Out to Brush....

It's that time of year....fall rush.....I estimate I make almost half my yearly income in the months of September, October and November...

And yet again, I'm not ready! So blogging will have to take a back seat for a few days while me and my brushes play catch up. There are TONS of pattern ideas floating around in my head...time to get them on paper...or canvas....or wood....or SPOONS (lol- hand painted spoon ornies have become their own separate wing of my business)....In the mean time, here's a few pics of some of my spoons...I'll be offering these, painted to order, through my website.....

They like me, they really LIKE me!!

Well at least two extremely intelligent, talented, insightful, creative bloggers out there do! I have been DOUBLE "whammied" with my first blog award- the "you make me smile" award!!! Cassie over at Mockingbird Hill got me first. Go visit Cassie, you won't be sorry (even though she may call you a "fool", it's OK, she only picks on people she likes *Ü*- at least that's what she told me). There's always a great tune playing on her blog, too (note to self- put that on the blog chores list). And BTW Cassie, I absolutely love your "weird" banner! To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my all time favorites and I GOT it!

I also make Tonya from Primitive Paintin's smile, which is funny because she makes me smile...maybe it's our shared love for brushes and paint fumes (and hey, we "prim" painters have to stick together) or the fact that she has a soldier son and I have a soldier husband, I just enjoy visiting her little corner of the web....Thanks Tonya....

And now the even "funner" part....I get to "pay it forward" and share this award with some of my favorites. And the winners are (drum roll please):

Kathi over at Out on a Whim ...because she makes me green...errr smile....with envy at her fantastic flea market finds (plus she's my SSODS sister-'nuff said)....she also lured me to the "dark side"...I am now an altered art junkie, even thinking about doing some scrapping (gasp!)...

Amy of A Main Collection because...well, because she makes me smile! To know her is to love her, hectic schedule and ALL. And she makes the MOST awesome, simply elegant stamped tags, something that is not as easy as it looks (and I tried!)....

Dana, the woman behind Eccentricities Studio ...reading about her crazy life makes me feel boring, but in a good way! Don't know how you do it all Dana, but you do it well and reading about it makes me....you guessed it....SMILE!!

Last, I give a little green flower to Blondie over at Vintage Prims ....because her blog makes me (surprise!) smile and she is a very gracious lady who received one of my crow paintings as a joke gift because the crows were giving her fits this past summer...I got the nicest e-mail from her that, yes, made me smile and I just wanted to (belatedly) say "Thanks!"

You gals make me SMILE!

Create & Decorate Holiday Issue

My scanner was NOT cooperating, but here's a little peek at my projects....

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!

Sneak Peak!

Here's a look at what I have been working on this week:

Owls a hootin' in the tree-

Pumpkins making faces mean,

And lots of things that you can't see

Tell us that it's Halloween.

These pictures are "quickies", so the quality could be better, but I really wanted to share this piece. I haven't decided if the original will go to eBay or my website. I am thinking website, just because eBay has been so horribly slow for me lately. But the pattern should be available everywhere Sunday, Monday at the latest.

I think my favorite part is the moon in the background. You have to look closely, but the man's there. Would love to hear any feedback....whattyathink?

I cannot tell a lie....

Because honestly, I live about three miles from the gates of Mount Vernon. What would George think?

But I suppose you could say that by omission, I told a teeny tiny one on my last post...not on purpose, though, I promise (cross my heart, George)...

I did not go to my local middle school to take the picture on my last post (but believe me, the sentiment was ALL mine). It's all make believe. I think the school does exist somewhere- just not here. I made that billboard at this great site:

RedKid.net

Lots of fun stuff here, all sorts of sign generators for your websites and blogs....check it out!

Ring!! RING!!!

Can you hear the bells? See the yellow bus? Smell the gourmet cafeteria food?

I think this sign says it all...

Today is the first day of school!!!!

Remember that Staples commercial with the parents dancing down the aisles as they shopped for school supplies? The one with the Christmas song playing in the background: "It's the MOST wonderful time of the year..."

My 13, almost 14 year old daughter agrees with Mom...she was ready to go back three weeks ago. My nine year old son....not so excited- poor guy....

My studio (ie guest bedroom....lol) is calling my name. It's been more than a week since I've been able to paint at all, two months since I've been able to do it in peace...today will be a GOOD day....