The New Southwest Diner Sign

This week I spent 2 long, long, long days in Boulder City repainting the sign for the Southwest Diner. Can I tell you its much taller than it looks.  Fortunately, Monday's weather worked with me for a pleasant day of 90 degrees and slight breeze.  I'm so thankful for that since I spent 11 hours crawling around on scaffolding.  I repainted all the red, taped off, and repainted the white 'restaurant' lettering, and removed the old neon tubing that didn't work anymore on  Monday.  A boom lift was ordered and I went back out on Wednesday to finish the sign.   It was hot on Wednesday and barely a breeze...and after two full days in the sun I have the burn to prove it.  I'm thankful for the boom lift, it let me work at any height I needed to.  I felt much safer as well with a cage around me.   I had precut letters at home so I traced them onto the sign and began the masking off process.  It seems like the longest part.  Several coats of paint were layed down, tape was removed and I outlined the lettering and added a little detail to fill and 'cute it up' a little (according to Cindy).  Now the sign looks great from both sides, it's nice, bright and refreshed...and way better than the old banner they had attached to the sign.  Both the owner and I are very pleased with the way it turned out.  P.S.  I suggested vinyl lettering for the lit sign with address underneath.  It will be a cleaner look when it's backlit.

Newsletter Content

I'm putting together my fall newsletter and wonder what you look forward to seeing in one.  I've got some ideas but wonder what your ideas are for one.  Do you like to find a recipe or project idea?  Time or money saving ideas, coupons?  Please post your ideas in a comment and I'll draw a winner on September 15.

Show and Tell Friday

Wow!  This was a quick week.  Busy, busy I tell ya.  I've got lots of stuff in the midst of progress including a bunch of ice skates, posts, garlands, and more.  The dining room is getting cluttered and full of stuff that needs to be tagged and boxed for shows. 

I'd like to share picture frames with you this week.  Here are several of what was completed early in the week.













I've also been working on a schedule for some fun make it-take it workshops for the holidays.  Need to get samples cut and completed so I can post pictures for ya.  Hopefully, you'll be seeing that next Friday.  Happy weekend eveyone!

Show and Tell Friday

It's that time of year when I start to panic about the upcoming craft show season...which shows, show fees due, trying to fit everything into a schedule, deleting dates to make a realistic schedule, and having enough product to do all the events I want to do.  Anyone that does craft shows certainly knows what I'm going through at the moment...and I feel your pain and anxiety as well.  I think I have it all worked out at the moment...but tomorrow will be another day with another dilema I'm sure. 
Every year I say I am going to start working on big stuff earlier but then there is trying to figure out where to put it all.  That being said, I've been working on smaller items that are easier to store.

 This week I stitched up som Halloween ornies and actually finished them in the same week...I know, you're shocked!  I felt pretty good about it myself.

I know...before you say it...they're cute!  I can't help it...I do cute and happy.  Scary is hard for me to do. 

I can do primitive and really love it but cute just comes so much easier for me. 

I also finally finished those 6 reindeer I've been working on for what seems like forever.  They turned out really well and I think they're pretty cool.  Not cute...maybe classic?  Slightly primitive?  Whatever they may be called, I like them. 

I'll be listing these items in my Etsy and Artfire sites in the next few days.  Please shop early for best selections.

Show and Tell Friday

A little folk art paintings for show and tell this week.  Actually, a little more than folk art.  Show and Tell this week is the fiberglass screening projects I've worked on recently.  I painted most of these in June while Timm was taking a seminar.  I checked out the sights and shops in the mornings and painted in the hotel in the afternoons. 

I really like this one with the basket, I think it turned out great. 

Oh, I miss Kathy Rueger and her designs.  This bear is one of her designs from her last book.  She had painted it on some rought wood and it said, "don't open door for strangers".  I think he's cute anyway and would look great in someone's cabin or lodge look room.

And you know I love my Americana.  I painted a bunch of these flags with assorted sayings on them.  Some others include "Home of the Brave", "Liberty & Justice".

I plan to share with you next week as well.  The Reindeer are almost done.  I'm working on a schedule for make it-take it projects, Art in the Park will be here sooner than I know it...Oh, I gotta go.  Thanks for visiting.

Las Vegas Etsy Team

I feel like Vegas is moving up in the world of craftiness.  We now have a Las Vegas Etsy Team! 

Sarah Flake of Flaky Friends recently founded and organized this group that is growing by leaps and bounds.  In just over 3 months, we have over 200 members in the Southern Nevada area with Etsy shops working together to lift and promote each other.  Good things are happening with this group and I encourage you to join if you have an Etsy shop and live in the Southern Nevada area.  I am proud to say Twiddlebugz is a member of this fantastic team.  Look for our members at just about every local fair and event. 

In fact, our Handmade in Vegas team is promoting their first event...Mt Charleston Arts and Crafts Fair will be this Sunday, August 8 at the Mt Charleston Resort.  It's the one at the base of Kyle Canyon.  Get of the Las Vegas heat and join many of our members in the cool air of Mt Charleston.  Pack a picnic lunch, have lunch at the resort, listen to some cool jazz music and shop with some talented crafters showcasing some of their best works.   

My next event

Come visit almost 2 dozen crafter along with myself at Spill the Beans, etc. first event.  It looks to have some really great crafters there you won't want to miss. 

It's easy to get to...take US95 north, exit Durango, turn right, turn right on Farm, go through the light at Cimmaron, turn left into Lamplight Village.  It's in the community center just inside the gate (they will be open).  I hope to see you there.

P.S.  Mention this blog post for a 10% discount on my products.