Painting Thyme Needfuls

It's thyme for LOVE

2012-02-05T01:11:00.076-06:00

Do you still

LOVE

me?
I know I haven't been around a lot lately!

Step inside

my studio and take a peak!

I'm surrounded by

LOVE

I have painted lots

and

lots of signs for

Valentines Day

I have also been

RUSTING

hinges

and

keys

You can find my rust recipe

HERE

I've made

LARGE

black hearts

and

FAT

red hearts

and

LARGE

red hearts

and

FAT

black hearts

all cut from rough sawn lumber

and

HINGED

together with rusty hinges

I hope that you get to spend some thyme each day doing something you

LOVE

~ " There is one thing one has to have- either a soul that is cheerful by nature or a soul made cheerful by work, love, art and knowledge"~ Friedrich Nietzsche

Hugs,

Lynn

Thyme for a wintry friend.....a design by Terrye French

2012-01-11T12:32:00.000-06:00

With the exception of a surprise

Nor'Easter in October

we have had a snow less winter

here in

And you know what?????

That is ok with me!

I'm still painting snowmen though

The snowman I painted is a

Terrye French design

It can be found in her book

WINTRY FRIENDS

this was a fun design to paint and see the snowman come to life

here I have started to add some of the details to the scarf and flag

This is a nice winter thyme

design that you can leave out all season

I added the word

WELCOME

to the top

I added

REAL buttons

to the snowman's jacket

Here is my

WINTRY FRIEND

all finished!

The forecast is actually calling for a

SNOW STORM

tomorrow!

Hugs,

Lynn

If it weren't for kids have you ever thought there wouldn't be no Santa Claus

2011-12-25T13:14:00.002-06:00

Every year at

Christmas Thyme

I ask myself

can I

MAKE THE MAGIC HAPPEN

again this year??????

Well.......this year was going to be no different......

the long lists of things to do

the endless baking , cookie making

and

wrapping

BUT

then we found out

Our daughter Julie was expecting

a little

Christmas elf

named

Nathan on December 26th!

and

so this Noni became caught up in all the excitement

preparing for Nathans arrival!

Of course Nathan needed a

Christmas stocking

so the

"Elf" was busy making Nathan and my SIL Joe's stockings...

And

of course Nathan would need

Christmas jammies

AND

CHRISTMAS OUTFIT

But then ....... a few complications arose

and

Julie was put on bed rest for 2 weeks

She had to return to the hospital every 3 days

for non-stress tests and ultra sounds

at that point it was a matter of

and that we did

as her "due date" was changed from Dec 26 to,

Dec 18

then

AGAIN changed to being admitted

December 19 to be induced.

I was able to go to the hospital to be with her as she labored

BUT

I watched and waited for 43 long hard hours

and

saw what she had to endure to bring Nathan into this world

and

MAKE THE MAGIC

happen for us

Nathan Peter Pinksten

6 lbs 3oz

"If you don't BELIEVE IN MIRACLES JULZ....then perhaps you have forgotten that you are one"

Love you........Mom xoxoxoxo

And sooooooooo

the MAGIC of Christmas has brought us the greatest gift of all

Our little Christmas elf

Nathan

I wish you all

Merry Christmas

surrounded by the Magic that comes to those who

Thyme for some snow ladies

2011-12-23T12:21:00.001-06:00

How did it get to be the day before Christmas Eve???

Today will be spent baking, preparing ,cleaning catching up

AND

putting the finishing touches on the

MAGIC

can I do it????????

That is the question of the day!!!!

Every year I like to make ornaments for my nieces, nephews

and

my own children to add to their "collections"

for their own trees someday.

so I started with some white satin ball ornaments,

a white craft boa, ribbon

and

lots of

DIAMOND DUST

for sparkle

Do you ever the feeling someone is watching you???

I sure did when painting these ornaments!!!

They were really fun to paint!

I hope the

MAGIC of Christmas

is beginning to happen for you!

Hugs,

Lynn

Thyme to meet THE NUTTY TOYMAKER

2011-12-15T09:27:00.001-06:00

I'm still trying to finish up a few special orders

and

get my own gifts painted

This is a wooden Nutcracker surface

that I had purchased several years

ago from a company called

Zims

that was going out of business.

They made the most amazing and unique

nutcrackers.

Lots of detail!

Love his plaid coat!

It was so much fun painting him

and

slowly watching him come to life

The surface I used is called

The Nutty Toymaker

Look at the

toy train

tiny nutcrackers that work!

and

bear

I found a pattern to paint him

in the

December 2003 issue

Tole World

The pattern designer was

Tonya Kennedy

The little train that goes around the base

is full of detail and so much fun to paint

I also painted pine branches,berries and snowflakes

around the base.

Are you ready to see a close up of his face?

Don't you just love him????

Side view

He is really a OOAK piece

these nutcracker surfaces are no longer available

And here he is!

The Nutty Nutcracker

I really love him......so I decided he is going to be a gift for me!!!!

Hugs,

Lynn

In the meadow I can build a snowmnan....a BIG SNOWMAN.... A GIGANTIC 5 1/2' ONE...... I'm just sayin I can do that.! And know what I'm gonna!!!!!

2011-12-06T00:22:00.001-06:00

Even though we don't have

any

SNOW

yet

I decided to build a

REALLY BIG SNOW MAN

today!

Scarf, carrot nose, star and big black buttons!

I think I have everything I need!

So outside we go...........to see the

MAGIC HAPPEN!

WOW!

Those are

REALLY BIG

square????

snowballs!

well......they are sticking together!!!!

I think he needs a hat now!

Lets add his carrot nose and eyes!

what a handsome guy!

And there you have him!

He is standing guard outside my studio door

just so no one peeks in to see what other

MAGIC

is happening inside!

Hugs,

Lynn

Are you celebrating the JOYS OF THE SEASON?????

2011-12-04T11:35:00.001-06:00

This is such a busy

THYME

of year for me in my studio

trying to

MAKE THE MAGIC HAPPEN

I sometimes wish I could get out more

and

enjoy the sights, sounds and festivities of the season!

Each year I say I'm going to start earlier

BUT

it never seems to happen??

so for now...I'm enjoying the JOY of painting and creating!

Here is a Terrye French Design that I have painted on a small sled

called

JOYS OF THE SEASON

I made lots of the wooden candy cane ornies this year

they are from another Terrye French pattern packet

and

of course they are sprinkled in lots of

diamond dust as is the candy cane on the sled!

I painted the a tag to go with the sled

also using a Terrye French Design

This was a fun design to paint!

Remember we can all be artists...........

"Each day is a new canvas to paint upon.

Make sure your picture is full of life and happiness,

and

at the end of the day you don't look at it

and

wish you had painted something different."

~Author Unknown

Hugs,

Lynn

Thyme to BELIEVE in the miracle of snow.........and to see what my ELF helper is up to!

2011-12-02T00:32:00.000-06:00

I painted this design on a board about 40" tall

that I cut out in the shape of an

ironing board

It is called

BELIEVE IN THE MIRACLE OF SNOW

It is a Primitive Blessings Twigs Design

that I added some of my own touches to.

I love the sparkling snowflake hanging from his carrot nose!

With the exception of the
October Noreaster we experienced in New England
(you can read about that HERE)
a few weeks ago we have been
snow free!
We even enjoyed some warm temps last weekend
a bonus for finishing up fall chores and decorating for the holidays!
I have been so BUSY getting ready for 2
Open Houses
this weekend at the shops I paint for.
I even hired an ELF to help me
MAKE THE MAGIC HAPPEN
as I have said in previous posts..........
well I TRIED to teach him to paint........
ummmmmmmm
FAIL
So ......I have him busy wrapping which he is pretty good at!!!!!!!!!!

So.......how are your HOLIDAY preparations coming along?
Are you going to be READY for the
MAN IN THE BIG RED SUIT?
OH..........I hope I can
MAKE THE MAGIC HAPPEN!
Hugs,
Lynn

Thyme to put "the elf" to work!

2011-11-29T00:33:00.000-06:00

It's that thyme of year again!

THYME TO MAKE THE MAGIC HAPPEN!!!

I don't know if its just me....but I just can not seem to do all that I used to do.......so I hired

"the elf"

again this year

from

Brenda

The Rusty Thimble

I thought I would give you a peek into the studio

to see what I've been working on

and I'm sure you will agree

that

I need to teach "the elf" to paint!

there are candy cane ornies to make

Santa's to paint

and assemble

Crows to paint

and

Santa hats to grunge for the crows

fabric to grunge

bells to rust

Snowballs to make

for

Snowman icicle ornies

Lots of snow ladies to paint and assemble

Signs to paint

Finished pieces to photograph and tag

Lots of finished pieces

to deliver to the 2 shops that I paint for

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!

I just need to

that I can

MAKE THE MAGIC HAPPEN

before

the

man in the

BIG RED SUIT

comes!

Hugs,

Lynn

Thyme to say Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T01:30:00.014-06:00

On this

Thanksgiving Day

there is just so many things

that I am

THANKFUL

for!

I am most thankful for my

family, home, talents and friends

I am so truly blessed!

The most precious

GIFT

all this holiday will

My new grandson Nathan!

My daughter Julie is expecting

December 26th!

This is Julz and I a few weeks ago at a baby shower I gave her

I am now painting for 2 shops....

Country Plus in Hopkinton MA

and

Cinnamon Stick and Candlewicks in Dennis Cape Cod

We bought a home on Cape Cod last January

for our retirement

that we are currently remodeling

both

inside and out

so it has left me with little or no

free thyme!

I wish you all a wonderful holiday season

thyme shared with those you love

family and friends!

I thought it appropriate to share with you today

one of my favorite artists paintings

called

Freedom From Want

Norman Rockwell

~Freedom from Want or The Thanksgiving Picture
is one of
Four Freedoms paintings
by Norman Rockwell
that were inspired by
United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt
in the State of the Union Address,
known as
The Four Freedoms
Hugs,
Lynn

Its THYME to be thankful........... after a October Nor'easter

2011-11-01T22:39:00.000-05:00

That is how I'm feeling after this past weekends

NOR'EASTER

that swept thru Massachusetts

causing downed trees

knocking out power to millions,

and blamed for 3 deaths.

There are still thousands without power.

We were at our Cape Cod home

which we are renovating and lost power

so we returned home to

THIS

sustained some major tree damage

trees down in our front yard

another view of the front yard

this tree lost a huge limb barely missing the pool fence

and my sons car

another view

this is our side yard and gardens

This birch in the backyard is going to need to come down.....just missing our deck

this is a second birch in our back yard that lost a huge limb

the rest of the tree is bent over to the ground

so will have to be cut down.

I'm thankful no one was hurt, our home did not sustain damage

but many people have not been so lucky.

Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as the clean up and restoration of power continues.

Hugs,

Lynn

Are you ready for Halloween???? If not its THYME My Pretties!

2011-10-23T11:24:00.002-05:00

Where did the month of October go??????

Next week is

HALLOWEEN!

ARE

YOU READY????

there are lots of BATS flying around

bats

flying around here

This is one of my own designs called

Off we go a HAUNTING

there are also alot of ghosts here

My Pretties!

This is also another design of mine called

I BOO believe in ghosts

you can purchased the E-Pattern for this design

Painting Thyme Patterns

HERE

My porch is decorated and ready for all the little

ghosts and goblins

I made the chair you see from an old shutter I found

I call it

A SPOOKtacular Chair

You can purchase my chair pattern

Painting Thyme Patterns

HERE
I also painted the old window above the chair
using
this design by
John Sliny
called
Ghost Crossing

I made signs using this pattern also

I enlarged the design to paint the window

Well My Pretties......

If you are not READY yet ..........

for all those little ghosts and goblins

a bippity -bobbity-boooooooooo to you...may I suggest you dooooooo!

Hugs,

Lynn

Its all About The Candy....Thyme to show you some Candy Corn salt dough ornies, a Candy Corn Kat and a Candy Corn sheep hang

2011-10-13T10:15:00.001-05:00

Halloween is just a few weeks away!

I'm thinking candy...lots of candy!

I decided to make some salt dough

CANDY CORN

ornies

these are always fun to make

and paint!

I found a small crock pot that I use to melt wax in...

I dip my ornies in the wax after painting

I drilled small holes in the top so I could hang them

I like to find old tins like this

or these

I designed a wood tree like this

I use plaster of paris to set the wood tree in the tins

I can now hang my ornies on my tree!

I keep it out year around and just change the

ornies for the season!

If you would like to try your hand at salt dough making
visit my friend
Colleen
at
And Baby Make Five
HERE
for some awesome salt dough tutorials
I also cut out and made some more
Candy Corn Kats

These are my own design
You can find the pattern for them
in my pattern shop
Painting Thyme Patterns
HERE

I also cut out some large black sheep
another
Painting Thyme Pattern
you can find
HERE
I added
candy corn hang

This can be used as a sign or hang for your sheep
also a
Painting Thyme Pattern you can find
HERE
I hope you are enjoying fall crafting and decorating as much as I am!
Until next time
MY Pretties!!!!!!!!!!!!
Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!
Lynn

Thyme for Cinnamon Sticks and Candlewicks, prim pumpkins, and witch shoes!

2011-09-26T11:43:00.001-05:00

I have kept my husband very busy lately

still

cutting out more

FALL

pieces

These are some new prim pumpkins that I designed this year

they measure about 42" tall

and are cut from rough sawn lumber

It was such a gorgeous day at the Cape

I decided to paint them outside on the driveway

instead of in my studio

Grace Picard

our neighbors dog decided to come over and keep me company!

she is an ole girl

She comes almost every day for her cookie

Once she enjoyed her cookie she pretty much

wasn't interested in a painting lesson!

So she headed on home!

Here is one of the prim pumpkins

on my studio door at Cape Cod

This is a close up of the leave on the pumpkin.

I also finished up one of my large back garden sheep with a candy corn hang

I have a "few" more Fall pieces to finish up then

I really need to get in " Christmas" mode

Witch shoes ready to be antiqued

I will be heading out to

Cinnamon Sticks and Candlewicks

West Dennis

this week to deliver

some more

Fall Thyme Goodies

celebrate the

1st ANNUAL HARVEST BRUNCH!

Saturday, October 1, 2011 at 11:00am
If you are visiting Cape Cod be sure to stop on by and say hello to JoDee and Bob!

Hugs,

Lynn

Thyme for some outdoor FALL THYME painting, decorating and planting

2011-09-21T11:50:00.000-05:00

Even though our

Cape Cod home

is undergoing some extensive renovations right now

I decided to do a little

FALL THYME

decorating

My hubs cut me out a large pumpkin bench using my

SITTING IN THE PUMPKIN PATCH
design

you can find the pattern for this bench
at
Painting Thyme Needfuls

HERE

I first painted the bench BLACK using an outdoor stain for a

PRIM LOOK

I them painted the

PUMPKIN

part of the bench using an orange tinted stain

I let some of the black show through for a prim look

I made a grapevine wreath that I attached around my window

I added white lights

I switch out different vines for every season

that I attach to the grapevine wreath around the window

I took this ironing board that I painted for

Painting With Friends

to the Cape

The design is called

Autumn Harvest
It was designed by
Terrye French
and
painted by me
You can purchase the pattern

HERE

I stood the ironing board on the porch by my back door

I also did some fall thyme yard work and decorating

I trimmed back all my hydrangea bushes at my other house and brought them to the Cape

I just stick the "cuttings" in the ground to make new bushes

I usually remove the leaves and flower heads

I was able to make 20 new bushes from the "cuttings"

I planted the "cuttings" all along the grass line

the bushes should be beautiful there come next year

I added mums and kale plants to my window boxes and around the yard

My studio window

This is a new birdhouse that I hope to put on a tall pole in the garden

I have picked the last of the veggies in the garden

I just love the

FALL THYME

Clematis vine growing on the garden fence

it hides the not so attractive veggie garden at this

thyme of year!

This vine is called

SWEET AUTUMN

and

it certainly lives up to its name

with

its wonderful sweet fragrance !

I just sooooooo enjoy this wonderful thyme of year in

New England!

Hugs,

Lynn

Thyme for a full o' fright kind o' night

2011-09-04T13:18:00.010-05:00

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek

MY PRETTIES!

There are GHOSTS and BATS everywhere in my studio!

Where did the summer go????

Its now SEPTEMBER

and

THAT IS FRIGHTENING!!!!!

THYME

to get out the

Ole broom AND paint brushes my pretties!!!!

I'm stirring up lots of

SPOOKY IDEAS

added

with a little

HOCUS POCUS!!!

I've been painting lots of fall signs

among other

TRICKS AND TREATS

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeek!!!!!

I have cut out lots of these

GHOSTS

and

have been painting them

The GHOST pattern is my own design

It is called

I BOO Believe in Ghosts

you can purchase it from my Painting Thyme Pattern page

HERE
The ghost measures 20" tall

pattern includes design for the little bat on the ghosts shoulder

This is a new pattern this year that I just finished called

Off We Go A Haunting

I will be making this into a PDF pattern

so it will soon be available as an E-Pattern

AND

sooooooo

MY PRETTIES

I must get back to stirring the

wicked potions

that are bubbling in my cauldron

Soooo I will leave you with

HALLOWEEN POEM

thats

frightful.........

Bushes quiver
where shadows lean,
and not a sliver
of moon is seen.
Near the river
some goblins (green)
with a witch in front
and a ghost in between
Make me sh..i..vvvver,
but I am keen
about the shivers
of Halloween.
~Aileen Fisher~
Hugs,
Lynn

Thyme to pick apples and school days

2011-08-21T00:32:00.001-05:00

Can you believe that it is almost

APPLE PICKING THYME?

Wow where has the summer gone?

I am now painting for 2 shops so can we say

BUSY, BUSY , BUSY!!!!!

This is a welcome sign that I have painted using a

John Sliney Design

called

Nature & Company

I also painted the cider sign

I bought the little desk you see in my header a few years ago

in an

Antique Shop

I painted the design on the top of it with a

John Sliney Design

design called

Jordan Goes to School

I just love this little desk
In the fall I usually put it out on my porch to decorate.
When it is inside the house
one of my favorite bears likes to sit at it!
Hugs,
Lynn

Eeeeek! It's that THYME again!

2011-08-15T14:43:00.005-05:00

I'm feeling like I'm gonna have to start believing in

MAGIC

I can't believe the summer is quickly coming to an end

and

its thyme to really be thinking about fall and holiday crafting.........

sooooooooooo

once again

It's thyme to make the

MAGIC

HAPPEN!

This is a

fall thyme sign I painted

I added a bat cutout to the top of the sign

Have you started you

FALL & HOLIDAY

crafting yet?

☺/ღ˚ •。* ♥ ˚ ˚✰˚ ˛★* 。 ღ˛° 。* °♥ ˚ • ★ *˚ .ღ 。

/▌*˛˚ღ •˚ ˚HELLO! ** I am the HAPPINESS FAIRY ~♥~˚ ✰*

/ \ ˚. ★ *˛ ˚♥ I've sprinkled happy dust on your BLOG.✰˚* ˚ ★ღ ˚. ★ *˛

˚♥* So Smile . This crap is expensive!!!✰˚ ˚ღ。* ˛

HuGs,

LyNn

Thyme to show you some PRIM tables I made

2011-08-12T09:31:00.001-05:00

This is a picture of my

old coffee table and end tables

they aren't really "old"

but I wanted a more prim look for my

Cape Cod

house

I drew up a design and my husband went to work on it!

these were actually quite easy to make

I used

Olde Century Lamp Black

paint

I found it easier to paint them before assembling them

After I finished painting them I used my

palm sander

to heavily sand them for a prim look

I used

Olde Century Walnut Gel Stain

to antique them

After they were assembled I filled in nail holes with wood filler

The top of the coffee table opens for storage

(please excuse the floors...we removed all the carpets in the house

to install wide pine floors as part of our renovations)

End table

I really LOVE how they came out!

I am really excited to say that we have FINALLY completed the process

for

a building permit to start renovations on our

Cape Cod

retirement home!

The first thing we will be doing is removing the garage door

and

putting a box window there

the "former garage" will become my

dining room

At some point we may will bulid a free standing garage with room over for guests

In addition we will be doing lots of renovations inside....moving a wall to open up the kitchen,

relocating a bathroom on first floor, adding beam ceilings, wide pine floors throughout the house,

a new master suite and bathroom

It will be be a long process over the next few years but I think worth it all in the end!

Hugs,

Lynn

Thyme for a Harvest Sampler

2011-08-02T12:04:00.001-05:00

I used to do a lot of stitchery samplers

but
my vision isn't what it used to be........so I painted a sampler!

This is a 36" wood shovel that I found at a thrift store

I decided to use a

PAINTING WITH FRIENDS

pattern on it

called

HARVEST SAMPLER

this is a design by Terrye French

I transferred the design to my surface using graphite paper

This was a fun FALL design to paint!

I added some sunflowers to the handle

This would make a nice fall thyme door or wall hang
Hugs,
Lynn

Thyme to come and sit in the Pumpkin Patch with me!

2011-07-26T15:35:00.001-05:00

Have been wondering where I have been ?

Well.....I've been sitting in the

Pumpkin Patch

And look I've been sitting on a

Pumpkin shape bench that I designed and painted!

You can find my pattern for

SITTING IN THE PUMPKIN PATCH

HERE

It looks like there is going to be a GREAT crop of

PUMPKINS

this year!

small prim

PUMPKINS

and

LARGE PRIM

PUMPKINS

in all

ShApeS and SiZeS

I even saw some

PUMPKIN

Garden stakes!

Even the

CROWS

were glad to see the

PUMPKINS

back in the patch!

I love painting and decorating for

Fall!

~I would rather sit alone on a pumpkin than crowded on a velvet cushion

Henry David Thoreau

Do you like to paint signs? Do you have lots of stencils? I have 100's of stencils and thought it was about THYME I come up with a better storage system

2011-07-16T11:26:00.000-05:00

I have lots of stencils for signs

I used to store them in cardboad mailing tubes

such as these that I cut to size.

I would put 3 stencils per tube

separated by a sheet of paper in between

and roll them together and put them in the tube

I then typed and printed labels for the stencils

put them in draws

BUT

it was becoming impossible to find a stencil quickly

because I have such a large inventory

There is a large support beam down the middle of my studio

I took a wood closet rod, painted it BLACK

and

hung it between the 2 posts

this space is about 90" wide

I found these metal shower rings

so I used a regular paper hole punch and

punched a hole in the end of each stencil

and

hung them

I have hung them by catagories

ie: Spring, Summer, Holidays etc.

I will make labeled separators

I will be able to have double rods

so LOTS of stencil storage!

Here is a

New England sign I painted

its

HUGE

Living in New England

is my favorite THYME of year!

I can now quickly get out all my fall stencils for signs

and

get to work!

Hugs,

Lynn

Its thyme to step inside my studio to see what I've been working on

2011-07-11T12:38:00.001-05:00

I love spending thyme in my

Cape Cod Studio

Come on in !

I'll show you what has been keeping me busy!

Lady Bugs! Lots of them!

and

summer thyme signs

Even though there is still plenty of

SUMMER DAYS

left I have started to think of

FALL

And

how it will be here before I know it!

so I have been thinking

WITCHES

pumpkins and crows

sunflowers...............and lots more!

Most days you will find me here....

painting and creating

I do like to take a break

and walk outside into my gardens

to see whats is in bloom

hmmmmmmmmm..........looks like the

Lady Bugs decided to follow me!

Herb planters

this is our first summer here so its fun seeing what will come into bloom next

such a peaceful place to be!

Some thymes I even hop in my car with my lunch

and

drive 10 minutes over to the beach or harbor

And

at the end of the day

I feel so very blessed to be doing what I love the most!

"Each day is a new canvas to paint upon.

Make sure your picture is full of life and happiness,

and

at the end of the day you don't look at it

and

wish you had painted something different."

~Author Unknown

Hugs,

Lynn

Thyme to show your true colors! RED, WHITE AND BLUE!

2011-06-24T09:00:00.003-05:00

We will be at our new home on Cape Cod

for the

4th of July

I decorated my porch
in

RED, WHITE AND BLUE

I found this old sifter at a thrift store

and

decided to make a floral arrangement in it

I purchased some red, white and blue artificial flowers

I made the banner!

You can find the

TUTORIAL

to make a banner like this in

my blog post

HERE

Thank you to

Kim Dewalt

from

Old Road Primitives

for

this tutorial which I found

in the

February - March Issue

Prim Sisters Gazette

I bought some twig vines to put around my porch window

I had the stars

I added white lights

I wired a piece of floral styrofoam to the inside of the sifter

then covered it with moss

then I added the flowers

and

banner

I used an old flag to attach the banner to

I drilled holes in the sides of the sifter

wire on the banner

I added rusty bells using rusty pins

using this recipe

RUST RECIPE

1c peroxide

1 c vinegar

3 tbls salt

Combine all ingredients in a throw away container or glass.

add bells, pins etc. and let set 1-2 days in mixture.

the mixture will most likely foam up and come over top of container

Remove items with a slotted spoon

and

put on cookie sheet with shallow side,

let sit in sun for day or too, can also dry indoors.

I cut out and painted a

Uncle Sam to put by the door

I love how it all came together!

What do you think

my porch?

Hugs,

Lynn

Thyme to paint RED, WHITE and BLUE!

2011-06-11T09:17:00.000-05:00

I love painting

AMERICANA

I cut some large pineapples

out of rough sawn lumber

this measures about 28" tall

I first painted the pineapple

BLACK

for a

PRIM

look

I taped the stripes off using painters tape

I painted the stripes using

DELTA BARN RED and NIGHTFALL BLUE

I painted on the stars

using

DELTA LIGHT IVORY

I then antiqued using

Olde Century Gel Stain

WALNUT

I used a wood burning tool for the lines in the pineapple

This is a nice summer thyme or even year round decorative piece

Hugs,

Lynn

Its painting thyme again for me!

2011-06-06T11:36:00.001-05:00

I'm glad to be back into painting full time again

after my 3 week trip to Italy

and

the not so perfect trip home

as I described in my last post

HERE

I've been at the Cape

and

I'm loving my new studio

Why don't you step inside for a peek !

Its bright and cheery

and

there is plenty of room to spread out and create!

I have been busy designing new things for summer

and

also painting some old favorites!

Here is a

Large Primitive Pineapple Door Box

I designed

It measures about 36" tall

Well.........

back to the brushes for me

I'm thinking

Red, White and Blue paint next!

Hugs,

Lynn

Thyme to explain where I've been.....and thyme on Cape Cod

2011-06-02T12:34:00.000-05:00

Its been awhile since my last post so thought I would

explain why I've been

MIA
I just returned from a fabulous trip to Italy with my husband, son Andrew and daughter Julie!

I was gone for over 2 1/2 weeks.....it was the perfect trip

BUT

it had a not so perfect ending

For quite some time now I've had difficulties with a pinched nerve and cyst on my spine....

it was a grueling trip, we visited family in
Parma and Fano.

We then met up with a tour group in Milan and visited San Marino, Urbino,Riccione, Florence, Tuscany, Cinque Terre, San Gimigimano,Sienna, and Rome

I am truly thankful to have at last arrived safely home from Italy.

We were scheduled to come home on Sunday the 22 . We never made it home......we boarded the plane @ 12:30 PM and ended up sitting on the runway for about 3 1/2 hours due to engine failure. After they FINALLY decided the plane would not be able to leave the ground we were allowed to leave the plane....it then took us another 2+ hours to go to baggage claim collect luggage...several in our group had serious luggage damage even tho the plane never left the ground... we were placed on a bus and headed to a hotel by almost 6:30 PM....only to have to repeat it all again the next day. On Monday we left the hotel in Rome before 9 AM and the group headed to the airport.....we were faced with mass confusion at the ticket counter as we were a group of over 30 people. We boarded the plane as scheduled and flew from Rome to Munich which was a one hour flight. We then changed plane in Munich and boarded the flight to Boston which was about an 8 hour flight. But about 2 hours into the flight I experienced severe leg swelling and pain from a pinched nerve and cyst on my spine......I got up and tried to walk around but no relief........the crew aboard Lufthunsa were wonderful and did everything possible to try to get me comfortable.....unfortunately I became ill and lost consciousness aboard the flight. I will forever be grateful to the skilled crew aboard the plane They quickly were able to move me to the tail of the plane and lie me down. An announcement was made asking for any medical professionals aboard to respond to the medical emergency. Luckily there were 2 doctors, a couple EMT"S and Nurse Practitioner aboard. Because of my symptoms, vital signs and semi conscious state they were concerned that I needed immediate medical attention for a possible blood clot or heart attack...Landing at Logan Airport was still almost 4+ hours away ...the decision was made to divert the plane to St John Newfoundland where and ambulance was waiting for me..Peter came with me but Andrew and Julz remained on the plane.....with my SIL, BIL and the rest of the group..The plane was grounded for over 2 hours as the rescue personnel came aboard and prepared to transport me to hospital..customs and security had to come aboard...I stayed the night in the hospital there undergoing numerous tests...Luckily I did not have a blood clot or heart attack. The many hours I had spent on the plane certainly contributed to what happened. I was d/c early yesterday AM and despite UNBELIEVABLE red tape with customs, security etc. I was cleared to board another plane ..we flew 1 hour 20 minutes to Halifax and changed planes and connected with a flight from Halifax to Boston. We arrived in Boston at about 5:30 PM . A very long exhausting day. Andrew picked us up. While I don't really remember much of what happened I am so very grateful for all the prayers, well wishes and all that everyone did for me. I am most grateful to Peter, Andrew and Julz and my family on the plane for never leaving my side.......I can only imagine the scare I gave them. I
I have been at my Cape home per Dr's orders for some R&R
I am slowly starting to feel like myself again. I've been doing a little gardening and hopefully now I can get back to painting!

Since I have been at the Cape I have finally had the chance to meet a fellow blogger
and
FB Friend
Lana Testa

from
Winterberry Primitives
Lana and her husband Dave
invited Pete and I over to
their wonderful
PRIM Cape Cod Home
for dinner
Lana and I had been chatting for months on FB....so seems like I had known her forever.....
Oh...the laughs we had, not to mention the wonderful dinner in the company of what I hope will be good friends.....our hubs got along splendidly.......they even enjoyed some "quiet time" on the couch after dinner! LOL!
Hugs,
Lynn

Something to crow about!

2011-05-04T10:12:00.003-05:00

Now that SPRING has finally
arrived in
New England
( I think!)
I have started painting and designing some
Yard and Garden Needfuls
I just LOVE CROWS!
This is a large

Ole Crow

that I have I designed

He measures 31" tall

This Ole Crow
would look great on a door, fence, porch etc.
He has a grungy tag that says
Olde Crow
tied around his neck

This is a fence post crow that I have designed

he comes with a dowel

so just drill a hole in the top of your post for him!

Here is a large Garden Crow

that I have designed and painted

I added a rusty tin star to the crows mouth

He looks wonderful standing in your garden.

Hugs,

Lynn

Thyme to show you what I painted for the Painting With Friends Chrismas Extravaganza!

2011-05-01T00:16:00.002-05:00

Painting With Friends

are

Painting Patterns designed by Terrye French

and

painted by .. who else .. but her friends!

My design is called

Christmas Treat Cups

I painted the design on a large board

and

then placed it behind an old window

I used some old Christmas Tree shutters I found to frame my window

This is a HUGE piece measuring 65"x27"

I made a video showing the steps to paint this piece

Enjoy!

Be sure to visit the Painting With Friends Blog!

HERE

We have been busy making new pattern pretties for the anxious painter and crafter for the wonderful fall and Christmas Holidays !! We are offering a fun filled pattern extravaganza in the Month of May !
New patterns filled with Santas, angels, prims and a lot of our favorite things !

Hugs,

Lynn

I think its thyme to say that SPRING HAS ARRIVED!

2011-04-29T12:35:00.000-05:00

This is the door that leads to my paint studio

Cape Cod

Oh what a

BEAUTIFUL DAY!

I decided to take a short painting break

and

walk around the yard

and

enjoy what is in bloom

I designed and painted the bench in my header( hubby built it)

as a birthday gift for my Mom last year
She has it on her patio

I purchased unfinished wood birdhouses that I painted and added to the top of the bench!

My Mom has already had some nesters......a sure sign of SPRING!

Hugs,

Lynn

Thyme for tour of my Cape Cod studio to see what I've been painting........

2011-04-19T12:23:00.002-05:00

In January my husband and I purchased

what will be our retirement home on Cape Cod

We have been doing lots of renovations

This is the door to my studio.....

come on in and see what I've been painting!

these are some

BEFORE

pictures of my studio

It had been used as a work shop by the former owner.

Its heated, air conditioned, has a bathroom

and

is on the main floor of the house.

this is a very BIG room

18'x18'

I vacumned and washed the floor

and

removed all draws and cabinet doors

I painted them

BLACK

I base coated the

RED FLOOR...BLACK

using 2 coats of a good quality floor paint

I re- hung cabinet doors and added new

black wrought iron hardware

One of my painting tables

I cut out an 18'x18' diamond template

My husband and I laid out the pattern on floor

and

used a roller to paint

oh my aching knees and back!

Its been said that DIAMONDS are a girls best friend????

I saw a LOT of diamonds this weekend....

I painted a large New England sign to hang over my paint table

We still have all around the outside edges of the room to paint

but I am loving it so far!

The center of the room will have a large desk

I am re-finishing 2 large cabinets that will go in there also for storage

So what do you think?

Painting partay anyone?

Hugs,

Lynn

Thyme to show you what I'm working on AND some EXCITING news from Painting With Friends

2011-04-11T23:25:00.002-05:00

I just started working on a new

PAINTING WITH FRIENDS

piece.

It's called

My Prim Friends

Painting With Friends

are

Painting Patterns designed by Terrye French

and

painted by .. who else .. but her friends!

I am painting the design on a wooden plate

that I found at a thrift store.

I also wanted to share some exciting news

We are having a

Holiday Extravaganza

Painting with Friends

May 1!

The holidays are coming !!!

New holiday designs from

Painting With Friends !

We are busy making new pattern pretties for the anxious painter

and

crafter for the wonderful fall

and

Christmas Holidays !!

here is a little

SNEAK peek at what I'm working on

We are offering a fun filled pattern extravaganza in the Month of May !

New patterns filled with

Santas, angels, prims and a lot of our favorite things !

Be sure to stop by May the 1^st, 2011

and see what we have to offer !

So get your paint brushes ready

and get an early start on your holiday painting !!!!!!!

Also look for holiday painting tips, our favorite recipes

and some fun photos of our favorite Christmas prims !!!!!!

Hugs,

Lynn

Seriously are you FOOLING me.......Mother Nature. It is SPRING THYME and I'm decorating with goodies from Brenda....

2011-04-01T12:37:00.000-05:00

Its

SPRING THYME

NEW ENGLAND

now

REALLY

Mother Nature

This is

NO JOKE

BECAUSE

Well .........I'm trying to make the

BEST

of it

at least I can make it look like

SPRING

inside

I made some

Prim Eggs

I took some Dollar Store plastic eggs

and

sprayed them with grey primer

I added some cinnamon to

Americana Khaki Tan paint

and

painted the eggs

I made little wire hangers

and

stuck them in the hole at the top of the egg

add a little HOT glue and tie with homespun.....

you can add these to an old trencher or bowl

Prim Eggs

I also received

some
Spring Thyme

goodies from Brenda

The Rusty Thimble

now....look at that face

Prim eggs for sale

want some.........?

I added some prim eggs to the tree I made on my counter from an old tin

I had to get another prim bunny from Brenda

She hopped in the car with me when

she heard I was heading to the Cape

she is all done with the

WHITE STUFF tooo.....!

as usual Brenda.....you out did yourself on these!

I LOVE them.....

ALSO

purchased something else from Brenda

but

I am saving it for another post!

Hugs,

Lynn

Thyme to show you a SPRING CHICK....and goodies from one fantabulous chick named KAT

2011-03-24T08:59:00.001-05:00

So you want to see a

SPRING CHICK??????

hmmmmmmmm

this could get me into a STICKY situation

BECAUSE

well ......I really don't photograph well!!!!

So I decided to

paint

one instead!!!!!!

In fact there are

SPRING THYME

CHICKS

everywhere here.....

Speaking of

SPRING CHICKS

I received a

WONDERFUL

BOX OF GOODIES

from one

FANTABULOUS CHICK

named

Kat

there was a beautiful card and note.....

ahhhh........ I just put on the mascara.....

now will you look at these CHICKIES......

and this one........just CRACKS me up!

Can you see my little chickies nestled amongst the

TULIPS

with

Harriet the Hare?

Kat also sent me this wonderful

little hand stitched pillow

for my

Cape Cod

home

I just love it!

It has found a home at the Cape in one of my cubbies!

THANK YOU

Kat

for always making me

SMILE!

You can visit Kat

HERE

and

have a

cuppa cawfee

WITH HER!

I'm hoping that

SPRING
will be here to stay SOON......Its been one long WINTER!

Hugs,

Lynn

Its thyme to meet Mr. Bobtail and Sir Hopsalot

2011-03-16T08:54:00.001-05:00

Things have been
REALLY HOPPIN
here!

is in the air!
I
HOPE!

I just want to show you some new

Spring Thyme Garden Stakes
that I've designed

This is Mr. Bobtail

Mr. Bobtail and Sir Hopsalot

Spring Thyme garden stakes!

These should soon be available

as E-Patterns!

Check out my pattern page

HERE

Hugs,
Lynn

Thyme to show you a wonderful SURPRISE from Colleen.......and to ask a favor

2011-03-11T12:52:00.003-06:00

The other day I came home to an

unexpected package in the mail

I cannot tell you

my excitement when I saw that it was

from

Colleen
at
And Baby Makes Five

Colleen makes the most
awesome salt dough

My eyes filled with tears when I opened
this box of
PURE FRIENDSHIP
WHY
you ask?
I was overcome with emotion knowing all
that Colleen is going thru in her life right now
and
she thought of wishing me well in our
Cape Cod home

You see........Colleen is battling
Breast Cancer

You can read her story
HERE

Colleen
thru the tears you were able to put a
SMILE
on my face

ALWAYS
remember that
"Each day comes bearing its own GIFTS.......
you just need to remember to untie the ribbons "

~ Ruth Ann Schabacker

And so in untying the ribbons of this
PRECIOUS GIFT OF FRIENDSHIP

I have found a woman who
has
inspired not only myself
BUT
so many other woman
Colleen
you have faced this
MONSTER
called
CANCER
with

You can read
Colleens
"Saddling Up"
post
prior to beginning treatment
HERE

Colleen

you and your family

are in my thoughts and prayers daily

I would like to ask you all to do the same

If you can find it in your hearts to please pray for Colleen

You may take this button and post it on your blogs

post on face book on Fridays

Hugs,

Lynn

Thyme to see my bathroom makeover

2011-03-08T01:24:00.002-06:00

Some of you might know that my husband

and

I bought a retirement home on Cape Cod.

So I have been doing lots of painting there!
You can read my
DISTRESSING PAINT STORY
HERE

After completing the kitchen cabinets
I started on the guest bathroom
This is my sons GF Kristin helping me strip
the lovely wallpaper border in the guest bathroom

I decided to paint the "dated" vanity

I used Caromal Colors
This paint gives a
TEXTURED FINISH
I painted the vanity using
Peppercorn Black and the vanity top Apple Red
You can visit Caromal Colors site
HERE

I taped off the sink and painted the formica counter top
Candy Apple Red

I painted the bottom using Peppercorn

After the paint is dry you have to lightly sand, then apply a toner and seal.
I used a water based poly.

I also painted this cabinet

to hang in the guest bath
using Caromal Colors
Peppercorn

and this mirror

I also stenciled the bath room with this stencil in Black

this is the stencil I used in the shower

Here is the cabinet and mirror painted and hung

window valance and shower curtain are ordered
they are a black check

I love how the vanity came out!

So what do you think of the bathroom make over?
Hugs,
Lynn

Thyme to show you a primitive fireplace screen

2011-02-25T10:20:00.001-06:00

Did you know that the

PINEAPPLE

has served as a symbol of

HOSPITALITY

AND

WARM WELCOME

throught the

history of the

Americas?

I designed and cut out
this
Primitive Fireplace Screen

I added a pineapple

using

a template I had drawn

I base coated the pineapple using

Antique Gold

adding the greens

Shading the pineapple greens

fine sand between coats for a smooth finish

adding the lines and dots

I heavily sand around the edges for a prim look
I antique using
Olde Century Gel Stains
So what do you think?

A little history of how the pineapple
became a symbol of hospitality
" This symbolism has a lengthy history beginning when

Christopher Columbus and his men landed on the island now known as

Guadeloupe on their second voyage of discovery.

In 1493, Christopher Columbus brought the fruit back to Europe

from his voyage through the Carib Islands.

This tropical king of fruits was crowned the "pineapple"

by the English because of its resemblance

to a pine cone and its juicy center, which reminded them of an apple."

Hugs,

Lynn

A DISTRESSING story part 2

2011-02-20T17:57:00.001-06:00

In my last post

I told you

VERY DISTRESSING STORY

HERE

WELL........I'm happy to say I am no longer

STRESSED.......I mean

I am no longer

DISTRESSING!

This is a

BEFORE

picture of my cabinets
at our new
retirement home on Cape Cod

what a project!

But........it is finally finished with the exception of some trim work

Hubby hanging doors.........!

So.......what do you think?

Hugs,

Lynn

Thyme for a DISTRESSING STORY

2011-02-07T12:13:00.002-06:00

I've been doing a LOT of painting lately

but

I've been

VERY DISTRESSED!!!

Have you ever tried

Caromal Colors Paint

Country Living?

You can visit their website

HERE

I am painting my kitchen cabinets at our

Cape Cod house

using

Candy Apple Red

This is the

BEFORE

picture of my cabiets

According to Caromal Colors website:

Distressed for Success

Distressing can add charm and character to any object. Painting a piece of furniture to change its color is a simple task. Telling a story about that piece of furniture through the art of distressing is clearly a whole different experience...it's your distressing story to tell.

I removed all the doors

all 28+ of them......I removed all the hardware

I set them set them up in my studio/workshop

When using Caromal Colors you don't have to PRIME first.......

they can be used on almost ANY surface

It is a VERY THICK paint........

you "MUSH and PUSH" it on using just a chip brush

according to the directions.

You end up with a textured surface.
This technique

was

some what difficult for me

as I tend to be a perfectionist!

The paint dries rather quickly.

This is where it gets

VERY DISTRESSING!!!!!!!

because YOU then

SAND

as lightly or heavily as you want

BECAUSE
IT'S YOUR DISTRESSING STORY TO TELL!

When I sanded them they turned

PINK........as you can see above........

talk about STRESSED......

ummmmm I mean

DISTRESSED!!!!!!!!!

But I've kept on going..........oh what a job!!!

what a mess!

oh.........my aching bones!!!!!!!!!

lots of coffee

of course plenty of supervision by Colby!

These pictures show the cabinets

BEFORE

sanding

Once you finish

sanding you apply a

TONER

then wipe with a soft cloth

I then wiped lightly with a paste wax.

WOW!!!!!

What a lot of work!!!!!

I STILL have 10 more doors to do.....plus the lazy Susan doors...I still have to finish painting, sanding and toning all the cabinets frames............Oh.........

how

DISTRESSING

IT IS..........!

But I know I will love the end result!

Hugs,

Lynn

Thyme for more snow, HEARTS and a design by Jamie Mills Price

2011-01-28T01:28:00.004-06:00

Here in New England

we are certainly experiencing

WINTER

LOVE

it's

BEAUTY

We have well over

of snow.

This is a picture looking out my back door.

My lamp post is SLOWLY disappearing!

this is my deck............ummmmmm

so where is my grille???????

LOL!

I have been very busy painting HEARTS and SIGNS for

the shop I paint for

It's thyme to change seasons

AND

It is all about

LOVE

these are some

HEART

keepsake boxes

painted a few years ago for a wedding shower

I painted the inside of the boxes with
Americana Periwinkle paint

I removed the hinges,
drilled holes, strung the ribbon
and
tied it in a bow

I used a Jamie Mills-Price design
to
paint these hearts

Hugs,
Lynn

Thyme for Love Letters

2011-01-24T10:49:00.000-06:00

Its thyme to think about

Valentines

This is a Terry French Design

that I painted a few years ago

called

Love Letters

Do you remember as a child writing out

all your

Valentines?

Do you remember trying to decide which one you would give to that

Special Someone

I painted the design on an old box I found

You can find more

Terrye French Designs

HERE

You will find, as you look back upon your life,
that the moments when you really lived are the moments
when you have done things in the spirit of love.

Henry Drummond

Hugs,
Lynn

I'm praying for Colleen today

2011-01-21T07:40:00.004-06:00

Please remember my good friend
a young wife and Mom

Colleen
from

And Baby Makes Five

today
as she begins a long road

to a

CURE

for

Breast Cancer

" When life's obstacles

are overpowering

and

bring you to your knees

REMEMBER

you are in the perfect position to

PRAY"

You are in the hearts and prayers of many today
Colleen

(((HUGS)))

Lynn

LOVE is in the air........

2011-01-17T15:23:00.004-06:00

On Friday we drove up the driveway for the first thyme

to our new

retirement home on Cape Cod!

We have so many plans,

so many dreams for the future in this house

We have a lot of renovations we want to do inside

It didn't take me long

to cut out and paint a heart

for

the front door!

A good friend carved the sign with our name over the door

I love to walk the beach...winter , spring summer or fall

It is ALWAYS breath taking

BEAUTIFUL!

Of course.........

A girl has to look good at the beach

Hair done, make up

AND

HEELS!!!!!!

Its all about the SHOES!

I cannot wait for

SPRING

to enjoy the

BEAUTIFUL

gardens there

these are pictures from the realtor

View of sun room and patio

Veggie garden

"LIFE

is like the

ebb and flow of the tides

there are highs and lows.

What you have to remember is.....

that during LOW TIDE

you find

the

BEST SEA SHELLS."

Hugs,

Lynn

Thyme spent with a good friend and a BLIZZARD in New England

2011-01-12T13:53:00.004-06:00

Last Saturday I met my good friend

Brenda

from

Pumpkin Patch Primitives

for a post holiday dinner.

Brenda and I met thru blogging
we live in different states
but live just an hour from each other.

We decided to meet at
Gibbit Hill Grille

in
Groton MA.
My daughter Julie is a chef there!

This is
The Barn at Gibbit
where functions are held

Night time view of
The Barn

This is a view of the Grille Restaurant from up stairs

the bar area

dining room where we enjoyed
a
DELICIOUS dinner
and
conversation

After dinner and dessert
we enjoyed coffee by the fire

And so like this sign I have painted........
we SAT long,
we TALKED much and
we LAUGHED often!!!!!
Thank you Brenda once again a wonderful thyme spent with you!

I have been really busy packing

we bought a
retirement home on
Cape Cod
and
will be closing on it
SOON!

Oh.............I cannot wait!

We are experiencing
A
BLIZZARD
here in
New England
Right now we have over 18" of snow
AND
it is STILL snowing

my snow family on my back porch

Looking out my back door
it is all so pretty.........as long as you are at home warm and safe.
Be careful if you are experiencing
Mother Nature
as we are today!
Hugs,
Lynn

Thyme to think about HEARTS and LOVE.......and the Key to My heart......a Terry French Design

2011-01-08T11:02:00.005-06:00

All the

MAGIC of Christmas

is packed away

I have started to think about

VALENTINES DAY

and

painting hearts and signs!

I'm also thinking the color

RED!

Hubby

made me this bread box a long thyme ago in

OAK

I decided to give it a make over

AND

I painted it

BARN RED

to match my kitchen cabinets

I love how it came out!

My blog header is called

Key To My Heart

It is a

Terrye French Design

that I painted a few years ago on an old tin plate
You can find Terrye's website
Painted Pear Basket
HERE

It is one on my favorites!

I have it on my kitchen counter

Is LOVE in the air at your house yet........

are you thinking Valentines??

Hugs,

Lynn

Its THYME to say goodbye to another year...and welcome a new one

2011-01-01T21:48:00.002-06:00

When I look back on 2010

I am reminded

that the clock is ALWAYS ticking

THYME...........precious thyme

I've thought about what would I do differently

I could turn back the

HANDS OF THYME

But the reality is

THYME

does not stand still.

2010

has been a hard year in terms of health

and

an even harder year emotionally for me.

MY goal for 2011
is
to find JOY in each new day
I've spent way to much THYME letting the
"stuff"of life
get in the way of my JOY
I've come to realize this past year that
BEING HAPPY
doesn't mean
that
every thing is PERFECT in my life.....
It means that I have chosen to move on.....
I cannot change the PAST...that is why its called the past
True HAPPINESS needs to come from within ...ME
and
not from someone else.

Recipe for Happiness
*Take one new day
*Add 1 new SMILE
*Stir in LAUGHTER
*Sprinkle generously wiht LOVE
*Bake gently for 24 hours

ENJOY every moment
REPEAT again

Grant that I

May bring no tear to any eye

When this New Year in time shall end

Let it be said I've played the friend,

Have lived and loved and labored here,

And made of it a happy year.

~Edgar Guest

Happy New Year

I wish you HEALTH, HAPPINESS and LOVE
in
2011!
Hugs,
Lynn