Stitchery Fun!

As you may already know, I recently released my first embroidery pattern in my Etsy shop.

Well I’ve had some very talented ladies join my stitching team and have beautifully stitched up this pattern and I couldn’t wait to show you their results!

The above is by Hannah from SpansStudio, you can read all about her experience of stitching this pattern on her blog.



Then we have Nelly’s beautiful version. Nelly chose to make a wall hanging and I think it turned out great! You can see more photos here.





I love the different stitches that have been used in both versions. My team used pastels to fit in with my vintage/country style but you can use any colours you like.

Nelly is now working on a ‘bright’ version for herself, which I cannot wait to see!

The patterns can be used for many different things such as; pillows, wall hangings, hoop art, table cloths, hankies, tea towels, bedding. You choose.

I have more team stitcheries to come, so stay tuned for those. I’ll also be adding more designs to my pattern collection very soon.

If you have photos to share of what you’ve made with my patterns come on over to our Flickr group and upload them, I’d love to see.

Blessings



x

New Dog Portrait Series

I am so excited, I decided to start a new series of paintings in a impressionist type style and work my way through the different breeds of dogs.

My first is a ‘Labradoodle’, get her out here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/153620077/labradoodle-dog-portrait-folk-art?ref=v1_other_2



x

Spring Inspired New Paintings

It took me a while to get 'in the mood' for some Spring time paintings since it seemed Spring would never arrive here, but hurray it finally has!

This is 'Birdie and Blossom', I love how the colours look quite vintagey and you can just about see the little blue bird snuggled in the tree.

This is 'Blackbird Song', I had this image in my head and couldn't wait to paint the pink roses climbing up the bird house, so pretty.

Both new paintings are now available in my Etsy shop.

x

Progress on my book

So the book is written, wasn’t expecting it to go like that lol. I figured I would write it as I painted but no, I ended up writing the whole story up front and now I have the rest of the paintings to do.

It’s been a learning curve so far, in a good way. I intended to post weekly new paintings with snippets of the story and that has not gone to plan either lol. Mainly because I am still learning how I work best and I’m finding that I don’t want to rush the paintings and have something that isn’t my best.

However I am enjoying posting the paintings with snippets to my email list when they are ready.

I thought I would give you a peek at the first painting I sent out back in January. Cute isn’t he.

So if you would like to follow along, seeing my paintings for the book as they are finished and get a snippet of the story please sign up to my email list to the right and make sure to check the box ‘originals’. You will also be the first to find out when I release new originals to my Etsy shop.

Originals for the book won’t be available for sale until the book release which will hopefully be May. Might be too ambitious but that is what I am aiming for.

Thank you to those already following along, I hope you are enjoying the journey with me.



xxx

Nursery Rhyme Inspired

Meet Goosey, she is a real nosey parker! She is the first in a mini series of nursery rhyme inspired paintings for a challenge my lovely Creative Mind friends have set.

I decided to go for a twist on the rhyme

She is now available at Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/122825565/goose-painting-folk-art-painting-4-x-2

SOLD THANK YOU!

Blessings



xxx

Wild Flower Cottage Adventures

Remember this?



Well, it’s Winter now at ‘Wild Flower Cottage’, the flowers have all died back and the hill was looking really bare, so what could we do but build a snowman!





Prints of ‘Wild Flowers’ are still available and my new original ‘Winter at Wild Flower Cottage’ is now available over at Etsy.

Blessings



xxx

What’s New

I’ve been excited lately! With a new camera I’ve started re-taking the pictures of my shop and wow what a difference. I am really excited that you can now actually see my art more true to life and see the details of them, especially on my originals.





I’m also going through and taking pictures of my prints so you can see the quality of them and the detail that is presented in them rather than the digital image before.

So I’m working my way through all the pictures a bit at a time, please check them out.



I’ve also added 3 new postcard sets, including the one above, just in time for Valentines day.

My new book is well under way, the story is written and I’m working on editing and doing the paintings for it. If you’d like to follow along please sign up to my email list, making sure to check the box marked ‘originals’. I send an email about once per week with a painting and a snippet of story. You can find the sign up box here ------------------------------>

So there is a lot going on and more besides but it’s all fun! I hope you’ll stop by my Etsy shop and I’ll be back next week with more to share.

Blessings



xxx

Happy New Year 2013!

Happy New Year dear friends! Wow 2013 already, I am looking forward to a great year ahead.

I just listed this happy little fellow and a snowman magnet too, my first listings for 2013.

Today is special because I am sending out the first of my emails for my new book! If you missed my news click here.

It’s so much fun to write this little book and illustrate it, it’s going to be a great journey, I do hope you’ll sign up and follow along.

Enjoy the rest of your day,

Blessings



xxx

New Hand Drawn Magnets

I’ve just listed 5 new hand drawn magnets in my Etsy shop, check them out here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheVintageArtist?section_id=12379896

Blessings

xxx

Silent Night

It’s almost time to put up our Christmas tree. Every year I love to choose what my colour scheme will be and what type of light, coloured or clear I’ll put on there. Each year I try to find a new folk art style ornament to add, it’s so much fun.

Inspired by my love of Christmas here is ‘Silent Night’ my latest painting now available here and as a print in my Etsy shop.

I’ve also just added 4 other new prints in the new Christmas/Winter section and ‘Shy Owl’ in the new Folk art section.

Enjoy!

Blessings



 

 

 

xxx

2013 Calendars and Craft Show Round Up

Last week was crazy busy finishing my preparation for the Kesgrave Community Centre craft show, which took place on Saturday. Overall it was a good day, met some lovely people but most of us didn’t see many sales.

Still, that means there is plenty of goodies left in stock for my Etsy shop and my next shows.



On Friday I managed to list my new 2013 calendars in the shop. I have a few left in stock ready to ship and am going to make more this week. These are a great way to enjoy my work all year round and at the end of the year you can frame your favourites as they are only printed on one side each 

Check them out here.

Blessings



xxx

Christmas is coming!

I’ve been busy in the studio working on new paintings and cards to add to the shop and I can now happily announce my Christmas cards are now available.

I’ve also listed a brand new set of bunny cards. Both sets come on beautiful brown kraft card with plain envelopes. If you would like larger sets please contact me.

Enjoy!

xxx

Mixed Media Fun

I got an exciting delivery this morning of lovely new wood blocks to paint on and a couple of new paints too. It’s so exciting getting new supplies.

I’ve started work on a really cute little painting, the smallest I’ve done I think. I can’t wait to show you.

Working on this new piece reminded me of some of my previous mixed media work (that’s a clue) and so I have decided to release this little cute painting as a small print in my shop, isn’t it cute!

‘Love Thy Neighbour’ available at Etsy.

Blessings

xxx

Autumn Leaves

It’s been really wet and windy here in Suffolk lately. And sadly I’ve seen no sign of birdies at all? I wonder where they all went? Somewhere warmer perhaps?

We put up a new feeder full of wild bird seed just before we went on holiday a couple of weeks ago now but haven’t seen any birds on it since we’ve been home.

I do hope they come back, I love listening to their songs and seeing the little beauties.

‘Autumn Leaves’ is one of my favourite drawings I’ve done and is now available as a print in the shop.

Stay warm!

xxx

Don’t Quit!

I’ve been finding it difficult with my art shop recently, I don’t think the Summer slow down helps at all for your confidence. Getting used to the quieter seasons and the busier seasons is something I am still learning and also learning how to stay encouraged and keep creating.

Sometimes it’s really hard not to look at what you’re doing and think ‘it’s not good enough’, ‘I’m not as successful as…’, or ‘does my work really speak to people?’.

What I’ve learnt is that the more I look outside myself for ‘the answers’ the more miserable I am. It’s only when I say to myself ‘you are being true to who you are’, ‘you are creating from your heart’, ‘you are following your own dreams’, then I realise I’m on the right track!

We all need some encouragement and so this post is to really cheer you on and say even though it gets hard sometimes, even though you may look at others and think they are more successful then you are, stop. Look into your own heart and know that you need to be you and that is what being successful is.

Stop comparing yourself to others and don’t quit! Get up and do what you were created to do!

Because you are special!

xxx

Brand New Art Hair Clips

New in the shop today!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/107579601/bird-art-hair-clip-set-of-2-antique

xxx

A Very Special Gift for You!

There is a very special listing in my Etsy shop today! I have 10 lovely gift packs available which include the following goodies:

* One 'surprise' original illustrated ACEO card, 2.5" x 3.5"
* One 'surprise' glossy postcard
* Two 'surprise' bookplates
* Four 'surprise' art stickers

Not only is this a special treat because it features an original ACEO by me but also the gift pack is at a very special price.

I only have 10 of these gift packs, so come on over and get yours: https://www.etsy.com/listing/107314206/original-aceo-special-gift-pack-only-10

Blessings

xxx

Square Foot Exhibition Photos and Special Offer!

I am so excited! Tascha went to the Square Foot Exhibition and found my painting amongst all the other artists. I just had to show you all

See the red arrow

And here is a close up, see the little cottage and the big tree!

I am so delighted, that’s one to check off the bucket list

I also wanted to let you know that if you are a Facebook fan or friend of mine you can get free shipping off any purchase (worldwide) from either of my shops for a limited time only. I am going to be discontinuing some of my older work and so now is the time to treat yourself before they are gone for good!

Come on over and grab the coupon code: https://www.facebook.com/vintageartist

Blessings

xxx