'Till the Cows Come Home

LeAnn Nokes wanted a light blue background and "maybe a cow" for her front door. I thought it would be fun to play up the traditional black and white cow spotted pattern. I also added a little touch of red in the stripe and the polka dotted ribbon. This is the first one I've done like this, but I really like it!

This Is What I Feel Like...

Riley on the outside, D on the inside...both loving the warm sunshine.

You know that zapped feeling you get when lying in the sun too long? That is what I feel like. My last day of school was today and even though I've had a fantastic year with a great group of kids and coworkers, I am ready for a break. My brain is fried! My feet are tired! My back hurts...I am enjoying the heating pad right now!
Here's to summer break. Here's to not wearing make up, not taking a shower as soon as you roll out of bed, cartoons on the couch with my kids, actually cooking a planned dinner, not planning a lesson, staying up late, and best of all, vacation!
My little birds are ready to leave the nest and fly away to the middle school. They have brought me many laughs and many funny stories to tell. I learned along with them as we plowed through those SPI's. My first year in fifth grade will be marked with their faces. I'll miss you guys!

Baby Gifts

Angela Cossey ordered these two canvases for baby shower gifts. Both are matched to photos of their bedding and nursery theme. The top one is brown, pink, and white and is a 12x12. The name is in the "adorable" font.

This is one of my favorites because it is so different! If this bedding had been available when Carter was a baby, I would have used it. The colors are a seafoam green and pale aqua. The little sea critters are just too cute! Angela wasn't sure on the name so I left that off. A name, monogram, or short quote can be added at anytime. I also like the bubble ribbon on this 10x10 canvas.

Right Hand Women

Candy Woodlee and Jeanie Boyd are Mike's "right hand women" when it comes to running a school. I know they do a lot to keep him organized, together, and on top of things.
He asked me to paint a summery little something for their front doors as an end of the year gift. I think these are just right for summer!

Lilly's Stripes and Dots

Mitzi Ramsey ordered this bright and cheery 12x24 canvas as a baby gift for Graylin Womack. This matches the bedding Graylin has picked out for little Lilly.
I think this is definitely a canvas that can be used for a long time. Can't you see it in a teenager's room? Congratulations Graylin and thank you Mitzi!

Yard Sale Time

I'm having my annual yard sale this Saturday, May 24, from 7:00-2:00. I love to clean out and make a little vacay money at the same time!

Please stop by and see me, my mom, Emily, Ashley, and my sweet neighbor Melissa Stanley. Lots of nice clothes!! Plus, Carter and Addie's cookies and lemonade stand!

Kindergarten Graduate

Carter graduated last night. It was such a nice program. The theme was "Tennessee, You're Calling Me". Carter's part was to square dance during "Rocky Top". We all went to La Cazona after for a celebration dinner. I think he had a really special night!

Look out first grade!

Friendly Dots

A lovely little gift for the Walker family from LeAnn Holt.

A very pretty 8x24 for Wesley Hillis' front door.

My Little Lady

Chucks and a pink tutu. Somehow, she makes it work.
We enjoyed a day at the Renaissance Festival...more to come.

Coaches and Teachers

Canvases make the perfect gift for special teachers, coaches, and principals this time of the year!
Kim Davis ordered this for her coworker and friend, Coach Monica Moore, as an end of the year gift. This red, white, and blue polka dot canvas will look really cute in her room or on her office door. I love the gingham and dotted ribbon!

Seven Sisters

Susan Burks asked me to create these gifts for the Junior Auxiliary members who have completed their term of service this year. She wanted the signature royal blue color and the traditional Junior Auxiliary crown.

The neat thing about it is that these canvases were designed to be signed by the other member around the outside. I think of it as kind of a scrapbook page.

Hopefully, each time these ladies look at their canvas with all of their J.A. sister's signatures, they will be reminded of the close bonds that J.A. forms and of all of the good deeds they did. I hope someone send me a photo of one after it has been autographed! Congratulations, ladies!

mmm...the beach

I don't know about you all, but I am so ready for summer vacation. I was so happy to do this palm tree and beach scene for Tiffany Sadlon to give as a Mother's Day gift. It gave me a chance to think "beachy" thoughts! This will look really pretty in her salon.
The funny thing is, we are not even going to the beach this summer. The closest I will get is the Gilley pool! This summer is setting gas price records, so what does the Mansfield family have planned? A good old fashioned road trip up the east coast, of course! We are loading up in the van Griswald style for ten days of family togetherness. I wish we had one of those station wagons with wood on the side.
I may need a vacation when I get back from vacation!

Beautiful B

Tabetha ordered this beautiful B monogram as a 25th wedding anniversary gift. Across the bottom is written, "the Browns 25 years" in gold metallic ink. This is a 10x10 with a taupe background and chocolate lettering. I've also added a wide satin chocolate ribbon. A perfect gift for a wonderful couple!

Baby Channing

Baby Channing is here! Alison sent me this photo of her beautiful nursery. Her canvas was the perfect finishing touch! Congratulations Cummins family!!

Mother's Day

Nicole Crouch is one of the best and busiest ladies around. She is a wonderful friend, teacher, and especially mother. She handles her four, that's right, four girls with such grace and calmness that she amazes me. They are always at church on time looking beautiful, put together, and often times matching. She never seems out of breath, in a rush, or unorganized. All of this is, of course, the total opposite of me! I only have two! Anyway, my hat's off to you, Nicole!
Nicole ordered this 8x24 canvas for her mother, Elaine Neal, as her Mother's Day gift. All of her grandchildren's names are on the daisies. Nicole requested the fresh colors of lime, yellow, and orange. When I found that beautiful striped ribbon the whole thing came together.

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there. I hope you enjoyed your special day!

UT Time!

Even though it's not football season, the UT canvases are still very popular. I guess that orange and white spirit lasts all year round! The polka dots went to John and Joy Tubb. They are getting their house put back together after the tornado. Now they have something new to hang on the front door!

My good friend and coworker, Janet Nunley, ordered this one for a new baby in her family, Trence Houston. He has a UT themed nursery. This will be so cute hanging on the door during nap time!

Chocolate Diamonds

I think the pink and chocolate diamonds I did for Alison started the whole diamond craze. The Burches canvas in blue and white a while back fired it all up again! The harlequin look is one of my favorites. It will never go out of style!
Tiffany Sadlon ordered the diamonds in taupe and chocolate as a gift for Mother's Day. Very pretty!

It's not too late to get a gift certificate for your mother! She can redeem it anytime for whatever she wants...my kind of gift!

God is Working

These are all off to Memphis to a wonderful new customer. Shelley ordered these three for herself, her mother, and her Bible class teacher. What a wonderful message to share!

Go Titans!

Carter is a member of the Titan's Kid's Club. It is $9.99 to join for one year. He got a really nice packet of school supples ant the beginning of the school year. He also gets a monthly newsletter and posters in the mail. Best of all, they sent him an invitation to the Kid's Club Day at LP Field. If you have a little Titan's fan in your family, go to their site and join. It is totally worth it!
At the Kid's Club Day lat Saturday, he got to meet several players and really spend some time with them. They were all so friendly! He also got to meet T-Rac and get in the T-Racmobile. They had lunch, a speaker, and then got to tour the locker rooms. Needless to say, he thought he was on cloud nine!

How cool is he? My baby looks so grown up!

Matthew's Farm

Denise Skelton ordered this canvas for an out-of-town friend. I was happy to paint it and then to send it off for her. I hope baby Matthew's family enjoyed getting their package!

For a Lovely Couple

One of the sweetest couples around, Ashli McGregor and Brad Bratcher, are getting this special canvas created just for them. Ashli sent me a photo of the curtains in their den and I matched it up. That tan and blue striped ribbon is my current favorite!
They will be beginning their life together in June. I am so thrilled to help them decorate their new home. Congratulations and all the best!!

Lauren's Shiner

My sweet baby girl has a black eye! I know it all a part of growing up but it is just painful for me to even look at.
She took a header in the Applebee's parking lot after my birthday dinner Thursday night. She was returning a cake plate I had borrowed from my mom. When carefully going from one car to the other, she tripped on one of those parking place stoppers.
Actually, we are very lucky. If it had been just a tiny bit higher, she could have lost or damaged her vision. All of the glass is out, the swelling is way down, and the bruising will just take a while.

Tabetha's Garden

My good friend Tabetha Sullens ordered a special canvas for her new garden. I kept it classy and beautiful....much like her, don't you think?