Wood-N-Stitches

The Twelve MONTHS of Christmas!

2012-01-08T22:15:00.001-06:00

My New Year's resolution this year is NOT my usual lose weight one. I can never keep that one, but maybe, with your help, I can keep this new one for 2012!

Ready??? Here it is...I WILL NOT PROCRASTINATE when it comes to restocking my website, http://www.wood-n-stitches.com/. (Okay, Sandy, you can stop laughing!!!!) However, as my grandson says, "Here's the deal....". I would like to come up with at least one NEW project a month in 2012. Since I regularly suffer from painter's block, that's where you come in...

Through the years, my customers, strangers, friends and family have come up with some of the best ideas.

Example: My sister's neighbor gave me the glass holders that her husband's cigars came in and asked if I could make something with them. Not only did I make this snowman, but also a Santa.

That inspired me to "pay it forward" and offer some rewards for doing just that. I plan to hold a CONTEST/GIVEAWAY each month that I receive new useable suggestions. Here are the ways you can enter:

1) For your 1st entry, you MUST suggest a flea market, antique store, garage sale find or some other trash heap bound item made of metal or wood that I might turn into a Santa, snowman, or gingerbread man. (It needs to be something that I have not previously done. Most of these can be found on my website.)

2) If I can locate the item you suggest and use to create an original design , you get your 2nd entry in the drawing.

3) If you have previously bought one of my creations ONLINE, you get a third entry.

Drawings will be at the end of each month.

Come on everyone...put on your thinking caps!!! Time's running out for January.

Sale! Sale! Sale!

2012-01-05T18:00:00.003-06:00

To help her husband in their wood shop where together they make beautiful furniture pieces, a creative and crafty friend of mine is giving up selling her unique handiwork at our shows that we have been doing together for several years.

She generously let me have her "leftovers" which I am now offering for sale at very reasonable prices ....and....ALL THE PROFIT FROM THE SALE OF THESE ITEMS WILL GO TO THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY!!!

To purchase, visit my website, http://www.wood-n-stitches.com/ and contact to let me know what piece/pieces you are interested in purchases and I will send you an invoice. Then you may make your tax deductible check to The American Cancer Society and mail it to me. After I receive your check, I will ship your package to you ASAP.

You may also just purchase using the shopping cart on the website, but won't get the tax deduction.

Here are some of the items.

SOLD & THANK YOU

Both sets of Santa's Boots & Hats
SOLD & THANK YOU

"Twas the Week After Christmas and All the Orders Were Filled...

2012-01-03T00:24:00.000-06:00

All the grandchildren were here

With brushes in hand

And the little ones

Had one demand.

"B", PLEASE

Let US paint cypress knees!!!

Waiting patiently!

Pardon the messy house!

Showing off their talents!

The oldest one had previously painted both a snowman and a Santa so she wanted to try her hand at painting a Grinch.

She can hardly wait for me to let her start

helping me paint for my shows.

Think "Inside the Box"...

2011-09-03T22:14:00.000-05:00

As I've said before, I have trouble thinking "outside the box"

...so I just decided to think "inside" the box...

the crayon box that is!

Having taught 1st grade for so long, I'm quite comfortable

with primary colors...

the inspiriation for this batch of my Santas.

I hope they "make a passing grade"!

A Break from Santas

2011-08-24T11:02:00.000-05:00

Every now and then, just to mix things up, I have to paint something other than a Santa. The change helps me to keep the "creative juices" flowing.

While checking out a flea market, I came across these wooden shoe forms and thought I might could paint something "Christmasie" on them. Here's what came to mind.

Sonething Old, Something New...

2011-07-17T16:25:00.000-05:00

Oh, don't get excited! There are no wedding plans for anyone in my family.

Something old...that would ME, the artist who painted this Santa.

Something borrowed...that would be the IDEA (inspired by a Toni McQuire pattern) for this Santa.

Something new...that would be this OOAK cypress knee Santa.

Something blue...that would be this BLUE robe on this original hand painted cypress knee Santa.

                                                                      Other new Santas just off the painting table...

Santa's Workshop Has Been Busy

2011-06-25T23:04:00.000-05:00

This lone elf has been cranking out more new Santas this week. Here's a peek at some of my Santas with a little bit of a new look for 2011. However, next week I'll be helping with VBS at my chuch and one of my granddaughters will be here for the week.

Better enjoy her while I can. She will soon be to old to attend VBS as she has done each year since she was three years old.

Introducing First of 2011 Santas

2011-06-21T15:07:00.001-05:00

Finally, I've completed the first batch of my 2011 Santas!

These are all hand painted on cypress knees. For those who aren't familiar with cypress knees, they are part of the root system of the cypress trees that grow so plentiful at the edges of lakes and bayous in the south. The "knees" pop up out of the water at the base of the tree. Once the tree has been cut for lumber the "knees" are just useless. That is until someone like me takes God's wonderful creation and gives it new life such as I did in creating my Santas. Visit my website, http://www.wood-n-stitches.com/ to see more.

Here's a glimpse of before and after.

Before (actually "during" because I've already primed and basecoated)

After

Our Little Amish Experience

2011-05-25T23:43:00.004-05:00

My grandchildren and I enjoyed our morning at a friend's newly opened Buggy and Carriage Shoppe. Kim and her husband Nathan graciously treated us to the Amish experience that they fell in love with while on a pipeline job in Ohio. Seems Nathan spent so much of his timeoff in the Amish community up there, that folks started calling him "Brother Nathaniel"!

We enjoyed seeing all the various buggies that the Amish use and learning a little about their lifestyle. Of course the kids all had to have a horse from the gift shoppe to take home with them!

Kim gave us a nice ride in their new "Bailey Express".

"Brother Nathaniel" and my grandchildren were enjoying the surry ride.

If any of you are ever in this area, stop by for a visit. While they presently host birthday parties and school trips, they have many other plans in store.

Like Grandma..Like Granddaughters

2011-05-09T00:12:00.004-05:00

My oldest granddaughter called me last week from her talented art class! Her art teacher wanted to tell me that she thought my artistic genes had surely been passed down to my granddaughter. (She had received one of my hand painted cypress knee Santas as a Christmas gift.) She was excited to inform me that my granddaughter had received 1st place on one of her artworks sumitted to the school district's end of the year ArtQuest!

ArtQuest featured more than 2,400 projects from students in Kindergarten through 12th grade throughout the school district. The 1st place blue ribbon exhibits were showcased in the lobby of the convention center and the artists were recognized by the school superintendent who presented them with a gift bag containing art supplies.

As we admired the fifth grader's award winning watercolor/ink composition, her younger sister announced to us that she, too, had a drawing on display. News to all of us!!!! She promptly located her school's section among the 2,000 plus exhibits and low and behold...though she had not received a blue ribbon...there it was!!! Her "Bug" had made the trip from her 2nd grade classroom all the way up onto that exhibit hall wall!

Way to go girls!!! Your "B' is so very proud of you. So glad I could pass those artistic genes on to you, but sorry to say, you'll have to look to your other grandmother for those cooking genes!

Where Have All My Santas Gone...Long Time Painting

2010-12-22T15:00:00.002-06:00

I've been painting Santas and snowmen , almost non-stop, since the end of July! That's a lot of strokes, folks! Most have been "adopted" and perhaps a few melted in the swealtering heat down here in the "dawg days of summer" in the deep south.

Here's what's left after 5 months of approximately 12 hour work days in this ole Santa's workshop.

Actually, it's not this one, but one very similar..

Actually, it's not this one, but one very similar.

I've added a green fabric cap and some painted vines since I took this picture.
I'd take another, but I lost my camera.

It Will Be Here Before We Know It...

2010-11-28T15:41:00.001-06:00

Yes, once again it is almost time for our annual HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE in Oak Grove, LA. It will be held Fri., Dec. 3rd , 9:00 A.M. - 8:00 P.M. and Sat., Dec. 4th 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. at the Jason Thomas Lingo Community Center on Hwy. 17 just south of Wal-Mart. This will be our 23rd year to host this craft show that features the handmade creations of 40 talented exhititors. We'll have jewelry, Santas, snowmen, crosses, wreaths, windchimes, picture frames, ornaments, signs, yard decorations, shabby chic furniture, American Girl doll clothes, western decor, painted windows, bottle cap necklaces, homemade breads, cakes, cookies, cupcakes, pumpkin rolls, baby items, and much more!

Also, lunch and supper will be sold to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

There will also be a small town Christmas parade in town on Saturday. Come join the fun.

These are some of the latest Santas I've finished to take to the show.

Can you guess the colors of the local football team? I can add the team's name or player's number to the pennant.

Website Glich Mystery Solved

2010-11-23T18:11:00.000-06:00

My website designer got in touch with me this evening. Seems I wasn't the only client that was experiencing technical difficulties. Apparently it was a problem with our Go Daddy domains. Once they corrected the problem, some areas of the country had refreshed their local DSL quicker than other parts of the US. That's why it worked in some areas and not in others.

I'm just happy that we are good to go now.

We also discussed making some changes to my home page in the near future. Watch for a new look in 2011.

Website Seems to Working Properly Now

2010-11-23T12:35:00.000-06:00

The customers that were having trouble have since emailed me to let me know that they finally got the site to come up properly! I don't what was wrong or how it got corrected, but the "bugs" are out of it now. I had put in a call for help to my website designer. Maybe she fixed it for me.

Anyway, thanks to all of you who checked it out for me. It was weird that it was working for some and not others across the country. I would be on the phone with the customers and we would be doing the same things online. It would go through for me, but not for them.

Up and running with yet something else to be thankful for during this holiday season.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.

I Need Your Help!

2010-11-22T21:43:00.000-06:00

A couple of customers called to tell me they were having difficulty connecting to my website, http://www.wood-n-stitches.com/.

I know you are all very busy this time of the year, but could some of you fellow blogging buddies take a few minutes of your time to see if you have similar problems? Then post a comment here to let me know what you found out.

Look What a Creative Customer Put Together!

2010-11-09T19:24:00.001-06:00

I recently received an order for one of my cypresss knees on which I had painted two snowmen. The customer was a former New Yorker who now lives in Flordia. She called the piece a "wooden sculpture". Thinking that since she wasn't raised in the south she might not be familiar with the cypress trees that grow around all the lakes and bayous down here, I sent her an email with some information about cypress trees and their "knees". I also attached photos of them growing along the edge of a lake.

She, in turn, took the info and pics along with some snap shots of her purchase and created this great scrapbook page. Now wasn't that cleaver? Thank you Mary for sharing this with me and your friends on your forum.

The Ole Paint Brushes Are Flying

2010-11-04T22:27:00.003-05:00

I've been painting every minute I can lately. It's just 2 weeks until my next show which is the Broadmoor High School Arts and Crafts show in Baton Rouge, LA.

Sold in Baton Rouge.

Like the snowbirds, this one is moving to Florida.

Like the one above, this lady is headed to FL for the winter.

Moving to a new home in AR.

Moving to Arkansas

Moving to Arkansas also.

Here are the new cypress knee snowmen and Santas that I added to my website, http://www.wood-n-stitches.com/ today. You can see more by clicking on the title of this post or the link above. Business has really picked up online the last few days.

New Santas and Snowmen Added to Website

2010-11-02T18:24:00.007-05:00

Sold in Baton Rouge.

These guys are on their way to a new home in MN. They'll love the winter there.
I hope you enjoy your piece of Louisiana!

These guys have found a new home....just up the road!

Sold in Baton Rouge.

Found a new home in AR.

Also going up to AR.

Tagging along with his buddies to AR.

This guy will be moving just up the road with some of his friends.

These guys will be moving up the road with their friends to a new home.

Sold in Baton Rouge.

These two are on their way to their new home in FL. I hope they don't melt in that heat.
My heart almost did when I heard from their new "mom".

Yet another one going to AR.

Me, too. AR bound.

Sold in Baton Rouge.

Santa...Pretty in Pink?

2010-10-04T20:49:00.000-05:00

Well, at my first show of the year my friend's advice on a new color direction proved she was right. Thanks, Sandy, and you didn't even say, "I told you!'. Even my 4 year old granddaughter was right. When I was painting for the show, she walked into my paint room and pointed out the ones she liked...all PINK!!!

That said...here's my first pink cypress knee Santa. What do you think?

My 1st Country Sampler Ad

2010-09-17T09:54:00.001-05:00

Okay, so it is a small ad in the Holiday Showcase section, but hey I had to start somewhere! I just wanted to test the waters to see if traffic to my website would increase. Who knows...one small step with Country Sampler may lead to one giant step for Wood-N-Stitches!

Hope These Baseball Bat Santas Are a "Hit"

2010-09-09T12:16:00.001-05:00

I just finished this batch of baseball bat Santas and matching baseball Santas.

In the HEAT We Will Build a Snowman...

2010-09-04T12:11:00.001-05:00

I realize the song says...In the meadow we will build a snowman... but if I am going to be ready for my upcoming craft shows...I must build mine in the heat of summer. Here are some I've been making this week.

2010 Christmas Shopping Officially Begins

2010-08-21T12:11:00.000-05:00

This Santa "bowled" someone over to officially kick off my 2010 Christmas season.

I'll be sending it on its way to New York on Monday.

Watch for my ad in the Oct./Nov. edition of Country Sampler.

Painting & Grandchildren

2010-08-07T22:31:00.000-05:00

Believe me my grandchildren love to paint (the oldest was accepted into her school's art program recently), but MY painting and babysitting is like oil and water...they don't mix!!!

The kiddos have been coming and going all summer. I've grabbed a few hours of painting time every chance I could.

Here are a few shots of this weekend's painting effort.

Of course the grandchildren deserve to be shown off also.

Here are some of their vacation photos.

My Luck's Changing...Finally!

2010-08-03T10:44:00.001-05:00

My granddaughter and I each won a bottle cap necklace from Dawn at Aunt Dee Dee's Designs. We'll be watching the mail. I think granddaughter #2 has her eye on my prize since her sister (granddaughter #1) probably won't share her winnings.

Thanks Dawn. I know the girls will enjoy your necklaces.

Networking Link Party...Come Join the Fun

2010-07-30T10:14:00.000-05:00

Tools Are For Women Too is sponsoring a "Times are Tough Thursday Link Party". It's not too late to join the fun. Come show off your handmade items and shop at some new sites that also feature handmade products. Just click on the link and let the fun begin. http://toolsareforwomentoo.blogspot.com/.

Here Comes Santa Claus

2010-07-28T11:07:00.008-05:00

I managed to get four more Santas painted this week in between babysitting a couple of my grandchildren.
These are some of the cypress knees I had pushed to the back last year because I didn't have time to get the creative juices flowing.
They have a lot of lumps and bumps that I call "personality". I have to look at them from every angle to decide how to paint them.

Santa and His Christmas Tree

Back View

Mr. & Mrs. Claus

Back View Showing Doll in Toy Bag

Santa's List of Good Girls & Boys

Elf & Toy Bag

Santa, Snowball & Puppy

Santa Claus Is Coming ...To My House

2010-07-25T23:10:00.001-05:00

The first of my 2010 Cypress Knee Santas have been added to my website, http://www.wood-n-stitches.com/!

Here's a sneak peek!

Santa even has some gifts for his feathered friends...
a bag of bird seed and a new home!

Time out to build a snowman!

Can you see the tiny red circles on Santa's robe? I was experimenting with a straw as my "paintbrush".

This is Santa and the Mrs. out for a stroll in co-ordinating outfits.

Santas from Recycled Table Legs

2010-07-23T19:40:00.001-05:00

These table legs were slanted at what was the top, so I had to get a friend to cut them off flat to get them to stand freely.

Now the top...is the bottom!

I've also added them to my website, http://www.wood-n-stitches.com/.

Finally!!! I Finished Some Santas

2010-07-18T16:20:00.005-05:00

They've been a while in the making, but finally I have finished my first batch of Santas for my 2010. I've also listed them on my website, http://www.wood-n-stitches.com/.

Usually I work on 5 or 6 at the time, but for some unknown reason I started a group of 18 all at once. I guess panic has set in since I'm so late starting my painting this year. I'm not doing that again. I need to see something finished soon to keep me fired up.

Even Snowmen Look Better Clothed

2010-06-26T09:28:00.005-05:00

If you saw my last post, you too probably agree that even these snowmen look better with their "clothes" on!!!

My "test market" (friends, sisters and grandchildren) , immediately spotted the new designs and started claiming them. They are not shown in any of the photos because I have yet to make their caps. One of my granddaughters wanted to take hers home with her even though it wasn't finished.

Even my grandson, who is 3 years old, got excited when he saw all the snowmen ornaments. Despite the 100 degree temps outside, he just knew it was time to go home and put up the Christmas tree and get ready for Santa to come!!! Sorry, you'll have to wait a while longer, Baz.

Snowmen??? It's in the mid 90's!!!

2010-06-20T16:15:00.002-05:00

Snowmen when the temperature is in the mid to upper 90's outside?.

I've still got to paint something in their hands and add their knit caps.

These little fellows may melt before I'm finished!

Click on the title of this post to go to my website to see the completed products shown in the Ornaments category.

It feels good to be getting back to my painting following surgery for a torn rotator cuff.

Since I can't lift anything heavier than 3 pounds, I thought I'd start with these

snowmen lightbulb ornaments. I've got 50 of them going at once.

Another 200 and I should have enough to get me through the Christmas season.

To good cooks, staples are sugar, flour, etc.

To a crafter such as me, staples are what sells the best at shows.

In my case, it's...lightbulb ornaments...snowmen, Santas and gingerbread men.

They usually cover the booth fee and everything esle is "icing on the cake".

Friends and family members save me their burned out bulbs all the time,

but some are switching to those spiral energy saving bulbs.

I have to come up with a new design for those.

Any ideas, anyone???

One More "Bucket List" Item Crossed Off

2010-05-21T15:51:00.002-05:00

Since I retired from teaching, I've started my "bucket list". You know...things I want to do before I kick the bucket. Last summer I finally climbed a rock wall !!! That was something I always thought looked like a fun thing to tackle. Sure wish they had had those when I was younger...much younger. Anyway, I was the oldest one to make it to the top at our church's "friends day" last year. Think I'll sit it out this year, however. Once was enough to cure that itch.

Yesterday, I marked off another item from the list. I sent off my ad to be run in Country Sampler. It will be in the Oct./Nov edition, which is the Christmas issue. That is something else I've been wanting to do for sometime . Now that I've ventured down this path, I'd better get to work painting. Hope I'm not too over optimistic! How about it ladies? Let me hear from some of you who have placed ads in Country Sampler. Was it worth it to you?

North Louisiana Spring Bluegrass Festival

2010-03-10T09:07:00.003-06:00

Hey all you bluegrass fans out there, I just thought I'd let you know about our local upcoming festival in Oak Grove, LA to be held March 25-27, 2010. It will be held inside the Thomas Jason Lingo Community Center. In the ariel view, you can see all the campers off to the right of the center and the motel in the lower left corner. Both fill up quickly, but there are more campgrounds and motels within easy driving distance.

The event kicks off at 6:00 p.m. on Wed., March 24th with a pre-festival Covered Dish Supper and music by Southern Flavor.

Here's the rest of the schedule.

Thursday, March 25th

6:30 p.m. Link Family

7:15 p.m. Southern Flavor

8:00 p.m. Break

8:15 p.m. Gary Waldrop Band

Friday, March 26th
1:30 p.m. Gary Waldrop Band
2:15 p.m. Jason Boone Band
3:00 p.m. Break
3:15 p.m. Link Family
4:00 p.m. Audy Blaylock

6:30 p.m. Link Family
7:15 p.m. Audy Blaylock
8:00 p.m. Break
8:15 p.m. Gary Waldrop Band
9:00 Jason Boone Band

Saturday, March 27th
1:30 p.m. Audy Blaylock
2:15 p.m. Jason Boone Band
3: 00 p.m. Gary Waldrop Band
4:00 p.m. Gary Penny with Blue River

6:30 p.m. Jason Boone Band
7:15 p.m. Gary Penny with Blue River
8:00 p.m. Break
8:15 p.m. Audy Blaylock
9:00 p.m. Gary Waldrop Band

For more info, just click on the title of this post. It will take you to the website of the show's sponsor, the N.E.E.D. Foundation. You may also call (318) 428-5282.

Southern Gospel Music Weekend

2010-03-04T09:05:00.004-06:00

Just thought some of you gospel music fans might be interested in our community's upcoming event this weekend, March 4-6, to be held at the Thomas Jason Lingo Community Center in Oak Grove, Louisiana each evening at 6:30 p.m.

The following is a lineup of the featured groups:

Thurs. Eleventh Hour, The Franklin Family, Mark Trammell Trio and the Whisnants

Fri. The Joe Cook Family, The Proclaimers Quartet, The Crist Family and The Perrys

Sat. Sanctuary Quartet, Priority, Palmetto State Quartet, and Dixie Melody Boys.

Tickets are $15 a day or $40 for a three day pass. For more information call (318) 428-5282.

This is the same community center where we hold our annual Holiday Boutique Christmas craft show. You can see pictures of the inside of the building in my previous post, It's Almost Time for the Fat Lady to Sing!!!

Just imagine up to 1,000 comfortable padded chairs filling the room instead of the craft booths . With a state of the art sound system there is not a bad seat in the house.

Click on the link to also see information about the Bluegrass Festival to be held March 25-27.

Equal Billing

2010-02-25T00:51:00.001-06:00

I have to give my two youngest grandchildren equal billing. Here they are with the snowman they helped build on our recent snow day.

Here they are again on their playhouse/camphouse.

You can read more about them on their mom's blog, http://www.runningthin.blogspot.com/.

2nd Miracle in Less Than a Week

2010-02-12T08:41:00.003-06:00

First, if there is anyone out there who hasn't heard...the New Orleans Saints WON the Super Bowl!!!! Now, SNOW with SOME ACCUMULATION!!!

I know it in no way compares to the amount that has blanketed the east coast area, but you just have to understand that this is the first significant accumulation for us in about 10 years. That means none of my 4 grandchildren have ever had an opportunity to experience what so many of you take for granted, the building of a snowman ...until today!!!

However, even though it is still snowing now, they had better get out there quickly and start scraping up that snow before it begins to melt later today.

Here are the oldest two with their first ever snowman.

Confession is Good For the Soul

2010-02-07T23:28:00.001-06:00

They say confession is good for the soul so here goes...I watched my first full football game tonight!!! There... I admitted it to the whole world. I've never been a football fan. The only football games I attended when I was in high school were the home games where my boyfriend played ...drums in the marching band. So I wasn't officially watching the game. Then there was the homecomimg game at college that I attended. My aunt had made my cousin an awesome outfit for the occasion ,but she was restricted to staying in the dorm for the entire weekend (That's another whole story.) so I wore her new outfit. After all, we couldn't let a perfectly good suit go to waste.

After the Saints made it to the Super Bowl for their first appearance in 42 years, it would have been almost unAmerican or a least unLouisianan not to watch the game. Who Dat????

(Kathy, I hope you don't mind that I borrowed your Saints pic from your blog. Thanks.)

Remember the Reason for the Season

2009-12-24T22:56:00.003-06:00

I spent some time with my daughter and her family tonight watching videos from the past few years.
One of my favorites was from the 2008 Christmas program at the kids' day care.. Little Baz in his shepherd costume sat so still keeping watch over "God's sheep" (Or should I say... the audience , of which he was a little leary , that is?) and instead of delivering a message to the shepherds...big sister, Tara, as an angel, looked more like she needed to be told...fear not!

This simple re-enactment by the little ones was a sweet reminder of the reason for the season. Please remember to keep Christ in your Christmas this year!

Merry Christmas!

It's Almost Time For the Fat Lady to Sing!!!!

2009-12-06T06:24:00.004-06:00

My last craft show for the year is over...well, almost over. There's still the clean up and the paperwork. Oh, the paperwork!!! You see...this is not only a show in which I just am an exhibitor...but also one I co-host with some friends. I'll post more about that later, but here are a few pics. Wish I had more, but the battery died in my camera. I should have been a girl scout and been prepared with a spare one.

This is the community center's auditorium before the crafters arrived to start setting up their booths.

Look at the shine on that floor. See the reflections of the columns?

This is a shot of the parking lot minutes after we opened. You can't see it very well, but the cars are parked 4 rows deep.

These are some of the booths.

Yes, even MEN came by the droves!

Okay...the real reason the men were there...FOOD of course. My sisters were serving up some fine homemade taco soup and chicken salad croisant plates complete with fruit salad, a pickle, dessert and a drink. All the lunch proceeds went to The American Cancer Society! Thanks to all the support of the community for this worthy cause, they more than met their goal. This is the lunch line.

Before you know it, it will be time to start planning for the 2010 show! First, we have to get over all our aches and pains!!! Twenty-two years of doing this, is taking its toll!

Home From Broadmoor Craft Show

2009-11-23T22:03:00.001-06:00

Someone was over heard saying, "It wouldn't be Broadmoor if it didn't rain!". And rain it did. Some unlucky vendors had several inches of water standing in their booths while others had mud! Fortunately, we were nice and dry inside the gym.

We debuted our new sleeker look at this show. We decided to go black and white with a little burgundy for some color. A fresh paint job on the displays and new touches of zebra print fabric made our booth a little more appealing and the rug I painted helped camouflage the gray tarp they used to cover the floor.

Like they said about the Field of Dreams...If you build it, they will come. At times it got quite crowded in that 10X 20 space and this claustrophobic lady fogot to leave herself a back door.

Here are some other photos of our booth.

It's was fun while it lasted, but now it's back to the painting. So many Santas to paint and so little time. We've got another show in less than two weeks!

Hope This Santa Will Be "Right Up the Customer"s Alley"

2009-11-07T21:03:00.001-06:00

I hadn't painted any of these bowling pin Santas this year until a customer saw one that was already sold on my website, http://www.wood-n-stitches.com/, and emailed me to see if I could paint one for her. I never like to paint just one of anything because sitting and watching paint dry is BORING!!! If I do several, the paint on the first one is dry by the time I do the same step on the others. Can you tell I'm not a patient person?

I hope this one "bowls" her over!

Here's One of Those "Maybe I'm Not Burger King After All " Orders

2009-10-31T19:56:00.000-05:00

Recently, I got one of those "Maybe I'm Not Burger King After All" orders. (AKA: "special orders DO upset us" mentioned in a previous post.) Acutally, it didn't upset me..it just made me get the old creative juices flowing again. The older I get, the harder it is to think outside the box. Creative customers' requests give me that nudge necessary to make me come up with something new. They plant the seed in my mind. I produce the "crop".

A customer had previously purchased one of my Soda Santas painted on Coca-Cola bottle and said she would also love to have a snowman painted on a Coke bottle. No problem... I've done those before. Then...here's the "Burger King" moment! She would love it if I could also make it a fisherman. Never done that before. Result! She bought two!

Snowed under...in 70 Degree Weather!

2009-10-22T09:11:00.001-05:00

Green snow!!! That's what you get when you get snowed under with orders! Money, money, money!!! Smart shoppers are getting their Christmas orders in early. That's great.

Of course, my favorite order is the one where the customer shops on my website, http://www.wood-n-stitches.com/ and finds just what she wants, puts it in her shopping cart, and pays. Then all I have to do is pull it, wrap it, pack it, and ship it! Smooth transaction!

Next, there's the order I call "the Burger King order" (the special orders don't upset us kind) where the customer sees something on my site that has been sold or is out of stock. She sends email and we discuss whether or not I can duplicate. Most times it is not a problem and I appreciate that she took the time to inquire. The order gets filled. Both customer and I are happy! My motto is "Happy customers become repeat customers".

Then there's the "maybe I'm not Burger King" kind of order. This is the challenging type that usually takes me out of my comfort zone. However, thanks to such interesting ideas from creative customers, I've created some great selling new products that I might not otherwise have done.

Where I get orders from is another story in itself. Besides the usual internet orders and craft show customers' follow-up orders, there are the beauty shop orders, grocery store orders and of course the Wal-Mart orders. By this I don't mean I that I have things for sale in all these places. It just means these are places I frequent and living in a small town has its advantages. Everyone knows you and your business! People stop me and tell me what they want me to paint for them.

Yesterday, I got my first gas station order. While I was pumping gas into my van, a lady came over to ask if I could do a special order Santa for her son. It was nice to visit briefly with her and catch up on what our kids are doing now that they are all grown up. Our boys grew up playing Little League and Dixie Youth baseball together.

Well, I'd better go shovel some snow, but Lord please ... let it snow...let it snow...let it snow. (Even if it is 72 degrees outside today!)

House Repairs at a Standstill

2009-10-18T14:44:00.000-05:00

Well, here's my house as of Sunday. It has been a week and a half since the tree fell on the roof. I'm still waiting to hear from the insurance adjuster and still waiting for the carpenter to get in touch with me. There's nothing I can do until I hear from them. At least the rain has stopped...for now anyway. I need to get this mess fixed so I can get on with my crafting. I've got orders too fill ASAP.

Rain, Rain Go Away (3rd verse)

2009-10-13T13:43:00.007-05:00

Rain, rain go away

Come again another day!

I don't want my house to leak!

Would you like to take a peek?

Yep, my house is under there somewhere! The weather got pretty rough just hours before I was to leave for my craft show in Mississippi. That's when the HUGE tree on the north end of my house split and fell across the roof (almost full length). Most mornings I can hardly get out of bed due to my aches and pains. When that tree hit at 4:30 a.m. that morning, I was out of that bed and wide awake in seconds. Never thought of my pains! I was just thanking the good Lord that tree wasn't in bed with me!

Within hours I had filed an insurance claim and my insurance agent had a team of tree cutters clearing my roof. I left everything in my brother-in-law's (and sister's) capable hands and I left only 2 hours later than planned for my show.

Now the show is another story. I'll post that later.

Rain, Rain Go Away (2nd Verse)

2009-10-03T08:51:00.002-05:00

Rain, rain go away!
I've got another outdoor craft show Thursday!
Rain, rain go away, please!
I need to sell a lot of Santa cypress knees!

The Lord was good to us all for the Barn Sale in Camden, AR last weekend. The rain stopped. The craft show area was dry. However, the parking lot (or rather "parking pasture") was not. Customers had to park anywhere they could find. Some were shuttled in from area church parking lots. I'm just thankful that things went as well as they did.

Now, watching the weather reports, I see I need to be praying for the rain to clear out once again. Boy, I'm glad I only do two outdoor shows a year.

Come see us on the McAlister's Deli parking lot in Canton, MS (not TX...MS) Thursday, Oct. 8th!

Can the Girl Pack or What?

2009-09-24T19:47:00.005-05:00

Well the van is loaded and ready to pull out in the morning...rain or shine! What you see is a 10' x 20' tent, all the display stands and all my inventory. I've had people just stand and watch as I start pulling it all out. They say it reminds them of the clowns getting out of the VW at a circus. It just keeps coming and coming.

I've also had people just as amazed while watching me pack it all back in the van at the end of a show. There's a place for everything and everything is in its place.

Rain, Rain, Go Away...

2009-09-22T08:57:00.006-05:00

Rain, rain, go away!

I've got an outdoor craft show Saturday!
Rain, rain, go away, PLEASE!
I don't want water up to my knees!

Don't you just hate it when it rains on your parade or as in this case, your craft show? I've been so pumped and busy getting ready for my first craft show for 2009! Then the dreaded forecast...rain, rain, rain!!!

I had the same dilemma last week. At the last minute, I had just about decided to do our local craft show. Then came the forecast...40% chance of rain. Knowing I had two big shows in the next couple of weeks, I opted to stay home rather than take a chance of getting soaked. Wrong decision! No rain...even the sun made an appearance!

I (and problably several 100 other folks) am praying for the weather to move on out earlier than expected this weekend also.

Here are a few photos from the 2008 BPW Barn Sale in Camden, AR!

If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It

2009-09-17T07:37:00.001-05:00

Pardon me while I get on my soap box! For the last 25 years I have used Delta Ceramcoat acrylic paint for all my painting projects! Now for some unknown reason (at least unknown to me) they have changed not only the packaging, but also evidently the paint within the bottle!!! Big mistake!!! They ruined a perfectly good product!

It is kind of like the story of the Goldilocks and the Three Bears...Apple Barrel is too thin...Folk Art is too thick...Delta Ceramcoat is (make that was) just right! What's a girl (Okay, I used that word lightly.) to do?

So far I've scoured the stores and internet for any paint in the old package. That's the bottle with the rainbow on the label rather than the one with the colorful flower. Fortunately, I've found a few, but when that is gone...I'm going to be in a pickle!

Any of you other painters/artists have any suggestions? Please let me know!

A "Hot" Giveaway

2009-09-17T07:16:00.001-05:00

Firecracker Kid is having a "hot" giveaway on Oct. 1st. It's this neat primitive rolling pin / dough bowl holder. Winner gets to choose color! "Pop" on over and sign up. Not that it will do you any good because I'm going to win! (Only the stand is being given away.)

No Chimney, No Problem

2009-09-03T21:54:00.007-05:00

If you don't have a chimney and your little one is worried about how Santa Claus will get into the house on Christmas Eve to leave all those longed for gifts, here's your sign! This is my original take on the familiar Santa's Magic Key. As it says in the note to Santa, just hang the key on an outside door so he can use his magic and this key to open the door. Then Santa can leave it by his cookie plate and you can keep it safe until he needs it again next year.

New Prim(ish) or Rustic Santas

2009-08-22T20:14:00.005-05:00

The other day at the beauty shop, I ran into our local "Martha Stewart". She told me that she had planed some cypress lumber and thinking I might could use them to paint Santas on, she saved the rough end pieces. I agreed to try. I love a challenge occasionally. I went out to her house and her husband loaded them for me. Before I left, I also got to see the oak coffee table she had built after planing the boards. She had done an awesome job. Next, I was amazed at the two antique pieces she had refinished and even built a tri-fold mirror for one piece. Additionally, she had finished a replica of an antique wall clock for herself. (Sh! Don't tell anyone, but she's building some more for Christmas presents.)

Anyway, back to the Santas...here are some before and after photos. I had a lot of fun with this challenge. "Martha Stewart" gets first choice of course. More are in the works.

Before & After

2009-08-09T16:18:00.003-05:00

Is this what you had in your mind's eye?

Drum Roll Please...And the Winner Is...

2009-07-31T22:00:00.001-05:00

Stacey from Primarily Primitives by abigailes_mommy is the winner of my Christmas In July Giveaway! Conrgrats! Stacey, email me at wood-n-stitches@hotmail.com to claim your prize!

Thank you all for entering and posting the giveaway on your blogs. Check back often to see what will be given away next.

Nakie Santa After Photo

2009-07-29T10:30:00.002-05:00

This is the after photo of the nakie Santa from a previous post. Is it what you invisioned?

2009-07-29T10:30:00.001-05:00

Another New Cypress Knee Santa

2009-07-28T22:46:00.002-05:00

New Cypress Knee Santa

2009-07-28T22:42:00.001-05:00

Christmas in July Giveaway Countdown

2009-07-27T08:13:00.000-05:00

Only 2 days remain until the drawing for a softball or baseball Santa. Get

your name entered before it is too late. Scroll down to see the details. Baseball available only in burgundy. Softball available in red or burgundy.

"B's" Knees

2009-07-20T10:06:00.000-05:00

The other day I was asked, "What are those pointy things your Santas are painted on?". Well, those "pointy things" are some of nature's most unique creations. They are cypress knees! For those of you not from the south, I'll explain. The "knees" are part of the root system of the cypress tree which grows abundantly in the south's lakes, bayous, and swamps. Their exact function is not known, but it is known that if one is cut another usually pops up. (Note: My supplier lives in an area where the trees are cut for lumber and he harvests the "knees" after the trees have been cut.)The "knees" have been cut, boiled, peeled, and dried before I take over. I then clean, putty, sand and prime them before I begin to transform them into Santas and snowmen. This photo shows one just before I begin the transformation.To do that I turn it ever which way looking for the best side. Then I study its lumps and bumps. What could each become? Perhaps an arm, a toy bag, a teddy bear, etc. Come on give it a shot. What do you see?

"B's" Knees Part 2

2009-07-19T21:23:00.000-05:00

I learned a new word recently from a friend at Crafty Old Crow. It's nakies. That's her term for her doll bodies that she has yet to dress! What you are looking at here is a Santa nakie! That's one of my cypress knee Santas that has yet to be "dressed'. Well, actually, I guess I would have to say this one is in his underwear since he has had a coat of primer and a base coat of red paint.

I spray paint Santa's robe basecoat color for all colors except burgundy and some shades of green. The trouble with these colors is that the basecoat color bleeds through the lighter colors of the beards and fur trim. Burgundy turns the beards pink and green turns them yellow.

Therefore, I sketch the design onto the gray primer coat. Then I add the burgundy or green being sure not to get it onto the areas where beards and/or fur will be added.

With all other colors, I skip the sketching and just pick up the paintbrush and go to town winging it as I go!

Scroll down to a previous post to see the "dressed" Santa.

Christmas In July Giveaway!

2009-07-15T14:31:00.001-05:00

Play ball! Since Dixie Youth All-Stars are playing softball and baseball across the nation I thought this might be a good time to give away one of my original softball or baseball Santas. Come on over and put your name in the hat. Perhaps I should make that put your name in the cap! Just put your email address in the comments box and let me know if you would like the softball or baseball Santa and if you would like his robe red or burgundy. Mention the giveaway on your website or blog and I'll put your name in 5 times instead of once! Drawing will be held July 31st. Good Luck!!!

(Contest open only to US residents because I do not ship internationally. The prize will be shipped to the winner free of charge.)

Visit my website to see more Santas and such. http://www.wood-n-stitches.com/

Liberty Ann and Raggedy Sam

2009-06-29T15:56:00.000-05:00

I've met a great bunch of gals in a forum I stumbled onto a couple of weeks ago. It opened up a whole new world to me. They are the ones who encouraged me , along with my daughter, to become a blogger! They also challenged me to get out of my comfort zone (painting Santas and such) and join them in a dollie swap. Preferring the paintbrush over the sewing machine puts me in the minority in the group since most of them are doll makers.

When it came time to make my doll for the swap, I pulled a Frank Sinatra and "did it my way"! I combined my painting skills with my sewing to come up with my take on the round head dolls I heard them speak of so often.

This OOAK couple went to Cyndi who said , "I showed my hubb and he was impressed, now girl, it takes a bunch to impress the hub as far as crafts go....." so I guess they were "a hit".

I hope you enjoy them, Cyndi, as much as I did making them for you.

My Annie From the Swap at Crafty Old Crow

2009-06-29T15:44:00.000-05:00

Meet my itsy-bitsy patriotic Annie that Brenda, one of my fellow "crows" at the Crafty Old Crow Community, made for me during our recent dollie swap. Isn't she sweet? Thanks Brenda for taking the time to create her for me. You can find more of Brenda's cute Annies at http://www.ezshoppes.com/shoppe/?sid=MyLittleAnnies.

Cypress Knee Frosty Family

2009-06-16T17:40:00.000-05:00

This is one of the most unique cypress knees that I have done. I used each of the spikes to create a member of the Frosty family. There's Dad, Mom and son. Each has a knit cap and a wool scarf. To give a prim touch, I added a rusty bell and a some rusty stars as accents.

Cypress Knee Santa

2009-06-16T17:36:00.000-05:00

This is one of my many cypress knee Santas. Each is different since I use the "knee's" lumps and bumps to decide what to paint on each unique Santa.

Rolling Pin Santa

2009-06-16T15:11:00.000-05:00

Here is one of the Santas I just finished painting on a vintage rolling pin.

It is one of my original designs. You can find others on my website, http://www.wood-n-stitches.com/.