Graffiti Love

The following emails were exchanged between me and my Mom, a couple weeks back, regarding a birthday gift for her husband, Randy…

Three days later, I received one of Randy’s train cars…

…along with a little note from my Mom…

So I printed out some letters from Dafont.com to use as a guide…

…and (nervously) began to draw…

…and paint…

…and sent the train car back to her as soon as it was dry.

Thanks to all the Mom’s out there that continue to encourage their children to create and color outside the lines. Us kids really, really appreciate it.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

PS- I’m happy to report that Randy loved the train car (whew!)…

“We hooked it up during happy hour, and smiled every time it went by. We named it ‘The Love Train’. We have a little guy in one of the open doorways in another car on that same train, and we like to envision that it’s his Valentine from whomever he’s leaving behind, too. Hope you two have a great day!
♥ Mom”

(Me, my Mom, and Randy…watching the trains go ’round, a couple years back.)

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78 Responses to Graffiti Love

1. leanne says:

   Feb 14, 2011 at 12:40 pm

   LOVE THIS!!! you’re good girl!! my papa had trains and we spent lots of special time together setting things up when i was little. thanks for sharing this…makes me want to go buy my sweety his own train!

   

   Reply
   • Layla says:

     Feb 14, 2011 at 12:42 pm

     Thank you Leanne! I was so nervous to paint on one of his beloved train cars!
     I’m so glad he was happy with it, and that my Mom still encourages me to do stuff like that!

     

     Reply
2. Delia Sousa says:

   Feb 14, 2011 at 12:42 pm

   Oh my goodness! That is soooo fabulous! What a great idea your mother stumbled upon and you executed flawlessly! I want a toy train now and paints and the talent to do something like this…oh who am I kidding, I”ll just live vicariously creative through you!

   

   Reply
3. Penny Muten says:

   Feb 14, 2011 at 12:47 pm

   That is such a fantastic idea! Turned out amazing!!

   

   Reply
4. liz @ btb says:

   Feb 14, 2011 at 12:48 pm

   so sweet! Happy Valentines day!

   

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5. Rachel Carey says:

   Feb 14, 2011 at 12:48 pm

   That is A W E S O M E ! ! !

   

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6. Kristi @ Creative Kristi says:

   Feb 14, 2011 at 12:52 pm

   Awww how sweet of an idea is that?! Love it- and your mom is right- you did an awesome job! My little boy (3 years old) LOVES trains and I finally convinced my Dad (his Papa) to set up his train set again & show him….now all Little Man can talk about is “Papa’s trains are so cool! They are like REAL trains mama!”
   Love that!

   

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7. WashingtonPharmGirl says:

   Feb 14, 2011 at 12:53 pm

   THAT WAS THE MOST AWESOME THING I HAVE EVER SEEN!!!

   

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8. Cindy Logan says:

   Feb 14, 2011 at 12:57 pm

   So Cool!!! What a wonderful idea!!!! My husband is a train engineer, and its got me thinking………
   You did a great job Layla, and I would say it was a good colabrative effort. Turned out great and sounds like it was well appreciated.

   

   Reply
9. Dandylion says:

   Feb 14, 2011 at 12:58 pm

   Your attention to detail is phenomenal – this is really effective. How gorgeous that you can help manifest your mumma’s creative ideas.
   When someone believes in you, the sky is the limit to what you can achieve!

   

   Reply
10. Karen says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 12:59 pm

    It came out great, Happy Valentines Day!

    

    Reply
11. Pam @ Our Adventures in Home Improvement says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 1:00 pm

    You amaze me more and more everytime you post something new! I love the graffiti on the train. Such a cute idea! I’m glad Randy loved it too.

    Have a great day.
    Pam

    

    Reply
12. susie harris says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 1:01 pm

    Love love love love love this!!!!!!! Just how sweet is that!Susie~

    

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13. Lemonade Makin Mama says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 1:03 pm

    Layla, I love this post on so many levels!! First because you did such a fantastic job, and because this entire idea is original and creative! And second, because of what you said about mamas… I always want to be that kind of mama who encourages my kids in their creativity. Awesome reminder.

    Also… I just posted two kitchen photos of the house we are in the process of buying. My sis in law and I were skyping about it the other night and I asked her what she thought and she said, “I don’t know… ask Layla.” (My sentiments, exactly.) If you had any thoughts, I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to hear them… I know, I shouldn’t ask.. I just can’t help myself. I don’t know what to do with 100 year old houses…

    Mwah!
    Sasha

    

    Reply
14. Ever - The red house by the lake says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 1:08 pm

    I love it! That is such a cool idea! I wish I knew somebody who were into trains, because that is just an amazing idea!

    Thank you for sharing it!

    

    Reply
15. Diane@InMyOwnStyle says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 1:13 pm

    Details details… they can make all the difference no matter what the subject. I think your mom is extra special cute knowing you could do exactly what she was envisioning. I have fond memories of putting my Little Kiddle dolls in the coal cars on my brothers train platform. Thanks for bringing back some fond memories.
    Hope you have a sweet Valentine’s Day.
    My best- Diane

    

    Reply
16. Elaine says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 1:16 pm

    Layla – you are AWESOME! What a cool idea, and you did such a great job! Thanks for all the inspiration and encouragement that you provide with your blog!!!

    

    Reply
17. Jo @ To a Pretty Life says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 1:21 pm

    That is adorable! I’ve always admired the artistry of graffiti.

    

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18. Ericka says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 1:24 pm

    I just had to comment (I’m not sure I ever have, but I’ve been a follower for quite a while)! This idea is totally unique and cute! LOVE it! You did an awesome job! Love your blog and find it interesting and inspiring!

    

    Reply
19. Melissa says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 1:37 pm

    I love it. What a great gift to a train collector. Your totally rock and so does your mom.

    

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20. Melissa says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 1:37 pm

    oh no, I’m 40 and I just used the pharse…you totally rock…my child would die.

    

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21. rhonda says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 1:43 pm

    I don’t know what is cooler…the fact that you can do that…or that your mom ASKED for it! What a wonderfully creative family!!

    

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22. Janna says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 1:45 pm

    AWESOME!

    Your blog always makes me smile!

    

    Reply
23. Erin says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 1:53 pm

    So talented! Love it! Nothing better than a big ol’ virtual fist bump from Mom!

    

    Reply
24. Lee says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 2:01 pm

    That is just so UNIQUE!!! How nice to have a special car all to themselves….graffitized!!!!

    

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25. Mom in High Heels says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 2:20 pm

    I ADORE THIS!!!! I’ve always loved trains. What a perfect way to make them personal. You did a fabulous job. My uncle (deceased) used to have an entire barn filled with trains and tracks and I could sit out there for hours watching them go round and round.

    

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26. Jen says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 2:26 pm

    This is so cute! We are building a model train set for my six year old who just loves trains. I am so going tag a train car for the inaugural run!

    

    Reply
27. Fairfield House says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 2:32 pm

    Perfect Valentines Day post in honor of the ‘first’ love we received! You did a great job. What a sweet gift! Hey, come to think of it I saw “TLC was here” sprayed on an overpass. You never told me you were a graffiti artist or that you were in NJ!
    : )

    Your Friend,
    Deborah

    

    Reply
28. Sandra says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 2:35 pm

    You did do an Awesome job, of course! And what a cool, outside the box idea for a gift for your mom’s sweatheart! Creativity must swim laps in your gene pool – I suppose.

    

    Reply
29. Melissa Lewis - Midwest Magnolia says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 2:40 pm

    So true. Except for me it was my sister and husband pushing me to follow my creative path. My sister did the same thing for me when she was pregnant with my first niece. She told me I HAD to paint the mural in her baby room. I hadn’t even done that before, yet she knew I could do it. Sweet post.

    

    Reply
30. carolinaheartstrings says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 2:43 pm

    What a cute idea and a really original Valentine gift for a guy who probably has “EVERYTHING”.

    

    Reply
31. Rosa @ flutterflutter says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 2:46 pm

    That is truly sweet. Graffiti love. I love it!

    

    Reply
32. Cass says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 2:47 pm

    Awww, totally sweet and your graffiti ROCKS!

    

    Reply
33. prairiegirl says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 3:11 pm

    choo choo!
    this is a most awesome post in every way possible …
    full of love and gratitude and creativity …
    you just may be the cutest little goofball ever
    with a momma who adores her through eternity …
    thanks, from a mom …
    xoxo
    prairiegirl

    

    Reply
34. Ricki Jill Treleaven says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 3:18 pm

    That’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen! Are you the one going around Homewood leavin’ your tag everywhere, Layla??? I wish we had a train set now. LOVE IT!!!!

    

    Reply
35. Melissa Hoffman says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 3:33 pm

    Can I just say, your mom is so COOL!

    

    Reply
36. Cathy says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 3:52 pm

    Adorable! Love it!

    

    Reply
37. elz says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 4:24 pm

    That is the cutest most sentimental gift. I love it!

    

    Reply
38. Kelly says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 4:32 pm

    OMG! I am TOTALLY gotta do it for my hubby. He works for the NS Railroad and our 5 years old boy is really into trains. Thanks for the grand idea!!! xo

    

    Reply
39. Cheryl says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 5:23 pm

    what a unique and meaningful gift. Even more special you were able to do this for your mom. Love it!
    thanks for sharing. : )

    

    Reply
40. Faith says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 6:09 pm

    What a sweet idea!! Oh I love it! Super kudos to you too for the creativity and steady hand. I would have been sweating bullets.

    

    Reply
41. antiquechase says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 6:11 pm

    SHUT UP… that’s adorable! so cute!

    

    Reply
42. Flower Patch Farmgirl says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 6:16 pm

    Perfect post for this day.

    You’re just totally rad. You can’t even help it.

    

    Reply
43. Vicky says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 6:58 pm

    Awe! You have a wonderful mommy!!! AND you did such a wonderful job!!! Wow!!! It’s really beautiful! And what a sweet idea! Bring on the inspirations!!!!

    xoxo

    

    Reply
44. Heather E Transue says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 7:08 pm

    I absolutely love this. You did a wonderful job!

    

    Reply
45. Yanet says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 7:31 pm

    How absolutely wonderful! What a creative idea Mom had! And you followed thru beautifully!

    

    Reply
46. Funky Junk Interiors says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 8:21 pm

    Outstanding job to such a unique idea! I love it!

    Donna
    http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

    

    Reply
47. Tai says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 8:33 pm

    That is seriously an AWESOME idea! You NAILED it. It looks so fantastic!

    

    Reply
48. Sarah Teske says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 8:49 pm

    Is there anything you can’t do????????????
    It looks so cool! Thanks for sharing!

    

    Reply
49. Jennifer Williams says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 10:10 pm

    What a fantastic idea! This would have to be a hit for almost any avid train collector. Thank you for sharing.

    

    Reply
50. Melissa Kennedy says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 10:10 pm

    Oh my word, this is amazing!! I had to show it to my husband (who has his own train set that he loves) and he agreed that it is awesome!

    

    Reply
51. Tonya says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 10:25 pm

    How cute! Thanks for sharing!! Hope you had a fantastic Valentine’s Day!!

    

    Reply
52. jeanne says:

    Feb 14, 2011 at 11:24 pm

    That is the most clever idea and you did an rocked it!!! Love it.

    

    Reply
53. Marianne@Songbird says:

    Feb 15, 2011 at 2:52 am

    How cute,
    Your talent really has no boundaries. And kudos for your mom to come up with such a lovely idea.

    

    Reply
54. MommaHen says:

    Feb 15, 2011 at 8:02 am

    <3 That's so sweet!

    

    Reply
55. Shannon says:

    Feb 15, 2011 at 9:23 am

    Very very sweet! You did a fabulous job! What a unique gift.
    Shannon

    

    Reply
56. terri says:

    Feb 15, 2011 at 9:41 am

    ohhhh my gosh! this is soooo cool! what an awesome present!!! glad to have found your blog! i LOVE it!

    

    Reply
57. Lori Allberry says:

    Feb 15, 2011 at 9:43 am

    Wow, wow, wow, wow, wowzers Layla – you are AMAZING! That is just FABULOUS! I admire the graffiti on train cars all the time – and look at how perfectly you replicated it!

    Way to go girl! =)

    ♥Lori

    

    Reply
58. Amber says:

    Feb 15, 2011 at 9:47 am

    My father-in-law loves train cars & has many sets like Randy. Maybe I could hire you in June to bust out another one of these, if you’re up to the idea. LOVE the way it turned out. It can be so hard to find meaningful, personalized gifts for parents these days. This is perfect.

    

    Reply
59. IAMSNWFLAKE says:

    Feb 15, 2011 at 9:49 am

    Excellent idea!!!! how come he did not realize one of this cars was missing? (just curious, it´s so difficult to plan surprise gifts with around the house items)

    

    Reply
60. Ronnie Gunn Tucker says:

    Feb 15, 2011 at 10:27 am

    This made my day! Have a LOVELY day, Layla (and Kevin).

    

    Reply
61. Maureen says:

    Feb 15, 2011 at 10:49 am

    What a fab idea to personalize the train set! My grandson, growing up in the country, was deprived of the thrill of defacing property. When we redecorated his room, I bought several large art canvases and he coverered them in graffiti for a cool urban look on the walls. His mom didn’t love it but she let us have our fun.

    

    Reply
62. krazgrl says:

    Feb 15, 2011 at 10:58 am

    I’m with your mom, you are a “goofball” cuz that is one steller train car now! So uniquely Fab-U-Lous!!! Love Love Love it!!

    

    Reply
63. Megan says:

    Feb 15, 2011 at 2:13 pm

    so sweet.
    clearly you get your creativity from your mama

    

    Reply
64. Yvonne says:

    Feb 15, 2011 at 2:53 pm

    Like many people before me, I just have to tell you, that this is the coolest idea ever! I had a boyfriend when I was 15 who sprayed a lot of trains….not as cool as you did, though. One day he wrote my name on a train. He picked me up to show me. Unfortunantelly I needed to tell him I was leaving Germany for a year to be an exchange student in Louisiana. He added some not so flattering things to my name 2 days later

    Yvonne

    

    Reply
65. chris from Midwest Cottage and Finds says:

    Feb 15, 2011 at 5:22 pm

    Layla,
    Your blog reaches so many more people than mine -could you please ask people to pray for this wonderful couple who are my daughters friends..They have adopted a little boy and after 2 months the birth mother wants him back. Here is their story…The power of prayer may help. Thank you.

    chris

    http://www.nate-natalie.blogspot.com

    

    Reply
66. Barbara F. says:

    Feb 15, 2011 at 10:34 pm

    Layla, my husband collects trains too, he must have 100′s and 100′s of them. I showed him this post – he was incredibly impressed – that’s saying something. I loved the graffiti car too, but even more than that, I love the warm, wonderful relationship you have with your mom.

    

    Reply
67. Lauren says:

    Feb 16, 2011 at 11:08 am

    Layla –

    Avid fan delurking to ask a question. Love the train … but is your mother’s name Jude?? (I’m guessing it is since it’s on the train!) I looove that name for a girl! I’ve always thought is was so neat. How has she liked being a woman with that name (since I think it is primarily used for boys/men??) I have always wanted to name a little girl that! Love it – so unique and beautiful.

    Thanks for all your home inspiration. My husband and I are going through some of the same things house-wise, though not near as labor-intensive or creative as TLC.

    

    Reply
68. Heather says:

    Feb 16, 2011 at 11:37 am

    This is hilarious! There is a blooming antique district in Kansas City (where I live) in the West Bottoms district, which is where the stockyards used to be. Anyhow, we were parking the car while a train rumbled by and we were enchanted by the graffiti on the railcars. There is some real talent out there being wasted on boxcars! I love how yours turned out!

    

    Reply
69. lacey says:

    Feb 21, 2011 at 4:27 pm

    What a cute story and that was such a creative gift idea your mom had:)

    

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70. Elizabeth B. says:

    Feb 21, 2011 at 10:32 pm

    Very cool!! Awesome idea on your mom’s part!

    I see the paper she wrote to you on says something about Slidell. Don’t know if that’s where your mom lives, but I live 20 minutes away from there!

    

    Reply
71. Brenda says:

    Feb 23, 2011 at 2:55 pm

    This is such a fun idea, and you did a great job! Love it!

    

    Reply
72. Lynda says:

    Feb 26, 2011 at 2:28 am

    Layla, this touches my heart more than I can say. Your immense creativity and talent have always been obvious, but what shines through in this entry is your mom’s confidence and pride in you, and the care you took to live up to it. It all speaks volumes about the love, respect and affection between the three of you, and anytime I see something that special, I feel honored to be in its presence. Bless your hearts.

    

    Reply
    • Reba Labat says:

      Mar 12, 2011 at 12:43 am

      Hi Layla,
      I’ve been following your blog for a long time. You have such great style and southern flourish abounds!! When I saw your train, I almost cried. Too cute…my Grandma lived in Bay st Louis, Ms. right down the road from Slidell. She lived right on the road that the rr tracks passed thru…We used to watch the graffiti trains pass by. What a precious idea–Keep up the great work. You are my shero!!

      

      Reply
73. Melissa says:

    Jan 5, 2012 at 1:54 pm

    That.Is.Awesome!
    I have ALWAYS wanted to paint something in graffiti on my sons wall and every time I ask he says no. I have finally gotten permission from him after we sat and watched the cars go by the other day. Your post makes me want to break out the spray paint this weekend

    

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74. Kim says:

    Jan 5, 2012 at 2:00 pm

    I love this idea… very creative. I live in California…. Honestly, they should teach “graffiti” as a subject in school it’s so prevalent here!!! I have old 45′s (records…. for the younger set) with grafitti on them from the late 60′s/early ’70′s from “exchanging” records with friends in jr. high. That would be a pretty interesting display piece too… Love this idea.

    

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75. Debbie says:

    Jan 5, 2012 at 2:04 pm

    I love it and have one question: Is there anything that you can’t do? You’re truly an inspiration, you know no boundaries!
    Debbie

    

    Reply
76. Lisa Brown says:

    Jan 5, 2012 at 3:46 pm

    Super cute! What a precious idea!

    

    Reply