Christmas gift ideas...

My daughter and I have started our Christmas projects~

Handmade guarantees one of a kind for us...

Some have shared that they love my little Etsy treasures,
but are never quite sure what to do with them.
Over the next several posts I will share what we do!

The color transfers that I began making from my original

watercolor paintings have so many possibilities!
You can make transfers from your own art or photos
by purchasing the transfer materials from sewing & quilting stores.

I've made several framed pieces for a local gift store~

They sell very quickly... which is perfect, but I can't keep up!

I purchase empty (glass-free) frames from a local frame shop.

They often make tiny frames~ sometimes in odd sizes,

from left over moldings. Most of these frames were $5. or less.

My primitive stitch-ability! (eh-em... or lack of...)

Thankfully, my simple sewing talent adds character!

(giggle!)

I keep little totes of fabric scraps...

They make perfect backgrounds~

After I size them to fit a frame

I add buttons to dress up the empty areas.
We have also added vintage keys, charms, pieces of
worn, fabric measuring tape... feathers, shells etc.~
That way your frame doesn't have to be the perfect fit.

Alaina and I LOVED this chunky little frame~

Have had it in our stock for a few years...

This little owl is a perfect fit!
He's stitched to an upholstery fabric sample~

Made some new tags yesterday~

I love to add a little thank you tag to my Etsy orders!

Red and pale blue are so fun together... touch of vintage.

Hope your weekend is wonderful and filled with creative things!

Thank you, Veteran's!

No matter where I see~ Red, White & Blue...

I ALWAYS think of you!

THANK YOU!

 I've been working on new art!

I've dusted off the shelves filled with my sketch books...

They've waited patiently for my return~

Discovered fun tidbits inside that will lead to exciting programs!

A small addiction to antique & vintage pens...

I began collecting these pointy treasures while in college.

Everything looks MUCH "arty-er" when I draw with them...

Perhaps like a man driving a vintage car.

The landscape changes from skyscrapers to small towns...

High tech fades to simple and relaxed...

A step back in time~

Hope your Friday is wonderful, Sweet Friends!

Original Fabric Sketches...

Little friends getting all ready for holiday parties!

Little winter caps...

Party mice!

Adding these to my Etsy store... more to come soon!

Hope your day is sunny~

Quilt Labels...

Our feathered friends have winter hats for these

chilly, chilly nights...

They dug out their winter woolens to prepare

for the fall snow storm...

We dug ours out, too!

Wondering what kind of winter we will have...

The lake is ready to serve up a few extra inches!

I have not started my Christmas shopping...

Summer road trips are typically good for a few treasures...

This year we found more scenic trips to take.

I added these quilt labels to my Etsy store~

I have mounds of original gift ideas/treasures to share...

Hope to add a few new pieces to my shop each day!

Hope your day is wonderful~

Harvest Sketches...

I hope your day has been filled with sweet treats!

I thought I would share a Harvest image from my portfolio...

Ideas come to me on walks, while watching TV...

In restaurants, in the shower, in church~

Everywhere! All the time!

I make quick illustrations so I don't forget.

Sometimes my sketches sit for years...

Other ideas are so fresh and fun I paint them immediately!

These little kitty sketches...

We have three cats.

When we bring ANYTHING into our home they

immediately believe in their hearts... it is for them to sit on,

climb on, sleep on... rub, scratch etc. etc.

They find their way into many of my originals~

Hope your evening is safe and happy~

Time heals...

Thank you, Sweet Friends~

For sharing your hearts with me.

I know time will ease the pain of missing my mom.

Your comments are part of a journal I started.

When I write, I sketch...

When I sketch, I am filled with joy~

My heart is happy to be dabbling in art again...

I have collected old watches, time pieces, alarm clocks...

Both the front and back of the enamel faces are beautiful!

I like the graphic numbers for my Steam Punk designs.

So many many graphic elements & gears!

Ooodles of possibilities waiting inside

each of these tiny treasures!

Art pieces as they are~ 

I LOVE how they add dimension and fun to my birds...

As soon as I finish painting my 2014 calendars

I will share some of my latest Steam Punk friends.

Wishing you joy and peace~

My mom...

Rose Marie Newtown    May 29, 1929- October 4, 2011

My mom and dad are together again~

We said goodbye to mom on Tuesday.

An amazing woman... an amazing life.

Her obituary

I will write more soon, Sweet Friends~

His gifts...

"...it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty

of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."

1 Peter 3:4

I was working in the garden and saw this little snail friend...

I trotted up to the house for my camera~

To capture a simple beauty...

When a  friendly guest stopped by...

The bee stayed on one side of the blossom...

The snail was quite cozy in its sunny nest~

Shared space in the late summer sun.

We have soggy, rain-soaked days~

I hope your Sunday is sunny & bright!

Something for baby...

Sailing along in an enamelware cup...

Protected from the sun by a large daisy blossom~

Both friends so fuzzy and cuddly!

Early bird wide awake with the Morning Glories!

I found this garden pot years ago...

I use it as a reference to plop one of my babies in.

Ladybugs make the best of friends~

Mouse and Lady love the garden as much as I do!

Another garden pot that sits on my shelf...

Little bear is wide awake while the moon sleeps...

Our children didn't want to sleep when the moon was bright!

A bunny...

Forget Me Nots...

And one more bucket from my eclectic collection~

Sweet little miss nestled in~ one of my favorite tiny crocks!

I keep white seashells in this aqua crock...

There is a pale blue companion crock that I

have filled with smooth river stones~

I don't see the dust when I look at all of the misc.

goodies I have collected through the years...

They're nesting spots for my friends!

The next time you see a lone, little container sitting

on a shelf... picture your favorite friend inside!

To make her smile...

More long hours in hospital rooms...

More fabric sketches to share~

My heart wasn't into drawing~ but I wanted to make mom smile.

These little friends found her smile!

As I was sitting in my studio listing them...

They all seem to have the same little faces...

Little concerned hearts...

Worried looks...

They seem to reflect my heart~

Mom rests in a hospital two hours away.

I know she is cared for... safe... near her siblings.

It's different when you can see her for yourself.

I came home to a yummy peach cobbler that sweet Alaina made...

Hubby and Will took care of getting the whipped cream!

Our home was tidy, dishes done... laundry caught up...

I have to get into home & work groove again~

While my mind is hours away...

Hope your day is filled with love~

Giveaway Winners!

We are enjoying a very warm and sunny fall day~

Our milkweed plants have huge seed pods on them...

This little friend caught my eye and I thought

it would like to share the great news!

Two names were pulled from the bucket of 72!

Judy from Penelope's Beehive and

Donna from Brynwood Needleworks 

You each won a Santa!

Our caterpillar friend couldn't pull the names

so Alaina helped with the paper tags~

My transfer paper arrived this morning and I will be

making Santa's and other full color transfers for my Etsy store.

Another giveaway is just around the corner~

Thank you, Sweet Friends for all of your comments!

Wishing you joy~

Vintage Santa Giveaways!

We have two reasons to celebrate today...

So we have two giveaway treasures!

Santa transfers from my original watercolors on vintage linen.

The first is to celebrate 700+ AWESOME followers...

The second... is to celebrate 1500 Etsy sales!

All because of your friendships and support~

My way to say Thank you!

I hope you leave a little note on this post to have

a chance to win one of these linen treasures!

I don't mean to be rushing the seasons along...

Just thought it might be nice to have Santa early

because many of you make beautiful holiday gifts!

~Two names will be taken from the hat Sept. 20th~

Thank you, Friends...

Thank you giveaway coming soon!

A little note to say Thank you for following along!

I love to share some of the artsy fun I have...

With over 700 followers!!!

We need to celebrate together...

With a giveaway!

I'm trying to decide what to make for the thank you!

One of my new full-color transfers?

A vintage linen pen and ink?

A needle felted friend?

I know there will be buttons attached...

Alaina just discovered a new tin of buttons and she is sharing

a little load of mother of pearl cuties with me! 

 My button girl turned 18 yesterday... she is a treasure!

Thank you, again Sweet Friends~

You make my heart smile!