As American as Apple Pie

For the baseball lover in all of us...I have to admit that I am not much of a sports fan period. However, I have come to appreciate baseball. My husband and son are absolutely enamored with everything baseball. As I was working on this one for the Sliger boys' bedroom, they were constantly peeking over my shoulder. I have to admit that I am now working on a Mansfield version for our home.
I took two photos, the top one is to show how nice it looks on a tabletop display. (That is Mike's glove and ball in the foreground!) The bottom one is to show more detail. This one is on my new favorite sized canvas, 14x14 square and the cost is $35.00. This one could also be done in other colors and even other sports. I would love to try a football version. Are you listening, Anne Vance?? Just kidding!

Brown is the New Black

I love the chocolate brown color that is being used in a lot of nurseries right now, for boys and girls. Any color looks so crisp and modern next to it. Laura Dunlap ordered this one for her nephew on the way. I used different sizes of dots to give it an even more modern feel.
I also love that she chose the monogram rather than the full name. This is the first one I've done like that, but I have a feeling it will turn out to be very popular! I put my kids' monograms on everything! That reminds me, if you like monogramming, check out the cutest new store in town, Sew Sweet Embroidery. They had great clothes, bags, pillows, and even hairbows.
This one is a small 8x10 and is only $20.00. That size looks good on the wall, but also on an easel. Anything the color of chocolate can't be anything but fabulous!!!

For A Princess or a Quarterback

I have had so many requests for work done where the name of the baby is not known. I came up with these two designs to help get a nice boy baby or girl baby gift that does not have a name yet! Aren't all girls little princesses? I know mine is! I don't know where she got her diva attitude. I promise, she was born with it!
I think all dads have a secret (sometime not so secret) desire for their little boys to be sports stars. That is where the little quarterback idea came from. These can be done to match any nursery. These two were made to match anything! The princess one has writing in silver metallic. It is beautiful in person, but the flash did not want to cooperate with the sparkly paint!

Jack's Stripes

I still surprise myself! I think that may be what I like about painting the most, the surprises. It never feels like the same old, same old! Sweet Mrs. Alsup emailed me with an order for a jungle nursery with a red, yellow, green, and brown color palette. We just didn't know where to go with this one!
That is where the surprise came in...this turned out to be one of my all-time favorites. I also really like it because even though it is the 5x5 size, it is not just for the doorknob. It could be hung anywhere in the room or on a dresser drawer pull. This one could be used for a long time. It works great in a nursery, but also in a "big boy" room!
These are a steal at $12.00 and make a perfect shower gift! Thanks so much Elaine for keeping the creative juices flowing!

The Frog Prince

Mrs. Elaine Alsup ordered "something in green" for a little boy's nursery door. She told me she knew they were using green and that there was a frog nightlight they had registered for on the Pottery Barn website.

When I went and looked it up for ideas, I fell in love. I know that sounds strange...to fall in love with a nightlight. It was sooo cute! It is this little frog prince nightlight made out of paper. I would love to see an entire nursery designed around that. That gives me some good mural ideas! I love that "frog prince" theme and all the different shades of green together.

These little 5x5 canvases are $12.00 each. Even though the moons were the original design, anything can be put on them. Thanks Elaine! I hope little Benjamin's family likes this one as much as I did!!

Another Sign for Stephanie

Stephanie Edens' new studio downtown is just beautiful! She is currently redecorating (again!), so don't go check it out just yet. I can't wait to see what she is up to now. I thought it was perfect before!

Anyway, she has a business sign that hangs outside but she wanted one for inside, too. I painted this large 24x30 canvas to match her already established color scheme and logo.

She plans to hang it inside on her chalkboard wall. This way she can write her schedule, price list, etc. all around it. She can also update and change with ease. I think this is a genius idea!

Keep these signs in mind for any business - no matter how large or small. What a great addition for any office, shop, restaurant, or studio. Thanks Stephanie! I love working with you!

Love Those Polka Dots!

I did this one a while back for Tara Collins. Her little doll, Courtlyn, has a hot pink and green ladybug bedroom - too cute! Her name is pretty long, so instead of "scrunching" it up, she chose the longer 12x24 size canvas. I think it turned out great and would look fabulous in a ladybug room! I can't wait to do another one for Tara. Congratulations on the new pregnancy to a great mom!
This one would also be great for all of those graduating seniors to put in their apartments or dorm rooms. I think it would be cool to add a tiny "Class of 2007" in one of the dots. A new hairstylist in town, Whitney Miller, also ordered one with a pair of little scissors and and a little comb to put in her new shop. These look great in any color scheme and with monograms instead of full names. To see more of the polka dots, check out prior posts.

Snakes and Snails

I spent my second week of spring break working on an outdoor/camping mural for Amy Knight's sweet little boys, Eli and Andrew. I finally got it finished, and realized I had forgotten my camera! I can't wait to get it posted. I am so proud of it!

Anyway, they are getting new bunk beds and we wanted to put their names on the wall near those. The beds aren't here yet! I painted the canvases wall color and put their names on them. This also gives her a little more flexibility when moving things around.

I used my new "Wiggle" font in colors that are prominent in the mural. Around the outside it says, "Snakes and snails and puppy dog tails, that's what little boys are made of". If you know Eli and Andrew, you know that they are all boy! They were very curious about me drawing and painting on the wall. I hope I didn't give them any ideas! I thought that little saying was just perfect for them. Thank you, Amy and Branch, for letting me into your home for an entire week! I hope you whole family enjoys your mural for a long time!

Back In the Day

Last night at church, a little bird (Alpha Rhea) told me that the blog was regularly being checked at MTSU. I don't ever really know who is checking the blog - unless they leave me a comment. I am always so happy to hear when people are reading and enjoying and coming back !

So, McKenna, this one is for you. I was a Blue Raider myself, back in the day! I've posted a photo from my favorite college Spring Break ever. Two buddies and I went to Savannah for the St. Patrick's Day celebration. We were freezing our butts off on the beach - but we had fun!

Everyone says to "find yourself" in college. While that may be good advice, there are lots of other things to find, too. Don't forget to find friends, good times, laughter, cheap food, love, a road trip or two...and, oh yeah, a good education!

I love to read those comments, by the way. They always make me smile!

More Window Shopping!

Vanessa Hillis at Martin Glen Framing liked her order so much, she offered to put some things on display in the store. These items are not for sale, but it is a good opportunity to look at some samples in person. There are some pictured that have not yet been posted.
I was so excited to drive by and see them in the window, I just had to stop and take a picture! I even made my husband go that way on his drive home. I hope to change out the samples with the seasons and holidays. Thanks so much, Vanessa and the folks at Martin Glen!

On Location

Talk about hard to get in front of the camera! The photographer did not want to be photographed, but I did get one of her. Here she is placing the new sign for her studio in the window. I loved this picture and just couldn't resist using it. Don't be too mad, Stephanie...you are beautiful!
She wanted a sign to hang in the door for when they are out shooting during office hours. She requested cream and black to match the studio colors. I used the camera from her logo. She really seemed to like it and I am so glad! These could be done for any business...open, closed, welcome, out to lunch, etc. This one is 6x9 and the cost is $25.00. Thanks again, Stephanie! Your work is gorgeous.
p.s. You inspired me to try a new gadget (sepia tint) on iPhoto!!

Go Cougars!

It is hard for a Warren County girl to root for the Clarksville Cougars, but if anyone could do it...it would be Gretchen Angus. She is the guidance counselor where I teach. She is also the pastor's wife at the downtown Methodist church. She is also one of the nicest people I know! She lives here, but her son is a senior basketball player in Clarksville.
She ordered this for his upcoming birthday, and I thought it might be nice to show something other than a Pioneer jersey. He is planning on having the team sign it with a Sharpie. I hope I get to see it afterwards! What a great gift idea for any graduate!
Remember that I can do any sports jersey or cheerleading uniform. The canvases also ship really well for any out-of-town friends and family. Thanks Gretchen, and congratulations! You must be proud!

Mrs. Linda's Pencil

A good teacher is a blessing in a child's life. We count Mrs. Linda as one of our many blessings! As the end of the school year approaches, keep these adorable pencil canvases in mind for teacher gifts. Carter's kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Linda McGregor, received this one for Christmas. She was nice enough to let me photograph it in her classroom.
This one is 11x14 and has yellow gingham ribbon attached for hanging. The teacher's name is in the "Party" font. This size costs $30.00. The 8x10 size is also popular, it is $20.00. Other sizes and colors are available!

The Prettiest Bunny Yet

The talented Miss Tabetha has ordered the prettiest rabbit yet. I think this one is just beautiful. I photographed it on my front door, and I didn't want to take it down! The best part is that she is trading for jewelry - yea!!! If you haven't seen her blog and her gorgeous jewelry, be sure to check it out.
This is a new size that I have available, 14x14 square. The ribbon is also new. It is a wide, sheer lime green with smaller ribbons in darker shades of green and brown running through it...really pretty. The cost is $30.00. It is too late to get one for Easter, but it is still perfect just for spring - or any rabbit lover!

For the Boy Who Likes Everything!

This was ordered as a gift for Cameron Newport's new room. We knew the walls were yellow, and there was going to be some red involved. He couldn't decide between dinosaurs and race cars!
I used red and yellow - and dinosaurs and race cars! I asked Carter what else little boys liked. His response was, "snakes, sharks, and space ships"...so that is what I used!
I hope Cameron enjoys his "boy collage" and his new room. This one is 11x14 and costs $30.00. I tried out the new "Wiggle" font for this one.

Baseball Jersey

This Warren County Middle School baseball jersey was done to match the basketball jersey done for Roth Nunley. You can see that one in a past post. I think they will look wonderful hanging together! This one is 16x24 and costs $50.00.