Check out this Cottage Style Blog!

Good Morning Everyone!

Well we woke up to snow here in Illinois today and it is still snowing.......aggggg......I am so ready for tulips, daffodils, and the sweet scent of a spring morning breeze! In the meantime though, I wanted to spend some time getting caught up with my favorite blogs, and I wanted to share this one with you.

If you love cottage, prim, and trash to treasure creations, you have to visit Appletree Cottage! Martha's amazing talent is such an inspiration to me! She has an incredible talent to take something that someone else would toss as old and unusable, and turn it into gorgeous pieces for your home. You can vist Martha and her beautiful creations at:

http://appletreecottage.blogspot.com/

http://www.appletreecottage.etsy.com/

What I Have Been Working On Wednesday!

I so enjoyed doing my animal sitter blocks, that this week I decided to do another set for the upcoming summer season. I think I could do these blocks all day long they are so much fun to do. These would be great for anyone that loves to decorate in the Americana style. I am rather a perfectionist when it comes to my painting, and so these are a nice change of pace for me. The more rugged, and prim the better. I am hoping to have more for the upcoming holiday season, just haven't figured it all out yet........:)

I have a couple more projects in the works, that I hope I get finished in time to show you next week. I am hoping to get outside and get a little yard work done, along with some spring cleaning, so I am trying to do a little here and a little there.........we all know how that is. Have a great day everyone, and hope you enjoy the blocks!

Treasury of Cottage Style

Although I love to paint primitive art, I love the softness and simplicity of cottage style too! If you are looking for some great new pieces for your cottage syle home, check out the artisians in this treasury I just did for my street team, Old Farmhouse Gathering. Hope you enjoy!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=48173

Happy Monday!!

I hope everyone had a great weekend! I sure didn't get as much accomplished as I would have liked, but it was nice to do some relaxing for change also. I just wanted to share with you this morning a treasury that I just did featuring some great Etsy sellers, and wonderful primitive items. I am always looking for new things I just have to have, and this is a great variety. Clicks and comments are sure welcome, and the gals featured all appreciate them. Enjoy!!!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=47706

My Favorite Things!

As most of you know by now, my passion in life is painting primitive and cottage art, but a little known fact about me is my love for the written word. I remember as a child, walking to the library, to get as many books as my arms would hold. I spent my allowance money at the bookstore, buying up every new Nancy Drew mystery that came out. Oops, now I am showing my age......:)

But in spite of spending most of my reading time today on the computer, with websites, and blogs, and yes, even the newspaper, there is still something magical about curling up on a rainy Saturday afternoon with a book you just can't put down. My love of words has never left me, and that is reflected in one of my favorite things.........signs. I have signs of different sayings all through my home, and garden. Usually just a word or two, keeping it simple as always. When people visit my home, they see what I hold dear, what is important to me in life, and what my approach to life is really all about. Weather it is on a plaque, a large wood sign, or stitched on a pillow, words are the easiest way to convey just who you are, and what you hold dear.

Now for the fun part........I wanted to show you a new sign that I just purchased from Rhonda of BeecharmerPrimitives. Now this one was just for fun, but I couldn't resist it. The primitive way she has done this has such a simplicity, and reminded me of the days spent in my grandmothers kitchen. I just had to have it.........:) Be sure to visit Rhonda's blog over the weekend. She is hosting a giveaway of one of her neat signs. I know I sure signed up. Have a great weekend everyone!

What I Have Been Working On!

This is an old paddle that has been laying around now for quite some time. It was painted bright white, and that just wouldn't do.....:) So I painted it black, crackled it, added a very deep beige topcoat, sanded, and antiqued, and now it looks like it has been around for centuries. I love this sheep design by John Sliney too.......it was the perfect design for this piece. Love how it turned out.

I received this recipe box from a dear friend, and I fell in love with it the moment I saw it. It originally had been a maple color wood, and though cute, just wouldn't do in a prim kitchen. So of course I had to make a few changes......:) Again just a little black paint, some stars added to the sides, and you have a perfect prim addition to any kitchen.

I will be working on more trash to teasure items throughout the spring and summer. I set aside one day a week, to hit garage sales, estate sales, and moving sales to find some of my treasures. I have so many ideas, just need to find that perfect 'treasure".

Thank you Kat!

I recieved the nicest surprise today! I received the most wonderful convo from Kat of http://katscraftingcottage.blogspot.com/ telling me that she had featured me on her blog! She has written up a great article on my shop at Etsy and I couldn't be more honored! Thanks so much Kat! If you have a moment hop on over and visit her blog!

Some New Items

I have been doing a bit of trash to treasure painting this week, and it has been a refreshing change. If you are a crafter you know what "stash" is. Well my stash is overflowing, and with the spring days ahead, I thought it would be great to get back to a little simplicity. Many of the items that I paint are very detailed and time consuming, so this was like a breath of fresh air for me to do some of the simpler, and yet oh so primitive pieces. Here are three of my sitter blocks, done with designs from John Sliney. Instead of paint for the backgrounds these were done with a series of washes. The wash gives it that perfect primitive patina of time gone by.

Favorite Things!

All of us have our collections, or that perfect piece that just makes our heart go pitty pat at flea markets and estate sales. For me I can't resist an antique bobbin, or an old window. I have decorated my small living room in windows of different kinds. Some are plain, others have mirrors, but each one speaks to my heart on some level.

I would like to share with you an artist friend Arlene, who's work I have admired for many years. Arlene and I met on a painting forum, and I have been her number one fan for a long time. This lady has incredible talent!

Here is just a peek at what she does with a window........fabulous artist! You can find Arlene's work at the links below. Hope you enjoy!

www.Paintindaze.com

http://Paintindaze.etsy.com

www.theweatheredwindow.com

Thank Goodness It's Friday!

Well I missed my "Whatcha Workin' On Wednesday" this week.....and for that I apologize. It has just been one of those weeks, where I did a little here, a little there, and nothing finished. BUT.......I did work on my studio this week. I have a very small space, actually about the size of a nice walk in closet. So when things get unorganized, it can really drive my stress level up....LOL.
So for this week, instead of working on a painted design, I chose to organize my space, and it does make a big difference to have everything where it belongs. I moved a bookcase to let in more light, and sectioned everything according to function, and I am a happy camper today, as I don't work well in chaos. Of course doing a nice spring cleaning up there, really got the inspiration going, and I would love to have time this summer to do some redecorating in there. I feel that a craft space should always be an inspiration, regardless of the size. Surround yourself with things you love, hang a plaque on the wall that has a favorite saying......paint the room your favorite color weather it matches the rest of your home or not. I make no promises, but I HOPE to be able to show you some changes in my space in the next few weeks. Stay tuned.......:)

A LIttle Touch of Spring!

With all my excitement of spring, I just had to share this gorgeous painting with all of you. This lady is so talented, and it is a pleasure to know her. This painting was done by Barb, of http://barbsgarden.blogspot.com/ Her medium is in oil, and if you wish to see more of Barb's art just visit her blog, or the many places she sells on the web. I met Barb through a small painting group that I am on, and she is such an asset to the group. What incredible talent! You can vist Barb at these locations on the web! Enjoy!

http://barbsgarden.etsy.com/

http://barbara-haviland.fineartamerica.com/

http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/BarbaraHaviland

Hi All!

It is positively GORGEOUS here today! I have had the worst case of cabin fever that I can remember having for a long time! The sun is shining, the air is clean and crisp, and the only thing I can think of right now is my longing to go dig in the dirt. I know it is early so I am going to have to contain myself, but oh the promise of spring is all I need today! So I am going to take advantage of it and be outside as much as possible. Grab that cup of coffee, and just enjoy the sunshine.
Also, the news from here today, is that I have decided to offer a supplies category to my Etsy shop. I have so many ornaments, and surfaces that I know I will never get to. So if you are a painter, or crafter, be sure to stay tuned, and I will announce when the supplies area is ready for purchases. I am hoping to have it done and ready by the end of next week! Till the next time.......blessings to each and everyone of you!

Well I Had the Paint Out Already..........

Since I was working on my swap today, and the paint was all on the palette, I figured I didn't want it to go to waste, so I whipped up this cute spring soap to match the candleholder. I really enjoyed doing this one. I am sure it has something to do with all the spring colors. It was sunny here today, but still very chilly, but we are supposed to warm up towards the end of the week, and I am so looking forward to it. In the meantime, I painted a little spring........hope you enjoy!

What I Have Been Working On Wednesday!

We have lots going on over at the OFG Street Team. We are getting ready to launch our Easter Celebration, along with our Spring Celebration, and we have a spring swap going on right now also. Today I wanted to share with you what I did for my swap partner. Always during these swaps I agonize, and change my mind a hundred times, before I finally decide what to paint. I had started about three different projects, but I finally decided on this one.

For our swap this time, we were to create something that was either Spring or Easter related, and I thought this cute design by Renee Mullins, filled the bill on both parts. I then added some scented candles, and will of course include some great Easter goodies in my partners package. Wouldn't be a swap without chocolate..,:) I really enjoyed doing this one, and I hope my partner likes it. I will be mailing out next week.

My Swap Gift!

Hey All!!
Isn't this just the sweetest thing? This was what I received from my swap partner Dee Begg of IceHouseCrafts
We are in the process of having a Spring Swap on the OFG Street Team, and I received this adorable door pocket in the mail just the other day. Dee did a gorgeous job of painting it, and then she stuffed it plumb full of pipberries! I couldn't wait to hang it on my front door to tell my friends and family, that yes, SPRING IS COMING.......:)
Along with my gift, she also send the most yummy cadberry eggs, and some wonderful peanut butter Reese's.....which by the way are long gone. If you have a moment pop over to Dee's and see what other great things she has to offer!
Thanks again so much Dee, I am just thrilled!

Spring Has Sprung on OFG!

If you get a moment today, be sure to stop over at Etsy and check out all the wonderful spring creations our team has put together! We officially launched our Spring Celebration, for our team Old Farmhouse Gathering! The gals have all done a fantastic job and the incredible talent on this team is just amazing. So if you are ready for a breath of spring, be sure to hop on over, you will be glad you did!

I have been so surprised, and honored by the several awards that I have received......thank you for each and everyone one of them, they have all deeply touched my heart.

With that said, I am finding it so difficult to select blogs to send the award on to, as I feel there are so many that are deserving, and I can't pick just a few. So I have decided to be Award Free,

and I hope everyone understands.

Here They Are!

As promised, I did get my new soaps done today! I love to paint on just about any surface imaginable, but I really have a love for painting on soap. I take pride in all the steps that my soaps go through before I feel they are presentable for the buying public.

Through experimentation one day I decided to see if crackle medium would work on a soap surface. Sometimes crackle doesn't do well on all types of surfaces, so I was pleasantly surprised when these turned out as well as they did. Well with a crackle finish, and my love for primitives the sky was the limit. All of my soaps are sanded, then cleaned. The next step is sealing the bar for it to take paint well. Then I apply my first base coat, when dry, the crackle step is next. What is really important in working with soap is allowing for drying time between each step......this is really important for you to be able to turn out a nicely painted soap. If you don't allow for the drying time you find that your paint will creep, or pull off.

So now we go to the topcoat.......after the crackling process is finished, I am finally ready to paint my design of choice. Paint the design, and again let it dry completely. Many times I use a heater or blow dryer to speed up the process. Now it is time to seal the bar, so that the painting will remain if used. I seal my soaps AT LEAST three times........so as you can see my soaps go through quite the process to be ready for sale.

I hope you enjoy the new designs that I have done today........and maybe you will take the leap and try your hand at painting soap! They are really fun, and make excellent small gifts for friends and family.

New Primitive Soaps

What Have I Been Working On!

My Etsy Street Team is gearing up for our Spring/Easter Celebration that will be launching around March 1st, so I have been busy preparing spring pieces to enter. I will be posting more about our Celebration in a few days. I have to have four items......2 for Spring, and 2 for Easter, so the brushes are flying.

It seems the more deadlines I have to meet the more creative I become. You all know I love to paint on soap, so in the midst of bunnies, and Easter eggs, I just had to create some new primitive soaps. I have to give them the finishing touches and then I hope to be able to post them for you to see tomorrow. Add in a Spring Swap and I have projects all over the studio. My mind just goes in so many directions at once, so it is a little here, a little there, and then on to something else. Somehow, someway, I manage to get things done.....:)

So I hope you get a chance to stop back by in the next week or so........and in the meantime I am wishing you a very blessed week.