Flashback Friday

On a previous Flashback Friday, I talked about my little cake decorating business.

Today, let's talk about decorative painting, okay?

After we lost my sister, I needed something to take my mind away from the grief that seemed to consume it. While picking up cake supplies, I noticed that my local craft store was offering a decorative painting class. It was held on a night that Mark worked late, so it seemed perfect. Sign me up!

That short class in the store led to longer classes in the teacher's home. Before long, I was hooked! But in order to afford the better brushes and supplies that I liked to work with, I needed some extra cash. Hmmmm, can you say, "Craft Show"?

Craft shows led to home shows, and before long, it was another side business for me. What can I say? I was a little entrepreneur!

Recently, I found some photos of the work I did while living in NY. Would you like to see? =)

I can't even tell you how many of these I sold. While shopping a clearance sale, I picked up some wine barrel slats. Originally, I had planned to paint long, skinny snowmen on them. When someone needed something 'Tuscany like' for their newly renovated kitchen, I thought those barrel slats could be used in a different way.



After that windfall, it became a challenge to see what I could find to paint on. How about a mailbox?



Everyone loved them! And since townhouse dwellers needed a smaller box to fit on their front porches, I began to paint some for them, too.



What could be better than free supplies? We had tons of slate scattered around our mountain property, so I decided to see what I could do with it.



After looking at these photos from the past, I am totally inspired to find the time to pick up my paint brush again. Isn't it funny how visiting the past can be so stimulating?

I used to love pine cones

Matter in fact, I couldn't get enough of them.

I mainly used them for crafts. They made baskets prettier, wreaths more interesting, and when painted to look like funny little santas they were just adorable.

Back when I had time for crafts (HA!), we never had any pine trees near our home. I had be resourceful and rely on other means to get them. Sometimes I would get them from a friend's father who frequently traveled through the Pine Barrens. When that supply got low, I am ashamed to admit that I even bought a few bags from the craft store. The horrors!

Fast forward to our new home in Georgia. When we first came to look at the house, I was greeted by the scent of pine as I stepped out of the car. Just imagine it...lots of lovely pine trees, and they were gently swaying in the breeze on that warm, spring day. It was wonderful! I saw a few pine cones scattered around on the ground and my mind went wild with ideas of creativity. They were mine, all mine!

What a fool I was. Besides dropping those little nuggets of craftiness, pine trees also drop pine needles.

Everywhere.

Especially on the driveway. Which happens to be very long.

I would measure it, but it's a pretty long walk. ;)

Here's what the past weekend looked like...



Before you ask, yes, the wheelbarrow is filled to the top with pine cones.



And those piles! Lots of pine needles, and way too much raking and sweeping. I knew all those years of mucking out stalls at the barn would come in handy, but at least I got to hop up on a horse as a reward afterwards!

I think I will be looking into one of those re-chargeable blowers to get rid of all that debris. Just think-it will leave me more time to craft with all those wonderful pine cones.

Or not...LOL!