This actually is one of my favorite pieces. We found it at the flea market one Saturday, during one of our regular trips, and I knew I had to have it. We paid $10 for it, which I thought was a great deal. When I get a piece I like to sleep on it before I just dive in and paint. I stare at it awhile, take in the curves and let it speak to me. I know, you're saying, "Mary you've lost your mind, girl!" But it's true. I've tried to draw the piece out and color it in beforehand, but it never seems to work that way for me. It looks great on paper, but when I start to paint, it just takes on a life of its own. So I've started "marinating" the piece. I simply sit on it. No not literally! Well, actually I have done that before, but not with this piece :) I keep the item in my studio and look at it. I look at it A LOT! You see, my best designs, they come to me in the middle of the night. Way too many sleepless nights for me. I keep a book by the side of the bed to write down my ideas, just so I can sleep :) Anyway....this piece is one of those "I can't sleep, because I have a great idea" kind of pieces.

I decided to use this color palette, because I think the colors look amazing together. I had recently done a smaller piece in this color theme and had received a lot of compliments on the color choice, so I decided to use them on a larger scale.

 I introduced a new pattern, in the form of leopard print on the base and incorporated my traditional checkered pattern on the legs.

The piece sold last week. The person who purchased it owns a salon and I think it'll look fabulous in her shop (if I do say so myself). I love when people fall in love with my stuff. It's a high for me :)

This actually is one of my favorite pieces.  We found it at the flea market one saturday, during one of our regular trips, and I knew I had to have it.  We paid $10 for it, which I thought was a great deal, and I took it home and started painting it the very next day.  When I get a piece I like to sleep on it before I just dive in and paint.  Usually, my best designs, come to me in the middle of the night. Way to many sleepless nights for me.  I keep a book by the side of the bed just to write down my ideas just so I can go to sleep :) Anyway....this piece is one of those "I can't sleep because I have a great idea" kind of pieces.  I decided to use this color palette

I thought it might be cool to show some before and after pictures of furniture that I have given a face lift to.  I must admitt I have a bad addiction.  I love to go out on garbage night and look for pieces of furniture that people have put to the curb.  I know...my kids cringe when I tell them it's garbage night! But I can't help myself.  I have a shed full of disgaurded, tossed away and forgotten pieces, that I can't wait to get my hands on.  I love to see the final project in my head, the possibilities that each piece could have.  Most times my greatest ideas come to me in the middle of the night when I can't sleep.  I keep a notebook by the side of my bed to write them down, otherwise I would never get back to sleep.  Okay, so either I am certifiable or my artisitic sense has kicked into high gear.  I'd like to think it's a little bit of both! 

Maggie and I had a great time @ the Jamesville-Dewitt Middle School show, but then again, Maggie and I could have a good time doing pretty much anything, as long as we do it together. The big hit of this show was jewelry holders and our small boxes. We actually received a lot of custom orders from this show. I'm thinking Christmas had something to do with that. We've also put more items in the shop in Cicero, so if you are ever in the area, please stop out. Again, the name of the store is Gifts Worth Giving, Rte. 31 in Cicero, NY. It's a cool place. We share the spot with a bunch of other crafters, so there is a lot to choose from. As of today I'm back in the studio, blasting the music and painting away, creating many new things for the craft show in March. I always enjoy this time of year it gives me a chance to play catch-up and have my weekends to relax! Have a great Holiday!