Party Time!!!

I've been a little slow on the draw since Christmas. I just got all the decorations put away and now the house looks completely undressed. It always looks like something is missing at this point. Does anyone but me usually find some little Christmas item that you forget to take down like two or three weeks after you've put everything away?

After New Years we move right along to my sweet hubbie's birthday. We went out to eat with our son in law, Scott, and daughter, Amber. Happy Birthday honey!

We then returned to Amber and Scott's house for a little cake and some fun....

Aren't we too old for this big guy.....show the little lady how it's done! This was our first experience at playing Wii. Notice I didn't share any pictures of me doing this!
Amber had the sweetest post on her blog for her daddy. It almost made me cry. You can check it out here.

Also, our son Eric, spent several day with his friend Cody, traipsing throughout Rome and you can check out his photos and post here.

Merry Christmas

I'm retiring my paint brushes and my blog until after the first of the year so that I can spend more time with family. I wish each and everyone of you a blessed Christmas!

Christmas Tour

Here are a few more pictures of our kitchen decorated for Christmas:

Below is my baking station which includes my basket of cookie cutters, cook books, glass canisters of baking ingredients, and containers of sprinkles for cookies and candy. My mother and I have made so many batches of cookies and candy that my back is killing me.

Cute snowmen.....

Berry wreaths.....

You can check out my christmas decorations from years past here and here.

I have to get back to making out cards before it's too late to send them!

Christmas Giveaway Winner

I'm so glad you could stop by today. Come on in, take off your boots, and warm yourself by the fire.

Today I'm drawing the name for our "giveaway". This is a highly technical process and might take a moment.......drum roll please........The winner is Lavender Dreamer!

Congratulations!

Just follow the wonderful scents coming from the kitchen where I'll dip you up a plate full of spaghetti. Do you remember I mentioned that I was getting a new stove? Well here it is and I love it! Recently I painted my kitchen a pale yellow and took down the old pot rack that was above the stove. I know that a lot of you love pot racks, but I was tired of having to clean the rack and the pots all the time. They got dirty just from hanging above whatever I was cooking. I had this long narrow cabinet and painted it white and placed it above the stove instead. It's great for spices.

Help yourself to some peanut butter fudge.



Can you smell that sauce simmering?

I can't decide what to display on this shelf when Christmas is over, but I'm sure I'll figure it out.

My little Aldi's candy cane trees....

Merry Christmas!!

Giveaway and New Cupcake Paintings

Today I'm typing my post from the local library because our internet service is out due to weather. We called the local cable company and they told us we were on the schedule for the 15th. Needless to say we told them we both needed the internet for our businesses and they would have to reschedule that for an earlier time. They are going to try. Ha! We are one of only eleven people in town without service. Just my luck! I realize that people are without heat, food, a home....so my problem is minor in comparison. Forgive my complaining.

Anyway, I had so much to post that I made a little trip so that I could get this out to you.

I've been busy painting away and have the following available on eBay:

"Gingerbread Christmas Cupcake"

I can't put a link on this one because it doesn't start until tonight. You can always click on the link in the righthand column for my eBay store.
A little gingerbread cottage and two snow laden evergreen trees are tucked into creamy white frosting on a delicious gingerbread cupcake. A red and white checked ribbon is wrapped around the edges of the canvas and tied in a bow at the top.

Next we have:

"Gumdrop Christmas Cupcake"
The background for this little painting is an antiqued recipe from an old cookbook that I decoupaged onto the front of the canvas. Three little sparkly gumdrops are placed in the cream cheese frosting on top. The cupcake liner is red and green plaid and colorful Christmas lights wind around the border. Touches of glitter are applied to the gumdrops and the frosting and may not show up in this photo. A black and white checked grosgrain ribbon is wrapped around the edges of the canvas and tied in a bow at the top.

and...

"Red Velvet Cupcake"
A cute little snowman, Crystal, is decked out in her red velvet jacket. She is perched on top of a red velvet cupcake inside a beautiful snowglobe. A black and white checked grosgrain ribbon is wrapped around the edges of the canvas and tied in a bow at the top.

Now.....for my giveaway. This is for all of you cupcake lovers out there. I'm giving away a 2010 Cupcake Calendar and.....a print of my Eggnog Cupcake. This is a print not a painting. The original is already sold.

Just leave a comment on this post to enter. For a second entry, post about my giveaway on your blog and return to this post to let me know. Make sure your post links back to this post. Don't forget to leave me an email with your comment if you don't have a blog. I will email the winner. This giveaway ends on December the 15th.

Good Luck!

Peppermint Stick Christmas Cupcake Painting

I listed this Peppermint Stick Christmas Cupcake painting on eBay last night. I like it next to my Cherry Cupcake painting and that's where it will stay until it's sold. I also found the cutest little peppermint Christmas trees at Aldis for .99 cents. Haven't decided how I'm going to use them, but I couldn't pass them up.

The background for this little painting is a recipe from an old cookbook that I decoupaged onto the front of the canvas. A peppermint stick in placed in the fluffy pink frosting. Tiny peppermint pieces are sprinkled on top of this deep dark chocolate cupcake. A red and white dotted wrapper is accented with a "Peppermint" tag and a tiny black and white checked ribbon is glued to the candy cane. A black and white checked grosgrain ribbon is wrapped around the edges of the canvas.
Now you really have to admit that these are really cute trees. I went back to Aldis today and bought 5 more. I've still got my Christmas decorating to do when I get caught up with my painting. Also, my kitchen stove played out and I'm so excited to be getting my new one next week. Nothing like getting a new appliance for Christmas!

How's your decorating coming?

....or are you simply taking a break and simplifying this year?

Eggnog Christmas Cupcake Painting Changed

After finishing this painting and listing it on eBay, I just wasn't satisfied with the end result. I switched out the ribbon and tied a bow at the top and then took off the little bow that was attached to the knob of the cloche. Cutting two slits with an exacto knife on each side of the knob and inserting a black ribbon with a little bell attached, I was finally satisfied. I'm now feeling pretty happy with the results until I realize I don't have my camera so that I can put new photos on my auction listing. Changes can only be made to an auction as long as no one has placed a bid.

"Eggnog Christmas Cupcake"

My camera is broke and I've been using my hubbie's since he has the same kind and I know how to use it. However, he had taken his to work. I sat here with my stomach in knots hoping I wouldn't get any bids until I got the auction revised. It wouldn't have been a problem except for the fact that I had made two cuts in the canvas already. I do believe that's the first time I was hoping no one would place a bid. Everything turned out fine after he arrived home and I got the new photos taken.

I hope you like the changes I made to this little painting!

Eggnog Christmas Cupcake Painting

I had so much fun painting this little "Eggnog Cupcake" yesterday. Let me know in my comments if you have any Christmas cupcake suggestions. I love it when my readers give me ideas. I'm starting another one today and should have it finished soon. Click here to check out the eBay auction for this painting.

Santa's tiny elves whipped up this whimsical cupcake creation. They flavored it with eggnog and piled white fluffy frosting on top. Deciding that it needed something extra, they climbed the side of this cute black and white cake stand and placed a little Christmas tree into the top decked with red ornaments. This magical creation is tucked under a glass cloche where snow gently falls like a snow globe. A tiny black and white checked ribbon is glued below the knob on the cloche and a black and white grosgrain ribbon is wrapped around the edges of the canvas. Touches of glitter are applied to the frosting and the Christmas tree.

I found the cutest blog today called "Annie's Eats" and she has a recipe for Eggnog Cupcakes. Go and check it out because she has some great recipes to share.

Print Giveaway Winner

I will be putting this print in my Etsy and Ebay stores today. The links are in the right sidebar.

I want to thank everyone who entered my giveaway and left such sweet comments. The winner of my giveaway is Ruth Welter. Thanks everyone and keep checking back for another giveaway this week. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Giveaway!

My mother, husband, and I have spent the day preparing for Thanksgiving dinner. My mother got all her pumpkin pies ready to go in the oven. I mixed up my Sweet Potato Casserole (now ready to go in the oven tomorrow), baked a pecan pie, and mixed up and cut homemade noodles. Tomorrow will be so much easier with this much prepared ahead. My hubby will be spending the night running back and forth outside to keep an eye on the smoker. He's decided to smoke a turkey and a ham and must keep the fire going and adding water throughout the evening. My daughter, Amber, and son in law, Scott, will be staying with us this evening to help with the rest of the cooking.

Our son, Eric, will be in Spain until June and will be dearing missed. You can check out his adventures in Spain on his blog Shuffle the Cards. He and some of the other teachers from the US are making a Thanksgiving meal for their new friends. I'm looking forward to hearing how their turkey turned out!

With our son not home this year, it's really hit home how hard it must be for the families of our service men and women. Please keep them in your prayers this year when you give thanks around the table. These brave people are the reason for the freedoms that we have.

I'm so thankful for all my blog readers and want to "giveaway" a free print of your choice. I appreciate all the comments and read each and eveyone. Just go to my Etsy Store, and come back here to leave a comment telling me which print you would choose if you win. I will draw a name on Monday. Please leave me your email address in with your comment if you don't have a blog so that I can contact you if you win. Good luck!

Yuletide Cottage Folk Art Painting

This weekend I did a little Christmas decorating outside and finished this little painting.  I loved the wreaths in the windows of this cottage so much that I adapted the same idea at our house this year.  I'll share a photo comparison soon.  In the meantime if you are interested in this little painting it's up for bid here.

As evening settles in and the snow gently falls the McNeel family gather round the old baby grand piano arm in arm raising their voices in unison singing "O come all ye faithful". As Allyson's hands run back and forth over the piano keys playing this song from memory, she says a silent prayer thanking God for her lovely family. What a blessing to have their family home for Christmas. The grandchildren couldn't wait to get their little bodies into their snow gear as they headed out the door ready to play in the snow this morning. As Frosty was coming to life outside, Allyson and her two daughters, Libby and Crystal, worked magic in the kitchen making cookies, cakes, and pies. The men will hurry the children to bed as the women folk prepare the turkey and dressing for tomorrow's dinner. As their beautiful voices finish the final chorus, a big smile comes over Allyson's face as she thanks God once again for this beautiful blessing!

Frozen Frosty Cupcake Painting

I have so many Christmas and winter cupcakes floating around in my head, so this blog may get a little cupcake crazy!  I listed this little painting on eBay this past Thursday.  A few weeks ago I purchased an old cook book on eBay titled, The American Family Cook Book (published in 1952) and I found the perfect recipe for this painting.  I've included it at the end of this post if you'd like to try it out.

"Frozen Frosty Cupcake"

The background for this little painting is a recipe from an old cookbook that I decoupaged onto the front of the canvas. Frosty waves from his perch on top of this cupcake decorated for Christmas. Fluffy white frosting mimicking snow, is edged with a border of green piped frosting and red dots. Tiny white snowflakes adorn this scene and silver glitter outlines the recipe. A black and white checked grosgrain ribbon is wrapped around the edges of the canvas and is tied in a bow at the top.

"Frozen Cupcakes"

1 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup sugar

2 1/2 Tablespoons chopped nuts

1 1/2 cups crumbled sponge cake crumbs

1/16 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice

3 tablespoons chopped maraschino cherries

Whip the cream stiff and then fold in the rest of the ingredients, lightly but thoroughly.  Fill tiny cups with the mixture and place in freezing tray of refrigerator.  Garnish with maraschino cherries and candied ginger.  Serves 4.

Gingerbread Cookie Cupcake Painting

Believe it or not, Christmas is just a few short weeks away!  Yesterday I finished this little cupcake painting and put it up for auction on eBay.  One down and several more to go!!

A warm little gingerbread, hot from the oven, is tucked into the snow like frosting in this Christmas cupcake. A red liner is decorated with white snowflakes and a little tag stating the flavor. Tiny red sprinkles adorn the fluffy frosting and evergreen is tucked in at the base of the cupcake. Snow falls gently giving this cupcake a very wintery feeling. A red and white polka dot grosgrain ribbon is wrapped around the edges of the canvas and is tied in a bow at the top.

Give Thanks to our Veterans!

Before I sit down with brush in hand, I want to thank each and every veteran out there for our freedom in this beautiful country!  May God bless each of you for your service.

Soldiers come from all over the country including these quaint little villages that I so love to paint.  They come from all walks of life, yet they share one thing in common, a love for this beautiful land of ours.  You are in my prayers each and every day!

Copper Springs Autumn Village Folk Art Painting

"Copper Springs"

I've been working on this painting for a few weeks which is longer than it usually takes me to paint a scene this size.  I listed this last night on ebay and you can find it here.

Stella gets up before daylight every morning and goes downstairs to start mixing her sweet confections at the Cupcake Cottage. Her best friend Dorothy, lives just down the street above Willow Fashions and joins her every morning bright and early. Dorothy sips her first cup of coffee as she leans her elbows on the counter cradling the mug between her hands. All the while Stella is mixing a batch of her pumpkin cupcakes while her friend recounts the events of the previous day. This routine has been going on for years and isn't likely to change anytime soon. They both have lots of work to do at their respective shops preparing for the Fall Festival which is in two days. Families will be filling the streets sampling treats like warm sugared pecans, candied peppers, funnel cakes, and fudge from street vendors. Craft booths will line the streets and music will fill the air as local students play the fiddle gathering a crowd of people clapping their hands and stomping their feet. This is a yearly event in the little village of Copper Springs nestled in the hilly countryside.

I would like to thank everyone for the continued well wishes for my mother.  She is doing much better and is now driving once again. 
I will be decorating my blog for Christmas soon!