Etsy Cottage Style

New Chihuahua Puppies and Finished Train Case

We had new arrives last night..3 beautiful little chihuahua puppies...This is my new mother, Nikki, and she did such a wonderful job...nice easy delivery and fast, too..lol..She had 2 little boys and 1 little girl...such beautiful colors and markings...I just love my fur babies..I've taken pictures, but of course, there's not much to see at this stage..they move too much to get a clear picture, so I have to take what I can get..but momma cooperated and let me take a few photos..after, of course, she sniffed the camera to make sure it could be around her babies...I have finally finished my vintage train case for a special order....it turned out so soft, feminine and so shabby and pink...I used the Norcott Teacup fabric, pink satin, pretty delicate white lace, pink beaded ribbon, organza, pink of course, and a crystal broach....and a pink satin ribbon on the padded bottom to tie up love letters....it's really beautiful... Oh, and a beautiful sachet pillow, too....I hope my customer loves it as much as I do....
I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas...We sure did...our grandkids are so much fun to watch open their presents...it was a little noisey, tho..lol...Now that the Christmas season is over, it's back to the 'real' world....although, the weather here in Indiana has been unseasonably warm, it's still winter and I'm counting the days until spring...I have recently joined a new group on Etsy and it has such talented, creative women that I am going to have such fun, sharing, chatting, and enjoying looking at their items...I have not listed any items in my new store, as of yet, but will after the new year...Until then, I will keep painting and creating....Have a wonderful week....

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays...

I just wanted to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays...

http://www.glittergraphicsnow.com/christmas.html">Christmas Glitter

Christmas is almost here.....

Wow!! Christmas is almost here...again, I say, where does the time go...Since I have been working full time again, and sometimes working double shifts, the time seems to fly by...I still LOVE my job and going to work is actually a pleasure..I still enjoy painting and creating when I can find the time...My ebay has slowed down and I have decided, with all of Ebay's new rules for buyers and sellers, that I may not list there too much...With ebay's new 'Best Match' and 'Star' system, they have made it harder on the smaller sellers...I am concentrating on 'special orders' and have opened up a new store on Etsy.. I haven't listed anything yet, but after the first of the year, I plan on doing so..I have been taking care of my chihuahuas and our dobermans...litters due in a few weeks and in January...they are so much fun..and what a pleasure they are.. Here is a picture of our female doberman, Thea...all dressed in her green Miami Hoodie..waiting for a treat..hence, her ears layed back...lol..And, NO, I am not a Miami fan....I am a COLT'S fan, all the way...It was just a sweatshirt that my youngest daughter left here after she got married...lol....My computer died a few months back and I lost all my photos of my chihuahuas, for the time being, until I get a friend of mine, to try and retrieve them..But here is a pic of my latest little fur baby....We called him Bullit, because he ran around so FAST, but his new owner had a new name for him...lol....

I have been working on a special order for a nice lady that loves my roses and had ordered from me before and wanted more...Here are some photos of the french phone I have completed for her and a vintage train case that I am working on...

I think that french phones, vintage train cases and gumball machines are my favorite item to paint....Here is my last gumball machine of the year, that was sold on ebay last week...
I have another gumball machine, 15" that is on a black metal stand, just waiting it's turn to be painted...but, it will have to wait until after the holidays...I have my Christmas shopping done, almost, and will spend an afternoon on my day off, wrapping everything...Wrapping gifts is probably one of my least favorite things to do, but maybe this year, I will enjoy the moment, take my time and drink some hot chocolate....I have learned a lot about myself this past year...I have learned about living in the moment and enjoying life and to be grateful for all that I have...My husband still has not found a job, but maybe in the coming year he will find something that 'is meant to be'...until then, I am happy to have him home with me and enjoying life...And I think that I have finally gotten him use to my 'pink fetus'....when I brought home my PINK Christmas tree...lol...He said that it was cute...Okay, that's a start...lol...Blessings to you all and I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.....

So many changes...Life goes on....

I can't believe that it's been 3 months since my last post...Time just goes by so fast and things change, just as fast...The summer has flown by and now I have to start planning for the cold winter that we are accustomed to, here in Indiana..But, for today, I am going to enjoy the beautiful weather and sunshine and the beautiful yard that my husband has been creating all season..He has set up humming bird feeders in front of my window where I paint..and has planted beautiful flowers that attract the humming birds and butterflies...and our lawn has never looked so beautiful..Let me go back a bit....In January, my husband lost his job, of 27 yrs..to a company buy out..He has been a concrete driver all these years and is going to be 58 yrs old this month..He has been searching and putting in applications in hundreds of places..Of course, he started with the most logical employers..concrete plants...but with the economy the way it is and the housing market the way it is, they are not hiring..in fact, some are laying off..So, he has put in applications in the work place that he has never dreamed of..The funny thing is..he has not even got a 'nibble' of interest from employers..So, I have had to return to the work force..I have gone back to work at my mom's convenice store, that I ran for 17 yrs..but quit last year due to stress..Now, the kicker in all this..my mom sold the store in January of this year..so, now I am working for a new employer, making half of what I use to..BUT....I am thankful to have a job, close to home, and the stress level is way down..My husband has taken over all the 'chores' of running a home and yard and taking care of all of our animals..We raise chihuahuas, dobermans and pot bellied pigs...I have found that my husband is a better cook than I am..He cleans better than I.....He takes care of the yard better than I....Let me also say, I have found out that I have been such a control freak all these years...and when I 'let it go' and gave up the 'reins' and let him, I am at more peace than I have been in our 31 yrs of marriage...Let me go back a little farther....About 2 years ago, I read on one of my favorite rose artist's 'me' page about how her husband did all the housework so that all she had to do was paint..I even read it out loud to my husband...lol...I thought..'How WONDERFUL' that would be...JUST TO PAINT!!..Well, be careful what you wish for..lol..Okay, so I do have a job that I work 40 hrs a week..but, now, all I have to do is that job and paint..He has even started priming all my items that I paint..and he does a wonderful job..(it was that 'control' thing again..) Since we live in the country and have a HUGE barn, he has even built me shelves and an area to store my items and set himself up a work area to prime my pieces..I have even opened up an Ebay store to be able to list my items and free up some more time..and give me more time to paint..It's really strange..I always thought that after raising 5 kids, and 2 yrs from paying off our mortgage..that this was 'our time'...Well, it IS our time..even with him losing his job, and me going back to work, and having to refinance our home (for 20 yrs to get the payment down low enough) I am more peaceful than I have ever been...Life is good...it does go too quickly..but it is good...My husband will continue to look for a job, but in the mean time..he has never been so relaxed and stress free in his life..He has worked hard and it's good to see him enjoying each day and doing things that he loves...yes, even the cooking...lol...

Our Granddaugher catches her first fish!!!!

My husband and I have our 3 1/2 yr old granddaughter for the next 4 days...what a delight she is..and so adventureous and inquisitive about everything..Papa took her to our pond to go fishing and she loved it..She was so proud when she caught her first fish..with papa's help, of course..She was a little 'ify' about eating it..lol...but, to my surprize, she watched papa clean the fish and when it was time to eat supper...she ate the whole thing..And I might add, she loved it..she has talked with her aunt's and uncles on the phone today, and told them all about 'catching a fish with papa'....Special days and memories that we can store in our memory bank...

Cute and fun quiz to see what kind of Flower you are...

I was on Pat's blog today and she posted the link to the site where you can take a simple, quick quiz to see what kind of flower you are..I am a Hydrangea..which I just love...one of my favorite flowers, after the rose, of course...lol..Just click on the hydrangea to the right and take it..it's fun and interesting..

Where did last week go..lol

I just don't know where all the time goes..it just zips by so fast..I have been so busy trying to fix up the house...my husband recently lost his job of 27 yrs and has been 'home'..lol..it's a blessing and a curse..He's decided that our house needs updating..so little by little we have been fixing this and painting that..but it sure cuts into my 'paint' time..but I've been managing..One of my favorite projects for the house, was to paint my masterbath countertops to look like white marble..I think they turned out beautiful..what do you think? These pics were taken before the gloss varnish was applied..

This weekends weather was so springlike..it was in the 60's..not bad for Indiana..my husband spent the whole day, Sunday on his motorcycle...good for me, because I could paint..lol..but now it has turned cold again with freezing rain and snow on the way..I just keep looking out my window, and dreaming of all the pretty flowers that I will have in my yard..Our cardinals are back already and have made a home in their favorite tree..Their 'bird talk' is just so distinctive and I love hearing them chatter with each other..

I did have time to list a few items on Ebay this week..I love creating and I have really been into altered art and making it functional..here's a few of my creations on my auctions..

I've also been working on some special orders for customers...I love all the new friends that I have been making lately thru ebay and my website..They are all so special to me..I love special orders...

I guess that's about all for now..still staying possitive and no negativity in my life..lol..I made a resolution this year to stop worrying so much, be more possitive, get rid of all negativity and so on..The day after I made these resolutions, my husband lost his job, lol..then this week, my husband's car 'died' for good..and our water's pressure tank, we have a well, went bad..BUT, it's all good and I'm staying possitive..only good things and thoughts..lol..

Ebay listings for this week and some sad news....

First, I had a little sad news this evening...I got an email from a lovely lady that had bought one of my precious chihuahua babies..She and her family came to my home last Sept. and fell in love with a tiny white female chihuahua..of course, they didn't leave without her..lol..they named her Tinkerbell and she became part of their family...(she is the white puppy in the photo at the left and at the bottom of this page)..Well, from the email, she told me that she had unexpectantly died from a heart defect..Just broke my heart and theirs, I am sure..I have never heard of this happening in all the years of raising chihuahuas..but, I am sure that it can happen, just as it can in humans..I feel very sad for the family, and hoping that my next litter will have a sweet little girl, that will help heal this families heart...I'm telling you, there's nothing more special or caring than a chihuahua lover...Those little dogs just take your heart from the minute you hold one...

On a lighter note, I have spent the day, trying to figure out more features on this blog..lol..remember, I am not real computer saavy, YET!! I have added a slide show of some of my handpainted items..that made my day..lol..I have also put on ebay, about 6 items this week...Here are just a few of the items...take a peek...

For more pictures of each item, please feel free to go to my auctions..

http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/brushstrokesbyteresalynn

Welcome to my blog..

I can not believe that I am blogging..lol..okay, so maybe it's not a big deal to most..but for someone that's been married 30 yrs, raised 5 children and lives in the boondocks..it's a big deal..I am somewhat computer impaired..don't have a 'clue' how to 'text'..and all of my grown children tell me that I need to 'get up with the times'..well, I'm trying..lol...

First, let me say, my name is Teresa Lynn and I live in Indiana...born here, but not raised here...Have lived in many different states growing up, but settled back in Indiana after marrying my wonderful husband in 1977...We have 5 grown children..3 boys, 2 girls and have 4 grandchildren...My 3 boys were all in the military..marines and coast guard...My youngest daughter just got married to a beautiful Christian man last Sept. and what a beautiful and memorable wedding..

Yes, he is tall, isn't he..lol..6'7"...and my daughter is 5'4"...They are such a beautiful couple and he is such a blessing to our family...My oldest daughter is a daycare teacher and loves all her children....can't wait until she has some of her own..Our grandchildren are the 'light' of our lives and we love being grandparents...all that is said about grandparents are so true...

I am a self taught painter of over 10 yrs. and started out by watching HGTV programs with decorative artists...videos, seminars, ect...My husband tells the story of how he came home from work one day and I was painting on the walls..every day he would come home and a new mural would be on the walls..He says that I just picked up a paint brush one day and just never stopped..lol....When I felt comfortable enough with my painting skills, I started doing murals, faux painting, faux kniches, bricks, ect in clients homes...Imagine my surprize at getting paid to do something that I truly have a passion for...Below is a brick kniche with a vase of flowers done in a clients home...

I sold my painted pieces in my mother's little store in town, up until a few months ago...She sold her business and now is enjoying retirement..I think..lol..she definetly needs a hobby...

I have been selling my handpainted items on ebay for over 2 yrs now and have enjoyed every minute...making new friends and such wonderful repeat customers...Most of my items are 'found' and 'vintage' and just need a shabby chic rosey makeover...You can view my pieces on my picturetrail albums...http://www.picturetrail.com/teresa_h I also hope to be selling my handpainted, altered art items on Etsy in the very near future...For now, here are a few of my 'recent' handpainted items that have been sold on ebay...

My Chihuahua puppies.....6 weeks old..

I have been raising chihuahuas for almost 20 yrs and love my fur babies to death..There's just something so special about a 'chihuahua lover'....and one is never enough....