Giveaway Preview!

The Five Days of Giveaways start tomorrow!!! I'm so excited! This is always such a fabulous way to start the new year. Here's a little preview of what's coming just for you.

Day 5 - a gift basket from Karen Marsh at Et Cetera.

Day 4 - lunch for two and 1/2 dozen cookies from Kelly Roberts at Sugar Rush (open to local residents only).

Day 3 - Custom monogrammed tote bag from Karissa Hale at Sew Sweet Embroidery.

Day 2 - $25 gift certificate from Michaela Goodwin at Toot Sweet Boutique.

Day 1 - Custom designed window from Kim Cantrell at Picture This.

I will also be giving away some artwork on day six, but I want it to be a complete surprise! As you can see, there are some wonderful items up for grabs. To enter, all you have to do is leave a nice comment. That's it! The best part is that you can comment as much as you'd like. A random number will be chosen each night at 8 o'clock and that comment wins! Best of luck to you all and Happy New Year!

Christopher Robin

A. A. Milne has some of the best quotes through the Winnie-the-Pooh series of books. They are always so simple and sweet. I guess that's why so many people love them! Marcy Mullican ordered this Christopher Robin quote as a Christmas gift for a good friend. I love it!
This is a 12x24 and costs $45.00.

There's only a few days left until the Five Days of Giveaways begin! Just check the blog each day from January 1-5 to see what's being given away. All you have to do is leave a comment to win and you can comment as much as you'd like! Woo hoo!

Teachers

"Those who educate children well

are more to be honored than parents,

for these only gave life,

those the art of living well."

- Aristotle

Thank you, teachers!

Families

We had our first Christmas celebration last night at MeMaw and Steve's house. I love having our dinners and get-togethers all spread out. We don't feel so rushed and really get to enjoy each one. Here's the Martin family! My sweet little nieces and nephew are growing up so fast.

My kids are also growing up. I looked at photos from last Christmas and there is such a difference! It just reminds me to really make an effort to enjoy each moment.

Hailey Dolbare ordered a set of family canvases for her parents and her in-laws. I think they make the perfect Christmas gift! I love how they turned out!

Lauran Nichols had some friends who got married and she had this canvas painted and shipped to them. I got an email from the bride who said that she loved it!

Stephanie Vance ordered this one also as a Christmas gift. Look how perfectly it matches my couch and pillow!

Here's MeMaw and Steve with the grandkids. We had a great night and are already looking forward to next year!

Pixie Dust

Heath Roberts wanted some sweet little fairies and this Tinkerbell quote for her little girl's room.

There's lots of detail in these little fairies...and a lot of dots! I absolutely love how it turned out!

I used some iridescent paint on the wings and the whole thing is lightly sprayed with glitter. When dealing with pixie dust, you need a lot of sparkle! I enjoyed this time to be creative and girly! Thank you, Heath!

Nativity Scene

In the five years or so that I've been doing this, I've never been asked to paint a nativity scene. For my first one, I decided to keep it clean and modern. I think this one will really stand out on the front door!

Kayla Young has a friend who collects nativity scenes and that is the main theme of her holiday decorating. What a thoughtful gift! Thank you, Kayla!

Christmas Activties

This time of the year is always so busy - fun busy - but busy! Yesterday was my sweet hubby's birthday and we went to see the new Mission Impossible movie and had a nice dinner out. Just the two of us. It was a nice break from all of the children related activities that have been going on lately.
We recently enjoyed a visit to the Nashville Children's theater, which I highly recommend. We saw Junie B. Jone Jingle Bells Batman Smells! Check out their upcoming shows here. I am so going to see Click, Clack, Moo!

Lauren got to take her friend, Kara, and they had the best time! There was even an autograph session after the play. Lauren got her book signed by all of the characters. Here she is with her favorite, Junie B. Jones!

Snacks with Santa was at our church last Sunday night. It is always so much fun! Carter LOVES babies. He can't wait to get his hands on any baby around. This is sweet little Lorien Doak, who is two and a half weeks old. Awwwww!

Lauren has been so sick with an ear infection. She's better but not back to full strength. She was absolutely worn out when we got home. Even though she is so happy in this picture working hard on her letter to Santa, she still looks a little pale and thin to me. I am just thankful that we have this break to rest and enjoy being with each other!

Tour of Homes...

It's not really a tour of my home, more like my trees! I am hooking up with Kelly's Korner and Nester today. I've looked through their photos and links and decided to join the fun. This is such a great way to get some new ideas.

I've been doing the same thing for a while now. I am hoping to move to a new house in 2012 and want to keep some traditions and special decorations, but want to make some changes as well. One to keep is my candy tree. I love it!

Here's a closeup of my vintage candy garland and my favorite gumdrop ornament. This is in the entryway right next to the kitchen.

My son has a sports tree in the little alcove in his room. His window is the only one above the garage and it looks so pretty lit up from the outside. My daughter has a pink and green tree in her room. It's filled with ballerinas, fairies, and just about anything glittery!

I just posted a photo of our family tree and mantle a couple days ago so I'm not going to do that again. In the rest of the house, I have Snow Village house sitting around. These were handed down to me. I think they are so pretty and you can leave them out all winter!
Thanks for the visit! Come on back anytime!

Chloe and Luke

Tiffany Judkins ordered two 8x24 canvases for her children's rooms. She thought this size would look just right over a twin bed. I have to agree! For Luke, she asked for blue, brown, and a little bit of green. You can see that green in the dash border. Just the right touch!

Miss Chloe is getting some new brightly colored bedding in all sorts of colors with stripes and dots. Tiffany asked for something "funky" that she could use for a long time. I think this is so stinkin' cute! It will really stand out on her pale aqua walls.

Brush, Wash, Flush, Scrub

These sets of 5x5 canvases for the bathroom are just so popular! I've done them so many times and in so many color combinations. They are always so cute!

I love this color combo! Amy requested the extra chocolate brown and mentioned that she likes the piping. I added it to a few of the dots and am so happy with how it turned out! She also wanted green ribbon - so cute!

Home For The Holidays

Today I am participating in AlaMode's mantlescapes! I just sort of stumbled on this and enjoyed looking at all of the mantles so much that I decided to join in the fun. There are some gorgeous decorations out there - such inspiration!
My mantle is very simple. I love to use candy as a decorating theme in my house. I combined some oversized candy pieces with garland and red and silver ribbon. That same ribbon is on the tree as well. Our stocking hangers are actually picture frames that house pictures of each of us with Santa as a child.

In keeping with the Christmas theme, here is a canvas for the back door with a little touch of Christmas. Love it!

Finally, while the deadline for Christmas orders has long since passed, gift certificates are always available!

For A Special Aunt

Aunts are so special to many of us. I absolutely love the quote Stephanie Vance chose for her Aunt Linda. I think this will make the perfect gift!

Stephanie asked for animal print in neutral shades. I chose to do the zebra in cream on white. It's there, but it's not there! She also wanted the quote over the word "aunt". I did that in two tones of brown. So pretty!

Christmas

Just let me start by saying this was not my idea! Rachel Davis had the fabulous idea to take one of my 8x24 canvases and attach ribbon to make it a card holder. You just attach your cards with clothespins. So smart!

She just wanted a simple red and white design that would go with any of her other decoration ideas. I thought the polka dots and gingham ribbon made the whole thing just adorable!

Here's my basket of goodies waiting by the door this morning. I am all set to be at Sugar Rush today from 10:00 to 4:00. I've got several new things that I have been squeezing in between filling orders. I've also got lots of things marked down to great prices. Come see me and do some Christmas shopping!

Winter Wonderland

I've been invited to participate in Sugar Rush's Winter Wonderland this Saturday, December 10, from 10:00-4:00. This is a wonderful shopping opportunity set up in the Sugar Rush store. There are going to be several talented ladies from McMinnville with lots of handmade goodies. There are a few things I need to pick up and finish my Christmas shopping!

In addition to filling orders, I've been painting some new snowmen designs, Christmas signs, and teacher gifts just for this occasion. I will also have some items on sale - everyone loves a good deal! Come see me just to visit and eat a cupcake!