Unwind

Even though it's not technically summer yet, the temperatures are warmer and the lazy day feeling has already set in. At least in our home. We enjoy summer so much! Sandy beaches, cool swimming pools, popcicles....what's not to love? But as much as the Ussery clan anticipates summer, there's one group out there who must await summertime more than us: TEACHERS!!!!

The canvases above were painted for some teachers' gifts. Just an end of the year thank you and reminder of the fun and freedom that awaits them! We can all agree that no one deserves it more! So, thank you, teachers for all that you do for our children! Enjoy your summer, and have some FUN!

The canvases are 6" squares. I couldn't decide how I wanted to paint the palm trees, so I painted several. They're great for hanging or sitting on a shelf or desk.

Happy Sunday!

Just wanted to show you something new from the Paintshop! This painting is for a friend of mine due to have her baby girl soon. Don't you love the name Lucy? The name must mean 'super cute', because every Lucy I know is just that. Anyway, her parents-to-be chose the most adorable sheets and bedskirt from Target, and they wanted something for her door to tie it all together. It was fun to paint some springy flowers on the front, and you know I was ecstatic to see the bedskirt was all polka dots! Lucy, I hope you like your room and your door hanger. When you get older, I'll paint a "No Boys Allowed" one to replace it.

I love doing custom work like this. It's great to have direction and be able to paint what YOU want, not just what I want. This makes a great, unique and affordable baby gift! Let me know if you need anything.

Have a great afternoon!
(2 orders were mailed yesterday. More to be mailed by Saturday!)

6x18s

I'm loving this size canvas these days. They're perfect over changing tables, perfect over a door, on a wall, or even just sitting on a book shelf. Here are a few new ones and a few from the past.

The "Born and Bred" has been a hot item with UNC's graduation on Sunday. It's been fun to paint and reminisce about having my picture taken on the steps of the Old Well in my Carolina blue cap and gown 6 years ago. I can't believe it's been that long. Congratulations, graduates!!! (I even added some polka dots to the Born and Bred. Partly because it really looked cool. Mostly because I'm obsessed with polka dots.)

The others are for kiddos' rooms just for fun! They've all been a blast to paint. As a mom of 2 boys, it's cool to dabble in the pinks and greens for a change. Thanks for giving me the opportunity!

I'm mailing orders again tomorrow for those of you waiting.

Happy Mother's Day all you hot mamas out there!

The Garden

When I started painting canvases for people, I mainly painted them for children's rooms. It's been so cool to get recent requests for adults and even pets! It started with Granny's Gone Fishin' (see last post) and it has continued with the above painting. One of my friends ordered this for her Dad who planted a little garden with his grandson. This canvas is for a Grandad/Grandson garden. How stinkin' cute is that?!?! Thanks, everyone, for trusting me with your creative ideas and letting me put my own spin on it.

I mailed a bunch of canvases last week, so if you're waiting....it should be there soon! Thanks for keeping my paintbrushes busy.

You Make My Heart Sing

Good afternoon! I hope it's as warm and sunny where you are as it is here. This weather could not be more perfect!!!! And I'm much more appreciative of the temperatures now that our AC is working. It was beginning to feel like a jungle in here.

And speaking of jungles (like that segue, eh?), how about this WILD THANG painting? This was painted for a baby girl whose room is jungle-themed and colored in yellows and greens. I was told to add something to make it 'girly'. I hope I didn't go overboard, because this 'thang' is screaming out some DIVA with its giraffe print and pink polka dots.

Keep the orders coming, Paintshop fans! Last week you kept me busy!

Here are some more from last week:

This is much like the Kaliyah painting (see the photobucket on the side bar). Isn't the name Berkeley fun?!? And contrary to what the color may have you believe, this painting is for a baby girl's room.


"Granny's Gone Fishin'" is a riot. This was made for a young lady in her 70s, one of my co worker's grandmothers who enjoys fishing. I think it's precious. Just picture it on her front door:)

Spring Cleaning

It's Spring.  A time to get pack up the winter coats and make room flip flops and tank tops! (at least in my part of the country)

Even though I'm a girl who loves some color in life all the time, there is something about Spring that makes me long for all things bright and cheery.  And my husband constantly reminds me that I go a little overboard in the cleanliness and neatness department.  That's why this painting is so wonderful to me!  It's bright.  It's cheery.  And it's spurring you on to good hygiene. :) 

This painting is hanging above my boys' towel rack in their bathroom.  We jokingly say it would be more appropriate for them if it read "burp, scratch, fart".  As with all paintings these can be done in any colors you want, but I will say, I'm a sucker for the blues and oranges these days.  

Thanks for all of the orders, friends!  Keep 'em coming, and spread the word.  

New Addition

Our friends recently had a wonderful addition to their family:  a baby girl!  And since I am in need of a little pink in my very boyish, very bluish world, I lived vicariously through our friends for just a brief moment and buried myself in the wonderful color combination that is pink and brown.  

A little bird told me what bedding they used, a canvas appeared on my kitchen island and Voila!, "The Mary Laine" was born!  I'm kind of a polka dot freak, so I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw these fabric swatches.  They're so cute and girly.  Just like the little girl whose room this now hangs in.  (Honestly, she's one of the most beautiful babies I've EVER seen.) 

This canvas is a 10 inch square.  It's perfect to hang in a small space, above a changing table or a crib.  Please contact me if you're having trouble finding that "something" to pull your room together.  These make awesome baby gifts.  

A HUGE THANKS to everyone who has placed orders!  The "Born and Bred" has been a blast to paint again...ESPECIALLY SINCE THE TARHEELS ARE GOING TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP!  I have the "Born and Breds" ready to ship, and the local orders should be hand delivered soon if you didn't get yours today.