Blog Tag

My very talented friend Tabetha Sullens has officially blog tagged me. I saw where Stephanie had sort of tagged me with her general "all of my friends who have blogs are now tagged" comment, but I ignored that one. Sorry Steph...I guess I wanted to be called out to the yard as you like to put it! Anyway, here are the eight weird things you may not know about me.

1. I would like to learn how to ride a motorcycle. I think the people in those helmets with the shiny covers look so mysterious. I would definitely have one of those!

2. I have been bitten by the travel bug. I am always looking for my next trip. One the horizon is a girlfriends shopping extravaganza to Chicago in October. I can hardly wait!!! I think I want to be a travel agent when I grow up;)!

3. I thought I had OCD until I started reading some about you guys! lol! I don't count things or anything, but I do need to have things in a certain order or there is definitely stress in my life. I am working on letting things go and being the free spirit I know I am deep inside.

4. I never wanted to be a teacher. As a child, that was not my dream. My dream was to be an artist. I sort of fell into teaching and love it. I guess I missed the boat on that one!

5. I want to learn to play the electric guitar and the drums. Doesn't that look like an awesome way to get out all of your frustrations? Maybe all my blogger friends could take up an istrument and we could start a band! Sometimes I pretend while I am driving.

6. I am terrible at math, RSVPing, sitting still, posing for pictures, driving the lawnmower, and I absolutely hate going to the dentist even for a routine cleaning.

7. I have voices picked out for my cat and dog. When they give me certain looks, I like to pretend I know what they are saying. Usually they think I am crazy. My cat D has a British accent and my dog Riley sounds like Matt Damon.

8. I like holding hands with my husband, my kids' feet, running, cooking dinner, painting, reading Us Weekly (to which I have a subscription), date nights, my girlfriends, going to concerts, walking at night, Sunday lunch at my mom's, my Converse All-Stars, freshly waxed eyebrows, my church family, a clean sink, and my two sweetheart sisters.

Perfect for Baby Boy

Another wonderful new customer, Angela Cargile from Rockvale, Tennessee, placed an order for some really beautiful baby boy canvases.
The polka dot monogram and the "Brayden is dreaming" canvases are for her son's nursery. I love the blue and white together. She sent me a photo of the blue, white, and yellow plaid quilted bedding and this is what I came up with!

The green one is very interesting. She ordered that one for a friend who is expecting. Angela is on top of things and sent me a link to his bedding on the Target website. It is called "peanuts" by Amy Coe. It is this pretty green color with little white peanuts all over it. The throw pillow has this same cute elephant on it! I love that it matches, without being too "matchy-patchy" as I like to say!
These are perfect for doorknobs, drawer pulls, walls, and, well, just about anywhere! They are all 5x5 and cost $12.00.

A Lovely Monogram

A brand new customer, Dayron Deaton, ordered a monogram for a friend who is getting married. She requested the tan burlap ribbon, chocolate brown, and sage green. I love to do these monograms in almost monotone color schemes and just one darker or brighter accent color. This worked perfectly for Dayron's idea!
The green background and the tan letter an stripe are very close in color. Then the chocolate brown stripe just adds that little something! These are so pretty, elegant, clean, and sophisticated - all at the same time! The great thing is that the work with almost any color combination and compliment all kinds of decor.
Dayron also ordered a really neat holiday canvas that I can't wait to post! I am saving all of my Christmas photos to post together next month. Be thinking about your holiday orders now!!

Lauren Goes to School

Since I posted Carter on his first day of Kindergarten, I thought I had better be fair and post Lauren on her first day at the Pre Pioneer Learning Center. She loves her school! Mrs. Beth Deason and her staff are so wonderful to the kids. Her favorite part is her lunchbox and the wonders it holds each day. Have a great day!

A Perfect Pumpkin

The sweet Miss Paula Wanamaker ordered something fall for her house this season. She says she has all of the other seasons covered with a snowman and an American flag, but needed something "fall-y". What could be more fall-y than a pumpkin?
I love this pumpkin because it looks a little less traditional with the background stripes. I also like it because it is not a jack-o-lantern and can be used longer, all the way through Thanksgiving.
Paula's pumpkin is on the 12x24 size canvas and costs $40.00. If you would like a fall themed canvas, contact me now to be sure you get it in enough time to really enjoy it!

Gentle Reminders

This is the rest of Tara's order. She requested these "gentle reminders" for the bathroom Courtlyn and the new baby will share. I thought this was just the cutest idea! "Whimsical" was the word she used to describe what she wanted. I think this fits the bill!
However, there is a revision to make. The bathroom walls are green and Tara has decided that it is too much green and would like these redone in a different background color. I am redoing these for her with a yellow background.
These two will be available for purchase at the Autumn Street Fair. They are 10x10 and cost $25.00 each. They have a short striped ribbon attached for hanging. If you know you want them, contact me before then and I will sit them back for you!

Art Classes Available

Chole's Art Gallery has moved from downtown and into the home of the owner, Linda Dunlap. I will be teaching classes starting on the first Thursday in September and continuing for a six week series. This is a Van Gogh I used in a previous session. Isn't it beautiful?

If you or your child are interested in any sort of art instruction, she is the person to contact! She has a new website that updates all scheduling and pricing. Take a look! I've added a link to my list of interesting websites for your convenience! Hope to see you there!

~

I'll be doing Andy Warhol this time and making a cool t-shirt!!

One Big Ladybug!

Tara Collins called me to to come over and look at Courtlyn's room to get ideas. I had no idea their new house was so big and beautiful. Tara has a real flair for decorating - it is so pretty! It made me want to go home and redo things...or at least clean!!
Courtlyn has this pretty pink room with white furniture and pink and green bedding. Tara wanted bugs! How cute! She had found sort of what she wanted on the internet, with a few tweaks to make it more custom fit for their needs.

When I photographed the ladybug in Lauren's bedroom, it showed the detail, but you just didn't get the feel of how big it is. This is a 24x36 canvas, measured to fit perfectly between her windows. The butterfly and the snail are on 12x24 canvases. When I delivered the pieces after church Wednesday night, I took this picture of Courtlyn in her jammies so you can see the size.
I thought this was so sweet...Tara told me she wanted to wait up for her pictures and see them before she went to sleep. That is why I love what I do!
Tara also had some neat things ordered for the bathroom that are to be posted later! A big thanks to the lovely Collins ladies! Sweet dreams!

Fall Monograms

The monograms like in the past "N is for Newlywed" post have been so popular! I really like them, too. They are so simple, yet elegant and timeless. I think that is why they appeal to so many people.
Alison Cummins wanted a "C" monogram done in fall colors for her home. I had found this pretty green, orange, gold, and burgundy dotted ribbon at Hobby Lobby a while back. Now is the perfect time to use it! I accented it with a little of the green burlap ribbon and I just love it!
The background of the canvas is soft gold and all of the colors in the ribbon are worked into the monogram. This could be left up all the way through Thanksgiving. I really need to make an "M" for my front door!! Order yours now to enjoy it all of fall!

Autumn Street Fair

My favorite event of the year, the Autumn Street Fair, is set for Saturday, October 6th. I have a booth again this year and hope many of you will stop by and see me. That's my favorite part, visiting! I'll have some new samples, some gift items, and if you've never gotten to see the canvases in person, this is the perfect time.
I have the absolute honor this year of designing the t-shirts. I am posting my rough sketch to give you an idea of what they will look like. I am so thrilled! I hope you get the opportunity to get one! They will be on sale that day, but they will also be available at the fair this year if you are like me :) and want one in advance!
It is always a great day to enjoy downtown McMinnville. There are tons of food, music, and crafts. My kids love it! Please visit the McMinnville Chamber of Commerce website to get more info on having a booth yourself or to just check out what will be going on!

Off to Arizona

This is a very special order because, as far as I know, it is the farthest away my artwork has gone. This order is heading to Higley, Arizona to one of the sweetest people I've never actually met!
Michelle Mulcock and I have communicated solely through emails, but I feel like I know her so well. She has a blog so I did a little research to be sure I got it right! Her home and family are so special to her and I wanted that pride to reflect in the pieces I did for her.
Her house is grey and burgandy and she liked the "Home Sweet Home" I did for myself. I tweaked the colors to make it right for her and added the pretty satin ribbon - love it!
Her teenage daughter Sarah just redid her room in pink and green. She wanted the small doorknob size for her. I kept the dots clean and simple to give it a more mature feel. Well, Michelle, I hope it gets there safe and sound! Thanks so much for your order. It was a joy working with you and I hope I get to do it again soon!
Just a reminder...all canvases ship really well. I pack them carefully with tissue paper and ribbon. A custom card can be added as well. Keep me in mind for all of your out-of-town holiday, shower, and birthday gifts!!

Boys and Girls

Here are my two babies doing what they do best which is being a typical boy and girl. It is when I capture little moments like these that I like being a parent the best. They seem so happy and content in their little worlds.
My husband Mike is a good husband, but he is an even better father. Since Carter has fallen in love with anything sports related, those two are like peas and carrots! Mike even took Carter to the Titans training camp and spent the afternoon in the 100 degree heat. Now that is a dedicated dad!
My little Lauren is currently a little princess. She has taken to wearing a pink tutu over everything as well had high heels and a fur trimmed tiara. She also "mothers" everything that will let her. Here she is with her favorite outfit on over her pajamas as she takes good care of her baby.

Thanks for letting me digress and be a proud mama for a little bit!

Baby Haleigh's Butterfly

One of my very, very first customers, Nancy Golden called about a butterfly for a new baby in her family. She has a new cousin, Haleigh.
I did one a while back for Haleigh's big sister, Hannah. I usually photograph everything I do for posting and just for reference. I could not find this one anywhere! Lucky for me, she wanted them to be totally different! This one is so sweet and girlie...I love it!
I don't think I ever told Nancy this, but she was really the one who got me motivated to start the painting thing. At times she was my only customer but she kept coming back and was so encouraging and positive. Thank you Nancy!

Sherbet Dots

Two great gals are team teaching this year. My old second grade buddies are trying out a new program by combining their two classes in one big room. Sadie and Lakeisha have put a ton of work into their new digs and it looks great!
Each wall is painted a different pastel color, so naturally they wanted to use pastels. They also have two doors into their room. I noticed the signs were hanging outside doors when I walked by (with my big long fifth grade line:) this afternoon. It made me smile to see my canvases cheering up the hallway!
Maybe it is the extreme heat, but these two make me think of ice cream sherbet! Thanks girls! Enjoy your signs and have a great year!

Court Is In Session

Law school is one of those things that seems so beyond me. I just don't think I could do it! I guess that makes me admire those who do even more. Tammy Womack is one of those people. She beautifully raised two kids, went back to school, and recently graduated. I am so proud of her! She ordered this one for a friend, Trenina Wilcher, who also just graduated. These girls are rockin' it!
She had seen the one I did for Stephanie Edens (you can see it in past posts) and wanted something like that for when they have to be out of the office during business hours. I can do open and closed signs, out to lunch signs, and every variation of "be right back"! This one is 6x9 and costs $25.00.

Don't Worry, Be Happy!

"Do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34

Miss McKenna Rhea says that she is a worrier by nature and that this Bible quotation gives her comfort. She is decorating her new apartment and wanted that verse to hang in her bathroom so she can be sure to see it every morning.
She said her shower curtain was online so I checked it out. It was this pretty butter yellow and cream stripe. She also said she was using some shells. It just all came together so well! I loved the way wrapping the verse around the border turned out.
This one is so versatile. After I did it, I had so many more quotes and images that were coming to mind. You all may see more versions of this one at the Autumn Street Fair!!

Carter at Kindergarten

Carter's first day of kindergarten was this past Tuesday. He wouldn't let me bring the camera to school to get a picture of him with his teacher. The front porch was a compromise. He is carrying his folder because our quest for the perfect backpack has not yet been completed. I'll keep you posted!
One of my favorite things about working with children is seeing the eagerness and willingness to learn. So many times we adults go into situations with our minds already closed. When I look at his little face, that possibility of learning something fascinating is what I see.
Welcome back to school!