This season means artsy fartsy!

I have had a pretty good time getting back into the swing of things with my paints!  And thanks to several of you who have bought them! 

I quite enjoyed just painting away this season without an actual plan for what  I'd be painting.  I dind't take actual orders, I just got some ready and then, yesterday, I put them our for sale. 

This little montage of photos was used over the Thanksgiving holiday to show what I was spending my time doing.... painting, doing puzzles, and reading magazines.  SO awesome!

Paula has asked me to make this HUGE canvase for her boy.  John is a Sigma Nu down at LSU.  It's a 30x40, I believe. 

and I have made only about 40 handmade ornaments.  These were those cheap porcelain ones from Hobby Lobby.  Started out all white, and ended up really cute I thought.

As I've mentioned a thousand times, I always have to have a cabinet full of activities for when neighbors, friends, or cousins come over.

This sight just makes me immensely satisfied!

I let Ellie Sue buy some new neon colored acrylics, and she was pretty fired up about that.

She and Madi painted cardboard letters.

They also both made little angels with blond hair.

Hey, Sheryl, this is coming your way all the way to Great Bend, Kansas.  Except, it now has green polka dots on its scarf and I signed it.

Jada got this one.  But I have a bigger one (16x20) that has the polka dots oonly and is awaiting a home.  I can add a name, "Believe" or whatever.  It's one of my personal faves, as I have one just like this and 16x20 in my house now.   I put it up every Christmas.  Holler if you want it. 

I finished this one up, and it is going to live in Hernando, MS, with Dawn Pierce.

This is what a background looks like before I get going on the foreground.

Cindy asked me to make her a 30x30 canvas to go on her mantle.  She found an elf she particularly liked and emailed it to me. 

He turned out really, really cute, and I need to get a final picture of it sitting on her mantle.  It looks like it was just made to be there.  Oh wait.  It WAS!

Here is my hanpainted Christmas ornament station.  Breanna and I did an entire tree of nothing but handmade ornaments, and I'll be able to show more on this after the event this Saturday.  IF you are near Monroe, come and celebrate with us and bid on the trees on Saturday 5-7:00, then 7:30 is the ballet.  come on!!  Open to the public.  The ballet costs $25 per ticket.  The silent auction at 5:00 is free.

Here they are... lots of finished products.

You KNOW I can't paint a bunch of ornaments for a giveaway tree and not make a few for myself.  One for Gabbi's turquoise and pink snowman tree, and one for Ellie's red and white Santa tree.

And just like my mom did, I sign eveyrthing wiht "I Heart U".

Oh, and part of my "order" this year was to make plans that I knew would come to pass early in the year.  One example is that I bought this red and white mini tabletop tree in the after Christmas sales last year.  I got it for $2.  And then I put on my calendar that I wanted to have this tree decorated and ready for delivery by December 1st.

I painted all of these ornaments to reporesent Paula's kids.  Clayton, #22, is known as "Mr. Miyagi".  And John was #62 when he played at WMHS.

Both of those boys played football.  But, only Clayton played baseball.

And Emma Lou is and always has been her brothers' biggest cheerleader.

The whole tree is to represent West Monroe Rebels, since she has been rooting for the Rebels for many years now, and still has Emma Lou to go.

John is also known as "Juhn Juhn".

I delivered it AHEAD of time, and I think it was a hit.  I added some decoupaged ornaments with me and Emma in eye black and Rebel outfits before a game, as well as others.

Here are a few more ornaments... and....

I got this canvas prepped with old book paper, and if you have a particular thing you'd like painted on it, let me know.  I can pretty much do whatever with it.  I just LOVED the discoloration of the pages, and had to see what they were gonna look like on a canvas.

Ellie's completed zebra striped "e".  And her ornament below.

Ok,Danielle,  I have a couple of Tri State Storm canvases ready too.  And Bev, I have pulled out two chipboard books to send you so you can get your own books started for December Daily.  Connie, what exactly are you looking for when you say "Christmas beads"?  I can probably send you a treat too.  I still have to do a Tech Bulldog before I can send Santa down to Alexandria.

Ness, I am afraid I will not be in Memphis this year.  I have not been positive about my decision until today. (staci has been told that you may be contacting her via cellphone so you can meet up with her and Don.).   I have chosen to stay in Monroe and take my girls to the Holly Jolly breakfast to eat with Santa and do crafts and such.  Then, we will be going to the annual Christmas parade that we miss EVERY year! And lastly, I will get to be a part of the event when they auction off my handmade tree, as well as go to the ballet that I work hard for every year as well.  I am on the Board of Directors for this ballet company, and every year, both the St. Jude marathon and this entire week of local events coincide.  I decided that this year I'd like to experience especially the Holly Jolly Breakfast with Santa and the Christmas parade with my girls. 

I am so thankful to all those who are going to run in memory of my sweet nephew, Jake.  It's the eighth year that a team is gathering in his name to raise money for St. Jude.  Much sacrifice and training has gone into this weekend, and it is an immeasurably inspirational time.  I'm very torn.  But, as Poppa would say, "make a decision, then make it right."  And so... we'll be celebrating in West Monroe this weekend. 

Let the holidays begin.

MO

You asked for it. December Daily... "pre" photos. (and some canvases for sale)

Okay, here ya go.  As requested.  It's just a template, remember, for when I get started on taking pics of events as they occur in December.

Jessi took her role of "computer/ graphics expert" and made us pre-made numbers for our pages. She brought 5 sets.  She used one kind for continuity on hers. 

I mixed mine.  Sometimes this bookmark style in red, and sometimes in green. 

And then every once in a while, I'd use the horizontal banner style.  I thought they complimented each other nicely. And I like things a little more "mixed" than "the same".

We used tags in our book as smaller pages to add interest.  And... I decided to go ahead and put events in my book on dates that I knew were going to occur.

And sometimes, we made little secret flaps on pages if, again, we knew there would likely be lots of pictures for a particular event.

We went through my stash and found old tags and chipboard, and then added paper, ribbon, and paint to enhance the original.



The 14th is the day of our MMPT compatny wide retreat AND our Christmas party. I KNOW there will be lots of pictures on that day, so I saved about 4 pages for that one.

Jessi sewed us some circles on a piece of craft paper cardstock. 

I got out the old hymnals and cut a freehand Christmas tree, which of course I had to distress on the

In fact, I distress every single thing that goes into my book! 

We are both planning the photos we want to take AND thinking about receipts from special presents, tickets to movies and fun things that occur over the holidays, and other ephemera.

And THIS comes the day after Christmas.  YEP!  I know good ol' Santa is going to leave the Groves family feeling this way!

And have I mentioned my LOVE of baker's twine?  If not, here it is.  I LOVE baker's twine!

I'm not sure this is going to remain here.  I don't love my writing.  But, I know there will be a "signature" card to show my girlies that I love them and for years to come, they will be glad I made the effort.  They were in the art room the other day, with Madi, all looking at the mini books from when they were young.  I think I am passing on my love of all things sentimental to my baby girls.

And one more thing... I have a few canvases for sale.  Here they are.... 11x14   $40 Merry Christmas ornament.

8x10- $35 Believe

This is the Santa Claus that is going down south to the Beards.

This snowman is ready to be personalized.  It's also an 11x14 and needs a home.  $40.  Would make a cute gift to that hard to buy for person, cause it is for sho one of a kind.

Anybody know a Tech fan who needs this one?  It's a 12x12 and also $40.  I might could add a name or date on it.

this JOY is for sale.  I keep one similar to it up in my house.  11x14  $40.  I think I'll add a few swirlies in the corners first!

This one is a big one.... 16x20 and $60 .  I could add a family name, "Be Merry", "have yourself a merry little Christmas", Be Jolly, Merry Christmas, or whatever!  The elf shoes are covered in glitter in case you can't tell.

On my table below, I have the start to a 16x20 picture of three presents for anyone who would like it.  At this point,  you could even tell me your color scheme, and I could do the presents whatever color you'd like.  And personlization, of course.  $60

And lastly, Tami, here's your ornament... in it's early stages!!  I'll have it ready by the weekend. 

There ya go... what I've been up to this past week!

MO