Winter is upon us and this is where I'd like to be!

So home sick sets in. I know it is not my original home but it is where my heart is. I so long for the four seasons and this season upon us makes me long for it more. There is something about winter in Ohio. Once spring planting and fall harvest is done winter sets in and relaxation is upon us. The fresh baked bread, home made pies, and trail bologna and swiss cheese. Some of my greatest times were spent in Ohio. It is where my painting actually got it's start. It is where some of my closest friendships developed and grew. I thought I would share some of my inspiration with you. Some of the places I have been and am sure to go again. Enjoy.

Is it slackin? Or is it too many irons in the fire....

I know I haven't posted in a looooong time. I am running around with like a chicken with, well you know. I have been painting and sending stuff to the store in Temecula. It seems to be doing well. I seem to always be in a hurry so I didn't get any pics of what I painted which stinks because they were old small pie tins. I will paint another and post a pic. I think I will do an e-pattern on here what do you think?
This has been a busy time sense the beginning of November. The Marine Corp Birthday Ball, Happy belated birthday Marines. I'll post some pics of that as well. Then good ole Thanksgiving came along. I didn't get to tell all Happy Turkey Day. Now we're getting ready for Christmas. This is my favorite time of year beginning in the Fall but this year was just wow busy. I am thinking about listing on Etsy in the beginning of the year and hitting it hard and heavy. I am going to put all my energy in painting. I will be finished with school by then and I will have at least 1 iron out of the fire. What a load to be lifted. Once I finish I have discovered you need 2 - 5 years experience to get a job...Now, how are you supposed to get experience if no,one will hire you? Who knows but I am going to finish no matter what. Then paint...should of went to school for that instead lol. Well I am going to dig up some pics of the ball and that cute little bugger that joined us in August. That's momma and Carter. Then the Man in uniform is my hubby and me...

A New Day!

Time is sparse...I have so many things to do and get done I haven't had time to get on here. My wireless crashed so I'm on the desk top and that just stinks...So I have been painting lanterns, and ghosts, and snowmen...It is so much fun. I can't get enough time in the paint room. So I am going to post pics of my latest painting projects. I am so sorry I didn't get up the gourds. I am getting busy and painting. I will get a give away up here in the near future for the Winter season. So be looking for that as well. Heres the pics of my recent projects.

Remembering this day 9/11/2001

I can remember the exact spot on the floor in my home I was when I saw the Twin Towers attacked. I remember the pain in my heart and the fear I felt. Our country would never be the same. I would like to offer my condolences to the men and women's families whom lost their lives on that day and many whom have lost their lives afterwards defending this nation. My prayers go out to all the men and women of uniform not just Military, but our many uniformed and non uniformed heroes here at home. Let's not forget what happened on that day and let's remember how our country united as one. Let's remember how we helped one another in a time of chaos and heart break. Let's not forget our heroes whom are still abroad protecting our country. United we stand....Let's love our neighbor not harbor ill will and hatred. God bless this country and the world. May he protect us and keep us all safe.

Give Away! Give Away!

You have to get on over to the Antique Pallet! She has the cutest little scoop up for a give away with a Scarecrow on it and it's a cutie...Check it out! Here's the link!

www.theantiquepallet.blogspot.com

Freaky Friday!

Well good morning to all. I am up bright and early had some gourds to get out so I can take them to the store in Temecula. I will be taking pictures once it's light here...I painted some like the ones in the magazine. Some of them are for hanging and some of them are for sitting. There so much nicer than pumpkins because pumpkins go bad. These will last year round. So when the sun comes up for me I'll be taking some pictures. (As long as the little buggers are dry) This is my favorite time of year. Soon the leaves will begin to turn, somewhere in the country, and the air gets cool and crisp. The smells change and hot chocolate comes out of the cupboard along with home made soups and pies. Oh I can not wait for fall to be in full force. Well have a great day!

It's Official I'm a Mimaw!

Ok I'm a little young to be a Mimaw, but life is funny and hands us only what God thinks we can handle. He is a BEAUTIFUL baby boy he was 7 lbs 3.2 oz. His name is Carter Marshal! I am proud of my daughter she handled things way better than most young mothers in labor she is an amazing woman. I am not in any form promoting young girls to get pregnant. It is a hard road to travel and it takes many things away from your life the best thing is to WAIT! But if you ever end up in the situation talk to your parents seek their advice and don't use abortion as an alternative because there are so many women whom can not have children and will love the baby. It is not something to be ashamed of it happens and it happens a lot. If you can't talk to your parents which you should ALWAYS talk to your mom or dad FIRST, talk to someone and not another teen ager an adult. Churches, pastors, nurses at hospitals, someone with compassion. Your baby is a real person not a disease, or sickness, it is a little person with a beating heart and little fingers and toes who deserves a chance at life.
O.k. I went off on a tangent there, don't know where those come from but apparently sometimes they need to be said and if it helps just one person then it has helped someone who needed it. Now let's talk about painting hehehe...
I have about 20 of those little luminaries that I did for Create and Decorate that I am working on....I am so excited I am gonna take them down to The Ole Town Mercantile in Temecula next week...so be on the look out for ghost and punkins....I will post pics of the process so it will help readers to see from beginning to end. Stop in your nearest store and see if they carry Create and Decorate, I know some of the Albertsons carry them. Or call JoAnn fabrics I think they carry them as well. So many neat things to see in that magazine I just love it because it's not just painting. Go get cha one....have a great day and God bless you all and thanks for following and just stopping in to read my blog. Hugs to all!

Linda

Good Wednesday Morning Ladies and Bloggers!

How is everyone out in Blogging Town? All is well here in Southern California it has been quite warm I must say. I have been busy trying to catch up on everything sense I went down to Texas. I love going there but I wish I could go down and relax, but that just isn't the case yet. See my dad's home was there and for a time it was mine and my dad's home till I married and moved to Ohio. Dad longed to move up to Ohio as well but time didn't permit. He passed away 4 years after I moved away. So now I go home and work on the house and dig through old memories. It's a hard job, I am supposed to be cleaning and removing, but I start looking at things and it brings in old memories. Fond and pleasant memories none the less. I miss my mom and my dad very much. But anyways now I am trying to catch up here from my time spent away. I still need to finish my school and I have new submissions for the magazine due Oct 1...so I really need to get on the ball here. Let me know how all is going for you guys. What are you working on? How are sales? Where are ya selling. Let me know about your lives. God Bless and have a wonderful crafty day. Big hugs to all.
I do have a sneak peak of the Oct issue of Create and Decorate. You'll fine my Jack-O-Lantern luminary there...Check it out here's the link.

I'M HOME! WHEWHOO!

Hello to all I am back from my trip to Texas. Long hard working trip. So glad to be home. I missed my hubby. Now it's back to work here at home. Doesn't that seem like the story of life, work, work, work. Oh well keeps us moving right along I guess. I hope you all are doing well and having a great summer. I will get back into my favorite thing of painting here real soon. Lifes little bumps just get in the way sometimes. Blessings to all.

Big Thanks!

I just want to say thank you to all whom participated in my give away! It was fun reading the comments and being able to make someone's day. (Daizy Donna :)) I also want to thank all of my followers. You all make my day with wondering in here and seeing what I am doing and looking at my paintings, and my rants...lol my cleaning frenzies. With all that said I am going to be away for a couple of weeks. I haven't been on here lately because I have had company from Ohio. Which I had such a wonderful time while they were here. I'll put up pics of our travels, Disneyland, San Diego Zoo and the trips to the beach. What a great time we had. Just a little taste of Ohio for us and it makes us long for home so much more. Ohio is actually my second home. I was raised in Texas but left when I was 29 to Ohio and I FELL in love with it! So How I long for Ohio. So I will be back in about 2-3 weeks I'll be hiding out in Texas and have no internet....So hang tight my little bloggers I will return shortly. God Bless you all...

Dadadadadum!!! And the Winner is!

Well there you have it! Daizy Donna you are officially the winner! Congratulations. I will e-mail you for your address and get your little package sent off...Stay tuned for future give aways ladies and bloggers! Have a great day.

Good morning fellow bloggers!

I just scared the living stuffin out of myself....I thought I deleted the post with comments to enter the blog give away...Yikes. But I found it no worries.
Well I have company coming today and I got the house ALL cleaned up. I'm ready. So excited! Family from Ohio which is one of my favoritest places on earth. Such a cozy little place. I lived in Holmes county and Wayne county....Home of the Amish! BEAUTIFUL country living. I can't wait to get back there. I miss the snow and the little villages. I love how they have parades, candle lightings at Christmas, and the PIZZA! Oh how I miss Lem's Pizza in Fredricksburg! I'll have to post some pics on here of the most beautiful place I know of so far. The snow, the barns, the green green grass, the beautiful flowers. I miss my flower beds and my tiny garden of tomatoes and peppers. It's like a slower pace than here in California. Look at that I went off on a tangent from losing the entries to missing home. Well have a great day I gotta get to the grocery store so we can have some eats! Have a Blessed and wonderful day!

GRAMA'S GOURDS AND PRIMITIVES GIVE AWAY! REPOST!

Well as I have said I was painting gourd eggs this week. I have started on 33 to be exact....Well a couple are not eggs. But that's ok. I have painted on these eggs before but I don't remember it being so hard to be steady as I go with the brush. So with that being said I made a sheeps leg WAY too big, vines went all out of sorts, trees got bigger than I expected and to top it all off they are sliperly little suckers. (Not really slippery but they sure do get away!) One of these fine feathered imposters is going to be a give away! Yes a give away. I have seen this on other blogs and what a neat idea. So here goes. Up for grabs will be the gourd egg pictured above. It is for the gourd egg alone. This is handpainted by me. The rules are leave me a comment with your email address. Then go to your blog and post a link to the give away. If you post a link it gives you double entry... If you don't have a blog please let me know in your comment. Comment posting will last until June 25,2009 at Midnight west coast time. I will throw all the names and emails in a hat and have my daughter draw one out. The winner will be announced June 26, 2009 at 9:00 A.M pacific time...Are you ladies and bloggers ready? Here we go start posting... Let's get posting my fellow bloggers. To leave a comment scroll down and where you see the little pencil click there and post away.

I'm still here!

I am burried in medical transcription reports. I am going to school, blah. My hubby wanted me to go so we would have some certainty...lol whatever that means. So I am drudging along. But I have to say it is quite boring and not fun compared to my painting. Wouldn't it be nice if we could just do the things that we love. I am quite certain we would do so much better at them...Anyways there is still time to sign up for the give away. You can post your comments here or on the post GIVE AWAY. I'll see if I can bump it up so if you missed it you can certainly post your comment for entry. Please either check back to see who wins or leave me some kind of way to contact you. If you have a blog that's easy I'll just post if you won on your comments in your blog, but if you don't have a blog i'll need an email address. Well good luck to you all. I'm going back in the dungeon to do my grewsome labor of transcribing....Just 237 more dictations to do in this section...blah! Have a great day ladies and fellow bloggers in case there is some Mr. bloggers out there...have a fabulous day! Ciao! lol at least i'm in good spirits....

Just a little morning funny...

So ya see I used vinegar and cleaned all the windows, inside and out..Well you know the windex commercial where the birds fly into the window...hehe My husband was sitting on the "blue recliner" (which I call the throne) and Low and behold the King heard a thump thump on the window got up to see what it was and there's a bird flying all dizzy and drunk..He had flown right into the window. Just so you know the bird is allright. But it was too funny. He said well I guess the windows really are clean. Well have a great day!

Obsessive Compulsive!

Ok so I have gotten out of my rut sorta...I can't paint unless EVERYTHING is clean and organized. Hints the title. So not only am I a nut case like that I have a thing about chemicals. Beings that the skin is the largest organ of the body it only makes sense that we absorb things through our skin. Which leads to another tangent, Vinegar the clean all cure all. I use vinegar for all my illness. So I figured why not clean with it. I won't intoxicate my body with toxins through my hands or feet, and I certainly won't be inhaling them. So I got me out a metal pot and put a cup of vinegar and the rest with water. HOLY COW! Vinegar is amazing. I will take pics of my windows so you can see how clean and streak free they are. I also use one of those microfiber rags. One to wash and one to dry. AMAZING! My chrome on the sink is super shiny and it got all those little cruddies off the sink. I am sure you have heard of the Magic Eraser...Well I use to use it till yesterday when I discovered vinegar! Removes all kinds of stains in the sink. So now (obsessive compulsive) I have moved from the kitchen into the living room and am working my way down to the bedrooms. This could take a week BUT the house will be pickled clean...lol Then I can paint without reserve. So if any of you guys get in a rut whip out some vinegar and be prepared to amaze yourself. You can actually see results and feel some sort of an accomplishment. My husband came home yesterday from work and said "Wow the kitchen looks awesome". That says allot...being the Marine that he is...Mr. Clean...no not cause he's bald either...lol Well ladies don't forget to scroll down and sign up for the give away....Maybe I'll get crazy and throw something in extra, who knows. I'm feeling a little crazy today! Have a wonderful day! Now let me go get those pics...

Pics

The window that you see at first is clean...the next one is not...just an example. Look at that faucet shine...Needs some little stars reflecting off of it...

Whimsical Wednesday!

Well I am trying to get motivated....We're have June Gloom here in Southern California and I have to say makes it hard to wanna do anything. The house is a mess, it's gloomy and it seems like it just clutters the mind. We have company coming next week and i'm just lagging along! Blah. I'm sure somewhere in the pages of the computer I will get motivated. I am addicted to looking at all these othere creations that people are making wondering why I can't get motivated. I think I'm just distracted. Does that ever happen to any of you? I was inspired by these little Sock monkeys! Too stinkin cute. I have these ideas floating around in my head but they are something totally different than I normally do. Maybe I should just jump in and quit "monkeying around"! Hehe! I'm thinking about some ideas for babies....Hmmmm wonder where that comes from. I am thinking about some signs for doors, room walls, and bathrooms....not my normal gathering of thoughts. But I think they will be cute. It's just getting the idea out on paper then onto a piece of something....Well wish me luck in my adventures, i'll probably get back on track here soon. I think I'll go do them dishes that keep saying "WASH ME! WASH ME!" I hate it when that happens....

New painting!

I painted a Lazy Susan with a Fall scene. The idea was inspired by Laurie Speltz. I did the back ground in Maple Sugar Tan, and the border with Terra Cotta. It's such a creamy comforting combination of colors. I really enjoyed painting this so I did a Cutting board, a trivet set, and a wall board. I will be posting pics of all of them on here. I hope you enjoy lookin in on my blog. The contest is still on so post your comments so you can get entered in the give away for the Gourd Egg! I am going to be doing another give away after this one for July! Maybe a birdhouse for the 4th of July? Let's see how this give away goes...God Bless and have a great Day!

Good Saturday morning! I haven't been posting because I wanted people to see the signup for the give away. Haven't had many sign up. Just a few more weeks and I call out a name. Come on let's sign up bloggers. I'm gonna have another give away after this one. It's a birdhouse....
Let's see what have I been doing. I have been painting some fall stuff up. I see that's coming up so I am getting ready. I am going to put some of them up on my blog here so you can order them if you would like. Fall is my favorite time of year so hopefully these come out really cute....I'll post pics later on today!
Things to paint on: These are just some things you can paint on and you can find them in your cupboard, garage sales, thrift stores flea markets etc. You can paint on cutting boards, jars, old pails, kitchen wooden stools, just plain boards, spoons, forks, if you can draw an idea on something you can paint on it. Some things have to be primed for example metals. There are sealers out there just for metal painting. When you paint on glass you also need some kind of sealer so the paint adheres. Once you have finished painting on glass you need a heavy sealer so the paint doesn't come off. Well just some ideas for ya. Have a great day.

Sign up for my give away!!!

Hurry I don't know if you noticed there's a giveaway down there below this. Just post a comment. If you have a blog post the give away on there and you get double entry. Just let me know you posted it on your blog and where. Have a great day.

Grama's Gourds and Primitives GIVE AWAY!!!!! REPOST!

Well as I have said I was painting gourd eggs this week. I have started on 33 to be exact....Well a couple are not eggs. But that's ok. I have painted on these eggs before but I don't remember it being so hard to be steady as I go with the brush. So with that being said I made a sheeps leg WAY too big, vines went all out of sorts, trees got bigger than I expected and to top it all off they are sliperly little suckers. (Not really slippery but they sure do get away!) One of these fine feathered imposters is going to be a give away! Yes a give away. I have seen this on other blogs and what a neat idea. So here goes. Up for grabs will be the gourd egg pictured above. It is for the gourd egg alone. This is handpainted by me. The rules are leave me a comment with your email address. Then go to your blog and post a link to the give away. If you post a link it gives you double entry... If you don't have a blog please let me know in your comment. Comment posting will last until June 25,2009 at Midnight west coast time. I will throw all the names and emails in a hat and have my daughter draw one out. The winner will be announced June 26, 2009 at 9:00 A.M pacific time...Are you ladies and bloggers ready? Here we go start posting... Let's get posting my fellow bloggers. To leave a comment scroll down and where you see the little pencil click there and post away.

Wakey Wakey Eggs and Bakey!

Ok so I have been painting my little heart out on my gourd eggs...I will be taking pics of them tomorrow evening. Hopefully they will be closer to finished. I am excited about these little guys. I will be taking them to Old Town Mercantile in Temecula hopefully Friday. Things are getting busy and that's just the way I like it when I am painting. If you are interested in one for yourself please let me know and I will get right to work. Just comment me. I have some fun ideas coming up for gourds for July 4 and the coming up seasons. I'm really liking these little eggs. At first I was a little shakey couldn't seem to use my pinky for balance but now, now it works. yahoo!
Tomorrow I will be helping a lady with her fine china, but then it's back home to paint paint paint. She seems like a really neat lady. She's an artist as well. Can't wait to meet her. She does murals...So I don't know how much we'll get done with her dishes but I am sure it will be a great day. I will be in later in the day to post some pics and a GIVE AWAY! Get ready! Maybe it's one of these fine little gourd eggs.....Patients my little bloggers, patients....Tomorrow, evening....After my china rendesvou I will be seeing you!

Linda

Momma B's Front Porch Give Away!

Go check out her blog she is a talented artist I have seen on Etsy and now I see she has a blog. Check her out! I'll post a link....

http://mommabsfrontporch.blogspot.com/

Good Saturday Afternoon!

I have been working on some gourd eggs....whewhoo fun! I didn't do a pattern contest because no,one seemed interested. So maybe later. Anywho I am working on Gourd Eggs! I have gotten 33 ready to work on. I am going to go in the paint room today and get started. I will take pics as I go for all to see. You can purchase gourd eggs on Ebay. Just go to the search bar and type in gourd eggs. There's a ton of them. The first thing do is clean my gourds. To do this I have an old wash tub that I fill with dish soap and a 1/2 cup of bleach. I scrub them with copper scrubbies. Then I rinse them off and let them dry. After they are dry I like to basecoat them with gesso. I have discovered skewers....drill a hole in the bottom of the gourd eggs and poke the skewer in make it a tight squeeze so it doesnt move around. This makes it easier to basecoat the gourds. Now decide what you are going to paint on them and get started.
I am not quite sure what I want to paint yet, too many ideas need to relax and focus on just one. Let's get started.

I'm a little late I know....

Sunday was Mother's day and I would like to say Happy Mother's Day to all you moms! A mother's job is never done. From the time you feel your child in your womb you are a mother. That kind of a connection is grown and nurtured over time. Even when a child leaves the home you never lose that love that you have for your child. For all of you who still have your mom please take the time to let her know how much she is loved. We're not all blessed to have them forever...So call her and tell her thank you for just being her. Take the time to love her back the way she has loved you over the years, unconditionally without regret. Happy Mothers Day to all you Moms and God Bless you all.

Wacky Wednesday!

Good morning fellow bloggers! Birds are singing, flowers are blooming and the dreaded black widow is lurking around. I found one in my garbage can just happily purched at the back. She's a rather large one. So now I am seeing more and more of the famous black widow webs all over the place. I am a little scared of spiders I would say especially ones that mass produce and hang out around my house and happen to be deadly poison. I guess it's time to get the dust out and sprinkle a barrier around the perimeter of the house to keep them outside where they belong.
I cleaned all day yesterday so today I get to clean the paint room up and get back to the so called grind...lol it's such a painstaking task to go in there and play all day. The painstaking part is cleaning it up lol. Painting is the fun part.
How about a tip? Instead of using paper towels to dry off my brushes after rinsing them I use an old wash cloth...Saves money, trees, and I guess you could say time. You can always throw it in the wash instead of the trash. I also use a large plate from the kitchen, I can just wash it off as well. I squirt my paints onto the plate and when I'm done wash it all up. I pick off the paint and throw it in the trash and the tough stuff I let sit for awhile then dump it as well. Oh wait maybe you want some painting trick....hmmmm ah I got one....When painting gourd eggs or wooden eggs use the dipper from the easter egg kits to hold your item. This is best for sealing with spray sealer....Try it see if ya like it...Have a great day!

A place to call home for a spell...

Good beautiful morning to all you fellow crafters, gourd hounds, painters, and just the plain curious. I have went on search for a little place to call home for my creations. I have found one. It's set in the town of Temecula in what they call Olde Town Temecula which has got to be one of the coolest things in California. I love that the state of California calls what is the beginnings of a town Old Town! It is reminaiscant of old western towns. I will post pics. Temecula is not the only one, San Diego and others. Its so neat. Anyways I ventured off the subject...hehe. I am taking some of my art work to a store called..."Olde Town Mercantile." Cute name and cute store. It's not small I can say this it is a LARGE store with many unique items from local artisans. They even have the Old Western Pictures there. Where you dress up as a vintage saloon lady, or outlaw, or whatever the case may be. They have antiques, handmades, even old time candy from yesteryear. Such a comfortable enviroment and the ladies are such a delight. Pleasant and very helpful. I felt right at home when I talked to them. I'd been in there many a time just because I like it. Then I decided to ask....nerves sink in fear, of being told NO! Like a little child asking for a permission. That's how I felt but once I got to talking to them they were the nicest people. So check it out. They have a website as well. I'll post a link in the sidebar so you can check it out for yourself. Now let me go find some pics of Old Town so you can see for yourself, the days of yesterday, a simpler time. Oh how I long for simpler times.

Thursday tip!

Good morning to all! The weather is nice kinda chilly but I am not complaining. I thought I would sit down and give a little tip on painting. I am not quite sure if anyone ever uses watercolor pencils but I do. I love them. There a great way to draw your pattern onto your project. After you have drawn what you want to paint then you can go ahead and paint. Once you are finished painting your project if there are any left over markings they just wipe off with a damp cloth. I also love this because it's much easier to erase watercolor pencil if you make a mistake when your making your pattern onto your project. For example if you just don't like the whole thing whaula it wipes off with a damp cloth. I also like watercolor pencils because there are different colors. I have found not to use the dark pencil with light paints because it shows through and it takes too many coats to cover it. Try this out see how you like it.
Motivational tips....hmmmm Sunshine, birds chirping and a glass of sweet Texas iced tea! Enjoy! If you wanna know my secret to sweet Texas tea I'll give it to ya! I turn on the faucet let the water get hot hot hot put 4 family sized tea bags in the hot water let sit for an hour then I put a cup and a half of sugar! (to a gallon of tea) MMMM it's best after sitting in the frig over night....Now that you have your recipe for motivation let's get painting! Have a wonderful day!

Cooled off! Whew!

Good afternoon bloggers from all walks of life. Today is a beautiful day here in Southern California. Unlike the last 2 so hot you could melt butter on the sidewalk.
I have been in and out of my paint room today trying to drum up some new ideas. I haven't had much of a response about the pattern. So if your interested sign up in the comment section of my blog. Put your name and email address and I will compile a list and go from there. You can make your comment private so no,one sees your email address and I will not publish it. Once I have at least 5o interested I will do a drawing to decide whom wins. The pattern will be an e-pattern and it will be something for summer...Sound good? If so please sign up. If I do not receive enough interested by May 15, then I will figure something out. Thanks and have a wonderful day. Each day is a gift for we should not take for granted. God Bless!

Linda

Hot Hot Hot!

Well Southern California is starting to Heat Up! Whew! I tell you what it's warmer than it's been in A LONG time. Life is great! The new Create and Decorate is on the shelves. I will post a pic of the submission. I have listed some new things on the website. Just click the link in the sidebar and look in paint and artwork on the website. I'll post pics on here so you'll know what to look for. I am gonna be doing a pattern up lets say by May 15th. I'll have a sign up and I'll draw a name for the winner of the pattern. Any comments on this? Does anyone want to participate? Send me a comment and let me know and I'll get it started.
Now a few pics of what's new.

Saturday afternoon breezes!

Today is a cool, comfortable, sunny day in Southern California. There is a gentle breeze flowing through the house moving the curtains. The windchimes are chiming along with the birds chirping. These are some of my favorite days. I have put a hammock up on the back patio so if I get the chance to just relax and do nothing I can just hop into it. I am so inspired by these beautiful days. I have been diligently working in my paint room with new and exciting products. I am doing a show next weekend and hoping to sell out...I have been working on submissions for next year. I am thouroughly motivated and can't seem to sit down to relax. Oh wait maybe that's what I'm doing when I am painting. Hehe! The website at www.oldprimitivesisters.com has been upgraded and I am looking forward to adding new product to the sight. It will most be likely be after my show next weekend. I will keep you posted. I have some really cute things I want to get on there. I will be posting pics today of what I am working on and what to look for on my website. I will create a link directly to the site in the side bar. Looking forward to all possibilities this year. I am full of joy. Thanks for looking in on me. Oh yea April 21, 2009 the next issue comes out for Create and Decorate, look for me between the pages....

The Day After the Tea Parties!

I have to say that I am quite proud of many Americans whom stood for what they believe in. I have to say that I am especially proud of my home state of Texas. I'm proud of the Govenor and the people. Stand proud my fellow Texans. Not only is it about taxes but it's about the Constitution staying in tact. I am also proud to say that these were peaceful protests. I am sorry to of heard the negative media attention by certain news stations Chicken Noodle News, and the Peacock! But that's they way they spin things.
With that little tid bit said I am going to get painting. I will post some pics this week of some things that I have for sale on the website. Have a great day my fellow blog readers.

Easter's coming...

Easter is a reminder of the special gift that we have received from Jesus. To have him take all our sins upon him so we could seem him again in Heaven. I am not only thankful for that but I am thankful for many other things in my life that are also gifts from the Lord. I have been blessed with a wonderful family, friends and my fellow readers. I just want you to all know that having you peek in to see what I am doing or painting is a blessing and I just want to thank you for taking time out of your day to see what is here.
I am painting away in my little paint room. I am trying to get things ready for submitting to my favorite magazine Create and Decorate. I will be listing some new items up for sale here in the near future at www.oldprimitivesisters.com
As soon as I get them listed I will let you know via my blog here. I also have another instructional piece in the June 09' issue of Create and Decorate. It is a handpainted gourd birdhouse. If you go to www.createanddecorate.com
you will be able to see my gourd. Thanks again for checking in and have a Blessed Easter...

Long time no see!

I have been burried in work! Just a few more days and I get to see my husbands smiling face again. Seven months is a long time to be away from a loved one. I just want to say to all of the spouses of the deployed if you have to go longer than 7 months I am so sorry. I am very thankful for my husband and his pride and honor. He is a great man as are others whom are deployed. (Men and Women) I just would like to take the time to thank each and every deployed Marine, Sailor, Soldier and even civilians that are amongst this for their commitment to our safety and protection. I would also like to thank the spouses whom are home waiting for their loved ones to return. May God wrap you all in his arms and give you comfort.
Now with that said what I have been doing...No pics please! Can't do that but I can tell you it will be in the Fall issue of Create and Decorate...It will light up your day.
I am working on a bucket for a friend in Ohio! I will be able to post pics of it. So be looking for that. Thank you all for reading and checking in on what I am doing. It makes my day to get messages from my readers. If you have questions please feel free to ask I will help you as much as I possibly can. If I don't know how to do something I will certainly research it and find out if possible. Have a wonderful Wednesday! Spring is coming hang in there let's get rid of these Winter Blues!

Good Thursday to all...

No I haven't painted today...or yesterday....but I did do something constructive. I cleaned. I don't know if you have seen my latest for Create and Decorate. But there it is in the side bar. The little gourd eggs. I have to say that might be one of my favorites. I really enjoyed painting those little guys. I am gonna have to get in my paint room and get started on my next submission. I also have a bucket that I will be painting here real soon. It's for an order and I will post pics as I go so you can see from beginning to end. I love doing those because you get to see what it doesn't look like in the beginning and then it turns into something in the end. That so fascinates me. So keep peeking in on me and we shall see a bucket in progress.

Have a great evening fellow blog readers.

Linda

I got a Lemonade out of Lemons Award! Yahoo! Love ya gals!

I was given an award by two wonderful people that I have had the pleasure of meeting through crafting. They have been a part of my life in sad and happy times just through meeting on a auction sight. Probably more so than I have theres. They just don't know how they lifted my spirits through these last months. I just want to say "Thank you both." Below are the two talented and kind ladies whom nominated me...Check out their wonderful creations.
www.daizydonnas.blogspot.com
www.pinehollowprimitives.blogspot.com
Here are the rules:
1.Put the logo award on your page.
2.Link the person or persons as I did from your blog that gave you the award.
3.Link ten blogs that you are awarding.
www.brush-strokes-n-stitches.blogspot.com
www.misspootsiesprimitives.blogspot.com
www.onceinabluemoonprimitives.blogspot.com
www.rantsbybebe.blogspot.com
www.kimhardtoriginals.blogspot.com
www.patientlywaitingforkarlee.blogspot.com

That's all I've got for now. These are all special people to me and the ladies whom awarded me.

6 More Weeks!

I am sorry to say that Puxatony Phil saw his shadow...More snow, more rain, and more cold. But hold on Springs coming, pretty flowers, Easter Bunnies, all these beautiful things will be coming to let us know there is light at the end of the snow tunnel. I have been working outside of the home lately so not much painting going on. I am missing my paintbrushes and paint. I did get a shipment in of new paints and brushes so I am super excited. But as we all know I am always excited when it comes to painting. Just a little bit till my hubby gets home. No Valentine this year but hopefully he will be home before "Warm Weather" really gets here. I hope everyone out there in blog world is surving our slow economy keep your heads up because it will work its self out. When in doubt get out a paint brush and experiament with some paints who knows what lies at the end of those fingertips. Have a nice evening fellow bloggers.
Linda

Cupid...

Ok here's the pics of the Valentine Hang Tags....There in order of painting. The first picture I have floated the edges of the tags, and then I transfer my pattern. I draw a pattern of my own and then using tracing paper and transfer paper put the design on multiple tags. Once transferred I will begin basecoating the wings, body, and bottom...then I will do his hair. You will see as the pics go on.
Once I have basecoated everything I will proceed to shading to add definition to the little guy. As you can see in his wings I used a French Grey Blue to define the feathers. Then after all floating is done I will add specific details, ie Love and Cupids Bow and arrow. I will also float on the outer right a darker brown to add depth to cupid. You will see as the pics go on.
As you can see in the picture above I have added some Sweet Annie to the Hang tags. This is just something to give the little tags character and more smell. Hope you enjoy if you have any questions please feel free to ask. Have a good evening.
Some how the pics got reversed. I will come back in and fix it. Be patient with me...I'm not a pro at blogging hehe!

Monday! Monday!

Good afternoon friends and the curious. I had to work this morning at my other "JOB". So no fun stuff this morning but I am home now and it's off to the paint room. I am going to be working on some hang tags for an order that I have received. They chose Winter (my favorite snowmen) and Valentines. I am excited. So I will get those started and take pics for you guys. The first thing that I do to them is antique them with my coffee, vanilla and cinnamon mix. I boil coffee grounds vanilla and cinnamon on top of the stove then I start the dipping process. After they have set in the mix for a bit, I take them out and place them on a cookie sheet and place them in the oven at the lowest temp. Two hundred is a good one. Make sure to keep an eye on them because they can burn and well then now you have a new not so pleasant odor for them. lol. I know because I have done this. Trial and error is my motto. Then after they are dried I begin painting. I will float the edges to make them look even older. The color depends on the inner design. So I am going to get busy I think I will do the Valentines first. I am so ready to be warm and not think about snow...or cold...Not that I'm seeing snow here in Southern California it's beautiful here today, maybe that's why I don't want to work on snowmen...hehe...Love is in the air...Well have a wonderful day!

Linda

Winter Blues

Good day to all...I thought I would put some jumpy music on here to brighten up everyones day. I am fortunate enough to have Sunshine and Blue skies! But I know my fellow Northeasterners and others are having the winter blahs...So here's some fun music to brighten up everyones day. I know I've been absent from the blog world, but I have been painting. I painted a gourd for DecoArt and submitted it for there website. I haven't heard back yet to see if it has been accepted so cross your fingers. If it's not I will post a pic of it for all to see. It is too cute. Can I say that even if it is my own creation? hehe...My daughter even liked it and for a teenager thats quite a compliment I must say. Most of the time she just says "ah that's nice". But not this time. The hearts and minds of teenagers if we can win them over we have found a way to conquer the world. I have also painted some springy shabby chic coasters. I am going to try and get them into a magazine as well so no pics at this time...But I will be painting some other items that I will be posting pics of. I have finally gotten back into the groove of painting. Funny how that works because of course now I have a job. So time is limited on painting. Hmmmm if I could of just gotten back into the groove before I got a job then I wouldn't of had to of gotten a job. Lifes funny mysteries. Just a couple more months and my lovey will be home. I can't wait, once again my teenager never seems to stop surprising me, she can't wait for him to get home either. (She must really be bored}. Well that's an update of what's going on here. Times a ticking so maybe I should head to the infamous paint room....Good day to all!

I haven't been here in AWHILE...eek!

How is everyone in the blog world doing. I have been traveling for the holidays. I went to Texas for a brief period. I hadn't been home for Christmas in 8 years. So I thought it was time to go there for the holidays. It's different now but that's how life is. Now I'm back and seem to be a little more organized. I am going to hit the paint room hard this year. I have to focus. I hope everyone got a glimpse of my article in Create and Decorate. It hit the stands in December. I will post a link.
www.createanddecorate.com
There will be another one to come out in February. I placed a pic in the top right hand corner. Create and Decorate is a great magazine to teach you many things including painting. Enjoy.