Recently...

Things are always busy for everyone, but it seems like things have been busier than usual.  School is crazy.  Lauren has started playing basketball, dances, and was in a pageant.  She didn't win anything, but she is gorgeous inside and out.  I love this picture of her!  Carter's basketball games and practices are keeping us on the road, too.

My mother had rotator cuff surgery.  She did really well and is recovering.  All four of us in the Mansfield house have had some kind of sickness.  Carter is just getting over the flu right now.  With some of my home time, I took on a project that had been sitting in my garage for a while.  This is my paint chest that was just plain wood.  I bought the little dresser for $45.  It was a different color of wood.

I painted them both cream, distressed them with sandpaper, and used a light brown wax.  I also replaced the brass drawer pull on the dresser with some colorful porcelain ones from World Market.  It not sits in my office and holds all of my art supplies.  I love it!

I've gotten most of my previous orders completed so I can focus on getting all of those Christmas ornament canvases started.  If you ordered one, they will all be finished and delivered by December 18 as promised.

If you are still wanting to place a Christmas order of any type, please get them in by December 5.  Thanks so much!!

Tutorial: Easy Teacher Gift

Lauren's third grade teacher has taken a new job as a speech pathologist.  She had gotten pretty attached to her already and was devastated.  Making a "good-bye" gift for her and "welcome" gift for the new teacher seemed to make her feel better.

We started by painting an 11x14 canvas white and letting it completely dry.  Next, we taped a box in the center with regular masking tape.

I painted Lauren's hand in the shades of blue that she chose and pressed them around the canvas.

Here my little Martha Stewart!

When the paint dried, we just peeled off the tape to reveal a nice, clean shape in the center.  I painted the name in the center and added coordinating ribbon.  She made the one for the new teacher using the same technique with some flower and butterfly stamps that I had.

We sealed it with some spray clear polyurethane.  I let her write a message, the year, and sign her name with a sharpie on the back.  It turned out really cute and will hopefully be a sweet keepsake for Mrs. Eldridge!

How To Add Glitter To Practically Anything: Tutorial

I have an eight-year-old daughter and we both love for things to be glittery!  I've always done the old school Elmer's glue and sprinkle glitter.  Shake off the extra.  Repeat.  It's a mess and it never quite completely covers.  I had a coupon for 40% any regular priced item at Michael's and decided to try something new.  It is glitter transfer paper!

I got the Martha Stewart brand of the medium and one pack of the glitter paper.  The medium is basically a really thick version of Elmer's glue.  You do have to squirt it out and paint it on with a paintbrush.  It is great because you can cover a very large area or get in those tiny spaces.

It paints on white - like this - and I do recommend that you follow the directions on the bottle and let it dry the full 10 minutes.  It's hard to wait!  We tried it a little early and it does not work until it is good and tacky.

Here's  my little girl putting the transfer paper glitter side down on the medium.  The she rubbed and rubbed and rubbed with the rounded end of the paintbrush to transfer the glitter from the paper to her painting.  They do sell sticks for this purpose.  Popsicle sticks, plastic paintbrushes, or really anything that's not sharp will work.  You do have to rub a while to get it really glittery!

Here's the finished detail of the glitter fireworks on her Cinderella's Castle painting.  This is just basic acrylic craft paint on a stretched canvas.  The transfer medium will work on lots of different surfaces.

Yay!  It turned out so cute!  Everything is better with a little sparkle!

Sweet Ila Mae's: The After

I offered a new service at Sweet Ila Mae's...personalization on the spot!  It was a big hit!  I had several canvases that I had embellished, but left off any wording.  Customers could purchase the canvas and let me fill it in while they shopped.  Here's a few...

I am so happy with how they all turned out and loved seeing all of the customer's happy faces!

Lauren sneaked a picture of me painting!  Now here's some shots of my booth...

Even though the weekend was a HUGE success, we did rain out on Sunday.  You can click here to see the rain sale album on facebook.  It will only be up until noon tomorrow!

Sweet Ila Mae's: The Before

I haven't been posting much because, honestly, I'm busier than ever!  Between getting ready for a craft show, managing regular orders, teaching summer art classes, and ball season - summer is starting to feel not so much like summer.  I do get to sleep late most mornings so I can't complain!

I am thrilled to be participating in my first ever Barn Sale!  I've been working so hard on new designs and making sure that I have plenty old favorites.  Here's the info for Sweet Ila Mae's in Quebeck, Tennessee.  I hope you all are making plans to come see us!  I'll have lots of "after pictures" on Monday.

Have a fabulous weekend!!

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!

Show Us Your Life - DIY Projects

Hi there and welcome to Dream Custom Artwork!  Today I am linking up with Kelly's Korner to show you some of my favorite DIY projects.  As you can see, I am an artsy-craftsy person.  Always have been!  Although most of my projects do involve painting, I've tried to dig up some variety for you.  I painted these wooden boards to be mini chalkboards!  They turned out so cute!  Here's the link to see step by step instructions.

This is one of my favorite projects ever!  The Pottery Barn Kids flower covered lampshade that my daughter wanted was totally out of my budget, so I  made one!  Here's the tutorial for that one.

I am teacher at an elementary school and at our local college.  I tie-dye each year with both groups!  Here's the link to see more tie dying and to get tips on products to use and folding techniques.  Go get your hippie on!

One of my favorite projects that I've recently taken on is working with buttons.  These buttons were just purchased at the craft store, but how fun would it be to work with some vintage buttons or family heirlooms?  I can see some beautiful projects with a vintage feel.

I fell in love with the plain wooden owl cut outs and bought them without really having a plan.  Turns out that they made wonderful bow hangers.  I just painted them up super cute and used the staple gun to attach grosgrain ribbon.  Don't use the silky kind for this project - the bows just slide right off!

I've been experimenting with burlap lately.  I love using it my home because I like that outdoorsy feel and it is not very expensive.  We had our church youth group over for a dinner and I whipped up this little banner for the mantle with scrap burlap, ribbon, paint, and a little stitch witch.  Perfect!

I hope you enjoyed some of my past projects!  This is by no means all of them.  Please feel free to browse the blog and check out all of the others.  Have a great day!