Acorns!!

I was trying to come up with something other than a pumpkin to paint for fall.  I love squirrels and acorns.  I gave acorns a try and squirrels are on my list!  One is a large 16" circle ($40) and the other one is a smaller 8" circle ($20).  They are both available for immediate delivery!

I wish this really pretty background color would have photographed better.  It's called black plum and I've distressed is a bit for a rustic look.

They both also have burlap ribbon and a couple of leaves for a little extra color.  How perfect would one of these be in a wreath on the front door??

Chalkboard Wedding

I had a request from new customer Candace Watts to paint a canvas that looked like a chalkboard but wasn't actually a chalkboard.  Well, I love a challenge!

She wanted the name and established date but also this beautiful Bible verse.

I hate that the photos didn't turn as nicely as I would like.  Canvases with a black background are hard to photograph for some reason.  You get the idea of just how pretty it turned out!

Here's the sample invitation that was send for inspiration.  I pulled some of my curly-que designs from it.  I also got the idea to put the Bible verse in a box and the last name font from the invite.  I hope the Barkers love their new artwork!

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!!

Mason Jar & Lightning Bugs

Nothing says summer in the south like mason jars and lightning bugs!  This sweet 8x10 is just perfect for the front - or back - door to usher in this new season.  I came up with this new design for the occasion and it will be available at Sweet Ila Mae's Barn Sale.

I didn't think a ribbon was just right for this design.  I decided to use a more rustic wire hanger and added a little yellow mesh ribbon just for a bit of sparkle!

  

I also did a larger 16x20 version.  It also has the wire hanger and yellow mesh ribbon.  This larger size is sooo pretty on the front door or in the sunroom.

Bring on some summer!

 

Vintage Love

I've been working on some fabulous new items for an upcoming craft show.  I am super excited to be a vendor at Sweet Ila Mae's Barn Sale in Quebeck, TN.  It's the weekend of June 8 and I hope you all will make plans to come see us!

I've done a few signs on something other than canvas.  These three are on wood.  It's nice to get a different shape that a square or rectangle!

I've also been experimenting with different types of accents like pearls, flowers, burlap, buttons, and paper.  I'm so in love with all of these vintage looks!

I'm still doing tons of original painting, too!  Here's a new sunflower design that's perfect for summer.

Here's the link to Sweet Ila Mae's facebook page if you'd like more information.   Make plans to come and get your vintage on!

Christopher Robin

This quote in chocolate brown over a lavender patterned background custom design to match a baby girl's nursery.

A version of this quote on red in white block letters with some distressing for a big boy's bathroom.

This quote on a khaki and cream patterned background in chocolate brown for the living room.

This quote again in a rich purple on white with a lavender patterned background and topped with purple ribbon for a baby nursery with lavender walls.

This is one of my most popular designs - it never seems to get old.  It's just a beautiful thought.

Eat Pray Love

I'm back from spring break and feeling very much recharged.  I took a little girl's trip to the Smoky Mountains.  We just laid around in our cabin, read, got in the hot tub, and even did some yoga!  We also did bunches of shopping, went to the Hatfield and McCoy's dinner show, and even the Titanic museum...talk about a bunch of tourists!

Today it is back to the real world...

One of my favorite customers, Andrea Brock-Pierce, ordered this 10x10 for her kitchen.  To coordinate, she asked for a few touches of red.  I added that in the ribbon, the trim, and the buttons.

I absolutely love this vintage postal trim.  I also love the distressing and the vintage buttons.  I also added the brown and taupe pearls and flower.  So pretty!

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.