It's that time of year again . . .

***edited - - - I'm up. Now, go make me proud! And chant to yourself, "I'm open to receiving, I'm open to receiving, I'm open . . . . . "


You know, when the Nester does her fantastic give-A-ways!! So far there are some fantastic ones! {Not that she doesn't ever have fantastic ones!} But guess who is back in for the give away? Yep - that's me! I almost didn't since I took myself off the market till January 1st, but I thought this would be a good chance for someone to get a piece of art {for free!} So, go on over there . . . . EVERY HOUR {a new give away is posted} . . . . and COMMENT! There is absolutely NO WAY you can win if you don't get in! Open yourself up for some receiving and go win yourself something!!

And btw - I'm giving a 12x24 canvas {of your choice!} When my post is up . . . I'll let you guys know!

Since the Nester is doing the give away, I thought it best I wait a day or two before I start pointing out my mistakes . . . meaning you are going to have to wait for that post I promised! haha

BUT I do have some more art to show!


One of my favorite things about this one is the grass? Just gives that whimsical look I was going after!


Okay - I love the clouds, too! They give that same feel!


Are you guessing what it is yet!?


If you guessed TRACTOR, you win the prize! Alright, I really don't have a prize! But the thought of knowing you guessed right should make you feel warm and fuzzy on the inside!

This joker was 3 feet tall and 4 feet long! I would NOT ship a canvas this size! It was for a local friend and was very easily deliverable!

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And speaking of this local friend . . . . her name is Jamie and she is the god of craigs list and lsn! This girl can seriously find whatever I'm looking for! Because you know I'm always in the market for furniture! I'm hoping today I can get pictures of all my great finds and post about them! You guys are going to be jealous!! Because of what I got AND because of Jamie's skills! haha!

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Talking of great finds reminds me that I had to go different than the original plan with my chairs! How can you forget this chawwing post! Well, I must have carried my little frayed swatches around for way too long because they didn't have my chartreuse green for the "ugly chairs." They will still be green but a different green! Something that matches better. Remember how I was concerned about coordinating with my rug? Well this one really does!? I didn't see this fabric before, so I'm glad I found it this time! {But I really liked the pop that the chartreuse would have provided!} Really who cares . . . just get those jokers recovered - right?! Lonnie got those babies dropped off yesterday to my reupholster! Whoo-hoo! No more embarrassing ugly chairs!

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And while we are on the topic of furniture . . . . Em's nightstand and mirror are COMPLETE! I took a day off from painting and painted instead! {That sounds rhetorical?} I'm so excited! Lonnie took this week off from work - so I'm hoping to finish the dresser today and actually get some paintings completed! Uhmm, yeah - I'll let you know how it all works out for me!

I've got that feeling it won't go quite as planned.

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Since we are on the subject of completed paintings . . . . I've got to get to FedEx at some point to day! I'm hoping with the Mister here, he can get these boxes shipped for me if I get stuck with the kids! So, if you KNOW your order is complete, today should be the day it goes out!

I honestly think if all I had to do was "paint" - I could really get them done! But even the simple things such as writing down all the colors before I put the paints away really slows a gal down! But just in case anyone has the same bedding or wants the same painting they saw, it makes it so much easier to have the info ready!

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Time to start this day! I have alot to accomplish. Remember to go see the Nester! Comment on everything! And good luck!

oh.my.word!

So, it is in the middle of the night {actually about 3 am} and I'm perusing Craigs List.

What?

Don't you?

Well, if you don't you are really missing out! Now, I've found some great stuff for great prices. Things that I'm surprised don't have a higher price tag. And I LOVE {of course} when I find something that will work for me for a price I can afford!

But what really amazes me how much some people think their 'junk' is worth!? Now, I know that one man's junk is another man's treasure. BUT come on! I do think there is a time when junk is just, . . . well, . . . JUNK!

The best find of the night had to be this listing . . . .

10 candles, 2 dark wall sconces, one 3 candle brass holder, two pewter candle holders, antique table mirrior, 8x10 picture frame, black leather picture album never used, 8 inch mother mary statue, one wood bowl, one asian design dark metal pot with lid, one wood pen holder. two black and white photos in blk frames, one coaster with changable picture cover, 2 yrds red material-behind 8x10 pic frame- two blk roses with wight wings and heart, porcelin doll, one heart and key ornament, smal round table. asking 100

3 panel asian shade 30$, two panel red double lined micro suede curtains- no lights comin threw these babies!- 40$ pr, burgundy lrg couch cover 80$, two lamps 15 pc, or asking 120 for all 5 items

or 200 for all!


cherry desk not included)

Lonnie and I just sat here and stared - trying to make heads or tails of the picture. BECAUSE it looks like some kind of shrine! Then we started laughing hysterically! We are assuming the table was set up for the picture to use in the listing - but then again, they might display it like this on a regular basis! Who knows!?

My favorite part is the USED candles!! I notice they left that out of the description.

Lonnie's favorite part was how the "cherry desk not included)" was added at the bottom!

Now, seriously - if anyone is interested {and live in the Nashville area - or they might ship!} . . . let me know! I'll email you the link and the phone number that was attached! {Anyone in the market for some black roses with "wight" wings and heart?? haha!!!}

{Later today, I'll post my big-O-screw-up post! Because - you know, I like to tell the world when I make a mistake!} {Okay - not really - but this blog is about the good and the bad!} {and how I fall way short from perfect!} {and let me just add one more of these {} for good measure.}


btw - the spell checker went crazy on this post! And I left them the way they were! tee hee

I've really got it together lately!

Ha! Or so I want you all to think! I'm really spitting these out! Too bad I've not answered emails in days! SO tonight . . . I promise to answer EMAILS!! We are actually about to head out the door but I had promised to get this one up!

I really like the "Sophie Bedding" from Pottery Barn Kids! A great color scheme that will definitely grow with most little girls.


Is it just me or does Pottery Barn not set up the best looking rooms ever? I'd say the only thing missing is a piece of my art! {tee hee}


Yo - PBK . . . call me!


Since I started this lil' business, I paint the most to coordinate with Pottery Barn bedding. They seem to use the same colors in different combinations which makes it easy to match.


I love dots!


I picked this font because I LOVE this "k" . . . just couldn't help myself!


Sorry for such a short post, but I gotta go! Stay tuned . . . tomorrow's edition is about big fat mistakes and how one got away with a misspelling!

Yeah, you read right!

Hey , . . .

Didn't I just blog about this?!? Get ready for a crack up!

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Confessions of a Procrastinating Perfectionist . . .

Nice title, huh? Couldn't imagine who the heck I could be talking about?!? ha . . .

Let me be honest. These were a struggle for me. Really they were. I started on them several times only to be disappointed in how they were starting to {not} come together. So, each time I hit the brick wall {several times,} I would sit back and wait it out. Normally moving a painting or two ahead of these so I could have a little time to study the fabric a smidge more, change up the stripe pattern or think about what to change in general?!

Or what I couldn't change.

I kept thinking what I knew had to stay . . . what was my direction {which I need - so don't confuse what I'm saying with I don't want specifics because I do!!!} Again, I need them!


The multi stripe fabric {above was used as an accent fabric in the nursery.}


And the Cottontail toile as the main fabric. Definitely a "nursery feel."

The "Maddox" painting should be used as the inspiration. So, I'm thinking clean but with a fun font.

Only use blue, green, yellow, strawberry (not red), and white stripes that are found in the multi-stripe fabric but not the pinks. Red would be too harsh . . . and the pink . . . well, this is for 2 boys! I wouldn't dare want to see pink in my boys' rooms either {even though Carson always wants to eat out of pink bowls?}


The names, Stephen and Gregory, should appear in a complimentary or contrasting blue. I'm thinking she wants this to scream boy, yet be in a "cutie" nursery. I totally agree.

That was my list of specifics. And this font! {O - how I love this font . . . great choice by the way!}


But again, I was stuck! For some reason it takes me awhile to think outside the box!! Since I knew I was doing stripes, I was desperately mixing and matching colors to the stripe fabric . . . .

That was my FIRST mistake! The stripe fabric is very "chambray" looking. So, my paints were looking to "flat" up next to the fabric. Then it hit me, I needed to match the toile?? That color has much more punch! And though the two look fantastic together, the toile has the splash of color I wanted to borrow.



And lucky for me I had a bolt of it here! SO, it really matches!


I thought about posting pictures of the original two canvases . . . . but decided against it. They were really looking THAT bad.



I do have a little pride with these . . . only because I can see what they "could have" looked like every time I look over to my right where 2 canvases lean against the wall {in shame!}

Sometimes I'm on it immediately. I have the vision and it easily comes together. Other times . . ., well let's just say it doesn't work out so well. But never fear, I'll continue to work on the canvas till I think it is perfect for your spot!

The rain actually held off for the . . .

. . . . wedding! I was wrong . . . it wasn't close to a river?! Could have been with all the rain - but it wasn't! People let me tell you - if this was the place I chose to get married, I would have done the same thing! This yard was sooo gorgeous, that I would have married my husband in the rain no matter how hard it was coming down! It was just that gorgeous!

And I took pictures! Forgive me, I meant to bring my big-daddy camera . . . but forgot! These are all by my phone {which has been the biggest pain in the rump to get from there to here!} Anyone else have an EnV touch??? I know hate is such a strong word, but since my phone is an object and not a breathing/living creature I think it is safe to use it here . . . . I HATE THIS STUPID PHONE!

Well, I feel better since getting that off my chest! And as soon as I can get to the Verizon store, I hope to have a new phone . . . preferable one that likes me and will work when I use it.

Okay - back on track here . . . pictures . . .

let me just say this was the groom's mother's backyard. And it was over the top perfection. It is what I had pictured when I was little reading the "Secret Garden" -

walls of 9 foot hedges.

spindly trees.

fountains.

iron gates.

shade lovin' plants.

vine covered arbors.

rock covered paths.

And when the wind blew just right . . . a wind chime. And not one that sounded like silverware clanking on an aluminum pie plate, but one that sounded like church bells on a clear, crisp Sunday morning.

I got chills.

It was perfect.

I only wish I had a real camera with me to take real pictures! I'll go back and get some because I want my yard to look like this. And the hubs has to go to see it so "we" can make that happen!


This final picture is the back of the yard. It bumps up to a church which gave them permission to use their parking lot for the guest's parking. How perfect it is that they had a gate from the lot to the yard?? And it had a meandering path that led through all the gardens into the open spot where you saw all the chairs {that were anticipating rain as they were covered in plastic - hah!


Too bad we didn't see any of the wedding . . . we were too busy at the reception site preparing to feed everybody!

And because I know you all love a sneak peek . . .


!!!!

Another rainy day!

It is sooo wet here. We actually have some areas that have started to flood. I've lived in this town the majority of my life and I don't ever remember it flooding like this?? We'll be turning into ducks soon.

BUT our grass is really green?!?!

Some really sad news for today {although I doubt it will hurt you as much as it did me!} The chest that I bought for Em's room - well, I didn't get it. The jokers that had it listed on Craig's List thought it was me that picked it up last night?? I still have not figured out how it happened other than maybe the other people called yesterday AFTER I emailed {b/c they had their number listed on the listing} and they got the directions and just picked it up.

**{sniff}**

It probably was stinky or something. Like, pirate stinky?! And I wouldn't have been able to get the smell out and all of Em's clothes would stink because it would absorb the pirate smell. And then she would be a cute and a stinky little girl . . . . and I really wouldn't want that. So, it happened for a good reason! I didn't need a chest of drawers that smelled like a pirate. {still sad though!}

But - as promised, I have more art to show!! It took me forever to find a great picture online of this bedding. Everytime I would click on a pic . . . it was super tiny! I can't work like that! BUT alas, in my google search, I found a blog that had some incredible pictures!!! This girl made my heart sing when I saw what all she had for me to go by!! I've totally lifted some of them . . . . and left her a note that I did . . . . so they might disappear if she asks me to take them off!

This is sweet baby bedding. I mean, who doesn't love some argyle?

The bedding is by Wendy Bellissimo called Argyle.

picture courtesy of The Southern Belle Baby

Here is a better close-up of it . . . so soft! And light!


I've learned to go a little bolder with the colors on the art {rather than lighter.} I did distress this one a bit!

picture courtesy of The Southern Belle Baby

The navy adds a perfect contrast!


The "kipton" has already found it's home since it was shipped off many, many days ago! It got there just in time for the baby shower! I was emailed immediately and told it was "perfect" and apparently, it made it on the wall before the party was over! {thanks for letting me know! I was tickled pink!}

I have to tell you guys that this is the first time I've ever done the diamond pattern {I did this painting before I did the one in yesterday's post!} SINCE my very first EVER painting! You know, the one that has Hudson's name on it?! If you are new to the blog and have no idea what I'm talking about, considered yourself LUCKY! It's heinous! There is a post about it somewhere on the blog . . . but I'm not looking for it to link to it! Only because it is that bad!!!

Well, I'm off to the hospital - my friend Rachel had baby number 4, lil' Eli! I'm officially NOT the only one with 4 kids in our group of friends! Like me, this is her last as well. I've been waiting very {un}patient for HIS arrival. That silly girl DID NOT find out the sex?! These 9 months have just about killed me not knowing - I seriously didn't think I was going to survive! But I did. I'm here to talk about it. Whew - I'm glad she isn't having anymore if this is what she would do each time!!!! {I'm kidding!}

After the hospital, I have to help my other friend {who also is named Rachel} cater a wedding.

That is suppose to be outside.

Next to the river.

If it rains, they really don't have a back-up plan {?} we are told.



Hey, did I tell you it has been raining for days and a LOT of areas are flooded around here??

I'll be sure to blog about this one. I have a feeling it will be blog worthy.

I've got one question . . . .

****edited - so this video no longer works!

try this link . . .


After the whole Kanye West thing and the VMAs, I had to see what the big deal was about Beyonce's video. I couldn't find a video that I could post, but she practically does the same moves on stage at the awards show.



So, I ask . . . how does a person MOVE LIKE THAT?!?!? Seriously people!? I didn't know that was possible!!!


My kids want to know too!? These three froze to watch the video - mesmerizing obviously! You ask where the 4th one is?? Lawson was dancing! And singing the "uh-uh-oh, uh-uh-oh, . . . ."'s. When I tried to take his picture, he would stop. ???

Toile - does it ever go out of style??

Uhmmm, that answer is NO!


I was asked to paint to match P.Kaufmann Central Park Toile in Blush. Here is the link if you are interested in ordering some of this cutie stuff. After going back and forth between everyone involved . . . . which included an awesome interior decorator . . . . we decided on this . . .


Now, I want to show you the room it is going in . . . .


"Hello, can I move in there??" I just can't tell you all how much I love this room! So neutral with just a slight touch of pink! And if I read right, {I think} that the majority of this stuff went through her first 4 and they were BOYS!!!!


And did you notice the light fixture?? That is if what you do if you ever get stuck with 'what-to-do-when-you-want-the-chandelier-but-need-a-ceiling-fan' dilemma!

This picture is a crack up! Can you guess what goes where the stick-chick is?


Her painting! Is that skinny thing suppose to be me?? haha - please say yes! {I wish I was a stick-chick! Four kids didn't help me any!}

Sad part - they are moving!!! Military people!

***ADVICE ALERT***

save the cellophane that the art comes wrapped in AND wrap it YO-SELF! Don't let the movers do it! Another military fam that recently moved discovered what happens when the movers wrapped her art with news print . . . . I'm crying with her! It is horrible! Laura - we'll fix it somehow! {Got to get that color to you!!}

I've got to get this day started! TGIF! I have to finish up some stuff today!! {like matching twin painting!}

Guess what . . .

okay, yeah - 2 post in one day? From the one who hasn't posted in forever?? But this is important!

I'm about to buy something else for Em's room . . . .


Oh yeah, baby! Another Craig's List find {thank you Jamie!} I mean seriously - do you think I could find 'only' a chest for sale again?? And it matches my dresser and night stand? Did I say "my dresser and nightstand" . . . I meant EM'S! That is what I meant. For her, NOT me! Let's just get that straight! As a child, I would have hated something like this. I'm being for REAL! And I would have really hated it EVEN MORE with the finished look I'm going for! haha! Something happens to you after you have 3 boys and finally that girl comes along!

I will not deny . . . .

I get teary eyed when I think of the ballet class she WILL be going to. I hope she doesn't have other plans because I hate to ruin them.

The doll house we will build together is going to be magnificent. {You guys should see the one my aunt has/had . . . Debra do you still have that lil' Victorian Jewel??}

I'm determined to make pink her fav-O-rite color . . . O - well goodness me, it is! {without my help!}

. . . man, I hope her free will isn't too strong - OR we're gonna have a problem {okay, so I'm totally just kidding!}

But she will have the best doll house ever {with some working lights IF I CAN HELP IT!}

I'm trying to get back into the swing of things . . .

So, our new schedule is kicking my boo-tay! Obviously - you all have seen very little of me! This week, I had a lot of orders that HAD to go out! Which of course - caused the blog to be pushed back even more! BUT I'm back {for today atleast!} We do have some things to do early this morning, so I will make it brief! Hey, just know that I have a lot of art posts coming up because I've completed a few!


Check out that room! LOVE these colors for a kid's room {but you all should know that by now!} This is PBK bedding. I do want to point out that Pottery Barn sold prints to coordinate with the bedding. See them?? When I was asked to do some paintings for this room, I swear I asked about "why" not those {although to me, it was obvious!} She had ordered them and wasn't 'quite' satisfied with the overall look of them. And I completely understood.

I like coordination, but not the matchy-matchy look myself. I probably matched these up a little more than I'm use to - BUT it was after I saw the prints that were sold to coordinate?! Jeesh!


I was asked to paint a seal and elephant. There is alot of circles going on in the bedding - so I threw in a lot of balls!


I did a little extra shading!


My elephant blows bubbles . . .


I love this red bed in this picture! {That has NOTHING to do with my paintings - but I thought I would tell you all how much I love it!}


And for the big reveal . . .



Far cry from the prints.


And because it has been so long for a sneaky peeky!

So after 3 boys, my girl is a climber! She can scale any flat object {such as the cabinets} and get to all the unknown areas in our house?! Then of course she gets stuck - such as in the picture below?!


She was suppose to be ready for bed! I have no idea where her pants went? And do you notice how wet her onesie is?? Home girl here was trying to brush her 2 teeth . . . even though I had JUST BRUSHED THEM!!!

And yes that is a beach towel hanging on the bar! We are the rednecks that use them at bath time. Okay - not the adults, we have pretty, fluffy, white towels - but the kids always use the beach towels!!