Merry Christmas!

This is Christmas week, and before I get too busy, I thought I would wish all of you, my friends, my followers, my family a very merry Christmas.  I know I have not written for quite a while, but it has been crazy.  I did nine shows in eight weeks, hosted Thanksgiving dinner, celebrated two granddaughters' birthdays, did all my shopping, decorating, and even found time to make a few things for gifts.

My oldest granddaughter, Skylar, turns 19 on Christmas Day.  I made her this for her from a chalkpainted globe from Michaels and a chalk couture transfer and paste. She is in college out of state, so I am hoping this shows her just how much I miss her.

I had so much fun with my chalk couture items this year.  Here are a few of the items that I made (and sold) for my shows:

 

I don't know about you, but I am loving all the things you can make with Chalk Couture!

And this is a fun thing I made from an old bathroom scale.......kinda justifies all those cookies, huh?

I am finished decorating my little house, and it always makes me so happy to see all the lights and the Santas.

Well, I am off to wrap a couple of gifts.  If you are on the fence about Chalk Couture, they are offering a great deal starting today.  It is called the Simply Said promotion.  


You get all you need to make this sign, including paste, board, squeegee, transfer and full instructions for this low price.  What a positive message to start the New Year!  Order yours now by clicking here!

Show Season...Yay!

First two shows of the season are in my rear view mirror.  The first show was a tough one, in Colorado Springs.  It was a first year show and I think the promoters have a few bugs to work out.  Colorado Springs is a two hour drive from here which would normally be dreadful, but my sister and travelling companion, Susan, was also doing the show so we were able to carpool.  We did not travel the interstate but rather a scenic windy road with beautiful sights of fall colors and wild turkeys.  Yes, I said wild turkeys!  We saw flocks every day.  Nature at its finest.

I took my photo with my phone.  I think it looks like the trees are full of glitter.....and you know how much I love glitter!

This weekend I was at the Simply Vintage Fall Market.  This takes place at the Colorado State Fairgrounds in Pueblo.  I love this market except for the fact that it takes me nearly 3 hours to get there.  I went down on Saturday with my mini van packed to the gills and went back on Friday morning to finish set up and take a few extra pieces.  I had a huge booth, compliments of Nicole Jones the promoter.  And I sold ALL of my furniture.  (Except for the two white chairs that I scratched up on the way there and had to bring back home.)  There is nothing more satisfying than having someone love your work.  I met so many amazing vendors and customers.  But the one drawback was that my helper and sidekick, Skylar was not there.  She is up in Montana studying to be a great artist at MSU. 
 I sold a couple of my insulator lamps, this one was my fave.

And though I love this desk, I was glad to see it go to a great home.  Note the chalkboard on the desk part....And I chalk couture'd it up on the back.....

My white table was snatched up and I even had a bidding war on the little red table.  

My booth was HUGE!

Maybe next time I will have to do like this vendor and drive a tractor trailer....lol....not!

  

There were beautiful things, vintage treasures, and handmade items.  But there were some weird things too.....like this rocking animal....horse?  dragon?  donkey?.....for sale for $275!

So I am home and today I am hibernating, watching football and working on a special order for a doll.  Next week I am off to the  Sugar Plum Festival in Colorado Springs at the event center.  Come see me!  You can go to their website for discount tickets!  http://sugarplumgiftmart.com/  

And watch my facebook page for more info!

Howdy, Howdy

So here we are, a Fall chill is in the air.  The aspen leaves are turning bright yellow.  And Linda is running around like crazy getting ready for show season.  I always say, during Show season, meet me somewhere for a cup of coffee.  Don't come to my messy house!  Ha Ha.  So this is the time of year that I work on finishing up projects and digging thru my collection of treasures to repurpose.  I finished up some of the furniture that I had bought and stored for most of the summer....some longer than that.  These antique chairs, nearly got the better of me:

 I painted them, not once, not twice, but three times  before I found a look that I liked.

 I found this little table at the thrift store for $8.  It might be my favorite remake yet.

This little table was at a thrift store for $5.  The makeover was an easy one.  

I bought this little stool at a garage sale for $5.  The chrome was in good condition but the ugly brown vinyl was paint spattered and had to go.  Wouldn't it make a cute addition to a sewing room?

And this little stool was intriguing when I found it.  I just knew it had to be a snowman.

 I hand painted the snowman but the flakes were from a chalk couture transfer.

I used the transfers on some suitcases as well:

And I love this transfer on this galvanized pumpkin that I bought a year ago....

Well there is too much to put on this humble little blog.  I will be posting more on my facebook page so have a look see and like me too!  facebook.com/3ppod

If I get time, there might even be a tutorial posted.  Busy week ahead.  Gonna go see two old age docs on Monday...hehe....one for my leg and one for my hand.  Tuesday I am getting my windshield replaced and doing a bit of shopping.  Finishing up errands on Wednesday and off to Nebraska for the annual Junk Jaunt on Thursday.  I will be posting all my treasures to be sure!  Have a great week ahead!

Recovery

I really cannot believe that I haven't posted since August 15!  It seems like I am always posting something, facebook, etsy, pinterest and this blog.  How do other folks keep up with it all? 

I had some minor surgery on my leg last Monday.  I thought it was supposed to be easy, peasy, but it really kicked my butt.  I did not get anything done for most of the week. 

It really looks worse than it is and everyday I feel a bit better.  But I get so bored just sitting around.  So, like I always do this time of year, I canned.  I enjoy this so much and I love how beautiful it makes my pantry look. 

Dilly beans, salsa, tomatoes, pickles, relish, and jalapeno jelly.  Yum!

I did work on a few crafts as well.  I have some painting going on but not ready for publication....haha..didn't that sound professional.  I worked on a bit of floral today:

Working on Chalk Couture tomorrow.  Have you checked out my videos yet?  

See them at facebook.com/3ppod  If you haven't liked my page, why don't you do it now?  Lots of good stuff there.....

Well, I am off to put my leg up for a while.  Have a good week, y'all.  

Wednesday Projects

I am busy as always, crafting and chalking this week.  I put a new video on Facebook.com/3ppod on inking on ceramic coffee mugs.  Check it out.  These make great gifts.  Here is a pic of the two I demoed:

This is done with metallic inks, though any color is fine.  After applying with the transfer, let dry overnight and put in your oven to heat set.  Want to know more?  I will send you a free sample so you can try before you buy.  A typical sample kit looks like this:

My little buddy, Skylar, my talented, beautiful granddaughter, is heading off to college on Saturday. 😢 She will be attending Montana State in Bozeman to major in studio art.  This is a sample of her work:

Since she is an artist and writer, I made her this for her dorm room:  

 We had a great time at a movie and lunch.  I will miss her greatly!  I cannot wait to see what is next in store for her.

If you would like to learn more about Chalk Couture, see or purchase some of my finished products, or just say hello, I will be at Aspen Grove Shopping Center for Food Fest on Sunday, August 19 from 11-4:00.  I would love to see you there!

Well I am heading out to what is left of my garden....my beautiful, lush garden was hit by a hail storm yesterday and is all but gone.  I am devastated.  But I refuse to cry over spilled milk....or shredded tomato plants.  Well maybe one or two tears......

What cha working on Wednesday?

What a busy week this has been!  I made my second Chalk Couture video.  I must be a bit tech challenged because after filming, I could only get it to go upside down.  Say what?!?!?  So like a good little grandmother, I went to YouTube to see what to do.  I finally did get it done, but it took such a long time.  Have you seen it?  You can view it here.  And while you are there, will you follow me?  And if you like the demo (there are two on this page), message me or contact me through this blog and I will send you a free sample.  You are gonna love this product.  If you didn't click over, here is a pic of the finished product. 

These are new towels that I purchased at Goodwill.  My store has a section for new products.  This cost $2.99 for 2 towels.  Aren't they cute?  I am going to put a tag on them and tie with bakers twine.  I found this tag on Pinterest:

Instead of washcloth, I will just change it to dish towel.

Another thing, hubs has been helping me with my lamps again.  These are two of my favorites:

Still working on furniture but I have to work outdoors so it is slow going since it has been raining nearly every afternoon.  

And I love this time of year....all my gardening.  This week, I harvested some peas, broccoli, and beets.  

I love me some pickled beets.  Off to work on some paintbrushes.  Or laundry....or dishes....no, I think I'll work on some paintbrushes. 

So, I have been playing with Chalk Couture today and even though it is WAAAAY outside my comfort zone, I made some videos that will hopefully answer some of the questions I have been getting about this new product.  I tried to post to this blog, but the file was too large.....so, please have a look.  It's on my facebook page: www.facebook.com/3ppod.  And while you are there, follow me.  I would so appreciate it!

In addition to the chalk couture, I have been busy making ornaments, wreaths, and Santas.  The ornaments are some little metal utensils....look like measuring cups to me, but they aren't...so of course, I saw round and thought snowmen!

 I really like this fall wreath. 

One of the Chalk Couture items that I finished.  This is dual sided and turns.  The other side says Kitchen's Closed and has a pic of a cow. 

I have three crescent Santas cut out.  These are my best sellers and I have been doing them for over 20 years.  Also working on finishing up my desk/chair (you can see it in the photos).  I have some touch up and waxing to do.  See.....the desk is a chalkboard!

Off to finish my video upload....taking forever.  Lesson learned: Turn off the TV before recording. 

Tutorial Tuesday

Last season, my friend, Carolyn, sent me a snowman ornie pin.

Since I saw this little cutie, I have been on the lookout for wooden blocks to transform.  Well, I was in the thrift store (like I am nearly every week) and ran across this:

First I sorted out the small pieces from the large and set the large ones aside.  Then I put small screw eyes in all.  The wood was very hard so I had to pre-drill.

 Then I painted.  I did this in phases so that it could dry before resting on the table.

 Then black dots for eyes and burnt orange for noses.  I blushed their little cheeks. You can add mouths as well.

 Add some bakers twine for hanging and you are done.

 I love the variety!

Easy peasy lemon squeezy......

I also finished up some angels.  These are some blanks that I bought last year after Christmas of course, on sale:

These were such a simple paint job.  In addition to painting, I blushed the cheeks, glittered the wings, and added a lace collar, some hair and a halo.  I love the way they turned out.  I didn't photograph the back, but I just wanted to add that it is totally finished on the back as well.  As an artisan, I believe it is always important to finish the back, the bottom, etc.  I do not want my pieces to look like they are imports....do you?

My sis and I went Saturday to an annual church sale in Evergreen.  This is our third year going, and we always find some good deals without spending a load of money.  One of my favorite was a bag of 7 burlap pumpkins for $2.  Obviously someone was trying their hand at making these little gems.  I loved the fabric.

 All I did to make these beautiful was to remove the ties, take out some stuffing, glue on leaves and add fall toned bells and ribbon.  Don't they look great!?!

Well, my peeps, I am off to Cheyenne tomorrow morning.  My beautiful granddaughter, Brooklynne, has been selected to join the Cheyenne Junior Symphony.  She and her cello will be playing at Cheyenne Frontier Days.  So my daughter Heidi, Brooklynne, and little Addyson will attend Frontier Days tomorrow and watch Brooklynne's performance on Thursday.  My son in law just left Friday for a six month deployment so they are all a bit sad, but also very proud.

Have a great week ahead!