Chickadees ~ Prior to First Firing

Here are the little chickadees prior to the first firing. The blue areas are an underpainting for the black areas and the darker parts of the feathers. These colors will fire out quite a bit in the first firing and will be much lighter than they are now.

Porcelain Painting of Chickadees ~ Step by Step

I wanted to share with you my current project and I thought it would be fun to take you through the process step by step. I have been dabbling in porcelain painting for a few years. This is truly a dying artform, for a few reasons. Although there are many porcelain artists around the world, finding a teacher or mentor close to you is not always possible. Because of the need for access to a kiln, which is no small investment, and the cost and accessibility of porcelain paints, many artists shy away from porcelain painting. Porcelain and porcelain paints are easily found on the internet, but when you're starting out, with no one to guide you, it's daunting to know what to choose.

I have learned through purchasing dvd's from Barbara Duncan, Barbara Duncan Art. I love her style of painting, especially her roses, and her dvd's are fabulous.



I want so much to learn how to paint birds, and the above is taken from her dvd on Chickadees. I have sketched the design on a beautiful porcelain trivet/tea tile, using a china pencil. My drawing will fire off in the first firing, but gives me a starting point with my painting.

I will now do an underpainting of the birds and branches and then fire the piece, which will be the first of about 3 or 4 firings.

Check back to see the piece after the first painting has been completed!!

A Few Creative Ways to Use Your Business Card

1.Leave a business card or two in any ladies room that you visit!

2.Tuck a business card in with every piece of correspondence that you send....even when paying bills!

3.Leave a business card with your tip in a restaurant.....as long as you're a good tipper. I don't suggest doing it if you're a cheapskate.

4.Give cards to spouses, friends or family to carry with them.

5.Keep business cards with you everywhere....in your car, your purse, your briefcase or even the diaper bag.

6.Ask neighborhood businesses if you may display a few cards next to the register. You'll be surprised at how many will agree.

7.Post business cards up on the bulletin boards in the grocery or library.......anyplace that has a bulletin board.

8.Do business card swaps with friends in a similar business. I often do swaps where I include a friends business card along with mine when I ship out a product. It's a great way to network.

9.I also create my own business card magnets. The magnet sheets can be purchased at Hobby Lobby or Michael's and they're easy to attach to the back of your business card. Or they can be ordered with the magnet already attached. Send these out with products. They're useful and a great way to keep your name in front of your customer. Better that it might end up as a magnet on the fridge than stuffed in someone's wallet!

10.Scan your business card into your computer and use it as a signature or logo on all of your emails.

11.When I do shows I always use them as great hang-tags on my items. Take advantage of the FREE offers at places like Vista.com for inexpensive cards. For a couple of dollars more they will upload your own art or logo. They do mine and I love them! (From Janet)

If you've got some creative way, leave them in a comment and I'll add them to the list!

Haiti Earthquake ~ How to Help

HOW TO HELP.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Rooster and Roses

Here's one of my latest paintings, combining two of my favorite decorating themes.....roosters and roses.

Free Travel Tissue Holder Tutorial!

These great little travel tissue holders can be used everywhere....car, diaper bag, purse, desk. They make perfect gifts and stocking stuffers..

With this SEWING TUTORIAL, you’ll be able to create as many as you wish for gift giving, but make a couple for yourself first!

You will be receiving a full tutorial with step by step instructions, along with photos showing each and every step. This is a perfect project for the beginner sewer!

If you have any questions about the pattern email me. I will be happy to help you in any way.

Please note that this design, tutorial, instructions and photos are copyrighted by Casual Cottage and for personal use. Please do not sell, share, or distribute the tutorial.

View PDF File Here!

Decorating Dilemma - Updating a Vintage Sectional

My mom and dad collected antiques for years. My mom also never got rid of any piece of furniture. She just recycled/recovered/slipcovered. When we had to move her out of her 2500 sf house into a mobile home, we were forced to sell many pieces of furniture. My sister and I took all the "good stuff" and sold the rest. This sectional sofa below, was one of those items to be sold. My mom bought this about 50 years ago and still used it. She had it recovered several times. I hated this sofa! It's not comfortable, it's too modern looking and impossible to snuggle up on for a nice nap! But when the time came to actually sell it, I couldn't do it. I haven't got a clue why, but I was attached to it.



So here it sits....in my living room. The current fabric is old and worn and it needs several springs repaired. NOW what do I do with it? I don't know how I would slipcover it, which is what I would prefer. It has 2 sections, one of which has an odd angle and a great stool at the end. I supposed I could just have it reupholstered and I'm sure it would look much better, but really wanted to be able to change the look of it with the seasons.

Help me out here, ladies! What would you do with this sofa......throwing it out is not an option. :) Anyone see any possibilities/hope for it??

Where Do You Find Your Inspiration?

The holidays are over, and if you live in my house, there are no signs that Christmas ever happened here. Decorations are packed away, waiting for the mad rush again next year. And.....if you're anything like me, you feel a little relieved that the holiday season is over. In fact, I'm still not back in the swing of things. Still "contemplating" 2010 and finding it just a bit difficult to get it in gear again.

For the most part, I'm looking for inspiration! I haven't a clue as to where it went, but after the break at holiday time, it went missing! Normally, I have ideas floating in the nooks and crannies of my cluttered little brain all of the time, but they have escaped me now.

For today, I'm going to sit in my favorite chair, with my brand new afghan, my coffee and my stacks and stacks of magazines....everything from Romantic Homes to Country Home to Birds and Blooms......hoping that inspiration will find me.

Would love to know what all of you do for inspiration. Sometimes our inspiration comes from the smallest sight, sound or smell. Please take a moment to share with us. I'll be here all day.....sitting and enjoying my magazines and would love to read your thoughts!

Have a great day everyone!

Candylights ~ They're Here!

Just in time for your holiday decorating! Each strand is 12' long, with 35 sweet, little hand dipped bulbs. Color available: Wedding Cake (white), Buttercreme, Cotton Candy, Kiwi, Bubblegum, Melon and Multicolor.

Some Fun Hand Painted/Decoupaged Candles

Sew, Mama, Sew!

From the list of their current fans on Facebook, I am really behind in finding this fabulous website! For anyone who loves sewing, you must visit Sew, Mama, Sew! The website, blog and forums are all under one location. What I really love are the great, creative, FREE, sewing tutorials. The Tutorial below is one of my favorites!

Scalloped Fabric Garland Tutorial

If you love sewing, stop by Sew, Mama,Sew! for fabulous fabrics, tutorials, sewing patterns and notions. And, if you are already familiar with this website,.....why didn't you tell me about it???

Playing For Change

If you have a moment, take time to watch the entire video. This is truly inspirational, as well as great entertainment! If you're my age, you will especially love the the music!


Source: Playing For Change
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