It's THYME for some WINTER TIME MAGIC

Living 

in 

New England 

I have to say that we have been very 

LUCKY 

so far this winter 

because we have not seen much of the 

WHITE stuff 

yet!

Listening to the weather forecast

 for

the next few days there is a possibility 

that 

could change!

We could be in for some

WINTER TIME MAGIC!

Even 

IF 

the weathermen 

are wrong 

I have decided to paint some winter MAGIC!

I love to paint on ice skates!

They can usually be found at yard sales thrift shops or even in your own basement!

I use grey metal primer to prep skates 

after cleaning them well

 and 

taping off the heel and runner.

I used a design from 

Viki Sherman's 

Kindred Hearts Book

called

WINTER TIME MAGIC

My Pallette

DecoArt Americana Acrylic

Burnt Umber, Soft Black, Mississippi Mud, Titanium White, Paynes Grey, Black Green, Evergreen, Antique White, Burnt Orange, Light French Blue, Black Plum, Avacado, Lamp Black, Light Buttermilk, Heritage Brick, Deep Midnight Blue, Cherry Red

After the primer had dried well I basecoated my skates with 2 good coats 

of

Mississippi Mud

Ice Skates 

are 

a fun surface to paint on!

Just paint right over the existing stitching.

After painting my design I painted the eyelets Lamp Black for contrast. 

I added some

GLITTER SNOW

along the sole of the skate.

I varnished my skate with 2 coats of

Americana Dura Clear Matte Varnish

When dry 

I lightly sprayed my skate with a spray glue for glitter

I then sprinkled my skate 

with

DIAMOND DUST 

to

 make it sparkle!

Add some 

DIAMOND DUST

 to the blade also 

so it will look like there is

 ICE 

on the blade.

I like to fill my skates with a mix of 

"winter thyme" greenery

I secure a piece of floral styrofoam inside the skate with hot glue

I make some "snowballs" using various size styrofoam balls.

Spray the styrofoam balls

 with 

spray glue for glitter

 then sprinkle them 

with 

DIAMOND DUST

I use wooden skewers to make my snowballs into picks to stick in my arrangement.

Use green floral tape to cover the wooden stick

I tore strips of homespun to use as laces 

and 

added a large bell

I attached a small tag that 

said

BELIEVE

Attach a piece of wire in the back for hanging

Or

if you prefer to use your skate as a table centerpiece

cut a block of wood, paint it , cut a groove down the center of the wood

 and 

insert the blade of your skate!

DecoArt provided me with the paints to complete this project as part of their

Helping Artist and Blogger Outreach Programs.

Thank you DecoArt for the opportunity to use your products!

You can visit my DecoArt Profile

HERE

I hope you have enjoyed watching me paint 

WINTER TIME MAGIC!

Happy Painting!

Lynn

"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

Thyme for a ROLY POLY SANTA

Are you 

READY 

for

Santa?

I am still 

VERY BUSY 

in my 

STUDIO

I was gifted this large gourd by a friend
It came to me "paint ready" so I had no prepping or cleaning to do first!

I decided to paint a 

Lynne Andrews design 

on it called

ROLY POLY SANTA

My pallette for this project

DecoArt Americana

Antique Gold, Buttermilk, Flesh Tone, Burnt Umber, Country Red, Hauser Medium Grenn, Plantation Pine, Titanium Snow White, Lamp Black

Speciality Paints

DecoArt Dazzling Metallics Emperor's Gold, DecoArt Glamour Dust, Americana Sealer Dura Clear Matte Varnish

I used graphite paper to transfer my design to the gourd surface.

Transferring your design to a round surface can be a little tricky.

You may have to make some adjustments as you go along.

We are now ready to paint!

I first basecoated 2 coats 

Antique Gold 

drying well between each coat.

I then began the 

face details, beard and wreath on Santa's hat.

I used 

DecoArt Dazzling Metallics Emperor's Gold

to add to the holly wreath on Santa's hat

The pattern directions called for the mittens to be 

PLAID

  They were painted with a wash technique.

I then began painting the twig christmas tree and candy cane.

At this point I began to think that the mittens 

stood out a little more than I wanted them to

but I continued with the rest of the design.

I started working on the FUR on the cuffs of Santa's coat.

Lynne Andrew's often adds a checkerboard pattern to many of her designs

You can use a Koh-i-noor Radiograph pen size 00/.30 for this or a good quality permanent marker (medium point) or you can also use your liner brush and Lamp Black paint.

I painted the Lamp Black checkerboard design on my Santa with a tiny liner brush.

As I continued to paint the Santa I still was still not sure about the mittens as I felt the plaid competed 

with the candy cane and the black checkerboard design on sleeve.

  

I even changed the color of the plaid!

Working on the sleeves of the coat

Painting the fur on the bottom of Santa's coat.

I used

DecoArt Glamour Dust Ice Crystal 

to add some sparkle to the fur 

on the

cuffs and bottom of coat.

I finally decided to paint the mittens a 

SOLID color 

and 

just add a snowflake to them

I painted the mittens using Antique Gold to match Santa's jacket.

I liked them a LOT better!

I sealed my Santa with several coats of 

DecoArt Dura Clear Matte Varnish

I added some buttons to the botton of his coat

This was a fun design to paint. 

You can find Lynne Andrews wonderful patterns 

HERE

DecoArt provided me with the paints to complete this project as part of thier

Helping Artist Program

and

Blogger Outreach Program

Thank you DecoArt for giving me the opportunity to try your wonderful products in my paintings!

You can read my 

DecoArt Blogger Profile 

HERE

I hope you have enjoyed watching me paint

ROLY POLY SANTA!

Keep those brushes flying!
Happy Painting!
Lynn


"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

It is THYME to show you Santa's MAGIC key

Have you ever wondered what would happen

if

SANTA

could not fit down the chimney

or 

worse what if you didn't have a chimney 

for 

SANTA 

 to slide down?

Well....

You would of course have to leave a

 KEY

for 

SANTA

to get in!

Let's head into the STUDIO and paint one!

My pallette for this project

DecoArt Americana

Antique White, Dark Chocolate, Fleshtone, Dark Flesh, Red Iron Oxide,  Avacado, Lamp Black, Slate Grey, Snow White, Napa Red, Burnt Orange, Light Avacado, Antique Gold, Honey Brown, Light Cinnamon

Additional Supplies

Americana Multi Purpose Sealer, DecoArt Glamour Dust Ice Crystal, 

Americana Dura Clear Matte Varnish

I used a 

Pam Grady

design to complete this project

The surface and pattern can be found

at

Bear With Us, Inc

I first sanded, then sealed my surface with Americana Multi Purpose Sealer

I then base coated with Lamp Black

I then used 

WHITE graphite paper 

to

 transfer the line drawing to my surface

These are good size wood surfaces measuring about 8 1/2" long

There is a lot of detail in this ornament!

Rather than just "scumbling" the FUR on the coat 

I painted it to LOOK like fur

Adding the vine , berries and other details

I used 

DecoArt Glamour Dust Ice Crystal

to 

add some sparkle to the fur

I used a WHITE chalk pencil
to
write
SANTA'S MAGIC KEY
on the back
I used a small wood snowflake to "dot" the I in the word
MAGIC
I varnished my piece
with
Americana Dura Clear Matte Varnish

I attached a rusty key
and
tied it with homespun

DecoArt provided me with the paints to complete this project as part of their
Helping Artist
and
Blogger Outreach Programs
Thank you DecoArt for the opportunity to work with your products!

You can view my
Deco Art Blogger Profile

HERE

I hope you have enjoyed watching me paint

SANTA'S MAGIC KEY

Happy Painting!
Lynn



"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

Paint with the angels this Christmas Terrye French

In 

May 

Terrye French's 

family

 announced 

that she had suffered 

a 

massive stroke.

It sent a wave of shock through the painting community.

 Terrye 

was 

well known for her primitive, whimsical style.

Prayers were said all around the world for Terrye's recovery 

but 

sadly that was not meant to be

Terrye 

went home to

 HEAVEN 

on 

Thanksgiving Day

11/27/ 2014

Terrye was one of my earliest painting inspirations. 

I have 100's of her patterns 

and 

all the books she ever wrote. 

Several years ago Terrye 

started 

PAINTING WITH FRIENDS

Terrye was one of the most talented, creative, and giving persons that I have ever known

Her dream was to give other painters a chance to get their names out there by getting a chance to "paint with her." 

Terrye would send out line drawings to be painted and made into e-patterns.

 She encouraged you to add your own style to the designs.  

I was beyond honored when Terrye contacted me to be a part of 

Painting with Friends

from 

the very beginning.

To date I have about 18 PWF patterns published 

with 

several more to complete.

I never got the chance to meet Terrye

but I considered her a dear friend

 I will miss my chats with Terrye via e-mail 

and 

her face book page.

I am blessed to have 2 wonderful pieces in my home that were painted by Terrye.

They are even more treasured now.

This piece is called Strawberry Moon.

It was painted on an old pull toy

This is a wonderful piece that 

Terrye 

painted on an old mail box

Close up detail 

The painting community wanted to do something to keep Terrye's memory alive

she touched so many people with her magic brushes.

Terrye had a beautiful primitive tree that she loved to decorate.

Her family has suggested that it would be a wonderful tribute to Terrye to help decorate the tree for her grandaughters with hand painted ornaments.

Below is a note from Terrye's daughter

Note from Terrye's daughter Kera:

Thank you all so much for the love, prayers and messages you have taken the time to send. It is beautiful beyond words to know all of the lives Mom touched trough painting and her kind heart. Many have asked what they could do during this time. Mom had a primitive country Christmas tree, that she loved. We would be honored if you would help decorate it. If you would like to send an ornament for the tree that would be lovely. Please sign, date and put where you are from on the ornament. We plan to put up the tree every year on Thanksgiving Day. We will be able to share the giving, inspirational, helpful and loving way she touched each one of you with her grand daughters as they get older. This is a beautiful tribute to a beautiful lady. Thank you so much for your love. You are a comfort to our hearts and for you all, we are thankful.

Ornaments can be mailed to:

Terrye French Memorial Tree 

C/O Kristin, Kera, & Klayton

1247 Wandering Oaks Ct.  Norman, OK 73026

I have completed my ornament

Santa's MAGIC Key

design by Pam Grady

Paint with the ANGELS now 

SWEET Terrye

I shall miss you dearly.

Lynn

"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