More Christmas Decorations

Our family room decorations.....

Rustic snowmen....

The painting of the old victorian house and the "woody" is on a tray that I painted many years ago.

Click on the photo for a closer view. 

Santa must have left his hat here last year....

A cowboy hat and large colorful Christmas lights on the stone mantle.....

Rick's old rusty truck (a childhood toy) and stockings......

A canoe rental sign.....

lots and lots of evergreen....

My favorite moose picture (sorry about the flash).....

decorated snowshoes....

A birchbark Santa....

May you have a blessed Christmas and a safe one too!

Catherine

Four Days Till Christmas.....

I love the frosty cold at this time of year.  I know that sounds insane, but I really love curling up with a good book, with a fire blazing and a mug of something hot to drink.  I have to admit that I'm not a fan of of howling wind though.  By February I will have had my fill of this fantasy and will be yearning for spring flowers and budding trees.  But, for now, I very content. 

I will now bore you with some more "Christmas" and yes I do mean "Christmas" and not holiday decorating.....

I had this pediment made by a carpenter friend and used in my booth when I used to do trade shows several years ago.  It now hangs above my faux painted fireplace in my living room....

Sorry about the cord, but I couldn't figure out how to hide it.  Does anyone else have this problem or does this even bother you?  My father made us this table from old sewing machine legs many years ago.  You can see my fireplace pediment reflected in this old mirror.  Below the table is an octagon granny square afghan and is my current project in our weekly craft night get together.  I realize it's a little colorful, but I think it's very cheery.....

I purchased this table at my sweet neighbor's garage sale this past summer and have plans to paint it white, maybe.....

I'm off to finish up my last minute shopping, wrapping, and cooking!

Catherine



Christmas Decorations and Cupcake Coaster Giveaway Winner

The winner of my Cupcake Coaster Giveaway is Stephanie Nesmith.  Congratulations Stephanie! 

I have a couple more things I'd like to share that I used when decorating my kitchen for Christmas this year.  I made these fabric yo-yo's in one of our craft night sessions and put them together to form a garland.  This is a very easy project!

These little cross stitched snowmen were purchased on Etsy.

This is my white fairy tree in my dining room....

I have one of these on each side of my front door.  They are made with glass garden gazing balls in a flower pot with ribbon and evergreen.

A little evergreen and ornaments hang from a chandlier.....

This cinnamon lamb was purchased on eBay a few years ago.....

I have a collection of these stained glass type ornaments.....

I'll share more decorations each day this week. 

Have a very joyous Christmas!

Hugs,

Catherine

Decking the Halls and Christmas Giveaway

Here are a few photos of how I decorated my kitchen for Christmas.

The kitchen has always been my favorite place in the house...

My favorite red skates that I use for bookends....

Baking supplies are always easy to get to when I'm  ready to whip up a batch of cookies.....

I like to add touches of red and green everywhere....

One of my favorite flea market finds is this old Self Service gas station sign that hangs above my kitchen sink....

Don't forget to click here to sign up for my "Cupcake Coaster Christmas Giveaway!



Cupcake Coaster Christmas Giveaway!

Yesterday was just like Christmas when the mail arrived!  I was so excited to see a package on my porch from my licensing agent.  Inside were samples of my cupcakes coasters and my first licensed greeting card. 

(click on photo for a closer view)

Since this is the Christmas season, I'm giving away a set of these "Cupcake Coasters".  You can sign up at the end of this post by clicking on the "comments" link and leaving me a comment.  Please leave me your email address so that I can contact the winner.  You will have until Sunday, Dec. 19th, at midnight.  Also, if you become a follower of my blog and leave me another comment letting me know, you will receive another chance to win.  You can also purchase these coasters on Coaster Stone's website.  They are very absorbant.

Last week I received this cute handpainted mitten necklace and matching earrings in the mail from Jenny Covey at All Roads Lead Home.  I won these in her giveaway and have worn these several times already.  Stop by sweet and talented Jenny's blog.  She has some great items in her Etsy store too! 

Merry Christmas!

Catherine

Christmas Pudding and Gingerbread Bakery

I have to apologize for my lack of Christmas paintings this year.  I usually start painting them in October but this year things have not worked out.  Simply put, I have two new paintings to share with you.  I finished this one tonight and listed it on eBay.  If you would like a print before Christmas, let me know and I will get some listed.  I usually don't sell the prints until the original sells, but since it is so close to Christmas I will be happy to get them printed for my blog readers.

"Christmas Pudding"

Three pleasingly plump Christmas puddings are topped with a bright red cherry and holly leaves. These delightful treats are lined up on a pretty red and whited dotted cake plate. A red and white polka dot ribbon is wrapped around the edges of the canvas and is tied in a bow at the top.

Also, this week I was inspired by a blog reader to do a Gingerbread Bakery painting.  The children's story about the Gingerbread Man came to mind where the fox eats the gingerbread man when he jumps on his back to cross the creek.

"Gingerbread Bakery at Fox Creek"

(click on the photo for a closer view)

When I finished this painting I realized that the frame of the canvas had warped slightly and it didn't lay flat.  This can be caused by the difference in humidity from where this canvas was made and Missouri where I live.  It looks fine when hanging and doesn't bother me in the slightest, but not sure if I should try to sell it.  I love it so much, I think I just might keep this one.  I will offer a print in my stores though. 

How sly of that old fox to open his own bakery after getting his first tasty nibble!

Thanks for all the inspiration from my readers!

Hugs,

Catherine

New Little Christmas Cupcake Paintings

I finished two little Christmas cupcake paintings yesterday and got them listed on eBay.  I love using glitter on these little paintings!  Click on the pictures for a closer view.

"Joy"

A tiny gingerbread house is tucked into this marshmallow creme frosting along with two little evergreen trees. This cupcake sparkles with glitter applied to the frosting and the "Joy" label. 

A red and white dotted ribbon is wrapped around the edges of the canvas and tied in a bow at the top.

"Peace"

A tiny gingerbread house is tucked into this marshmallow creme frosting along with two little evergreen trees. This cupcake sparkles with glitter applied to the frosting and the "Peace" label. 

A red and white dotted ribbon is wrapped around the edges of the canvas and tied in a bow at the top.

Today I'm working on a Gingerbread Bakery painting and it's going to be so much fun!

Hugs,

Catherine



A Little Christmas Decorating in the Kitchen

I always start my Christmas decorating in the kitchen because this is where I spend most of my time.  It's my favorite room in the house! Click on the photos for a closer view.

Soon it will be time to start rolling out dough and mixing up batches of yummy Christmas cookies and candy.  I'm so glad that I started my decorating in this room to get me in a jolly mood!

I would like to thank each of you for the prayers and support for my father in law.  We have now moved him to a nursing home near us where he will be going through lots and lots of therapy.  Please keep him in your prayers for continued improvement.  Thank you for your kind words of encouragement!

Hugs,

Catherine

Cyber Monday Sale!!

CYBER MONDAY STOREWIDE SALE!!

This Monday, November 29th, all artwork and prints are 25% off in my Etsy Store.  Simply use the coupon code C1AT2 when you make your purchase to receive 25% off.

Personalized prints make great Christmas gifts and we have several to choose from:

Cupcake Shoppe

Coffee Shoppe

Yarn Shoppe

2 selections of Cakery and Cafes

Tea Shoppe

Also, on Monday, November 29th, all prints in my Fine Art America Store are 25% off.  Great gifts available are:

Stretched Canvas Prints (discount on the artwork only, not the canvas)

Framed Prints (discount on the artwork only, not the frame)

Art Prints

Personalized prints are not available through Fine Art America.

Please use coupon code GYZGJX to receive your discount at this store.

No coupon code necessary in my eBay Store.  All prints are 25% off on Monday, November 29th.

Merry Christmas!

Catherine

Happy Thanksgiving

God bless you and your family on this beautiful Thanksgiving morning!

Hugs,

Catherine

Cupcake Coasters and a Candy Apple Cupcake Painting

Last year I signed with a licensing agent.  I have several contracts for projects in the works and now my first licensed product is available.  These stone coasters with my cupcake art on them are now available through

 CoasterStone:

I nearly fainted when I saw that these were on their website! I'm so excited and can't wait to get my samples in the mail. 

 

Today I finished another little cupcake painting and listed it on eBay.

"Candy Apple Cupcake"

Chunks of apple goodness are mixed inside this spice cupcake topped with creamy caramel frosting. Red hot candies are sprinkled on top of this yummy concoction wrapped in a red and white dotted liner.

Try a few red hots in a cup of hot tea for a real treat!

I want to thank everyone for your prayers and concern for my father in law.  We will be bringing him to a nursing home near us next Tuesday so that we don't have to continue driving 4 hours to Branson to visit him there.  He will continue with therapy in the nursing home for a while and then we will go from there.  Today he had a feeding tube put in because he hasn't been getting enough nourishment.  This is only temporary until he can gain enough strength to do his rehab.  He has a long road ahead of him.  Thanks again for your prayers.

Yarn Shoppe and Cupcake Paintings

I've had a few requests for a yarn shop painting and here it is! 

"Knit Wit Yarn Shoppe"

Stella and her sister Delores own the yarn shoppe in the center of town. New friendships have formed with the wonderful customers who sign up for their classes. You could say they are a close knit group. The two sister's spent the day decorating the shop for autumn and whipped up a batch of pumpkin bread to serve in their classes along with a mug of hot spiced cider.

For those who don't want the expense of an original painting, it will soon be available as a print which can be personalized.  This painting is listed on eBay and you can click on the title above if you are interested.   The auction ends tomorrow night. 

I also have a little cupcake painting that I finished yesterday and listed on eBay.

"Acorn Caramel Cupcake"

A caramel surprise is tucked in the center of this dark chocolate cupcake with turquoise frosting. This treat is topped with a caramel acorn dipped in melted chocolate and then in chocolate sprinkles. A turquoise and brown dotted ribbon is wrapped around the edges of the canvas and tied in a bow at the top.

I saw these little acorns on another website and they are simply made with caramels.  You place 5 or 6 in the microwave at a time for about 5 seconds.  Roll between you hands to shape like an egg.  Dip one end into melted chocolate frosting (from a can) and then into chocolate sprinkles.  I can't wait to try this perfect treat for Autumn!

Update on my Father In Law

Thanks to everyone for all the prayers.  It really means so much to the family and my father in law, Jim.  He is still going through rehab this week and we hope to see more improvement.  With strokes they can improve one day and go backwards the next day.  Your continued prayers would be appreciated.

Here is Jeff, the horse, outside the restaurant once again dressed for Halloween:

Asking for a favor....

Sorry I haven't posted in a while but we've had our lives flipped upside down recently.  My father in law, Jim, has had a stroke and is in need of prayer.  He is going through rehab this week and must keep improving in order to get to stay on the rehab floor.  We've seen improvement over the last 2-3 days and don't know what the future holds for recovery.  Our hope is that he will be able to go home with family until he is able to return home in Rockaway Beach, MO.  He is in the Branson hospital where he is getting some of the best care that I've ever seen.  They have such a loving staff of people ready to help in anyway they can.  We also need prayer for the safety of family members who are taking turns driving 4 hours from Kansas City to Branson to be with Jim.  He does not want to be left alone and I don't blame him.  His improvement in the last 2-3 days has been an answer to prayer but we continue to need prayer through his recovery.  Jim is a man who loves to fish and rides a Harley.  I'm sure the Harley is now in his past, but we definitely hope fishing is still in his future.

Now on a lighter note, this is what we saw when we came out from eating breakfast at the Farmhouse Restaurant in downtown Branson:

How can you not smile at a horse who thinks he is Dr. Suess!