Santa...Pretty in Pink?

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

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"

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

In the HEAT We Will Build a Snowman...

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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.