And so it’s no wonder that these canvases caught my eye for this article.  The first one was

Hoi An, Vietnam

 made for Rebecca, a customer who fell in love with Hoi An, Vietnam, just as I did two weeks ago!  She told us that this was one of her stops on a trip that took her to Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Bali.  Well, Rebecca, I am almost following in your footsteps during the first part of my travels.  Thanks for sharing this canvas about a charming UNESCO Heritage site. 

And in just one week I will be at China’s Great Wall, so this one below taken by the son of one of our customers named Patrica.  And it causes me to feel a lot of excitement! 

Great Wall

Patricia said:  The service was excellent and we are delighted with the results.  The delivery was extremely fast! 

I certainly hope I have an image that turns out as exceptional as this one.

Virginia sent us a photo of three canvases hanging on her wall.  We created them for her from photos she took in South East Asia.  She wrote:  Everyone thinks that I purchased the prints from a professional art gallery, and I’m always proud to say that they are my own. I wasn’t sure what to expect having the photos blown up so big, I thought the resolution would become blurry, but the they  look great!  Your staff was very responsive to my queries and even gave me extra time to make changes to my order when I needed it.

Virginia's Vacation Wall

So as you can see, I am following in some of our customers’ footsteps.  All these photos are inspirational to me.  I have my camera in my backpack, and I am shooting away every day.  I hope I’ll have a wall of my favorites in a few months just like Virginia’s!

I have been traveling a bit this summer, and I seemed to roast everywhere I landed.  Even as far north as Wisconsin, the heat index reached 108 degrees!  That sort of weather drains my energy and makes me feel as though I am walking each day through a huge vat of molasses.  But now that some cooler weather is coming our way, I find I relish in it.  I am enjoying the lovely fall colors in the Midwest where I live, walking the nearby trails, and riding my bike again.

And what a great time of year to capture the colors!  I love those images of children jumping in piles of leaves and pumpkins and shocks of fodder on the front porch.  So get out your camera and snap away!  If you have a photo you especially love, just email it to me at mom@canvasondemand.com, and I may share it on this blog.  Here are a couple we’ve received already from customers Barbara and Kris.

Barbara from Powers, Michigan:  “This photo was taken in a hardwood forest my family owns. We spend many fond weekends at our camp with family and friends and this was snapped on one of our excursions in the woods. This canvas will be treasured by me forever! And the service was awesome, excellent, and the quality was unbelievable–fast and friendly!”

Kris and her husband were enjoying a relaxing weekend at her parents’ cottage in Upper Michigan, when she decided to capture some lovely fall colors.  “I was struck by the beauty of the light coming through the trees. I felt like I was in the enchanted forest; it was magical. I had to have a canvas created of it. Thanks for the exceptional work.  I appreciate your honesty, personalized service, and speedy turnaround time. And the quality is extraordinary! You’ve made a lifelong customer out of me.  I highly recommend Canvas on Demand to everyone.” 

Here’s what Adam had to say about Dawn…
My wife holds down the fort at home and makes sure the kids get lots of love and attention. She deserves a nice portrait for the house.

Here’s what Beverly had to say about their mom…
My Mom is my Best Friend!

Here’s what Patrick had to say about their mom…
My mom is great – always supporting me sending care packages to my wife and kids while I am gone. Grandmother to 9+.. and gives personal attention to all but herself.

Here’s what Kyle had to say about their mom…
My mom is very strong, and she has to be because both of her sons are in the military and we are both deployed right now.

Here’s what James had to say about their mom…
She is a paralegal who worked her whole life to see to the welfare and education of her two sons. my brother and I are both deployed — I’m in Iraq, he’s in Afghanistan.

Here’s what Christopher had to say about their mom…
This is going to the greatest mother in the world, who has always been there for me, and supported me in every way possible

This opportunity gave me an up close and personal glimpse of how this program is encouraging our troops and their families! Enjoy the video of Lauren below! Mom

To our Team here at Canvas on Demand: You are doing a wonderful job at a very busy time of year…and you are bringing joy to many.  Thanks for your work and dedication to our Operation Hi Mom program!  Just take a few minutes and read some of the comments below.  I promise that they will make your day!  Mom

I want to thank you for this program. I too had no idea what was in the box, as I read the letter I cried (the ugly cry), hugging the picture of my son and his daughter at the deployment ceremony. I was not able to go due to illness so to have this means more than I can ever write to you. Thank you again.  You have made my mothers day! Linda

I want to say a special thank you for this project. It is by far the best mothers day gift ever. I was having a bad day and missing my son so much when this arrived. I am so proud of him for his service to our country. I will definitly use your business for future prints of my family. Thank you to all those that work there and made this possible and a special thank you to my son who I love very much!!!  Donita

I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU for your ‘Hi Mom’ program.  I received my photo today and absolutely loved it and the letter that was included was the icing on the cake!  What a fabulous Mother’s Day present coming from so far away. It made me feel, even if for only a moment, that Afghanistan wasn’t as far away!  Blessings to you and yours!  Susan

Today Fed Ex delivered my canvas photo of my soldier who is serving in Iraq. I can’t tell you how much joy this has brought to me this Mother’s Day. I am so proud of my Son for joining the Army and for what he is doing for our freedom.  Thank you for offering this service to our military. It means so much to us parents and spouses as well.  Sincerely, Vicki, proud Army Mom

Thank You. Thank You. Thank You! The canvas is wonderful and the accompanying note brought tears to my eyes. Anytime I see a soldier in uniform I am overwhelmed with emotion. A soldier does so much, for not nearly enough pay, so it’s awesome that your company provides them with this opportunity to let us moms know that they miss us and still appreciate us as much as we love and appreciate them. Your generosity will never be forgotten. God bless you all.  Tina

I cannot begin to thank you enough for the beautiful canvas print I received today with amazing words from my husband. Thank you so much for recognizing our military families and all that each spouse and child endures while our soldier is fighting for our freedom! My kids love staring at our new family photo up on the mantel, which is the most fitting place to stare at a VERY appreciated piece of artwork. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving from your heart!  Kristy

My mom got her canvas yesterday and sent two emails saying how much she loves it and how perfect it is. She had been sad about both of her kids being away from her on Mother’s Day, and I think this made it a little better. Thank you very much for your incredible generosity. It is something my family will remember for years to come! Thank you very much!  Michelle

I received your beautiful canvas in the mail today. I wanted to say thank you very much, it means the world to me. Being he can’t be here in person, having a great big amazing photo of him in front of me is the next best thing. You are unbelievable, I thank you with all of my heart. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! (times infinity!)  Jennifer

And I want to end by sharing a poem that Frank wrote and included with his canvas to his Mom…

A Mother

A Mother is one who
understands the things
you say and do

Who always overlooks
your faults and sees the
best in you

A Mother is one whose
special love inspires you
day by day.

Who fills your heart with
gladness in her warm
and thoughtful way.

A Mother is all these things
and more – the greatest
treasure known.

And the dearest Mother in
all of the world is the one I
call my own.

My Mother is My Best Friend