Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

I took that line from one of my favorite Christmas songs. You can't help but to feel the Christmas spirit when you hear it. I took the basic elements of the classic Santa suit for this new design. I love the sweet simplicity of it and it will show up great from

your front door.

There is room at the top for a family name and I will be happy to personalize it for you. This one is currently available exclusively at Et Cetera.

8x24 - $30.00

Kylah's Ladybugs

Oh, this one turned out so sweet. I am so loving this font...just look at that big K and that pretty y. Some letters and names just flow together so well on the first try and others I work on for hours. I did the name a little larger than I usually do so that it comes out over the pink border. I think I like it!
The pinks and greens compliment each other beautifully. I just couldn't put black on this one, so instead I used a dark gray with plenty of white accents. Thank you, new customers Justyne and Kylah. I hope you like it as much as I do!

Christmas Pictures

We had a really nice little getaway to Gatlinburg this week. We relaxed, ate some yummy dinners, and got all of our Christmas shopping done. We spent one fun afternoon at Wonder Works. The weather was so nice that we spent another afternoon walking outdoors in the main street downtown. We always visit the Christmas store to get in the mood!
































We had fun, but as always, it is good to be home. We enjoyed a couple of good meals with family and spent some much needed quality time at home. This week went by so fast!

Teacher Gifts

Both of these teacher gifts are going out of town, so I figured it was okay to go ahead and post them. This design is featured all year round on my sidebar and is always popular. The colors go with just about anything and what teacher doesn't love an apple? My favorite part is the red gingham ribbon. It just adds the perfect finishing touch. I hope all of the teachers receiving canvases this year enjoy them.

Can you tell by the condition of my painting table that I've been busy? I wouldn't have it any other way. Thank you all so much for your holiday orders!

K-I-S-S

When designing a canvas, I have decided that the "keep it simple" rule is always best. It's when I start adding all of this extra stuff that I can't find my direction. This one is a prime example. It is simple, but it is beautiful and one of my favorites to date.

I absolutely love the periwinkle blue on blue dots. I love the white scalloped edges with the little touch of pink that is also picked up in the wide satin ribbon. This font in pink with the white highlights is perfect for this canvas. Brandy, you have a special gift for your niece this Christmas. Thank you!

Gift Giving

Tammy Young ordered a little something for her son, Travis, to take to his girlfriend's family during his Thanksgiving visit. She ordered sort of last minute and I had to rush, but when she said it just wasn't right for him to go empty handed, I thought to myself that this lady is raising a good man. I know what a job that is and I think she is teaching an awesome lesson. I was more than happy to do it and am always thrilled to be a small part of holiday gift giving.

Christmas

Mike and I gave out first Christmas gift last night. I don't think Riley could have been any happier. He's needed a new mat for a while and we saw this cute one at Big Lots. We decided to go ahead and give it to him. He sniffed of it once, got in and turned a circle or two, and then didn't get out of it until this morning. If dogs could smile...

My little t-ball buddy, Will Vance, wanted a sports tree to decorate his room for Christmas. I thought that was a really cute idea. I kept the design simple and the colors bright.

Ho Ho Ho!

I'm feeling the Christmas spirit around here. Several holiday themed paintings have crossed my desk lately. Krista Payne, Stephanie Keith, and Jessica Stafford have all ordered the trio of canvases. The one pictured is a little different because Krista requested aqua in hers.
The red and white 4x12 pictured below is currently available at Et Cetera. I love this one! I have one of these that hangs in a wreath on my front door.

I was putting up my tree today. I was going to get it all put together and the lights on it. My plan was to save the trimmings and ornaments for Thanksgiving day. I have an old tree that we started housekeeping with. Yes, I know I should get a new prelit one, but I am sort of attached to this one. Anyway, I got the lights 75% on (this is a back breaking job and I hate it) when Lauren strips a lightbulb out of the socket and the whole. strand. goes. out. I can't fix it and I don't want to start again. I could cry. Our tree could not look more ghetto with only one little section lit.
Merry Christmas!

Show Us Your Life - Pets

You guys see enough of the cats, but rarely do you get to see Riley. Riley is our approximately fifteen year old border collie (you can tell from this old picture!). He has been with us since we were first married. I say approximate because he was a runaway that found a loving home, and loved he is.

Riley lived with us in our little starter house. He moved in with my parents when we lived in Nashville. He is not a city dog! He licked baby Carter all over when we brought him home from the hospital and loved him from the start. He moved with us to our new house and was there to welcome Lauren. He is very protective of her and, by nature, "herds" her into the yard.

We've never had another dog. He is all the kids know. We will never have another breed. This border collie has ruined us to all others. Riley is now old and gray. He has arthritis and glaucoma. He moves slowly in mornings and winces when the kids jump on him. I know he will be moving on soon and I'm okay with that. I just hope we've made his life as happy as he's made ours.

To see more special pets, visit Kelly's Korner!

Scarecrow

Such a cute scarecrow for Lee Williamson! I added some polka dots on the shirt to go with the polka dotted ribbon. This burnt orange color is my new favorite for anytime of the year. I am going to be on the lookout for some accents for my den in that color.

Sigh...I guess it is about time for me to take down my favorite fall wreath. Mike's school sent that to us when Carter was born. I have taken good care of it and and always happy to get it out year after year.

Family Outing

This collection of canvases are off to Inyeda White in Texas. She wanted several to hang together in a coordinated grouping.

I love the way she incorporated her children's names and birth dates.

The 16x20 monogram is in burgundy with chocolate lettering and taupe and chocolate trim to tie in the colors from the other canvases. I enjoyed designing and painting these and cannot wait to see them all hanging together. Send me pictures, Inyeda!

Disney

Many of you already know that we went to Disney for the first time over fall break. It's been a month and I am just now getting around to going through the pictures. There are so many!



Here is Lauren with her buddies, Addie and Mary Margaret. There were several people there from McMinnville. It was nice to do something with some old friends. We did the special dinner at Cinderella's Castle.


























These two are my favorites and will be going in a frame.





















We tried to plan ahead and take some pictures for this year's Christmas card. I don't know if we'll end up using them or not!

We had a great time and it was certainly an experience. Check that off the list!

Little Princesses

Tia Majors redeemed her gift certificate for winning Little Fairest of the Fair. To mark this special occasion in her life, she requested an all pink princess canvas. I used all the pink I had and accented it with silver and lots of sparkle. I also used hot pink iridescent netting instead of ribbon. Congratulations!

Rachel ordered this sweet pink polka dot canvas for her little princess, Brookelyn. I used both shades of pink in the paint and the ribbon. I love mixing the polka dots and the gingham. Check back soon to see her new baby sister's artwork!

All Good Things Come To An End

Football season is over. They started practicing way back in late July/early August. That seems like so long ago! They've practiced regularly three days a week for two hours at a time. For me and Mike, that adds up to a lot of time in the practice field parking lot. I have stayed caught up on my reading anyway!

They only lost one game this season, and it happened to be the championship game. Carter still had a wonderful season and is basking in the glow of his trophy. This is the first time he's ever played. Our coaches were so patient and taught him so much. Devin, Andy, Sedrick, the Mullicans, and Coach Bowdin...you're awesome!

He looks like such a big boy in these pictures. I know he's eight years old, and he's supposed to, but he's lost that "little boy" look. He really looks big in all those pads. The funny thing is, he's actually one of the smallest players! Now, what am I going to do with all my newly found free time? Hmmm...paint!

Why I Can't Get Anything Done

Ok....so I can't totally blame it on the cat. I've been feeling like laying around a lot, too. Cinco has been loving my art table lately. I think he feels like he's under a sun lamp.

Black and White...

...and cute all over!
I love, love, love the black and white polka dots with the hot pink. It is just perfect for a trendy young lady in her new room. McKayla Todd wanted this one to coordinate with the aqua and lavender canvases she already had to create a grouping.

Has four days really passed since I last posted? I know its been a busy few days, but wow! Where did the week go?

Family

This beautiful 12x48 is currently available. It is designed to go over a mantle or doorway.

It features detailed hand stenciling that is faded in the background to create texture. The colors are a neutral gold, hunter green, and burnt orange.

It would make the perfect Christmas gift for your special family member.
Contact me or Et Cetera for pricing.

Post Halloween Sale!

I just love a sale! I have a few extra things from the Halloween season, so here they are at a great price! There's only one of each. First come, first serve...leave me a comment or send an email to claim your canvas!

5x5 witch shoes - $10
5x5 boo to you - $10
11x14 purple boo! - $20
3 5x5's B-O-O - $20
8x24 witch shoes - $25

Karen's Office

Tiffany Gannon ordered a sign as a gift for a friend to hang on her office door. She requested fall colors with sage green. I know it is a little hard to tell, but the background is tan and cream. The lettering is chocolate brown and all of the "trimmings" are sage, burnt orange, and shades of brown. Theis one is also lightly coated with gold shimmer. I love these colors!

Gingerbread

Gingerbread men are my favorite type of holiday decoration. I use them throughout my home along with red and white gingham and candy. I did this family a while back and it is just so cute that I had to share it again.

This is one that I just delivered to Resha Self. It has a cream and taupe background with burgundy lettering. The earth tones go well with the chocolate brown gingerbread man.

Oh, So Pretty!

There's just not a better word for this one than pretty. The colors are pretty. The font is pretty. The black and white swirls are pretty. The ribbon is pretty. A pretty person even ordered it!

Thank you, Callie Durham, for thinking of me when you needed a gift for a friend. She says this is for a young lady and her first apartment. How exciting! I remember those times and would have loved one of these. My walls were kind of bare, but I loved that first little place. Mmmm...good times!

Old Dog...New Tricks

I've been busy, busy with family canvases. These are by far my most popular design.

I think they are so popular because they are so versatile. They look fantastic in any font and color combination. They also make such good gifts, whether it be for Christmas, an anniversary, or a wedding.

I love the new cursive font. That "H" on the Harvey one is my new favorite letter! Newly engaged Nicole was my giveaway winner and she chose the pale blue with taupe and cream. What a pretty combination!

And now...my absolute new favorite! Angela Cargile (who started this whole thing!) ordered this one as a gift for a friend. When she sent me this font idea, I honestly did not think it was going to work. I am so glad I listened to her and tried it anyway. I love the simplicity of the font and the way the name and date are off centered. I did that on purpose!
Just goes to show you that you can take any design and make it fresh. Make it your own!

Ambition

What do you want to be when you grow up? I always wanted to be an artist. I did have a brief ballerina phase. Carter wants to play professional sports. Which sport changes almost daily. This week it is baseball! Between meeting Jamie Walker and the World Series going on, the baseball fantasies are flying.
Kandice wanted something to hang in her sewing room to inspire her during those hard times. I love Project Runway and find it inspirational as well. Those people are so talented and creative. I appreciate anyone who can sew. That is one talent I just don't have!