Christmas Stockings

Now that you're home from a long day of shopping, kick off your shoes, grab a cup of hot chocolate and take a look around my *Etsy Store*.   I've added a few new Christmas stockings ...

I'll be linking this post to some of these fun parties:
Metamorphosis Monday @ BNOTP
Show Off Your Cottage Monday @ The House in the Roses
Anything Related @ All Things Related
Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping it Simple
The DIY Show Off
Power of Paint Party @Domestically Speaking
Piece of Work Wednesday @ Primitive and Proper
Faded Charm: White Wednesday 
Re-Stored It Wednesday @ Re-Store Interiors
Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage 
Time Travel Thursday @ Brambleberry Cottage
Thrilling Thursday @ Paisley Passions
Furniture Feature Friday @ Mustard Seed Creations
Fresh Coat Fridays @ Life in the Fun Lane
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home 
Show and Share Day @ Just a Girl
Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest 
Remodelaholic Friday Linky 
Catch as Catch Can @ My Repurposed Life
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
Project Diaries @ Stories of a House
Simply Designing Link Party
Favorite Things Friday @ A Few of My Favorite Things
Feature Yourself @ Fingerprints on the Fridge
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Style Feature Saturday @ Perfectly Imperfect
Show and Tell Saturdays @ be different, act normal
Weekend Wrapup Party @ tatertots and jello
Sunday Showcase Party @ Under the Table and Dreaming
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Please *click here* and take a look around
my Etsy Store...

If you enjoyed this post (and, gosh, I hope you did) please BECOME A FOLLOWER!

Vintage KitchenAid Mixer - Painting

Wouldn't you just love to have one of these?  The real thing, I mean?

12x9 Oil on Canvas

 

I saw one of 'em in an antique store a year or so ago.  It was in great condition and was only $69.  The ticket read "works".  I walked away without it.  I've been kicking myself down the road ever since...

Here's my painted version.  It's 12x9 on canvas board, painted in oil. I'll be adding it to my Etsy store...

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*To see the PARTIES I link to and to join in the fun,
CLICK HERE
or check out my sweet hostesses on my sidebar!

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Please *click here* and take a look around 
my Etsy Store...

If you enjoyed this post (and, gosh, I hope you did) please BECOME A FOLLOWER!

Inspired Christmas Stockings

We just had a little cold snap here in the south which got my attention and made me take a good long look at the calendar.  All I could say was "wow".  Where did this year go?

If I'm going to make any Christmas stockings I better get crackin'!

I don't know about you guys but it's hard for me to get started on Christmas projects when it's 80 degrees outside.  I need inspiration.  Cold works, but it's unreliable where I live.  

Bloggers are inspirational AND a lot more reliable.  

I found inspiration for the trim on this first stocking at  
Beyond the Screen Door.
Are these pillows awesome or what?

Sonya has an amazing talent with fabric.  You have to visit her Blog (where you'll find a great tutorial on how to make the trim) and her Shop -- and don't skip out without checking out her
*GALLERY*!

You'll be inspired, too.  I love how this blogging thing works...

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Focus, Lindy....
Here's a look at few more Christmas stockings you can find in my Etsy Store...

A Closer look--

I'll be adding more to the store all week!

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*To see the PARTIES I link to and to join in the fun,
CLICK HERE
or check out my sweet hostesses on my sidebar!

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

Please *click here* and take a look around 
my Etsy Store...

If you enjoyed this post (and, gosh, I hope you did) please BECOME A FOLLOWER!

Paint-by-Number Pillow

This Bee Pillow is available in my Cottage Hill Store

*Click Here*

Fess up--

I'll bet most of you painted something-by-number when you were a kid.  I did.  I think mine was a picture of a swan or something.  Anyway,  I thought I'd make a numbered pattern of a bee pillow for anyone who'd like to try it again.

Let's get started--

1.  Use painters canvas -- wash and dry to pre-shrink and soften.
2.  Cut two 19"x19" pieces.
3.  Print the pattern on legal size paper.  This is only half of the pattern.  Duh. You'll have to flip the pattern over (and possibly retrace the lines on the back with a Sharpie) to draw the opposite side.

Color Key:

                                                                      1 - black/brown

                                                                      2 - white

                                                                      3 - light blue

                                                                      4 - light brown

                                                                      5 - brown

                                                                      6 - light golden beige

                                                                      7 - rust
                                                                      8 - light gray

4.  Tape the pattern to a window.  The light from the window will help you see the pattern through the fabric.

 
5.  Tape one of the pieces of fabric over the pattern, centering the pattern under the fabric.  I drew an arrow at the center of the pattern.

6.  Trace the pattern onto the fabric.  I use colored pencils in colors close to the colors I'll be painting to make the drawing.  This way the drawn lines blend in and you don't have to worry about pencil lines.
7.  Trace the leaf design in the four corners of the fabric.

8.  Start painting.  I use acrylic craft paint when I paint on fabric.  I dip my brush in water and then mix a small amount of paint in.  It's better to use a light hand and watered down paint, building the paint up to get the look you want.  This project should have a soft, water color look so use lots of water.  This also keeps the painting from getting too stiff.

Tips -- I used less water in the paint for the smaller detail so there was no bleeding of the paint.  I added a little dark brown to suggest eyes.  I also dry brushed a little white over the top of the wings when all the paint was dry.  This made them look a little more transparent.

I'll be listing this pillow in my Etsy Store soon!!!

Here's to being a kid again!

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If you enjoyed this post (and, gosh, I hope you did) please BECOME A FOLLOWER!

My Etsy Store Grand Opening!

I've gone and done it.  I've opened an Etsy store!  

I've been thinking about doing this for over a year and 
just could not get around to it.  

Finally, I decided it was time to getter done.  

So, I did.  I gotter did!

So far, I only have practice paintings listed but I will be adding some variety soon.  Here's a peek at some of the paintings that are listed...

I'm Happy to say this one just found a new home!

Please *click here* and take a look around...

Often!
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*To see the parties I link to and to join in the fun, CLICK HERE!

I love to display the parties I'm attending 

on my post the day of the party!

I'm linking up to--

If you enjoyed this post (and, gosh, I hope you did) please BECOME A FOLLOWER!