A Sad Tale of a Girl and her Cake

Friday was my birthday and my husband took some time off and treated me to a wonderful day. Thanks honey!

I thought I would share an idea of where I get my desire to paint cupcakes and cakes. In the photo below I was celebrating my birthday at the tender age of 3. Who would have guessed what a dessert freak I would become! My sweet older brother, Joe, stepped into the scene to help me carry this heavy load. As you can see from my dismay, I thought he wanted it all to himself. In the end I'm sure I won out and gobbled up that heavenly concoction which led to the slim and trim figure that I had the time. The look on my face says it all, "Get your hands off my cake!"

Which leads me to mention that this print is now available in my Etsy and Ebay stores!

Dark Chocolate Cupcake Painting

I had a really difficult time listing this painting on eBay this week because it matches my kitchen. My husband's says I'll sell anything I've painted that isn't attached to the house. I'm really bad about not keeping anything for myself. This is a much larger painting than my other cupcake paintings. It measures 12" x 16" and I even have the perfect spot for it. I may have to do another one of these for me!

"Dark Chocolate"

This triple fudge cupcake is made with dark chocolate and has a rich fudge texture. You'll want to sink your teeth into this beauty piled high with piped green mint frosting and topped with pink roses. Displayed on a pink decorative cake plate and covered with a glass cloche, this cupcake will make your stomach growl each time you walk by it. A brown grosgrain ribbon with tiny pink dots is tied in a bow and attached to the cake plate. The black lettering at the top of the picture is dripping with green mint icing.

These dreadful pink counter tops came with the house when we bought it, but this painting looks good with them. I painted my kitchen brown when we moved in because I thought it would make the counters look more like beige. I may have to give in and play up the pink because I have to live with them for a while.

A Little Makeover and New Paintings

Sorry for the extended vacation from my blog. After I got my computer back from the shop we started experiencing internet problems and I haven't been able to post for a while. I will try to catch up and get everyone up to date on what I've been doing during this time away from the computer. The following two paintings were listed on eBay last week between the intermittent internet service and will be ending this week. The first one "Stone Crossing" is done on a 3/4" canvas instead of my usual 1 1/2" box type canvas. This gives the purchaser the option to frame it or leave it unframed. An eggshell crackle and antiquing has been applied to this painting to give the appearance of age. Click on the image for a closer view.

Stone Crossing is a quiet haven for Francine and Edward Stewart and their family. Coming home at the end of a day of hard work to a home cooked meal prepared by his wife’s loving hands, is exactly what Edward needs. The family gathers around the long harvest table where hands are joined and heads are bowed as the blessing is asked over the food that is being served. Everyone shares the events of the day and tiny voices giggle as tidbits of meat are handed under the table to Clyde, their English bulldog. The stress that comes with Edward’s job at his office begins to drift away and melt like the snow that gently falls outside.

The next painting, "Moist 'n Chewy", is another cupcake painting and will be ending February 24th.

Dark chocolate frosting is swirled and piled high on a moist 'n chewy chocolate cupcake. A turquoise cake stand and glass cloche cover make a decorative display for this delectable dessert. A decorative tag on the side of the cupcake liner lets you know what the choice is. The black lettering at the top of the picture is dripping with chocolate icing. A turquoise ribbon with brown polka dots is wrapped around the edges of the canvas and tied in a bow at the top.

I also did a little makeover project this week. I posted a photo of the before picture a while back and here it is again.

This old cedar chest has sentimental value to me because it was my "hope chest". Did any of you have a hope chest and does anyone do this anymore? I hoped and dreamed of a dashing, sweet, loving husband and I got all that and more than I ever "hoped" for. That makes this cedar chest 36 years old. A little paint and a little fabric and this is what it looks like now:

Woodland Cove Folk Art Painting

"Woodland Cove"

I added this painting to my ebay auctions this week.

On Saturday nights, Bernice and Horace host a little get together with their neighbors. The women get the food prepared while the men get out the dominos for an evening of good food and fun games. Ethel and Walter introduced their new neighbors Flora and John to their hosts at church and they all became quick friends. The close knit community of Woodland Cove nurtures their friendships and is always there to lend a helping hand.

Wouldn't it be great to live on you own little island with you best friends and neighbors just a boat ride away. Take some time this week to invite some friends over for food and games. You'll feel so blessed and wish you had done it sooner. Here is a recipe for the chicken salad sandwiches that the ladies served:

"Chicken Salad"

Boil together in a 6 quart saucepan

4-4 1/2 lb. stewing chicken (I like chicken breasts)

1 Med. onion quartered

1 large carrot sliced

1 bay leaf

Mix :

1 lb. seedless grapes

2/3 cup mayo

1/4 cup milk

2 T. cider vinegar

1/8 tsp. pepper

1 cup diced green pepper

1 1/2 tsp. salt (I use 1 tsp. or less)

1/2 cup California walnuts or Cashews

1 cup sliced celery

Add chicken and mix.

Eat Cake Folk Art Painting

I owe a debt of gratitude to my sweet brother, Keith, who has loaned me his laptop computer because mine is in the shop for repairs. What a sweet guy! I had no idea how I was going to fill orders for the next several days. Anyway, I wanted to share a new "Eat Cake" painting that I finished last week and couldn't get listed due to computer problems. I added this painting to my eBay auctions this evening. This painting is 8" x 16" and has a brown ribbon with pink dots tied around the edges. You can click on the images for a closer view.

"Great News"

I'm a finalist in the eBay group "Artists' Choice Awards 2008" for the Folk category! Wish me luck because I need it. I'm honored to be nominated along with the other very talented artists in this category. Thanks to all those who nominated me!

Chocolate Fudge Cupcake Painting

I've been a little lazy lately and can't seem to concentrate. I seem to be painting what I'm thinking about. Cupcakes, to some of you, may not seem like work, and just because I love painting them and don't need to concentrate, doesn't mean I'm not working. Sounds like I'm making excuses for not putting my mind to work on a village scene to me. But believe me, it's hard to paint these and stay away from the kitchen. Now that's hard! I don't know about hard work, but it's hard to not go whip up a batch of these chocolate fudge cupcakes and eat myself silly!

I added this little "Fudge Cupcake" painting to my eBay auctions this evening.

A chocolate fudge cupcake with chocolate frosting is painted on top of a recipe from an old cookbook that is decoupaged to a canvas. Tiny colorful confetti in shades of pink, blue, and green are sprinkled on top of the fluffy frosting. A pink cupcake liner and a "fudge" tag embellish this yummy cupcake. A tiny black and white checked ribbon is hot glued above the label. I've also attached a pink satin ribbon to the edge of the canvas and tied it in a bow at the top. The entire picture is painted except for the recipe and the ribbon.

Valentine Cottage Folk Art Painting

This is just a quick little post to let you know that I listed this little Valentine Cottage painting on eBay last night.

Decorative details adorn this cozy cottage owned by decorative painters Pollyann and Phillip. When they first bought the house it was painted white but now their decorative details have added their signature work to the home. Black and white checkerboard trim edges the roof sections. A cute red and white checkerboard chimney and polka dot roof were the inspiration for the stained glass window with the red heart that Pollyann designed. Love is abundant in this home where a red heart decorates the door for Valentine's Day. The lettering for the "Be Mine" bracket is decoupaged to the canvas and the black bracket is painted around it.

You have your choice of a red and white or black and white checked ribbon tied around the edge of the canvas.

Back to the Super Bowl half time entertainment!