Last Minute!

Sometimes the canvases that have to be done quickly turn out to be my favorites. You would think that the ones that I have plenty of time to think about, plan, and paint at my own pace would be just perfect (in my eyes anyway!), but more times than not they turn out to be stressful. I guess it proves that you should just go with you instincts and be done with it!
These two teacher canvases did have to be done quickly, and I love them both! That daisy is so cheery, and I had fun blending all of the pretty colors on the fish.
Thank you Nicole and Kelly! Order again anytime!

Bathroom Etiquette

For the Rains girls' bathroom in shades of pink, purple, and yellow. I love the fun bubbles and the surprise striped border. The girls also had to have a little bling!

Thank you, Tonya!

Patriotic Days

Just perfect for all of summer, but especially those patriotic days.

I had a wonderful Memorial Day. We went out on the pontoon boat for a little fishing and swimming. We all have pink cheeks! I hope you all enjoyed your day off from the usual hustle and bustle, too!

Canvas Tote Bags

I had the "challenge" presented to me of painting on a canvas tote bag. You know me, I love a challenge! Anytime I can try something new I say, "Yes"! New things not only expand our horizons, but push us creatively.
Kandice Patrick liked her painting so much that she also wanted a similar design to take with her. I hope she likes this one just as much! I certainly had fun doing it and look forward to many more. They are perfect for school, travel, baby stuff, and church. Bags in any design are available for $20.00.

Pretty Plates

Still available.
Spoken for.

Need a last minute teacher gift? These two pretty plates are both available. I love, love, love the colors! That pale aqua/green color is just gorgeous, especially paired with a soft cream and chocolate brown.
These are wooden plates that have been handpainted and then sealed with a gloss. You can serve from them, use them for display, and wipe off with a damp cloth. They are not oven, dishwasher, or microwave safe.

$15

So Many Families, So Little Time

A deep chocolate background with diamonds just a shade lighter.

Classic black and khaki.

A modern touch of red.

An anniversary gift for a surprised wife (thank you, Lee!).

An anniversary gift for couple married for 43 years.

A wedding gift for those special newlyweds.

Beautiful in the wedding party colors with a crystal beaded handle.

Whatever the occasion, or no occasion at all, these family canvases are versatile and sure to be a keepsake.

School Is Almost Out!

No more classes,

no more books,

no more teacher's dirty looks.

I don't know any teachers who would give a dirty look! Apparently, a lot of teachers around here are giving lots of love and dedication based on how many end of the year teacher appreciation canvases I have done this month. So many of you that have ordered have said things like, "we've had such a good year," and "she's such a special teacher".

As a teacher myself, it warms my heart to hear comments like that. I have had a good year, too, with a very special class. Even though I am looking forward to summer, I will miss my babies when they go to the Middle School next year...I always do!

Pretty Purple

Leslee Sanders ordered plum and lilac damask for her front door. She also wanted taupe and teal touches. I really like these colors and the feminine look of this one. So pretty!

Baby Carly

My good friend and fellow fifth grade teacher, Janet Nunley, ordered this sweet girly-girl canvas for a friend's new baby. I love the pink, gray, and white together. This is perfect for a baby nursery, but would also work in a "big girl" room!

11x14 - $30.00

"Mom, what kind of pie is that?"

Lauren asked that question about the pie I made to take to Steve and Carolyn's for dinner. "It's the good kind, baby," I replied. After she chewed a minute, she said, "Mmmmm, you got that right"!

The "good kind" of pie is actually Buttermilk Pie. It is so easy and soooooo yummy!

3/4 stick of margarine melted

1 1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup buttermilk

tsp vanilla

pinch of salt

4 eggs

Mix all of the ingredients together well and pour into a pie crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Mother's Day

Giraffe Print

I am really liking this new giraffe print monogram ordered by Bridgett Crouch. This is not a sepia tinted photograph. The canvas is all creamy tan and rich brown, with a little black for outlining. The sunlight was coming in through my front door, and it just had the prettiest effect. After all of this rain, who isn't loving the sun?

May Is Chaos

The month of May is chaotic for us educators. You can imagine our house~it hits us double! Not only is every single thing due this month, there are also all kinds of special end of the year things going on, and let's not even start on the nights spent at the ballpark.
My friend, Ashley Freeman, is experiencing a chaotic month as well. She is finishing up a big semester in college, working, and planning a wedding! She emailed and said she needed an inspirational little something. I found this quote and immediately loved it as a reminder, for me as well, that the stillness needs to be inside of you no matter the chaos on the outside.

Beautiful Words

A beautiful Bible verse in lime on top of chocolate zebra print. Perfect for any room in your home. Since I took this photo, I have added gorgeous, special ordered, extra wide, lime satin ribbon that was the ultimate finishing touch. Thank you so very much, Kandice!

"God can do immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine".
Ephesians 3:20

Treasure!

What is it? Everyone is probably thinking diploma during this time of the year. No, it is not a diploma...

It is the coolest treasure map I have ever seen! Abby Keele asked for a treasure map that could really be rolled up for her son's pirate themed room. I had a ton of fun with this one! Carter got in on it and helped me name the areas on the map: Black Bat Cave, Chum Bucket Lake, Salty Dog Inlet, Shiver Me Timbers Forest, Dead Man Mountian, and Empty Skull Village.

This is on canvas and is sealed just like any of my others. It is very durable and can be wiped off with a damp cloth. I think Abby plans on tacking it to the wall with some large brass tacks. Treasure maps are 16x20 and cost $40.00. Aaaarrrgh!

Teachers To Be

I've finished another semester teaching art for the 2+2 Program with Tennessee Tech. For those of you who don't know, 2+2 is a program that allows the students to move together as a group through the classes required for a teacher's license. I wish it had been around when I was getting mine!
During one of our last class periods, we did one of my favorite projects...tie dying! They turned out all bright and beautiful. You just can't mess this stuff up!
I had a wonderful group of students who were so much fun to work with. There were also so many this time that I did not already know. I truly looked forward to Monday afternoons and I will miss my "art time". You guys will make great teachers!

Wild and Crazy Week

When I went to bed Sunday night, I had a plan for the week. It was a busy week, but I knew where I was supposed to be, what I was supposed to have with me, what was due, what could wait, and even what was for lunch and dinner each day. At about 4:00 Monday morning, all of those plans were scrapped.
I woke up to my son crying because he couldn't get his eye open. I also found myself with an extremely sore throat. At 5:30, I was at school getting ready for a sub. I lost my voice and didn't feel good at all, but did I ever make time to take myself to the doctor? No. I still haven't.
I made myself go to work on Tuesday because I was an honorary park ranger for the day at Rock island State park with a group of ten fifth graders on a Career Day field trip. The fresh air and sunshine was so nice, but it left me exhausted. I did have a somewhat regular day at work on Wednesday aside from a forgotten interview at the radio station and a huge pile of to be graded work. My hubby stayed home with Carter for those two days. What a trooper! He also managed to leave me a little love note on the van windshield one morning. Hey - you take what you can get!
Thursday morning I woke up unable to get my eye open. Again, I found myself at school at 5:30 unexpectedly getting ready for a sub. Will I never learn? I missed t-ball practice and Carter's first game. I missed Clover Bowl and who knows what else...I feel like a bad mom and teacher.
While I am moping at the dinner table, I get a call and find out that I have jury duty on Friday. I got there at 9:30 and I do not make it back to my van until 6:40. My birthday dinner was supposed to start at 6:00. I guess what I am getting at is that I always have in mind what I am supposed to do and that is not always a bad thing. So why am I up at midnight writing? I couldn't sleep because I was lying thinking about all of the things I am supposed to do tomorrow. Like I said, will I never learn?