A New Kid in Town

There's a new kid in town, Dennis Holcomb of Holcomb Arts on Etsy. Well actually he's not so new and not a kid but he is new to Etsy. He's one of my favorite artists who combines photography and painting with amazing results.


 So go check him out and if you are an Etsian, give his shop a little love with some hearts please. :)

Here's a link to Holcomb Arts on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/ shop/Holcombarts?ref=l2-shopheader-name

Don't miss it!

Today is the last day to sign up for the FolkArt and Primitives blog give away.



to sign up go to:  http://folkartprimitivesteam.blogspot.com/2017/03/bring-on-spring-giveaway.html?m=1

Spring Has Sprung and....

....bounced right back to winter! Geesh... A few days of nice weather. Crocus

were blooming, daffodils were coming up and trees were budding! It was great a day or two of wearing capris and even one I could pull out the flip flops.

Where did it go? I'm back to scarves, gloves and a winter coat!

I will be delighted to get back to spring but in the meantime while I wait, my FolkArt and Primitives Team on Etsy is hosting a give away March 27-30th!

Go to our blog to sign up during that time period.
http://folkartprimitivesteam.blogspot.com/

I am donating one of my hand painted porcelain eggs!

After Christmas Sale

January 3-22, my Etsy Team, Folkart and Prims (FAAP) is having a sale!  I'm looking forward to finding some great bargains!

Search AFTERXMASFAAP on Etsy to find the sale items or check out our E-catalogue. If you are on Facebook, join our FAAP Marketplace!

Mason the Safety & the Maryland State Flag

Acrylic on wood. Available in my Etsy Shop

Mason, my grandson, is back in school. Can't believe he is in 5th grade. He applied to be a Safety this year and was thrilled to be chosen as the Flag Safety. That means every day he puts up and takes down the American Flag and the Maryland State Flag.

We had a big discussion about the Maryland State Flag and how to remember which way was up. I told him the  right corner should have the cross that goes up to Heaven, like Jesus did. I googled it and showed him how it should look.  So the day before yesterday before he takes the flag down, he runs up to my car and say's "Granny Jo look at the flag." I almost spit out my coke. He had it upside down!!!

I told him so but he said that one of the teachers told him that when he put it the way I told him that it was incorrect. I told him, I knew my flag. I worked 35 years for the State of MD and that was one of my pet peeves!  So yesterday he runs out to the car pointing to the flag and I gave him a thumbs up because it was correct.

Mason said the teacher told him again  it was wrong again and instead of being diplomatic, he told her she should google it because Granny Jo worked for the State for 35 years and it's her pet peeve.

Well if this apple box doesn't sell I just might have to give it to her as an apology at the end of the year.

Tomorrow is Fall Ya'll

Luster China Paints

Raised Enamel China Paint

It's hard to believe that summer is over! Soon the tree leaves will be changing colors and the next thing you know there will be no leaves on the trees.

I am not happy about putting away my flip flops until next year but I have mixed emotions. I love the crisp fresh air of fall and the beautiful colors in the trees. 

Then again winter, everything looks so cold and stark. But all of that gives me something to look forward to...summer returning and the return of my beloved flip flops!

---------------------------

Note: both of the items above are available in my Etsy shop. Click the photo to go to the listing.

Baby It's Cold Outside!

So for a week I was floating on a boat so to speak. My husband and I took an 8 day Caribbean which also stopped in Charleston, SC and Port Canaveral, FL during Thanksgiving week.

It was a little strange to be away on a holiday. There was no kids or grand kids, no getting up early to cook the turkey and worse of all no black Friday sales!

Click here to go to my Etsy listing.

It was nice to get away to the beautiful islands and warm weather. Then I came back to 3 days of rain and cold weather!

The cold inspired this colored pencil piece that is available in my Etsy shop.  I'm hoping it warms up a bit so that I'll be inspired to paint some of the beautiful photos I took while in the Caribbean! Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

Welcome Fall

The temperatures are noticeably cooler in the morning and the days are getting shorter and shorter...Welcome Fall!

I'm not looking forward to raking the 50 bags of leaves that come with it. What a work out! Last year I left some in a grassy area and the grass died. I won't get lazy again.

The decorations are up and the DH (Darling Husband) can't wait to do his Halloween theme thing. But for how, it's happy pumpkins and scarecrows!

----------------------------------------------

Still Life, Oil on Canvas adhered to metal plaque.  

Available on Etsy:   Click Here for Link to Etsy Listing

Who Me?

What a honor! I was featured today on my team blog.  I belong to a fabulous team on Etsy of talented people, Folkart & Primitives. If you search FAAP on Etsy you will find the absolute best in the way of Folk Art and Prim. I am honored to be a part of this wonderful team of special people.

If you would like to see my feature, please click on this link to their blog:  http://folkartandprimitives.blogspot.com/

Thanks!

Easter Dinner Thoughts

I've been tossing around what to make for Easter Dinner. I like ham but since my husband and I were diagnosed with high blood pressure, that won't be happening this year. And turkey seems so Christmas and Thanksgiving. 

Available on Etsy

For a couple of years, our family would cook out on Easter but this year it's been so cold I don't want to chance it. So this year I'm planning to get back to my roots so to speak.

Available on Etsy

 I'm 2nd generation Italian American and I was thinking perhaps I'd do an Italian Theme this year.  So I'm thinking antipasto, manicotti with spaghetti on the side, Italian mild sausage, salad, garlic bread. 

So what are your plans for Easter Dinner? 

Something to Crow About

...a cup of tea with this cute little hand painted porcelain Rooster Tea Caddy. Available on Etsy.

Available on Etsy

 For hand painted china, decorative painting & fine art, visit my shop JYWheeler on Etsy. The large 3.5 inch porcelain egg pictured below is china painted and kiln fired with stand. Click the photo to take you to the listing.

The Month of Love

February, the month of love.

February is not just for St. Valentine's Day but also a month of anniversaries...well at least in my family.

My parents were married on February 4th. This year would have been their 64th Wedding Anniversary!

Available on Etsy

The end of the month (28th) marks my 39th Wedding Anniversary!  The year I married was my parents 25th Wedding Anniversary and I wore my Mom's wedding gown.

How many of you were married in February?
Here's hoping that this month brings you lots of love. Happy Valentine's Day!

Punky & Funky

I love this crazy steam punk vase.  I painted it and then applied a green luster around the gear & along the edge. This photo doesn't do it justice. I love the look of the lusters in general. 

It's not my usual style. I really liked it but apparently others didn't. I have painted other steam punk porcelain pieces which sold immediately. Not this piece. 

So I'm taking a chance and reinventing it. Sometimes things just need a little touch of something different.  I've wired it with various pieces of metal hardware giving it more of an industrial look. We will see how it goes. What do you think? Even if you aren't a steam punk fan. Hardware or no hardware?

It's even funkier looking and I still like it. I'm thinking I need to sell this so I am not tempted to change my cottage style over to steam punk. My kids will think I am suffering from mid life crisis if I do that! LOL

Here's the  link on Etsy if you like it. LINK TO VASE

And it's off....

Thanksgiving is over. All that's left is the memories and left overs. For many, it's off to the malls early today for Black Friday. Most of my shopping is done. Sunday the tree will go up and the gifts that I've bought will be wrapped and under the tree. I can enjoy Advent and the real meaning of Christmas. Let's not loose sight of what the season is all about! Getting ready for Christmas is getting ready for the birth of Christ! Slow down a minute, take a breath and remember.







Available on Etsy...click here.

Happy Veteran's Day

Available on Etsy

Today I reflect on those who served our country. From the Revolutionary War to present day wars in the Middle East.

I'm thinking of the sacrifices they made, risking their lives, being away from family and friends, living in uncomfortable conditions, missing the comforts of home and life in general.

It makes me thankful for those who have made those sacrifices so that we may have the lifestyle we have and freedoms we enjoy.

So, if you are reading this and you have served this country or are presently enlisted, or if you are a wife, child or parent of one who has or is serving, thank you for your service to this country and God Bless You.

Fall...not just leaves...

Available on Etsy - Click Here

What a start to fall. It's not just leaves but rain falling. I could do without the rain. In my head I know
that we need the rain  but I'm not just feeling it.

All rain does for me is make my joints hurt and my hair frizzy.



It makes Luigi (my dog) cranky too.  All he wants to do is lay around and sleep. Not even shaking his favorite toy at him makes him want to play.

So I'm hoping tomorrow brings a warmer sunnier day so that me and Luigi can go out and play.

Life is Short....

Available on Etsy

....Eat Dessert First! So tonight my Grandson Mason is spending the night. I told him we could eat out any place he wanted to go. He decided on Olive Garden. "It has salads Granny Jo and I know you like salads."  So we went to Olive Garden. But before we got there we stopped by Wendy's for a yummy frosty.  After stuffing our faces with salad and bread sticks, he had a make your own pizza which looked more like a meat lover's pizza to me. Even the waitress said it looked awesome.

I got a shrimp pasta dish. It was good but it was a bit spicy. It didn't take long until we were both stuffed. The waitress was like, "you hardly ate anything." And then I told her well you know life is short, we ate dessert first.

Tea Time

Jeannie's Website

Available on Etsy

I have a friend, Jeannie, who owns Sandpiper Boutique 6142 Maddox Blvd, Chincoteague Island, VA. Jeannie is a long time friend. She invited me to put porcelain and my alcohol ink art prints in her shop.  Recently I was in Ocean City which isn't too far from there so I dropped by. Jeannie's family is from Taiwan and her brother processes and sells tea. As I was shopping, I noticed she had some of her brother's Jasmine Green Tea there. I bought a couple of tins of the loose tea. I love that tea. It's like drinking flower petals!   It's so yummy.

Fall Ya'll

Original Oil Painting on Canvas Available on Etsy

Yes indeed. The mornings are starting off with that little chill in the air. 

The crickets are chirping big time. I see waterfowl flying in formation, kids with backpacks and school buses on the road. 

Yep it's Fall Ya'll~