It's funny how you can have something in your stash for what seems like forever and can never find the perfect pattern or idea for it. Last night I finally figured out what to do with this gumball machine that I've had on my shelf for over a year. Three more days until we leave to go to Canton!! I can't wait. Here's a picture of a Home Interior frame I transformed into another chalkboard.

And after (sorry pic is not the best):

A productive weekend

The weather was beautiful this weekend, so I took advantage of it. I painted 13, yes 13, cabinet doors with chalkboard paint. I need to find some more embleshments for the others. Another thing to add to my Canton list. Craft Shows are fast approaching so I am working like crazy to get ready. I had planned to cut out a bunch of Santa's to paint, but my scrollsaw decided to burn up early Saturday morning. So instead I finished up some ornies, did the chalkboards, and sanded and stained some bread bowls. I usually paint designs on them, but have been wanting to see what they look like just stained. I really like them.

This is what they looked like at first...

And this is the after....

Gotta Start somewhere...

After reading so many wonderful blogs, I thought I'd start my own. I look forward to sharing my projects and finds. I dabble in a lot of things, but my main hobby is tole painting. I love hunting for treasures at thrift stores, flea markets, and auctions.

So I thought I'd start with the gourds I just finished painting. Once a year we go to Canton, Tx to the trade days. A couple of years ago we took a different route and came across what looked to be a vegetable stand on the side of the road. Much to my surprise and delight, it turned out to be a gourd stand. It is run on the honor system, each table has a price on it, and you leave your money in a mailbox. It is run by the sweetest 80+ year old man whom we met the first year. Anyways here are a few of the craziest gourd santa's....