7th St. Studio

New Year and lots of New Classes to try!

2012-01-15T20:20:00.000-08:00

Coming up in January, I will be teaching a whimsical mixed media Let Your Heart Take Flight class. Where we will make a paper winged heart that combines collage, stamping, painting and sewing with our favorite scrapbook papers! It will be January 28th at the Crafty Scrapper in Waxahachie...there are two other classes that day too! Jill Collins will teach a fun paper clay heart necklace class and Vicki Stevenson will teach a class with a trio of precious fabric hearts that you embellish! You will go home with lots of new techniques and a handful of special creations to get you ready for the Valentine season of LOVE!!! Keep an eye on the blog and I will be adding the next couple of classes. There is a FABULOUS event~ Pretty In Pink coming up in February with artist Ann Denise Anderson, you can check it out on my fb page, but I will blog about it this week also. So head on over to the Paper Cowgirl blog and register for the paper heart class...and click on Ann Denise's blog to read the details of Pretty In Pink and register for that too! There are only a few places left in these, so don't delay!!! Would love to see you and create with you at these classes!!!

Feeling a Bit like Christmas!!

2011-12-07T10:40:00.000-08:00

Snowflakes and snowmen, little bottle brush trees, burlap and twine...Christmas is all wrapped up in these! The last few months have just flown by and now that we are just weeks away from the Holiday, I have been busy painting and creating to fill my boutique at the Plaid Peacock in Roanoke. Have you had a chance to go there yet? It is a charming little town, not far down Hwy 114 past Southlake and Grapevine...just watch for the water tower that says Roanoke. Once you turn on Oak St., you will be amazed at what they have done to this downtown area!

It is filled with shops and restaurants galore! It is the perfect place to spend an afternoon with your girlfriends or family. Located at 206 N. Oak St. you will find the Plaid Peacock. Once you step inside those amazing stained glass doors, you will find the most wonderful boutiques to shop for all your gift giving needs...and I am sure you will find a few things for yourself as well! In the back right hand corner of the building is the P'Arty Place, a creative arts studio, where you can sign up for all sorts of fun classes. Ann Denise Anderson is the proprietor of P'arty Place, she has a creative mind that just does not stop! She decorates the studio for every occasion and has some really fun Mix and Mingle events on Saturday nights if you want to come and share some laughs and gourmet treats while she teaches you how to make a little creative magic! Check out her website for all the details...she also hosts creative parties for adults and kids...craft camps, and art classes for other local artist that teach. I am teaching there this Saturday to a group of little girls for a "Cookies and Cocoa Class" where twenty little girls will get to create their very own little Holiday canvas and embellish it with a little bling! Then on Sunday, I am teaching another class for adults that is a little canvas with a whimsical flair. My boutique in the Plaid Peacock is filled to overflowing with lots of Holiday art and creative decor! I have included some pictures here to show some of the paintings both big and small, and some of the little goodies that you can pick up for a great price just in time to give as treats to your friends, teachers and neighbors. Every week, I add new creations and vintage inspired decor ...so you will want to check back often! If you get a chance stop by this weekend and see for yourself all the wonderful things the Plaid Peacock has to offer. I know this time of year is so busy, but be sure and take the time to visit the downtown area of Roanoke, I promise you will not be disappointed!

Here are a few of the larger stacked canvas pieces with Winter themes...I love painting these snowmen, they all develop a personality all their own as I paint the faces and add some warm hats and scarves to their fat little round heads!

Some are textured to look like whirling snowflakes and have embellishments added on top of the canvas....my work table is covered in glitter, ribbons, paints and papers...little jewels and vintage holly...just the right things to fill my mind with creativity and start to put me in the Christmas spirit!!! Hope you are loving this time of year as much as I am.

Are you up for a "wicked" cool event??? ~Paper Cowgirl Style~

2011-08-23T10:48:00.000-07:00

Wicked Tea is coming! Register Now for a fun filled day on October 15th! Go to http://papercowgirlwickedtea.blogspot.com to find out more! You can see all the class projects and the costs, etc. for this fabulous event. I will be teaching a class, along with Ann Denise Anderson and Lisa McIlvain...some wonderful techniques and fun creations will fill the day with creating and snacking! If you have ever attended a Paper Cowgirl event, you know the decor will be fabulous, the lunch will be delish and the creating will be over the top! This year, the event is limited to 32 people. It is being held at Ann Denise's home, which she is working non-stop to decorate for the tea! And if you know Ann Denise, it will be the most fabulous thing you can ever imagine...that woman has the creative energy like nothing I have ever seen before! Last years Wicked Tea was so fun and the goodies and classes were so great, I know this years event will top even that! I think there are only about 15 spaces left...and registration has only been open for a week! It will fill up fast, so don't delay and click right on over to the blog to sign up for this once a year event that we all count the days till!!!! I know you have heard me say this before, but spending time with other creative women is something so wonderful....you get to sit in a room of smiling women, surrounded by art supplies, visiting and laughing...sharing life's adventures and encouraging one another...being filled to the brim with friendship and fellowship. Even if you don't know a soul there, I guarantee you will leave with new friendships formed! Never have I enjoyed a group of ladies as much as I do the ones that come to the Paper Cowgirl events!!! Cindy goes out of her way to fill the day with fun, Ann Denise uses every creative bone in her body to make sure it is extra special and Lisa Mc will make sure you learn something new! I love how everyone shares their artistic knowledge and their stash of art supplies!!! You can also click on the button on the right side of my blog to connect to the the info to register. I hope I get to see you there! I am posting some pictures of my class project for you to see, but you can see all the others on the blog!

Don't you just love it when someone puts their own spin on it!

2011-06-25T09:31:00.001-07:00

Have you been over to see Cindy at Yapping Cat Studios? She has some pics up of her Summertime decorating! She is getting all ready for the hot days of July!!! Some red, some white and some blue mixed into her own style. One day last week I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with Cindy and Lisa Mc shopping at Lones Star Antique Mall (more on that adventure later!!!). We wandered thru the booths gathering goodies, sharing finds, and popping creative ideas...then we stopped for a yummy bite to eat at the tea room there, where we had a fabulous chicken avocado salad! While we were shopping, Cindy found this fab vintage box, a little chippy peely and nestled in the cutes display! She hated to take it out of the display, but had her own idea for what she would use it for...and if you hop over to her blog, you can see how she put her own spin on it! The box at the mall was filled with nature goodies as you can see in the pics above...but with a few more of her treasures she found and a little tea staining of flags, she made it all her own! Don't you just love it when you get to see what someone does with their treasures??? Well, if I would just unpack mine from the shopping bag, I might find a creative use for them too!!! Off to play with my treasures, have a great weekend!! and Stay cool!

Class Photos from PC

2011-06-23T09:08:00.000-07:00

I won't ramble here, but just wanted to post some of the pictures from the class. We had 20 fabulous women here creating in class! A special thank you to each of them, they were so fun to start the day with!

Vendor Night @Paper Cowgirl

2011-06-20T17:23:00.000-07:00

Just thought it might be fun to show you some pictures from Vendor Night at PC! This is a collage of the items in my booth. I did some handpainted Cowgirl Hats, some Handpainted Leather Cuff Bracelets and lots of blingy hair goodies and adornments! I also brought some of my small pieces of artwork to sell. The leather cuffs were the hit of the night! Especially the ones with the Smooshy Roses like the class I taught! I had a great time setting up and selling, but even more fun buying goodies from the other vendors....there were some great treasures at some fab-u-lous prices!!! I need to finish un-packing so I can snap some pics of my treasures! Susan Skinner had some beautiful handmade lamp shades, I bought my mom one for her bedside lamp...and Lisa Mc had some great goodies set up with Karla Nathan. Joanna had some bargains again this time, you can always count on her for lots of loot for your cowgirl buck!!! and Lesley and Tom had some vintage goodies that I got to use in my studio...Talking Trash (Debbie) & Cat Daddy had some vintage velvet roses that I snagged as soon as I saw them...and the booth next to me (Carolyn and Kent from Antique Company Mall) had a line at the check out for the entire evening!!! They were from the antique mall in McKinney...and they just had an endless supply of good stuff. Linda Kinnaird had some lovely original jewelry, Dale McLain had some sparlling creations as well....and the list goes on and on! If I missed giving you credit for the good, sorry, but I just go into overload thinking about it!!!! Oh, but I must say one more, Jamie Miller of Art-e-ology had bins and bins of paper emphemera and treasures...I can't show you what I bought from her until I give it to my dear friend Gigi for her bday present!!! But it was to die for!!! Check out the Paper Cowgirl page on fb to see more pics of the Vendor Night also!!!

No!!! Has it really been that long????

2011-06-18T17:21:00.000-07:00

Surely it has not been over two months since I last blogged!!?! Yikes, sorry, life gets busy and I start running and before you know it, Spring has turned to Summer. Hot, Hot Summer at that! Well, since it has been so long, guess I better start catching up...the most important thing I can think of is that I just returned from Paper Cowgirl in Waxahachie! The beautiful paper dress shown above was what greeted us at the Dove's Nest on our first night! Ann-Denise Anderson made this out of crepe paper, coffee filters, paper clay and sheer imagination! Is that not just gorgeous? I am always amazed at her creations, she must stay up all day and night dreaming of things to make for our enjoyment at the PC events! and speaking of dreaming up things for us at PC, the other picture is Cindy Mayfield our head "cowgirl" who makes it all happen at the Paper Cowgirl retreats! She is the hard working, creative leader of Paper Cowgirl! And what an event it was! I have lots more pics to post, but just wanted to get a start on catching up...I am in great need of unpacking my art supplies and putting my studio back together tonight, so I will continue tomorrow...over coffee...right after I have my blueberry waffles and bacon for breakfast!! Maybe I will even snap a pic of those before I gobble them down!

Living The Creative Life!!!

2011-03-20T08:32:00.000-07:00

Living the Creative Life!!! I have been so blessed over the last few months to actively pursue the life of an artist! I have devoted days upon end to the creative process. Of course my house is reflecting this in an absolute state of chaos! But, I am so content, to each day focus on creating and playing in paint! I have created to my hearts content and then set up at local shows to sell my creations. I love the whole process of producing, designing a set up, creating a display and then selling and meeting the people who attend these events and invest their time and money in original art! There is nothing like it! I am also blessed that my two kids (now young adults) enjoy doing this with me! My daughter and my son both like to do these shows with me, they both have an appreciation of the artist, time, talent and dedication it takes to do this. I had an artist come up to me after the show this past weekend to tell me he so enjoyed visiting with my son, how polite and knowledgeable he was in his conversation about this artist work. I mean what other 18 yr old guy knows the difference between organic cotton used in creating clothing, than masses produced manufactured items! I hope both of them will always carry that appreciation of art with them in some form or another! I just smile when I see a small child setting up at these shows with their parent....the parent trying to balance setting up with entertaining the very active little one running around the booth. I remember those days, and let me tell you, they pay off...doing something you love, creating and involving your kids, is a priceless investment in their future. I cherish the days that I got to spend at home when my kids were little, painting in the driveway while they rode their bikes. I was always just a step away to answer a question or watch a new learned trick..or to see the bug they caught or the flower they picked. They were always welcome to create...had access to endless art supplies, and were encouraged to just play in art. Today as I look at both of them, young adults...I value even more the time I got to spend with them. The days pass much to fast, and every season brings a new challenge...but watching them grow as young adults...is a so fun!
Well, I really started out this post to talk about creating art...but just had to share the treasure that time with my kids is at my last few art events. To all of you that purchased or came to see my art, thank you so much! You make this dream of mine a reality! You make it possible for me to spend my days creating and making memories!!! I appreciate you more than you know!

YeeeeHawww, it is time to register for Paper Cowgirl!!!

2011-03-01T04:41:00.000-08:00

Have you registered yet??? ARe you in???? Paper Cowgirl is just around the corner...June 2011 Registration is open and filling up fast!!! I have pictured my class project here for you to see, the class Petite Bouquet is a combination of painting and collage. The main focus of the class is learning to paint the European styled smoosh-y roses!!! And if you have never attempted painting roses...it can be intimidating...but not in my class. I will break it down into simple steps that will have you smelling like a rose and painting them too!!! If you are not a painter, you will be after this class! This class is for beginners as well as those of you advanced in your painting skills. I will supply all you need for the painting and all you need to bring is any embellishments that you may want to add after the fact. My suggestion would be a vintage bling (brooch or jewel) and a vintage or vintage look chain, so I can show you how to hang your beautiful art in vintage style! Many of the classes are sold out, but there are still lots of good ones to grab, if you hurry!!!! Here is the site:
www.pcregistration.blogspot.com So, go get yer boots on and come join us for some Texas size fun and creating!!! PC style!!!!

The Apple Does Not Fall Far from The Tree!

2010-11-19T06:01:00.000-08:00

This is my son, Spencer, the photo of him was taken about 6 mo. ago, he has cut his hair off since then...all graduated from high school and growing up. He is testing out his hand at all kinds of things...work, will start college in January....taking on more responsibility, and just testing the waters to see what it is he enjoys doing. He decided the other day to try his hand at painting. Now grant you, both my kids will play a little in my studio with me, but for the most part...they think paint and art supplies are "mom's thing". But since I have been painting more lately, and having moved my studio/office back home...he has shown an interest. When I say "gallery" ...his hears perk up...he has become curious as to how this whole art thing works. So, when I came home from the gallery the other day and told him about several of the new artist, he decided he wanted to try his hand at painting. So, above you can see his first two attempts! When he was finished, we packed them in the van and I took them over to the gallery with some of my paintings...well much to his delight! Gaylynn like his work, gave him cuddos for his first attempts and framed them and hung them at the gallery...not just at the gallery, but in a prime spot. Spencer is so excited about this, he even posted it on fb to show his friends! He said he had some request paintings for their dorm room! How exciting is that, to be young, discover something that you enjoy doing and for it to be such an exciting thing to see if they sell!!! Yes! For me, it means all those hours of painting and exposing my kids to art, has paid off. If they even love it enough to have it as a hobby, it will make me so happy. Art has been my saving grace all my life, if I can pass that on to even one of my children, that is a good thing!
Hope everyone is looking forward to a great weekend and maybe even some creating! I know I am, the ideas are just poppin around in here....counting the hours till I can pick up the paint brush!!!! Hey, and look, I have posted three days straight now...think that may be a record for me....till tomorrow, bye my friends!

Exciting,Fabulous, Wonderful Day!!!

2010-11-18T05:11:00.000-08:00

What a Day!!! Yesterday was such an exciting day! I attended a luncheon at the gallery where I sell my artwork, La Montage, for the Society of Interior Design-Dallas Chapter. Jill and I got to present our line of original artwork for children's rooms! There were two of the other artist there, we also got to meet and that all in itself was a treat. Melissa McKean and Julie Pharr were there to present there artwork too. The group of Interior Designers were such a sweet group of ladies and seemed so encouraging of one another. I loved seeing that. Gaylynn, the gallery owner, had the gallery all decorated for the Holidays and served a lovely lunch of bowtie pasta with sun dried tomatoes in a cream sauce, caesar salad and baguettes. Each place setting had a beautiful handmade ornament from Melissa of ELLE Designs. I wish I had snapped a picture of the tables, they were beautiful! A beautiful gallery filled to the brim with inspiring artwork, lovely ladies, a beautiful hostess, a chance to discuss the benefits of custom artwork....what a fabulous time! And after the event, all the artist gathered at a table and enjoyed lunch together. Wonderful conversation about our work, what inspires us, future projects....and we got to know each other a little more. Kelly, Gaylynn's new assistant joined us and she was so much fun! It was nice to see how great she fit into the mix as she will be representing out work to clients and stores in the future.
It was a day that made me realize how truly blessed I am to be doing something I absolutely love. To be passionate about your work is the most rewarding thing. To wake up each day and look forward to creating.....is like living in a dream!!! Really, if I could make art, teach art, sell art all day everyday... makes me one very happy girl!!!

JUst FoR ToDaY....

2010-11-17T06:01:00.000-08:00

I absolutely love reading blogs, love seeing all the pictures too. Every time I read blogs, I get inspired, promise to blog more, but then when I start to try and figure out what to blog about, I get overwhelmed....art, life, emotion, work...what to blog. Well, JUst FoR ToDaY, I will not freak out, not stress...just share a random picture and babble about a little of it all, because, JUst FoR ToDaY, I don't have to be PERFECT!!!
Today is Wednesday, middle of the week and I have an exciting day ahead. I am attending a luncheon for the Dallas Interior Design Society, that is being hosted by La Montage. La Montage is the gallery where I sell my artwork. I am attending not as a designer...but as an artist! I am changing hats and can not wait to wear this one!!! I and several of the other artist that are represented at the gallery, will be on hand to discuss our art, promote our art and just welcome the designers to the gallery. I stayed up really late last night, deciding what to wear (need to look artsy!), even painted my toenails and fingernails! My son came home and said to me...Mom, most women go get their nails done!. Well, not if you decide at 10:00 that it needs to be done! I never plan that far in advance. But nails are done, outfit and accessories are chosen! I am about to hit the shower and get ready....so excited. I will try to remember to take my camera and take some pictures...especially of the other artist and the designers there. I am excited to meet two of the other artist that I have never met. Butterflies in the tummy kind of day, but in a good way. And reminding myself all the way...I do not have to be PERFECT, if JUst FoR ToDay!!!

Tickled Pink and Pleased As Punch!

2010-11-08T18:23:00.000-08:00

How could you not be tickled pink when you get to spend the day painting at a fabulous Children's Boutique! I have just completed the dressing room and the castle at Heaven Sent Children's Boutique in Lewisville! What a fun project! I could not help but be inspired by all the darling girlie things at this adorable shop! Tutu's and hairbows, cute, cute clothes and the most precious baby things you could ever want to see! They even have Vera Bradley bags and purses!!! It is a good think I do not have a little girl to dress, but even though I do not, I managed to come home with some of their treasures!!! A tutu for my big dog, the cutest pink stockings for the studio and the sudden urge to paint everything PINK!!! My next project there is to paint a carriage fit for a princess on one of the walls....can't wait to begin!!!!

New Adventures...just a beginning!

2010-10-26T08:06:00.000-07:00

As most of you know my first love is painting...I have been know to say that if I could stay home in my pajamas and paint all day, I would be oh so happy!
Well, God must have heard me say it so much, that he began to make that a reality! I have along with my friend Jill Collins, begun an new adventure...we are creating a line of children's art work! We are selling thru a local gallery and loving this new adventure. Beginning in November, they will be marketed to Children's Boutiques and Specialty Stores. Available in prints and originals.
This is so much darn fun that it does not even feel like work!!! So excited to be doing this! So I really do get to spend days in my leopard and rose jammies with paint all over my hands and in my hair...creating whimsical fun!!! This all started and then my friend Shawnee that owns Heaven Sent Children's Boutique in Lewisville, called to say that she was moving her shop to a new location...and then Stride Rite called to ask me to help on there new location too. So that opened the door to two commercial jobs that were so open to creative thinking...I got to let my imagination soar on these! Next post will be some of that work! I am so blessed in my work, I truly love what I am doing and look forward to each new day!!!

Oh Where Do I Begin.....

2010-10-24T11:30:00.001-07:00

Where do I even begin to tell you all the places I have been or the things I have done since last I blogged!?! It truly is frightening to recount them all. There are so many things happening, so many things in the works, so many events attended, so much still to do! I have been painting till my fingers have about fallen off, but so happy to be doing that! Filled to overflowing with the joy of constant creating! Well...I guess I will start at the beginning or at least a few months back...Starting in August, we closed the warehouse out....for those of you that had attended our monthly sales, thank you so much for your following! But it truly was becoming a full time job for me...my design work and art making were taking a back seat to it....and it was a mutual agreement from all the Warehouse Artchix involved that it was time for each of us to put our energy into something new. I moved my office and art supplies back home to Irving...creating a home office in one of the spare bedrooms and also creating a larger studio. I now have a seperate studio from my house, but also a studio inside my house as well. And I am still overflowing with art supplies and projects! I love having it all back home and readily available to get to at any time...day or night. I learned so much by having the warehouse, business lessons, creative lessons and lessons in dealing with people and different personalities. I learned to let God take control, to let him lead and to follow. I am glad to turn a page and begin in a new direction too.
So stay tuned and I will fill you in on that new direction and where it is taking me! Have a great weekend!~Sandra

Happy Saturday !

2010-07-10T08:28:00.000-07:00

Happy Saturday everyone!!! Hope you are finding this rainy day to be as inspiring as I have.....when it is rainy and overcast, it makes me feel like I need to stay home and work on projects...and that is a good thing. I have been home these last few rainy days working on some new things...do you want a peek? ~~~hint...look at the above photos!

I love painting roses, and the "smooshier" the better! I painted these into a paper cone, the only thing missing is the vintage jeweled piece I am adding to it later today.

I have decided that this piece will be my next class subject to teach. I will be sending out class information this weekend, so stay tuned for the dates and time. I loved teaching at Paper Cowgirl and want to teach more painting classes...or shall I say creative workshops. The girls that took the class at PC were so inspring, I loved interacting with them and seeing what they created!! It just makes me so happy, so why not add more of it to my life!! I am into creating HAPPY, aren't you?

Yes, One Thing Leads to Another and Another...

2010-07-08T11:15:00.000-07:00

Now, back to the story.....

if you read the post below (in my backward kind of way!) :)

here are some pics of the monster furniture....see it is so big I could not get it all in the camera lens!

It started out a pale murky green color, but not for long...as I took the brush that already had the brown paint on it from the walls and began painting it, dipping in a can of white paint as I went, so it gave it a kinda vintage whitewashed look. Then for the final coat, I dry brushed a whiter white on top and added some iron pieced to the top and on the table front...painted those white too! THEN the fun began!!!!

I grabbed all the brown transfer ware I could find in my house, some ironstone pieces that I had from my dad's collections and began arranging. I am still working on it some, it changes daily....now I have added my red glass plates behind the brown transferware and love that! Who knew brown and red looked so cool together (yes, I do have the Country Living magazine with it on the cover, thanks to Cindy over at Yapping Cat!!!)

And do you see the cute little sconce hanging on the wall beside it??? I got those years ago at Golightley's in North Richland Hills...they were in my hall bath....but they got updated shades and moved to a better locale! They even came with muslin tea stained cord covers!

Hopefully by the end of the weekend (hear my kids snickering at this!!! and maybe even my sweet mom!) the dining room will be finished.......well it will be done in time for Christmas!!! I promise ...really! ~~~Sandra

Well, there are more things to lead to here...but that's another post~stay tuned for more!

One Thing Leads to Another!!

2010-07-08T10:46:00.000-07:00

Yep, I told you in my last post that this would be the title of my next post! It all started when I returned home from the Paper Cowgirl (see pics below). I was so full of inspiration of the creating type and full of ideas I saw at The Dove's Nest, that I promptly began painting. Some on canvas and some on walls and some on furniture! I had work to do when I got home, four paintings for the gallery that a designer had ordered (really she only ordered two, but hey now you gotta give a girl some choices! ...so I painted four). Here are the four paintings~~~above...spa like with umber brown backgrounds and layers of tan, cream, beige and whites....can't wait to see which ones she pics! THEN...I decided I loved the umber back ground color and seeing that I had a huge treasure of a piece of furniture that a friend dropped off on my driveway.....the alternative was the trash (YIKES!!!! who would do that!!!) I decided to paint my dining room walls in the umber color...or at least two of the walls. My kids will testify to the fact that I can get very distracted when painting and sometimes it may be months before I finish the walls. You see, I have to decorate the walls as I finish painting them....working around the room. It is all a creative process to me and finishing the decor on each wall makes me eager to plan the next wall....doesn't everyone do it this way? So after painting the two walls, I had my son help me drag in the big furniture....did I mention that it was a hutch like kinda thing that was a long narrow table and then a shelved piece on top...almost 8 ft tall! Really, I had just three inches to spare to the ceiling! Now lets see if I can get a pic or two of the piece...don't want you to get bored with all the text! Darn it, I can never seem to get the pics right in blogger....it gets me all confused since I also have a typepad blog...and not to mention my ability to forget minor details!!! Lets blame it on ADD, and adult ADD at that! Sooooooo, let me publish this post and I will start a new one so the pics are in order....I know, a crazy way to do things, but hey that is just he way it is! ~~~~~Sandra

Finally Catching Up After Paper Cowgirl

2010-07-04T08:41:00.000-07:00

I am finally posting some pictures from the Paper Cowgirl Event, what an incredible experience it was! There were over 70 women there, not just ordinary women, but creative, fun and inspiring women!!! I got to see some familiar face like Nancy, LaVerne, Chantal, Cindy and Ann Denise and I got to meet so many new people. The classes were awesome (the ones I took and the ones I heard about) and the vendor night was the best ever! I came home with an empty wallet and a full van!! Here are just a few of the pictures I took, you can go to www.warehouseartchix to see more!
Here's Cari at our first class on Friday morning (notice her dinosaur bracelet that she bought at the Doves Nest on Thurs. night)...and here is our class kit for Cindy G.'s class, La Petite Boutique...

and here is Cindy Gilstrap and her adorable daughter Courtney.....her class was a french inspired boutique dress form with paper ruffles made out of vintage sewing paper patterns! Too Cute and so fun to learn!!! I still have not finished mine, but I will post it when I finish it!

And here is the adorable Susan Skinner in her hat that I made for her in the Not Just Your Mama's Hat Swap.....it was so fun how it matched what she was wearing....it had lots of vintage baubles on top!

And then when I got home...it was back to creative work painting four "spa" paintings for the gallery, La Montage in Lewisville. These were special orders, and so fun to do....just wait till I show you what this led to. I think my next post will be entitled "One Thing Leads to Another"! That seems to be the way it goes in my world!

I have lots more photos of the PC event, so stay tuned for more of the fun! Thank you especially to Cindy Mayfield for the hard work and commitment she put into this event. She and the much loved and missed Tina Wright started PC and Cindy has put her heart and soul into keeping it going and growing after the death of Tina. Even though Tina was not there in body, we all felt she was there in spirit, and it was a special treat for us all to meet her husband and daughter at the Meet and Greet on Thursday night. Now I am off to post on the warehouseartchix blog...join me there with the link above!!!

Time for the Best Lil' Art Retreat in Texas!!!

2010-03-08T05:36:00.000-08:00

That' right, it's time for Paper Cowgirl 2010! And what a line up of classes and teachers...twelve, yep, count em, twelve classes to choose from! And guess what??? I am going to be one of them!!! This will be my second time to teach at Paper Cowgirl and I am so excited to teach another Beeswax Painting class! The big event will be held in Waxahachie, a charming town with lots to see and do! The dates are June 24th-27th, there will be classes, swaps, giveaways, good food and guaranteed friendly creative people to meet and make art with! This is the third year for Paper Cowgirl and I believe it will be the best one yet! To find out more about the retreat and how to sign up, go to http://www.papercowgirl.com/ and get all the details! And to see each artist project and more about them, here is a list of the teachers and thier blogs:

Lisa McIlvain - Mixed Media Art Tags http://tarnishedandtattered.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Babcock - Altered Bird Trinket Box http://glittermyday.blogspot.com/

Mendy Mitrani - Digi Class http://mendytexas.blogspot.com/

Dale McClain - Sea Inspired Shadow Box http://www.dalemclain.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Stewart - Beautiful 4th Banner http://jenniferstewarts.blogspot.com/

Ann-Denise Anderson - Victorian Boots http://www.whimandfancydesigns.blogspot.com/

Angela Berger - Shabby Classy Necklace http://www.filigreemoon.blogspot.com/.

Chantal Johnson - Inspirational Tag Book http://www.chantaljohnson.blogspot.com/

Laverne Johnson - "pocket" book http://www.riversidestudios.com/

Deb Taylor - "Found & Rebound" http://diddebdoit.blogspot.com/

Cindy Gilstrap - La Petite Boutique Altered Canvas http://cindygilstrap.typepad.com/junqueart/

Corrine Clark - French Paper Shoe http://100prettythings.blogspot.com/

Sandra Feazel - Beeswax/Painted Canvas http://7thststudio.blogspot.com/

Joanna Lewis- Feathered Friend Collage http://www.sweetfinds.typepad.com/

Wow! What a line up and what a treat 12 fabulous blogs to look at too! So go get another cup of coffee and join me as I check out each teacher and her project!

I will be featuring the the other teachers and their projects on my blog over the next few weeks too, so stay tuned for more info! But if you want to join us at the Paper Cowgirl Retreat, the first thing you need to do is go to http://www.papercowgirl.blogspot/ and let Cindy know which classes you want to take, before they all fill up!

A Little Lisa Kaus came to my house!!!

2010-02-12T15:41:00.000-08:00

A little (really a lot!!!) 0f Lisa Kaus came to my house!!! by way of mail...

IN the way of a blog give away that I won!!! Lisa's blog is so much fun to keep up with, she has such a whimsical style! I love to read her blog and see her latest work, so imagine my surprise when I actually won her blog give away!!! I want to share with you the adorable things she sent to me!!! First, she sent the Sumerset Calendar for 2010...and surprise, she is featured on January with one of her dollie pieces!!! If you go to http://www.lisakaus.com/, you can see more of these fun pieces! Also in the box were two of her mini prints, they are mounted on wood and have the cutes scrolled hangers...I love the WISH one, it is in pink and has one of my favorite prints on it, a whimsical cake! and then she sent one that says "LIVE LIFE JOYOUSLY", that one I hung right by my winter scarves to remind me each day to do just that!!!! FILL IT WITH JOY! Next, she sent a sweet notecard with one of her prints that I will never want to send on, but will hang onto and probably frame....and she enclosed a sweet thank you note! It made me feel extra special to receive all the fabulous things from Lisa! It was such a generous thing to do!!! I look at these each day and am reminded of her thoughtfulness! Thanks Lisa!!! so very very much for all the goodies, I will treasure them always!!!

Saying Goodbye To The Old and Hello to the New...Year that is! 2010

2010-01-02T07:13:00.000-08:00

2009 was an incredible year, with so many accomplishments! The biggest of which is my daughter graduated from college! She did it in 3 1/2 years and I am so proud of her! Now 2010 will bring another milestone as my son will graduate from High School! I think that may make me old....almost two grown kiddos! I am stepping into this New Year with great expectations, with great dreams and desires. To be all that God created me to be, to really take the time to look and listen to His guidance! I hope you are as excited to see what this new year brings as I am! Here we are in day 2 of the new year and I have hit the ground running...spent the morning cleaning (purging my house of clutter is a number one proirity!), going to have lunch with my lovely daughter and an old friend of ours that we have not seen in about 8 yrs! and then off to work I go. My January work project is the revamping of an old historical house into a hair salon and day spa....lots of work to do there, as we start off the project with special finishes on the interior and a new paint job on the exterior. Enjoy your day and get lots done too! And here are a few pics of our Baylor Grad! Congratulations Syd!!!!

Lots of Goodness going on!!!

2009-10-08T09:12:00.000-07:00

class pictures with projects and vendor booth pics of CAMP WHIMSY at Paper Cowgirl !

So much has happened since I last posted on this blog...I have been blogging on my other blog...www.warehouseartchix.typepad.com, but decided I better get busy and update this one too! This past weekend was an incredible event, the Paper Cowgirl Art Retreat in Waxahachie, where I was blessed with the experience of teaching a class! What fun, and the women who attend this event are just the best! I enjoyed every moment of it, getting to know them each a little better, getting to meet and get to know the other instructors and spending the day with Cindy of course! I want to post some pics of the day, here is the whole group right after the crown class that Joanna (http://www.sweetfinds.typepad.com/) taught, it was a great class and as you can see, each girl created a crown that was to die for! Chantal taught the third class and it was a fabric cuff class, she was filled with information on fabrics and creating with trims and such, another great class and the projects were amazing! We had a fun filled day of meeting , having breakfast, enjoying the Cupcake Whimsy class that I taught, sharing lunch together, then on to Joanna's class, then a break for cupcakes (in the most amazing pastel colors!) and then Chantal (http://www.wishblooms.blogspot.com/) taught her class, we had time for lots of visiting and then some shopping at the Crafty Scrapper in Waxahachie where the classes were held...all in all a fabulous day filled with lots of creative goodness!!! Cindy and Tina create the most fabulous events and I look forward to see what they do for the next one. Check out the Paper Cowgirl blog for more info...

I am a Big Flounder and other misc. thoughts!

2009-02-24T05:21:00.000-08:00

Have you ever woken up and thought Hmmmmm? I seem to be doing that all the time lately. My hmmmm is this...what am I created to be doing???? I just don't seem to fit in the niche that I have created for myself (and been blessed with). I own a design firm, but lately I just seem to be hitting walls there.....the part of putting all my money out there to make enough money to pay the bills seems to be the hardest part, that or the people that say they don't know what they want, but really they do because they won't listen to a word I say when I give them suggestions for thier homes. Some just run out and buy the biggest honkin furniture and cram it into a room that just does not do it justice, while others are just to frightened to commit to even a color on the wall. I just have found myself in a spot where I seem to be spinning my wheels, all my money is out there waiting to be invoiced and waiting on the checks...where is all the creativity in all of this??? I love creating wonderful spaces, selecting color combinations, adding just the right accessories, hunting for just the right piece to be the icing on the cake, or tweaking something a client already collects or has, making it one of a kind. Frustration is what I am feeling, especially as I sort through all the paper work that business requires this time of year.

Then there are those days that I take a little time to paint and I wonder why I can't just do that everyday, all day and bring in enough money to pay those pesky bills! Do any of you flounder like this???? or am I the only one going through a creative identity crisis??? Where the heck do I fit into this world of creativity and why oh why does everything in life have to do with money???? Or is it just us single mom's that find that to be true? I just want to yell "STOP" and make the work freeze frame so I can break out the paints and play until my creative soul is filled up and my head is clear of all the nonsense that seems to fill up my days lately. Is this midlife crisis? You know I did just turn 46 (YIKES!) so maybe that is what this is all about. I have always felt like I was doing what I was meant to be doing...being a mom, creating, making a living being creative....why am I so lost in thought right now? Is this the storm before the calm, is God trying to show me something? What? What is it????? Just floundering that's all....like a fish out of water! Have you ever wished that you could write an email to God and just ask all the important life questions and then recieve an email back with his answer? Me too!!! That is where I am at today!

So much to show, so little time to post!!!

2009-02-04T06:00:00.000-08:00

Well, this morning I am off to a job site in Colleyville, but as soon as I get back, I am listing some vintage treasures on Etsy, so just so you get a little preview...

How about an old iron rose hook for your bathroom? or some fabulous old composition dominoes to fill .....an old glass sugar dish, need one of those??? Got it right here-or some really cool domino beads for your creations....old photos....and so much more. Be back after lunch to fill the etsy store with treasures overflowing!!!

the season of LOVE is soon to be here!!!

2009-01-27T19:40:00.000-08:00

LOVE is in the air, and the month to celebrate it all is almost here!!! February is just a few days away, so lets get the celebration started here! To begin the party, we will have a few give aways and treats! Just leave a comment here to enter your name in the drawing. I will begin the search for some darling pink paper to place your name on and then toss them all into a cute handpainted pink box and who knows what treats and treasures are in store for you!!! Let me see.....how about some little glittered hearts adorned with roses...a fun and funky heart ring....a sweet treat, yes something to eat!....and some girly diva treasures sure to make your heart beat!!!! So stay tuned for pics and descriptions complete with dates for drawings and some other creative peeks!!! Awww yes, LOVE....it is so darn sweet!!!

Christmas Postings

2008-12-29T12:11:00.000-08:00

Well, the Christmas Holidays are behind us now, as we rest and rewind for the beginning of a blessed New Year. I for one am ready for a New Year, 2008 was a "tuffy" for me...in oh so many ways. Some things I took in stride and others just knocked me off my feet, still crawling from some of them. But with a new beginning ahead, I am spending lots of time in prayer that God will strengthen these wobbly legs of mine to stand strong throughout the coming year. I just wanted to share some pics with you of our Christmas day and tell you that each and every one of you made my life richer in your own sweet way!

YOU JUST HAVE TO LAUGH...

2008-12-20T09:03:00.000-08:00

You have to laugh, or you will just want to cry! What is it they say, if you can't laugh at yourself....or whatever that saying is...I am not laughing yet...but I'm trying! My house is a mess, o.k., understatement, my house is horrendous :0! If that is a word at all, this is my kitchen window, BAD, oh so bad! You see that tiny little elve sitting on the ledge, that is the only Christmas decoration I have out besides the snowmen I made and listed on Etsy last week! And does that rubbermaid bowl with murky water and growing vine excite you? I am trying to get a head start on Spring...LOL! and that cute HOPE tin, a relic from last Christmas that just never got put up, really thought I could use some hope out all year! Then there is the collage of "stuff" in the window box, old clock faces, french truffle sign, metal flower hook, wire soap dish and oh yes, don't miss the blue scrubber sponge.....what a vingette!! Then there is the fall dishtowel that is hanging on the hook.....I have Christmas ones, still in the Christmas decoration boxes! and where is the window treatment you may ask???? What, after getting everyone elses put in place you want me to have one too? and the dust...do you see all the dust????? and the chandelier has it's polka dotted shades and not it's holiday shades! How many days is it to Christmas??? Oh, no really don't tell me, I can't handle it! I have exactly two days to clean house, decorate the tree, hang the stockings, plan the menu, wrap the gifts, oh, darn it that means I have to go shop too! All of this before Monday when I need to head out to work with a smile on my face to finish up last minute details for clients.....am I a bit too sarcastic this a.m., why yes, you might just say that!!! I spend my days in homes that have been decorated since before Thanksgiving, but mine, well, it has a long way to go in a very short time........very SHORT time. Each year I promise myself I will take time for my house and my family....here it is a few days till Christmas and I am in the same place as last year!!! Guess I better quit the griping/typing and get BUSY!!! Pray for me to have energy, stamina, focus or maybe we better start praying for a miracle on 7th St!!!!! Check out my sister site at www.warehouseartchix.com, and don't for get to buy some snowmen from the Etsy shop, it will make my day!!!

Winter Creations

2008-12-11T21:20:00.000-08:00

Winter is the craziest time of year, the Christmas Holiday Season seems to come rushing upon us....for some of us, that means long hours at work, little time for relaxing and really contemplating the season. I did get lights on the outside of my house, though the tree is still not up. Probably won't be for at least a few more days. It is not that I don't have it, because I have a really nice pre-lit tree, in fact I have a large one, a medium one and two small ones in urns (for my front porch), it is not lack of ornaments or decorations....it is simply lack of time. And what do I do when I do have a moment to sit down in the evening? I sit at my worktable and create, it is the one thing that brings relaxation to my busy brain, rests my tired body. Well, at least I am creating with the season in mind...glittered snowmen, Joy-filled pictures, Holiday tags, little bottles adorned with Christmas themed goodies and filled with velvet holly...lots of ideas brewing, just not enough time to hit on all of them. Just wanted to post a few photos of some of the things I have been working on...they will be listed for sale on the http://www.warehouseartchix.com/ website, you can just click on the ETSY Shop button to view the items for sale and to purchase them. If Etsy is foriegn to you, just drop me an email to inquire about the price and purchase of any of the items.

More Holiday Displays!!

2008-12-06T12:52:00.000-08:00

Why oh why do they not make these adorable clothes in our size too!!! If you have little cuties to dress for the holidays, all this and more are on sale at HEAVEN SENT children's boutique in Lewisville, Texas at MacArthur and Round Grove Rd....tell them Sandra sent you!!! It will not be a wasted trip if you have children or grandchildren to buy for!!!! Absolutely precious merchandise and the sweetest staff around!!!

Soooo much goin on...let's catch up!

2008-12-05T16:52:00.000-08:00

It's that Holiday time of year again!!! And there are some new displays up at Heaven Sent children's boutique. Thought I would share some pictures of those...

Is this just so sweet....I mean manly!!!

2008-11-06T19:18:00.000-08:00

My son went to his first Homecoming! He goes to a school that does not have sports, it is more of a college prep school that focuses on academics and technology...but, he was invited by a cute young girl named Ashley that goes to one of the larger high schools here in town...Soooooooo, with out a moments hesitation, I ran out and got all the stuff to make her mum. Yes, I know...I got a little carried away! (Really carried away...got enough to make more than one mum!) The mum is almost as big as she is!!! LOL , when I was in school (all those many years ago!!!) the bigger the mum the better, and the more it had hanging and dangling from it, we loved all that stuff!!! Well, I made sure there was lots dangling and hanging from this one, even had red glittered feathers and polka dot ribbon mixed into it!!! I hope she loved it as much as I loved making it!!! I forget on blogger that you can't post the pics in the text!!! So they look all jumbled...sorry! Just had to share this moment, my baby went to Homecoming....next year he will be a senior.....too much for me!!! My how time flies!!!

And now for the AFTER PICS...in reverse order it seems!!

2008-09-30T13:08:00.001-07:00

Welcome little goblins and fairies, come enjoy our signs of the season here at HEAVEN SENT...CHILDREN"S BOUTIQUE. Things they are a changin and much rearranging is brewing in the air!!!! Check out the progress in the posts below....

Slowly But Surely ...all cream walls will be gone!!!

2008-09-30T12:51:00.000-07:00

The store looks more playful and bright with all the new wall colors, here is a display on a clothes rack, I made several of these "bucket arrangements" to give the diplays pop...and if someone wants one to put on their nursery shelf, it is for sale too!

The upper wall at the back of the shop, I added a fun mannequin with a fluffy flouncy outfit and then a massive carved ornate picture frame that I nestled one of my heart paintings in...then another "bucket" of flowers and a large turqoise sap bucket...

on the side wall, I added another painting, some fun colorful merchandise...the harlequin will be wonderful in all seasons and the ledges can be changed out easily. The walls already had a wood retail display system on them...so I am working around that...

here you can see the wood system on the wall...kinda boring, but very functional for changing displays..I think I may need to skirt the tables to hide back stock, maybe give them a tutu effect!!!

Then I made a large moveable sign...one side has the store name and the other side is a sale sign....the colors are so much brighter in person...and ...yes, I forgot to take a pic of the other side...these pictures were taken with a disposable digital...I have lost my camera....again...well, it is grey, who notices something that is grey...now if it were hot pink or orange, maybe I could keep up with it better!!! Hope you enjoy the "AFTER" pics, this is only the beginning stages of our redo...there will be more to come as we complete the transition...feel free to come to Lewisville, Texas and visit in person...tell them Sandra sent you!!!

After....and then....

2008-09-30T12:39:00.000-07:00

The wall outside the dressing room and leading into the play area is now striped in horizontal fuschia and tango orange, then the walls above the molding got a harlequin update to better show off the merchandise...

Then I added a fabric enty to the play area, the back plain cream wall will get a scene painted on it very soon with whimsical animals in fun attire! I wish you could see the this part better, I layered huge bright colored buttons with lots of ribbons to add to the points on the top treatment, then made tassels to match to tie back the panels...wanted it to seem kind of like a "big top" effect, when the animals arrive, it will have more of the look I want.

The stripes go onto the wall that the dressing room is on, so we made a fun sign to introduce that adorable spot!

Then, since fluffy, fun frufru tutus are a big seller, we created a fun frog wearing one of the tutus, if the kids touch her, she bounces...so perfect for the little ones to interact with!!!

Dressing Room Update

2008-09-30T12:31:00.000-07:00

The dressing room got a complete makeover wit lots of whimsy and color..

I added some wooden flowers that were 3dimensional to the already curvy mirror, the flower hooks were already in place, but were just plain..so I painted them to match, added some dragon flies and vines...descriptive words around a pink scalloped border... and some stripes and more swirly flowers. Maybe by the end of the after pics, I will figure out the picture placement thing!! NEXT...

Now for some after photos...

2008-09-30T12:13:00.000-07:00

Now for some after pics of what we have done at Heaven Sent children's boutique...

Changed out the front window display for Halloween-

A painted canvas panel serves as a changing background for the seasons or theme...then the most fun part...a witch that I put together on my dress form with a large pumpkin head that I painted!-

Here is a closer view..well, not sure how to get these in the right order...so you will have to decipher what text goes with each picture...is there a way to place the pics where you want them to be???? On to more of the transformation, maybe if I do each one in a seperate post, I can control the pics a little better....

first for the BEFORE pictures...

2008-09-21T15:04:00.000-07:00

One of my latest projects has been the update of a children's shop in Lewisville. HEAVEN SENT is a small childrens boutique filled with the cutest clothes! The interior was pretty vanilla and needed some punch. Here are just a few pictures of the shop before the updating began....Sorry, looks like I uploaded in reverse order...anyway, you can see how it is pretty plain, very functional and in need of some "POP". One of my clients purchased the shop from the previous owner and that is how I got involved in the redo, the previous owner, Laurie still works a few days a week, she has a great eye for buying children's clothes and accessories. They are just now getting in their holiday dresses and they are adorable!!! So if you are in the area, just drop in to Heaven Sent in Lewisville and tell them I sent you!!! Now, very shortly I will show you the AFTER pictures of what we have done so far....is the suspense killing you????

Painted Hands

2008-09-07T09:22:00.000-07:00

Yes, I have been playing in the paint!!! I spent all evening playing in my studio last night...and got up super early and started again!!! Wow, there is nothing more fun to me than to be in my studio...it makes me ever so thankful that God has blessed me with these hands that can paint and a wonderful space to do that in!!! That studio is a blessing for sure...it was for years just a crummy workshop/storage building ...twenty years ago I had the dream that it could be a studio...then life happened and years (many years later after my divorce) I began to clean it out and start the dream of a studio...It is really more like a small house, it has siding and windows, a french door for the entry, and now a pair of french doors on the backside that look out at my flowerbeds and little pond....(these looked so much better last year before the heatwave hit!!) Now the pond sits empty, because Vegas my studio dog, loves to get in it and pull out all the water lilys and water iris...and swim in that not so clean water! So it is now waiting for him to calm down a little before we redo that....but back to the studio, my wonderful neighbors took an interest in my redoing the building, two of them that are retired went to work on it....think it was like a coffee club for them, both their wives are on the go lots, so they would meet up at my little building and work until it got hot...they rewired the whole building, sheetrocked the walls and insulated the ceiling, hung vintage light fixtures for me....made sure there were lots of outlets... they just jumped in there and made my dream happen in fast motion!!! I can never thank them enough for helping me with that!!! Yes, thankful seems to be my middle name...thank you God for all your blessings....and for letting me have the time to create so that I can just empty this overloaded mind!!!

Whew! What a week....Oh, has it been two...

2008-09-05T04:35:00.000-07:00

My how time flies...wow...is it Friday already??? Well, F is for Frog, but also for Friday. Love those Fridays, because the next day starts the weekend!! The chance of my getting some art done increases by 50% at least!!! I have three canvas just waiting to have funky kitties painted on them for a little girls room, and may try and get some ready to go to the childrens shop that I have been working on some lately....but the most important thing is that I am going to clean out my garage and storage building this weekend, in preparation for our neighborhoods annual street yard sale....hmmmmm, sure I can find a few things for that one!!!LOL, especially if you have ever been in my garage!!! The storage bldg is my dad's, and it has been almost four years now since he passed away, so I think I can finally narrow down the "keepers" out of it....time to take care of it and close that storage out...because I now have my mom's entire house in storage and she and I will begin the task of going through all of that. That one will be a treasure trove of cottage goodness and I will be offering some of that abundance on the blog to all you gals that love frou-frou, crackeled paint, old roses and cottage lovelies...so stay tuned for that! Should have the first "collection" of goodies up to shop through by the end of the weekend!!! Hope your week was a good one and that you are headed into a weekend of relaxing and creating whatever makes you happy!!!-Sandra

Creative Fix

2008-08-27T15:49:00.000-07:00

The creative juices have been flowing and I have finally gotten my fix....an evening of painting!! Although I was too tired to go out to the studio, I did find a stash of acrylic enamels in a closet in the house...and a new unopened pack of brushes, so I just sat down and painted with my limited palette!! I have really been admiring some of the female faces in artwork lately...there are so many styles and subjects...so I decided to try my hand at it, well, at least half a face...then of course a floral on the next canvas so I could use up my palette. No paint going to waste around here...if I have any left, I just rub it all over a blank canvas to build texture, so never say I am not thrifty!!! Anyway...just wanted to share a pic and let you know that I have begun listing on Etsy again (checkout www.warehouseartchix.com for the link to our Etsy shop) and hope to keep adding to it!!! Stay tuned for more art, lots of vintage treasures and lovely little treats!!-Sandra

It's been a long time....

2008-08-18T09:27:00.000-07:00

Just so you know I really am still here, thought I would post a recent picture....can you see the extra wrinkles life has added since we last spoke???Here I am in Waco, at my daughters with my everfaithful sidekick Vegas, what could be better in life than a dog that loves you!!!

Wow! How fast can time fly???? It has been two months since I posted on this site...and man has my life changed since then!! I just posted an update on the http://www.warehouseartchix.com/ blog, so I will give a condensed version here. I have not created art for the last two months either...to say that I am having withdrawals would be a major understatement!!! Oh how I long to spend just one whole day in the studio to empty my mind...but , life has me by the coat tail and is pulling me along on this bumpy ride. I know well and good that life is not all smooth sailing..if it were, we would not need our awesome God...so as we travel through the seasons of life, he most definitely shows us how much we need him. I alone can create chaos and confusion, but if I give it to God, he will lead the way and deliver me out of all of that.

Sooooo as I face this day filled with the care of my mom, the selling of her home, the moving of it's contents into storage, the workload that is never ending, an ex husband that is filing bankruptcy ( meaning I need to go to the courthouse and find out why I am listed in his list of creditors along with my daughter...does it ever end??? The divorce is over, but the drama continues.) the process of getting my daughter into college for her junior year and all the time and expense that takes, remembering to pay my own bills....and so much more....my brain is on overload!!!!! Calgon...take me away (maybe not, the bathtub being cleaned is at the bottom of the list!) But, it is a new day and I am looking for the silver lining in it!!!

Life is Sweet!!

2008-06-13T05:08:00.000-07:00

Thought this little painting was oh so appropriate for today, this is the second week of my efforts to shape up and get healthier! I have walked three days out of each week, eaten healthy, had lots of water, no sodas.....you know the routine! So far I can tell I feel better, my energy is up.....but as for pounds.....just a few....so far. I am determined to take better care of myself! And that includes some creating time just for me in the studio this weekend! I have been busy with a commercial job, redoing the interior of a children's retail shop. I love this job...can not wait to show pictures of it! Just as soon as I clean out the van from work to see if my camera is buried in it somewhere!!!! Have a great Friday and may it lead into a fabulous weekend!-Sandra

Counting My Blessings!!!

2008-05-21T19:45:00.000-07:00

Have you all had a chance to check out the creations for the Bird and Bonnet Swap, hosted by Karla (www.karlascottage.typepad.com) and Beth (www.bethleintz.typepad.com)??? The Vintage Workshop contributed some wonderful images to be used in this swap. I was so intent on finishing mine up and getting them in the mail....I forgot to take pics of them!!! Oh well, I probably couldn't find my camera anyway.....my life is on overload and overstuff (supplies for jobs and projects are piling up in my home and van....come on three day weekend!! I need ya!!!) Sometimes I wonder what would happen if my life were in order and all things were in their place.....would I have a bad case of artist block??? You know, like writers block....would the creative juices refuse to flow in my brain??? The older I get, the more I am willing to try the organized life (I know, those of you that know me are laughing really loud right now!!!) I am really trying to work on ME right now...so if you want to join me in prayer, that God will bless me with the gift of organization, all prayers are welcomed!!! You know how they say God has a sense of humor...please tell me he is not laughing right now too!!! I really want to be organized, almost as much as I want to paint when I should be cleaning house or cleaning out my van or studio.....painting just brings me such joy, it is so therapeutic to me, it is just part of who I am....cleaning and organizing just have not found their niche yet in my life!!!

Oh well, on to the blessings of this day!!! My mom had surgery today on her left hand. She has Osteoarthritis and her hands are knotted and bent from it...it really limits her ability to use her hands. She has always played at sewing, crafting, painting and plain puttering....so it is a tragedy to see her so limited in using those talented hands!! They operated on two fingers today, using local instead of anesthesia due to her use of oxygen and her COPD. They scraped the bone removing all bone spurs, then they fused the middle joints on both. They then "wired " the upper and lower joints once they were repaired. Recovery is about 8 weeks, then we will know if she wants to try the right hand and continue the repairs. I am so praying that this is a major improvement for her!!! A wonderful surprise today was that while she was having surgery, the administrator of Day Surgery came in the O.R. and it was her room mate from the Specialty Hospital where she had spent the month of February. Dee was in the bed next to my mom recovering from major back surgery and had not been able to walk for three months!! So it was a real treat to see her back at work and up and walking!!! She came out into the waiting area and found me to visit!!! A lovely surprise!!! It is such a blessing when someone crosses your path and makes an impact on your mind....when you know God placed them there for just the right reason....Dee was a sweet room mate for my mom and we enjoyed many evenings of visiting with her!!! Sooooo, a successful surgery behind us and recovery on the horizon....we are counting our blessings on this wonderful Wednesday!!! And the thought of the three day weekend headed our way is just what I need!!! -

Happy Mother's Day !!

2008-05-11T14:45:00.000-07:00

My two darling children planned a special day to celebrate Mother's Day...they took my mother and I to brunch at a French Bistro and then had lots of presents and lovely cards! I got a new gas grill (wow!) and two new large coffee mugs, both pink (one Baylor Mom and the other an insulated travel mug)...think they get that coffee is the start of my day??? I love that my kids make every occassion special and always choose just the right gifts for me!!! So sweet! My daughter drove in for the weekend from college, right in the middle of finals. I love when she comes home, it is such quality time together. God has truly blessed me with two wonderful children!! Hope all you other mothers out there had a great day too! My mom is getting stronger every day, and it was so wonderful that she was able to get out with us and have some family time. I am off to enjoy the last bit of sunshine left to this beautiful day....thinking I might need to cook steaks on that new grill tonight!!! -Sandra

The BEAUTY of it all!!!

2008-04-27T20:49:00.000-07:00

WOW!!! The first bloom of the season on the peony!!! I got this plant two years ago in Colorado at a quaint little nursery in Crested Butte. I am so thrilled it has bloomed again this year!! And the frangrance is divine!

Ok, how do you add more pics to a post without all of them appearing at the top of the post??? Guess I am just used to typepad and their format....there are things I like better on blogspot and then there are things I like better on typepad...want the best of both..on each of my blogs!!!

Chaos? Why yes I seem to be queen of that!!!

2008-04-20T14:54:00.000-07:00

Have you ever known someone who could create chaos anywhere they are??? Well, you do now! Crown me queen of chaos....no one in my family will disagree at this time! My living room was just fine, completely decorated...very Old World Italian...I simply love that look when I do it for clients...but for some reason, I decided I wanted something playful, light, airy, clean, crisp....so......welcome PEPPERMINT TEA! Now I am not talking the kind you sip....yum! I am talking the paint color. My living room walls donned that color last week, which made me need to paint the ceiling, then the bookcases, then the french doors....then the baseboards...you get the picture right? Well, right in the middle of it all, my mom (who you know is now residing with us) said she thought it all needed a finishing touch, crown molding! Well, I am here to tell you that job is not as easy as it looks! I have three 12' strips of it, butchered, to prove it!!!! Last night I researched online and am about to go at it again...so keep those positive thoughts that a creative brain can think rationally, at least this once. Hoping by tonight to have the molding up and to paint the last coat on the bookcases before I collapse into a chair and watch some T.V., Brothers and Sisters is back on tonight. -Sandra

Hippity Hop Easter Swap day #10

2008-04-06T09:10:00.001-07:00

Isn't she adorable??? Thank you Ann Marie Scrabo for this sweet bunny box! I have it perched on a vintage metal candlestick in my living room, the crown is just the perfect touch for that sweet little bunny!!! This truly was the best Spring swap ever!! Just filled with treasures and I can't bare to take them down yet!!!

How Lucky Can You Get!

2008-03-29T16:46:00.000-07:00

Even though I had no idea my life would spin out of control this last month, I signed up for an Easter Swap headed up by Heather Bluhm . She was an excellent hostess, emailing us with all the details for the swap...there were 11 women in the swap, and we were to create an Easter/Spring creation for each person in our group. Heather was the one with the enormous task of sorting and mailing for all the groups.

Well I was one LUCKY GIRL !!!! Just look at the fabulous creation I unwrapped out of the package that Heather sent:

I will do the count down backwards (so appropriate for me!!!) from day 11 to day one!

Day 11 was this Sweet little chick box from Vivian at http://www.vivswhimsy.blogspot.com/ !!

The little chick is handmade and is dressed for Easter in a sweet pink ruffled collar and a pastel party hat!! the box sits on a nest of white crepe paper and I must agree with Kecia (http://www.lemoncholys.blogspot.com/ ) it does remind me of a cupcake or sweet confection! I just can't get enough of this one...she is perched on top of one of my mercury glass candlesticks in a layer of aqua paper Easter grass! Thanks Vivian, not sure I can put this one away after Easter, she may just have to sit with me in the Studio!!! Love it!!!

I'm still here...I think

2008-03-11T06:47:00.000-07:00

Just a quick hello to let you know I have not fallen off the face of the earth....just taken an overwhelming dive into a new season of life. My mom is home from the hospital and almost moved into my house...we are bringing things over daily as we find a need or a place for them. I am sitting here sipping coffee almost comotose though, as it seems there is so much more for us to do....not to mention going back to work and making some money to pay the bills....yes, darn it, they still come even when you don't have time to think about them! I really do hope that by the weekend, I will be back to the world of blog and having pictures to post....look forward to catching up on all your latest post and creativity. Say a prayer for peace and calm as we all adjust to the changes that are taking place in this season of life...and that we will continue to see the beauty in it all! -Sandra

~Gratitude Galore!!~~

2008-02-23T07:51:00.000-08:00

What a beautiful Saturday morning here in Texas!! The sun is shining and the skies are blue (at the moment..it is Texas you know)! I feel so thankful just to be sitting at the computer, at home and finally blogging again! So, to start off with, a picture and a big THANK YOU to Kecia and Rosalyn Sue for sending me so many wonderful goodies for Valentines. We had a little swap going, and I promise girls that you will get mine very soon. February has turned out to be a crazy month for us!! First it was the stomach bug, then my mom entering the hospital, then transferring her to another hospital with a respiratory rehabilitation program, then my son gets the flu....thinking maybe I was meant to be a nurse! But thankfully everyone is on the mend! My mom is getting stronger everyday, she looks great, her color is good and she has the sparkle back in her pretty eyes!!! My son is feeling better too, he slept for two days and napped lots on the third...but now is playing games on his computer...so think he is getting over it!! Hooray!!! Combine all that with the sunshine and I am one HAPPY girl!!!

I think when you spend much time at a hospital, you see that you should be thankful for everything little thing. One patient at the hospital has had both legs amputated, is legally blind, suffers from diabetes and has to have dialysis ....bless her heart! Her husband is faithfully by her side everyday, reading to her. My heart just aches for her, then there is the woman that has had bone grafting back surgery and has not had her feet on the floor since December 27th! She just yesterday got to sit for just a few minutes as they fit her for a brace she is to wear. She is so afraid of doing something to injure her back again. When you see all of this on a daily basis, my mom and I agreed it makes you so thankful for the blessings in our own life!!

~Looking for the beauty in all things~

2008-02-10T06:05:00.000-08:00

haven't posted in a while...life can get really complicated when you least expect it! We finally recovered from the stomach virus and headed back to work and school for all of one day...when we got the call that my mom had been hospitalized. She has COPD, a pulminary disease that causes her to be on oxygen 24 hrs a day. Well, on Tuesday morning she woke up and was struggling to breathe, my brother was there and took her to the hospital, where she was admitted with pnuemonia. As of today, she is still there, but getting stronger everyday, thank God!!! She finally was able to sit in a chair yesterday and keep her oxygen level at a good place. It is always such a scare when she gets sick. She is absolutely the best mom there ever was ( I know that is what most daughters think!) she has filled the role of both mother and father most of my life and also the role of a dear friend!

NOW, for the beauty in all of this (there is always beauty if you look real hard!!!) I have had the last 7 days to sit by her bed and give her my undivided attention. I have been able to help her when she needed something, which feels so good since she has given her life to giving and doing for her children. And...we got to watch our fill the decorating chanel and play "guest critic", catch up on our magazines and show each other the pretty things in each one...and talk about our dreams and what we want most.....time is a gift, a beautiful gift !!!

Now what is a post with out a picture or two...just thought I would share with you some pictures of a job that I have been working on. It is a little girls room and is in vivid colors of hot pink,spring green and black. I just wanted to share with you the progress and to give a big thank you to Wendy at POPIN http://www.shoppopin.com/....she ordered the adorable bed crown that I painted on to go above the beed! It is so amazing the connections that can be made in the blog world!!! Thank you Wendy...the project is coming together with lots of thanks to you!!! Check out POPIN, if you have kiddos, this is a great site and shop!

Can you hear those little birdies sing???

2008-02-01T06:23:00.000-08:00

Yes! here in Texas, the sun is shining and the birds are singing...what a beautiful day!! Especially after the last few days we have had here in our home! The "stomach bug" really got a hold on us!!! First I got sick, days of throwing up ( I know...not nice to talk about it!) and then slept like I was in a coma for two days, finally waking up and feeling better...to face my poor son getting it too! I spent all night up and down with him (so thankful that I was feeling better) trying to make him feel better. Nothing to really do but let it run its course...he is sleeping now, hope he can do that all day with no more runs to the bathroom. Bless his heart! and he was such a good caretaker while I was sick...bringing me Gatorade and checking in on me!

But on the upside...the sun is peeking in my windows and if I just sit here and imagine...I can pretend it is Spring! I can hear the birds...you can't blame a girl for trying! Well, if I study the painting of the little bird in my painting above...I can surely smell the flowers in bloom! As soon as I get my Etsy on this blog, you can see more of that sweet bird as he is available in prints now!!

~Oh How Sweet It Is!!!!~~

2008-01-28T04:33:00.000-08:00

SWEET!!! Oh how sweet it is to have had two days to create and play! The canvas are flying around here! I finished several paintings this weekend and even got started on a few Valentine goodies! Now, it's Monday, a new day and the fresh beginning of a new week! Sooooo....as I promised, here are the last two Meme questions and answers and then...the three people that I tag to do the Meme next (are you ready????).

#8. 4 places I would rather be:

Ohhh, in Italy of course!, or Switzerland...but back to reality, in the kitchen cooking and hanging out with my kiddos or in the studio with my two dogs, listening to music and painting my heart out!!!

#9.4 things I look forward to this year:

Creating...yes! much more of that!!

Stepping out of my comfort zone ...to try new things, meet new people, see life in a different view (I promise this is not some new age mumbo jumbo...I really do like to challenge myself to try something new- this year, I would like to serve, maybe as a volunteer at Scottish Rite Hospital or something along those lines!)

Getting more organized-any tips? or maybe a magic wand you want to share????

Being the best I can be, saying no more often, not overloading my schedule, spending more time at home, eating healthier (really!) and getting more exercise...even if it is just walking...looking at the birds, the trees and the flowers!

And can I add one more...no sense following all the rules. I want to be thankful and grateful for all the blessings in my life and follow where God leads me!!!

There!!! That is it. If you want to know anything else about me, you will just have to ask me...questions anyone????

Now for the fun part of passing on the Meme to:

1. Cari at http://www.warehouseartchix.com/

2. Kecia at http://www.lemoncholys.blogspot.com/

3.Hmmmm, Karla at http://www.karlascottage.typepad.com/

if you don't want to participate, then I will choose someone else, but this one is a little easier than some of the tags I have gotten!!! Have a great day and a fabulous week!!!

More on the Meme!

2008-01-27T13:26:00.000-08:00

Here it is...a little more Meme...in case you are saying?? huh?? Laura has confirmed it! My definition of Meme was correct (see post below). Sooooo, lets get some more answers to those questions she has asked

#3. 4 Places I have lived:

I am really afraid this is going to be quite boring to those of you who have moved around a bit!

I was born in Irving , Texas.....spent my childhood in Irving, Texas, moved to Dallas, Texas right after college and during early marriage...then moved back to Irving, Texas to raise my family. And this will not surprise you....I still live here!!! But if you are looking for excitement, ask me how many times I have painted the walls in this house...especially the living room. Never a dull moment there!!!

#4. 4 TV shows that I watch:

Hmmmm...just so you know, I really do have morals and values...but I do watch

Gray's Anatomy (last season was better)

Desperate Housewives (dito above)

Brothers and Sisters

But my all time fav is DANCING WITH THE STARS!!! I love it!!! If I could, I would dance like that too!!!....but the only thing I can move with rhythm (to music) is my paint brush!!!

#5. 4 Places I have been outside the U.S.:

I have been to Italy, Paris, Switzerland, Capri (the most beautiful island) and Monaco.

#6. 4 people that email me regularly:

whew! finally an easy one...my dear friends Cari, Deb (both part of WAREHOUSE ARTCHIX http://www.warehouseartchix.com/), my fun friend Gigi and my lovely daughter Syd.

#7. and I promise to stop for today- 4 favorite things to eat:

wish I could say this one was not easy...but it is, in fact I could name many more!

First would be pasta, love pasta...maybe due to all the time in Italy, then I love a good steak (ever so often), hot tamale candies...they are my stress relievers, homemade pancakes or waffles which I often make on Saturday morn for my son and I to share together and of course we have bacon or sausage links with them!

O-key-dokie...that does it for the questions for today, tune in tomorrow to see the last two questions and to see who I tag to do this next!!! Oh! I almost forgot...the pic above is one of my latest paintings I just finished...this seems to be my favorite combo of colors lately...think I might be pining for SPRING !

Tagged for a Meme (?) by Laura...so here goes~~

2008-01-26T15:12:00.000-08:00

My friend Laura (http://www.restaurantreviewsbylaura.blogspot.com/ ) has tagged me for a Meme. What is a Meme you may ask??? Wish I knew but I am guessing it is a name for telling a little about Me, and then a little more about me.....did I guess right Laura??? So here goes my Meme!

#1. 4 jobs I have had:

My very first job was at Sanger Harris, when I was 15! I was so excited that I had convinced the personnel manager to hire me a year early (required age was 16). Probably did not hurt that I already looked 20...always grown up! I sold clothing in the Juniors department and the Women's department, but the best part of all, was when the Gift Wrap department needed help! Ohhhh how I loved wrapping those packages and I was good at that! I would make up extra bows for the next shift and tape them to the wall above the colorful papers....still can make those bows and I wrap a mean present!

My second job was as a bank teller while I was in college, I worked the commercial window and loved it! I did that until I left for Europe to study.

Upon returning to the states, my mother and I have opened a retail store (gifts and antiques) that was about 18 yrs ago, the name of the store was Return To Romance . Now remember that was 20 years ago....think victorian and country... ahhh ....now the name makes sense.

After having my first child, I closed up shop and came home to run a handpainted clothing line. I painted clothes, shoes, handbags, socks, jewelry...could paint that stuff in my sleep! I sold the line both wholesale to stores and retail to clients. When the painted clothing thing became outdated, I began painting on furniture for designers, then walls...then faux finishing. This was a natural fit, because my background was in fine arts.

Funny how all of this job experience adds up to what I do now...I have a design firm in Grapevine, Tx called RTR Designs (yes, still using the intials of the original Return To Romance ). Through the years of being in clients homes, I would often offer suggestions and then end up doing way more than just painting on their walls or furniture...wasn't long before I was designing whole rooms and window treatments...then whole houses...etc....What a gift it is to do daily something that I love! I am blessed !

o.k., back on track here~

#2. 4 movies that I have watched over and over:
that's a hard one...

Bambi would be one...my daughter watched it several times a day when she was little.

next...would be Star Wars, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Power Rangers when my son was little

other than that...I hate to watch movies twice...my son will laugh here though, because lately I have ordered two movies from Net Flix just to put them on and then say "I have seen this one!"...it must be an age thing!

since my answers are getting so long...I will wait till tomorrow to answer more of the Meme questions! See Laura, you may wish you had never asked....no quick answers to these! Loved your answers! -Sandra

~NOSEy ROSEy~

2008-01-26T06:25:00.000-08:00

This is what I wake up to each morning...the large wet snout of a Great Dane! Her name is Bella Luchia, Luchia for short...(that is lucy in Italian, beautiful lucy!) It is better than any alarm clock...she is quite persistent and does not have a snooze feature!! This morning though, you might notice something odd...I know I did. when she came to wake me up this morning, through half asleep eyes, I noticed that her nose was pink! At first glance, I thought maybe she had gotten it caught in something...she is notorious for sticking that big snout where it does not belong. I patted her on the head and said "poor puppy"....as I tried to roll over and go back to sleep. No such luck, as she continued to push that cold wet nose into my back....o.k., o.k., I will put you out. As we headed to the back door, it dawned on me that she had gotten into my paint...pink paint at that!!!

She had decided to get into the kitchen trash during the night, only to find a paper plate filled with paint instead of some yummy leftovers!! Ever since we adopted a new pup this Summer, she has had a few behavior problems...mainly getting into the trash when I take the pup in the van with me ( gotta have a van for a dog as big as Luchia....she is the size of a pony!). Guess she was going to show me a thing or two, as I had taken Vegas (the pup...named by my 15 yr. old son who also has a cat named Reno...go figure?????) any way, I took the pup to visit my mother for the day, as he is great entertainment for her. My mom has COPD and is on oxygen 24 hrs a day now, so she doesn't wander out much. So it is a real treat for Vegas to go visit her and her little Rat Terrier named Molly (gotta get a pic of her...all her spots are heart shaped!). That explains the midnight trash dive that Luchia took....I think she was sorry, as she gave me that sweet "Awww Mom" look when I got on to her. Think maybe I should rename her? Nosey Rosey or Rosey Nosey!!!

I Brake for PINK!!!

2008-01-24T10:43:00.000-08:00

Have you ever seen a PINK stop sign??? Well I am telling you , here in Texas we have one of everything! As my friend Cari and I were driving out of the Home Depot parking lot yesterday, there it was... a PINK stop sign!!! We had to go back there today with our camera in tow, just to snap a picture of it....do you think they might let me take this one so they can replace it with a standard red one??? I need (you know I like to use that word!) it for my studio and garden!!! Or I could put it in my front yard with a banner that says in the name of love. Get it??? Stop in the name of love...Cari and I got a big laugh as we sang that one on the way to the office!!! Do you have PINK stop signs in your town???

~Polka Dot Pink Whimsy~

2008-01-21T20:24:00.000-08:00

Polka Dots and Pink! Top that off with sugary sweet pink roses and a little rick rack trim...makes for a fun little painting. This is a sweet 8 x 10" canvas in shades of frosting pink topped off with a little glass glitter for that extra dose of glam! Do you think maybe the thought of Valentines coming soon had some influence? why yes, it did...I love that holiday filled with love and hearts, but most of all the combination of pink and red just makes my heart throb! February is one of my fav months, and not just because my birthday falls in there somewhere, but also the birthdays of many of my dearest friends...a month filled with love and celebrations!

It makes me so happy that I find myself buying all sorts of pink items for creating...large bottles of pink paint, pink velvet ribbon, pink pom pom trim, pink rick rack, pink glitter....and then I just get to spend all my creative time painting and making art with these items!! If anything PINK just makes your heart soar, then we are kindred spirits! And if you need (you know like we need a hole in our head!...that kinda need...the kind that fills you with daydreams of decorating and painting...provides inspiration). Well like I was saying, if you need this little confection of a painting, just let me know and I will send a paypal invoice your way and then package it up really pretty (with some of that pink ribbon I spoke of earlier!) and send it your way. You can own it for the sweet price of $42.00 and that includes shipping (unless international shipping is required). Stay tuned for more sweet paintings from this last week...They make a great grouping...just so tempting!

SWEET~~~Life is wonderful, Life is sweet!

2008-01-20T10:37:00.000-08:00

I think that may be the words to a song!!?!! but it is so true! Life is SWEET. Blogging about life, art and all things beautiful is one of the things that make life even sweeter! As I began laying out some of my fav things today to shoot for the blog banner and button...I realized how many beautiful things I have right here at my fingertips...lots of beautiful things and inspiration (the majority which are pink!!). I am looking forward to posting some of these beautiful things and some whimsical artwork here for all to enjoy. I just hope it makes you as happy as it makes me! Cheers! To the beauty in all things both big and small!