When I get home from a two week vacation, I don’t waste any time. (Are you surprised?) I did all of my laundry at my parent’s house, so I came home with a suitcase full of clean clothes. I unpacked last night, so I wouldn’t have to face it today. I had some youth kids prepping and painting furniture for me, so it would be ready for my finishing touch. I had a babysitter lined up for today, so I could restock the cupboards and work on some furniture to restock my space at Lucketts. I have an HGTV.com article due on Friday, a Cottages and Bungalows article due …soon… and nine more freelance tutorial projects due in a few weeks. Tomorrow I’m shopping for supplies, finishing up some pieces and pricing. Thursday it’s shopping for anitques and settling into my new room on the third floor of Lucketts. Whew. I’m going to need a vacation after I get caught up from my vacation!
I’ve had a tough time getting back into my work again today, but once I started, I accomplished a lot. Aside from coming home to a lot of work, I had a stack of packages. I love goodies and I get a lot of them in the mail, so having two week’s worth was like Christmas.
Here’s some of the loot I got…
A hand painted and waxed Annie Sloan Chalk Paint paint deck. Shades of Amber is offering them on their website for $19.95 as well as sample pots, so you can make sure you’re getting the color you want.
36 Responses
Wowww those are super fun things to come home too!!
I am off to order the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Deck ~ that is so cool!!
I am lovin' being a sponsor btw!! It rocks!!
xoxo
Lori
What a delightful post. It's refreshing to hear how much you love what you're doing and how glad you are to be back at it. Thanks so much for sharing all your goodies…especially the nest tags. Love them. Welcome home…
I have never wanted a cow/bull painting in my life….til now! Those eyes and eyelashes are so endearing! Welcome home! sounds as if you were sorely missed by all those treasures you received……
Ellery
OMG, I can't stop laughing at your comment "Look at that bull in my dining room". I know, I'm easily amused. I love everything in today's post, just awesome 🙂 I've got to go check out the paint deck too! Hugs for now
Edna
http://operation-home.blogspot.com
Is it a bull ??? Looks like an udder by her back leg to me..Stunning either way, she is a wonderful artist, her sheep are on my list of things I covet!!
It may be good to be home – but it is very quiet in FL. I miss my boys – oh yea and you too :). We had a blast. Cow looks awesome – can't wait to see where you put her. Mom in FL
Wow, such great goodies!! I've been looking at "Bliss and Tell" as well, anxious to see how you like her/them!
The little nest on the tags is the best! Wow.
In my good natured down to earth sort of way, let me just say: cows CAN have horns. It's not what's on their head, but between their hing legs that makes the difference.
But…according to ask kids dot com…
Can Female Cows have Horns?
Glad you asked…
Cattle come in different breeds, and some breeds of cattle are more likely to have horns than others. Female cattle are called cows and they have horns just like other cattle do. They use the horns to fend of enemies and protect their young. What perpetuates this thought, is that often domestic cattle are 'debudded' which is a process of removing their horns at the base, so that they never grow. Farmers do this for protection of the herd, since they don't really have natural predators, or are protected by fences and the farmers, they don't need their horns. Horns are likely to harm other animals and humans, even unintentionally to harm or kill infant animals. This is why the horns are often missing from domestic cattle.
nickeeninetails, Answers Expert
http://answers.askkids.com/Weird_Science/can_female_cows_have_horns
SO IT'S PERFECTLY OK…TO CALL A COW A COW! LOL…
you had a lot to come home to. Love the cow/bull painting.
I believe you have your wish, and that is a cow. Those really look like udders to me! Lovely cow!
That is most definitely a cow. All cows have horns (unless they are a naturally polled breed), they are "dis-budded" as calves which stops the horn growth when it is very tiny.
Love the painting!
It's always good to be back home. Thanks for sharing my little nest tag, Marian (and for loving them…and for the mother of all compliments regarding my creativity)! The AS paint deck is very cool. Love the cow painting too. Isn't Reni a doll? I'm working with her too and got those cute little cards in the mail yesterday. Gorgeous! I can't wait to see what she's cooking up for you. Would you mind if I used your photos of my tags on Etsy? So pretty. (Darn. I thought mine were good too…until I saw yours.)
xo
Jami
Welcome home!! Whew! You have me exhausted! Love the cow painting and that AS paint deck is fabulous. Must go order one for myself now.
Can't wait to see new pics of your space at Lucketts! So exciting!
Hugs
SueAnn
Phew!! I'm exhausted…and all I did was read your post. Looks like you are one busy lady! Have fun! Can't wait to see your "new spot" all ready to go!
Glad you are back WITH us! Can't wait to see your new space at Luckett's!
Sounds like a whirlwind, I wish I had youth kids to prep paint, and a sitter for the kid… I could get so much more done!!! I guess it takes a village to run a business even!
Cow envy is a dangerous thing 🙂
Maddie
I am mooooooooooved by your bovine painting
it is so great to have you back. like you ever left us.
xxo.w
Wow another lovely painting! It has such a soft quality to it. I do laundry too before I leave while on vacation if I have the chance, so much easier.
I am a sucker for paint decks. It's a weird love of mine. But I love looking through them and getting new inspiration, and yes that is a Gorgeous paint deck!
Hi Marion, I just wanted to give you an update, since winning the chalk paints give away. I was in the process of finishing up some larger pieces for a client, so I haven't had the time. But that project is done, and I'm ready to start a new project using the chalk paint. I will be interested to see how it compares to Caromal Colours paint, which I currently use. You just can't scratch that stuff. So I will link (if I can figure out how)lol when it's done.
You just made me really tired, and inspired at the same time! Love the Cow and all the goodies. I need to take my geritol and get busy!
Thanks,
Debbie
Your painting is of a cow….that's no bull! Either way I LOVE both of the paintings!
thanks for the link to Cindys blog. While your cow is cute her sheep are too adorable!
Welcome home, Marian! The doing-the-laundry-before-coming-home trick is one I'll have to remember for the future. I loathe doing all the laundry when I return from a trip!
I'm so glad you featured Cindy's work–she and I live less than 15 minutes apart and I've admired her work for years. She's insanely talented, isn't she? I only recently discovered she had a blog and it's an absolute hoot to read.
Enjoy your new painting (and other goodies!) and getting back into the swing of things!
Erin
Carolina Country Living
Glad you're home! Your new stationary is fabulous and I love your new bull-cow-bovine!
So much good stuff! I posted a "blog highlight" for Cindy too. In Texas we see a lot of cows…none as beautiful as yours. 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing!
Pat
LOVE the new cow painting! Great surprises to come home to and a new spot in Lucketts? Can't wait to get over there and check it out! Have fun getting back in the groove! ~Leena~
Hello darlin' yep you got a cow there! I raised Horned Herefords (with horns) and Polled Herefords (means NO horns) for 21 years and it makes no matter if it has horns or not… if the critta has an udder fer sure, and your sweet darlin has an udder! Then she is a cow. And she is darlin at that.
Lorretta from NH
I noticed the udder right away too! Too many times in the dairy barn at the county fair to not notice it. The soft colors and details are amazing.
Nothing like receiving wonderful surprises in the mail (other than bills that is). I have saved a few of the websites that you mentioned and will visit them to perhaps shop once I have some moola to spend. tee hee Patty/BC
What a fabulous name…."greek blue". I love it.
I think you can tell by her beautiful eyelashes! Love the cow and all thta you do.
A very unique collection of new business cards, tags, stationary, t-shirts and many more things are included in your blog. Little gift is so fabulous. Reni is very talented.