Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Birds on a Rail to Paint

Here you will find a couple of different options to paint birds on a rail.

I made the drawing from a photo that I took of a group of sparrows that had gathered on my back deck rail. I was amazed to see so many in a group. One bird was sitting on the post and looked to be talking to the birds on the rail; so cute.

This first painting option is printed on faux canvas. It comes flat, with indented creases to be folded to make a box like shape. A notch is already cut out for hanging. It is lightweight. I recommend this option for a beginner, and or for kids. The paint seems to dry quicker on this material.



This next option is printed on wrapped canvas. It is heavier and sturdier than the faux canvas, and is meant for long term. I recommend this option for more serious painters.



The drawing is the same on both.

Here is the finished painting that I did on the wrapped canvas.


I used two types of acrylic paint on this painting. I used bottled acrylics (liquid acrylic paint) for the background. I used acrylic paint in tubes (full bodied acrylic paint) for the birds. The full bodied acrylic paint has better coverage, and was also much brighter than the liquid acrylics. I don't know if that was just a brand difference though. I did use Americana paint for the liquid paint, and Liquitex for the full bodied paint.

If you paint this picture, let me know what kind of paint you use, and your thoughts in the comment section below.

If you are more visual, check out the video version:


Until next time; happy painting!

Cheryl Paton

Friday, September 15, 2023

Custom Reading Flashcards

These custom reading flashcards can be used for kids to adults. Each flashcard has an artistic and/or realistic image on the front. The back of the card features the main word, followed by sentences and/or info about the word.

You can customize the text on the template form to tailor the flashcards to your student's reading goals. There are a variety of categories below to choose from.If you have a design request, let me know in a comment below.

Adjective Reading Flashcards



Adverb Reading Flashcards



Animals Reading Flashcards

Floral Reading Flashcards



Food Reading Flashcards



Insects Reading Flashcards

Personalized Family Flashcards



Places Reading Flashcards

Transportation Reading Flashcards

Verbs Reading Flashcards



I was a literacy tutor for teens and adults, for a period of 12 plus years. Flashcards would have come in very handy; however they weren't made for adults at that time. Do let me know what you think, and again, if there are any designs that you would like included.

If learning about common letter patterns would be helpful to your student(s), check out The Phonics Guide, on my other blog.

Cheryl Paton

Thursday, September 7, 2023

Colorful Polka Dot Tshirts

Choose from three options of colorful polka dots, in various sizes, printed on tshirts. Pick the design that you like, then choose the tshirt style, tshirt size, and color. You can choose from kids to adult sizes.

The first design is the basic pattern.





The second design features the the dots spreading out from the lower left corner, when looking at the front view.



The third choice is the polka dots coming out from the center.



Which one is your favorite? Let me know in the comment section below.

Cheryl Paton

Monday, August 28, 2023

Custom Yard Signs for Vegetables

Choose from a variety of vegetables and fruit to customize for your yard sign(s).

Each sign has an attractive hand painted design of the fruit or vegetable that you plan to sell, along with placeholders for custom text. Double-sided printing is available.

The signs come in a choice of sizes and shapes. Depending on the size that you pick, the size of the image and text size may need to be customized too. Just click on the size of the sign that you want, and then on Edit Design to begin customizing the text and image sizes, and placement.

If you simply want to customize what the text says, then click on Personalize this template.

You will see these options once you click on the desired image that you are interested in.

The designs are printed on lightweight and weather resistant, 4mm white corrugated plastic. The signs have a 6-9 month outdoor use; depending on local environmental conditions. They are printed in the USA.

Here is the tomato sign:



Click on the Collection link below to seel the various options of fruit and vegetable signs currently available. If you have a request for a different fruit and or vegetable sign, let me know in the comment section below.



Accessory options of Aluminum Wire Stake Stands, and or Heavy Duty Plastic Premium Stake Stands, and foam tape for single sided options, can be added to your order. The foam tape does not come attached; the purchaser gets to decide where to place the tape, and attach it.

Happy gardening and selling of your produce. Thank you for shopping at CherylsArt on Zazzle.

Cheryl Paton

Wednesday, August 23, 2023

Peace Sign Scrapbook Paper and Stamps

Here are some options for purchasing peace sign scrapbook paper. Choose from designs printed on individual sheets of 8.5 by 11 inch paper.

Pick your favorites. The paper sheets and stamps are purchased from my ScrapbookBackgrounds store on Zazzle. Click on the link to see the various designs.



This basic peace sign stamp is shown on 2 by 2 inch rubber stamps. It is also available on four other sizes as well:



The hand print peace sign is also available on a variety of sizes. If you want the largest size rubber stamp, the design will need to be customized to fit within the space.



Happy and peaceful scrapbooking.

Cheryl Paton

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

Abstract Scrapbook Paper

Hello creative friends.

Here are some of my abstract designs printed on 8.5 by 11 inch flat paper sheets; great for scrapbooking! These are purchased at my ScrapbookBackgrounds store on Zazzle:








Here are more abstract designs on 8.5 by 11 inch paper, in my collection on Zazzle:



Happy creating! If you have a design request, let me know in the comment section below, and if you want the design(s) on individual flat sheets or in a paperback book.

Cheryl Paton

Monday, August 7, 2023

Desk Mats for Sorting Activities

Here you have found desk mats that can be used for various sorting activities.

The activities can be for fun, learning, and or just because you want a cushioned surface to sort on.

Each desk mat is 31.5 x 15.5 inches. They are 3mm thick, and have a neoprene material with a polyester top. They have an anti-slip backing, which reduces slipping and sliding on most surfaces. They also have a durable hemmed edge.

The larger rectangle space can be a fun sorting surface for kids learning about sorting. They can sort larger objects, and simply have more space to spread the smaller items out.

Kids can learn to sort by color; all of the shades of blue can go here, all the shades of orange can go there, and so on. Buttons can be sorted by color, size, and or number of holes in each button. Buttons can also be sorted by style and shape. What other items might you sort with your kids?



The smaller rectangles can be used for sorting more buttons, etc., and also units for a building project, whether they are for kids and or adults. All the like items can go together; screws, nuts and bolts, small wood pieces, etc.

My adult daughter had purchased a variety of pieces of furniture that needed to be assembled. A mat like this would have come in handy. The floor would have been sheilded from sharp edges. The padded surface would also have made it easier to pick up the individual items.



The desk mat with the smallest rectangles are for the serious sorter. Crafters who want a pad for beads (that don't roll around), sequins, larger assortment of buttons, etc. Assemblers who want a padded surface for their washers, screws, small dow rods, etc.



What will you be using a sorting mat for? Which mat or mats will best serve your purposes?

Each link above will take you to my CherylsArt store on Zazzle. Zazzle has a 100% promise. If you are not satisfied for any reason with any qualified* product you purchase, you may return your purchase for a replacement, credit or refund until within 30 days of receipt.

Order the mat or mats that you desire, with ease, through any of the links above.

Cheryl Paton

Thursday, June 1, 2023

Personalized Maze Birthday Cards for Kids

Yay, you have found maze puzzles on personalized birthday cards. Any child will enjoy the extra activity that they get to do when they receive their card. There is a text placeholder on the back of the greeting cards where you can type in your own personalized message.

There are various puzzle designs to choose from, on both postcards and greeting cards to send to the birthday child.

There are also various products, i.e. invitations, paper plates, paper cups, napkins, yard signs, and notepads, to enhance the birthday party.

The notepads provide an easy way for all of the children to do their own maze puzzle. The notepads are 5.5 inches by 6 inches, with 40 sheets per pad.

Here is an example of a greeting card; this one features a cute giraffe searching for the path to the tree.



Here is a postcard of a monkey searching for the vine that leads to the bananas.



Maze puzzles are not only fun, they help to improve hand and eye coordination and fine motor skills. It's a great way to make learning fun. And they're also just great for the fun of it!

Find more maze puzzle options on my Maze Puzzle store on Zazzle:

At the top of the page are the animal themed collections; then you can scroll down to the categories by product types, such as invitations, birthday cards, etc.

You can also leave a request for a design theme in the comments below, and also if you would like maze puzzles on any other products.

For those who are more visual, you can watch the video:



Cheryl Paton

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Personalized Family Flashcards

Personalized family flashcards can help readers of all ages, from children to teens and adults.

Each flashcard is to be personalized with a photo of the readers family; and or friends if you like. The various flashcards have a placeholder to upload the photo, type in the relationship, i.e. brother, mother, son, daughter, friend, etc.

Before you design these flashcards for your student, be sure to get permission from any family members and or friends, before adding their photo to these reading flashcards. Explain to them how the photos will be used, i.e. for reading lessons for your student. If you don't personally know the friends and relatives, write up a basic info sheet for the student to show to possible participents, for the agreeing participents to sign.

Here is a sample of the front.



The back of each flashcard has text that relates to the photo on the front. The basic sentences shown are the same on the various flashcards, except for the terms he, she, her, and him, and the relative's relationship to the student.

The back of the flashcards can be filled in by hand, as the words are dictated from the student. Or, you can talk to the student ahead of time and then type in their responses on the flashcards online before placing your order. Or you can change the sentences to ones that your student would most likely like and relate to.

This is a sample of the text that is printed on the back.

"My brother's name is _______________________.
His favorite thing to do is _________________
_________________________________________.
He likes to eat _____________________________.
Something I like about my brother is ________
_________________________________________."

I was a literacy tutor for adults for twelve plus years and having these types of personalized family flashcards would have been helpful, and provide meaningful lessons for my students. May you find them helpful as well.

Here are current options of the flashcards to customize. If you want to make a flashcard for a relative type that is not shown, select one with the same sexual orientation that is shown on the card, i.e. choose mother for an aunt. That way the he, she, her, and him, will all apply for that person. Also, be sure to change the words mother to aunt, on both sides.



If you know of any tutors and or literacy organizations that would benefit from using these types of flashcards, please share this blog with them. Thank you.

Cheryl Paton

Related Articles
Reading Flashcards for Adults
Literacy Activity: build a puzzle with instructions
Look inside The Phonics Guide.

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Wind Blown Peace Sign on Puzzles and more

Check out the various products that this pretty wind blown peace sign is on.

The peace sign is shades of pink, blue, and purple. The background is shades of light blue, white, pink, and lavender.

I made the peace sign from a pour and press method. I poured the paint in the desired colors to make the peace sign. I filled in the background with the other colors; all on bubble wrap. I then pressed my canvas into the poured paint, and then lifted the canvas up. What I got was a windblown look of the peace sign.

Here you can find this pretty design on puzzles, tshirts, magnets, stickers, aprons, pin on buttons, greeting cards, and more.

The puzzles can be ordered in a variety of sizes, with 30 oversized pieces for children, to a challenging 1014 pieces for teens and adults.

The tshirts come in a variety of styles for children to adults.

The magnets come in a choice of square and round.

The stickers come in a choice of a variety of shapes. Some shapes display the design better than others.

Check them out in my CherylsArt store on Zazzle, here:



If you would like a visual of my design and how I made it, check out my video.



Thank you for stopping by, and for your patronage too, to those who make a purchase.

Wishing you a blessed and peace filled day.

Cheryl Paton