A Week

Well it has been a week since I took the final load out of 1539 Stittsville Main Street and handed the keys over to the landlord, I could not have packed it up without the help of Brenda and the support of all my friends. I have wanted to post to the blog but just haven't felt ready as odd as that may sound to some. It was a hard decision.....one that I had shed many tears over. The tears weren't for the actual Brick and Mortar store but for what happened within those walls.....the laughter, the creativity, the friendships, the laughter and even the occasional tear (Lydia will remember that one). I know that it will be missed by many but hopefully the friendships that were made over a bottle of paint and qvetching about floating and stroke work will continue to thrive and if we loose touch all you have to do is look at that UFO sitting in your basement and all the memories will come flooding back. I am posting a few pictures from those last days, and remember in this age of technology we are only an email away from staying in touch.

FINAL DAYS

So here we are the last week of the store being open, today when I went in I discovered that the phone line had been disconected. I forgot that I orginally had planned to use this week to pack so didn't think I would be open. So having no phone line means having no debit or credit so it is cash only. Anyways I am open for 10-3 everyday this week, except for Saturday. There are great deals in the store.

On Saturday we will having a get together to share the good memories of workshops and friendships that have been made, so please if you have been a customer and friend come join us from 2-4.

Happy Easter

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and Easter.
Well this is the last week, the store will be open Saturday the 23rd 9:30-4:30, Easter Monday 10-3, Tuesday 10-3, Wednesday 10-3.
On Saturday the 30th please drop in between 2 and 4 when we will be having a get together to say good bye.
Everything in the store is up 85% off.

Store Hours

The Store is closed this week April 4th till 8th, it will be open on Saturday the 9th regular hours and will be open regular hours until further notice. This week I am in class all week doing the first course for my Real Estate Salesperson license.

NEW

Just got in Shirley Koenig's new book Country's Edge 6, if you want one let me know, I have 5 left. Also Brushtiques 6 by Linda Lover. The newest PaintWorks is here, there are some great projects in it - watercolour, oils, coloured pencil, acrylics, something for everyone.

Jo Sonja sealer just came in as well as Rich Gold.

Vegas part 2

Here are a few pictures of Vegas and the girls and I. The day before we came home we drove out to the Red Rock Canyon, stunning, such a different landscape than we are used to. While there we learnt that the rock is red in some areas because of the amount of Iron that is in it. I am thinking hence came the colour name 'Red Iron Oxide'. While there we also went to see the Cirque du Soleil show 'Love', it was wonderful, I would definitely see it again. We did see Thunder from Down Under, but that one I won't post, you will have to come into the store to see it :)

Vegas

So, after a week in Vegas with Paulette and Sharon I think I am finally caught up on my sleep. I thought I would be able to update the blog with pictures etc. while there but truthfully didn't have much time. We were up at 6:30 every morning to go to classes and I think the earliest we went to bed was 12:30. The weather was great, the painting was great and most of all the company was great. We painted, we shopped, we walked, we talked, we laughed, we indulged (a bit), we shopped some more and we had fun. It is so nice to go to Painting Conventions because you always run into someone that you know, usually you only see them at the conventions but it is nice to catch up and hear what is going on in other parts of the Decorative Painting World.

I took workshops with Janice Miller (watercolour pumpkins), Kathie George (watercolour Hollyhocks), Jillybean Fitzhenry (Pink Hibiscus), Prudy Vanner (Elf on Rocking Horse) and Leslie Bird (Cave Art). My favourite class was the one with Leslie, it was fun and relaxing, I enjoyed all the rest except for the Hollyhocks, not because of Kathie but because I am not into that loose of Watercolour Painting. Following are some pictures of the projects, all are finished except for the Hollyhocks and a couple of things on the pumpkin.

Happenings

Okay so lots has been happening around here since the last post. Where to start, as most of you know I am closing the store at the end of April. This was a very hard decision for me to make, as I love the store but most of all I really enjoy all my customers and the interaction with them. Unfortunately due to a few factors it just isn't feasible for me to keep the store open. I know for a lot of you the workshops at the studio where your getaway or destressing after a long work week. I would still like to stay in touch and occasionally try and run a day workshop at the Lions Hall here in Stittsville, if this is something that you would be interested in please be sure to email me with your contact information.

I have been marking things down daily, and things are starting to look a little more sparse. The only things that won't be reduced or if they are not by alot will be the Deco Art and Jo Sonja Paint and also some of the varnishes and mediums. I have ordered some more All Purpose Sealer and Triple Thick Spray so if you want some let me know.

I have also added four new workshops to the website. A Batik with Lydia (last one before the store closes), ornaments with me, cards with Janice and the last Saturday workshop before the store closes will be with Edie Hebert. For those of you who don't know, Edie was the one that started The Painted Pony over twenty years ago, it was actually just across the street from the current location when it first opened.

Pictures from our Cruise

So last week as some of you know Brian and I went on our first cruise, I wasn't sure how we would like it but lets just say we are talking about the next one. We sailed out of Miami on the Carnival Liberty.













Our first stop was Cozumel, Mexico where we went to see the Mayan Ruins in Tulum, then we went to Grand Cayman where we shopped and then Ochio Rios, Jamaica where we went on a Jeep Safari to Dunns Falls among other stops. I have to say the Jeep Safari was a blast I would highly recommend it unless you have back and neck problems. It was better than a disney ride. Here are a couple of pictures from the trip.

Valentines Day Sale

Starting today February 10th till Saturday the 12th almost everything in the store is 25% off (excludes select paint, mediums, special orders and workshop supplies). So if something is already marked down you will get an additional discount of 25%. So that means all christmas stock is now 75% off.

Tim Holtz

All TIM HOLTZ Stamp sets are on Sale 25% off.

SALE!!!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas with friends and family. Ours was a quiet Christmas as usual, but it was great.

So starting tomorrow Tuesday the 28th till Thursday the 30th EVERYTHING IN THE STORE WILL BE 35% OFF. The store will be open from 10-5.

I am also posting the first workshop for the new year online now, it will be an original design by Lydia in Coloured Pencil.

Greetings

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

One more week

So this time next week, probably the presents will be opened and hopefully we will be relaxing with the second or third cup of coffee. Well I know that will be what is happening at my house, cause I am a big kid at heart and on Christmas morning I get just as excited as the little ones. I am usually the first one up. I have posted the christmas hours for the store on the website www.thepaintedpony.com . Starting today all Christmas products will be 20% off until Christmas eve.

Tim Holtz

So have you been following Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of Christmas? if not you should go to his blog and check them out. Today was the last day and I love the technique, well I love all the techniques, now to find the time to do some of them. Fortunately I carry Tim's line of products in the store so if you are looking for anything be sure to give me a call or come in and visit. There is still time to do some of them to attach to your gifts or get a jump start on next year. Remember during this busy time you have to take some time for yourself to be creative and play.

Christmas Open House

Are you ready? for Christmas. If so why not come out on Saturday to our annual Christmas Open House, there are still a couple of spots in the morning and afternoon workshops. Go to www.thepaintedpony.com and look under Mini Workshops to see them and register. Don't worry if you can't get to the store in time to pick up the ornaments I will prep them for you.

If you don't have time to stay for the morning or afternoon be sure to stop by anyways, say hello, have a refreshment and take advantage of the good deals that will be throughout the store. And if you aren't ready (I know how you feel) so take a break and come visit.

Free

Okay so that must have gotten your attention!!. If you go to Lydia's website http://www.pauseforpainting.com/ you can download this packet 'Itsy Christmouse' for free.

Lydia has also donated her talents to the Ottawa Humane Society for their Building Fund. She has designed four Christmas Cards which she is selling for $10 for a packet of four (one of each design). They are available on her website or at The Painted Pony.

Christmas Open House

The Christmas Open House will be Saturday December 11th. There will be two projects which I am still working on of course. In the morning we will be painting 3 Tin Angel Ornaments and in the afternoon we will be making a Christmas Album. As always the registration is on the house and we will be having refreshments. All you have to do is pay for the supplies, bring your basic tool kits and have fun. If you are interested in attending one or both times please call 613-836-1361 or email me info@thepaintedpony.com make sure to do so soon as there is limited space. When I finish the projects I will post them on the website and here.

more from last week

Here are some more pictures from the Linda Lock Seminar, Sunday started out with a knitting lesson for Sharon from Linda.

Day Two

The second day was as fun as the first, the group was a bit bigger we went from 25 to 32. Everyone did a great job again, and I kept them full of coffee and sweets. Notice the last picture, as always a woman can't just do one thing, there's Wanda texting and painting.