First Day Back

It is so nice to be back at the store, I really love my store and it was great to see everyone that came out to see the projects for Lydia's new book. Every project is a winner, I think I might have to start painting furry things. I can see that we will have to have her teach a couple of the projects here at the store. If you are a fan and would like to reserve a copy when it comes out in a couple of months just email me info@thepaintedpony.com and I will put your name down on the list.

Everyone have a great weekend.

Cindy

Home

So we arrived home last night to a light snowfall. We were woke up yesterday at 4am by a phone call from American Airlines to say that our flight had been reinstated. Apparently our flights had been cancelled yesterday (something we weren't aware of) only to be reinstated. So after that it was hard to get back to sleep. We were getting picked up at the hotel at 8:30 for a 11:45 flight to Chicago and then on to Ottawa. As you can see by the photo of me it was windy in California, I guess it was the Santa Ana winds blowing. The winds did not make for a great take off, just a tad bumpy.

In this picture I took from the airplane you can see the surf and the beach and here is a lovely shot of home.

It is nice to be home though. Back to the store tomorrow.

Cindy

Last Day

Well this is it, were packing up to come home tomorrow and we've found out that you guys got 15cm of snow with another 10 coming down, probably as I am writing this. Oh joy, I get to dig my car out tomorrow night when I get in and all I have is a sweater and running shoes. Okay I'm not complaining since I did have a great last day. We went shopping and the day was just gorgeous and sunny. Though it will be nice to get home and start getting back to the gym and eating healthily (that's the Carrot Cake Cheesecake guilt from dinner talking). Here are a couple of shots of the mall we went to.

Here is a sneak peak at the new Graphic 45 paper that is ordered, just for you Donna.

Don't forget that Lydia is bringing all the projects for her new book to the store on Saturday the 31st before she sends them to the publisher. Come and join us for 'Coffee, Cookies and Critters'. It's also the last day of the sale.

So signing off from Sunny California.

4th Day

Hi All,

Well it's all over for me. Tomorrow is the last day of the Trade Show but for me it was today. I've seen it all and done it all. Yesterday there was some sort of fire drill so here's a picture of us outside with the masses. My computer finally cooperated and I was able to get my pictures off the memory card, so here is a picture of my Gypsy Book, if anyone is interested in making a book like this let me know as I think I will run a small workshop.

We also saw Jane Seymour (Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman), she was painting at the Fredrix Canvas Booth.

Also got to see Tracy Moreau (she was working the Deco Art booth), that's one of her paintings in the picture.

Sharon just had to take a picture of me working on orders and eating chocolate cake last night.

I don't really have any pictures from today to post, it was all work. Tomorrow we are renting a car and tootling around and then on Thursday it's homeward bound. It will be nice to be home but I am definitely not looking forward to the snow and heavy coats especially since it is getting nicer here.

Day 3

Okay so tonight it is going to be short and sweet because I just wrote this long blog and then the computer deleted it and my pictures from today aren't downloading (I know it can't be the two margaritas I had for dinner). Had a great workshop making an Album with 7 Gypsies, so now I am officially a Gypsy, even though in my mine I have been one all my life and I do have Roma blood in me. I will post pictures tomorrow.

Well it's off to put my sore swollen feet up, eat chocolate cake and watch Mama Mia.



Cindy

Second Day

Hello All,

Well it ended up being a nice sunny day here, well at least the 15 minutes of it that I saw. We caught the shuttle to the convention center at 6:30 am and I got back to the hotel at 6pm. Yesterday I said I would post the projects that I had done, but I can't find the second pictures I took of them, they have disappeared into my camera. But I do have pictures from today. So this morning I took a workshop with a company called Technique Tuesday, they have great stamps and Scrapbook Kits. It was a fun class with some great ladies, while I was doing that Sharon was taking a workshop with Claudine Helmuth in Mixed Media, she learnt some great techniques and used some products that just might show up in the store. Next it was the Trade Show, first stop was a make and take with Etch All we made a mirrored tile with a hummingbird etched in it, I am thinking about carrying this product in the store. Then we wandered around and came upon Tim Holtz (as you can see in the picture), definitely will be ordering his new line. So here is the proof that I am not lazying around on some beach or spending the day shopping (well I guess the shopping part is wrong, but really I'm shopping for you guys). We also stopped at Graphic 45, our favourite booth judging by the amount of pictures Sharon and I took. Here's a shot of Sharon in the booth and another of a section of the booth. Their new lines are amazing and I will be going back tomorrow to place an order.

My last workshop of the day was called The Queen Bee, it was with Suze Weinberg again and was alot of fun. We worked with bees wax and a Hot Wax Art Stylus. I was a little uncertain after I had put the coloured wax on the cover of my book, but a little bit of gold powder and it was good to go. Here's a picture, I actually like it alot though it's not quite done.

So that's it for now. I'm off to watch TV and look through product cataloques.

Cindy

First Day

So the first day of CHA is over, here are a couple pictures of some of the workshops that we did. Of course most of the projects aren't finished, but I learnt some great new things. I did finish the first workshop which was Patera Jewellery with Judi of Judikins, loved doing this one and will definitely do something similar at the store.

My second of the day was with Melissa Frances products, it was also a great project a shadow box with three cards. I'm thinking this would be a great Christmas project.

Third was with Suze Weinberg using the Melting Pot, loved it but my photo is blurry so I will take a picture tomorrow. I am just too tired to fiddle with the camera and the computer. Also don't have a picture of the last class which was with Tattered Angels products, very cool stuff and I will definitely be ordering some of their new products.

Well off to bed now as it is a 5:30am rising for the first workshop at 7am then the trade show starts at 9am.

Have a great Sunday.

Greetings from Rainy California

Hi,

Well Sharon and I made it here safe and sound. It's 5pm here and were already in our pj's. I know what your thinking but we have been up since 3:15am home time, and it really is 8pm at home. So tomorrow is the start of the workshops and then the trade show starts on Sunday 750 plus vendors, lots of walking and do make and takes. I will try and take pictures daily and post every night. So I will sign off for now and just let you know that the sale at the store is going to continue till the end of the month so pop in and see Odette.

Cindy

Just In

Hi All,

Just received the new Paint Works

Magazine. Guess who has a project in it? If you would like a copy saved call the store.

Freebie

Lydia has graciously passed on this picture of a free pattern for a Valentine's Critter Hug Card, just go to http://www.pauseforpainting.com/ to download it. Who could resist that sweet little face.

Did you know?

First of all, I have just marked down allot of things in the store from 20% - 75% off. All papers are 25% off, wood pieces and canvas have been marked down as well.

So here is the 'Did You Know'. Denise was just telling us about her brother-in-law who was supposed to go to the Bahamas and they wouldn't let him fly because his passport was going to expire a month after he was flying. Apparently Transport Canada has this rule that if your passport is going to expire within 6 months from the date of your flight, you can't fly. I guess the airlines can be fined $5000 if they let someone fly, so you might want to double check this if you are heading somewhere warm.

California or Bust Sale

Hi All,

As a lot of you know Sharon and I are off to the Craft and Hobby Association show in sunny and warm California next week. Sorry! In order to make room in the store for all the wonderful things that we are going to see, I need to make room. So how else to do that then have a sale. Starting Saturday January 17th till Saturday January 24th there will be markdowns throughout the store. Just look for the red dot, well it might be another colour because I haven't purchased them yet. The markdowns will be from 20% to 75%.

Keep Warm (not an easy thing to do these days)

Cindy

Yummy Recipe

As I sit here at my computer , watching ER which I taped last night, listening to my husband Brian making Chocolate Chip cookies because he had a craving for them. I thought about the Peanut Butter Balls that I had make for the Christmas Open House at the store and people had asked for the recipe.

Peanut Butter Snowballs

1 cup icing sugar, sifted
1/2 cup Peanut Butter
3 Tbsp butter or margarine, softened
1 cup graham crumbs
8 squares Semi- Sweet Chocolate

* Beat sugar, peanut butter and butter. Stir in crumbs.
* Shape into 1 inch balls and place on a waxed paper lined cookie sheet.
* Chill for 30 minutes or until firm. (this is where I put them outside or in the garage and forget that the dog is outside)
* Melt chocolate over hot water or in microwave on Medium power for 2-3 minutes. Dip balls and place back on waxed paper, chill. Store covered in refrigerator or freeze.

Makes about 24 balls.

Enjoy

Sneak Peek

This beautiful girl is Betty, one of the projects that Lydia Steeves will be submitting for her new book. If you would like to see all the projects, Lydia will be bringing them into the store on January 31st before she sends them to the publisher.

Work In Progress

As you can see I am busy painting up a Betty Caithness project for the schedule. It is slow going as the girls have been bringing in their projects and I have been taking pictures in preparation to update the website. I know I have said this before but we are very lucky here at The Painted Pony to have such talented teachers. Well better get back to painting. The website should be updated by Saturday morning, if you are on my email list you will get a email and if you aren't and would like to be, email me at info@thepaintedpony.com and I will add you.