What's a Mom to do when her kids all go back to school??

PAINT!!

No, I didn't paint a room, even though most of my house needs it. I didn't repaint my kitchen table that REALLY needs it. Instead I painted a canvas for Chelsea.

See...a while ago...OK a year ago, Chelsea asked me to paint a picture to hang in the sewing room of her new house. I said "Sure...if you will give me some of your pattern samples to give my little grand daughters." (I'm such a wheeler-dealer.) She said, "ummm....OK."

So she immediately sent me a big box full of darling Pink Fig clothing items as adorable as you can possibly imagine them being. I was so excited! I sent them all to my daughter in California, who then began dressing her little cutie pies up in them and flaunting them all over So. Cal.
What about that painting I promised Chelsea?? (you ask).

Well, um, I got really busy and sorta forgot that I ever said that I would do that.
Time went by... Then one day not too long ago, ( It was July, actually) Chelsea sent an email. Just a subtle hint, mind you.

Here's what she said.

Hi Lila!

I have been thinking about my painting. I would like something to go in my sewing room above the fire place. I don't want it to be specific to a certain fabric, but more something that could go with everything.

I definitely want flowers and lot's of colors. I have Lila Tueller, Amy Butler, Heather Bailey, Tula Pink, Paula Prass, Joel Dewberry, Tina Givens etc... fabric on display. Lot's of teals, pinks, greens, oranges, yellows, pretty much everything.

Is that going to be hard to do?

All of my furniture is white in my sewing room and I have black accents. I'm going for a shabby chic/vintage feel. It's a mess from the move, but I attached some pictures of the room for you.

xoxo,

Chelsea

The light bulb went on in my brain, and I realized that I had let that one slip by.
Anyway, so when my kids all started back to school, I decided it was time. I pulled out my paint supplies, bought a great big canvas, and went to town. When I do that, I don't sleep, I don't eat, I don't do anything but paint.
It takes me a while, but I can usually get it done in a couple days. Sometimes three. OK maybe I sleep a little bit. Maybe I eat a little too. But only if it takes that long. In this case, it was only a day and a half.

So I put it up on my mantle and took a picture to send to her.



These are close-up shots so you can see the texture better.

She Likes it!! Or so she says. She can't really come pick it up, not without driving for 12 hours or catching a plane. I'm certainly not going to try to ship it to her. So it's gong to have to wait till Quilt Market in May, which is in Salt Lake City this year! That's right down the road from me! HOW CONVENIENT!!
Chelsea will be coming to that, so she'll pick it up then and ship it with all her other stuff home. I hope it will look nice in that room! What do you think?

Now I want to paint something else. Any ideas?? (Not the kitchen table)

Having a wonderful time now that school is back in session!
Take care,