Sunday, February 27, 2011

Party Girl!

Too much dessert makes one look like this:
Yes, that's me!  All pudgy and hanging onto that scrumptious birthday cake for dear life!  Now you know where my obsession with cupcakes and dessert came from. 

I had a fabulous birthday weekend!  Our daughter, Amber, and son in law, Scott, came out and spent the evening with us on Friday.  They even cooked us a delicious supper and did all the dishes! 
Our son, Eric, called us on Skype from Spain this morning to wish me a Happy Birthday and made is mama very happy too! 
Then to top it all off, my sweet hubby, Rick, took me shopping and out to dinner. 
I'm truly blessed to have such a wonderful loving family!

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Let the little children come to me.... Folk Art Painting

It's finished!  I listed this painting on eBay this evening and it's listed as a fixed price item.  There are no worries about having to bid on this painting.



Tammy and Matthew have been blessed with a bundle of joy this year. Little Wyatt is full of vigor, love, and joy when his father returns home each evening from work. Even though Wyatt's words are hard to understand at this age, Matthew knows and understands that his son had a wonderful day. With the faith of a child, little Wyatt knows that his father will be there for him.


 


I'm having an end of February sale starting today to celebrate the beginning of spring!  Join me in my eBay store to start saving 20 percent off your favorite fixed price store listings.  The sale ends at midnight on February 28th so if you've been meaning to pick up some of those "calorie free" cupcake prints to decorate your kitchen or some nice summer/spring folk art prints, now is the time!

Monday, February 21, 2011

Vintage Finds and a New Folk Art Painting in Progress

I've probably shown you this table that I found at my neighbor's garage sale last summer.  I thought it would be beautiful painted and glazed to bring out the detail of the carving.  Well, here it still sits in the same worn condition that I found it in.
"I need more furniture", as the saying goes, "Like a hole in the head!"
But it would be beautiful painted.  Don't you think?  I have even considered painting it and doing a mosaic on the top with old dishes.

Saturday my husband left the house and came right back a few minutes later.  I assumed he had forgotten something.  Around the corner from our house he had seen a sign that read, "Fixin' to move sale".  He took a picture with his cell phone of some chairs that they were selling for $10.00 each.  We got in the suburban knowing full well that we were bringing these babies home with us.  The lady of the house had four of these and we bought them all.  Remember the old saying I mentioned above?  My excuse is that my children might want them for their home or my mother, my neighbor.....
You have to admit that they are a bargain.

Who buys 4 chairs like these?  I love the style and they could be recovered or I could make slipcovers.  The legs will definitely need to be painted or refinished.  They are in good enough shape to use as is, if I fix the legs.  Right now they are in three different rooms of our home.  I think I've talked myself into keeping two even though I really don't need them.  One of these days our son will move out and we might need them or he might need them or..... 
Wouldn't they be cute with slipcovers made from drop cloths with a cute pleated hem on the edge!  Those darn decorating blogs are causing this dilemma.



This painting is on my drafting table right now and it should be finished tomorrow.  I'm feeling a little more inspiration lately with the sun coming through the windows.
Our temperatures dropped from the 70's yesterday to the 30's today. How's your weather?   Does your creativity change with the weather?
Hugs,
Catherine

Friday, February 18, 2011

Home Sweet Home and a New Folk Art Print

I haven't painted any folk art scenes in so long.  I've truly missed painting these little scenes.  So, I started one yesterday.  While browsing through all my past artwork to find some inspiration, I came across this little scene that I painted a while back and decided to make it into a print to sell in my eBay and Etsy stores. 

I realize that most of you are probably sick of snow, but I just had to share this one.


Snow gently falls upon the McNeel home where Bob and his wife Mona sit enjoying the warmth near the fireplace. Each night they join hands in a prayer thanking the Lord for the blessings He has given them.

He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. Psalm 9:11


Also, today I'm joining the following "Home Sweet Home" party at:

Come and join us!
Hugs,
Catherine











Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Divine Chocolate Cupcake Painting

Today I finished this 6" x 12" cupcake painting and listed it on eBay:

Topped with bright red cherries and loaded with divine premium chocolate, these tempting treats are a feast for the eyes as well as the tummy.




Any requests are welcome!
Hugs,
Catherine

Monday, February 14, 2011

Valentine's Day Giveaway!

Happy Valentine's Day! 
Maura of "Lilac Lane Cottage" is the winner of my Valentine print giveaway.  Stop by her blog to congratulate her!  Her posts will make you dream of the heavenly lilac scent that arrives each spring!
Maura, please email me with your address and I'll get this in the mail. 
Wishing you all a love filled day!

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Valentine Print Giveaway!


Since I love all my blog readers and enjoy reading all your comments,  I've decided to have a Valentine Print Giveaway!
Here are the rules:
1. Go to my Etsy Store and let me know which of my Valentine prints you would like to have.  It needs to be a Valentine print.
2. Come back here and leave a comment telling me which Valentine print you want if you are the lucky winner.
3.  I will need to be able to contact you if you are the winner. So, if you don't have a blog with a link, please leave your email address in your comment. 
4.  This giveaway is available to all my readers, not just those in the US.
5.  All comments must be left here by Friday, February 11th at midnight. 
6.  For a second chance to win click on the "follow link" in the righthand sidebar and become a follower.  Be sure to comment again to let me know that you are a follower or have now become a follower. 
Thanks for being such loyal readers and please leave a comment!
Hugs,
Catherine

Monday, February 7, 2011

Simple Winter Days and Sweet Friends

Every morning I sit here with my cup of coffee and read my morning Bible verse from this sweet box of daily verses that a dear friend gave me.  I also decided to sit back and enjoy my first issue of Mary Janes Farm that another dear friend gave me a subscription to for Christmas.  I should be painting, but I'm hitting a rough creativity spell......

Then last week a blogging friend, Janet Metzger of The Empty Nest, sent me this beautitul hand knitted cowl scarf and a cute knitted flower pin.  She gave away 10 Circle of Love scarves and the story behind it is so inspiring.  She said,
"I hope to honor my friend Phyllis, who recently lost her battle with cancer and who's company I kept while I knitted them." 
Thanks Janet; I will cherish it!





 
I am so far behind in my blogging that I forgot to mention that Natural Awakenings featured two of my paintings on the front cover of the free autumn issue.  A blogging friend mentioned to me one day that she saw my artwork on the front cover.  It's always nice to hear from bloggy friends and nice to know that someone out there recognized my artwork.
 

I recently decided that I need more color in my life after reading one of my favorite blogs, Attic 24.  I'm making this colorful hexagon afghan for my bed and these blocks are put together as you go.  She has fantastic easy to follow instructions here.  Lucy's blog is so much fun to read and I know you'll love her cute accent that comes through in her daily posts.  Makes me want to hop, skip, and jump right over to England!

 

 
This is what my poor hubby was doing this week.  Poor guy!


 

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Happy Birthday Amber!



She's my first born...
my best friend...
my crafting buddy...
got the best smile on the planet...
a very happy girl...
beautiful inside and out..
encouraging....
talented....
my little girl.
Happy Birthday sweetie!