Just a few more painted pieces

So I am down to the last day and half before my next show. I did get a few more things done but I really wanted to do more but time seems to be just whizzing by. Not sure what is up with that but anyways I can't control time and I will be fine, I just like to have lots of stock.

Here are a couple more items I want to show you and then I will be off for a few days. Friday starts my next show and all day Saturday so by Sunday I will be beat.\

This is a 9x12 canvas I did a Deb Malewski design on. I did the border with a flurry of snowflakes and had as much fun doing that as I did the design. I just love to paint freely and slip slap the paint.

  This is a cupboard door I got from my local Habitat for Humanity store. I painted a vintage Santa with toys designed by Katrina Roncin. I miss her designing, she was a great folk artist. I wonder whatever happened to her.???

 And meet my painting mascot, Henry. Henry was born in the garden about 2 years ago now. He was premature and didn't grow very large. Last year I started to paint him but he got put aside because he has a rather knobby belly. So this year I pulled Henry out again, added a face, buttons, his hat is too large and his scarf is mismatched for the colour of his coat and hat. Henry doesn't mind, he keeps me going and tells me when to take a break. He is a little worried here tho because there seems to be a lot of noses hanging around....not sure what that means....he is worried.

 And tonight Henry decided to leap into my container of water which looks dreadful and told me to stop. I have been at it since early this morning so he wanted to see that I took care of myself. Henry wasn't hurt at all in this photo, he just leapt right in but landed on some paintbrushes that were still in the water. That little devil Henry......

 And now 2 more Gourdy Folk with noses, so Henry can be assured those noses are being used.

Thanks for dropping by and will report back after my next show. 

Take care and thank you for all your lovely comments and support.

♥♥♥

craft class complete and....

Some more painting to show you and craft items.

First of all last night was my night to teach the stocking class at my local community library.  The library planned a 12 weeks of Christmas program and so far it has been a huge success. 

Last night I did my wood stocking with painting and scrap paper and a few little embellishments. I showed you the stocking a few posts ago and here I will share a couple photos I took last night....everyone really enjoyed themselves and the stockings turned out wonderful. Each one was a bit different and I really enjoyed the looks on the ladies faces after they completed them. 

Some of the girls taking a break, admiring and finishing up. A good time was had by all.

 Happy faces and a look of accomplishment. Art is fun.

 A close up shot of one of the girls. We struggled with the paper for the heel and the toe but we finally got it the way she wanted it to look. 

And lots of things finally piling up. I had this done before I had to go out west. This is a Terrye French design, the pattern was purchased on the Painting with Friends site. It was a lot of fun and I knew I had these in my stash for a reason. Only took me a few years but when I saw this pattern it fill the bill.

 And working on my gourds. This year my gourds are a little larger to work with. This little fella has cut out stars and a battery operated tea lite inside. You can barely see the light but it is better in the evening. I added a bit of snow on his nose but I think he needs some on his hat as well.

 And here is Miss Snow Flake....isn't she darling. I found some scrap polar fleece in my stash then went to work on the colour theme for this one. I just love how she turned out. If she doesn't sell I will be planting her somewhere in my house over the holidays. Chances are if the gourds did well as they did last year, she may not be around long. I am also working on cat gourds and Grinch gourds.....stay tuned for more of my Gourdy Folk. 

 And a few weeks ago I found some beautiful sparkly snowflakes and I had no idea what I was going to do with them but I grabbed a package because soon Christmas things will be flying off the shelf. I must go get some more as I really like how these turned out. They were a total freak ornament. I had made a rosette for something and it was too big so I placed it on the snowflake and said wow I like this. then I found some sticker snowflakes and placed that in the center then placed a rinchie on top. As you can see one of them has a tiny bow for a splash of colour. They were so quick and easy to do. I have some vintage Santa's I will be making later this week. My first show is next weekend so I am really starting to get revved up. 

Thank you for looking and also thank you for your condolences on my Father's passing. I cannot thank you all for your prayers and thoughts, it is really helping me through these rough days but I plug away and I have many memories to cherish of my dear Dad.

Til next time.....♥♥♥

My blog candy winnings and show report

Hi everyone,

well I finally am going to post so get a drink or snack then sit and read about some blog candy I won and my last show report from the Church craft show on the weekend.

Firstly I want to share this blog candy I won over at my friend Cathy's blog. A couple of weeks ago Cathy posted a giveaway and I commented on her blog as I do often. She picked a random number and she picked mine. So.....I have always admired Cathy's painting and the way she handles those paint brushes and most crafts she touches are done with expertise and precision not to mention her speed. Cathy can spin circles around you, I know I have seen her in action. Look at what I received in the mail last week. I already have that snowman hanging in my bathroom, he looks so darn cute in there, and the ornaments she also stuffed inside. Can't wait to hang everything on our small trees this year. I met Cathy online in a paint group we formed on Yahoo and we have all met face to face and are planning to meet again this time in Maine this coming year. We always have loads of fun and we spend time painting as well.  Thanks so much Cathy, it came at a time while I was struggling with car problems and at a time shows were not going very well so it really boosted my spirits, a big cyber hug to you my friend.

Here is my table set up at the church. I think the tables were only 6 footers. I thought in my email it said 8 but it seemed rather smaller and I have it just loaded as you can see. I am glad I didn't bring my stand to hang things on, it would have been very crowded so I opted to hang items on my table cloth, which did bring a lot of attention. I also found out that this church was having it's very first craft show so that may be one reason there wasn't a lot of traffic, I did make some money and I always like to re coop the cost of my table which I did and then some. Unfortunately some vendors did not make anything over the course of the day. I was a bit upset seeing many people pack up starting at 2:15 and the show was til 3pm. Very poor etiquette in my view.

 Here is another angle of my table. We were really cramped together so trying to get either chairs or peeps out of the way was impossible but we had a good number of vendors and always good to get new contacts for the future.

 And here is my new friend I met at Sweet Sentiments craft sale my first show a few weeks back, this is Sara. Sara does some amazing things with paper. Her biggest sellers are these cute snowmen chocolate bar wraps,darn you can't see them in this pic, she makes mini albums, post it note holders, mini gift boxes and all kinds of cool items.

 And here are more gourdy folk. If you remember my last post they were on the table being painted or ready to be assembled. The forefront snoman wasn't on the table 5 minutes after we opened and he went to a new home. The snowmen sold the best but I did find homes for some of the penguins.

One young lady bought 2 penguins and after she bought them she asked if the gourds were going to rot over time. I had to laugh to myself, why would I paint gourds then sell them to rot. Anyways I explained that they had already dried out over the past year and that was not going to happen. She was happy and left.

 And one more little fella that really made me smile was this snowie. He was all bundled up and went to a good home. I will miss him, he just made me smile.

So now I am doing some orders I received during my show at the school. Finished up one order today, got some swaps ready to be mailed out. I sure hope my swap partners won't be upset with me being a little tardy. I was going to try to do one more show but opted not to.

I am done for the season. I was happy with what I did sell and it will be put to good use over the holidays.

Thanks for dropping by and I can't wait to show you a few items I have been working on.

If you ever visit Nancy Maxwell James  or Paper Whimsy, you will surely be inspired by her great work. She gives amazing tutorials and her work is stunning.

I struggle with shabby but she makes it look so easy.

Take care all and be creative, it's good for the soul.

♥

Work in progress

Hi all. I generally don't like to show my work station (ahhhh my kitchen studio) but I have been encouraged by all of you so I guess I will share my gourdy mess today.

Yesterday I spent painting up penguin gourds, the hats and flippers and ties were made (with air dry clay) last night and they are all good to go for some paint today.  And I base coated all my snowies and they are getting faces, coats and little things done today.

I cannot believe today is Thursday, where has this week gone?

This will be my last show so then I have orders to complete (I also worked on one yesterday between paint coats drying) and I have the others to get done after the show, cards to make, gifts to buy and well you got it, busy busy busy, but that is how I like it.

We did get a tad of snow the other day and some of it is remaining on the ground but you can still see grass. Maybe that will bring the crowds out on Saturday for some great Christmas shoppers. As you know I love making gifts so when I get a handmade ornament or gift I really love it. I appreciate the time and effort one has taken into making it especially if someone knows what I like. I really take pride when a customer buys something I have made, I imagine it on a tree or shelf depending on what it is, and, it makes me smile.

 Anyways off to paint some more and get my soon expired library books back and get some new ones.

One more thing, Happy Thanksgiving to all my US friends. I hope you have a wonderful holiday and I know some of you will be getting lots of shopping done during your great Black Friday deals.

Toodles.....♥ 
I guess my pics of my gourds in progress did not show up. I was so busy I didn't check my post. Anyways this has been edited to show the production line in progress.
More pics of the completed gourdy folk, show report etc to follow.

Gourdy Folk for my next show

Hi everyone, boy this week is surely flying by, tomorrow is Wed already, I start my show Friday evening and all day Saturday. Am I ready, don't ask. Will I be? don't ask. Is there ever enough stock, probably but you always need to do way more than necessary.

I want to show you the last items I have been working on for a while now. The gourds I grew in my garden last year and the drying process takes a while so this year I was happy to try painting them for the first time. I got a little addicted but had to stop because I need to finish a few things up before I start packing up on Thurs. I used Air dry clay for the noses on the snowmen, flippers on the pengy's and hats and bow ties. I love that air dry clay, it is so light, I use white so I can paint it and dry brush it any colour I want. I did just recently find black which I didn't know it came in black but I bought some to have on hand. I may be doing a few more of these before Christmas if these sell, but, who wouldn't want a painted gourd to smile at on your bookshelf, table or display over the holidays. I certainly would if I didn't paint. :)

I did all the painting free hand, no patterns, I even drew the faces on, for someone who is not a skilled drawer or sketcher I think I did pretty good. Although I did use Jamie Mills Price's patterns as models for the penguins but these were all done by me.

Hubs helped with some of the designs and suggestions and Rosie assisted with the painting. Of course whiskers had to be groomed during the whole process. Maybe that is why it took me forever to paint these.

Cats.....such demanding critters.

I will keep this short, sleep is calling my name. Tomorrow I will be finishing up some odds and sods and I have scrabble tile charms to do as well.

Til next time, I always enjoy your comments and I will be visiting more blogs once this show is over.

Stay crafty my dear friends.