Show Us Your Life - Workout/Health Tips

Today I am linking up with Kelly's Korner to feature our health/workout tips.  Let me just start by saying that working out is NOT my strong suit.  I do try to walk 30 minutes a day, but honestly, sometimes I don't even get that done.  It's hard and I have so much admiration for those of you who make it a priority!

My family and I trained for the Titan's 5K last summer.  It helped for us all to have a goal and motivated us to work together.  It got everyone off the couch and out the door for a little while anyway!  We are going to do it again this year and maybe even look for another one in our area.

New Spring and Vintage Items

I was feeling creative last weekend and spent some of my precious painting time painting some things that I wanted to paint.  I love painting for other people, but lots of times I have all of the ideas floating around in my head that I never get to try.  I left all of these blank so they are just waiting to be purchased and personalized.  Shipping is included in these prices, too!

I think they all would make great gifts for teachers or baby and wedding showers.  They would also be so cute for decorations!  

This fancy wooden plaque is about 8x10 and features pink trim, a large pink mesh ribbon, and a rose with rhinestones and vintage buttons.  It doesn't get much girlier than that!  This is currently available for $20.00.

This sweet little 5x7 oval has a nice burlap ribbon and rose.  I think this would be perfect for a doorknob...maybe a baby sleeping sign?  Available at just $16.00, you can put it just about anywhere!

This larger 11x14 chevron stripe with the sunflower center is perfect for spring and then on into summer and fall.  There's plenty of space below the flower for welcome, a family name, or a teacher's name.  It's topped off with an extra wide gold burlap ribbon.  It is available for $30.00.

This sweet little 6x9 gray and pink (a current favorite color combination!) is just right for your door this Easter or would make the perfect addition to a basket as a gift.  It's already got a cute little saying on it so it is ready to ship for just $16.00!  SOLD

This larger 12 inch wooden circle is perfect if you are looking for something a little different.  It is a pretty sage green with a sage and black trim and accented with a vintage lavender tine bird.  This is the perfect size for a front door, office, or classroom door.  With the black burlap chevron ribbon, it is just waiting to be personalized and shipped for just $25.00.

If you love to travel like I do, then this 10x10 is perfect for you.  I love the stamps from all around the world as the border.  There's also a green vintage tin bird and a collection of vintage buttons.  It has been distressed for an even more rustic look.  The black burlap chevron ribbon is so cute on top.  Ready to personalize with a name for favorite saying for just $20.00.

I'm crazy about the fleur-de-lis design that is so popular right now!  This one is even better because it is covered in polka dots!  The basic black and white with the super cute gingham ribbon would work with any color lettering on top...red for Centertown, gold for the Saints or Vanderbilt, pink just because!  SOLD

Finally, this sweet little 5x5 is perfect for a wreath or any little nook where you need extra something.  It has a measuring tape border, pearls, a rose, rhinestones and vintage buttons.  Even with all of that, there's plenty of space left for whatever cute saying you'd like.  It's cream and khaki with a chocolate brown ribbon for hanging.  $15.00

If you see something that you have to have, just let me know and I'll mark it as sold.  I am also currently accepting custom orders.  Some of the elements used are one of a kind and the design cannot be repeated.  Please check when ordering.

Burlap Beauties

I am loving the burlap trend!  I have a huge burlap snowflake on my front door right now that I'm going to hate to take down very soon.  I am shopping for something cute for spring to replace it!  I did my Christmas tree with burlap garland and bought new burlap stockings.  I use burlap for my table decorations anytime we have a party or get-together.  

I decided to experiment with some burlap and canvas.  I painted the canvas a taupe/tan color and then wrapped it completely in burlap.  All of the staples are on the back and don't show.  Next, I painted whatever lettering I wanted.  I do have to use more paint than usual.  This stuff really soaks it up!  Finally, I added some burlap flowers using a good fabric glue.  Viola!  Burlap beauties!

This one is a surprise for my Pay It Forward participant #2 - Lindsey Chambers!  It has already shipped out to her and I hope she loves it!

This was my very first burlap experiment and I am so happy with how it turned out - sweet and simple.  It shipped out to my Pay It Forward participant #1 - Brittney Hodges.  She got it, loved it, and blogged about it here.  I was so glad to hear that I made her day!

How cute would this little 5x5 be in a wreath?

I am taking burlap canvas orders.  They can be done on any of the sizes listed in the sidebar and those prices apply.  Thanks!

May?

The month of May always just flies by.  With me being a teacher, my husband being a principal, and having two active kids, we rarely get to sit down together or spend much time together when we are not on the run.  I just have to put things on hold till June!

My sisters and I have birthdays in April, May, and June.  We did squeeze in a spa visit and brunch at Mimi's to celebrate.  Even though her birthday is in February, Lauren is not one to miss a girls' day!

Things are just crazy at school in May, too.  If you are a teacher, you know what I am talking about!  We are not on any sort of regular schedule.  There are all kinds of special assemblies and meetings.  Kids are being called out of class for this and that.  Everyone is on some sort of field trip.  Geez.

I did get to go on the History Club field trip to Centennial Park and the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville.  It was such a beautiful day and the exhibits were wonderful.  My favorite was the John Mellencamp collection of paintings.

I did want to share some artwork in this post.  I am betting that my posts will be fewer and far between in the coming couple of weeks!  Here is an aunt canvas that I did for Mother's Day.  Shannon had me ship it right to her aunt and I included a little note for her.  I hope she loves the surprise!

Here's another aunt canvas from Christine.  I also shipped this one right to her special aunt.  I just love the cream on white zebra print.  It is a nice, subtle background.

These two 5x7's (not a regular size for me...I was out of 5x5's) were also painted for Mother's Day.  I love the little saying.

This is a rich chocolate brown with cream writing and ribbon.  A perfect gift!

I'll see you guys in June!

Easter Weekend

We've been working like crazy to get unpacked and organized. I am trying to take my time and do it right. Just take it one little project at a time! I spent some time in Lauren's room last week and am making progress. Her one request for her new room was a chandelier. There was a really big, dark ceiling fan in this room and a while ceiling. I love the painted ceiling and the dainty chandelier. The fixture, bedding, and wall decal came from Land of Nod. The handpainted trunk came from Bethany Guthrie.

I always get Lauren an Easter shirt. This is always so cute to wear to parties and egg hunts. She growing up so I let her choose this year. She went with this black and hot pink theme. She's got some black and hot pink striped ruffle capris that she wears with it. It wasn't what I would have picked, but I love it! I order most of her appliqued shirts from this etsy shop. She does awesome work and is super friendly and helpful! She's got tons of choices and boy stuff, too!

I haven't been neglecting Carter's room! His one request for his room was for it to be painted blue, and not light blue either. I don't usually choose dark colors and was sort of panicked. I went with this "stormy" shade of blue that matched the chambray in his quilt. It turned out that the dark color really made our pretty trim stand out.
His wall decal was custom made at this etsy shop and came really fast and was easy to apply. I ordered his polka dot pillow covers from this etsy shop. I was impressed with the quality of the fabric.

As you can see, I've done a lot of my home decorating through etsy! My etsy shop is currently on vacation until I can get my studio up and running again. Now that the kids' rooms are coming together, I can focus on me! I did fill one Easter order this season. Deborah in Washington wanted for little canvases to put in treat baskets for her friends. So cute!
Happy Easter to all! Enjoy this beautiful weekend!

Spring Training

I've never been a sports person. Never. I met my husband, who is a sports nut, and played along while we were dating. I learned quite a bit and have developed a bit of appreciation for all sports. I went to events to eat and people watch. It's just not my thing.
Then this boy came along. I will go anywhere, anytime to watch him. He loves all sports but baseball is the highlight of his year. Possibly of his life. He's not the best player, but he's my player.
He had a practice tonight and I went for a while. It felt good to see him out there, go for a walk, watch Lauren run wild, and slip back into ball park mode!

All of this sports talk is leading up to a canvas!

Little Nehemiah must be a sports nut, too.

His mom ordered this 8x24 for his bedroom and I think it is just so "boy". I love it! She ordered one a while back for his brother and wanted this one to coordinate but not be exactly the same. This is so cute for brothers! Thank you so much, Tissan!

New Stuff!

First off, I've got two really pretty Christmas canvases that are completely marked down. If you are interested, please visit my facebook page. That's the place to snatch those up!

Second, I've taken a batch of bunnies to Et Cetera! That's right, I have finally worked a bit ahead and have some things immediately available. That hasn't happened in a while and I'm pretty excited about it. This crazy weather has gotten me in the mood for spring so I painted up some bunnies. If you are not local, I am taking orders on these and can ship.

This was my first bunny order on etsy. It shipped today. Thank you so much, Dana!

Finally, I even got around to painting an extra bathroom set! This one is all done and also available at Et Cetera.

Umbrella - ella - ella

I love that song! If you don't know what I'm talking about, you need to look up Rhianna's Umbrella.
We've got scary storms today here in Middle Tennessee. My husband woke me up at 6:30 this morning to tell me that there was no school but I needed to get in the closet. There I was with Lauren and all of her dolls, sick Carter, and an angry cat. Fun.
The good news is that we all survived, and while we are bracing for more storms today, this one has passed. I knew this would be the perfect canvas to post today. It often feels like there is a hole in my umbrella and I just gotta keep smiling!
Thank you, Hailey!

Easter Weekend

The kids had three egg hunts this year. Our kitchen is now full of plastic eggs, chocolate, jelly beans, peeps, and every other kind of Easter candy that you can think of. They had so much fun! I am so happy that the weather cooperated.

Here they are with their dad on Sunday morning. They are getting too old to match, but we all did coordinate in shades of blue. Actually, Carter and Lauren are wearing their ring bearer and flower girl clothes. It was a dry run for the wedding!

I made cupcakes to take to Sunday lunch with my parents. I used these super cute flower cups and butterfly picks from my favorite store, Michael's. Lauren did the sprinkles!

We also colored eggs this year. Yes, I can get a lot done with one free day off from work! This is the first year that I've colored eggs in a long time. Lauren and Carter wanted to do it and were old enough to really help. It takes patience, but they enjoyed the process.

Our good friends all the way from Michigan, Bill and Debbie, were able to be here for the holiday weekend.

My favorite shot of the whole weekend.

Today I am home with a sick baby. Carter is paying for hunting eggs in a hay field! I hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend, too. It sounds like some rough weather is heading our way. Be safe!

Spring Flowers

Today is the perfect day to share some spring flowers! It is a beautiful day here in middle Tennessee. The sun is shining and the temperature is perfect. All of these flowers and blooming trees are making me itch and sneeze!
This adorable 11x14 is currently available for just $30. Think Mother's Day!

These pretty zinnias, daisies, and roses are done on an 8x24 canvas. This long, skinny size looks great on the front door. This one is also currently available for $30. Think teacher end of the year gift!

This big, beautiful 16x20 is going home with Toni Morton. She placed an order for this one and I loved it so much that I decided to paint a few extras. Thank you, Toni! This will be so pretty on your door!

Here they are all together to get a better idea on sizes. Now get out and enjoy this day! It looks like more of those April showers are rolling in soon.

The Easter Bunny

The Easter bunny is making his way to our house! I love putting together gift baskets for my kids. It's smaller and maybe a little more personal than Christmas. They've sort of outgrown their little wicker baskets that I've used for year. This year I splurged on new buckets! I hope they hold up because I can see me sitting these out as decorations after they are grown. This really cute website has lots of personalized stuff!

Carter's basket will mostly be Egypt Legos, books, and baseball cards...boy stuff. You don't want to see that! I think everything in Lauren's basket will have her name on it! It's a good thing she loves personalized stuff as much as I do! She is really into Olivia the Pig right now. I ordered this adorable pillowcase dress from this etsy shop. It's everything I can do not to let her wear it now.

I also found these custom crayons at this etsy shop. These are so cool! This is Lauren's name spelled out in crayons. I just notices that they also have crayon Lego blocks and little Lego men crayons. I think this would make a great party gift.

Well, no artwork is included in this post. I just had Easter on my mind and decided to share. Have a great day!

Getting Ready For Easter!

Hard to believe, but spring and Easter are just around the corner! It really be here before we know it. I just took these two super cute egg shaped canvases to Et Cetera. Both are already lettered, but I will be happy to add personalization at no extra cost.

I love the pastels! There is a tone on tone pattern in each of the stripes as well. These are about 11x14, but obviously oval. I think one would be perfect for your front door, either on it's own or in a wreath.

Not Just Spring Monograms

I got so many compliments this design done in warmer colors for Mitzi Ramsey. It wasn't too long before I had two orders for the same design in spring colors. Although, these monograms could be left up all through the summer. They are so pretty!

This V monogram is for Anne Vance. Jeff was so happy to hear that there would be a new canvas on the door!

The M monogram is for new customer Gwen McCormack. She wanted the letter in a soft green - her favorite color. I have to admit, Gwen, that I "stored" this one on my front door for a couple of days!

I am so happy to see blue skies and sunshine today!