We went and bought wood from our favorite lumberyard (Ashland Lumber) yesterday, now our garage has the most beautiful smell to it. It smells like the sweet smell of creating and both of us can't wait to get busy out there.

Steve has decided to make some lazy susans with some of his wonderful turnings, I can hardly wait to see what they look like. I want to design some different signs and of course I have some birdhouse ideas going too.

Anyway, after Thanksgiving we hope to get out in the shop for some fun.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Have you ever met a person that makes you think beyond the walls? Well, I have two customers/friends that come up with wonderful ideas and they inspire me to take it from there to do something I haven't done before.

One person wanted "fish plant pokes. At first all I could think of was, how do you paint a fish? The answer to that is one step at a time, first draw it out then get as many pictures of a fish as you can and then start praying really, really hard. I was even picturing Bob Ross up in heaven painting fish.

The other person wanted to know if I had a Santa's Workshop  birdhouse, guess what's next on my list to paint.

I always wonder as I'm doing something new, why didn't I think of that on my own. But, I think that is why the Lord has put such wonderful people in my life. I guess it is very  fitting that on Thanksgiving week I feel so very thankful to be so blessed

Getting Motivated

Today I thought I would share the messiest studio you've ever seen. I thought in looking at it differently (through your eyes) it would get me motivated to get busy and get some painting done. Yeah, right.

Anyway I also wanted to share with you some awesome paint I have been using that I just absolutely love. The paint is Chroma's JoSonya Autumn Hues Collection, the background colors. These colors are so beautiful! I've been using several of the colors for the base coat on the birdhouses and I've also used them on the plant tables. The consistency is great too, very creamy and covers very nicely.

Well, I'm taking the afternoon off and trying to get ready to get something done tomorrow.

Year to come.

Well, it has been almost a year since my last post on this blog, I'm embarrassed. It isn't like I don't enjoy the blog, life just gets too hectic.

Steve has been busy in the shop, he's been building knife blocks, plant tables, dish racks and trivets. My favorite are the plant tables. He turns the middle of the stand to either look like a rope or other unique looks. I have been painting the tables and have at least three more to paint. I'm also working on some of trivets; putting some color on them.

I've been tweeting in my free time and have enjoyed that. The people that are on Twitter are just amazing, they post interesting items-I'm hooked.

This next year is going to be a year of new items, I have several ideas blasting around in my mind right now. I love it when I can get excited about creating again. Thank you Lord, for healing my best friend and partner.

Busy Season

Well, this has been a crazy two weeks, very busy with orders, plans and all the good stuff.

We have met or should I say convo'd with some wonderful customers and we have gotten to know them somewhat. Like a customer that ordered a double shelf out of our dish rack. She gave us specific measurements and was very clear on what she was expecting. That made it so easy to know that she would be satisfied. Not only was she satisfied but she sent us pictures! I like dealing with customers like her. We had another customer order a couple of ornaments and all the while she had found a couple of birdhouses she liked and decided they may be gone if she didn't order them right a way. She was so personable, I really enjoyed communicating with her through Etsy, what a lovely lady.

While I have been painting, taking pictures and listing items, Steve has been out in the shop building some pretty wonderful items. I, of course, get to keep the demos that he is building and my kitchen loves them. We will have more of these items in the shop after the first of the year. I have some plans going in my mind too so we may have a new look in our shop.

Well I hope to get some pictures of Steve working out in the shop this week, he always loves that!

My hope and prayer is that everyone is enjoying the Holiday Season and not letting the world overwhelm you.

Kate

A Year Just About Gone

Wow, it has been awhile since I have posted anything to this blog. A year has almost gone by and thinking back, we have come a long way.

Last year at this time I was wondering if I was going to lose my best friend and builder (Steve). He was so sick, couldn't swallow solid food, had troubles walking and his energy was terribly low. Now, he's out in the shop building and coming up with ideas that are just flat fun! 

We now have lighthouses in our shop, turned cedar birdhouses, shelves, folding tables and lots of wonderful little extras. We still enjoy working together and what one doesn't think of the other does.

So as Thanksgiving approaches, I just want to Thank God that I still have my wonderful husband by my side. I also want to thank Him for the gifts that He has given Steve and me, but most of all for being in our lives. Thank you Lord, You are awesome!

New Paint, New Ideas

Okay, I have been looking at the website http://decoart.com and checking out their new paints, I have to go shopping! They have new colors in the Patio Paints that I just have to get; Grey Skies, Honey Dew, Orange Poppy, Desert Turquoise (I already have this in their regular paint, beautiful color) Salmon, and Coastal Surf. They are all colors that inspire me to get painting. I love the Patio Paints on the birdhouses not only because they are formulated for the outdoors, but they give our projects a really nice feel. You don't have to put any sealer on the houses after using these paints but we do just because we like the extra protection.
Today I'm working on a couple more gypsy wagons and a bird feeder (I get bored working on just one project at a time. So, I thought I would add a couple of pictures of where I work. Just remember, I'm a painter not a neat-nick.