Check In

Just sitting here using the hotel computer to check my emails so I thought I would do a quick Blog update. I haven't left the hotel since I checked in on Thursday evening, busy doing workshops, today was the trade show so I have placed a couple of orders for stamps. It has been a lot of fun and there are great people here, they are all shop owners or designers for shops etc. so we all have something in common.

I've done some very cool workshops that I think will be lots of fun to teach in the store, unfortunately I don't have any way to upload pictures but I will do that on Tuesday or Wednesday when I get to the store. Anyways I am off to stick my head out of the hotel and find a mall.

Hugs

Happy Spring

Today is the first day of Spring, well right now it is 8:33 am so it doesn't officially arrive till sometime around 5pm I think. But what the hey, who cares, it is a bit of a grey day today but it isn't snowing so that is a plus and it should be mild.

I am at the store early to get wax melted for the Batik workshop that Lydia is teaching today. If you haven't tried Batik you really should. My new passion in the decorative painting world is Coloured Pencils.....I know what your thinking? because I thought the same thing. I resisted Coloured Pencils for the longest time but it is really a great medium if you want to be able to work on your art when you travel or just sitting outside in the summer. That is what I am hoping to do, it is amazing when you see the depth that can be achieved with Coloured Pencils. Lydia will be teaching one in the next session so keep your eyes on the website.

Happy Spring to all

Happy Happy Happy

I'm a happy girl because....it's a beautiful sunny day and because as I type this I am also flipping through Tim Holtz's new book. I have just received my copy of 'A Compendium of Curiosities'. I was too impatient for the one supplier to send the 6 that I had ordered so I ordered 1 from another supplier that received them early and it arrived today. But the good news is the rest should be in by the end of this week or the beginning of next. So if you would like a copy let me know, a couple people have already told me so I think I will only have two left, but I will definitely order more.

Distress Inks

The new Tim Holtz Distress Inks are now in stock. All the colours are great, I have limited quantities so if you want them be sure to stop in soon. I also have received the new Glimmer Mist colours. Hopefully Tim's new book will also be in soon, if you would like me to hold a copy please let me know. I also have ordered his new stamps, papers and Ideology line, hopefully they will start to come in soon.

New Books

Can't believe it's been a month already since the last time I posted. Well the good thing is February is gone and Spring is just around the corner. Just received new books yesterday and following are the pictures of them. Sherry Nelson's new one is great chock full of patterns and instructions for all kinds of different Butterflies and Flowers. Of course I always love Renee Mullins patterns, easy and cheerful.

Saturday

So here it is Saturday again, Lydia is teaching the first in the series of Charger Plates with Birds on them. Everyone is doing a great job, even the gals that haven't done oils. So if you think you would like to try oils but have been intimidated by the thought now is the time to try them. Lydia is an excellent teacher.

Last night I taught Ornaments, I have to say I just love my ornament workshops. I teach three ornaments every month, have to get a jump start on Christmas. It is usually the same group and we have a great time, so if you love to paint ornaments and want to have fun with a great bunch of women then you need to check out the next bunch and come join us. If you go to the website www.thepaintedpony.com and look under mini-workshops you will see them there.

New Books

We've just received 5 new Titles yesterday. I am sure they are not going to stick around long, unfortunately these days there are not alot of new books being published, so when new ones come out they don't stay on the shelf for long.

I am loving the projects in 'Country's Edge' by Shirley Keonig, there are butterflies, birds and flowers. Barb Halvorson's new book 'Sharing Gifts of Nature Book 4' is in oils but she does give a conversion to Americana in the front which is nice. If you love doing landscapes then 'Brushtiques 5' by Linda Lover is for you, all seasons are represented. If Frogs in Tutu's and Frogs playing baseball are what your looking for then 'The Lily May Pond' by Susan Pisoni is the one you want. If your familiar with Susan's work then you know she loves the whimsical. I love this book, it's great if you have little ones to paint for or if you are just young at heart. I know there is a project in there that I want to do for me. And last but not least is Linda Lock's newest 'Altered Art' florals, fruit and buildings.