Simply Sweet

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

2009-12-25T18:06:00.000-08:00

Christmas is, indeed, the most wonderful time of the year. It's also the busiest! I finally finished my last few projects and here they are!

Kristi is a wild child with a penchant for anything girly and involving fashion. Her latest thing is zebra stripes and she always loves bold colors. So, I did my best to please!

Patricia is mother to Landen, and both are sweet as can be! Their room is done in browns and blues, hence the dots. She's expecting a girl any day now, so there will be another one added beneath Landen. He's known as the monkey, so his picture should fit.

Olivia introduced me to the Twilight series, before it became TWILIGHT. Her picture is done in black with her name in the Twilight font and covered with opalescent glitter, so she, like her love Edward, will sparkle!

A Few Kind Words

2009-12-23T12:34:00.000-08:00

Romona asked me to do this one for her Dad. Whenever he's asked what he wants for a gift, he replys, "A few kind words." She and her family picked several words to describe him and I added them to the word Dad. It's painted to match the decor in the living room and complement her mom's new sofa. I hope he enjoys it!

Boys, Boys, Boys

2009-12-23T12:24:00.001-08:00

Angie liked the plaques I did for her nieces so well, she asked me to do two for her boys. Zeke is all about sports and Tristan is a computer guru. Their bedroom is done in tan, green, maroon, and navy, so I kept the color theme to blend and not just jump everywhere!

Well, can't get Tristan's pix to flip, but here it is!

Christmas Again!

2009-12-23T12:20:00.001-08:00

Angie, another co-worker, commissioned me to do paintings for her nieces. One loves hot pink and purple and is a girly-girl. I was able to do a flowing script complete with bubbles in a variety of shades. The other is a serious Hamburg Lion, hence the bright purple. She's moving and her new room will be painted this limey-green apple and her new bedding is zebra stripes. I think it'll be a perfect fit!

Keeping It In Perspective

2009-12-23T12:16:00.001-08:00

This summer, our church hosted a former Pastor as our revival preacher. During his message, he mentioned a quote he often heard his father say. It states, "When it's over your head, it's still under His feet." What a way to put things in perspective! I don't often do scenes, but I loved the thought of a pastoral church and did my best. One of these days, I'll actually it to him!

Luck of the Irish!

2009-12-23T12:12:00.000-08:00

Kim, a co-worker of mine, commissioned a name plaque for her classroom. She was born on St. Patrick's day and has always been fond of the shamrock. She left the design up to me and I struggled with how to make it like she wanted, but to not look like left-over St. Patty's decorations. I was happy with how it turned out, and so was she!

Go Hogs!

2009-06-01T10:07:00.000-07:00

Bye, Beth! We have a co-worker leaving to join her husband in Northern Arkansas. Her third grade team planned a send-off party yesterday and Robin commissioned a special painting for Beth. She's off to reunite her family and start out fresh. Since she's moving to "hog" country, we decided to do something in red and white - classy and fresh. We just used her last name so she could display it at her home or outside her classroom if she decides to teach this fall. It's a go-anywhere design! She's been a great addition to our staff and we'll miss her. Good luck, Beth!

Teacher Time!

2009-05-19T06:09:00.000-07:00

As odd as it may seem, I believe these were the most difficult pictures I've done! Tobie said she wanted three, one for her (Mrs. Sprawls) and two others for her daughter's teachers. She said "Just do something school-y". It's taken me 2 months to come up with something along those themes. I am a work on demand kind of person. Tell me what you want and I'll help you with the design and produce it for you. Ask me to do whatever I want and I draw a huge blank! But, they are done! Mrs. Hill works with younger students at our Pre-K center and Mrs. Williams is a first grade teacher. Both are leaving our district this year and will be missed. So, they'll have something to remember us by as well as to decorate their new rooms.

All About Plaid

2009-05-18T06:06:00.000-07:00

This isn't the best picture - I wish it hadn't been on my counter at work, but it is what it is. This is a birthday present for Morgan, the great niece of a close friend. She's got a pink room with touches of sage green and eggshell. I had so much fun painting this! In fact, it was my second go - I hated the first design. I did a series of circles and it was too dark and not enough focus was on her name. I asked my husband's opinion and he was okay with it, but since I didn't like it, I followed my instincts and repainted. He said to never ask him again what he thought about my painting. It wasn't against him (which I remind him) but I have to remember he doesn't have the "eye" I have for things. This was my first plaid design and it was so easy to do. I choose a rustic plaid - slightly uneven and imperfect. I mixed and mixed and mixed until I had the just right shades of pink and just got busy painting. I hope to get the opportunity to do more in the future - perhaps with different colors.

Time to Grow

2009-01-05T13:09:00.000-08:00

I've got to get a new camera! My pictures aren't the quality I'd like...and a backdrop expecially for this would be great too. But, here's what I've got. I wanted to do something inspirational just for me. This 4-canvas series is to hang above my desk and remind me to always grow.

Happy New Year!

2009-01-05T13:06:00.001-08:00

Now that the Christmas rush is over, I've had time to do some things just for me. The first was a sign for my classroom door. I hope to have some more teacher-themed items added soon.

Finally Finished for Now!

2008-12-19T08:01:00.000-08:00

My two final Christmas orders! Taylor is Jake's sister and is getting settled in a new house. Bedroom decor hasn't been decided yet, so they have lots to choose from! Her favorite colors are hot pink & orange - so she can rock 'n' roll with this dotted rainbow!

Riley Claire is a niece of Tobie who got me started on this painting adventure. Her nursery is done in vintage storybook characters amidst classically colored stripes and dots. I incorporated the vintage colors, replicated the stripe design in the fabric, as well as the strawberries & stems and added the dots. Hopefully, this sign will grow with her!

First Grown-Up Creation

2008-12-18T08:01:00.000-08:00

Whew! I am LOVING my new hobbie, but it's taking sleep time! Romona's birthday is today (the 18th) and I wanted to do something special for her. I (in all of my spare time) painted a grown-up sign to hang outside her classroom door. She's a classy lady who has great taste in everything. I wanted something to reflect her personality - or at least how I see her. Eventually, I may get one for me! I was up until 1 am this morning finishing projects and starting others (2 more due by tomorrow) and up at 5 am to go again. It took me about 10 minutes to tie this bow! I knew there was a way to make it "pretty" and I almost didn't figure it out (which means I cleary did not get enough sleep!) I love it - and she did too, so it was all worth it!

One More Down!

2008-12-16T06:53:00.000-08:00

I was given free-reign with this design. It's for a 12 year old girl who has a room that is purple and pink. I tried to channel my inner child and just went wild! I really love this design and worried it'd be too dark, but I got the approval of another teen and she said it's just right. I hope Michelle loves it!

All About Sports

2008-12-15T06:16:00.000-08:00

I was asked to do my first "guy" creation. This fellow has a deep blue & red room and it's all about sports. So, with that in mind, here's how it ended up. I love it. The bright, bold colors were fun to work with...and finding something to lightly texture the basketball and football had me rummaging through my junk drawer. Just part of the fun!

"Cocoa Dots"

2008-12-12T06:26:00.000-08:00

Romona brought me these cool dot-shaped letters to paint to match...so I did! They really look great and I can't wait to see it all on the wall!

Romona commissioned this one for her daughter's room. They've recently undergone a major remodel and have a whole new house! Katelynn's room has bedding in the Cocoa Dot pattern from Pottery Barn Teen with the lucious Banana Cream wall color from Sherwin Williams. I tried to incorporate the best of both. I have some monogram/initial letters to paint for her as well. I'll post them soon. Katelynn will now have something new on her new walls!

Another Custom Design

2008-12-08T08:02:00.000-08:00

This is Tobie's second sign for her other daughter. I think that every time I talk to her she has another order for me. I'm behind 5 now, but it's wonderful! I LOVE painting! I just wish the paint would dry faster! This one is for her oldest daughter and matches the new bedding that is part of her Christmas present. She was pleased and I loved it. I'll post others as I get them completed!

To New Beginnings....

2008-11-21T08:07:00.000-08:00

Tobie Sprawls, our art teacher, "commissioned" me to paint a wall hanging for her daughter's room. I was tickled to do it. I love being artistic and creative, but rarely find an "excuse" to do so. She was thrilled with the result and encouraged me to do more. So, I'm doing another one for her other daughter, and have orders for 4 more! Nothing like a little bit of good publicity! I told her she'd created a monster. Actually, I owe her many thanks for encouraging me to explore this creative side of myself. I'm honored to have friends and co-workers who are complimentary and supportive! Beth Murphy, one of the 4th grade teachers, has a great blog and shared her address with me. I loved reading about her family and seeing the fruits of her creative labors. She inspired me to start this blog and see where it leads. Today is our last work day before our much needed Thanksgiving Break. I can't wait to stock up on canvases and get painting! It's a great way to relax...which is just what I need right now. So, stay tuned for more additions!