250!

Well I'm a little slow on the draw the past few days...but I am sure you will forgive me...

Mr. Sunshine has left Baghdad and is waiting for his flights out of Kuwait, back to the states. I am thrilled to say the very least (did I mention the whole 9 months since we last saw each other?)...but I am the artsy fartsy type and I know some of you will sympathize with this...I tend to be the messy artsy fartsy type...I never did learn that "pick it up when you're done with it" thing....I'm getting better as I get older, but Mr. Sunshine likes a tidy homefront...and I kinda like him, so I do what I can to make him happy....

So I have been organizing closets, going through magazine baskets, scrubbing floors and so on and so forth...

All that happy, happy homemaker stuff....

I have been keeping track of my OWOH entries and we have hit 250! So it's time for me to add to the prize pool (one lucky winner is going to get a very nice package from their post man!)...


This little magnet will appear in this month's issue of Create & Decorate Magazine as an Artist Trading Card (with instructions, in case you are interested in making your own). I liked the results so much that I scanned the original, printed, and made magnets for my Etsy shop....

I have a couple on my own refrigerator- very cute and definitely keeping with the Spring theme we have going....


And I just got my copies of Create and Decorate yesterday...for some reason I have TWO subscriptions (not sure how I did that), so in addition to the magnet, I will include a copy of the magazine....

Not sure if we will hit 300, so this very well may be the last add on...

If you haven't thrown your name in the basket yet, go check it out here...
Enter your name and then go visit some of the other links in the gypsy caravan....and plan to spend a decent amount of time exploring...sooooo many great blogs out there participating....

And on a side note, Teenage Girl Child's Grandma has lifted my grounding...

She has given me permission to post pictures of her beautiful grandkids because she likes to see them....

So there....

TGIF, fellow bloghoppers!

Until Next Time,

The Most Wonderful Time of Year deserves a GIVEAWAY!

It's that time again....The October Issue of Create and Decorate is on the shelves!

If that cover doesn't make you ready for Fall...how about this?

This lamp is my contribution this issue...a little whimsical Halloween for your painting pleasure...

For some reason, when I re-subscribed (there are a few issues that I have no projects in, so I don't get complimentary copies), I ended up with two subscriptions. So in months where I also have a project, I end up with four copies. What better excuse for a giveaway?

In case that's not enough....Just because I feel like celebrating all sorts of "new" stuff ...new school year, new season, new issue of one of my favorite mags, new project for me...I'm going to give a couple of those issues away! Our last giveaway was in the winter, so it's time for a new one, don't you think?

All you have to do to win is leave a comment on this post. Tell me what your favorite thing about Fall is...

If you write about the contest on your own blog and link back to me, let me know by sending me an email with the link, and I will enter your name a second time!

What's in it for you? I will draw two lucky names who will each get a copy of the October issue of Create and Decorate , the candle lamp used and one set of two silicone dipped bulbs. All you will need to get started is the lampshade (and the source for that is in the article), paints and brushes.

Let's keep it open a few days, so we can get the word out...How 'bout you have until midnight on Labor Day to enter....

Come on, tell me what you love about Fall...

Good Luck everyone!

Until Next Time,

STEPH

P.S. You have to leave me some way to contact you, please (email is fine)! Anonymous posts with no contact info will be deleted. If I cannot connect with winners within a few days of trying, I will draw again....

It's Create and Decorate Time!

Look what I got in the mail today...

My copies of Create and Decorate (designers get two copies, one to use for portfolio, possibly?)....All about SUMMER this issue!

These basket tie-ons are just fun....they can be used on canning jars as shown, tied to baskets or my personal favorite, attached to gifts in lieu of the traditional bow (A bow they want to keep!)....

If you want to try your own, visit my web site for blank lids (I use reproduction zinc canning lids and they are available on the site under "DIY-Supplies")....

Ahhh....nothing says "summer" like the beach....these are my favorites this issue, one of my all-time favorites actually. I love the colors and the simplicity and the great vintage barrel staves I used...If you are interested in these, I have a very limited number available on the site....

It's a great issue...check it out if you have a chance....

Til next time (and Show-n-Tell Sunday, woohoo!)....

Monkey Incognito....

Psssstt!!

Cover your eyes...this Monday's Monkey has gone undercover....

You see, I can't share what I am working on this week...

It's a secret....

I can tell you that I am working on a magazine deadline and give you a few little hints....

Here's a tiny portion of what I am working on right now for Create & Decorate. Notice the slightly blurry photo which furthers the air of mystery (couldn't have anything to do with the dreary weather or the rush I was in)....



Here's a hint about the colors I'm using...you've figured it out, right?

Sorry to be so mysterious......but I really can't share....
I can, however, share what I will be working on later in the week...
It's time for me to start thinking about the holidays (yes, the ones that start in October and end in December)....I'm starting on my Holiday patterns for 2008....Yes, I know it's not even Spring yet if you live in an area like mine, but...painters start working way ahead for gifts and shows....so I'm actually on the ball for a change....

It's about HOPPIN' Time....

They are DONE!

Worked most of the day on Monday's Monkey project because two consecutive appearances on my Monday post is the new limit....plus it's way too close to Easter (note to self: next New Year's, check the calendar and CIRCLE Easter with a big PINK Sharpie....). Story of my life: should have been done with Easter stuff a couple of weeks ago.....

These pictures aren't the best, but I wanted to share....

Mr. Sunshine is working late tonight, doing hooah soldier stuff, so I think I will take advantage of the extra time and start the pattern right now.....

These finished pieces will be listed tomorrow on Etsy. My fingers are crossed for some good natural light tomorrow morning so I can get some more detailed photos...got to decide how I will offer them also..... a complete set of four, in pairs, individually....

I can't decide...any opinions?

A Most Likely too late for Easter MIM MONDAY....

I have developed a routine lately: for my painted pieces, seems to take me a couple of weeks to finish a pattern project (more like a tortoise than a hare). Orders have been keeping me busy, so I'm not complaining...but it makes for a rather redundant Monkey....

I have made progress on these Easter Treat buckets....

This is the little girl bunny....she still needs a face. I always seem to save faces for last because they are a challenge for me....but I have given her a name....meet Clover....

But Poppy....he's too distinguished (despite the pink coat-lol!) to be a "boy" bunny....this is definitely a grown-up...so I have named him Poppy...maybe he's the wee one's Grand Dad....He looks a bit spotty because I have already sprinkled him with German glass glitter...All he needs is a bit of the rick rack trim, a few buttons and a handle....and then.... *poof*.....he's real.....

The polka dotted pots will have my favorite quotes from my favorite hare tale: The Velveteen Rabbit.....

This project will be finished this week...pattern available by next Monday at the latest....maybe a little late for Easter but hey, good patterns never go bad....and always in season for all you wabbit fans like me....

So anybody else want to share? I promise I will post any links sent to me....ask Janna...

:o)

Here's to the start of a great, productive, creative week.....

Happy Mon-Mon-Monkey Monday!!

It's MONDAY....

HEY! Don't run away (like the blockhead in the picture)! It's time for Monkey inthe Middle Monday!

This week is merely a continuation of last week. Sadly, I didn't finish either one of the painting pieces I showed you.

But I did make progress, some good, some bad (unfortuantely)...

First with the bad...don't like the Bells...at all...not one bit....

It's very hard to read the writing and I'm not happy with the dots...

BUT I am starting over...Sometimes you have to do things the WRONG way to figure out the RIGHT way...at this point, though, it's all up in the noggin....think they wil be much better next week- I'll have something to show you by then, for sure....

Now on to the GOOD....

This is the almost blank canvas I showed you last week.....

Now this I am happy with....still only about half done, but so far it is progressing just as I had hoped (and seen in my mind's eye)....This one is already called for- it's a suprise gift for a good friend (and that's all I can say- any more would give it away), but I am definitely writing a pattern for this one....

I'm calling it Good Day, Sunshine.....for obvious reasons...

So anybody want to share what they've been working on?

This last picture is just a shot I took while I was getting these pieces photographed. I liked it- so for no good reason other than that... here are a few of my favorite things....

Happy Monday, Everyone!

New Create and Decorate is OUT!

Or at least I got my subscription copy Friday.....Here's a peek at my projects in the April 2008 Create and Decorate....

When Pigs (and sheep and bunnies) Fly

(I have a limited # of the plates available on my web site)

&

Hippity Hoppity Bunny Fan Blade

(recycling an old ceiling fan blade- these are my favorite types of projects.... T2T for sure!)

My scanner is not cooperating....this is a picture I took before I sent them off to C&D last year.....

These are SO fun!

Sneak Peek....

With my recent weather fetish and sharing pics from last fall, you might think I have yet to pick up a paintbrush this year.....

Not So!!

Here's a taste of what I've been working on...

Don't want to show everything because these sweet little hearts are for a Valentine's Swap I'm involved in....shhh...don't tell....

I will say the other two hearts share the same color scheme and a folk art feel (love using these fresh colors for traditional folky subjects), but that's it!

I'm liking the results though, and I think these cuties may be my next pattern....

The Saltbox Rebellion....

Those of you who are familiar with my work know that I paint allot of houses....mostly saltbox style. Well I should say I used to paint allot of them and I do love them, even still. But it's confession time: seems lately, the thought of painting a house (ANY house) has just made me cringe (which is not good because allot of my regular pattern customer want more saltbox patterns). I have had my own little personal Saltbox Rebellion going on. I can imagine that for doll makers, the same would apply for another Annie or to altered artists- another fairie (don't come after me sewers and alter-ers! I'm just saying it's possible!)....

But sometimes a new and different surface will inspire you to reconsider an old dog. I have watched doll makers create with muslin and warm n natural for years, watched them paint these fabrics, but never made the connection that if they can paint it, so can I...doh!

So here is my first warm n natural ornie- the first of many, I hope! I played a little bit with color on this farm house, using a washed out, vintage red rather than the traditional deep red iron oxide most primitive houses are painted in. I'm loving the texture that the warm n natural provides and (here comes that word again- I'm a little obsesed with it lately) vintage feel it gives the whole ornie.

So what do you think? I'd love some feedback....

Still not Done...

Yes, poor Santa is still a WIP, but at least he can see now. Added bonus: he's no longer a David Blain illusion with his torso floating over his legs....Scroll down and check it out- he was levitating!

Better Watch Out.....

NaUgHtY or NiCe???

Come on, be honest! Santa's watching, I'm sure he is....
Just a little sneaky peak at my auctions coming up tonight....

Oh Joy!

It's HERE!

I have received TONS of emails and messages from friends and customers who subscribe to Create and Decorate. Seems I have quite a few patterns in the Holiday issue this year. Now I knew that, but I'm still suprised (it has been several months since I turned those projects in)...go figure...the thrill of seeing your own name in a national publication just doesn't get old, let me tell you...

WooHOO!

***happy dance, happy dance, I'm doing the -woo-h-o-o- happy dance!!!***

I let my subscription lapse a month or so ago, so I had yet to see this issue but I received my complimentary copy in yesterday's mail. It IS a good one for my fellow painters- LOTS of goodies to keep you busy...

Besides my projects, there are pieces by Monika Brint, Susan Byrd, Charlene Barlow, Kathryn M. Wrona, Kim Klassen and Pam Grady. I don't think I've seen an issue packed with more brush strokes...how honored I feel to be included amongst these names!

Coming soon....

I just finished this table for a neighbor of mine....Think it turned out pretty good so now I am busy writing a pattern for it...my first "new" non-magazine pattern in awhile....