Time passes...Thanksgivings coming!

I know I haven't been faithful on here everyday. I have been glued to the TV watching the during and after elections. It is a day that will be writtend down in our history books. It is a day that we hopefully have taken down the racial barriers that have haunted the American people for many years. Now with that said lets talk about the holidays coming up.

I haven't been painting as much as I would like to or should. I have been distracted by a little guy. He's 14 months old and well that's the age where they are SUPER curious about everything you are doing. He loves my paint room and well frankly I do to, that's why I try to keep him out of there. Hehe.

Some of my favorite things about the upcoming holidays are the delectible foods. Thanksgiving is and always has been a great time for my family to get together. Well both of my parents have passed away in the last 3 years but the tradition still carries on. I get up at the crack of dawn on Thanksgiving Day and start cooking cornbread, and basting my turkey. I am so excited in the morning to do all of this. I will be doing it without my hubby this year because he is away for Thanksgiving. But my thoughts weigh heavy on his return. Once the dressing is prepared I stuff the Ole bird separate the skin and season and butter it. Then I place it in the roaster and the cooking begins. We have sweet potatos, mashed potatos, green bean casserold, rolls, gravy, home made dressing, and pumpkin pie. Of course don't forget my favorite beverage good olde southern sweet tea...I have to have that everyday. I just thought I would share some of our traditions with you now share with me some of the things you do for traditions.

Tuesday November 4, 2008 ELECTION DAY!

Today is election day. It's time to set aside my work. I will be glued to the T.V. anciously waiting the results. Which we may not know for days. But none the less I will be glued. This will be an election to go down in history. So take the time out of your day to vote. You may think that it doesn't count but it does. You can make a difference especially in the swing states. So Get Out and VOTE! Let your vote be heard.

Have a great day and I have had a suggestion on something to paint so I will be doing something for Christmas. Thanks for looking in on my blog.

Monday Monday

Good evening to all. I haven't been painting much these last couple of weeks. The little guy that I watch won't let me. But I will get back to it and then I will give you a sneak peak of what's going to be on the website for sale. Does anyone have any requests? Well if so just tell me and I will see what I can do.
These past couple of weeks have been super busy you could say. I had a birthday a couple of weeks ago. Yep they just keep coming and you can't slow them down. I have been trying to slow down myself. But I don't think that is allowed. Well I should find something constructive to do so have a good evening everyone.

Sweet Annie Prim Hang Tags

I have just finished some hang tags. I have listed them on the website so go check them out. I will post pics and if your interested grab them. They are scented and grungied up with my concoction of different spices and coffee and tea. I really enjoyed making these. They are heavily scented and also sealed for protection. I plan on doing some more as the season changes to winter I love doing those. I usually put them on my products but there great on gifts or to hang on the tree. If you would like a larger amount just email me and i'll get to work. Thank you again for looking in.

Sleeping Ginger!

Hello guys...This is a gourd that I painted early in the year. It is also a lamp. It stands 10" tall and 28" around. It is a kettle style gourd. I have painted gingerbread guys on it. With flour, and sugar bags at their feet. I am going to place on the website for sale. Get over there and check it out. It is a one of a kind. The gourd is painted all the way around with Blue velvet for the sky, and Asphaltum for the ground. The gingerbread men are different colors of browns. I know the one pic is a little blurry but I wanted you to see that it is lit up. It has the moon and stars cut out at the top. I used the famous mini tool to do this. It is a fabulous little saw. Thanks for peeking in to see what i've created again.

The Blog Collection: Apply to Join The Blog Collection

The Blog Collection: Apply to Join The Blog Collection

I'm Finished!

Well what do ya think. I finally finished it. I added a hang tag which has 2 acorns, and an oak leaf to continue the theme. It reads Fall Harvest. I also attached some homespun and sweet annie to the hang tag. I inserted a 7 watt light into the gourd. The way that I do this is using a 1" hole saw, I cut a hole in the back of the gourd. I do this before any painting begins. I also seal my gourds with gesso before I paint them. After I cut the leaves out I cleaned the gourd out. There are some places that have this cool tool to clean the inside of the gourd. One place that has them is Welbourn Gourd Farm here in Fallbrook California. I don't have one, it's on my list. I did it the hard way, scraping and using my hands. Once my gourd is finished painting and sealing I insert the light. The lights are corded and have a snap in effect. Perfect little night light. What's really neat is at night the designs that are cut out appear around your room or on your ceiling. So with this little lamp they will have leaves and acorns around there room. Well I hope you enjoyed this little project. Let me know what you think of it. If you would like me to make one for you please contact me through the comment section at the end of this post or email me. Check out my profile for my email address. Thank you again for looking on as I create. Have a great day.
Oh yea the window it's coming I'll work on it some more this week. Hang in there.

Good morning to all. I didn't put up the pics last night. I worked on it till 12:30 last night. It isn't completely finished. I have to put a scripture on it and seal it. I also have to add a hang tag and some sweet annie to it. I also have to put the light in it. Well thank you for looking in on my blog. I hope you enjoy the pictures. The colors I used for the leaves are antique goldenrod, gingerbread, and antique moss green. I also spattered the gourd. I really like the way it turned out. Can't wait to complete it.

Gourds Gourds Gourds

Well hello fellow bloggers...As you can tell the window is not reached any progress. What you see in the past pictures is as far as I have gotten. But I have started a gourd that I have to finish this weekend and this is what I did to it a couple of days ago. I am going to paint it as well. I have cut (with a mini saw to gauge size I placed it next to a mason jar.)out oak leaves, maple leaves, and acorns. After I got it all cleaned out I painted it with ochre and gingerbread. Now I am going to paint oak, and maple leaves also acorns on the gourd. Once it is all finished I will place a 7 watt light into it and make a little lamp. This is the beginning of what I have done. I am going to add pictures later on tonight so hang in there.
Linda

Hump Day!

Oh goodness 2 more days till FRIDAY! Whewhoo. Well I sent out emails with my blog and my website and I get a message back from my Loving brother. What do I want your blog for What the heck is it? Hmmm well now he's going to peek in here and see that I wrote about him.
I have been scrubbing gourds in case anyone wants to know. I have tons of ideas I just need some time to put them on gourds. I like for my time to be quiet and alone for me to paint. It's like my own little world. No, one saying Mom i'm hungry, or can you cut my hair, or whatever it is that someone needs. I want some work time so to speak. Just so you know I haven't finished that window...I will and you'll be the first ones to see it...
Two more months and the magazine comes out. I am so excited I want to show you what I did but I can't. You'll just have to wait for the magazine. Create and Decorate. December issue. Well have a great day and I'll be back.

Manic Monday!

Well good afternoon to all. Today is a beautiful breezy day here in Southern California. I have listed some items on Etsy and Old Primitive Sisters Marketplace. Just search Lakin on etsy and when you go to the website of Old Primitive Sisters Marketplace there you will find my items.
I have been drumming up ideas for more submissions. I am thinking of something with everyones favorite...A HO! HO! I am thinking of a gourd....We'll see fellow friends. If anyone has a request for something for me to paint please let me know.
Let me see if I can think of a tip for you painters...
I find that when painting with red if you use green as a base coat then paint your red you don't have to do as many coats. It also makes your red a little deeper.
Tea staining prims...this is good information I use coffee grounds as well as a tea bag. This makes a deeper staining. I boil my tea bag and coffee grounds and then dip my item in the soup de jour so to speak. You can also add vanilla for a light scent. If I want them to look a little older I put them in the oven on the lowest setting for about 10 minutes. If I see smoke I'm in trouble.
If you have some tips you would like to share feel free to leave them in the comment section and I will post them crediting you with the tip.

Windows

As you can see in the photos they are sanded down pretty good. I used 60 grit and it went so much faster. Then I'll come in and use 180 grit sandpaper to remove burs and splinters. After it is sanded down I will apply Americana lamp black paint to the whole frame. Front and Back. Then I will apply a clear mulsti purpose sealer to the glass so that the paint will adhere to the panes. I freehand my scene with either a regular pencil or a watercolor pencil. The water color pencil is the best because as you paint it disappears. Once I have finished my painting I seal it with an indoor outdoor matte varnish. Then I take and frost the back of the glass to make it look wintery or hazey. Like when your in a super warm house and its cold outside and you have the frost on the window. I will take pics as I go along so you can see this. If you have questions please comment me.

Have a great day fellow artists.

Wacky Wednesday!

Haha I took some pics of the window...Whewhoo! I am going to upload them for you. I finally got my belt fixed on my sander. What an accomplishment and it made sanding the old windows soooo much easier. I have recently gotten back onto the Old Primitive Sisters website. I will be selling my items on there so please check it out. It's been a little crazy around here because of the fires in Southern California. I live right behind Camp Pendleton so I have been busy preparing if we have to evacuate for the fires. I had to load up Betsy! Betsy is my husbands pride and joy. His Jeep! Anyone whom is married to a man who owns a Jeep will understand this kind of behavior. He wasn't at home so I had to do this. I loaded her up on the trailer all by myself. So she's ready to go. So that's what has prolonged the uploading and attention to my blog.
I have also listed some items on ebay. A lantern and A star. I will post pics of them as well. If you would like to see my items just go into ebay and type in OPSG in the search bar and it will bring up all the items in the group and scroll down and you will see my lantern and barn star. So here is the pics. First the window and then the lantern and star.

Thank Gosh it's FRIDAY!

Well as you last looked in you read that my belt broke and I had to get a new one. Well I got a new one and guess what! It was the wrong size...go figure. Just my luck sometimes. So I didn't finish my window...and no I didn't post the pics of it sanded. Today I will take pics of a barn star that I painted, and I promise i'll take pics of the window.

This weekend my neighbor is going to take 2 of my lanterns and a couple of stars to a show. I am excited. This will be the first things that I sell in California. I so hope they like my creations.

Did you see my logo? Well that lady on the banner is my Grama. She's the one that inspired me and her gourds are what got me started. The table she's painting at is the same table that I paint on. She was 11 years old in that picture. I loved my grandmother dearly she was one of my best friends. I learned alot from her, I spent many summers with her crafting, traveling and playing in the dirt. Those are some of my fondest memories, spent at my grandparents house. There's a little peak into where my business name came from and a little sneak at my life.

Something for sale!

I have placed one of my lanterns on ETSY. You can view it if you click on the ETSY mini. Check it out.

No I haven't taken a pic of my window....I got disgusted my sanding belt broke so I have to get another one. I really want to get this started because I have a show I want to take it too...Hang in there guys.
Have an awesome day.

Lanterns....I'm Hooked!

I painted another lantern. All I have to do is find the scripture for it sign it and seal it and it's done. I know I said I was going to do that window...Well I sanded it down. What I do is find old style windows from old houses. I sand down the old paint off the window. I then paint it with primitive looking colors, such as barn reds, blacks, deep dark greens, and mustards. Only the wood part. Once that is done I start on the paynes,I frostt the paynes then I paint a wintery snowman scene, or a fNew England style scene. In the am I will take a pic of the unsanded side, then the sanded side. I did at least sand it...So tomorrow you will see the start...Have a great evening ladies and fellas..

Ahhhh! It cooled off today!

What a beautiful day I had today. The weather was like fall, cool and crisp, what a refreshing day. I have been painting away. I have a barnstar that I finished. It has a snowman on it. I'll just post a pic. I started on the window that I am going to paint. I sanded two edges, the paint is really thick and old. I don't want to use a paint stripper because that is such a harsh chemical. So I just sand away. I will take pics I promise so you can see what I do. Trust me it is a slow process. But the finished product is so worth it. Well it's late and I really should be sleeping so good night to all. I'll leave you with a pic of my barn star.

What I've been doing besides melting from the heat!

Well hello everyone! I have been painting...hahahaha! I have some pics for you guys. I am sending these with my neighbor to a craft show here in San Diego. I am trying to paint and watch a little guy at the same time, which if anyone of you have little ones, you know this is virtually impossible....But I have succeeded. haha! But as you can see I have only done 2 lanterns. I have some old windows that I would like to get out and sand down then paint. Maybe this afternoon I will do that. I'll take some pics of the process so you can see. Whewhoo sounds like fun huh. Ok here's my lanterns enjoy. The Halloween one was inspired by Deb Richey...She's a very talented artist and I really admire her work.

Well I gave up on bingo. Maybe next time. I have finished a lantern. I haven't decided if I want to put it on Ebay or Etsy? What do you think. I am going to post a pic of it. Let me know your opinions as well of the lantern.

Website

Just letting you guys know i'm working on a website. I don't know how long these things take. But i'm trying to get one done so people can have access to my work. I am also gonna get on Etsy here someday. So be looking for updates. Remember I have a piece in the February issue of Create and Decorate which hits the stands in December. I also have a piece in the April issue which comes out in February. Be looking for them. I will keep you posted.

Have a great day.

Linda

Wednesday! Whoohoo!

It's getting closer to the weekend. I am excited I am going to get to paint some more. Has anyone thought about Bingo? Just checking. Don't forget to put your name on the list just leave me a comment so i'll know. I haven't figured out what i'm going to paint. How about an Snowman gourd ornament? Or some wooden tags? Those are cute. I'll look for a pic and you guys let me know if you wanna play. There will be 30 words and i'll list a few each day. I'll pull them out of a hat. Let's get a game going. If you win how bout you choose? I'll do 3 wooden hang tags, and I'll do one gourd ornament and you pick.

Have a good day!

Fun Fun Fun Bingo Anyone?

Good morning to my fellow artists and bloggers, woops noon. HeHe. I have fervently been painting on my submission this morning. I think the hardest part is doing the instructions. I have a giant pad of paper on my paint table which as I go along I write down the instructions. Then after all is said and done I try to decipher them and put them on my computer. I have five items that I am painting. They consists of the more Primitive New England style. I so wish I could share with you. But I can't you'll just have to check out the magazine. Remember to get the February issue in December of Create and Decorate to see my project in that one. It's a fun project and very useful.

Let's play a game. Would you guys be interested in Bingo? Maybe for a PRIZE? How about the prize being something hand painted from me. I'll think of something and post the idea and then we'll play BINGO and whom ever wins gets the item? All whom would like to play send me a comment and I will give it a week and then I'll post a list of words, you pick your words then email me with your list. Then we will commence the Bingo Game! Sound like fun? We play in my ebay group and it's a blast. How about a word jumble for today. No prize just something for funsies to get us in the mood.

1. wsearccor
2. laenolhew
3. tvaehrs
4. lgnosib
5. tsleekno

There's your list have fun....Remember this is just to get us in the mood so come on join the fun.

What AN Honor! Thank You for the Nomination!








I have been selected for a Primitive Excellence Award by Lisa from Brush Strokes *N* Stitches. I am flattered and Motivated. Thank you so much and I will definately pass on an awsome reward. Again Thank You and God Bless You.
Now then, to uphold my end of receiving the award, I must pick 7 friends/blogs to nominate. Plus, the following:

*Put the logo on your blog.
*Add a link to the person who awarded you.
*Nominate at least seven other blogs.
*Add links to those blogs on your blog.
*Leave a message for your nominee on their blog.

This is the hard part because there are so many talented artist out there. Here are my nominees:
1. Kim of Kim Hardt Originals. Very talented and creative person. I love her blog. http://www.kimhardtoriginals.blogspot.com/
2. Helena of Snow Pond Primitives what a fun blog. http://helenacstudios.typepad.com/snow_pond_primitives/
3. Penny of Miss Pootsies Primitives. You have to go over and look at her TTIBS. Teenie Tiny Iddie Biddies. Cutest prim little biddies....http://misspootsiesprimitives.blogspot.com/
4. Kelly from Once in a Blue Moon Primitives. Such an imagination and wonderful work. http://onceinabluemoonprimitives.blogspot.com/
5. Diane from Prims N More. She's got a great blog full of information and awesome prims. http://primsnmore.blogspot.com/
6. Stephanie from Sunshine N Ravioli. Such a talented artist. I love her work such an inspiration. Fellow military wife as well. http://sunshinenravioli.blogspot.com/
7. Gloria from Lowell Country Designs. Very Primitive artist great dolls. If you Love Mohair and Wool check her out. http://lowellcountrydesigns.blogspot.com/

These are my nominees....Awesome talented artists very inspiring and encouraging.

Time gets away from Us!

I am sorry I have been missing in action. Life gets in the way sometimes of the things that we love so much. I haven't been much of a painter lately. I did get my submision in for Create and Decorate on time. Now I am trying to beat another deadline, I have till October 1st. I was searching google with my name and low and behold there were many spots mentioning my name. I almost feel guilty because I have been away so long. Sometimes we just have to focus on our passion and go with it no matter what anyone says. I have just lost my focus always trying to please others and not following my passion. Here lately there have been many reminders of what my passion is and to follow it well here I am trying to get back on track. Thank you all for supporting me and reading my blog. It means so much to me. Never let go of your dreams, they were instilled in us for a reason. Thanks again.

God Bless All!

Hello Strangers

Long time no Blog! I have been going to school and have had visitors for the last couple of weeks. Whew I am tired. I am almost finished with my submission to Create and Decorate. Look for it in Dec 08'. It is a cool magazine for those of your artsy crafty folks. It is a great learning device of many types of crafts. Sewing painting and many many more. Check out there website. WWW.Createanddecorate.com. I wish I could post pics of the submission but no no that's not allowed.

Well let's see when my visitors came we went all over Southern California. We saw the Queen Mary, Venice Beach, Olde Town San Diego....We went all over the place. Holy Cow. I had to take a vacation from my vacation. LOL! Venice Beach was different I must say. Quite interesting certainly things you don't see in the Midwest.

Alas School! I have started going to school. It is an at home program which is good it allows me to do the things I love and well some of the things that I don't. I am trying to get organized and schedule my time to where I can paint more and do school as well. It is hard to get organized. Maybe I should say motivated...to get organized. Well thanks for stopping in to hear my goings on.

Tip #1 when I am applying my base coats I tend to do a mix of 3 to 1 color and water. This way I get a smooth even coat. It may take 2-3 coats but it saves your piece from getting weighted down and also prevents the lines.

Tip #2 If you do end up with lines or high edges from your brush strokes you can take a paper bag and go over it to smooth it out some in between applications of paint. (Make sure no printing is on the part of the bag you are using.) Sometimes you have to lightly sand it. But if you use my base coat technique it prevents obvious brush strokes.

Tip #3 I keep a washcloth at my paint station I use it to clean my brushes as I am painting. It's washable and I can use it over and over. I also keep a rather large container of water right next to my rag. Makes it easy for floating and washing...

If you have any tips you would like to share please post them here for others to see. I have others I'll just have to think of them. Have a great day!

New Day!

Good Friday MORNING!

Well it's bright and early for me. I have been up sense 3:00 am, and I have to say I am tired. My mind is just running wild and I can't sleep. I have been working on my magazine submission and I have to say I just can't stop thinking about what I am going to do next. I am so looking forward to turning it in. I wish I could share the details but shhh it's a secret. It has given me some wonderful ideas which sparked my creativity. I am looking forward to getting busy and listing some things on etsy. Hope all is well out there in blogging land.

The other things on my plate are I am going to go to school! Holy cow! Just something else to do. I remember my grama saying don't put too many irons in the fire because nothing will get done...It will I'm on a schedule...at least I think I am.

Have a wonderful Friday!

I'm back in the saddle again!!!!

Well hello everyone in the blogging world. I have been away for a little while I have been moving...no fun at all. I have to say that I am so happy where I am living now. I was living on base and well thats just a whole different world I must say. I like it here we have a fenced in back yard and I sit on my back patio and just listen to the birds and relax. On base all you ever heard were crows which was interesting at first then it became creepy. Now I hear other types of birds singing and just chirping along. Its really nice.

I finally got my paint room organized and I have started on my project for Create and Decorate which will be out in Dec. 08 (very excited about that). I would love to tell you what it is but I can't do that...It's a surprise. I am going to start in the next couple of weeks listing some things on Etsy. My etsy name is gramasgourdsandprim. I couldn't fit my whole name, so I just shortened it a little. So when I get some things listed i'll let ya know. I hope all is well for everyone.

I do have to tell you that my daughter sings in choir and they went to Disneyland to Music in the Parks to sing and they took 1st place...which was awesome. This was also our first time going to Disneyland and I have to say I had a really good time. I was surround by a group of adults whom turned into kids because my daughter and I had never been to Disneyland. They were great for example...Oh we have to take you here and oh you have to see this. We had a great time.

Hello Strangers

How is everyone out in the crafting world. I have learned that via HGTV.com you can show your crafts. It is really cool and what a way to advertise where you are selling your product. I am learning all kinds of things. I haven't been in here lately to blog because I am packing moving out of base housing. Whewhoo...can't wait to be out and have a yard. I'm lovin it. Maybe then I can get some painting done. I have my gourds prepped and ready for paint I just haven't had time. I did do the yardsale 2 weeks ago and sold $10 worth of stuff. People weren't buying the neighborhood had poor sales. People are holding onto there green money is tight and we're not quite sure where the economy is going. Hang in there people it's all gonna be allright. The Lord feeds the birds he'll feed us. Remember that. Well have a great rest of the evening I am going to hit the hay.

Well it's Wednesday and I have been working on some Trees...I know I know it's not Christmas but these don't just have to be for Christmas. Although the ones I was working on were. Today I'm gonna work up a sheep tree...Everyone loves those adorable little sheep. I have got to get busy on my projects for the mags...I am waiting on paint which is never fun. How bout I post my trees so you can take a look tell me what ya think. Ok i'll take some pics...give me a minute. Ok here goes my pics enjoy. See I'm doing something. Well have a great day and oh wait UPS is here maybe it's my paint....Whewhoo I can't wait hold on let's go see..Nevermind he went to the neighbors. Shoot I don't know if Browns on my side...hehe Have a great day.

Good afternoon everyone it is a beautiful day here in Southern California. It is a bout 71 outside and I love it. Can't say I have been painting at all but I have been getting ready for a garage sale coming up this weekend. It will be a neighborhood sale so everyone come that is around. It is in Scripps Ranch which is located in San Diego California. Here is a link for directions http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/eve/622985100.html. Just copy and paste it and put in your tool bar. Or google Scripps Ranch Garage sales. I will have some of my painted items as well as other things that I put together. I actually got some things organized this weekend getting ready for the garage sales. So maybe it will be easier to get around in that paint room and get paintin...

Heres a tip for the day...What I use for staining my muslin or cardstocks or hang tags. I get a large stew pot fill it with water add 2 tea bags, coffee and vanilla it makes a great stain then I bake it or dry it on 200 in the oven. Not too long though because you'll burn up your products...

Whats Today TUESDAY....

I have been playing with this stinking computer all day trying to figure out how to link a pic to the website with my products. I finally figured it out after 3 hours ughhhh....I have been working on my gourds and I got the bottoms glued on so I can get started painting. I have 8 gourds let's see what I can come up with.

The weekends almost over...

Hello everyone and thanks for checkin out my blog. I have been busy this week and haven't posted very much. I am working on my gourds I got them all cleaned inside and out. I am going to be making some bird houses....That will be fun. If anyone has any suggestions please feel free to comment me. I am always looking to see what people like. I am going to be doing some Americana, some spring ones, and if you can think of something that you would like painted let me know and I'll try to accomidate you. Please remember to check out www.oldprimitivesisters.com. Many many beautiful items on there by many many talented ladies.

Witty thoughts for the day: "If you lose your temper, you’ve lost the argument."- Proverb

Hear Ye Hear Ye!

What have you done today? I arose at 5:30 a.m to get the little one...Then I sat on the couch and relaxed for a little while. I didn't get to wash gourds yesterday cause the little guy was fussy he wanted all my attention. I don't think he felt too good. I did although start an etsy acct. Which means I will also be listing my creations on there to sell as well. I use to be on ebay but well I am sure alot of you know all about that. So hopefully the little guy will be in a good mood today and I can do some painting and listing. I am almost finished with a lighted bucket. It has a gardening angel on it which is above a white picket fence with her watering can. I'll post pics of it today. I promise.

I'm gonna have to think of some funny things and maybe a contest any ideas? I thought of some on my way to sleep but well lost them when I went to sleep. Have a great day!

How about something inspiring for the day!

"Destiny is not a matter of change, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved."- William Jennings Bryan (1860-1925)

Tuesday....that's it wheres Friday when you need it...

Hello everyone. Today is a new day. I am washing up gourds again to get started on my birdhouses and lamps. I will be posting the stages and the process so you can learn or maybe even post some hints to me to make things easier. I start out with an old wash tub and some Dawn and bleach...then I scrub them with a wire old pot scrubber seems to work the best. Once I get all the grime scrubbed off I set them out to be rinsed and dried. Oh so much fun...I'll post pics of before and after this afternoon. I will also post some of my pieces that I have already done my create and decorate article.

This is what I have listed on http://www.oldprimitivesisters.com/.

This is a lantern that I painted and sold on ebay. I do alot of these lanterns. They are really cute on a mantle...

I'll be posting some things later on I just thought I would give you an idea of some of what I do. Have a great day....Keep looking for Friday I know it's out there somewhere....

Good afternoon everyone. This blogging is new for me. I am just gonna jump right in.

My name is Linda Akin I am a sort of self taught artist. I have been faithfully painting for the last 7 years. When I was a child my grandmother tried teaching me to paint but I just couldn't get it. So I got frustrated and said forget it. I took art in jr high and highschool so I am sure it helped me learn certain things that I now use. At the time I thought I would never need. My grandmother was taught by her mother whom was an actual art teacher. She has paintings and students all over South Texas. My grandmother passed away in June of 2000. I decided I would take a rather large collection of unpainted gourds and her books and paints with me to Ohio. Well I sat on them for awhile and then one day I decided why not lets try it. I pulled out a book that had snowman gourds in it and started painting I would just follow the directions. I decided I would show my neighbor and she loved them and wanted me to make her 2...So I did then my other neighbor wanted 5...Then I decided hey maybe I have something here! Took some down to Charm Ohio and a store called Ole Mill Crafts there purchased 20. Hints the name for my business became Grama's Gourds...which then evolved into Grama's Gourds and Primitives.

I have recently had features in Create and Decorate the magazine and have upcoming features in next years magazines. I am so excited about all of this. I am hoping to get some pattern packets published as well as an instructional book of my own. So keep checking in this all takes a little time. I also belong to a group on the web called Olde Primitive Sisters....These are a great group of talented ladies whom enjoy what they do and take great pride in their work. You can visit them at www.oldprimitivesisters.com. There are a list of vendors just take a peak. My store name is listed as Grama's Gourds and Primitives.

In future posts I am hoping to show you things that I am working on. Step by steps. Some freebie patterns. Some how to's and tips on painting so enjoy and check back frequently to see what's going on. Have a great day.