I'm Seeing Red, White, and Blue!

On my table right now is alot of red, white, and blue...Americana if you will.

A few watermelons, some sunflowers, ants, crows, bumblebees...all signifying the hot summer months ahead.

Come see me next week...I'm having another Giveaway and you don't want to miss this one!!

In My Dreams

It's getting pretty bad when you start dreaming of finishing a painting! I've been so busy with sewing, tending to children, and every day necessities that I've neglected something that is very important to me. I woke up this morning with household chores to accomplish and, although I did do the important ones, I figured the rest could be brushed aside today so I could get my 'fix' in! Take a look at what I'm working on....

(Baia do Sancho)

Some details need to be added and defined but I'm pretty happy with the overall. I borrowed this photo from a friend who visited Brazil for her honeymoon. Maybe one day I'll visit it.....Na, I'm too afraid of traveling overseas! It's that whole 'get-locked-up-in their-prison-system-sort-of-thing'...not that I'd do anything to get locked up for. It's just that I eat collard greens and cornbread and they don't...ya know? No, we're still on the same topic...and there's still that airplane ride! How about YOU visit it and send me the pics, okay?!!

Making Time for "Other" Things

As much as I'd rather NOT, I have to make time for other needful things...and despite the fact that I NEED this ( for my sanity, no less!) it does have it's time and place.  So I replaced this...

...with this for just a little while...not long....just a little!

Things for me and for others; lots of re-purposing going on. You know..."other" things!

However, if it's art you're looking for, then cast your eyes on this....

Something I get to see nearly every evening!

Our Heavenly Father has his own set of brushes, now doesn't he!

Teacher Appreciation Giveaway! (CLOSED)

Can you remember all of the teachers that made a difference in your life? I can! I've had the opportunity to get to know many teachers who have not only touched my life, but that of my children as well! And with two more starting school this fall, my opportunities have increased!!

I've added to my inventory certain items for "Teacher Appreciation" week and I'd like to share something with you!

Teachers can never have enough apples...

...but they can't live by apples alone. They need to tickle their 'funny bones', too!

My favorite little 'Apple Notes'!

Whether you're a certified teacher, an assistant, studying to be a future teacher, had/have a teacher, know a teacher, loved a teacher, or admired a teacher, then

leave me a comment so you can win an ' Apple Notes'!!

This Giveaway is open until 7:00 p.m., Friday evening, at which time I will choose a winner!

Thanks for stopping by...and if you can read this post in it's entirety, go thank a teacher!!!

Brazil Series

I have a cyber friend that went to Brazil last year for her honeymoon. She gave me permission to pic a few favorites from her flicker photo album. This is the first of 3 that I'm doing...all seascapes. This is Morro do Pico taken from Conceicao Beach. Unfortunately, this shot doesn't show the greenish-gray shadows on the beach very well nor the red shadow from the sun.

                                                  I still have to glaze the picture because the sun is too white and needs it's golden cast. Sure makes me wish I could see it in person!

   (Painted with oils on a 14x22 canvas)

GIVEAWAY!!! (CLOSED)

Just a small one! Due to the fact that we can't seem to stay healthy right now, my spring inventory is not one to brag on.

I did, however, think this was cute enough to post and to see if someone would like to have one. It is roughly painted and sanded, something we call 'primitive', and would be so cute hanging across your fireplace mantle, a window, or your garden shed.

So, leave me a comment with your name, (and an email address if you are not a follower, do not have a google account, or I might not know you), and I'll randomly select a winner by Wednesday after 7:00 p.m. EST.

(This Giveaway is limited to the U.S. only, please)

THANKS!!

Happy Be-lated Easter!

I was supposed to have her posted by Saturday but our Easter 'busy-ness' got in the way. This is Miss Esther Bunny. I've been trying to get her painted for a few years now and finally took the time since I had the extra pine boards. She's from the pattern collection of Mary Helen Gould. I painted her with different colors but am very happy with how she turned out. I wouldn't mind painting her again.

This is her front...
(she's missing her basket because I've been sick and unable to get to the store!)

...and yes, I painted her back!

Not something I do all of the time but Mary Helen does most of her work that way and she was just too cute a bunny not to.

Hope your Easter was a good one.

I'll have my Spring 'Giveaway' in one more week. Come back and visit and maybe I'll have that oil painting finished, too!

I'm Not a Slacker...

I've actually been quite busy! Painting a variety of things plus balancing family issues with my wants and not necessarily my needs! Or should I say ' their' needs!

I finished these guys...

...and these guys.

...and I've been painting some spring time fun in between.

However, I'm desperate for a trip to the local craft store because...

...these need flowers and ribbons.

I'm still painting some of these...

...and am happy to say that, after I complete these, I'm putting them away for right now. I have a few canvases that need to be color blocked and I'm in the mood for my oils instead of my decorative paintings right now. My sewing machine is also calling my name although I'm trying not to listen to it. It's also time for me to do another "Giveway" so I'll be thinking of something special in the next few weeks. Hope you're watching!!

'Tis the season?

Normally, by this time on the calendar year, I'm in full 'spring' mode and painting up bunnies and all things floral. But unlike the artists I follow on my sidebar who are WAY ahead of me, I'm still painting this kind of stuff.

And if that's not enough, I've finished the Santas and have these guys on there now.

And once these guys are gone, then these will get their color and character.

The cold weather is keeping me from going outside and cutting more wood. My fingers get cold and I seriously don't want to lose one due to lack of feeling, ya know?! So, I'll be patient and wait for our warmth to return and be content to have my fingers, all ten of them, and paint what's left in my box. (fingers drumming)....so how much longer 'till March?

Another One Gets Finished!

I started the year off right by completing Becky's picture.

The little white blob to the right are some 'winter' bunnies hiding in the brambles.

I've one more landscape to finish and then onto my favorite subject; birds!!

Hope your year is off to a great start!

Trying To Finish...

...a painting for Becky. I have one more landscape to do after this one and then I'm taking some time to paint a few pics with single subjects in them. I've already 'earmarked' a mockingbird on a fence post as my first.

Hopefully, I can have this one done by early next week. It's already taken me too long but I've been devoting an awful lot of time to my decorative woodcrafts.
I'm looking forward to a new year filled with lots of time for painting...of course, this will come after the twins are in school in the fall!
Happy New Year to one and all!

GIVEAWAY #5!! (CLOSED)

SO many things to make for Christmas! I made a good dent in my wood pile but still SO MUCH to cut out and have ready for inventory next year!

This is just a small sample of some of my Christmas favorites with a few new ones included. Hope you like them!

I Love My Blocks....one side says this...

...and the other side says this!

My "North Pole Santa" painted differently. Do you like the plaid? I Do!

Angelica the split-legged Angel

This is 'Prissy' from Susan Jill Hall's designs. I made one in Christmas colors and the other a Snow Queen.

A Nativity Pot.

This photo does not do justice to my 'Christmas Carol'.

Count Down Santa

Candy Cane door hanger

I bought some of these 'iron' works years ago and am just now using them.

Oh my, but this guy sells every time! I didn't have any yellow feathers so I need to go and get them. He makes me think of Sylvester!

Play my game one more time this year!

Leave me a comment with your name to win.

(ie: Vicky Weaver)

Want a second chance to win?

Leave me ANOTHER comment with your name telling me what you want for Christmas!

(ie: Vicky Weaver: I want some new paint brushes)

Check back with me on Monday to see if you've won. I'm giving away two things unless a previous winner is chosen and then I will pick a third.

Limited to the US, please.

Thanks everyone!!

Vicky :0)

GIVEAWAY #4!! (CLOSED)

I love Thanksgiving! I love cooking the food, eating the food, getting together with family, and the general feeling of 'thankfulness'. But....it doesn't sell. Halloween comes in so fast and then Christmas takes over...Thanksgiving is forgotten. Sad but true...for crafters anyway!

However, here are some of my favorite Thanksgiving pieces with a few of my own designs. I wish I could've done some scarecrows but being sick and 'out of sorts' for 3 weeks has knocked some of the 'umph' out of me. I WILL have some for the craft show though! Take a look!

The last of my hanging pumpkins...about 10"x10"

I love these because they come apart.

This is my 'Hippie' Turkey. He's living for a cause in his dressy leggings and long hair!

This is Tyler Turkey. He's dressed for the table already!

Another door greeter....also 10"x10"

What is Thanksgiving without the Pumpkin Pie?

These are the blocks. One side says Happy Fall (or Fall Happy however you want to look at it!) and the other side says...

Give Thanks. My kids love these!

I also threw in some pre-Christmas. The other side says...

This!

Do you remember how to play this game? Leave me a comment with your name and tell me which one is your favorite.

Want a second chance to win? Leave me another comment with a name for my Hippie Turkey! Yeah, I don't know!!

ie: (Vicky Weaver: I like the Turkey door hanger)

(Vicky Weaver: How does Howard sound?????)

Remember this is limited to the US.

Come back Friday around 7:00 p.m. (EST) and I'll have 2 winners drawn randomly. Did I mention I'm giving away 2 things? Yeah, I am!!

Thanks Everyone!

Vicky

Happy Fall, Y'all!!!

I haven't made the time to get into the many patterns I have for my scarecrows. I love making them but they can take up a bit more time than some of my 'easier' stuff. I'm keeping this guy for my own stock...he's a bit larger and he fits in nicely with my family!

Come back by the week of Nov. 9th for my 4th Giveaway!