Can You Ever Have Enough Dots?

Dots have been very popular lately! These were actually all samples that I had at the Autumn Street Fair. They were snatched up like hotcakes!
The lavender and the aqua dots went to McKayla Todd to fill her pageant winner gift certificate. The yellow one went to little miss Ella Starkey. The hot pink one was for Kareena Cantrell, who was a very smart shopper! Finally, the lime green went to Chloe Wallace.
They all got beautiful black satin ribbon or black and white gingham ribbon attached before delivery. I loved seeing all of these beautiful, bright, cheerful colors together. I had a lot of fun doing these. Thanks ladies!

The Chicago Trip

I am just now getting around to blogging about my Chicago trip. It is hard to believe that it was almost a month ago. I went on a fall shopping spree with three really good coworkers and girlfriends, Janet Nunley, Kristy Weeter, and Lakeisha Tobitt.

Girl time is just so wonderful! You don't realize how much you need it until a weekend like that one. We just cut loose and acted goofy. We even tried on fancy dresses in one of those fancy stores that I usually just walk past. I never have time to go in, much less try on!
Just shopping, talking, and eating for three days. No diapers, diaper bags, strollers, chopping up someone else's food, disciplining, or early mornings.
Somehow, we still came home tired. As a matter of fact, we all fell asleep in the taxi on the way to the airport!
We did miss our husbands and children and we glad to get back to them. However, we are making plans to go back next year!

A Few Good Snowmen

This is going to be the last of the holiday blizzard for a while. That doesn't mean I won't be posting anymore snowmen or Christmas, it just means I am piling up on all of the others things I have been doing and want to post some of those! Tomorrow I will change the colors and put up something nonseasonal.

I thought I would go out with two snowmen that are a little different. The top one is for my best friend and walking buddy, Lakeisha Tobitt, and her husband. She decorates in purple and silver. The bottom one was done as a gift. It is perfect for a log cabin or someone with rustic decor. I posted one like this back in January with a hunting ear flap hat! Cute!

The cut off for holiday orders is rapidly approaching! To guarentee Christmas delivery, please get your orders in by November 1st. Gift certificates are always available!

Ornaments

Here is the last one in Paula's pretty Christmas assortment. I love the bright colored ornaments. I am one of those people who has a mish-mash of ornaments and lights on their tree. I could never go with one theme - I like it all! The one says Season's at the top (it is hard to see because of the flash) and Greetings at the bottom in the Curlz font. Pretty, pretty!

Some of Lindsey's Snowmen!

Lindsey Matheny tells me that people come up to her and ask, "Are you the Lindsey with the big holiday list?". She is indeed that Lindsey. She is expecting baby Ella in early January, so she called me a while back to help her out with her Christmas shopping. She has a large, very close and very sweet, family.
These two adorable snowmen are a small part of her order and I couldn't resist posting them! I won't tell you who the top one is for because it is a gift. I love the hot pink, lavender, aqua, and lime for winter. Those seem like summer colors to me, but they turned out great on a snowman. The bottom one if for Lindsey's house. It is the classic snowman. I mixed it up a little by just doing the head really big and leaving off the body. I try to make each one a little different!

Silver Bells

Actually, this bell is gold but "silver bells" sounds better! Hey, I can do your bell in any color! This bell was ordered by Paula Smith about a month ago. She is one lady who is on top of things! I forgot exactly how many 5x5 Christmas related canvases she ordered just to have for all those little gifts that seem to pop up. What a great idea!
This one says "Season's Greetings" but that tag would be a great place for a name as well. Remember that all of the Christmas design can be tailored just for you! Just about any size or color is available.

Sweet Read Award

I have been awarded the "Sweet Read of the Day" by Miss McKenna Rhea. Not only was that so sweet and thoughtful, it was also one of my favorite things...a surprise! The award is proudly displayed on my sidebar and there is a link to McKenna's site if you would like to check that out. If you need a pick me up, that is the place to go. She always has a sunny, positive outlook!

I am now supposed to pass the award along to a blog I check almost daily and is my "sweet read". I am giving it to Tabetha and Sephanie. Those are the two that I honestly make time to check every single day. I like Tabetha's for her creative inspiration, but also her spiritual inspiration. I always like knowing what Stephanie is up to and that is the only way I can keep to with my sister, Emily!

Happy Holiday Dots

This little 5x5 is so cute! I like that the font and the lime green dots give it kind of a fun feel! The dots of all sizes make me think of bubbles! This one doesn't have ribbon, but I can just see a gingham or dotted ribbon attached. I also have some pretty funky beads that would be great for this one!

The Portrait Field Trip

My sweet little art class went on a portrait field trip...

...to Mrs. Stephanie Edens' studio. Emily let us draw her face!

Then we drew each other in the park!

I sent this to Stephanie and Emily as a token of my appreciation for their time and kindness (and patience!). They let us observe the portraits in the studio, talked a little about inspiration and what makes a good portrait, and then posed for us. The kids loved it, and I have to say that I had a pretty darn good afternoon myself! Thanks ladies!

For The UT Fan

So many of us have a team to which we are loyal. Around here, UT has to have the most loyal following! Show your team pride with a snowman in the team colors! I can't do logos because they are copyright, but I can do any team colors. I have some Pioneer things on the way!
Nicole Crouch ordered the snowman as a teacher gift. It will look fantastic in his classroom! We didn't add a ribbon to this one to try and keep it masculine. They do hang without one! Some people even like to put them on easels. Dayron Deaton ordered the "Go Vols" dots for her boyfriend. It looks really cute on the 5x5 canvas with the dotted ribbon.

Merry Stripes

The "Happy Stripes" were so popular that I thought you all might like to see the "Merry" version. This design uses the exact same colors, but with a vertical stripe. It also incorporates the dots that everyone loves...even in the ribbon!

A Big Happy Snowman Family

Okay, Tammy Sliger, your snowman family was the bee's knees at the Autumn Street Fair last week! Everybody loved it! Since I took this photo, I've added a pretty striped ribbon to hang it with. These 12x24 canvases are braced in the center. I had not thought about this, but it will need a ribbon to hang when hung the long way instead of up and down.
I have a few more families to do now. It is great because this one can be made to fit your family. Not only are the names and the number and size of the snowmen tailored to you, but also the colors and accessories! I am wanting to one of just grandchildren! All of my 12x24's are $40.00.

Happy Stripes

I may just have a holiday favorite! I love, love, love this one! It looks so fun and festive, but clean and classy at the same time. I really like the traditional red and green with the lime. I also like that the stripes are all different sizes. Once again, there is that big beautiful red satin ribbon to top it off right! All of my 11x14's are $30.00.

150th Post Celebration!

I am commemorating my 150th posting with the beginning of my holiday canvas "blizzard". I have posted several things below and I will be posting lots more through the next few days. Enjoy looking and maybe it will spread a little pre-holiday cheer!

All That Glitters

All that glitters is gold...and silver, and bronze! Dayron Deaton ordered this pretty metallic themed happy holidays canvas as a gift for a friend. It is my fault that it is a little blurry. I think it may be time for a new camera! Anyway, this is great for when you aren't sure of someone's decorations. This goes with anything! I left the sparkly ribbon extra long and a little curly for a more glamorous look.

The Classic Snowman

This one is about as classic as you can get! The coal eyes, the carrot nose, that iconic top hat...it all says "Frosty"! I also used primary colors for the scarf and hatband and even added a little sprig of holly. This is a 10x10 and costs $20.00. A red satin ribbon was added later for the perfect finishing touch! What a perfect teacher gift!

Old Fashioned Sleigh Bells

I love those great big old fashioned sleigh bells. I wanted to do something classic but with a funky twist with the bells. I made them aqua and yellow, but kept the antique cream for a background. I also mixed and old and a new font for the "Happy Holidays". The holiday designs can be made to fit any size canvas and wit any slogan or name.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

The 5x5 snowmen are perfect for when you need several small gifts. They can be done in any color combinations or themes! I have done ear muffs, top hats, toboggans, the hunting ear flap hats, and am thinking about a tropical snowman! They are $12.00 for plain or ribbon handles and $15 for beaded handles.

One Last Pumpkin

I thought maybe I could squeeze in one more pumpkin before he Christmas bonanza begins! This one is special because it was ordered for a silent auction at River Park Hospital. It is a versatile size, has neutral colors, and simply says "a warm fall welcome". I thought those qualities would fit just about anyone's taste!
These canvases are great for auctions, silent auctions, gift baskets, treat bags, door prizes, and so on. I don't keep a stock, so let me know in advance if you or your organization need something. I love to help out a good cause...just ask!

Pink and Green Dots

Pink and green are all the rage right now! I love that color combination and am so glad that it is popular. It may have overtaken light blue and chocolate brown...maybe! This pink and green had the black gingham added in for a fresh spin!
Another fabulous new customer, Ashley Williams, ordered these two canvases as a gift. I can't remember which way it goes, but one is going to be a new big sister and the other is a baby girl on the way!
Either way, the sister canvases are a great idea. You get a really cool gift for baby, but big sister (or brother) still feels included!

All Sports Included

One wonderful customer, Daphne Campbell, ordered these two sports canvases for her boys' room. Isaiah is her toddler, but Luke Allen wasn't even born when I painted his! I had some technical difficulty with these photos, so that is a time gap between the time they were done and the time they are being posted. I did a girlie pink soccer ball that I am still having photo problems with!
I like them because they compliment each other so well. They can easily be hung together or apart. They also have so many sports in them! Daphne requested golf, hockey, soccer, baseball, basketball, football, and volleyball. As you can see, I wasn't able to squeeze in a volleyball!
These are 14x14 and cost $30.00 each. I am currently hunting for this size canvas. All of a sudden the 14x14's are hard to find! I do have 10x10's available for $20.00. If you would like one (or two or three:) for Christmas, order now!

Zoo-Rific!

Here are some shots of us enjoying a family trip to the Nashville Zoo. Carter and I are on fall break, so Mike and Lauren took the day off to go with us! Even though it was unusually hot, we had a wonderful day.




















Carter's favorite was the Meer Cat tunnel! Lauren preferred the padded play area.

Lots of Fall Dots!

Everybody loves the dots! I do, too! These two ladies ordered fall dots. They both requested two different background colors. I used the same colors in both paintings, but I love how differently they turned out.
The green background is for a new customer, Donna Gross. I like the green, but I love the bright orange dots and the matching ribbon. It really shows up with the dark background.
The orange background is for Holly Hodges. I think the wide plaid ribbon really picked up the color in hers. he last name isn't on thine one, but I like the "Warm Fall Welcome" saying!

What a Great Day!

I had a wonderful day in downtown McMinnville yesterday. It was as hot as all get out, but we made the best of it with Capalano's smoothies!



I met so many new people and got to see some old friends! Thanks to everyone who stopped by. I heard so many nice comments...it just melts my heart!







My little businessman, Carter, sold sports themed treat bags. He sold out! His plan for his profit is to expand his college football helmet collection.




My "Dream Custom Artwork" crayon sign was a big hit! The snowmen are always a favorite, but Tammy's snowman family was the favorite. I am happy to say that my new beaded handles went over well!







Celebrate everything..especially beautiful days. Thanks you everyone who helped me out! My team (Carter, Mike, and Lauren), my hired hands (Davy and Emily), Mac, Stephanie, Paula, Ashley, the ASF staff, Capalano's free sample guy, and my booth neighbor Angie.

And the Winner Is...

Congratulations Miss Kirby! Send me an email and let me know where to deliver your chocolate paisley "Welcome" canvas. Thank you to everyone who stopped by yesterday. I had the best time seeing you all!

A Perfect Pumpkin

I am back from Chicago (pictures coming soon!) and busier than ever! I am filling and delivering orders, but also getting ready for the Street Fair. I can't believe it is this Saturday!
I am loving the fall weather and especially fall break. It is nice to be home with the kids. Nothing gets you ready for all like pumpkins! A wonderful new customer, Farrah Griffith, ordered this pumpkin as a gift for a friend.
I like the realistic pumpkin and the clean, simple canvas. The pattern is in the ribbon! I was going the put dots or stripes in the background, but I really liked it just how it was. I guess sometimes less really is more!