tinkertoys

Long before video games and I think maybe even Legos, my friends and I played with Tinkertoys. The can was chocked full of assorted sized wood pieces, with multi-colored sticks and plastic parts that left us entertained for hours upon hours of imaginative fun!

Print size: 8x10" printed on 8 1/2 x 11"

Each print is signed, packed in a cellophane bag with certificate of authenticity and acid-free backing board for stability in shipment.


Printed on bright white, Epson Ultra Premium Presentation Paper Matte on an Epson Stylus Photo R1900 printer using Epson UltraChrome archival inks।

Now available in my Etsy store!

cool crafty find!

I can't believe it's already been a week since I scored this cool book. Last weekend my neighbors took me to my first estate sale. It was a bunch of mixed emotions while I was there. At first I was sad that the woman who lived there had just passed away. On the other hand, it was a bit like an exciting, treasure hunt walking thru this house, pulling open drawers, looking at furniture and random teacups, jewelry and kitchen ware. I didn't find anything I wanted to buy, but I'd definitely do that again.

On our way back we stopped at a garage sale, something else I rarely do, because I have enough of my own old stuff and I've been working really hard at de-cluttering our home. In a big box of books, mostly newer children's books, this cool 1960's era children's craft book peeked out of the top. I snatched it up immediately, with only looking at a few pages. I love things from that mid-century time period, but especially things with cool illustrations. This book was beat up on the cover and the binding is in need of some repair but inside it's filled with crafty goodies. As I looked thru this book it reminded me of simpler things, remembering back to being a child and how simple things created by hand are sometimes the best things. It reminded me of all of the fun craft projects I used to make with my Mom. One of my favorite little graphics is the little pirate in the bottom photo, he's on the left. I'll repair the binding with some glue and I keep thinking about what a great find this was for only 50 cents! I also kept picking up a box of "original" Tinkertoys... I'm kicking myself for not buying those as well. Oh well, on to the next treasure hunt!

let's groove...

To give you a little idea of what I'm dealing with in my basement/studio remodel, I've snapped a few sneak peek pics, while you're checking them out, think Earth, Wind and Fire! Not only do I think it, but every time, I go downstairs I swear I can hear, "Let's Groove" playing... At least I can dance my way into the laundry room. HA!

Oh yes, I have the ultimate in luxury flooring. It's what all of the rich & famous are going ga-ga for... it's brown and tan checkerboard tiles. Snazzy, huh! Uh, nooo. The solution to cover up this dreamy floor, is going to be carpet square flooring. Thank you for modern solutions!

Next up - real hardwood paneling.... Oh yes, the exquisite pine paneling is featured on most of the walls in our basement. Let's booooogie on down! Boooooogie on down! So, the solution, since I don't want to create even more work for myself, such as ripping it down and drywalling the whole room we're going to paint it.

There's also a section of some of the walls that have been covered with some textured wall paper. Some of it was peeling off so I figured, let's peel it even more and see what it's covering up. Perhaps at one time there was a saloon in our basement where men spat in spittoons and wore their ten-gallon hats and ordered sasaparilla. I'm not sure, but when I'm done with it, it's definitely going years into the future to bring it up to speed with a more modern vibe.

aqua dress

(4 3/4" print example - watermark will not be on final printed piece)

Here she is... my newest painting in my Barbie collection "Aqua Dress." On this Barbie painting, I decided to make her hair a little more towards red. I think it contrasts nicely with her aqua dress.

I've made two sizes of archival quality prints available in my Etsy shop: my standard 4 3/4" which fits an IKEA Ribba frame very nicely and an 8x10" which will fit any standard frame. Should you like a different size, it's possible I can accommodate your request. Comment here on my blog with your email address.

(8x10 print example - watermark will not be on final printed piece)

The original will be framed and for sale at the craft faire in July.

a really nice surprise...

Today I got a really nice surprise... Remember the "retro-looking" Barbie painting I did last year. My client's daughter sent me a photo today of how it looks in her Mom's living room. Wow! It looks fantastic! It goes with all of her furniture so well. I love that her Mom's style is so eclectic and colorful. My favorite pieces are the pink chair, mirrored dresser and the blue lampshade. There is no bigger compliment and inspiration to do more paintings for me than seeing what one of my pieces looks like hung in one of my client's homes. Thanks so much for sending!