Good evening fellow artist and bloggers. I am painting up gourds. I have been working on Fall Ghost Luminaries as featured in Create & Decorate. I am about ghosted out you could say. I am running out of places to find gourds close. I live in Ohio now so if anyone out there knows of a great gourd escape please comment me a note of where. I have been featured 2 times this year in Create & Decorate will post pics. Every time I get in the magazine I feel like a little kid. It is so exciting to me. I love the magazine even if I am not in it. They have so many great ideas and the gals are such a hoot. You can try your hand at punch needle, needle felting, cross stitching, all kinds of fun things to do and learn. You should find them on Facebook. Also there is a link to the sneak peak of the upcoming Holiday Issue...you will find some fall gourd egg ornaments in there ;) They also have a blog that is fun as well. And here is a link to that also. I would like to know if everyone is ready for this HOT, DRY summer to be done with. Today was a crisp 67 degrees and it felt wonderful. I had the windows open and the Browns vs. The Eagles on....oh what a nice nap that turned out to be. I love crisp chilly days....Let's me know it's almost time to slow down a bit and bring out the soup pot. Tasty soup beans, home made chilly, potato soup. The change of the leaves. It is one of my favorite times of the year. Well hope everyone is doing well keep creating and learning to create new things. Have a blessed day.

http://www.createanddecorate.com/issues/2012/holiday/index.shtml  Sneak peak

https://www.facebook.com/CreateDecorate  Create & Decorate on Facebook

http://createanddecorate.wordpress.com/2012/09/05/did-you-seize-the-summer/  Blog

Photo Courtesy of Sean O'Brien  (Thanks Sean)  The only thing that belongs to me is the gourd :)

Guess what I found! Another GIVE AWAY!!! And ANOTHER!!!!

What a talented artists it is my pleasure to share their give aways and their work. Peek in on them and sign up. Tolen Treasures has alot of great tutorials as well to check out. The Rusty Thimble shares many wonderful hand made items on her blog so check her out! Where to sign up for both is listed below good luck to all!

http://therustythimble.blogspot.com/2012/02/february-american-apron-pocket-giveaway.html

http://tolentreasures.blogspot.com/2012/01/february-giveaway.html

Someone's having a Giveaway! The Rusty Thimble

Okay ladies and bloggers you need to get on over to the Rusty Thimble if you love primitives.
She is having a give away of a wonderful Patriotic Rabbit! The deadline is TOMORROW!!! January 31st so hurry hurry! There will be one maybe MORE given away! So hurry hurry hurry and sign up! She is a very talented artist and I would love to win this but I am willing to share if necessary. Thank you for peaking in my blog now get over there and sign up:) I hope you like the pic of the prize you might get or I might get hehe!

http://therustythimble.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-first-giveaway-of-2012.html

Sorry I cannot direct link, it never works for me. So you will have to copy and paste then put it in your browser. Good Luck! :)

Have a blessed day!

Linda Akin

Photo on the side bar :)

If you click on the photo in the side bar of the Gift Card Holders, it will take you to Create & Decorates website and it gives instructions on making your own gift card holders. Enjoy! I really enjoyed making the pattern for them I hope you have as much fun painting them as I did. Have a great day!

Linda

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

I have been tirelessly working in the dungeon on many different items. I just finished a child's growth chart and painting. It was fun to do. A little change of pace for me recently. My mind races from idea to idea. I need to regain focus so I can accomplish another goal. I will have some primitive items coming out in the August issue of Create and Decorate...so look for the issue coming out in June. I am always thrilled to work with the creators at Create & Decorate, always a pleasant bunch. I don't know if you know this but they have projects online that you can do. If you take a peak you will find my Gift Card Holders in there. I will post a link for you. I can never get them to directly link so you will have to copy and past. Sorry :(

http://www.createanddecorate.com/downloads/

Other things going on for me right now....hmmm...I am working on some package ornies and cinnamon and regular salt dough bowl fillers. These are so much fun to do. I have been dipping them in scented was as well as dusting them with mica flakes...They not only smell good but they sparkle too.

Here is a tip for you fellow creators. If you use mica flakes and they seem too large for your projects, I take them and put them in a coffee bean grinder and it grinds them up rather nicely. I can make them as small or not so small for my projects. I love it. I will be posting some pics of my newest creations tomorrow. So look for the ornies and fillers!
I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. Now it is onto Valentines! I love Valentines. Well I should get off here and continue to rummage through the net looking for things that I don't need. Have a wonderful evening.

Linda