I hope that everyone is having a great Wednesday! It is raining and very dreary here, so since I can't be outside I got a chance to paint up a couple new things. This is another set of sitter blocks, based on a design from Susan Burd. She often does designs for Create and Decorate magazine which is one of my all time favorites.

Now this little guy is a Terrye French design, and I have painted it on a little wood iron that my friend Donna's husband made. It has a slit at the top to hold your recipe card right at eye level. Isn't it cute? I have tried my hand at painting animals, and for the sake of everyone it is a good thing that I don't pursue it...:) but I do love to paint the primitive ones.......they are always so darn cute!

I am heading out tomorrow to go do some TS shopping. The Trash to Treasure projects I was hoping to have done are still waiting for me, and here I am going to get more!

I hope everyone had a good Mother's day, and I will be back again soon with more treasures, but before I go I just want to thank all of you who always take the time to visit. Your comments and your visits mean everything, and I so appreciate each and every one. So everyone take care, and I will see you again soon!

Adorable Giveaway!

Be sure to stop in at MommaB's Front Porch for a chance to win this wonderful napkin holder! Vickie has some of the cutest things that she has painted on her blog.........don't miss out!

Happy Mother's Day Weekend Everyone!

I just wanted to pop in to wish all my dear blogging friends a very Happy Mother's Day! I hope everyone is treated a little extra special tomorrow. I did get a chance to hit a couple garage sales yesterday, but found very few treasures this trip. I did find a couple, and will be posting those for ya as soon as I figure out what I will do with them......:) But for now I have to go and get everything in the studio cleaned up......I am usually kind of neat freak, but if you saw the studio you would never believe it...LOL. So off I go and again Happy Mother's Day to all........enjoy!

What I Worked on Today!

I was painting a mousepad today for one of my customers, so while I had the paint out I did this one. Turned out pretty cool huh? The streaking in the background will disappear when I seal it, but I don't usually do that step until after photos as it causes such a glare.

So the past couple days I have been working in the studio, and haven't had much of a chance to do any fun things. I do have a few more trash to treasure to show you later on in the week if time allows. It is only Tuesday and the week is filling up fast. I am hoping to hit a couple garage sales this week to so maybe I can find a few more prim treasures. Hope everyone has a great and creative week, and I will be back in a couple days...........blessings to all!

Wishing Everyone a Great Weekend!

As always the week just flew by once again. I didn't get allot of projects completed, but they have been base coated, and are ready for next week. I have been in a Patriotic mode lately, so I am hoping to have more to share with you in the coming days ahead. In the meantime, I did get this little box done. I am always looking for creative storage solutions, and when I saw this adorable box I could see a happy home, for all those little needfuls, that never have a home.

I just adore stitchery, although I must admit I never have time to do it myself any longer. Maybe it is time to start making it a "must do", even if only a few minutes a day. I just love the penny rugs, stitchery, rug hooking, and needlework I come across on blogs, prim shops, and websites. Never is there enough time to do all the things we would love to do.......sigh

Time will be becoming even shorter for me soon. My garden takes priority when the weather finally warms up enough to start doing some serious planting. I only have a few short months to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors and I take full advantage of it. Mornings will find me in the garden, and many times I take my work outside and spend the day, if family life allows. I am hoping to bring you updates of the garden as it changes with the spring and summer season. We have started some changes already and I can't wait to see the final result.

So here is wishing everyone a great weekend......spend time with your families, and friends, and don't forget to spend a little time with yourself. Your creative spirit will thank you.......

Blessings.........Jody

Trash To Treasure!

The other day I promised to show you another Trash to Treasure project. Well here it is......this is a candle sconce I found on one of my GW trips, and as soon as I saw it, I knew just what I wanted to do with it. So home it came and with a few simple changes, it was transformed from yucky to simply primilicious....is that a word? Anyway, after I painted it black, and sanded and distressed it, it was perfect..........except for one thing. I wanted to be able to post it to show you today, so I grabbed a few prim things I had on hand to fill it, but I don't want it to stay this way.

We have several wonderful places to purchase prim candles here in town. One is called Two Sisters, and the other is the Red Geranium...I could spend hours in both of these shops. So after being thrifty, and redoing my 1.00 find at GW, I am headed out to buy a large primitive candle, and a little braided candle mat, then it will be perfect!

If I ever had to choose my favorite primitive accessory it would have to be candles. I cannot resist them! At any given time a candle is burning, or I have tarts in the burner, or even both. It is just something special I do for myself everyday. I have purchased a small tart burner for my studio, and before I begin the day, it is lit, and it creates such a wonderful work environment.

So find a great scented candle, and treat yourself today.........you deserve it.

My Discovery for Today!

Whenever I come across a shop that I just fall in love with, I just have to head over here and share it with you all. I have been in search for a finishing piece to my little, tiny, and I mean tiny 1/2 bath. Actually is was a small closet that was converted into a bath. Anyway, it is so narrow, that it has been difficult to find just the right piece that people will not knock into it, when they use the "powder room". Well this lead me on a quest, and boy did I find a treasure. I was doing a search on Etsy, and discovered Sawdusty's. The above photo is just a sampling of the wonderful primitive items you will find at Sawdusty's Cabin on Etsy! My purchase today was a darling prim hand towel holder, and I will share it with you once it arrives. Too darn cute!

Everything in Denise's shop is handmade, and as primitive as can be. Everything can be customed to your particular paint colors too. Not only does she offer wood items, but grubby candles, tarts, and other wonderful prim goodies. So if you are in the mood for some prim shoppin' head over to Sawdusty's Cabin and have some fun today!

Hey everyone! Sure hope you had a great weekend! It rained and rained here, and we are in for more today. So it is a good day to get caught up on blog posts, don't ya think? Anyway, I shared with you last week that I had found a couple new GW treasures, and I got one of them finished yesterday. I had a heck of a time getting a decent picture, but I really like how this piece turned out. It appears to be so old.....and it would be perfect for any colonial primitive home. Here it is as I found it.....

and here it is finished! The salbox house is more deep burgundy, then brick red, but as I said it wasn't a good photo taking day.......my camera and I have many trying times together.....:) I am off to day to do one other trash to treasure project and hope to share that with you in the next couple days.

What a Wonderful Surprise!

Isn't this the cutest pillow! My friend Donna, who is a very talented seamstress, stitcher, and painter, made this as a surprise for me! I just love the verse, and she said she thought of my grandchildren when she stitched it.

My father rescued this old chair that was headed for the landfill. He took it all apart, and refinished it for me. He even did the caning on the seat. It is a real treasure to me and is referred to as "The Special Chair" in my home. Since my fathers passing it has become even more precious, and I think Donna's pillow looks just perfect on it. Thanks so much Donna!

Happy Earth Day Everyone!!

Well it is a gorgeous Earth Day here today........hope you are enjoying great weather where you are! I got to thinking about Earth Day, and all the things we do, like recycling our garbage, using green products to clean our home, etc. Well sometimes I forget to recycle, and I have been known to grab a bottle of uneco friendly cleaner here and there. But the one thing I am really good at is repurposing...........and every prim and cottage style decorater that I know is fabulous at that, and they recieve my kudos today. I am often just stunned at the trasnformations that I see on blogs and websites, of repurposed items, headed for landfills. I am a faithful Goodwill treasure seeker, love garage sales, and because of that I hope I am doing my part for saving the earth for my grandchildren, and future greatgrandchildren. Plus it is fun!!!!!! I did get a chance to hit the goodwill last week, but haven't gotten around to getting pics yet........but hopefully I will have a few to show you next week.

I have been busy this week filling spring orders, but I did get a moment to go to my treasure closet and find this old recipe box. The design by Donna Atkins I felt was perfect for it. Very prim, very basic, but love how it turned out.

I Just Had To Share!

I reached a milestone today! I finally achieved my 100th sale on Etsy! I have been working on this goal for a few weeks now, and when I saw that sale come through I was just beside myself! Debbie, of SugarMntMerchantile who also has a shop on Etsy was the wonderful lady that made my day! Thanks again Debbie, and I hope you enjoy the added gift to your order!

It is an overcast day here today, but it is in the high 60's and for that it is wonderful! I am hoping to finish up the inside duties, and head outside and do some cleaning and sprucing up in my garden. Lots of flowers are beginning to pop through, and when that happens, I head to the storage shed to bring out all the garden things. It is a tradition now with my grandson Cory, that grandma can't put the garden together in the spring without his help, so since he will be here this afternoon, it will be a great time to get started. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend......take time to enjoy your friends and family.

Blessings.........Jody

What I Have Been Working On Wednesday!

Heavens I can't believe it is Wednesday already! It has been a busy week and the time just flies by faster then I can keep up! I have really enjoyed reading everyone's Easter stories on their blogs, hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!

Now for what I have been working on.........these are metal plates that have been sitting on the shelves for what seems like forever, and I thought they would make the perfect surface for these two designs. The top one is John Sliney, and the one below is by artist Charlene Barlow. These are two of my all time favorite primitive designers!

I love to paint anything designed by John Sliney! His simplistic approach to art, coupled with is wonderful interpretation of Colonial America, just speaks to my heart in every way.

Happy Easter to all of my wonderful blog friends! I hope you have a wonderful day with family and friends.
Blessings to All
Jody

Check Out This Blog!

When I come across something as delightful as this blog, I just have to share! If you are old enough to remember when life was so much simpler, the days when values mattered, and it didn't take a village to raise your children, you just have to check out
Aunt Ruthie's Sugar Pie Farmhouse!
!
Aunt Ruthie brings such a refreshing way of doing everything from how to bake pies, to keeping her home running as smooth as a well oiled machine. When you sit down at her table, for a hot cup of coffee, and a slice of pie, she will share with you all the nooks and crannies of her wonderful Farmhouse way of life.

New Place for Primitive Shopping!

Since Ebay made so many changes about a year ago, there are new selling sites popping up all over! One that I have recently joined, and am very impressed with is Artfire.com
Click this link to see the wonderful packages available for sellers! You can even list for free! In this age of rough economic times, this is a wonderful place to promote your primitive items, and of course to buy too!

Artfire has just recently added a FolkArt/Primitive category and we hope to see even more prim artists join us! Go take a peak........you will love it!

You can find my studio at http://primgal.artfire.com

Trash to Treasure Tuesday

I simply love the smell of Sweet Annie! Just brush by it and the fragrance is heavenly. I had this old box down in my basement. It was once a recipe box, but somewhere along the line the lid was misplaced. I don't know why I hung on to it, but then again, yes I do......I can't let go of anything that might one day be a treasure. Well anyway I found it the other day, as I wanted to do a fast and easy project for an end table in my living room. The color scheme in there is beige, white, and brown, so I grabbed this old box, stained it dark walnut, added a simple little" Olde Candles" label, and I had it.
. Now what to fill it with. Now keep in mind this was a fly by the seat of your pants project......:) So I took a candle that I had in my cabinet, placed it on some floral foam, Then I went in search of a few rusty stars, added my left over Sweet Annie, and in 30 minutes I had a cute little added touch for my living room. I have plans to eventually replace the real candle with a battery operated one, but need to get to the store and get one since I have used all of mine. Anyway, this was fun, and so simple. Just look around your home, I bet there are all kinds of things you could use for quick and easy projects.
While taking pictures, I couldn't resist doing one is sepia. Love the way it turned out!

Good Morning!

I was hoping to get back in yesterday, with pictures of our snow, but it didn't go as I planned.....some days never do. Those that know me well, know that I am a list maker, but even with a list sometimes life just has other plans...:)
I worked on some new soaps yesterday......these were done based on designs from Renee Mullins. Every once in awhile it is fun, and relaxing, to do something out of the box. I think these called my name yesterday, as we woke to 3" of snow, and spring was no where in sight. So I brought spring to me......:)

You know the old adage of a plumber, electrician, or an artisian never seems to have the time to do their own work in their homes? Well that would describe me to a tee! For months, I have had ideas, and projects that I have wanted to do, and today I decided to do just that! Today is Jody's house day, and I am loving it

I purchased this sconce about 15 years ago on a trip to Branson Missouri. At that time Branson was loaded with wood carvers, and crafters of every kind. Well this piece fit perfectly back then, in my sprawling farmhouse. Since we decided to downsize and move into town, I never really found the right spot for it until now. Of course the way it was just wouldn't do, so I have changed it to fit my Colonial Prim decor in my dining room. I added the antique hurricane globe, and it will be perfect prim lighting for the evenings.

April First Weekend Shopping Extravaganza

April First Weekend Shopping Extravaganza

I am participating in this wonderful opportunity given to me by the Etsy Supply Street Team. What a great way to see the many things offered on Etsy! All you Etsy shop owners.......check this out, it is an incredible way to promote your shops! Have Fun!

Beginning on Thursday at 12:00 AM EST, the Etsy Supply Street Team is hosting another"First Weekend Shopping Extravaganza." This months event will run from Thursday, April 2nd - Sunday, April 5th, 2009. ALL ETSY SHOPS - HANDMADE, SUPPLIES AND VINTAGE - are invited to participate by placing an announcement in your shop and joining in with promoting on the "Official" Promotional thread in the Etsy Forums

Whatcha Workin on Wednesday

I was beginning to wonder if I was going to get this finished in time to post, but here it is! This is what I have been working on today. This is such a great piece! It is a tissue box holder, along with having a small caddy drawer at the bottom to hold those pieces of jewelry we don't want to misplace, or for storing any kind of small items.


I will be adding this piece to my Etsy shop if anyone is interested in purchasing one similar. All of my pieces are painted one at a time, so each piece is created just for you! Makes it a one of a kind item, as I am always adding here and adding there with each piece I create. Hope you enjoy!