Fairhill Folk Art Painting

I've been so wrapped up in painting cupcakes lately because of the demand, that I've been neglecting my folk art scenes.  This is what came off my brush today and I listed it on eBay.  I had so much fun that images are running through my mind of a larger folk art painting soon.

This itsy bitsy 4" x 4" painting is titled:

"Fairhill"

When you reach the top of "Fairhill" you are struck by the image of two cozy cottages tucked beneath a towering tree. It was planted by Francine and Estelle when they first became neighbors. The tree stood strong and true over the years just like their friendship, growing branches of trust, love, gratitude, and prayers.

The temperature was nearly 80 today and it's only March.  I thought a little summer scene was just the thing to work on.

Are you working inside or out in your garden already?

Making a Relection Image in Photoshop

I've been working on this image in Photoshop trying to get a reflection below it....

and now it looks like this.....

I was so excited when I finally got it to this stage!

You can check out a great tutorial for this at Planet Photoshop.

Have a great weekend!



Playing With Photoshop

I’ve been playing around with Photoshop trying figure out how to make my own clipart for my business cards and my blog. It’s been fun, but has taken up most of my time. 

It’s always hard for me to stop once I get into something and I should really be painting. I did, however, get my new “coffee art” painting listed on eBay last night.

"Mocha Madness"

The wonderful aroma of coffee and chocolate topped with whipped cream is the perfect start to your day. This decadent delight in served up in a green diner style mug with dark red trim.

I love playing around with artwork on the computer and need to do this as a general part of my day.  I still can’t figure out how to make something on Microsoft word and share it on my blog.  I love the mirror effect shadows that I can get, but can’t seem to share them on my blog.  Any tips?

Snow, Sprinkles, and a new Painting

This year we've had such warm weather. Then, ever so gently, tiny flakes floated from the sky like......

sprinkles on cupcake!

God sprinkled us with his love upon the sweetness of the earth.

I wanted to run outside and twirl and twirl with my arms in the air.

I didn't want to scare the neighbors....so I stayed inside and painted

this.....

I hope to have this new piece finished and listed on eBay tomorrow if I'm not outside twirling. 

Have a Heavenly sprinkles kind of day!

Cute as a Cupcake Personalized Painting

Need a personalized gift for that someone special?

I just finished this little painting and listed it on eBay.

"Cute as a Cupcake

Hot pink frosting is piped high on top of a dark chocolate cupcake encased in a black and white zebra stripe liner. The painting on the left in the photo below, shows what the painting will look like personalized.

The one on the left is going to a special little six year old.  She's definitely "Cute as a Cupcake". 

The buyer also has a choice between a hot pink and black zebra striped 7/8" ribbon or a black and white zebra striped 5/8" ribbon. The black and white is slightly more narrow than the pink and black ribbon.  

Hot Pink and Zebra print, what more could a girl ask for!

Give Away Winner & DIY Project

The winner of the Valentine Cupcake Painting is Nika from Russia.  Nika and her family have a wonderful ministry for the people there and she writes about it in her blog.  Stop in and congratulate her. 

For a while now we have been putting up with a leaky faucet in our kitchen and my husband had tried everything to fix it, but to no avail, it was time for a new faucet.  We made a trip to Lowe's this weekend and came back with what I'm trying to tell myself looks like an old pump.  I didn't want something too modern looking in my kitchen.    DIY projects always lead to everything looking like a mess until it's finished.  It also had me throwing out a lot of stuff from under the sink.

Notice the Hot Pink wall under the sink.  Someone down the line who lived here before us must have loved the color pink. I've mentioned replacing our pink countertops several times.  The problem is, when you own an old house, things come up like wiring, plumbing, furnace noises that sound like ghosts howling, and on and on.  Therefore, the things that are noticeable to the eye like countertops, new wood on entry stairs, remodeling the kitchen and bath are put to the back of the list.  However, paint is cheap and I am planning on painting those cabinets very soon. 

I'm pretty happy with that new faucet!  It's actually something noticeable.

What home improvement projects have you been doing?

Giveaway Valentine Cupcake Painting

It's a Valentine Cupcake Giveaway! 

If you would like to enter my giveaway, simply leave a comment on this post by Sunday, Feb. 8th at midnight.  I will announce the winner on Feb. 9th and will send an email asking for the mailing address.  Please make sure to leave your email address along with your comment.    If  I can't contact you, you can't win.    For a second chance to win, go to my facebook page and click "like" at the top of the page.  Then, come back here and let me know that you've "liked" me on facebook in another comment on this post.

This "Sweet as a Cupcake" painting measures 4" x 4" and the 1 1/2" edges are wrapped with red and whited polka dot satin ribbon and tied in a bow at the top.

Today is my daughter, Amber's birthday.  I made these slippers for her and decided to make an extra pair for myself.  I just love these colors!

Here's Amber trying them on for size and photographing them from her phone. 

I think I'll have to make these in several colors.

Happy Birthday Amber!!

Why don't we all surprise her and stop in at Hoot 'n Annie and wish her a great day.

As mentioned in the last comment, Sunday was the 5th and not the 8th, so I am closing the comments and announcing the winner in the next post.  I would like to get it in the mail quickly so the winner can hopefully receive it before Valentine's Day.  Sorry for the mix up.

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

I would like to introduce you to Grandma's sweet adorable dog, Lady.  Now that grandma is in the nursing home, Lady has come to our house until we can find her a good home.  Seems as though we have.  Our son would like to have her when he gets his own place and our daughter has also fallen madly in love with her.

and who could blame them...

Lady's name also describes her.  She is a true Lady. 

"Now wait just a minute!"  says Annie, the queen of the home and long time adored leader.    But, before long she is taken in by the sweet and adorable Lady.

The camera shy and ever lazy, Jersey Girl, is also entranced by Lady and loves her with all her heart. 

Bailey, the feline head of the household isn't so sure.  Slowly but surely she soon drops to the floor before Lady and sings her praises too.

Lady's words to the wise is, "Let sleeping dogs lie".  Especiallly on a Three Dog (and one cat) Night". 

Welcome to our castle Lady of Holman Manor!

You're my Cupcake Valentine Painting

I've finally gotten back into the swing of things and finished a new Valentine cupcake painting.  It's up for auction on eBay.

"You're my Cupcake Valentine"

Fluffy frosting is decorated with tiny hearts in various shades of pink on top of a decadent Red Velvet cupcake. An arrow pierces the Valentine heart label on this turqouise cupcake liner. The perfect calorie free gift for that special someone!

A brown and pink dotted ribbon is wrapped around the edges of the canvas and ties in a bow at the top.

Keep checking back because I'm having a Valentine  painting giveaway soon!

A Big Change in the New Year

This year Grandma Chickie (my husband's grandmother) turned 101 on Jan. 4th.  A few days later she moved into a nursing home near us and we've been busy helping her get situated and trying to make her room look cozy.  She has lived on the same farm since she was 17 and married her husband, Howard.  This is a "big change" but she's making friends quickly.  Grandma's real name is Edna, but all the grandkids thought it was easier to call her Grandma Chickie because she sold eggs.   This photo was taken on her birthday in her kitchen at the farm with my sister in law, Tammy, and two of her children, Makayla and Aaron.

There is another lady down the hall from grandma who is 102.  When we arrived to visit a couple days ago she said the the lady who was 202 came in and stole her green nightgown and she reported it to the nurse who retrieved it.   She's so funny!