Good Sunday Morning

Mother Nature decided to see how much snow and ice she could dump on the southern half of the county the last few days and boy she did a good job putting down some snow here. It started yesterday about 7am and ended just about 7 last night. And now I'm stuck with a foot of snow that I really didn't need...LOL. But at least it's not ice and we still have the power on. Who knows how long in will be before those without power will be back to normal.

I guess it's a good time to work on some projects that I've had in mind.

I have a Fan page on Facebook now. Yeah little ol' me with a Fan page who would have thought it.

I'm having a good time meeting others that paint and looking at all their beautiful work.

I've added some links for sites that I buy paint supplies from and some that I've just learned about from other artist. There are a few that are having good sales right now so if you need some new brushes or your getting low on some of the DecoArt colors it's a good time to shop. The next time your on Facebook just type Joyces Tole Painting in search and become a fan. If you have a painting related Fan page I'll Fan you right back. So stop by you never know what you'll find or who you'll run into on Facebook.

Enjoy your Sunday, stay warm and Happy Painting.

So here we are at the beginning of another year. Strange how the years past by so fast now. When we were kids it seemed the year dragged on forever. I think back over the year and all the things that have happened and the changes that have taken place, some not for the better it seems. I wonder what is in store for me, my friends and this country in 2010. Know that I wish you the best of everything and hope that the changes in your lives are only changes for the very best that life has to offer.

Could it get any colder??? Really this bitter cold weather is so uncalled for. I know, I know everyone says we need it cold to kill the germs. Well I would rather it be warmer and I'll use my Lysol to kill the germs...LOL I'm a summer time girl ,anything under 80 degrees is chilly. That's why I have a picture of the beach here today, Aww, warm weather and flip flops and a margarita. Now that's the good life.

Now that winter has set in the next three months are a good time to bring out the paints and find a great pattern to paint that will help pass the time during these long evenings.

Maybe you would like to have something different to hang in your kitchen well paint something yourself to decorate your surroundings. There are still some painting magazines out there with really great patterns from so many different artist I bet your sure to find something you will like. I have a few things left over from last year that I plan to finish, you know how it is your working on a piece and someone comes along needing something right now so you put what your doing on the back burner and plan to get back to it but it doesn't always happen that way. So I'll take care of a few UFO's then move on to other things I have in mind to paint.

Until next time Happy New Year and Happy Painting.

Time To Get That Tree Up

My tree is up and the lights are on it and I'm worn right smack out. Getting all the parts for this tree inside from storage and getting it put together and lights on it ranks right up there with wrestling a bear....LOL. But it's so worth it when it's all done I love the soft glow of the Christmas lights. I think the lights are one of my most favorite things of the season.

This year I have a few new ornaments to add to my tree. The first pic. is a little wooden ornament that I painted white and sponged a little blue on to make it look frosty. The second one is paper mache that I got at a craft store and painted blue I added the snowman face and snow flakes to make the body. And the last one I painted the glass icicle the added texture snow and glitter, that doesn't show up very well in my pic. I'll post more ornaments later. If you have painted ornaments for this Christmas I would like to see what everyone else has come up with let me know in a comment where I can see your ornaments. Time to go rest after a long afternoon of tree wrestling...LOL

Until next time happy painting.

Happy Thanksgiving

What a nice day I've had, Good friends and good food to share.

I took some time to add some of my favorite Christmas music here for everyone to enjoy.

I didn't get to paint today but that's OK I'll get back to that on Sunday. I hope that you have had a special day as well and added to the good memories that you will think back on in the years to come and remember fondly.

I've been noticing that when people find their way to this blog most of the time they are searching for Snowman paintings so I'll show you one I finished last week. This is a Jamie Mills Price pattern. I've have the book for some time now but just got around to painting this cutie.

Her snowmen have the sweetest faces and the softest look.

If you want to paint a cute snowman give this one a try you won't be disappointed. Would be a great piece to paint for someone who collects snowmen.

Until next time happy painting.

My Craft Show Weekend 2009

Every year I do two craft shows at two different locations and they happen to fall on the same weekend. You know that saying what doesn't Kill you will make you Stronger well it must be true.

Cause I'm still here after a very long two days.

I've been reading reports from other crafters for the last two months and lets just say most of the reports didn't sound promising. So I went out this year with low expectations. But it turned out not to be so bad after all. The show on Saturday was pretty good. Yesterday's show the sales were down but with this economy it was no surprise. But I'll say I'm grateful for the sales I had and want to thank all those that came out to shop with us. It's so great to get to see everyone from year to year and visit with other crafters that I've known for many years.

My ornaments made a big hit this year. I spend many hours making dozens of each style of ornament so I'll have enough for the two days.

There were so many nice items sold at this years show, my friend Mary makes floral arrangements and wreaths and she did very well this weekend to. There are a few fine artist Mary Lou Troutman and Alan Paganhardt that feature their work at these shows every year and they had a good weekend as well. So if you have a good product that the people want you can still make money out there.

Now that the shows are behind me it's time to get myself ready for Thanksgiving. Yes I have to put the boxes away and prep my house and shop for all the trimmings for Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is such a nice day that's if you don't let yourself get caught up in all the black Friday frenzy that makes people crazy every year.

I plan on making a nice dinner to share with friends and relaxing and thanking God for His Grace and Favor in my life. Than because I work retail I'll be going to work nice and early Friday morning, OH Yipeeeee ;)

Remember while your out there shopping for that perfect gift over the weekend be kind to the folks behind the counter, we are not the ones that buy the stock that goes on the shelfs and we have no control over what the stores have or in most cases don't have.

And pay attention to your surroundings and be safe on the roads and in the malls. I hope you find that perfect gift you have in mind for the special person. Happy Shopping.

We painted pears in class yesterday and they turned out really nice. I really need to remember to take a camera with me so I can post pic's of what my wonderful students paint.

This is a Debbie Cole pattern and I enjoyed painting it , love the colors.

I know it's November but the weather has been so nice, yesterday it was 78 degrees in Southern MD. and today looks like a repeat of the same.

I think it will be a good day to get the boxes out and start pricing and packing up everything for my craft shows. Only two weeks left before the shows, and with work days that leaves very few days to get it all done. I'm still working on ornaments and a few last minute things to add to my display. I do two shows back to back in one weekend, take it from me that's a lot of packing and setting up and repacking and work for two days and on Monday I can't even move...LOL. But I do enjoy the shows and getting to see the other crafter's and my regular customers from year to year.

I'm seeing more decorative painter blogs and that makes me happy I always like to see what others are painting, lots of times I'll see something that someone else has done and it will inspire me go back and look through my patterns and find something similar to paint. Or challenge me to paint on a different surface that I had not thought about.

If you have a decorative painting blog don't be shy bring it to my attention so I can check it out.

I don't always have the time to sit here and search blogs to find them but I really do like seeing what everyone is doing. Also if your doing craft shows leave a comment I'd like to know what everyone is selling and how they set up their displays. Good luck to those doing the shows I hope you sell out everything.

Yes It's hard to believe it's October already and it will soon be time for the spooky ghouls of Halloween to be out and about. We painted this cute spooked cat and pumpkin in class yesterday. Kim Christmas designed it, very cute.
It's starting to feel like fall here I even turned my heat on for the first time today, it's gray and dreary here and a light breeze. The leaves are starting to change colors. Before long they will be floating down to the ground and the trees will go to sleep for the long winter. Halloween is the kick off to all the great holidays that I look forward to.

Also October is the month I was born so I have a birthday coming up, not something that I look forward to but it's coming no matter what....LOL

Now that the weather is getting colder and it gets dark so early in the evenings I hope you'll have time to find a great pattern and sit with you paints and brushes and enjoy some painting time. Hey, instead of carving a pumpkin why not paint one to display on your front steps. Not only pumpkins but you can paint gourds to, just use your imagination. All the little goblins that come to your house this Halloween will be impressed.

Until next time Happy Painting everyone.