Insert the hook into the top of his head. Make sure you put it in the right place (see picture) so he hangs down straight not facing up or down. Bake at 250 for about 30 minutes. You’ll know its done because when you touch it with your fingernail, it makes a tapping sound and doesn’t leave a mark. Bake time depends on how thick your clay is, so times may vary.

9- when it’s done baking, use a cotton swab and swirl on some blush. I like to add the white dimple dot to the cheeks, but you don’t have to. Using a toothpick, dot the eyes with black paint. Run your string through the hook and WA-LA! You’re DONE!

Enjoy... and when you get a chance, stop by ChelleAnderson.com I'm still taking sign orders for Christmas priority shipping until the 18th.

what have I been doing?

2009-11-22T00:08:00.000-08:00

a little of this...

a LOT of these...

some of this...

a few of those...

some sweet little...

and getting ready for lots of these...

These last three are a sort of hint... be sure to visit ChelleAnderson.com this Friday for my "BLACK Friday" sale...

Another Craigslist Dresser.

2009-10-19T13:46:00.001-07:00

Here's another dresser I found free on Craigslist. I loved the bones, but that was about it. The drawer bottoms were falling out, what handles were left were broken, and that beautiful wood you see... that's paint and up close, it was REALLY poorly done!

So I bought paint, knobs, new drawer bottoms and LOTS of sandpaper (about $20 in total) and got to work.

And I sanded and sanded and sanded and... you get the picture. Then I added a fresh coat of paint (or two) some Shellac, the knobs, fresh drawer bottoms and WA-LA!

I really should have taken a better picture, like maybe one NOT in my garage or at least with all the drawers closed, but I didn't need to. I sold it on Craigslist this morning for $150. Not bad!

I'm BAAACKKK!

2009-10-16T20:11:00.000-07:00

I'm back... I've been busy and sick, hormonal (now 19 weeks pregnant) and busy... but I'm back now! And I've done a few new signs... take a browse.
All my signs are standard size (8"x24" & $35) unless otherwise noted.

(routered edges $40)

(routered edges $40)

this picture shows the back of the signs. ALL signs have this kind of back which allows the sign to hang flat against your wall, or set on a bookshelf. AND it's VERY easy to get a level hang (comes with hanging directions)

(more than 6 words $40)

("Boo" 8"x12" $20) ("31" 8"x8" $10)

In Answer To Your Questions...

2009-08-03T19:49:00.000-07:00

I had a few people leave comments and email me to see if I have a "storefront" somewhere...
As of right now, this blog is my website and my storefront is an etsy account. You're welcome to do some browsing HERE or just email me for more pictures and information.
Maybe someday I'll be cool enough to have a beautiful website... but for now this is what I've got and it works! :)
Thanks Ya'll!

Another recent-ish custom sign for a wedding. The couple used the MA in the background on their wedding invites and website so my client wanted it in the background with this great verse on the front. Fun!

And the winner is…

2009-07-25T20:30:00.000-07:00

Mandi at Finding Home!

Congratulations Mandi!

For Mandi and anyone else who would like to order a sign, you can email me at cnlanderson at msn dot com and we can talk about what you want your sign to look like.

Also, I wanted to wish my sister-in-law and her husband a happy anniversary. They have been married for 17 years and made the jump from five to eight amazing kids when they adopted three from Liberia. After spending time with them recently, we can only hope to be as diligent of parents as they are. I wanted to make this sign for their family, but I didn’t get it mailed in time… hopefully they will log in and see it.

Happy Anniversary guys!

Giveaway!

2009-07-20T11:24:00.000-07:00

Alright… time for a giveaway!
In an effort to broaden my customer base, I’m having a giveaway. I’ll give away any sign up to a $45 value (and free shipping). You choose everything, it doesn't have to be a sign from below. And of course, all my signs are still hand painted with NO cheap vinyl at all! These are pieces of art that will last a lifetime.

Leave a comment on this posting (by midnight friday) and I’ll put your name in a hat and draw the winner…
but there’s more!

If you refer a friend and they win, so do you!
I’ll give the referring friend a $20 credit!
If you link to my blog and the winner comes from your referral, you’ll get a $30 credit!
How’s that?!

Let’s meet back here on Saturday and I’ll let you know who wins! And who knows, maybe only 4 people will enter, and then think how good your odds will be! :)

My Finished Kitchen Nook!

2009-05-29T11:47:00.000-07:00

I heart my nook... FINALLY! This small, cramped area has been a thorn in my side since we moved into this rental. Not quite big enough for a standard table and frustrating to maneuver around, it just wasn't working.

Enter custom made table and benches! I have a few favorites to share with you...
#1 I made one bench standard chair height for my husband and me, but the kid bench I made a few inches taller. No more sitting on their knees or bringing out stools to sit on. It's just the right size.
#2 I love that someone has to get up from the table to get something out of the fridge. All the standard tables we've had, have protruded out into the kitchen space and if you were sitting at the end of the table, you could just lean over and snatch stuff from the fridge. Now the area is separate and you have to get up to get something... which also means the fridge door opens all the way. Yay!

#3 I love my retro feeling "A" in the center of my table. It's just cute.
#4 I am thrilled that it is so easy to clean under the table now. No more chairs to move out of the way and no table legs to maneuver around. Mama's love ease!
#5 I made it and that feels good. Okay, so I didn't MAKE the table, but I did disassemble it, trim it down and reconfigure it. Not to mention paint it. The benches, I made! Table -$50, Benches $10 each, already had the paint so total project cost, $70. A little steep for me but not too bad.

That's it!

Black and White Crackly Signs

2009-05-09T09:16:00.000-07:00

Feisty

2009-05-05T09:23:00.000-07:00

They may be my all time favorite. It was made for a boat and the nautical theme is just classic!

a little better picture...

2009-05-04T14:14:00.000-07:00

I just think these are so sweet.
I made them for the Pregnancy Resource Center's fundraiser auction.
I'm working on a Family sign for Nathan's school auction... it's my favorite one yet! can't wait to post pictures!

Family Name Signs

2009-05-01T09:13:00.000-07:00

I love doing these last name signs... these are all the standard 8 inches by 2 feet but could be done larger...

Packwood - peace... play... or party

2009-04-17T09:18:00.000-07:00

6 inches by 2 1/2 feet

Crackled background for that rustic, cabin look

Girly Girl

2009-04-12T09:20:00.000-07:00

And here's my girly-girl... isn't she adorable with her Cinderella gloves?

silhouettes

2009-03-01T12:07:00.000-08:00

I found these frames and mattes at Target over the summer for $2 each! I just snatched them up, but had nothing to do with them. Oh yeah, and the mattes were different colors, 3 white and 1 black. So I painted the mattes with my beautiful new blue color, and used my scrapbook paper to back these GREAT silhouettes of my kids. Since I have three kids and four frames, I did a giant A in the 4th, but I think I’m going to do a double silhouette of Luke and me together. That will be cool.

A miracle has happened at the Anderson house...

2009-02-15T20:30:00.000-08:00

The laundry baskets are empty. All the clothes are clean!

Now if only they would fold themselves...

Craigslist Dresser Flip

2009-02-08T12:11:00.000-08:00

I had my eye on this dresser for about a week when the guy selling it agreed to cut the price in half and sell it to me for $30. He was just desperate to get rid of it.So... I went to Home Depot, bought 5 cans of their cheapest black spray paint (94¢) and went to town.First I took off the knobs and sanded it.Then, upside down so I could get the tough spots, I sprayed on the first coat.I sanded any drips, flipped it over and sprayed it again.And again.And again.After about four coats, I was done.I probably could have ended on three, but I figured what the heck…I lightly sprayed the knobs with blue… mostly because that was what I had… but it turned out fun (even though my mom didn’t like it).24 long hours later (it always seems like so long when you’re having fun working on a project), I gave it the first coat of clear polyurethane protective coating. 24 hours later, I did it again.

24 hour later, it was gone. I sold it on craigslist for $200! I couldn’t believe it! And apparently I should have asked for more… I had 4 people ask for it the first day I posted it!Pretty nice turn around huh?It worked out great because it almost paid for my new dresser set… ;) more on that next time

Apron...

2009-01-13T19:12:00.000-08:00

Isn't this so cute?! I found a great apron pattern and whipped out an apron for myself. I just had to try it on Lily and of course she loved it. It's more of a dress...

Great Coasters

2008-11-12T12:14:00.000-08:00

I love these coasters. What a great/affordable Christmas gift...
These are stone tiles (any kind of porous tile should work, marble, slate, travertine, etc. Just make sure they are light enough that you will be able to see the image on it.) Make sure you wipe all the dust off with a clean dry rag.
This is the best part... you just STAMP onto them! That's right... a stamp and you're done! I prefer the large background stamps... but do whatever you want. Regular stamp ink will work great. After you stamp it, make sure it's dry! No really... seriously... MAKE SURE IT'S DRY!!! If that means you have to wait an hour, wait an hour. Once it is completely dry, spray it lightly with matte spray, let it dry again. For the backing on these ones, I used the self-adhesive cork, cut it into a square a little smaller than my tile and carefully applied it to the back. Then you're good to go. Done. Finito.
If the dust isn't wiped off the tile, or if you spray the tile while it is still even a LITTLE wet, it will bleed and be blotchy. For the backing, you could also just cut the cork into small squares and put it on the four corners... you could also just glue felt on the back. With the self-adhesive backing, you just want to be sure you have it all lined up before you stick it on. If you reposition it at all, it won't stick as well and will eventually fall off.
Cost- about $1 per tile (from Home Depot or Lowe's), $1 for the stamp and ink at goodwill... total -$5 for this set. Cheaper once you have the stamp.
I found a comparable set online for $50... SWEET!

My Favorite Furniture Find

2008-11-07T12:17:00.000-08:00

I went in search of a particular flea market on Sunday, but apparently it no longer exists, so I started following some garage sale signs and stumbled onto this GEORGEOUS piece. Isn't is amazing?!?! You can't really see all the curvature from this angle, but it has a beautiful soft roundness. It was originally marked $80, but since it was Sunday afternoon and they wanted everything gone, they said everything was half off and this piece said "obo."
So I offered $20 (I figured what the heck... it's worth a shot, and I would have gone for $30) and they took $20! I couldn't believe it!
RIGHT after I paid them the money, some lady pulled up and wanted to buy it for full price, they said it was sold and she offered $100 for it. I couldn't believe these people said no. They told her they already took my money and it was mine now (and very not for sale).