Fursdon House Studio is Nearing Completion!!

My children keep informing me that I haven't sent them recent photos of the studio!  So here's the latest developments!  Nigel has been working very long, very arduous hours to try getting it completed before he returns to work Thanksgiving Day (yes, I said Thanksgiving Day!).   So here are his results so far: 

One of two loft areas, one on either side of the building, which will allow room to store items and, with any luck, enable me to make multiples of items (and store them) for my Etsy Shop!  At least that's one of the "plans"!  Personally, it looks like a GREAT place to hide and take a nap!!  I never had a playhouse when I was little, so I think I'm about to make up for lost time!!

My beautiful tile!  Of course, it's covered in drywall dust, paint and filth right now,

but it's beauty still shines through!

This is the molding that goes ONLY around the inside of the French Doors; all the other molding is plain.

My "plan" is to hand paint it in various colors, then antique it and seal it.

Should take me about three forevers, but that's okay.  It will definitely be unique!!

The walls, with their first coat of primer!  The wood ceiling above (one of two, which are the base of the two loft areas) are in bead board.  I've always loved bead board and now I have some!

This is the right loft area, although you can't really tell it's bead board.  It will eventually be painted a glossy white.  See what I mean about a neat place to hide?!  And with a few comfy cushions, it would make a perfect sleeping area!  Of course, that first step "out of bed" is going to be a doozy because Nigel made the ceilings 9 feet tall!  OUCH!!  Maybe I need side railings!?  Ha Ha  My "plan" for getting up here is to have Nigel make me an old-fashioned wooden ladder, which I plan to paint in all kinds of colors.

Think MacKenzie-Childs and you'll have the right idea!

Primer. More primer.  And even MORE primer!!

Yes Nigel, I know.  I owe you BIG TIME!!!!!

Peek-A-Boo!! I see you Gummy!!!

Isabel already informed me that this will be "our" studio, not just "my" studio.

 As if I ever had a doubt about that!!

Now - are you ready for the next surprise?  Here goes!!!

Ta Da!!! Can we say TURQUOISE anyone??  Isabel says it's AQUA!! Nigel says it's SICK.

Jan says, YIPPEE!!!!  I think the official color is called "Sea Glass".    LOVELY!!!!

That's all for now, but considering Nigel is outside painting as I write this, it will probably look very different by tomorrow!  And soon the shelves will be going in against that back wall!  If things keep up this pace, I'll spend my long Thanksgiving Weekend moving in!! I'm so excited!!!!

Happy Days and have a lovely, peaceful and blessed Thanksgiving Week!  Jan

Things I'm Thankful For - Artist Trading Card (ATC)

Hi Again Everyone!

Here's the ATC I made for November for the Blissfull ATC Swap!  I thought of all the things I'm thankful for and I kept coming back to some of the basic themes on which our great country was founded.  What do you think?

Okay, as usual, my photography skills are limited, primarily because my TIME is so limited. Well, at least that doesn't help matters.  By the time I get home, it's already dark, so I have to use flash, etc., which just shows glares.  Otherwise, I have to wait till the weekend.  Oh well.....for those of you who can't make out what I've written it reads (from top to bottom):  Speech, Freedom, U.S.A., Prayer, Vote, GOD and Military.  I used red, white and blue watercolors on a piece of cardboard, then stamped the words on, and surrounded the whole piece with a little bit of sparkle (a silver tinsel pipe cleaner).  Now I wish I'd made another one for me!  I think I may just do that - create another one for me!

Happy Days Everybody and May God Bless, Jan

November ATC from Anna of Frosted Petunias

Sorry to have taken so long to post, but work has been tremendously hectic lately and I haven't found time to breathe properly, much less post to my blog! Ahhhh, but it does feel good to be back!

Guess what was in the mail two days ago!?  It's our November Artist Trading Card (ATC) Swap; this month my partner was Anna of Frosted Petunias!  Our theme was anything we chose. Anna's is so beautiful, and it's even layered with a coat of wax on top!  My photography simply does NOT do it justice! The pink silk leaves and vines lead up to the "flowers" which are butterflies.  And the caption reads: "If nothing ever changed, there would be no butterflies!"  That's about the best reason I've ever heard for change!!

 

Thank you SO MUCH Anna - for such a lovely and thoughtful gift!  I'll treasure it always! Jan

Precious Little Penelope Leaving Paddock!!

My precious little Penelope Patience Penwater has left her paddock and is making her way through the vast unknown and sometimes disconcerting world.  Her travels will take her through many different places, as she is taking a somewhat circuitous route, but her first destination is to the lovely BeeBee in Louisiana!

Little Penelope was a bit worried at first, this being her first Big Adventure, but I assured her that BeeBee, Elaine and Sue only had her very best interests at heart and they would soon welcome her with open and loving arms.  I must confess I was a bit teary eyed as she walked down the lane, this being my very first "goatling".  But I promised myself I'd be strong, if only for little Penelope's sake.  So off she's gone and now I await the arrival of her sweet little cousins!

Yours Truly,
Jan