Luvs...so glad you had a nice trip. If I ever get to go to Vegas that is the show I want to see! I've heard it is just awesome.
I'm kinda in hybernation mode right now. Not really wanting to get out in the whiteness of it all. ha Had to go out this morning to Lowes to pick out some more paint samples for my bathroom. I think I've finally settled on a dark gold if I can get DH to approve it. I will start painting that this weekend. The new tile guy is ready to get going on it and is just waiting for me to get it painted, but I've been stuck on picking a color.
I have been working on a Renee Mullins snowman from the Frosty Friends book. It's the one holding the birdhouse. I just have a few more details to add to it and I'll be done and ready to post it. You know how slowly I paint since I can't sit down for long because someone always needs me for something. ha It's aggravating, but I've learned to live with it. :)
Oh and yes, my mom is doing much better. She has had 2 more dizzy spells, but they were not bad ones. The back door of her jeep fell and hit her in the top of the head before all this happened and she thinks it must have jammed her neck because when she turns her head a certain way she gets real dizzy. She's going to the chiropractor now to see if he can help her out. They ruled out a stroke at the ER and the only thing the dr could tell her after the CT scan was that it must be her inner ear even though they couldn't see anything wrong with it. I think she could also be slightly deydrated because she never drinks water. But so far she's ok now. Just weird that it came on all of a sudden like that.

Anyway, glad you got back safe and now you get in there and get started on those Santa's you left behind. hahahaha I'm such a slave driver! ha Better take my own advice. :D ~Anj

Hi, so glad your Mom is doing better. Always such a relief to rule out heart problems.

I'll be looking forward to seeing your new snowman. I think the Renee Mullins items are so cute and they are fun to paint too.

My Santas are a Sandy Streker pattern that was in one of my old Woodstrokes and Woodcrafts books from 2002. I've always liked it so decided to paint a few to have on hand for gifts next year.

As I was putting away my Christmas signs, I realized that the items I have painted on the thin Baltic Birch plywood are not holding up very well outside even though I've put additional coats of spray sealer on them each year. My 3/4 inch wood pieces hold up really well. I'm thinking that I might just paint on a coat of Kilz or Zinser primer before I paint any more of them. That should protect the wood really well. That should keep moisture from getting between the layers of wood too I hope.

After I finish the Santas, I think I will do a Valentine's project or two. I am so slow, the middle of February will be here before I know it! LOL

I collected a bag full of freebies at the electronics store. Had lots of neat pens and some balls that light up when you bounce them and a keychain with a little flashlight on it. Sophia was here today and had so much fun trying them all out. Some of the pens fold up, some will hook onto a neck rope or key chain but her favorite was the one that could write in four different colors. She played for a long time with all of them! Always love it when I find things she enjoys playing with.

My cold is almost all gone. Just a little cough now and again. So nice to finally feel more normal. I can see that colds are harder on me as I've gotten older. I used to never miss work and seldom ever even got a cold. Sure don't remember one lasting ten days or more!

I did a couple loads of laundry today so need to get that put away. Guess I'd better do a little house cleaning tomorrow--bathroom needs cleaned and even the kitchen is untidy and needs a good scrubbing. Then I hope to be free to just paint my Santas.

I'll chat with you more later. Keep warm. Oh, and thanks for the prod to get busy on my Santas--I needed that! LOL

Luvs

Glad you had a good time in Las Vegas, Luvs. I have always wanted to go there since we have a painting convention there every year. But I will be going to Tampa for the National Decorative Painter Convention in May and then to Ohio again in August. And since our chapter is planning to do a craft show this fall, I have a good reason to start painting Christmas things now.

Anj, I am just as bad about hibernating during the winter. But at least we have had some really nice weather (75 degrees) and I can at least sit outside in the afternoon. I have no children at home and with my husband golfing I spend a lot of time by myself. After years of working with people, I sure enjoy it. Gives me time to think of all the things to paint - now if I could just stop thinking about it and doing it.

Ok Bebe...do I need to get the whip out for you too? ha I need to use it on myself. Only got one tiny thing painted on my snowman yesterday. Too many interruptions. 75 sounds so heavenly! And I think I've forgotten what it feels like to have time alone to think of anything! ha

Luvs~ Neleh loves nothing better than a fresh notebook and a pen. She scribbles and scrawls for hours. HoHo brought her a new small notebook for Christmas with puppies on the front of it and you would have thought she opened gold! ha Glad you found something to entertain Sophia....and for free even! That's always a bonus! ha
I used your alcohol trick with paint yesterday. DS wore a brand new hoodie to Scouts yesterday and got paint splatters all over the front of it. The alcohol got the paint off, just hoping when I wash it that it doesn't take the color out of the shirt as well. Ever done that before?

My 3 yr old may have broken her foot yesterday afternoon horsing around with the 7 yr old. It was a rough night. Waiting for her to wake up to see if she's gonna walk on it today. It never swelled up, but neither did my DS's when he broke his at 3 jumping off a dresser. His uncles taught him that little trick!

Ok, lets see if we can all get something painted to post by the weekend shall we? ha ~Anj

Oh gosh! I sure hope Neleh's foot is okay? Kids do get rowdy at times don't they? I'm afraid I "over protect" Sophia when she is here--she's really into climbing and swinging on my patio swing frame, so I let her, but only if I can stand right next to her just in case. Loves to climb onto the low wall that is between us and the neighbors and walk across the top too--I insist that she hold onto my hand for that trick! LOL Don't want to inhibit her too much, but don't want her to get hurt or to have her folks mad at me either!

Bebe, I really should go to the convention in Las Vegas sometime, I am sure I would be in 7th heaven! I don't like to do things like that by myself, and I don't have any painting friends anymore. Sure miss the little shops that used to be around, they were good for meeting other painters too. Will just have to wait to hear all about your Tampa and Ohio conventions. Glad to hear you will be doing a craft show--means you might have some pics to show us so we can live vicariously though you! LOL

I'm glad Anj is "cracking that whip" for all of us. I know I sure need it! When I used to live next door to a painting friend, we would rush through our "have to do's" so we could get together to cut out some wood pieces or to just sit and paint together. I enjoy being by myself some, but also miss that comaraderie and enthusiasm of sharing ideas and doing things together too. It was a good "motivator".

Vegas is about four hours from us in the motor home, a little less in a car. This was the first time I've gone there in a long time. They are constantly building new casinos and hotels--and the housing is just spreading out all across the desert now! Fun to see, but I wouldn't want to live there.

Okay, I'd better get moving. I'll catch you later.

Luvs

Luvs, I am such a wimp, I don't like going to any event by myself. I enjoy it so much more when there is someone to share it with. My hubby is a darling, he would go with me but I know he would rather be golfing. So, several of the ladies in our chapter will be going and sharing the expense. I don't particularly like taking classes, but I do enjoy getting on the sales floor. The only thing I really dislike about traveling with the ladies is having to share a bed with someone else. I don't rest very well because I don't feel comfortable enough to move or turn over. I am getting older and although I know it is quite natural, I had to warn the ladies on our last trip that I sometimes snore and on occasion break a little wind. Can't help it if I am asleep. However, I found out that it happens to all of us so I didn't feel too embarrassed. I read something the other day that summed it up - With age comes Skills - It is called multi-tasking. You can laugh, cough, sneeze, break wind, and pee all at the same time. Just some of the wonderful things you have to look forward to, Anj.

Oh, Bebe, I can relate to everything you said above! I don't take a nap when I fly on a plane anymore because I am afraid I might snore! And I would not sleep comfortably having to share a bed either for the same reasons. Would be better with a long time friend, but not with people I barely know--so see you are braver than me! LOL

I can only imagine how much fun it must be to see all the published artists, and the new products being demonstrated by the company reps. I'd be wanting to buy more stuff than I would ever be able to complete I'm sure. ;o)

Anj, it's good for you to hear this now, no one ever warned me about these things, so I had a hard time adjusting to the "loss of control" that often comes as we age! We do find ways to cope--and to develop a sense of humor about it all! LOL

Luvs

I'm scared!!

JK
Actually after having kids, most of that happens to ya anyway. ha Not only wouldn't I sleep in public because I snore, but I also drool. hahahaha
It would be kinda weird to share a bed with a stranger, I might just bring along my sleeping bag and zip myself into that. Kind of a barrier! ha As for the rest, well everybody does it and if you can laugh about it all the better. :)
~Anj

Well, no painting for me today....spent most of the day in the drs office. After 2 sets of x-rays, Neleh may have a hairline fracture on her 2nd metatarsal oblique bone in her foot. That's what the dr spouted off to me anyway. ha Not bad enough for a cast, but she has to stay off of it and not wear a shoe for a few more days and it should heal on it's on. She freaked out when they tried to x-ray her foot. I told her it was a big camera, but she thought it was a laser that was going to burn her foot off!! Someone's been watching a little too much tv me thinks!! ha Anyway, now the kids are home early from school and I've got to quickly do some housework and laundry. I know ya'll are disappointed after all that whip cracking I was doing. ha I'll have to paint the bathroom tomorrow, but I may be able to finish my snowman on Sunday afternoon??? I'll try. ~Anj

Oh, no way would I sleep with a stranger - unless - no I wouldn't do that either, too old fashioned. These are all ladies I know. I am trying to re-organize my paint room. I bought a lot of things after Christmas when they were on sale - like the Krylon paint pen in gold. These are wonderful to paint the edges of your really thin painted pieces or you can write with them. Also, a tip for yall. When I want to practice a stroke or a flower before putting it on my project piece, I use poster board. I spray the poster board with a sealer or matt spray to make it water resistant, then I brush on a background color. That way I can practice first without having to repaint my project several times. I also do this when I teach a class so my design is enlarged for the class to see. That way you can concentrate on the technique but you won't have to worry that the piece you are teaching is painted perfectly. The perfectly painted piece would be the one I use to show what I am teaching. The poster board just shows the technique. Works great.

Oh gosh, Anj. How are you going to keep a three year old off her feet? That won't be an easy task I'm sure. You said they didn't put a cast on, but did they do one of those wraps on it?

Don't worry about the painting (even after all that whip cracking), we know you are such a busy lady and these little emergencies don't make it any easier, do they? ;o(

PF, I've never thought about having a piece of poster board handy for a practice sheet. I've watched the instructors use "something" when they teach--was never sure exactly what it was they were using. (Used to wish I could have the ones Donna Dewberry did--wonder if they ever made it to the trash or if someone snapped them up?)

I did a bit of organizing in my craft area before the holidays, but I've been piling things on the counter lately so I need to get things put away again.

It's good to be able to have things right where you can find them when you need them. One of my best purchases was one of those clear plastic shoe bags with all the pockets. I keep my cans of spray sealer, my Mod Podge, sponge brushes, various glues, textile medium, colored pens, bottles of alcohol, glitter, and even a small hammer, some small pliers both needle nose and regular, and whatever else will fit in there. I hung it on the wall by my work counter so it really is convenient and holds allot of things that used to get pushed to the back of the shelves in my cabinet.

I still miss the little desk I used for painting at my old house. It had drawers on both sides that were so handy--no room for it here, so now I use little plastic bins to corral some of the bits and pieces.

I always love seeing pics of other people's craft rooms. Each craft seems to have it's own storage challenges. I know I have more paints and brushes than I probably need, but those things just seem to accumulate especially when I see on good sale on either of them! LOL

Good luck on your organizing. Do you already have your next project planned? Have you finished sewing the Santa?

I tend to be doing everything except painting. DH and I went to Costco today and as usual I had to vacuum and pick up a bit around the house. Then I feel a little tired so I sit down here-----and so it goes! LOL

Luvs

Luvs, I will take a picture of my painting room as soon as everything is put away. I have had an old desk for about 25 years. It has three drawers on the left side and one small drawer and one big drawer on the right and is 36" x 60". I keep my bottle paint in the 3 drawers organized by color, then on the right side I keep the small bottles of varnish, extender, Triple thick, etc. In the big drawer I keep my taller items. On top of my desk I have all my brushes in mayonaise jars on a lazay susan. I am very lucky that someone gave me 3 old oak armoires that I store a lot of things in. I wish I had a room large enough to hold everything I work with and then a small workshop off that room for woodworking. I love to paint but I also like to sew and at the moment I really don't have anywhere to place my machine. I have one of those plastic shoe racks also. It helps to keep things visible - you know how it is, out of sight, out of mind. I use a scapbook tote on wheels to hold the things I take to class - and I always keep the cutest hammer in there just in case - the hammer can be unscrewed from one end to hold the screwdrivers. So cute.

If I don't have a time schedule I will put off til the last minute to paint a project and I work well under pressure but I always have the best intention of getting things done early. I have finished sewing my Santa but I don't have him put together - but he is not going to be one of those "get around to it" projects. I cut the mink tonight that I plan on using.

I wish I had the energy I had 20 years ago. I get tired from the simplist task these days.

Anj, hope all goes well for you. We don't have any little ones at home anymore and we don't have pets. I get too attached to them. I never wanted cats but my daughter brought one home and it just took a liking to me. When my daughter moved out I wouldn't let her take the cat but it broke my heart when the cat died. After that I said never again. So I just watch the birds and squirrels outside. I plan on taking a class on how to use the Wave brush when I go to Tampa. It is suppose to be great for painting animals.

I know what you mean about the pets Bebe. I have a 15 yr old Schnauzer who is getting so decrepit. Isn't that like 105 in human years? It's at the point where we are trying to decide if we need to put him down. I keep putting it off and crying about it every time DH mentions it. He was my first baby. I don't want another dog after he goes. It's just too hard. ~Anj

That desk sounds perfect, PF. Mine certainly wasn't that big, but worked well for me.

My sewing machine sits on one end of my countertop in the craft room. It's easy to use for a quick seam or repair, but if I'm going to work on a project, I carry it to the kitchen table and work there.

Since I no longer have drawers handy for my paints, I have a turntable on the countertop and keep the ones I use most often on that so I can get to them easily. The others are in the Canvas collectibles holder on the wall (Not easy to get the paints in or out--one of my mistake purchases) or in the wooden spinner that sits on the floor. Would love to have the spinner on the countertop, but the upper cabinets are in the way.

Sometimes we just have to make the best of the space we do have. I tried keeping my paints in those plastic shoeboxes and that was a real nuisance for putting them back--which is what prompted me to buy the canvas paint holder.

I truly had an almost ideal setup in my last house, separate desk for sewing machine, three bookcases to hold books and supplies, great view out the window and even a fireplace! And I had one whole section of the garage for my saw, sander and other tools. There was plenty of room for extra wood, and a bookcase to hold cutout pieces until I was ready for them. I sure miss all of that. (Big sigh)

Now my saws and sander are in a crowded storage shed, tools are at the other end of the house in the garage, books are in the family room, paints are in the laundry room--you get the picture, sort of have to go here, there and everywhere when I'm working on a project. Just takes longer--BUT I am thankful to have the space that I do have. LOL

Speaking of which, I procrastinated again yesterday and didn't get any painting done--and now little GD is coming today, so I probably won't get any painting done. At this rate, you guys are gonna be kicking me off this forum! :o(

Hope Anj is doing okay with the little one. I am sure she will need to spend more time reading and cuddling to keep her content and off her feet for a few days. But that can be time well spent too--nice to cuddle while you can, they all grow up so fast!

I'm off to refill my coffee cup. I'll catch you all later.