February Goes Out in White Glory!

Yes, winter is reminding us it is not done yet!  We woke to a flurry of snowflakes coming down. 

 

At times the snowflakes were quite large, nearly the size of the palm of my hand.



It did not take long for them to turn everything white.  All construction next door is at a stand still.  



My poor little chuck wagon raised bed is getting a good testing for snow stability. 



And my studio in the background is where I spent a good portion of the day, painting on special orders.  A nice day to spend doing something creative, at least the snow did not get too deep to trudge in and out through. 



And though this storm is winding down another is right behind it with supposedly a lot more of the white stuff.  Winter is making up for lost time I guess.  

Just last week we were enjoying mid-60 degree temps.  The ski resort up the hill a ways is more than likely jumping for joy.  A lot of new snow will attract the skiers and snowboarders on Spring break which is coming up soon.

It is not unusual to get measurable snow here in March and even April so I will just ride it out.  

Enjoy!

 

The Best of Backwoods 2011

As this year is winding down to its final hurrah I am attempting to get a list compiled of what I need to accomplish (or would like to accomplish) in the coming months. 
This month marked the 1st anniversary of this blog.  My how time flies!  And do you know the most popular post of all here? 

The building of my studio..



It has been so popular that we posted the plans as others wish to build one for themselves.  These are not your run of the mill plans but a step by step for the novice builder. 

Plans

Many of you also enjoyed the inside look at my studio.  This is the tidied up version.  The before shot of this post is what it looks like a good portion of the time.



In third place was the building of the potting bench..



Not far behind was the transformation of a plain piece of linoleum into a Tuscan Floor cloth.



But my favorite (which did not make it even into the top ten of my readers picks) is my Pottery Barn Clock knockoff..



I am currently working on some Farmhouse sign designs, it seems Farmhouse style is all the rage this year.  I have some vintage type fruit signs rattling around in my head and other farmhouse staples like Fresh Eggs, Farmers Market and all that..I need to get them painted up and listed on my website. 

  If you have any suggestions of what would you would like to see or may be a good one just let me know, I am all ears. 

Until next time…ta ta

I am not ready for FALL!

I am barely getting my summer going and you get hit with FALL advertising everywhere you turn. Some may be more than ready for Autumn to arrive.  With all the unrelenting heat many have endured I am sure it will be a sigh of relief. 
But I am just getting to enjoy my summer, the garden is just catching up after a very cool June and beginning of July.  To be blasted with Fall decorating in stores is a shock to the system and it just reminds me that all too soon I will be shoveling out just to get anywhere. Shudder!

Just outside my front door last February, can we say 3 feet overnight!



I like not having to wear layers of heavy clothing, being able to flit in and out of the house without freezing my sweet patooties off and not waking up to a boat load of white stuff to shovel. 

I love digging in the dirt, wandering my garden at first light, cup of coffee in my hand, finding the latest bloom or just sitting amongst the flowers and breathing in the sweet scent. 

Okay, rant over.  I just was overwhelmed with the oranges, browns and scarecrows as I shot thru JoAnn’s yesterday to purchase some paint colors I had run short on.  Of course, all the back to school advertising is just as disheartening (my kids are grown and gone but hearing the back to school ads makes it seem like summer is over). 
This past week has been a blur, but I will share my latest endeavor.  I have been running like a mad woman all summer (or so it seems) and my studio has suffered.

 You all remember my studio…



For the past few weeks I have run in, paint then run out again and it was looking much too shabby.  From the outside all looks serene(I use the sheers as my screen door, they do a great job keeping the bugs out)



But once you step in the door, it is another story! Chaos.



No surface is spared the clutter



I have a few special orders to get done this week but I just could not work in this anymore.  So I spent most of the day working on it.  Between base coating some boards for signs, I hauled out bare boards, replaced the table, and scrubbed everything, floors, window sills, windows.  I am pleased with the result.  Ta Da!



I even potted up some Pothos starts I had in a mason jar.  That has got to be the toughest plant alive!



My little sink is behind the door, I want to put a skirt around it so I can hide items underneath but that is for another day!

Now to the other side, my base painting and packaging area.  Tidied up and ready to get back to work!



I love having so much natural light.



The view out the French doors is not bad either.



A more overall shot.



It seems to go by fast in this post but believe me it took me the majority of the day to get this whipped into shape and there is a wee bit more to do yet.   But that will be for another day, tomorrow I must paint. 
The weather has been fabulous, low to mid-80’s with a soft breeze to cool you off when you have been hustling around.  Just perfect.

I did get a sign worked on a bit…I can finish it tomorrow with the varathane



Next post I will share the latest blooms. I have some new ones that are just great!
Now I am whooped and ready get some rest.  Good night all!

My paintings and signs are here