an exciting announcement

 I'm thrilled to announce that The Not So Blank Canvas will be introducing prints and notecards in October!  They will come in many different sizes and colors and be very affordable.  This is something I've been working on for some time, and I'm so excited that they are almost ready!

Here's a sneak peak...

  Is there a piece you would like to see made into a print?  Leave a comment and let me know!

Also, don't forget to sign up to follow The Not So Blank Canvas blog either through RSS or email to be entered in the you are my sunshine giveaway.  It's a great size for any room and makes a great gift too...I'm thinking teacher/bff/grandparent Christmas gift!  Have a wonderful weekend! :)

a free printable for you

Hello, wonderful readers!  I made this little printable for a Bible Study that I'm leading and thought I'd pass it along to you.  Enjoy!

my bestseller

When this canvas first began selling I was excited but also surprised. Who knew that something so small (9x12), uncolorful (grey), and with so few words (5) could become my bestseller?!  I have always liked this song but I had no idea how it resonated with so many.  

 

Have you heard the story of this song?   It was written by Horatio Spafford, a man who after he lost his son to Scarlet Fever planned to take his family by boat to England to see his friend DL Moody.  Delayed by business, he sent his wife and four daughters ahead, planning to join them later.  After nine days he received a telegram that read “saved  alone.”  His daughters had been killed in a boat wreck, but his sweet Anna had been spared.  He quickly boarded a ship to reunite with his wife.  It is reported that when the ship’s captain pointed out the site of the accident, Horatio returned to his cabin and wrote this amazing song that has touched countless numbers of people.

I have had comment after comment all saying the same thing-- that this song has been a mantra through difficult times and simply having the words on a wall have been a reminder that it is well with their soul. These little canvases seemed to have taken on a life of their own which really had nothing to do with me—just God using the pain of a man in 1873 to bring words of comfort and resolve to those suffering in 2012.  Here are those words...

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

 

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

 

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

     

    

    

    

 

10 minutes + $10

 

What can you do with 10 minutes and $10?

well... 

Begin with a naked window.

Go buy yourself some clearance dishtowels.
 

 

Install some kind of $3 curtain rod.

I used one shaped like this: [  so that it can be completely hidden.

 

 

Drape your towels over the rod.

 

 

Notice that your watch says you still have 2 minutes to spare.

 

 

Think about sewing them but quickly decide against it.

Check out the queen of window mistreatments here.

my boys

 If you are wondering what I spend my time on when I'm not painting, then wonder no more.

  Today, I want to introduce you to my family. 

 

This is my sweet husband and biggest fan, Michael.

 

 

And here are my other guys.

 

They are rowdy, funny, sweet, sometimes grumpy, a little smelly,

outside dwellers, pantry raiders, couch movie watchers, dirty clothes manufacturers,

wrestlers, campers, hikers, ball players, swimmers, tree climbers, writers, Jesus lovers, artists, talkers, snugglers, early risers...

 

and the loves of my life. 
Even if they do eat all of the pretzels.

 

 

how sweet the sound

Amazing Grace How Sweet the Sound.  Don’t you love that hymn?  I learned it when I was a little girl, and every time I hear it I have memories of my grandfather taking me to church, little old ladies singing a little off key, and of hearing it again as an adult as if it were the first time.  The first canvas sign that I made was actually an Amazing Grace piece that I painted for my mother for Christmas.    Since then I’ve created many variations of that first piece so today I thought I'd share the most recent one and maybe a few from the past.  I’ve been wanting to combine my favorite colors with black and here’s the result—

 

 

Here are some photos from other amazing grace pieces....

 

 

 

 

amen:)



you are my sunshine

I'm a little excited right now.  Ok, a lot excited.  I've been wanting to start this blog for some time now.  Things over at my etsy shop have been so fun over the last two years, and I knew that when the time was right I would begin a blog. 

Well friends, the time is right. 

And I'm thinking we should celebrate with a giveaway!  I'll be giving away the canvas pictured above on October 15th.  It's a sweet little 8x10, perfect to give as a gift or keep for yourself.  Simply sign up to follow this here blog through email or RSS and you'll be entered to win in the drawing on October 14th.  Good Luck!