Wishing You All a Happy New Year in 2009!

I know it's a little early, but I just wanted to wish everyone a very blessed, prosperous, and safe 2009. This year has been so amazing in all aspects of my life and I am just so very excited to see what 2009 has in store for my family. Thank you, once again, to all of those that have supported me personally and in my business-I sincerely appreciate it and have been blessed to have you all in my life. For tonight, have fun, celebrate, but most of all, be careful. I will talk to you next year!

Here They are Again!

So, here they are in all their glory! I really like them a lot! Too bad they are for a friend of mine. I go over there a lot so I will still get to see them. Don Li-Leger is an amazing artist and so very inspiring. They are not exactly the same, though. (obviously I am not that good in the first place) I might have to make a smaller set on 6x6's or something for my kitchen under the cabinets, but above the counter, ya know, that random space. I have some vases from my other biz, Southern Living at HOME, that they would match with perfectly (I added a pic down below with my fave bowl!). I am trying to change over my kitchen anyhow. It is apples (and other fruits) galore and I really want a more basic theme. I will keep some of the items that have simple leaves and red, green, and dark yellow on them. I have my cushions covered with a nice pattern called Sonoma that I will definitely keep because I have dishes, cookie jar, recipe holder, etc to match. Sorry, I went off on a tangent. Well, I'm off to bed soon. Having family over tomorrow for Christmas Eve! Merry Christmas to all...and to all a good night!

My Art is Up in Homes! I Can't Believe it Sometimes!

So, I have been selling art for a little over a year now; mostly to family and close friends. I also will make a piece of art to give as a gift from time to time as well. The other day, I was talking to a friend that I hadn't seen in a while and as we were talking, it dawned on me...I have art in 5 states in the US and in Finland! I am, by far, still a very new artist who learns something new everyday about how to make my pieces better, but that just made me feel so blessed. God has truly given me a talent that I want to use to glorify Him, ya know? Anyhow, my ranting is all because another friend from post Finally Finished and Just in Time just sent me some pictures of paintings I did for her children. The second two pictures are of the bedding; the paintings are on the opposite wall from their bunk beds. Thanks Jenny!

Update on Paintings Inspired by Don Li-Leger

So, I got to work on these babies a little more last night and again some today and here is what they are looking like as of now...

PLENTY still needs to be done to them to give them some additional detail, depth, texture, etc... which I plan to go work on them some more once they dry a little. So, what are you guys thinking? Like 'em, hate 'em, want 'em?

Cool New Art Alert!

These are majorly in their preliminary stages, but I just HAD to show some pics because I am loving the 12x12 inch canvases with the 1.5 inch deep sides! I am also loving the colors! These pieces are inspired by Don Li-Leger's "Karma" (pictured to the right). They are going to be a similar color scheme and have the flowers, but not quite the same. I love Don Li-Leger's art so very much! It truly is inspiring! I'll have more pictures soon.

Ellie's Room

Here are a few pictures of the sweet nursery that I did this painting for...
I wish I had the original pictures she sent me before I did the painting. They showed the other side of the room with the crib, changing table, chair, etc... I thought I had them, but I could not find them in my files. Anyhow, you can get the idea of the colors above and below the chair rail and how adorable it is! Thanks, Bethany!

In the Spirit of Christmas...

I just wanted to write a little bit about this year and how this Christmas is very different from any in the past. I have had a truly blessed year and I know that Christ is the reason for every wonderful blessing that has come my way. I know that probably sounds like a given, but this year it has been more evident than ever before. I have always considered myself a Christian, but when I became pregnant with Preston, I decided I wanted him to grow up knowing God intimately; I didn't really get that chance to when I was growing up. I lived in a home that believed in Christ, but we didn't go to church or pray together. I wanted that for Preston more than anything. We started going to World Outreach Church in Murfreesboro, TN and my life has changed drastically. The first year, I felt a difference inside, but when I began getting involved in Children's Ministry and getting to know more people there, my spirit began to grow in the most wonderful way. I really started putting faith in Christ to do everything in my life and looked to Him for guidance in most every decision. This year I have been able to stay home with Preston while watching and sharing the love of Christ with other children. My art business has grown from nothing to having several customers and friends. Southern Living at HOME has continued to be a blessing this year. My beautiful son just had his 18 month appointment and is just so happy and healthy. Things are so different this Christmas season. I really feel that I know what Christmas is about this time around and I will be twenty-nine tomorrow! I am glad in this 29th year of Christmas that I can celebrate what the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, really means. It means His life was lived and then given for us to be liberated from entrapment by the devil. In Him, we can have a life of true joy here on earth despite all the turmoil. Thank you Christ for giving me such a wonderful life here on earth and for all eternity. Thank you all for supporting and encouraging me this year. I hope you all have a wonderful and meaningful Christmas and a very prosperous and peaceful New Year in 2009.

Paintings on are Their Way...Today!

Jess, Sara, Marilyn, and Teri-thank you all so very much for your kind words of support and encouragment! Also, I so appreciate your patience. Here are your paintings and THANK YOU's all wrapped up and ready to go. I am going out to the post office in about an hour and they will be on their ways to you all. Please let me know when you receive them and send me some pictures of them when you get them up please!!!

Gabrielle is Golden!

I am almost done with this painting! I can't believe it! I designed it and almost finished it in one day. The "Tiny" Line has been a pretty big hit and I like it because it's like instant gratification. I do love the colors (the color that looks orange in the picture is actually mustard) in this bedding and this is actually a 6x6x1.5 inch linen canvas, so it was so fun to work with. Teri is purchasing this for a friend and says she wants it to be a memento that will be timeless. So, we thought about doing the Curlz font, but after some discussion, we decided this font would probably grow up with her better; it is called Brio. I went with the diagonal lettering so that it can be hung/sat horizontally or diagonally. I also decided just random dots on the front and then actual designs from the bedding on the sides, so when she inevitably changes her room, maybe it can be incorporated. So, tell me what you guys think...

I'm Back...I was Never Really Gone (or all here for that matter)...

Before I go into my rambling, I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving; we sure did! Thank the Lord for that very special day to give thanks to Him and all of our loved ones!

I knew it had been a little while since I posted, but I went to a blogger friend's blog and saw that it had been two weeks since I posted on the "blogs she follows" I knew I had to get going. (Yay, a few people follow my blog-thanks!) So, I actually have several things to post about, so here we go...

First, I would like to say CONGRATS to my very best friend and her husband on the birth of their baby girl, Jayla. Remember these paintings...they were for her nursery and she is finally here! She is beautiful and healthy-thank God! He is amazing!

Second, another blog friend, Bethany, was also waiting on her little neice, Ellie, and she finally arrived! Congrats to her and her family. Here was her painting...

They have both promised pictures of the nurseries with the paintings for me to post, so keep an eye out for those. I know they are both super busy right now, so I am being patient.

Third, I am finishing up all the paintings for the 3 winners of giveaways here recently-the 2 here on my blog and the one at agiveawayaday.blogspot.com. You all have seen "Chloe" which has been at a few expos here lately and will be off to her owner this week. Here is the preliminary picture for Marilyn in Texas. The painting for Sara in Finland is still under design and cannot be seen at this point-maybe never! LOL!

Last, I am so excited!!! I had another order from someone that just happened upon my blog! I should have some pictures up of "Gabrielle" soon. We are doing it on a 6x6 inch canvas to match this a very classy "Circles" bedding they found at Target. Circles and polka dots are popular right now; good thing I am getting a lot of practice! Thanks, Teri, you have been such a pleasure to work with!

Ok, I know that was alot to take in, so I'll quit for now, but I'll be back soon!