Pretty In Pink

Eileen Wargo's granddaughter has this special little saying every night before bedtime.  Eileen wanted it painted so she could see it all of the time.  I think that is just about the sweetest thing!  She wanted it in pinks and purples with a few stars.  It turned out so pretty and I know it is going to be loved.  Thank you so much, Eileen!

My cousin, Chris Hobbs, ordered a pretty in pink canvas for his daughter.  I've been getting more orders from dads, husbands, and boyfriends lately.  I'm so glad that the male of the species has realized what an easy but thoughtful gift a custom canvas can be!

All this pink has gotten me to thinking about my favorite time of the year.  I've always been a sucker for Valentine's Day.  I love getting flowers and having a special day to think about each other.  Sometimes that is hard to do with schedules like ours!  My daughter was born on Valentine's Day almost eight years ago so it has a new meaning for us now.    Our anniversary is also around the corner.  Here we are celebrating our 10 year anniversary.  Hard to believe that was almost six years ago!

Aunts...

These aunt quotes have become very popular on etsy.  I try to keep one of the neutral toned ones in stock at all times.  It never seems to hang around for long!

Julie Thomas asked for one in the traditional neutrals but also one in black and hot pink.  I did the zebra in gray and the aunt in hot pink so the black lettering on top would show up.  She also asked for the hot pink ribbon.  It looks so cute all put together!

The Blacks...and Uncle Si!

One of my very best customers, Joy Black, wanted something really eye catching for her front door.  She tells me that her house is pretty far off the road and she wanted to be sure that people noticed her canvas.  She asked for the red and black and the swirls along the border.  She left the rest up to me!

This is the first time I've done the background initial in red and I think it turned out so pretty!  It's also in Centertown colors so I hope all of my teacher friends are taking note if this one.  It would make a great teacher sign, too!

This is Warrior Week at our school.  We do theme days to have a little fun and show some school spirit.  Lauren really gets into it and had a ball with Duck Dynasty day.  Her favorite character is Uncle Si.  She nailed it right down to the tea glass and calling everyone "Jack"!

Big Announcement!

Art classes are coming soon!  I've decided to combine two of my very favorite things, teaching and art.  I am so thrilled to be planning some art classes and mini art camps for this coming summer.  I'd LOVE to hear your ideas, suggestions, and requests.  

I'm currently working on the schedule, painting designs, and a class blog so you can check offerings.  I also want to show off all of our wonderful artwork!  I'll let you know as soon as it is up an running.

Thanks to you all for your love and support.  Let's make some beautiful art together!

Lily

I love repeat customers!  It's such a wonderful feeling when someone chooses to come back to Dream Custom Artwork and order again.  Lots of times it is because I did a canvas for a little boy or girl room and now there is about to be a new baby in the house!  This is the case with Lily's canvas.

Rachael Graves ordered this one for her niece a while back.  Now that niece is going to be a big sister!  Rachael wanted something for the new baby.  She asked for pale pink and gray in stripes and dots.  I love that color combination and think this one turned out so pretty!

I added the swirly frame in a pink metallic paint to give it a little shimmer and to make it really feminine.  Thank you, Rachael, and congratulations!

Little Sweeties

These little 4x12 canvases are just so sweet.  They are the perfect size to give as a gift and fit just about anywhere.  They are big enough for a door but small enough for those hard to fit spaces and doorknobs.  They are also really pretty in a photo collage.

Both of these shipped out recently.  I love those pretty pastel flowers in the background on the top one.  The second one features beautiful cursive writing with lots of highlighting.

 

Do you need a little Valentine gift for your sweetie?  This size is only $20.00.  What little girl wouldn't love one of these in her room?

Time to Adjust Your Sails

I just love this quote!  It's true that the wind doesn't always blow your way.  When that happens, some people sit still or fuss and complain.  The thing to do it adjust your sails.  Be proactive and make it work for you - easier said than done sometimes.

My friend and coworker from way back when, Jackie Reed, ordered one of these for herself.  She love the stamped work in the background and asked for burgundy lettering.  The next day she emailed me back and asked for another one for her daughter.  She is in college and just needed a little reminder about adjusting her sails, too! 

I just attended a PBS (Positive Behavior Support) conference in Knoxville.  These are some of the wonderful people that I work with.  I've only been at my school a year and a half, but I feel like I've known them forever.  I had gotten sort of worn out being a teacher.  It felt routine and I'll just say it, I was bored and frustrated.  I adjusted my sails a bit and made the move.  It was scary, but I am so glad that I did it.  The wind is definitely blowing my way.

Jackson

Lacey Jones recently ordered a banjo and a guitar for her son Jackson's room.  I had to do a little research on this one!

After looking at lots of pictures of banjos and guitars, this is the design that I came up with.  I am hoping that in this closer up photo you can see all of the dark blue detailing on the instruments.  I tried to keep it simple but at the same time intricate.

Here's the pillow that I was given to match.  I picked up one the light and dark blue. tan, brown, and just a bit of maroon.  I hope Jackson is loving his new big boy room!

Lacey is expecting another baby soon.  I know the name but I have to keep it under wraps a bit longer.  This is the first of several pieces for that nursery.

The color and design showed up better in the first picture, but you can really read the quote in this one.  It's so sweet!  I can't wait to get to the rest.  Thank you, Lacey!

Catching Up...

There's a lot going on in my life right now.  I have to admit that painting often falls by the wayside during busy times like this.  I don't get to sit down and allow the creative process to take place.  If you are waiting for an order, please be patient with me!  

Not only am I back at Tennessee Tech this semester to teach art, I am also taking on the Centertown Archery Team.  This is our first year to have a team and I am super excited about it.  I am getting to leave this afternoon to go to Knoxville for two days for a PBS (Positive Behavior Support) training session.  I love my job and the people with whom I work.  I just have to really work on maintaining a balance in my life.

I have had fun participating in "Pay It Forward"!  I am looking forward to creating five unique items in 2013 for each of my fellow artists.  My five are going out to Brittany Hodges, Erica Flatt, Carol Roberts, Michaela Goodwin, and Lindsey Chambers.

I've really been making a effort to be more social.  I know that sounds funny that I have to make an effort to do that, but I do.  I am a bit of a homebody and love time alone.  I don't really have people over a lot and don't accept many invitations.  It's nothing personal.  I guess I am an introvert at heart.  

I've been in my house for almost a year and haven't really had anyone over.  I decided to host a Miss America viewing party.  My girls' night was so much fun!  Why don't I do this more often?  Next up - our church youth group is coming over in a couple of weeks and a birthday party for Lauren!

Finally, I am thinking (just thinking!) about having some art mini-camps this summer.  A lot of people ask me about lessons and I always say no.  It might be fun!  I think it might work better for me after school is out.  If you are local and have any ideas or suggestions, I'd love to hear them!

Do you think I have enough on my plate?  I'm not sure, but I do know that my cup runs over!

Names, Names, Names...

Lots and lots of names...here are some of my favorites from the Christmas gift giving season!  This one was a gift ordered by Kayla Young.  She wanted the maroon lettering on a khaki background.  Clean and simple...can't go wrong!

I really like this family version that shipped out to Renee Lively.  She requested to have the family members' first names added across the bottom. I just love that polka dot ribbon!

I have done this design before and it is definitely a favorite.  The tone on tone swirls in the background are so pretty.  The name is in large cream letters with a chocolate brown date over the top.  This is perfect for those of you who like a little texture in your background.  It has also been distressed and topped off with burlap ribbon for a vintage look.

For a more classic look, this fancy khaki H is on a cream background.  The name and date is over the whole thing in navy blue.  I usually do this in black or chocolate brown, but I am loving the navy!

Thank you all so much for all of your orders this Christmas season.  I hope you all loved giving your artwork as much as I enjoyed painting it.

Here's to a wonderful 2013!

Pay It Forward 2013

I did not do my 12 Days of Giveaways this year.  It just seemed like I didn't have enough time to get it all together and Christmas was here and gone before I knew it.  Plus, I had sick kids and all this extra craziness at school.  Anywho...I still wanted to do something special for all of you out there who place orders, read the blog, or just enjoy browsing my paintings.

I saw this on facebook and thought it was a fabulous idea.  Of course, I was not fast enough to be in anyone's first five comments.  Those comments fill up fast!  I'm not putting this on facebook or advertising for that reason.  You are going to have to actually visit the blog on your own accord and leave a nice comment on this post to be in my five!

If you decide to comment and receive a handmade gift from me at some point this year, please be sure to leave contact info so I can get it to you.  Remember that you are committing to do the same in return.  I am looking forward to seeing who my five are and creating something special for each of them.  Giving truly does bring joy to the giver!

Good luck and happy 2013!

Super big thanks to Brittany @ Bee of Good Cheer for the cute graphic!

Song Lyrics

Lisa Garrison wanted a special Christmas gift for her son and his wife.  She chose some song lyrics that were special to them.  She even sent me a pic of the album cover as inspiration for the colors to use.

I thought the black and coral looked so pretty together.  I don't get ti use that color combination very often.  I topped it off with some polka dot ribbon.  What a great gift!

This set of song lyrics that were an etsy order that shipped out a while back before Christmas.  This one asked for black, white, and red.  I topped this one off with a wide red satin ribbon.  How cute would your special song lyrics be as a Valentine gift?

Caroline

Jennifer Brooks had a plain music stand that she had picked up along the way.  She wanted it custom painted for her daughter's room.  Caroline is really into music so this was a perfect gift for her.  I don't normally paint things that aren't on a canvas.  It's just too hard to store and I don't enjoy doing all of the prep work.

Jennifer agreed to sand it and paint it the solid cream color that she wanted if I would paint the designs to match her bedding.  Okay...I can do that!

I chose little elements from the beautiful bedding pictured below.  It's so pretty that the only hard part was what to use!  I love the little detailing around the bottom.

I continued the hot pink and gray swirls over the edge and onto the back just to give it interest all of the way around.

Here's the bedding from Pottery Barn Teen.  This beautifully patterned bedding with dark gray walls, cream trim, and, of course, the custom music stand will be so pretty!

Thank you, Jennifer!  I hope Caroline loved it!

Kimber

Keeley Hitchcock ordered this really pretty 11x14 canvas for her new baby girl's nursery.  There's a ton of detailing in that little owl, big blue flower, and that border.  The pink on pink diamonds, lavender scalloped edge, and yellow dot trim took forever...and that was just the background!  It was totally worth it!

For Kimber's name, I chose the soft brown color that I also used in some of the detailing.  I used a thick but fairly simple cursive.  I really wanted her name to stand out among all that other activity!  

Here's the bedding from Target that the canvas was designed to match.  There's that owl in the corner and you can sort of see the blue flower.  The trim on the canvas matches the trim on the bedding to a tee!

Thank you, Keeley, and congratulations!

 

Zebra Love

I did lots of zebra print this past Christmas!  This sweet little 5x5 shipped out a while back.  I am a big fan of the name over the initial.  It looks so pretty inside the square!

Donna Campbell ordered this set of four assorted zebra prints for her four granddaughters.  She wanted something special just for the girls during their Christmas visit.  What a great idea!

Beth is the oldest granddaughter so I thought the name over the initial would look a little more grown up.  Since Mary Margaret's name is a long one, I decided to try it in a circle.  I love it!

Mary Grace's needed lime zebra print instead of the usual black.  I wasn't sure about that, but it turned out so cute!  Addy Jane's has the little dot border that I just love.  Thank you, Donna!  I hope the girls loved them!

I should add for ordering purposes that these are not 5x5's.  I didn't have enough of that size to fill the order and ran to Michael's to pick up some.  They only had 6x6's.  These are slightly larger than my usual small square size.

Chandler

Aaahhh...the first post of 2013!  I couldn't think of a better way to kick off a new year than with featuring this sweet baby.  My friend and coworker, Andrea Thaxton, had little Chandler this year and wanted something to hang over his crib.

She brought me the window valance to match the colors and design.  I did some pale khaki dots over the white background.  You can barely see them in the photo!  Then I chose some of the dots in greens, blues, and khaki from the fabric and ran one strip down the side.

Finally, I did Chandler's name in a classic cursive.  I kept is simple without too many loops and swirls to keep it masculine.  I love how this one turned out and was so happy to paint for this wonderful family.  Congratulations!