One broken pan + painted birdhouses

There is beauty in almost everything. When I found this old bent and broken pan, I thought this pan probably has cooked many a fine meal. What can I do to re-establish it and make it into something useful again? Since I love to paint, naturally painting something on it came quickly to mind. And since I love to paint birdhouses it seemed to be the perfect match. So, birdhouses it is. I have painted them on many different surfaces, but on an old pan is a first.

I had no idea what to do with it when it was finished. It ended up being used in my kitchen pantry to hold small packaged items such as ranch dressing, onion soup, etc. It found a happy home at last.

Most of the birdhouse patterns were designed by Jamie Mills-Price. The others just popped into my head (I’m sure you can tell the difference).

Till next time, thanks’ for stopping by!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow

I love to paint on many different kind of surfaces. One of my favorite surfaces in a plain old coffee can. These metal cans will probably become a thing of the past since they are being replaced with plastic (boo hoo). I make wooden tops for them. They make good containers for just about anything, especially cookies.

This cute snowman was designed by Terrye French. It is from her painting book “Winter Holly and Christmas Jolly” published in 2000. Unlike me, some things never seem to grow old.

Would love to hear from you about your painting experiences and your favorite patterns that never seem to grow old.

“Welcome 2012″

Gingerbread boys hanging out in the snow

These little gingerbread boys think the snow is great! They are visiting my daughter in Utah. After the snow melts we will bring them indoors and place them all snuggled and warm back in their cozy little box. Next holiday season we will bring them out again.

Since we live in Texas, we get very little snow. However, we have had two very good rains lately. After the extremely dry year we had in 2011 it was very much appreciated.

I can’t believe January of 2012 is half over and I am still posting Christmas ornaments. Do you think I am a little behind?

Thanks for taking the time to stop by, you’re always welcome back!

It’s Santa Time

What a wonderful time of year.

This is a little Santa I painted recently. I cut the design from 3/4″ white pine. After a whole lot of sanding and many hours of painting I finally arrived with the finished product.

I like the way it turned out and it really was a labor of love. I can bring it out every year and it will always have a special place in our home.

Happy Holidays to all!

Back Door Fall Decoration

Just a funny little wooden pumpkin decoration I made to sit by the back entrance to say, “Welcome”, to our back door guests.

Did you notice the little green hedgeapple sitting by the bucket? In Texas these are called horse apples.  They are supposed to be used to repel bugs, spiders, ants, mice, etc. We are testing out that theory. We will see if they work.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by, you’re always welcome back!

Yes, there really is a cool season

“October gave a party; the leaves by hundreds came – the chestnuts, oaks, and maples, and leaves of every name. The sunshine spread a carpet, and everything was grand, Miss Weather led the dancing, Professor Wind the band.” George Cooper

The weather is getting cooler, the leaves are falling and winter will be here soon. After our extremely hot and dry summer, believe me it is very much appreciated.

Can anyone resist putting out their fall decorations? Not I. The rich yellow, orange and deep red leaves falling from the trees are quite lovely.

This pumpkin is just a little something I made some time ago. It is made from 3/4 ” pine and decorated with a red heart, half-moon, star, and grapevine. It was one of those projects where you use what you have and design as you go.

I love this fall season. It always seems to say, come, it’s time to sit and rest awhile.

Til next time, thanks for stopping by!

Paper Plate Holder

I made this paper plate holder from 3/4″ white pine. It is painted sky blue with white clouds. It has been sealed with a coat of clear varnish. I use it in my kitchen sitting on the counter to hold my paper plates. This is a Gail Eads design from her painting book “Country Nest”.

Have a great week everyone, and keep painting!

Painted Fruit Anyone?

This is just a handy little wooden box that offers storage for everyday items such as pins, needles, buttons, keepsakes, and all sorts of treasures.   It was painted medium blue with fruit on a dark blue top. I finished it off with a coat of clear varnish. Yea, pretty neat box.

Do you have a handy little box you use to store your treasures? Please comment!Would love to hear from you!

Recipe for American Flag

This is a Gail Eads
pattern from her painting book “Country Nests” (I love her patterns).

It is just a little recipe for an american flag made from white pine wood, cut and painted by me.

A flagpole sits at the top displaying a tattered flag with a bird nest on each side.

I finished it off with clear varnish and used jute as the hanger.

 

Happy Painting!

A Little Something for the Birds

I like to paint anything blue and on wood. I like to paint anything blue. I like to paint anything.

Have you ever seen a pot holding a bird house? probably not, but what the heck, it’s still cool, or at least it’s cool according to Hall. Just make your style shine.

It’s scorching today in Texas and to hot to paint, so please excuse me while I go read a Blog.

Til next time, have a wonderful week.