Thursday, November 19, 2009

 Ahoy mates! Let "Santa Lake" be your Christmas Captain during this festive time of year.  He can charter good times and good tidings to you and those you hold dear.  Step aboard his mystic boat and sail away on a magical journey with family and friends.  No need for life jackets, this endearing Santa will guide you safely ashore to your favorite holiday destination.  Bon voyage and Merry Christmas!
This is one of Michelle's Santas for sale at Smellie Bloomers.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

 This watchful Santa will help you keep an eye on things when you are away or in the next room.  Just put Saint Niche on a table or in a special niche and he not only catches those darlings being naughty, he will correct them.  His watchful eyes have super duper magic power...so when someone steals your chocolate, Saint Niche will magically place the chocolate in a special secret place that only you and he knows about.
St. Niche can be purchased via Smellie Bloomers in Elizabethtown, NC or me!

Sunday, November 15, 2009

 Michelle's Santas by Kathy will be revealed today at Smellie Bloomers Christmas Open House.  I went yesterday to set up my display and there are so many beautiful wonderful smellie treasures there! Thank you Melissa and Katy for helping me this weekend, I could not have done it without you two!
Join us today and enjoy a magical shopping experience this afternoon from 2-6 pm.  See you there!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Some people are hesitant to celebrate Christmas before Thanksgiving.  I believe that if you have a thankful heart and remember the reason for the season, you can celebrate all year long!  My living room, dining room, and kitchen look like Santa's artist workshop.  I'm thinking about taking over my oldest son's bedroom next.  I just don't have enough space...sounds like I could be wishing for a studio for Christmas...mmm???Santa are you listening?
This photo is a taste of what I will have for sale at Smellie Bloomers this Sunday.  As you know I have painted only 12 Santas exclusively for the owner, Michelle, when they are gone, there will be no more this year!  I am pleasantly booked up til summer next year! What a wonderful problem to have. A "Santa Nature" print is featured above in an antique frame, it is darling and just fits the old, white, decorative wide frame.  Burgaw has several sweet little antique shops and I picked up this frame at a darling little antique shop there.  I will also have prints available for purchase or to order for that special someone.  Mermaids, cardinals, birdsnests, Tuscan scenes, dragonflies, etc. are just some of the paintings that will be for sale.
Hope to see you Sunday at Smellie Bloomers unique little gift shop located at 501 W. Broad Street, Elizabethtown.  Let start celebrating the magic of Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

This is one of the unique "Michelle's Santas" that I have painted for Smellie Bloomers, a unique gift shop in Elizabethtown.  Each of the twelve Santas that I have painted have special names and special stories that go with each original piece.  This Santa's name is "Lovey Dovey Santa", and he has a little romantic story that goes with him, so don't worry if you don't get kissed under the mistletoe this Christmas, he will help you out!  Smellie Bloomers Christmas Open House is this Sunday, November 15th from 2:00 -6:00 p.m. Come see my new line of Santas and other goodies at this wonderful shop.

Friday, November 6, 2009

I received several emails from friends suggesting inspirational words, hymns, scriptures, and verses to use in this birdsnest painting.  My favorite suggestion came from my cousin, Sheila. Thanks sis, and to all of you who emailed your kind suggestions!
This oil painting entitled "Grace Will Lead Me Home" is inspired by the third verse of the beautiful hymn, "Amazing Grace".  These lyrics are painted in the background and on the birdnest in the oil painting.  An English writer, John Newton wrote the lyrics of the song in 1725. As a youth, Newton lacked religious beliefs, but later as he served in the Royal Navy, his beliefs began to change.  He came very close to losing his life on board a ship during a violent storm, and he believed the only way his life was saved that night was through the Grace of God.
Memories of singing "Amazing Grace" in an old Baptist church when I was a little girl bring back sweet times shared with family and friends.  Such a popular and meaningful song then, but much sweeter now.
Birds use nests to protect eggs and nestlings from predators and harsh weather conditions.  Nests also help to keep the eggs warm and are usualy hidden or camouflaged so predators cannot find them.  Through the Grace of God, we are warmed, protected, and safely cared for.  Just as the verse explains 'through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come. Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and Grace will lead me home.'
This painting will be included in the Wesley's Chapel Auction on Saturday, November 7, 2009.  Auction begins at 7 p.m., bazaar starts at 10:00 a.m.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Good morning friends! I am posting a painting that I am doing for the church bazaar at Wesley's Chapel.  It is incomplete, but will have to finish it this week (the bazaar is this Saturday!).  I was hoping for a little help from my friends out there.  Last week was such a tragic and devastating week for our families and friends in Bladen County, not to mention I have a very very dear sweet friend undergoing radiation and chemo.
I wanted to write something in the painting, maybe a scripture or verse from a song, something inspirational...any ideas out there?  Who knows,  maybe this painting will help to raise money for missions and of course my artistic goal is that it will find a good home and bring happiness to someone.
Promise to post when I finish, thanks for your help! Just email me if you think of something appropriate:  kbunn@ec.rr.com