It seems that each time I begin this blog, I start out talking about the weather. I cannot help myself. These past few weeks have been absolutely wonderful. It seems like in these past few years, we can count how many times we actually have spring weather. We usually go from winter right into the heat of summer. It has been a joy to have the windows open. So far, I am not bothered with sever allergies as many of my family and friends are. I am loving every single day.Since moving over two years ago, I have been planning to rid myself of wood clutter that has kept me from painting. Every time I pick up my paint brush, I think to myself that I should be going through the last of my boxes and sorting through all of the excess wood that I have. I know that I will never paint on these pieces in my lifetime. I am finally starting to do go through this maze. What a good feeling! I will let you know when the big sale will be.Last month, I taught a 3-day seminar at The Tole Patch in Camden, Delaware. What a wonderful little shop. It is bursting at the seams with lots of surfaces, books, pattern packets, and brushes. I always come away really motivated to start on something new to paint. The first day of teaching, we painted Maureen McNaughton’s Sunflowers on Red; and for the 2nd and 3rd days, I taught Hickory Ridge by Betty Caithness. This piece was just released to the public a few weeks ago. You can view it on my Gallery Page (under construction). Owner Gavin Standish is so easy going and fun to work with. You can visit her website and shop at www.thetolepatch.com. I will return to the Tole Patch the first weekend in November 2012 for yet another unpublished Betty Caithness design called, “Off to Grandma’s.
“In a couple of weeks, I will travel to the Wilmington, NC coast to teach at Azalea Coast Decorative Painters. The seminar will be held June 5-7, 2012 in Oak Island, North Carolina. I will be teaching Maureen’s Butterfly collection. This is such a fun piece. I have taught it at least 6-7 times. In my opinion, this piece is, by far, the most successful piece she has designed. See my Schedule and Gallery for photos. If you have been planning a trip to the East Coast, why not join us. See contact information on my “Schedule” page. This will be my last seminar until I start up again in September at Pampered Palette for another Caithness design called Winter Haven. I will have a photo on my schedule soon. You can also see it at www.pamperedpalette.com. Click on “Educational Seminars” to see.
A LIMITED NUMBER OF ZIM’S NUTCRACKERS AND SMOKERS
An acquaintance recently moved to a retirement home. She had a large amount of wood and other surfaces like many of us and wondered what to do with all of this stuff. She was able to donate the majority of her wood. However, I convinced her to let me attempt to recoup some of her costs by selling her nutcrackers and smokers. As a result, I took possession of some 80 Zim’s Nutcrackers and Smokers. I have just today added them to my website. I am sure that many of you are familiar with Zims’ as one of the most popular vendors at HOOT and SDP Conventions a few years ago. Unfortunately, they are not in business any longer. These nutcrackers are not being made anymore. The last catalog that I have is from 2005. If you are interested in purchasing any of these, please contact me by email as soon as possible as I do not have large quantities of any these. I will sell these on a first com first served basis. To see these, click on the “Nutcrackers” tab at the top of the page. You can contact me by clicking on the “Contact” tab at the top of the page, as well.
Please pay close attention to the dimensions so that you will not be surprised upon delivery.
I pray that you all will have a healthy happy Summer!
Many more hugs,
Sandy