Winter is almost here, even in the south you can feel a chill in the air. Granted, not as cold as up north but icy at times. So many of us have settled down and gotten ready for the upcoming season. Many have long ago finished painting their cherished gifts while others still wield the brush. I have to admit to being one of those last-minute, better under pressure type of painters. Most often it works well for me but occasionally... oops...let's just leave it at that. This is

Perhaps no character in history affects us quite like Santa Claus. Known by many names and loved by many. His incarnations have varied over the years and throughout the world. Often a figure used in drawings and paintings, he has been portrayed by so many, famous and not so famous artists. You may recognize a few of these renderings. Quite often portrayed with a white beard and rosy cheeks, dressed in red from head to toe. Occasionally he appears in long robes and subtle col

A rambling but short commentary on home decor for the holidays. By now I am sure many of you have completed your holiday decorating. I was a bit late but just finished up last night. There seems to be quite a debate as to when we should don our gay apparel and deck the halls, the walls, inside and out, with the tinsel and such meant to bring about holiday cheer. Too early or not soon enough? Growing up it seemed to be a tradition that the lights went up and on right after Tha

We invite you to check out our advertisers listed below. Just click on the photos to go to the websites. Be sure to email Diane at pwmblogeditor@gmail.com for advertising rates to see your arts-related business in this new section. Vendors, designers, teachers and more...you are all welcome!

Well, Black Friday has passed and we are about to start the hunt during Cyber Monday! I'm one of those who like to shop all of the time but quite often I am last minute for Christmas gifts. This year is no exception. One of the things I like about Black Friday and Cyber Monday is the great deals on arts & crafts supplies you can find. So much to choose from and so many great deals! It seems we are losing yet another arts & crafts store as I have heard that A.C. Moore is now c

No, it is not my two front teeth... I took care of that years ago! What I am looking for under my tree this year is something only you can give me. I want new designs, new patterns! I want you to submit them to me at pwmblogeditor@gmail.com . I've got lots of space to fill, this is your chance to send me your next project or your first project. I'll even see you get paid for your work! It's a great way to get started in the publishing world. Please look at the following edi

While there are many versions of similar recipes out there, this recipe has been in my family for as long as I can recall. Over the years I have polished it up, making it my own. Ingredients 1 stick butter 2 cups of sugar 1/2 cup of cocoa 1/3 cup milk 1 t. vanilla 2 T. peanut butter 3 cups instant oats Bring first 4 ingredients to a boil over medium heat. Boil for 3 minutes. Stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Working quickly, add peanut butter. Then

We have a new advertiser joining us in this issue. Give welcome to Mitform. A wonderful producer of metal decorations for decoupage, scrapbooking, mixed media and more! Based in Poland and founded in 2013, they have an online presence at www.mitform.com and a complete supplier list at http://www.mitform.com/klienci/ Just in time for Christmas, a wonderful collection of holiday-inspired findings. Be sure to check out this fun and interesting company. http://www.mitform.com/ ht

Lighthouses have an interesting history. It begins long ago with fires built on the tops of hills. They served as a warning to those seabound, of reefs and such. Modern-day lighthouses began to appear at the beginning of the 18th century. With new advances in engineering and more efficient lighting, they became the guardians for many a seaborne vessel. The light they radiated warning the sailors of dangerous hazards, from reefs to rocks and more. While most lighthouses are no

By Pamela Cassidy The holiday season is the time of year where we deck the halls in anticipation of the festive moments we will share with family and friends. This project can be enjoyed in a variety of ways….It can be hung on your front door, or perhaps from a vintage sled, or added to a holiday wreath…and since the holidays are a season for giving, it would also make a thoughtful gift. However you choose to enjoy it, I hope you have as much fun painting it as I did. I began

I write this issue of the blog, being fortunate while vacationing with my family, in the sunny climate of Florida, in the most magical place on earth. At this point everywhere you look you see Christmas! It has been so inspiring and makes me want to rush home and decorate. I long to dig into my paints, pull out my brushes and create some Christmas memories. Shades of the holiday are everywhere. Red's greens, silvers, and golds. How can you not be drawn int the splendor of the

Our first recipe comes from reader Tina Bos. Grandchildren's Favorite Cookies 'This is a favorite cookie given approval by my Grandchildren.' Recipe: Dip Topping: combine 1/3 cup of white sugar with 1 teaspoon fresh grated orange zest. Set aside to roll dough balls in later. Set oven to 350 degrees 1 cup of white sugar 3/4 cup softened butter 1 egg Combine in a large bowl until creamy and well mixed. 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon baking s

A quick trip into the whimsical world of gingerbread. First let’s look at the original gingerbread, a baked treat available in many forms…from moist cake to crunchy snaps, but most often a decorated cookie. They first appeared in the 10th century, created by an Armenian monk. He started in what is now modern-day Greece, then went onto what is now modern-day France to teach others this delightful form of baking. In the 13th century, German immigrants brought tasty treats to Sw

by Debbie Huska Learn how to use Quik Wood Epoxy Putty on a cast iron enamel coated ashtray skillet to add dimension to create for a one of a kind gingerbread skillet decoration. Supplies Surface Flea Market Cast Iron Enamel Coated Ashtray Skillet Paints DecoArt Americana Antique White DA058 Burnt Sienna DA064 Buttermilk DA03 Dark Chocolate DAG65 Honey Brown DA163 Lamp (Ebony) Black DA067 Light Buttermilk DA164 Raw Sienna DA093 Snow (Titanium) White DA01 Tuscan Red DA265 Medi

It's official... the snow has struck the areas to the north. It's time to bring out the sleds, pull on the woolen scarves, and those warm mittens. While I sit here in warm weather, it was 70 today, I like to think I miss those fluffy white frozen flakes of art. To be honest, I don't. Perhaps I might on Christmas Day, time will tell. Wait, I will be in the great white north for Christmas so maybe I'll get to enjoy a snowy holiday! As the festive season looms closer, we are jus

Let's take a look at the history of the gnome. First, small stone statues were place din gardens in ancient Rome, representing fertility gods. It would seem that gnomes next appeared as magical creatures during the Renaissance period. 'Grotesques', as they were called, made of stone and garishly painted, were placed in gardens of well-to-do people. By the late 1700s porcelain gnomes became popular for home decor. The 1840s saw gnomes manufactured in Germany and brought to Bri

Christmas is coming and along with the joy of the holidays, there is the time honored tradition of food. Who doesn't like a delicious dish of home cooked goodness. I am looking for treasured family holiday recipes to feature in the next five issues of the blog. I challenge you...share your recipes. Send your recipe and a photo to me at pwmblogeditor@gmail.com Be it a mouthwatering cake or dessert recipe... Or one of many sugary cookie or candy delights.... Or a savory sensati

By Alise Duerr Faux candles have become so realistic and are much safer than real wax burning candles. Leaving them up all year I felt they needed to look different for the holidays but with something removable after the season is over. This colored pencil wrap will lie flat for storage after use and is just the thing to add some seasonal bling. It is also adaptable to any size pillar. SUPPLIES Surface - Stonehenge Kraft Paper cut to 4”tall and measure length to fit around yo

October gives way to November and we put away the frightful fun of Halloween. We prepare to welcome the upcoming holidays...Thanksgiving and Christmas. Not to mention some other notable dates in the November calendar... Nov.3, Daylight Savings Time, Nov. 12, Veteran's Day, and my personal favorite...Nov. 29, Black Friday! Today starts our two-month-long, 6 issue salute to the Winter holidays. This issue is dedicated to gourds with not one but two projects, an informative arti

Gourds, who would have thought a plant, perhaps the earliest plant cultivated by man, could be such a fun surface to paint? A gourd is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family of plants. They can claim pumpkins and squash, cucumbers and melons as cousins! What a fun, extended family. They come from the Lagenaria and Cucurbita members of the Cucurbitaceae family of plants. Once dried, they form a hard shell that is great for use in the crafting and painting world. Not only can th