Our Granny P

My grandmother, Frances Hobbs, turned 83 this past Tuesday. We had her a little party. Somehow, we have all affectionately come to call her Granny P. I don't know how it started, but it just fits. My kids think their great-grandmother hung the moon. Could it be because she spoils them a little?

The amazing thing is that she still goes to work every day. She keeps the books and does the payroll for the family business, Warren County Nursery. I made her a canvas for her office door for her birthday. She is also an active bowler. She bowled four games the afternoon before her party. She was also a bowler in the Senior Olympics.

She, and other women like her, are an inspiration to me. I want to stay busy, active, and most definitely happy for a long time. Life is too short to be sick and tired! To be 83 and still on top of your game is something to be proud of. I hope you all have a Granny P in your life! She makes me think of that quote, "Do what you love, and love what you do."

Busy, Busy!

I am so backed up on orders! I am also trying to get some new things together for the craft show. Meanwhile, I am working full time, teaching for Chole's and for Tennessee Tech, active in church, J.A., and just being a mom and wife. I also have a few trips, a "Ladies' Night", and a birthday party planned for February. My calendar looks insane! While I do feel so very bessed to have so many positive things happening for me, I am feeling a little overwhelmed.

Z

Due to all of this activity at once, I am no longer taking canvas orders. I want to keep the quality of my work at a very high standard. I am afraid that feeling rushed is going to take away from that. I want to be sure that each order has had all of the time and attention that it deserves. I will begin taking orders again at the arts and craft show on March 8th.

Z

I will keep posting, so please keep checking the blog and planning your spring orders. Thank you for all of your orders. I appreciate your business more than you know and look forward to working for you all again soon!

Dots

Here are two really pretty polka dot canvases that are a little different from what I usually do. I love the monogram on the "RBE" canvas. I also like the gingham ribbon and the dotted ribbon used together. This pink and green combination has been very popular lately! It will be perfect for spring! This one went off the Rockvale, Tennessee.

The Madison canvas is the pink and chocolate with the wide satin ribbon. I usually do the dots around the border, but I think this looks a little more grown up. I also like to put the first letter in a dot for a change of pace! Christy Mize ordered this one to give as a Christmas gift.
Both of these are $25.00.

Ten Thoughts on Whole Living

I was waiting in the doctor's office earlier this week and found this list in a Body+Soul magazine. I had never heard of that magazine. It is about "whole living", which I also had never heard of. I personally found it very interesting. It was mostly about combining and appreciating all of the things around you to create a better lifestyle. It also focused on healthy choices for your physical and spiritual self. I am not usually a nuts and berries kind of girl, but this really appealed to me. I tore out this list of ten thoughts in the back and took it with me to share. I especially like number six:)! What do you think?

1. Your home is more than the sum of its walls. Make it a sacred space.
2. Creativity is a lifestyle, not simply a single activity. Let it expand you.
3. True forgiveness springs from love, not regret.
4. Learn something new. Emphasize the trying, not the succeeding.
5. Spend some time in the dirt. You'll be amazed at what nature can inspire.
6. You don't have to have a perfect body to feel great in it!
7. Define yourself by who you are, not the roles you play.
8. Find rejuvenation in five minutes of silence.
9. Contribute to abundance: if you no longer need something, pass it on.
10. Find your direction in life by looking where you want to go, not where you don't.
June 2007 by Terri Tresicio

Welcome Home Snowmen

This darling little 10x10 snowman canvas is going home with Candy Woodlee. Candy works with my hubby at Irving College.
I like this one because it is a little different than my other snowmen...an action shot! She asked for them to be sledding. You know me, I am always up for a challenge! It turned out really cute. Thanks Candy! (Sorry it's blurry. It is my camera, not the canvas!)

Heather's Pretty Flowers

I had to show a close up of that gorgeous handle:)!
Heather Lee sent me a picture of her new bedding wanting a pretty canvas to match. I immediately loved the colors, the stripe, and the flowers on her pillows. This canvas almost painted itself!
She wanted the 12x24 size with a beaded handle. I had never tried the beads with such a large canvas. I bought some bigger beads and actually did a double handle and twisted it together.
I love how it turned out! It does look great on her brown wall!

Words To Live By

Stephanie Keith ordered these three sweet little canvases. She requested black with pink, purple, and lime green. She also wanted one of my favorite things...the beaded handles! To me, they are kind of cool and funky and just right for a teenager.
Stephanie had such a great idea with these! They can be hung together or separately...just so cute! They are a steal at $15.00 each and make great gifts for any age girl.

Still Hoping...

Even though we are getting out of school a little early today, I still had to get up and out this morning! There is still no snow. I am keeping the faith, it will come!
Enjoy the last of my Calvin and Hobbes "snow funnies" while you wait:)!

Snow Princess

It is Snow Princess pageant time again. This year it is on February 9th at the Civic Center. I have to go as a member of Junior Auxiliary, but it really is a fun night. I really like being backstage. The little girls are so nervous!

McKayla Todd won the title last year. I always put a gift certificate in each Princess's gift basket. She ordered the two polka dotted canvases for her room. Everybody loves that quote on the purple one! She wanted her name and ballet shoes on the aqua one. I love the bright colors with the black and especially the black gingham ribbon! Congratulations!

Black and Cream

Veronica Patterson ordered these two canvases. Sophisticated is the word that comes to mind for this whole order! They are very different, but use the same color scheme.
I could tell she was a fan of black and cream when I saw her beautiful new home. She had a black and cream flag with their monogram on it and a matching welcome mat. The name canvas will look fantastic with all of that!
The snowman is for Veronica to give as a gift. At first, I thought a snowman with all black accessories would be too plain on a neutral surface, but I love it. It is simple but so elegant, and it would look great with anything!

Girly Girl

Natalie and Anslee Grace Miller are the girliest girls I know! They always look drop dead gorgeous! Natalie redeemed her gift certificate for one little dress up girl and Anslee's name for the door to her room. She also got a farm themed one for Aiden's door. That one will be posted soon!
She chose pink and lavender. I added this pretty sheer lavender ribbon that has a little sparkle in it. The whole thing is also lightly sprayed with glitter...that just seemed to fit!
For the little girl, Natalie requested brown curly hair, a feather boa, and that she needs to be wearing her mom's high heels. Cute!
I may have to do one of these with blond curly hair for my Lauren!

Hoping for Snow

You know that as a teacher, I am really hoping for snow. My sister, Ashley, sent me these snow funnies that I just had to share! Have a laugh and then do you best "snow dance"! My fifth graders tell me that if you sleep with your pajamas inside out it will snow. We'll see!!

Goin' Green!

Such a cute little teacher gift! Great for anytime...especially spring!

If Romance Could Be Put On A Canvas...

If romance could be expressed on a canvas, this is what it would look like. When Anne Vance ordered a "little Valentine something" for her front door, I started thinking, what does Valentine's Day look like? To me, it is all pretty pink and white fluff, frills and curls, and a little sparkle.
I wanted her canvas to be more sophisticated, so I added the intricate patterns inside the heart. I also used this pretty, romantic font for their name. It is lightly sprayed with glitter and the darker pink paint is actually iridescent. To top it off, I added pink gingham, white satin, and a small pink dotted sheer ribbon. This one is 10x10 and cost $25.00.

Valentine Snowmen, too!

I have these two really cute 5x5 Valentine snowmen up for grabs. They both have pink accents and little hearts and dots on their scarves. They also have pretty pink sheer ribbon for hanging.
The one with the top hat says "baby, it's cold outside!". The other one says "cold nose...warm heart!". A great gift for your hard to buy for Valentine at $15.00!
These two are now taken by the lovely Miss Paula Wanamaker, but I can make one customized just for you as well! Email me for more info.

Valentine Shirts Available Now!

Here is my little Valentine! I mean that literally...Valentine's Day is her third birthday! How sweet! She is wearing the youth S (6-8) over pink leggings.

This is a better shot of the shirt Lauren is wearing. Her monogram is on the side. I can do names, too! They definitely are perfect for Valentine's, but can be worn year round.

Here are some of the extras I have ready for sale. First come, first serve:)!
I have one long sleeve youth M (10-12) and one long sleeve youth L (14-16). They are $20.00.
I have two youth S (6-8), two youth M (10-12), and two youth L (14-16) available in short sleeve. Really cute over a pink turtleneck! They are $16.00.
I also have three 18 month rompers for $20.00 each.
Personalization is included in the price.
Ladies, get me a shirt and I'll paint it for you! Just be sure it does not have stain guard. The paint won't stick!

My bow buddy, LeAnn Grissom, has made some beautiful matching hairbows. Check out her blog over on the link "Lots of Loops"! I already have my name on that red sparkly one!

Cowboy ABC

Ashley Williams ordered this as a gift for a friend. What a special gift! This one quickly became a favorite at my house. My husband was my "technical advisor" and he did my research for me. Carter liked coming up with cowboy themed words for each letter. Lauren is just learning her alphabet, so she just liked looking at the letters. I paint in my kitchen, so for a little while, each painting becomes a centerpiece in our lives.
If you aren't into cowboys, the alphabet could be changed to fit just about any theme. As I was coming up with things for the letters, so many good ideas came to mind...space, sports, insects, farming, princess...I could go on and on! Thank you, Ashley, for your order and your inspiration! It was a pleasure!
The alphabets are 16x20 and cost $60.00.

Gretchen's Girls

The guidance counselor at Bobby Ray, Gretchen Angus, ordered these for her daughters for Christmas. They recently moved into a new home and the girls had their rooms redecorated. She wanted some surprise artwork done for them in the new colors!
Mary's is the Tiffany box blue with chocolate dots. For Jessie's, Gretchen just requested green and earth tones. I love that sage green with coral and pale yellow. Lydia needed dark blue with light blue and white dots.
I like the way they are different, but still the same...just like sisters! These are all 8x10 and cost $25.00 each.

Sweet Little Dots

It seems like I have been posting a lot of boy stuff lately, so here is something more for the girls! My good friend Ann Vance ordered these two for her nieces for Christmas. She gave me the top of their curtains in their room to match the dot colors. I liked the shape of the valance so much, I wanted to work it into the design as well. I've never seen one like that and thought it was so cute! Somehow these two remind me of the circus or an ice cream parlor! Cute!

Ringing in 2008 (with a lot of football!)

I thought this was an appropriate post for me for New Year's Day. In my house, this time of the year means one thing...Bowl Season! There has been so much football on lately with all of the bowls and the whole "will the Titans make the playoffs or won't they" drama that I am just about ready for a sports break. I might get a small one before all of the basketball March madness begins!
Jaxsyn Patterson is a big Miami Dolphins fan. Bless his heart, he must be true blue after the season they had! I like those true blue fans! Lindsey Matheny wanted me to do him a Dolphins jersey for Christmas. I was more than happy to do it, but I cannot use copyright logos. Another good example is the Centracchio's Red Sox snowmen. It is navy and red and the pennant just says, "Go Sox!".
The NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and all other sports affiliates are very specific about not using their images without permission. However, I can do the color schemes, which is what I did here for Jaxsyn. It turned out clean, simple, and perfect for any Dolphin's fan!

An Award...

Joy Tubb over at Simply Joy Catering gave me the "Great Tip Award"! It was so nice to be thought of, especially for something so sweet. Joy is such a wonderful Christian example for us all. She is always so honest and real. I like that in a person!
I want to thank everyone who sent me such great comments and emails about my originality thoughts. I want to be sure that you all know that I was not calling any single person out, but rather thinking about my own individuality.
Either way, you all gave me a bit of a pep talk and I am all charged up again! I am coming back with some handpainted t-shirts and rompers, adorable wooden garbage cans, and some very elegant wooden plates. I will be revealing them little by little on the blog, but they will all be available at the Bobby Ray Spring Arts and Crafts Show in March. If anyone else would like booth space contact me or the school at 473-9006. Thanks again to all my girls! It's good to know you've got my back....I feel the same about all of you. Let's all have a rockin' 2008!