Creative Painting Convention

Ahhh, a day of shopping for the painter. What a great way to spend a day. The Creative Painting convention in Las Vegas is the first painting convention of the year. It brings excitement, creativity and inspiration to the body and soul!

The effects of the economy could be seen, it was definitely smaller than the last few years. I remember when it was busting at the seems...and I have faith that it will do so again. There used to be a time when I would spend $400-$500 at this show. Although I spent no where near that amount I did do my part to stimulate the ecomony.

Several of the booths had finished pieces that I would have loved to get my hands on and bring home but I just couldn't bring myself to spend the money for them. So I stuck to the basics...some palette paper, brushes, varnish, and some tin to remind me to get more directly from the distributer at a later date. I did purchase a pair of ice skates...they have a double runner on them (much harder to find).

It's also a pleasure to see people that I only see at the show every year. Sadly, some of them live here. I really need to rejoin the local tole chapter again. I dropped out when my oldest started Cub Scouts (he's 24 now...geesh).

Attending convention also reminds me how much I miss teaching others the 'joy of painting'...hehe (Bob Ross pun). I would like to start classes again, but I refuse to teach at a chain store. There are too many restrictions there. Maybe, I'll start teaching some in my house a couple of times a month, that might be fun. If you're interested, let me know. In the mean time I am going to drool over the patterns I bought today...and drift off to sleep tonight with a creative rejuvination for my spirit.

Carrots anyone?

Pass the carrots please. Take a few, I have plenty. Seriously, I made a gob of them! Besides, they're good for your eyes...that's what momma always said anyway.

I've added them to my website and my etsy site. Come on by and pick a few for your spring decorating.

I have loose carrots in bulk, bundled carrots, and canned carrots to choose from. They look great with bunnies, dolls, and tucked into your spring decorating. They may be just the extra touch your home needs.

P.S. Hey, I figured out how to change the background...woohoo!

A baking day

Sunday's weather was cold and yucky, unlike the gorgeous day Saturday. It was a day to crank up the oven. The kids and family

had devoured the last batch of cinnamon rolls and have been asking for more. So pull out the flour bin Crystal and get your butt in gear. I made two large batches of cinnamon rolls, took most of the day by the time the dough rises, knock it down, let it rise again, roll it out, layer on the butter and cinnamon, roll, cut, rise again, and bake...oh, and glaze. But boy are they worth it. YUMMY!

First batch was the normal Grandma Martin size (5"-6"), second batch I made smaller (3"-4")...anyway, about 150 rolls later the freezer is full of yummy homemade goodness again! These are the smaller ones.

Today, I am a sign painter...

Now, I paint signs and word boards all the time. But I have to tell you I never thought it would lead to this.

What a week it's been. I was commissioned to paint a sign on the side of a building in Boulder City for the diner that was moving to a larger location (can you guess which one?) I started painting last Friday, got rained out. Went over on Saturday, got some of the bottom row of checkerboard on, got rained out in a big way. Got all my stuff picked up and in the car, took one more look and all the red was running down the side of the building. GEEESSHH! So I scrubbed off all my work for the day and drove home soaked to the bone. I spent the rest of my day under my minky blanket crocheting.

Sunday was a good day though. I got all of the stuff up on the wall without much delay. Rain spit off and on all day, really threatened a few times, cold, cloudy, and windy but at least the wind helped the paint to dry. I was on the scaffolding until 6:30pm painting in the dark and cold but at least it was up on the wall. My fingers were so cold I could barley feel them. I was stiff and cold for sure. Timm said I didn't even move all night.

Thursday between the storm clouds I finished all the details to create some depth and dimension and TAH-DAH! Here it is finished! I really need to get a better photo, these are with my phone. The details don't show up at all in the pictures. My car helps to give you an idea of how big it truly is.

And yes, I was up and down this scaffolding what seemed to be about a million times. Dropping tape, pencils, standing back to look, get another paint, up to the top, down and off to the bathroom, lunchtime, climb up to the top again...well, you get the picture.

All the work is by hand...mostly free handed. The owner loves it and I have to say I feel pretty good about it. If you're in Boulder stop by and have lunch...it's pretty tasty.

My first 2 hats

Crocheted hats seem to be all the rage these days. I crocheted some trim on a few beanies for my nieces for Christmas and they love them. But I wanted to give full hats a try.

The bright one is made of granny squares...anyone who crochets learned that one first I think. The top square has 5 sides to it. I even added a brim.

The brown hat is a blend of 2 super soft yarns...one has mohair in it. Anyway, it's squared off at the top and has an upturned brim. Now I'm not a hat person, but I really like it.

These are the beanies I made for my nieces. Oh so simple, but they love them. In fact I need to make them a few more for their friends.

New graphics on website

Hey everyone, hope your day is going well. Just wanted to drop a note to let you know I finally got my new graphics up on my website. They are the bicycle like you see here. Stop on by and take a peek. Please let me know what you think too.

Bunnies in the works

Easter and Spring are just around the corner...which means bunnies! I'm working on a couple of bunnies right now, and one is my own pattern. I will often start out with a pattern and end up doing my own version anyway. The little ones started with a 'sew many prims' pattern. There faces will have Twiddlebugz twist to them though. On my own bunny design, I think he will be old. Iv'e painted him black, sanded him all over, now he has an aged distressed look to him. I won't tell you about the finished look ('cus I'm not there yet and I may change my mind) but I did want to give you a sneek peek. See, I am working!

P.S. I'm really liking this seperate sewing room idea. ;)