Isn't this such a cute bucket. My friend Mary Jane painted this. I can tell you that a photo does not give her talent the true credit it deserves. She is an awesome painter! Mary Jane and I attend the same church. A couple of years ago her and I along with a couple of other ladies met together one afternoon a week to paint together. We all painted with oil on canvas rather than using acrylic paint on wood or metal. I always enjoyed watching Mary Jane paint, she is a very gifted artist and is wonderfully talented in other artistic areas as well. I wanted to share this photo with you because her lovely shop is often lost among all the other shops on Etsy. http://www.etsy.com/shop/LogCabinMemories?ref=seller_info Pin It Now!

Pumpkins on Display

Hi Blogger Friends. This is a new item I just put in my shop. I painted these pumpkins on an 11x14 piece of canvas board. I used a glazing technique so it would resemble a watercolor. I love to paint like this. I enjoy building the paint up layer after layer and seeing the depth of color that occurs. You will be seeing more of this style of painting from me. I will be painting on canvas and on fabric more often. Prints simply cannot compare to a true hand painted piece.
I finally opened my Etsy shop again. I have added 2 new items (including this one) and have two more ready to add. I will try to add them this weekend. Thanks for stopping by, I always enjoy your visit. Pin It Now!

We have a Winner

Hear ye, Hear ye, Hear Ye!! We have a winner for the Primitive Spoon Giveaway here at the Old Cupboard Door. And the winner is HAPPY COTTAGE QUILTER; Please send me your name and address so I can mail this out to you as soon as possible. My email is mntpeeps@yahoo.com. Congratulations! Pin It Now!

Last Day for Sign-up

Today is the last day to sign up for my giveaway. I will be drawing the name of a lucky winner tomorrow. Click on the giveaway icon on the left to go to the sign-up page and follow the rules. On another note, I have been hard at work making some new items for my Etsy shop. I can't wait to show you what I have been working on. One item I am working on and hope to finish tomorrow is a 14x16 canvas. I am doing a glazing technique with acrylic paint. The subject is a patch of pumpkins. I love painting in the fine arts and have plans to do more. I'll be posting a couple of pictures of the items next week. Thanks for stopping by, your visit is always a joy! Pin It Now!

Recipe for Iced Coffee

I don't know about your neck of the woods but my patch here is hot, hot, hot. We did have some rain a couple of nights this week and my poor flower gardens are grateful.

I know I have mentioned it here before; I love coffee! hot or cold. I especially enjoy iced coffee when the weather is as hot as blue blazes, like now. If you like iced coffee too, you know that the cost of these drinks add up when you purchase them at your favorite coffee shop. So, why not make them youself? They are just as refreshing and delicious. Here's a recipe I like to use.

2 Tablespoons of instant coffee
1 Teaspoon of sugar
4 Tablespoons of hot water
3/4 of a cup of whole milk (cold)

In a jar with a lid, mix the instant coffee, sugar and water. Shake well to dissolve coffee granules. It should be foamy. Add this mixture to a glass of ice. Pour in the milk. Stir and enjoy.

For a different variation, add flavored syrups. If it is too sweet adjust the sugar.

You will find some great coffee recipes at this website. Check them out.
http://folgers.com/enjoy-coffee/drink-recipes.aspx#mocha_ice_cafe Pin It Now!

Autumn Thyme Teapot

I finally finished something! It’s not been easy finding thyme to paint while adjusting to a new job and getting into the rhythm of working again. I know it takes a while to make the adjustment so I’m not overly stressed about it. Painting is certainly one of the ways I relax and de-stress so I won’t be giving it up.
I found this kettle at one of my local thrift stores. I fell in love with its design when I spied it on the cluttered shop shelf. I love the handle that curves over the pot, the squatty spout and the unique lid. It made it into my shopping basket right away. I mixed a couple of designs by Terry French and some of my own ideas to achieve the design I wanted for this lovely tea kettle. I sort of sketched and painted as I worked on it. Gotta love a design that comes together like that. It’s easier to sketch and paint on a curved item like this because trying to trace a pattern on is just too frustrating and time consuming. I added a prim tag, a vintage measuring spoon, a rustic star, some faux berries and a strip of homespun. I have listed this kettle in my Etsy shop. If you are interested you can click on my Etsy shop icon on the left to visit my shop. I often have people see my Esty shop items here and ask if I will paint one for them, this is a one of a kind tea kettle, I don’t think I could find it again in a thrift shop.
Thanks for stopping by, your visit is always a pleasure and…I love comments too. Until next time….. Pin It Now!

Ye Olde Bread Board

Autumn is my favorite time of year. There are many aspects of this wonderful season that I enjoy and love; the cool crisp days after summer’s relenting heat; the rich warm colors in the leaves, the sunflowers, mums and the azure sky against these rich colors; the wind that inspires the leaves to dance; the smell of the first fire in the fireplace; that first pot of hot delicious soup and warm home baked bread. I am already looking forward to this beautiful season, especially since our temps are in the triple digits this week.

I cut this board from a 1” piece of pine. I painted it with an Autumn design from Terry French. I added a large tag, some rusty jingle bells and a couple of rustic stars. I will be posting this piece in my Etsy shoppe tomorrow.

Thanks for dropping by; your visit is always a pleasure. Don’t forget to sign up for my give away. You can sign up by clicking on the icon on the left of this page. Pin It Now!

Happy Independence Day.

I hope everyone enjoys their 4th of July celebrations with family and friends. Have a happy and safe Indepedence Day. Pin It Now!