I just heard Google Reader is leaving..yeeks..so this is a way to not lose your friends blogs. 

A new blog friend of mine Suzan who is very funny (gotta read her husband and her conversations!) and talented in Decor DYI... by the way posted this. 

 "Bloglovin' Blog Hop to help grow our blogs.   The recent news of saying goodbye to the Google Reader leaves us all wondering will Good Friend Connects"

So click on the button to find out more and how to join the social party she and friends are having for helping us connect. They have used several platforms..like Blog Lovin and Facebook and blogs etc...

 Learn how to join click on button

Birthday Bed Blessing!

 Look what God gave me for my Birthday..the great Bed.

I bought it for so so cheap on Craigslist on Sunday.  It was finished painting,waxing with Milk paint and set up at midnight on my Birthday Wed......and then Thurs. Jan. 31st. my Birthday day I I found stuff around my house that helped make it work without buying new things..what  blessings.

John feels like a King in it and I feel like a Queen. God is such a loving Father..and I didn't even plan this...I had no idea what I was doing on my birthday as John was working late. We are celebrating all weekend though!!

 Miss Mustard's Milk paint Typewriter is great. I love the way milk paint is chalky and flaky..and then when you use wax it just melts into the wood. No plastic feel and so smooth...

By the way Marian, aka Miss Mustard Seed blog and web is faboulous. So many idea's and other blogs to visit. I love her house that was featured on another blog called "The Old Painted Cottage" with wonderful cottages featured year month..with archives!!

 I never found the right place for this chair until now. I just keep pushing it around the house..but now...so lovely....

 I plan later this year to paint with Miss Mustard seeds milk paint of course the doors behind the TV with the typewriter black and maybe the fireplace mantel too...

Happy Painting to you...now to finish painting my Nikki Nissa Children's book illustrations...

Winter Decorating...

 It seems that January is time to paint rooms and furniture.

 

But what started it was that chair with the black and white cover....It is a massage chair..and UGLY!! But hubby wanted it and they are nice..and a good deal from our friend. So...what to do..Redecorate! And that cost him for sure..But we both love it. 

I wanted to paint my guest bedroom. I love the French Gray look that is so in now. I went on line to find a grey. 

Nate Burkas likes the Ben Moore Silver Lake grey. I used the Pebble Beach that was just lighter and had it color matched in ACE new Kinsington high end paint primer/paint. It is 

 
 My guests have rebelled at sleeping in a full size bed! In England you don't have a choice most of the time..but I thought OK...maybe a Queen will fit. I hated getting rid of the wonderful Old wood bed I had handmade from about 1860's. It was 3/4 and I had it remade to be full. 

 Then I found this wonderful bed on craigslist and fell in love! I also made a friend of the woman selling it..ha.


I had to make it into a platform bed ..I don't like box springs..too much spring and then they break down! I also love Beautyrest beds best!!! So do my guests! They always say how well they sleep.


Next came the painting of the bed...I have never used the new milk paints but I went down to my local gift/antique mall where they do amazing things with furniture...

They sell the magazine from Denmark that is so lovely....Jeanne d'Arc Living

I wanted that old world look.
So I consulted a few of the girls at the shop...
And low and behold they started selling Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint.  It is amazing..it flakes off and does great weird things..don't even have to wash off or sand. I finished the piece with wax. Normally I would use clear but I used a pine colored wax..for because I wanted a bit of a wood look left. I watered down the paint and did one coat. It is so fabulous!!
I am working on another desk that I will sell that is oak top and wicker under. The one I took out.

Shutter Gray..with a little Linen white milk paint over the top.

I brought in my old euro pine table and desk from downstairs. I like that look old euro..simple.... The wood is dry but with guest and spills I think I am going to just leave the tables unfinished. I had to sand off a water stain on my old desk..so I figured..they are already water stained so why bother making them better...Then I don't care if the guests messes up....


What is this little beauty? A painting I am selling..old 1920's Hollyhock floral..let me know if you are interested. It is 28x24
It just never works anywhere in my house but it is signed and so nice!

It's Christmas Dept 56 and Wendy Mainow

 It's Christmas...how do I know..Wendy W. Malinow had her Christmas Sale! Check out her wonderful jewelery and other such things on her etsy click here

Lookie here..the little snowman and the teal flower with a red center is her ornaments. We trade each year. And I buy one her adorable little silver charms..you can too from her Etsy!

 Wendy is so cute..in her little silver shoes, sequin skirt and Maybell shirt! She is also a children's book illustrator...fairy's and Christmas things...amazing..and her studio is so cool.

 Each year I trade with several artists. It is so fun..here are a few of the great treats I have.




It is so wonderful to have hand made things...The Angel fairy's are my ornaments I traded this year. I also have them on my etsy for sale....and then there is the not handmade..but...

 

 

 I have always loved the magic of Dept 56 Snow Village. It reminds me of my Childhood at Christmas. Or Norman Rockwell Christmas..so much family love. I just got my first 3 on ebay. I don't want to many or I will not know where to put them..but aren't they cute...Now I need a few people..

 

So I wish you a Merry Merry Christmas..We are off to do our Victorian Christmas Concerts around Oregon, California and AZ this year. Check out my husbands web..it is a great show..
John Doan's Victorian Christmas

Art Doll for Something Red

It is that time of year again...the "Something Red Show" in Salem Oregon.

This year I am displaying my Art Doll. She has a pretty red bow and red roots in her hair.


I am so Thankful...this Nov. for Sheri DeBow who taught me her method of making dolls. Check out her Facebook for lots of photo's and fun....

I made her eyes as those who follow my blog know you can do a search on my blog to find out how. This little dollie didn't have deep enough eye sockets so her eyes are kinda buggy..but....she is cute anyway.



Dolls can be hard to sell for Art prices..so I decided to give her her own frame..house. Using all my mix media methods I learned from teachers at Art and Soul and Art Fest I went to work.

Ann Durley

Then I visited the great and wonderful Ann Durley who lives near me. She makes the best clocks..She taught me how to make an arty box.

She gave me some antique what nots to get started..thank you Ann......and then I spent 3 days in a 60 mile radius going all over to antique, thrifts shops and lumber yards..looking for stuff to make the box.

Finally with the stuff in hand... I now had to go on craigslist and pawn shops to get me a Radial Electric Saw and a Finish Nail gun..not to mention the right nails finally and other tools.

And then there was vacuuming up the dust...yeeks. Today I am off to deliver my doll...to the show..then home to clean the studio!!!!!!!!!

Michelle Allens Giveaway

 

Love Michelle's art..check it out.

Modern Modonna and Child

This is one of my favorite painting.
Etsy ad.
"I love to mix the ancient and the modern. This reminds me of so many enduring symbols. She is medieval and she is a modern young mother. I think of the Madonna and Child and I think of King Arthur.....

I love the crowns and the wings and the birds. All the stuff of dreams and hope."

 I repainted the faces on this mixed media painting for the show at the Bush Barn. I am really happy with my face painting skills are improving.

I haven't had lots of time to paint with working for our music business. I have to work like so many women artists. But I get to pick my hours and I have fun traveling and all the other perks. The good news is that over time painting a little here and a little there the abilities improve. I am Thankful!!! this beautiful month of Thanksgiving.

You can buy a print of my painting on my etsy.