PAFA Monday Merchant Circle

Hello folks! My featured artist this Monday is my friend and Primitive and Folk Artist Etsy teammate Barb of Barb's Heartstrokes. I want to share Barb's wonderful personality and talents, which are visible in her artwork available in her Etsy shoppe. So without further ado...

1. How did you choose the name of your business?

"Heartstrokes" came about because I was an Intensive Care Cardiac nurse and was learning to paint. So between my job and learning to paint they were both quite a challenge. But anything that is a challenge usually is worth it. So when I started a business it seemed natural to combine the two.

2. How long have you been in business?

I have been painting for about 15 years. My husband was in the Air force and was deployed overseas so I took an acrylic painting class at a local craft store and loved it! It has now become my therapy. I have been on Etsy going on two years. I still do local craft shows here in Utah and occasionally back in Las Vegas.

3. Who or what inspires you?

Many artists of the painting and stitchery world inspire me: fun, folk art, primitive, whimsical patterns and COLORS!

4. What is your creative style, primitive, country, folk art?

My style is a mix of primitive, country, folk art and a bit of whimsy basically anything that catches my eye!

5. What mediums do you use in creating?

I love painting on black screen because there is little to no prep! I love working with acrylic paints due to the fact that it dries fast and is fairly forgiving if you make a mistake. I also love to paint on….everything! (If you have no paint on your clothes they are not worth wearing!) I hand paint everyday and seasonal designs on framed fiberglass black screen with acrylic paint. My style has a flair of folk art, primitive, and whimsy. I also paint ornaments, magnets, and any surface that looks interesting to me weather it be wood, tin, rusty tin, fabric, or paper. I have lucked out in the fact that my dad makes the frames from reclaimed barn wood or plain wood and my husband will cut wood for me if I need something cutout. I have also branched out and designed some of my own designs as well and sale the patterns in my shop.

6. What are your links where our readers can find you?

http://www.etsy.com/shop/barbsheartstrokes
http://barbsheartstrokes.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Barbsheartstrokes/305129222867386

http://twitter.com/#!/BsHeartstrokes

Of course Barb has other talents besides painting. Visit her links for more about her and more of her incredible creations.
Thank you Barb!

New FKP Wood Crafts on "Party Sunday"

Hey folks, I listed a a few new wood crafts to our sales blog and shared them on By Your Hands "Party Sunday". Click on over and see everyone's hand mades. You can share your hand mades or you might just see one you can't live without! Don't forget to thank the hosts, Bette and Deena.

Blessings,
Carol

I Need A Snickers Bar!

Hey boss, my back hurts! I better eat a snicker's bar before I turn into Rosanne Barr. Ha!

 I'm tired and my back hurts... LOL. No, seriously! There's this one for a customer, then afterwards I painted and distressed two noodle boards, rolling pin keep, and another shelf I'm working on.

See my new old spice jars? I'd been shopping around for and found me a set of vintage Griffith's spice bottles for a cool $50 that I couldn't pass up. White milk glass with embossed labels, not paper and in very good vintage condition. I needed them since I let my other spice jars go.

 By the time this one rolled around, I was too pooped to do a full staging, but it still looks good without.

No worries though, today I'm back at it with a full tank of gas for this one. I know, I know, I couldn't let it go. I just had to paint it.  I really like how it turned out. It is listed on etsy for sale.

So now that my tank is empty again, this ole gal is going into the prone position for some R & R and kitty kat tlc. I bid you fairly well until next we meet.

Carol

Let's Give Them Something To Talk About

Hey folks, I've been tagged by Susan of Wicked Faerie Queen to tell y'all a little something about me, the Firecracker Kid. So hold onto your seats, here goes, off the top of my head.

1. What is your favourite film?  I have more than one, but here's a couple... "Stealing Beauty" and "Bagdad Cafe".
2. What is your dream vacation?  To drive across the United States.
3. What is your favourite medium to work with?  Any
4. Are you a cat person or a dog person? Cat
5. Do you dream in colour and do you remember your dreams?  No color and I do remember most of my dreams.
6. What famous historical figure would you like to have lunch with? Mother Theresa.
7. Who is your favourite musician alive or dead? Again, not just one... Nina Simone, Etta James
8. If you could go back in time for one week what period of time would it be? Colonial
9. If you could eat something and never gain weight what would it be? Cajun foods... Bon Appetite!
10. Are you a country person or a city person? Country
11. What is a good time for you, home with a good movie and great company or out on the town with music & 
dancing? Home with a good moving and family.

Well, there ya go, have you figured me out yet?

Congratulations are in Order!

Slip slidin' away! We're still covered in ice in my neck of the woods at 31 degrees. Strange though, the neighboring town 10 minutes away didn't get the ice storm.  That don't stop the fun in blog land now does it! Without further ado about nothing, the wonderful winner of Firecracker Kid Primitives Valentine's Day Giveaway is #36!

Valerie commented... "Please enter me in your giveaway Carol. This has been one of my favorite things you have made since I saw the first one! I'm crossing my fingers!! I am already a follower of your blog and have already subscribed to your newsletter." Hugs, Valerie

That's right... our sweet Valerie of Yorkie's Primitives!

Click on her button and give her congratulations. I know she'll have an awesome primitive display in mind for this Red Chicken Nester, because Valerie does needlework and creates great primitive dollies and critters too. Check it out!

I thank all of you who participated in our giveaway. I loved your comments and kindness and look forward to seeing y'all again in our next giveaway.

As I close, I leave you with this thought... As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction.
Keep warm and wonderful my friends!

Love ya's!!
Carol

Fresh From the Wood Shop & the Weather

Southeast OH is icy and the movie "2012" was on all week!

LOL... nah.

Front yard. This is our big pine that lost a few big branches from last years heavy snow.

Back yard, one branch down. More to go? I don't know how much more our po' trees can take.

I finally convinced hubby to put a drawer in our rolling pin rack! This one is unfinished and listed at Firecracker Kid Primitives at Etsy. I thought I'd let the customer tell me what color and finish they want. Although, I am itching to paint it... heehee.

The Old Farmhouse Gathering is still having their celebration through the 30th. Click on the pretty graphic to go shopping for your loved one.

You have until tonight at midnight to enter our VaLeNtiNe's DaY giveaway for your chance to win a Firecracker Kid Primitives Tuscan Red Chicken Nester!

Stay warm and crafty my friends!

Carol

Pea Hen Heaven & Righteous Redwork

Oh Lord, am I worthy?

 To have such wonderful, kind, and compassionate friends. 

 From Linda Claus... she stitched me some real nice and pretty redwork pillow tucks. This apple one goes perfect with my dried apple garland.

Also some of her Valentine hearts. She's been spreading around the love! There's another pillow she made me with Simple Blessings 1803, I forgot to take a pic of, but y'all know how nice Linda's tucks are.

I love the pea hens and purchased another from Traci of York Mountain Mercantile from her sales blog. She's a generous sweetie of course and included a few gifts for me, totally spoiling me.

 Another Cat pin to add to my collection. I used to wear these on my lapel, back when I was a working woman in an office. A pocket calendar and a little clothes pin prairie girl. Cool! Thanks Traci :0)

Traci has been busy making and posting some awesome early style items on her sales blog that are worthy of a look see.

Don't forget about my Valentine's Day Giveaway! Today is the last day to enter. Plus, hop over to my giveaway page for more awesome giveaways.

Good luck to all!