Paint a Sunflower for Fall

Would you like a rustic sunflower hand painted by yourself to display this fall?

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Chickie update!

I know many are anxiously awaiting an update on my little friends.  Sorry I have been slow in posting more photos for you.I am so intrigued with the different coloration on them all even though they are the same breed. The one closest to the front look rather like a penguin.



They are already starting to feather out and I need to cut some wire to put over the bin they are in so they won’t be able to fly out. 



I have been attempting to handle the a lot so they will not be so skittish as they grow up but I think I need to do it more, they still run from me whenever I poke my hand into their brooder.



Here is a short video of them cheeping.

The latest Peep

 
I have been painting away and that is the reason for not being online here in a few days.  I have had a few special orders and I needed to get them out quickly.

Here are a couple signs I finished up this week.





Enjoy your Sunday evening.

I can’t wait for WARMER weather!

Ana's Adirondack Chair

I need a couple simple but stylish outdoor chairs for my back deck to lounge in, something quick and easy and these Adirondack Chairs fit the bill to a “T”. 
I want to set up an outdoor room, lounging spot with some of my Front Porch art.

I know I have yet to finish my dining room buffet table but that is still in the works.  The cold keeps me from getting much building done as I can’t stand getting chilled and the garage is where I have to do my cutting and sawing.  I just don’t enjoy it when I get cold so why do it now?  I can always wait and do it when it warms up enough to make it enjoyable.  

So instead I keep busy painting signs in my cozy, heated studio.  Here are a few I have completed in the past week or so. 

Are you ready for a trip to the Beach House???



Maybe Nana needs a new sign for her special place!  I actually left the roses off of this one.  The Hydrangeas need no  other adornment.



I used a crowing rooster in place of the & sign.  Perfect for in the kitchen by the coffee pot!



Do you need a little therapy? 



Here is a special order sign I have been working on.  Can you see what I did wrong?  It glares out at me.  



Sigh!  Some sanding and repainting is now on my list for tomorrow. 

Enjoy your evening!
   

Another week gone by!

Hello my friends.  I have been neglectful of keeping in touch but so life goes.  Instead of writing in the evening I have been indulging in back issues of my English Garden magazine.



In the Spring and Summer I am so busy in my garden that I barely skim the pictures found inside so this time of year I go back and read every article, make lists of new (to me) plants and a wish list of seeds and/or plants to purchase to test in my own cottage garden.

I would love to get myself or build myself a glass house like this.



(sigh) one can dream.

During the days I have been busy painting custom order signs.  I know I said I would not accept any orders for Christmas after Thanksgiving but I caved on some that seemed easy enough. This one was especially enjoyable, it just seemed to flow.



This one was not so easy and I ended up painting over the design, it just was not right, I think when I changed the color of the water it changed the feel, the original color was a more blue green which fit rest of the scene better.



A winter scene painting/sign, it still needs the wording.



This one will get shipped out today.



I have also been working outside, cleaning up areas, adding chicken debris to flower beds and at the base of roses.  Each day has started quite chilly, in the mid 20’s but the afternoons are quite mild for working outside in.  The sun has been bright most days and I am thankful we are not covered in a blanket of snow yet.  That will come soon enough but until then I will make the most of the bare ground and clear skies to get my garden areas ready for next Spring.

My husband and I enjoy cooking together and we have been testing new recipes to add to our repertoire.   We made an awesome chili Verde this past week that was to die for, with it we made a Spanish rice with organic brown rice.  It turned out quite tasty as well. 

Last night we tested a meatless recipe.  Now my husband is a self professed hardened CARNIVORE so going meatless is not something he is fond of, but he was game to try this. 

Southwest Pinto Bean Burgers with Chipotle Mayonnaise

We had made a batch of homemade burger buns the day before (love the dough setting on my bread machine) and we used home cooked beans instead of canned (1 1/2 cups equals what is in the can). 

The result was quite tasty though I think I would add more salt to the mixture and even my husband thought it satisfying enough.   I look forward to the leftovers for lunch today. 

I had better get off here and get to work.  There is plenty on my plate today and I need to get crackin’.
Ta ta for now…

Life is Good!

Good Wednesday morning to you!  The sun is shining and though a tad chilly out at 26 degrees it is lovely none the less.



I even treated myself to some violas to put in pots on the deck to enjoy.  The sweet scent of Spring they emit was a pleasure to savor on the drive home as they sat in the seat next to me. 



This past week has been fun.  Busy, busy  but fun.  We have enjoyed endless sunshine with cold temps but if you dress for it you can be outside comfortably.  Which I have been outside quite a bit. 

 We have been getting things cleaned up after some windy weather last week that took down large trees around the county.  Smashing houses, taking down power lines and causing havoc.   Big Trees State park was hit hard.  The ticket kiosk as you drive into the park gives a hint of damage done county wide.



I have been painting on signs as usual.  The orders arrive in spurts.  I had a lull in orders last week and used the time to organize in the studio again.  When I am working I seem to toss things hither and thither rather than methodically put them where they belong.

A special order sign I completed.



Last Friday was a day of errand running and getting some shopping done.  I am not a shopper, to me it is a waste of valuable time, it is a necessary evil only.  But I was able to finally get my Kreg Jig kit.  I have been drooling over it for months now and I patiently waited so that alone made my day of shopping seem worthwhile.

Now I can build my work table in the studio.  I have the legs and support members cut, now I am putting the base coat of paint on before I assemble.

Today I will go buy the 2 x 6’s for the aprons.  I am working on it as I paint signs so I must juggle things around in the studio.  I am building it in the studio as it is heated, our garage is not.  I will be sure to share photos of it when it is done. 



I also worked on an easy fleece scarf.  I crocheted some daisies to add to it.  I call it my Crazy Daisy scarf.  My husband says it looks more like something Kermit the Frog would wear.  I like it, despite his humor, it is so toasty warm and the bright green with flowers make it Spring like!



I was going to sew on the flowers but decided to use a fabric glue instead, it worked really well.  I should try to get a photo of it on me.  Maybe I will soon.  Too busy today!  Until next time…

A downright chilly week in July!

I know there are many that would love our almost too cool weather but I, for one, miss the much warmer temps, but I promise I am not complaining in the least. 

I went from making sure plenty of windows are open at night to let in the cooler air last week to making sure the house is closed up tight to hold in any warmth.  I like the 90’s for a high during the day but I am also enjoying barely topping out at 80 with a breeze that is very cool.

I still enjoy my morning coffee in my garden but I don a flannel shirt against the chill first. 

A few surprising blooms opened up this past week.  I was delighted to find my Princess Diana rose had survived our move, I thought it had died.



I need to look up the name for this one but for some reason Peppermint Splash comes to mind. This one is supposed to be a climber but so far it is acting more like a bush. 



Only one of my Canterbury Bells came back so far.  I will have to save seeds and start some more next year to give this guy some company. I enjoy the vibrant purple.



My broccoli is looking mighty fine and taste pretty good too.



I had a few sign orders to fill this week, here is the completed patio sign. I brightened up the parrot and added some splashy flowers.  



I am still going thru stuff and unpacking…it just never seems to end.  But I have done a sign or two also for my website along the way. I have this one with pink roses already and decided to do one in blue.



I am trying to be better at getting my signs listed on my website but that is not as much fun as painting.  I am working on it though along with trying to get my studio cleared out and reorganized.



I am going thru all my painting books, videos and just stuff and getting rid of a lot.
ta ta for now..if you want to see the step by step of building this then click here The building of my studio  and for a shot of the inside go here...Creative Messiness
My Website

 
Flaunt It Friday