Hand painted rocker

I had so much fun creating this whimsical Southwestern themed rocking chair! This was a commission for a sweet little girl in Aspen, CO. As it turns out, her dad and I went to school together here in Tennessee. It really is a small world!

Creating this design took me out of my usual box just a bit with the southwest design. I'm more of a polka dots and frills kind of girl so this required a bit of creative research and a little more sketching than usual. I tried to justify a little zebra print but I don't think there are zebras in Aspen..ha. I love the color combination and how it all just ties together. I'm very happy with the design and I hope little Miss Sierra loves her new rocker.


I love how the mustard, deep red and turquoise just pop when placed together to give that true southwestern feel.


I do accept custom orders for hand painted furniture. I can paint a chair or piece that you already have or help you search for just the right piece. I work with you to create a design that you will love for many years to come. For custom orders, email me at sherjames87@hotmail.com.

Tennessee Tragedy

This story is heartbreaking. Please take a minute to pray for the Chapman family. Being a parent, I can't imagine what this family is going through. I just pray that God's peace will be with them as they go through this horrible loss.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee authorities say the 5-year-old daughter of contemporary Christian music star Steven Curtis Chapman has been struck and killed by a sport-utility vehicle driven by her brother on May 21, 2008.Tennessee Highway Patrol spokeswoman Laura McPherson says the girl, Maria, was hit in a driveway at the family residence Wednesday afternoon south of Nashville. McPherson says the Toyota Land Cruiser was driven by the girl's teenage brother.McPherson says several members of the Chapman family witnessed the acccident. Chapman is originally from Paducah, Kentucky.McPherson says the brother apparently did not see the little girl. McPherson did not have the name or age of the brother, only that he is an older teenager.Vanderbilt Medical Center spokeswoman Laurie Holloway says the girl died later at the hospital.

Who knew that a long soak in the tub could solve all of the world's problems. Well, at least it solved a few of mine this afternoon.

My parents have both been saying soak in epsom salts it will help reduce swelling and your ankle will heal faster. So being my inquisitive self, I googled epsom salts and couldn't believe what I was reading. This site is devoted to epsom salts...http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/index.htm

Benefits of Epsom Salt

Eliminates Toxins from the Body
Exfoliates Skin
As a Fertilizer for your Houseplants(makes rosebushes grow faster)
Regenerates Car Battery
Relieves Constipations
Hair Conditioner(and adds body)
Bruises, sore or strained muscles and sprained ankles

There were many other uses listed on some of the other web sites I visited. Who knows, it may be worth looking into. This is my favorite scent from Bath and Body Works. The Brown Sugar & Fig is yummy together. I use this scent in the bubble bath, shower gel, moisturizer as well as the body spritz. I love layering scents rather than using an overpowering cologne that usually aggravates my allergies. Layering works well for me.

I know...two posts in one week! It's not like I have anything else to do while I'm laid up with a bum ankle :-)

When field trips go bad!

I will warn you now that this is going to be a long one! I suppose a good title for this could be "when field trips go bad." What started out as a fun Friday field trip to the Memphis Zoo with my son's class ended up with complete humiliation and a trip to the ER. We were having a blast..we had been to cat country, the China exhibit to see the Pandas and the Northwest Passage to see the seals and polar bears..which by the way is one of the coolest exhibits there.

While exiting the Northwest Passage area, we shifted to the left to let one of the staff carts go by and as we did my foot slipped off of tall asphalt and turned underneath me in a direction it isn't supposed to turn. I felt and heard it"snap" and down I went. Needless to say, I knew I had really done something serious and that fact was only confirmed when I couldn't get back up. Zoo staff rushed over and called for help as my sweet son prayed for Mommy's ankle. I was rather humbled, humiliated, embarrassed, etc. as all I could do was lay there as zillions of people walked by and stared as I grimaced in pain. A couple of good Samaritans stopped to help and they loaded me in a special zoo truck. Thankfully, my parents had followed the bus in their car so they helped me out of the truck and into the car and off we sped to the E.R.

We ended up at Methodist North and ironically my nurse was the mother of two of my art students my first year teaching at CCA. She was so good to Reed who refused to leave my side and she let him go back with me. Tori, you're the Best!! I had tons of xrays done and it didn't appear that anything was broken but I tore the ligaments on the outside of my ankle. I have to stay off of my feet which is driving me nuts.

It's definitely a trip for the scrapbooks! We are scheduled to leave for vacation this weekend....which we've had planned for months. I've had a couple of offers from my uncles to push me around my hometown in a hot pink wheelbarrow...haha. Walking with crutches has proven not to be as easy as it looks. I keep telling myself that "This too shall pass."



The Meercats were so cute! We wanted to take one home.

Reed and I posing as Momma bear and Cub.


My Mom and Dad with Reed

I love this picture of Reed.


The Polar bears swimming...this was a really cool exhibit.

Me before the accident :-)

My favorite pic of the day...Reed and a seal come face to face.


At this point, I'm on the ground and Reed is sticking close. You could see the
concern on his face. Bless his heart.


My "Zoo Ride"


Zoo staff Deedee and Joyce who were so gracious to me and my family
(not pictured is Carol)

My swollen and bandaged foot and leg as I'm easing my way up my front steps.

With the exception of the accident, we really did have a great time.. I highly recommend the Memphis Zoo. It's great for kids and adults as well. The pandas and polar bears are a must see.

My sweet husband has been a real trooper in all of this. He is taking very good care of me. I'm a very independent person and this has been a humbling experience having him wait on me. Thanks Stevie for being there when I need you most!! Love you :-)

Have a happy and blessed Monday!! Sherri

Whew, I survived the weekend! We had a yard sale here at my house and let me tell you it was hard work. If you've ever had one you know exactly what I'm talking about. I would much rather go to garage sales than have one myself. We sold a lot of the things that were cluttering up our house and garage. I'm in this mode of feeling I need to simplify and declutter my life and my surroundings. In spite of all of the bruises and sore muscles and lack of sleep we had a great time meeting and talking with so many different "yardsailors."

If you haven't yet seen the new Iron Man movie that hit theaters on Friday you have to see it!! We were given the priviledge of capturing the sneak preview on Thursday night before it was officially released. Oh my word it was the best movie I've seen in a really long time. This movie has something for everyone. My husband and 10 year old son loved it as did I. Robert Downey Jr. was awesome as Tony Stark and equally as entertaining was Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts.

Lastly, I have several new paintings completed and if you live here locally you can find a display of my paintings at Penelope's art gallery in Union City. If you haven't been to Penelope's you are missing out. They offer a whimsical collection of art of all genres from the West Tennessee area. You will find artists from Memphis to Jackson to Union City and all areas in between displaying paintings, pottery, framed photographs, jewelry, stained glass, wood sculptures, soaps, purses, mosaics and many others. I have photos and will post more about Penelope's along with the photos when I get them uploaded and edited, etc. I will be teaching a class there on June 5th called How do I see me? We will paint self portraits on canvas. There will be two seperate classes for ages 3-6 and 7-up. I will have more posted about the classes as well. I hope to have some new ebay listings before weeks end and will keep you updated on that as well. I have a lot of new designs and ideas spilling out of my sketchbook and am excited about putting them on canvas. Until next time.....

Many blessings!! Sherri