New Beads Add So Much

Okay, so I have been wanting to do something a little different, and I kept seeing all of these beautiful glass beads. I am no jewelry maker, but I fell in love with all of the colors and shapes! I talked to my good friend (and local bead expert:) Tabetha Sullens about my idea and if it would even work. She thought is was a great idea and gave me some tips! Thanks Tabetha!
A wire is attached to the back of the canvas in the wooden frame with a staple gun and wound around itself. Then I string the beads and attached the wire again on the other end of the canvas creating a "handle" to hang it by. I thought it would be a nice alternative to the ribbon.
This is the first one. This is one of my favorite little sayings! I used all of those bright, pretty colors and a funky font. Then I got to enjoy the fun part of picking and choosing all of my favorite beads! This one is 5x5 and costs $15.00. It will be available at the Street Fair!



I went a little bead crazy and ordered several "theme" glass beads. I will also have some Halloween, snowmen, just married, new baby, and every holiday canvases available with the coordinating bead work.
If you guys like them as much as I liked making them, it will be "the bomb" as Paula says! My creative fire has been rekindled! Who knew!

Chicago Bound!

I will be out of town enjoying my fall break for the next few days! I will be back to complete and deliver outstanding orders and prepare for the Autumn Street Fair on Thursday. Thank you so much for your patience!

Something Sweet for Paula

The sweet as pie Paula Wanamaker emailed and asked for a sign for her baking business. I was so excited at the opportunity to do it for her. I love it when I can maybe be a small part of these businesses that I so admire.

She didn't give me many guidelines, but she did say she was "obsessed" with the black, red, and white color combination. (I changed the blog to black...just for you!:) I tried to keep it sort of clean and modern. I really think it turned out as an attention grabber! I hope you love it, Paula!
Paula sent me a little"happy" as well. She fixed me up a gift bag that had a small bag of handmade Christmas gift tags and one of her famous fall leaf cookies! What a wonderful surprise! Thanks again, Paula! Anytime!

Gold Star Teachers

We have so many new faces at Bobby Ray Elementary this year. All of those fresh smiles and fresh ideas really bring a positive energy to the entire school.
One of those new energetic faces is my fifth grade neighbor, Miss Christie Allison. Many of you probably know Christie. She is not new to teaching, just new to me! The thoughtful Paula Smith ordered this one for her room as a birthday gift. The metallic stars really pop against that bright blue background!







This second star canvas is for the new kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Jane Ann Bryant. This is her second year of teaching, but she moved from fifth grade to kindergarten. I think that may be like starting over again! I just love all of the primary colors in this one. It just screams "happy kids"!
Welcome Miss Christie and Mrs. Jane! Welcome Mrs. Angie, Mrs. Angela, Miss Krista, Mrs. Lisa, Mrs. Anderson, Mrs. Lorance, Mrs. Weeter, Mrs. Jill, and Mrs. Sue! I hope I didn't miss anyone. You are all a joy to work with!

Boys Need Dots, Too!

Blue polka dots! Cute! These are perfect when you aren't sure of the nursery theme or colors. They will go with just about any little boy's room!
Drew's dots are for a shower gift from Mrs. Tammy Young. She just requested shades of blue and white dots. I thought it might be too much blue, but I really like how it turned out! It looks so clean and classic, but fun at the same time!
The Braden canvas was also for a shower gift. This one was ordered by Tabetha Sullens. She liked the similar canvas previously posted with just the initials. This just proved that the initials or the name both look great.
She had another fab idea...she is going to monogram burp cloths to match. That would be such a wonderful gift! I wish I could sew!!

The Crouch's Funky Pumpkin

I know I've already posted a pumpkin really similar to this one, but I liked it so much I had to post this one, too! This one is for Nicole Crouch. She liked the "Funky Pumpkin" and wanted one for herself. The other one has the opposite background with pink in the center and aqua on the outside. I do like for each canvas to be a little different:)!

The Baby Show

My sweet baby girl, Lauren, participated in the baby show at the fair this year. She did soooo good! I was little worried because she can be a little bashful around strangers (I know it is hard to tell in the photos :).




She ended up getting first runner up in her age group. She was tickled with her trophy. She marched through the church parking lot pumping it up and down and chanting "tropee, tropee"!






We were very proud of our little princess. Thank you, Wild Crowe Designs, for getting me the hairbows on such short notice! They looked fabulous! Thank you, Gen, for the pretty red gingham dress! It was pretty cute, too!

These Two Went to Texas

One of the great things about the blog is meeting people from tons of different places! The nicest lady from Texas, Jennifer Perez, contacted me about doing a couple of canvases for her recently. The first one is for her business, Jennifer Perez Designs. She needed a small sign to take with her to craft shows and things like that. I used her signature design on her business card for the canvas layout and colors.
I have done business signs for Reminisce Heirlooms and Stephanie Edens Photography. These are great for your workspace, but like with Jennifer, to take with you as well. Okay, Wild Crowe, Miss Paula's Cookies, Sew Sweet, and Sweet Memories (and any other little businesses:)...we need to talk!!!
The second one is for her daughter, Isabela. I made a mistake and left off the "a". I felt so bad about that! Luckily, Jennifer is very creative and after a few emails to get the right color, she was able to fix it without sending it back! She really like little Halle LaForte's princess canvas and wanted is adapted to fit on a 5x5 canvas.
I really liked how they both turned out! Plus, I just love the thought of my canvases all the way in Texas.

Yard Sale

It is "spring cleaning" cleaning time at the Mansfield's. I know we are a few seasons off, but I really needed to do this! A few girlfriends are joining in as well so at least we will have fun! Stop by my house this Saturday from 8:00-2:00 and browse. One man's trash is another man's treasure! So true! I have gotten enough stuff out of Lakeisha's pile to compensate for everything I've cleaned out:)!

Another Fall Beauty!

I am loving all of these fall orders! You know fall is my favorite season, and that goes for fall colors as well. When Pam Shelton asked for the "funky pumpkin" in neutral fall colors, I was excited to get started! I love the tan, forest green, orange, deep red, and gold. Perfect for a fall front door!

Fall Dots

Tammy Sliger ordered up some fall dots for her back door. She tells me she just now taking down her rabbit! Now that is a good customer!
She requested the 8x10 with an orange background and just all fall colors for the dots. I made this one a little different and put the "the" inside a big dot. I really like how it turned out!
I also used my new fall ribbon. Isn't it a pretty plaid? I hung it in my wreath on my front door just for the picture, but it is kind of neat. Hmmm...

My Photo Collage

One one hand, I feel like a big loser because I had Carter and Lauren's pictures made in March and am just now getting them on the wall. One the other hand, I am really proud of myself because it looks so nice! Stephanie Edens did such a beautiful job on these and it has been killing me that they were still in the bag in a drawer. Finally, I made the time to get them framed and hung in my den.
I smile every time I walk through the house! Thanks Steph!

Teachers Make a Difference

Teachers really do make a difference! Teaching is sometimes a thankless job and you don't realize how hard it is until you have done it yourself. How nice to start off the school year with a little "thank you just for being our teacher" gift!
I think Tonya Scott had a great idea when she ordered these two canvases for both of her children's teachers. This was such a thoughtful way to begin the new school year.
I just have to say that I know these two teachers personally, and they are good ones. Mrs. Burton and Mrs. Eva really are out there making a difference everyday. Way to go, ladies!
Both of these are on a new slightly smaller size of 6x9 and cost $20.00. This size was popular during the Fourth of July with the flags. Teacher names can be done on any size in any color combination. Keep this these in mind for Christmas!!

Where I Am...

Okay y'all, this is where I am. I know there are several of you who are waiting so patiently for your orders. I have been really backed up and am finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel! Actually, I hope that tunnel leads to another busy spurt of holiday activity after the Autumn Street Fair. I want to thank all of you for ordering and hopefully really enjoying my work. I do love doing it for you!
I will be taking a little time off to enjoy Fall Break with my kids. I will be going to Chicago with girlfriends, cleaning out the garage and office, and having a yard sale as well. (September 22nd - be there or be square!) I also want to use that time to make up some stock to have things to sell at the street fair! This is the first time I haven't just been there with samples and taken orders. I am so excited about that!
With all of that going on, be sure to get you Christmas orders in early. I will be cutting off the holiday orders on November 1st to be sure you get them in time! Fall and Halloween orders need to be in now so you will have time to enjoy them. I liked having the list to keep me in line so much, I decided to keep it. Check the running tally on the side for progress! Thanks!

A Sports Nut

Are all little boys sports nuts? I know mine is! My dad was a race fan, but with four girls in the house he didn't get to watch much TV. Since I did not grow up with brothers, I wonder if all boys are as crazy about sports as my husband and son are and exactly what the attraction is.
Sweet little Will Vance is no exception. He is a true sports fan. He has a sports bedroom and now a new blue sports bathroom. He likes for all of his clothing to be sports related. He usually has a football nearby at all times!
I personally was never an athlete or really even a fan. It was not until later in my life that I was around people who were. While I will never have that love of the game that Will and my boys do, I have developed a respect for it.













I thought of that love as I was painting these for Will. If all little boys don't have passion for sports, I hope they have that passion for something. I also hope they have parents like Anne and Jeff, who will be there to help nourish those dreams (and paint their bathrooms blue:).

Halloween Is On the Way!

Halloween is one of my absolute favorite times on the year. Fall is definitely my favorite season. I love that little nip of cool in the air after the heat of summer. I love sweaters and jeans!
I did the candy corn to get my Halloween juices flowing. Julie La Forte sent me a picture of a cute little witch. I want to try something like that, too. I have candy corn decorations in my house. Not only do I like to eat them, but I like to look at them, too! This one is available for $25.00. I will have more at the Autumn Street Fair!
My good friend Anne Vance called to do a "funky pumpkin" for her front door. I was so excited to do something fun and different - perfect for Anne! This one could be done in lots of color combinations - it is just so bright and cheerful!
Both of these are 10x10 and cost $25.00. These designs will also work on any other size as well. Order now for Halloween!

I Got a "Happy"!

Just because you are you...what is better than that? I think that is going to be my new motto. Tabetha Sullens made me a beautiful teacher treat jar for my classroom. You can see lots more of these on her website, just click on the link! The bonus is that she surprised me with it! I LOVE surprises! I really thought the card was so special because that was what I needed to hear. Doesn't everyone?
Thanks so much, Tabetha. You really did bring a little happy into my day!

Dawson's Plaid

I love, love, love the plaid! Carter and Lauren's nurseries were both in light blue and yellow plaid and gingham, so I guess I am a little partial. It makes me think of my babies!
An old high school buddy, Mandy Goolsby Byars, ordered this 10x10 square canvas as a gift for a baby shower. What a perfect gift! I love the polka dots as much as anyone else, but I think the plaid is my new fave...I just can't wait to see it a bunch of other colors. I am thinking a fall plaid for my door!
I posted the picture of the back of the canvas to show you the latest step I am taking to be sure that all of work s of the highest quality. I am now stapling the ribbon to back of the canvas instead of just hot gluing. When the canvas on my door got hot in afternoon sun, the glue kept melting and it would fall. If yours does the same, please let me know and I will come running with my staple gun!

Last Call for Art Class!

This is the last call for the six week series on Andy Warhol at Chole's Art Gallery. The class is open to all children. I have two spots available. This class meets on Thursdays from 3:30-5:00. We will be learning about this fascinating artists and recreate a few of his most famous pieces while learning about acrylic painting techniques and color theory. We will also be making a soup can t-shirt! Fun! If you have a budding artist in your family, click on the link to Chole's to find out more!

Classes start this Thursday!!!

Two Beautiful Girls

Jaime Ashby has to be one of the nicest people around. She is a new customer and was just so sweet! Her little girls, Lauryn and Ella, were adorable as well.
She told me Lauryn is a girly girl princess type. She wanted the style of the Zoe Beth canvas you can see in past posts, but a lavender background. She also wanted all that fun girl stuff around the name. I love this one! The perfume bottle, make up, and lipstick are my favorite part! My Lauren had a fit over it!
Ella is little sweetheart. Jaime wanted something lady like and classic for her room. She wanted flowers with some specific colors, yellow, sage green, lavender, and a little pink. This one is so simple but it is just beautiful! Like Ella! How perfect!!
Thanks again, Jaime! It was a pleasure! Let me know what you decide to do about the ribbons!