A Break from Santas

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. 

It Will Be Here Before We Know It...

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.

The Ole Paint Brushes Are Flying

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. 

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.

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

Santas from Recycled Table Legs

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/.

Even Snowmen Look Better Clothed

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.

Rain, Rain Go Away (2nd Verse)

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!