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!

What 'Cha Working on Wednesday???

We have had some rain this week, so it makes it tough on those of us who paint outside.  I don't have enough space to paint furniture inside, so I have to make Mother Nature my friend.  I finished up my Cosco stool.  And can I just say, it was a real Beach!  There was so much rust and paint on this.  And just a word of advice for anyone who wants to take on a similar project.  Take pictures before you take it apart.......I guess I don't need to tell you......Anyway, here is how it turned out and I LOVE IT!

Now I am working on this old school desk.  I picked it up at a thrift store and had to do some major repair work.  The seat and desk both had cracked from being out in the weather so I had to glue and fill.  It is currently painted, but I am just finishing it up.  I will show you more next time.

I had these old tart pans....I guess that is what you call them. 

  Anyway, I worked this week on ornaments.  I have several shapes but these oblong ones seemed to scream "Snowmen!" at me.  So here is how you do it:  First drill a hole in the center of the top end.  Add your yarn, string, ribbon or whatever you choose.  I used a red Christmas trim.  I used a large needle and threaded it through, putting a large enough knot on the inside to hold it in place.

 Paint the "face" whatever version of white you like.  I used an ivory chalk paint.  You may have to give it a couple of coats.

 Add a nose.  I just load the end of a script brush, let it puddle just a bit, and pull in the direction I want.  I used burnt orange.

 Add the mouth.  I try to mix these up a bit.  When I sell ornaments, I usually sell multiples.  People buy for their grandkids, classmates, children, neighbors.  They seem to like it if they look just a little different.  I did this with a fine line sharpie. 

Add the eyes.  I use black paint and the end of a paintbrush.

 While the eyes are drying, I get ready for the ta-da...or in lay terms, the glitter.  I used the lids off of cottage cheese containers.  I put some white (elmers) glue on one, and some silver glitter on the other.

 Dip the edges in the glue.  Check to make sure all the edges are lightly coated.

 Then dip in the glitter.  Turn face up and let it dry.

 When you are finished, return your unused glitter to its container.

 I did a bunch, but you could do just a couple. 

 You can blush the cheeks, if you choose.  I didn't think they needed it!

So, what have you been up to?  I didn't talk too much about Chalk Couture this time, but I hope you have had a chance to check it out.  Wanna try it?  Send me an email with your address, and I will send you a small sample kit.  Or you can contact me through one of my Etsy shops, facebook, or even Pinterest.  

Christmas in July is still going on, so get over to one of my Etsy shops and check it out.  20% off continues until July 31!

Happy Christmas???

I know it is July 'cause I feel the heat even up here in the mountains....but I am working on Christmas items and I am even offering them for sale at this early date.  First of all, I have a couple of small centerpieces.  I designed these especially for a desk top but they will fit in any small nook or cranny.

I am selling these for $5.99 but with my 20% off sale, you can get them for $4.79 plus shipping.  The little buckets are about 4 1/2" tall, 3 1/4" wide and 1 3/4" deep.  The foliage is about 7-8 inches additional.   I will be listing these and the other Christmas items this weekend in my Etsy shop but if you want any of these listings, email me and I will give you first chance at the same discounted price. 

I also finished this cute hat box.  This is a one of a kind that says All Flakes Welcome.  The hat box measures 13" in diameter and is a bit over 5" tall.  Red Vinyl.

The hat box will sell for $27.99 minus 20% plus freight. 

One of my best sellers are the hand painted luggage.  I finished up this little train case.  I love doing these so much!  Some people store decorations, like breakable ornaments.  I just use mine as a display items.  No matter how many I do, I always sell out.  This one will sell for 29.99 plus shipping minus the 20% 

I also worked on some Chalk Couture items.  I will not be listing these in my Etsy shop right away, so email me if you want them and I will still honor the 20% sale.

$5.99

$5.99

$2 Small  $3 Large

$21

$25

Additional freight applies, I charge what the USPS charges me.  No additional handling. 

 Right now I am finishing up a stool that I bought last summer during junk jaunt.  

Yeah, I know, you can barely see it but it is there in the corner next to the tree with a bread box on it.  It was white and kinda shabby chic looking.  But unfortunately, it was more shabby than chic.  It had been brush painted with chalk paint, chrome, red, all.  So I have been working hard to get the paint off and get it restored.  I need to pick up some nuts and bolts and new stair treads and I will have it finished.  Can't wait to show you!  It was in terrible shape....

You can see how bad the legs were.

I also purchased these antique chairs from someone on FB.  They will be a proejct but well worth it.  

 And only $5 each.  I found this similar chair on Ebay.  This is an Eastlake chair selling for $94.  Not sure what I will end up doing with them so stay tuned!

So I am off to list some craft supplies in my Etsy shop.  If you are a needleworker, particularly cross stitcher, I have several kits available at 'Can't Beat Prices.'   Have a great week ahead, my friends.  Stay cool, safe, and tell someone you love them.