Just wondering now that the holidays are over are you painting?
What are you painting? Me ??? Well I've done one little piece.
This is the time of year I like to go through and organize my
painting books and patterns. Straighten up my surfaces and put
away all the extra ornaments that I bought after Christmas when
you can get them at 50% to 80% off. I have to keep things in order
and everything in it's place because it's a tiny little room that I paint
in. Trust me there's hardly room in there to change your mind, but it
is nice to have a place with everything in it ( even though it is tiny )
so that's it's not all over the house. Being organized makes life easier
I really don't like having to spend time hunting for something.
That's no fun and it takes time away from painting and it's
stressful. Painting is supposed to be relaxing and good therapy not
something that makes you wanna pull your hair out...lol.

Oh the little Hen is a design by Roxanne Puchalski.

The Peace Of Christmas Eve

It's here, finally it's Christmas. Remember when you were a little kid you didn't think Christmas would ever come.
There was so much to do leading up to the big day then all of a sudden it's Christmas Eve. All the shopping is done and the gifts are wrapped. Cards have been sent and received. There will be those waiting at home for family and friends traveling for miles to get there. Little kids are getting so excited because they know Santa will make his rounds tonight. The tree is up and the lights make a soft peaceful glow that makes everything look so pretty. It's Christmas eve and something happens as the day wears on, things seemed to slow down. Take some time this evening to appreciate the quite peaceful time of Christmas and remember the reason for the Season.

(2:8-14) "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

I wish you all the peace of the season now and all through the coming year. Merry Christmas Everyone.

The 1st Day Of Winter

Yes it's the first day of winter but I think Mother Nature got a head start on snow this time. This morning everything was covered in ice thankfully a lot of it has melted. I hope you have gotten most of your Holiday shopping done so you can stay in and snuggle down.

Tis' The Season

Tis The Season.
Yes it will soon be Christmas. I have always loved Christmas. When I was a little kid Christmas was like magic. The beautiful lights that all of a sudden just appeared out of no where and my mom would make the most amazing things just for the holiday. My dad would go out in the woods and come back a few hours later with a big tree. He would go up in the attic and bring down the lights and ornaments we would decorate the tree and the whole house. And nothing smelled as good as that tree.
I'm so blessed to have such great memories. So think about it for just a minute ,,,, what is your favorite memory of Christmas?

As your going through daily routine this Christmas season. Take the time to make a special memory that will stay with someone through their life time. When it's all said and done it's not the expensive gifts or how perfectly clean your house was that will stay in some one's heart. The things that people will remember will be the warm invitation to your home. A special card that lets someone know your thinking of them from across the miles or just down the street. Or pick up the phone and give someone a call just to say hi.

Just try not to get so busy that you forget the reason for the season. Make some time to be kind to someone.

Now get busy that tree is needs to be decorated, there are cookies waiting to be baked and the cards still have to be signed and mailed out.

This and That

I've added a link to my sidebar for everyone to use to send a card to our Troops. Now that Thanksgiving is just a few days away please take a minute to let the Troops know your thinking about them and say Thank You. Really it only takes a minute I promise.

Now my shows were this past weekend, I think I've been talking getting ready for the shows since June. I would like to say Thank You to all the shoppers that came out in the cold to shop and spend their hard earned money with all of the crafter's.
All crafter's have been so concerned with the economy like it is right now and wondering would the people come out to shop for the Christmas season. Well the numbers were down a little bit this year and thats understandable.
I enjoy the shows, yes it's a lot of work but well worth it. You meet so many nice people and you get to see your regular customers from year to year. They are the best.
If your wondering what sold well for me this year, What else, ORNAMENTS!!!
Everyone loves the ornaments.

Now it's time to get ready for the big weekend. I know everyone is sorting through those old recipes handed down through the family over the years. There's probably a lot of cleaning and making everything nice for the family and friends coming in from out of town.
But don't forget to take some time for yourself. Don't run yourself ragged to the point of getting sick. That's no fun, trust me I know from years of experience. Your family is not coming to visit your house they are coming to spend time with you.
You know there is nothing better then everyone sitting around the table telling stories from the past that makes you laugh till your in tears, and just catching up with whats going on in one another's lives.

And if your a painter like me find yourself a pretty Christmas pattern and a turn on the Christmas music and enjoy a warm evening at home painting to your hearts content.
Home is where your heart is.

New Etsy Shop

It's been a while since I've been here, I've been getting ready for my shows and yes I am now the proud owner of a new Etsy Shop. It's brand new just listed my first items last night. If you have a minute go check it out http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6424813

Right now I only have some ornaments listed but once my shows are over I'll be adding more items. The Santa Bells and a few of the Snowball face ornaments that you see in my slide show are listed there. This is a new learning experience for me I've never had an online shop so there are still some kinks to work out and some tweaking to be done. But I'll learn as I go. They have a very nice site and the Etsy people try to provide you with a lot of information to help you get set up.

Country Church

This picture reminds me of the pretty glittery Christmas cards and the song Silent Night, it just looks so peaceful.

This is another of Betty Caithness's patterns done on a old silver plated tray. If you've never painted any of her patterns this would be a good one to start with. Most of her works have a lot of detail that can get over whelming for someone just starting out. This one took me a day to do between loads of laundry and a few other things I did around the house yesterday.