Down On The Farm

I've done several barns and farm themed canvases, but this one is my favorite. I love the simplicity of the three colors and the checkerboard border. In my mind, I had planned on adding more detail to the barn, but when it got to this point, I knew it didn't need anything else. Clean and simple.
The fine print under the barn says, "there's no life like farm life". I hope Leanne's family enjoyed this Christmas gift.

Winter Sale

To celebrate the new year, I am running a winter sale! All canvases ordered during the month of January will be $5.00 off. Plan ahead now and order for those upcoming birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, teachers, and new babies. Order something new just for your front door! It's not too early to think about Valentine's, spring, Mother's Day, and Easter as well. Thanks!

Ringing in 2009

We have a little New Year's tradition of getting together at out house to play games, eat, and hang out with each other. Lauren got "Pretty, Pretty Princess" for Christmas and everybody had to play at least once!

This year we added Carter's new Wii to our list of fun things to do. At first our parents were hesitant to play, but it didn't take long for them to warm up to the bowling. You can see Pa throwing his back out there in the bottom picture! Mike ended up winning our "tournament", but I think it was just because Steve and Memaw left early. Steve was the master bowling a 198 on his second game.



We found these sparkly 2009 glasses at Wal-Mart and had to have them. We all had them on at some point during the night, even Cinco.













If our 2009 turns out has happy and healthy as 2008, we will be in great shape! Cheers!

Getwaways

I've had several orders for signs for people's second home, cabin, or little "getaway". Dr. Dennis Jeter has a hunting cabin up on the mountain which he lovingly named "Possum Hollow". His assistant, Jackie Patterson, ordered this camouflage canvas for him as a Christmas gift.

Tommy and Patti Clark have a cabin in Rock Island that they have named "Better than Nothin'". Patti's friend, Susan Grandey, wanted to get her something special for her special place for Christmas. She said they had kind of a pine tree and river theme with some of their decorating. She requested rope instead of ribbon to give it a rustic look, but I couldn't find just the right thing. I did find these beautiful wooden beads in neutral colors and earth tones.

Family Tree

Mike took the kids' picture every Sunday morning in December! They did look pretty cute in the Christmas clothes. It is also a once a week opportunity to get both dressed nice and clean at the same time! Still, they were relieved when he did not break out the camera this morning.

In keeping with my family theme, I am so proud to show you all Tonya Rains' family tree. She ordered this for her mother and father as a Christmas gift. The family tree was all her idea, but she left the design and colors up to me. I think it turned out really simple and pretty and I love all of the greens.

I wanted to show a close up so you could see all of the children's and grandchildren's names on all of the branches. Tonya, you have a wonderful family! Thank you for asking me to create this tree for you. I hope your parents loved it!

There's Nothing Like Family

What better way to commemorate my 500th post than by honoring families. My family is so special to me and I have gotten to spend a lot of time with them over the past few days. I loved seeing my children play with my cousin Chris and Desiree's children just like we used to do.

I had many customers who chose to honor their families this year with a family name canvas. I liked looking at the "established" dates. Some were from as far back as 1947. Some were as new as 2007. However old or young these families may be, they are special to those people for many of the same reasons that mine is special to me.

We just had your basic, traditional Christmas with not too much going on. I ate too much, slept late and took a nap, played with the kids, and am now looking at one huge mess to clean up...sometime. I got a new coffee maker and plantation blinds. Carter said it best when he looked at me on the way home from my mom and dad's last night, "Mom, this was the best Christmas, ever".

Check It Off The List

I have just now finished my Christmas artwork to do list. I remember at the beginning of the month looking at it and thinking, "How in the world am I going to get all of it done?" Here it is the end of the month and, somehow, it is all done. I tried not to dwell on the 50+ list and take it painting by painting, otherwise it gets overwhelming. I know that many of you have things in your lives that are the same way.
I enjoyed painting each one of these Christmas gifts. Each one is very special, different, and truly custom made right here on my kitchen table. This is what I do. Thank you for allowing me create something for you.
Have a very merry Christmas!