Catherine Holman Folk Art

You're my Cupcake Valentine Painting

2012-01-26T18:43:00.000-08:00

I've finally gotten back into the swing of things and finished a new Valentine cupcake painting. It's up for auction on eBay.

"You're my Cupcake Valentine"

Fluffy frosting is decorated with tiny hearts in various shades of pink on top of a decadent Red Velvet cupcake. An arrow pierces the Valentine heart label on this turqouise cupcake liner. The perfect calorie free gift for that special someone!

A brown and pink dotted ribbon is wrapped around the edges of the canvas and ties in a bow at the top.

Keep checking back because I'm having a Valentine painting giveaway soon!

A Big Change in the New Year

2012-01-17T15:00:00.000-08:00

This year Grandma Chickie (my husband's grandmother) turned 101 on Jan. 4th. A few days later she moved into a nursing home near us and we've been busy helping her get situated and trying to make her room look cozy. She has lived on the same farm since she was 17 and married her husband, Howard. This is a "big change" but she's making friends quickly. Grandma's real name is Edna, but all the grandkids thought it was easier to call her Grandma Chickie because she sold eggs. This photo was taken on her birthday in her kitchen at the farm with my sister in law, Tammy, and two of her children, Makayla and Aaron.

There is another lady down the hall from grandma who is 102. When we arrived to visit a couple days ago she said the the lady who was 202 came in and stole her green nightgown and she reported it to the nurse who retrieved it. She's so funny!

New Year

2012-01-02T23:02:00.000-08:00

It's a new year,

a new camera,

a new haircut,

& a blurry picture....

I don't like having my picture taken, but I had promised to share the new haircut. I was trying my best to use the timer on my new camera, but I couldn't seem to move quick enough and couldn't figure out how to change the amount of seconds on the timer. Thus, the blurry photo. Believe it or not I had about 6 inches cut off and had my hair layered. Most people don't even notice that I've cut my hair.

While playing around with my new Canon Rebel T3i, I took this photo of my son and really like how the light from his new Nook Tablet was shining on his face. I'm excited to try photographing my artwork with it soon.

Recently I sold some artwork printed on canvas through my Fine Art America store to a grocery store, Plymouth Hometown Market, in PA to hang in their bakery. Here are the photos that Mark Tokach sent me of my cupcake prints above the bakery case:

Seven of my cupcake prints are hanging on the wall in the bakery section of the store.

Wishing each of you a wonderful blessed 2012!

Paintings of 2011

2011-12-31T13:45:00.000-08:00

2011 has been a productive year for cupcake paintings:

"Olivia's Orange Apron" and "Ruby's Red Shoes" are the first apron and cupcake series this past year. Hopefully I'll add a few more in 2012.

I apparently fell behind on my folk art paintings this year, but produced my favorite painting, "Christmas at Ray's Diner" to make up for it. This is a local diner from my hometown. I hope to add a local scene each year.

Thanks for taking the time to read my daily drivel, scribblings, and for all the sweet comments about my paintings this past year.

Have a happy and safe New Year!

Hugs,

Catherine

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T19:55:00.000-08:00

This is what I spent the day finishing. I decided the week before Christmas to crochet new stockings. Did you have any last minute projects?

Before I turn out the lights on this day, I want to wish you and your family God's blessings this Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Countdown ..... 3 Days

2011-12-22T17:58:00.000-08:00

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas....

Red is my favorite color.....

I found these little cross stitched snowmen on Etsy last year...

Plop some candy canes in a glass jar for instant cheer....

I absolutely love silver tinsel......

Tuck in little bits of everygreen here and there...

We had some snowflakes today but no accumulation.

I'm hoping for a white Christmas. How about you?

Christmas Countdown....5 Day's

2011-12-20T14:20:00.000-08:00

Touches of Christmas on the upstairs landing....

The group picture of my brothers, sister, and myself with Santa on the shelf was taken around 1958.

Our mantel decorations in the family room.....

Which do you prefer, white lights or colored lights?

More Christmas Decor......

2011-12-16T11:07:00.000-08:00

Today I'm busy checking my lists twice and cleaning house. So, I'd like to share more of my Christmas decor with you .

Tomorrow my daughter and mother are coming over to make cookies. Are you ready for Christmas yet?

Dining Room Christmas Decorations

2011-12-13T12:58:00.000-08:00

Christmas decorations seem to add that special warm glow that takes my breath away each morning when the sun is barely peeking up over the horizon through our dining room windows.

My sweet fairie tree....

The soft glow of lamp light...

I know I should someday paint this buffet white, but I'm having a difficult time making myself do that. I don't like regrets. By the time I decide to do it, painted furniture will be out and stained furniture will be in. Am I the only one with this problem?

A hand painted clock and another sweet fairie....

Decorations by the front entry to greet our guests.....

Candle light and glitter everywhere....

and angels in the snow...

Do you decorate every room in your house for Christmas?

Just settled down for a long winter's nap.....

2011-12-08T15:15:00.000-08:00

Wouldn't you simply love to settle down for a long winter's nap? Well, maybe in January I just might do that, but for now I have to ready the guest room for company that will be arriving for Christmas.

Since this room is decorated with lavender and green, Christmas red just doesn't work in here. A few years ago I ran across some beautiful Christmas beads in lavender and I painted my "Snowman Jack in the Box" in the same colors.

I love lots of pillows! I'm not sure how my guests feel about that though. I crocheted another rose pillow in pink and the two little round pillows in the front will be be next in line for a little yarn love.

My guests are treated to a fluffy feather bed and a very warm matelasse cover to snuggle under.

I bought the Fairyopolis book because it matched this room, but it's such a treat to look at!

Years ago I painted this shelf to match the floors. I know that sounds strange, but you'll see what I'm talking about in the last photo.

A little touch of Christmas cheer added to the bedside table....

I saved this photo for last because I've shown this floor many times on my blog. For those of you who are new, I had to paint this floor or carpet it due to the condition of the wood floors when we moved in. Being an artist, the paint won out. Slippers are painted on the floor as you enter the room and a rather large hydrangea rug was painted to cover all the damage. Can you see how the shelf mentioned above matches the floor?

I'm on to the next room tomorrow!

While visions of sugar plums....

2011-12-07T15:01:00.000-08:00

Christmas decorations are finally flying out of their dusty boxes and into their proper place around our home. You may have guessed by now that red is my favorite color and a fair amount of that particular hue can be seen in these images. I believe in adding a touch of Christmas to each room even if it's just the smallest touch of holiday cheer.

Every time I walk through the door, I want to dive into this bed. This is my view across the hall from my paint room where I sit at my computer. It's always beckoning me to come and take a little nap.

Lots and lots of crocheted blankets are ready at the foot of the bed for those very chilly nights.

Cheery pillows in my favorite chair for reading....

Our cat, Bailey's, favorite place to nap the day away....

Simply change out your candles and add tiny sugar plum wreaths....

I'm off to crochet the night away making gifts as I watch my favorite Christmas movies. Are you making any gifts this year?

Mistletoe Cottage Christmas Folk Art Painting

2011-12-02T20:56:00.000-08:00

I finished my new Christmas folk art scene this week and listed it on eBay.

"Mistletoe Cottage"

Christmas has arrived and the joyful singing coming from inside Mistletoe Cottage fills the snowy air with magic. A rather chubby snowman turns to listen as children's voices sing "Away in a Manger" and "Silent Night". With a smile on his face he realizes that if the Lord hadn't created Riley and Madison, they wouldn't have created him that very morning. The pretty little girl wrapped up so snug in her coat and boots had removed her scarf and tied it neatly around his neck. Her older and much taller brother ran inside to get him the black felt hat and added the holly as a special touch. What a beautiful day it had been dressed up in his finery watching over the family of Mistletoe Cottage.

Boxes of Christmas decorations are piled high in my living room. Have you started decorating yet?

Christmas Print Sale

2011-11-29T10:08:00.000-08:00

Giving Thanks

2011-11-23T16:35:00.000-08:00

From our house to yours, wishing you a blessed and safe Thanksgiving Day!

I'm truly thankful for all my wonderful blog readers.

Amelia Earhart Home and Spaghetti All'amatriciana

2011-11-15T11:45:00.000-08:00

This week my artwork was featured on "Kate, Love, Home", Kate Wilson's blog. Please stop by and visit Kate's blog and let her know I sent you.

This past weekend we celebration our soon to be brother in law, Dave's, birthday and someone in my immediate family forgot to tell me to wear a flannel shirt.

My daughter, Amber, son Eric, and hubby Rick looking like they planned their attire for the day.

A while back I blogged about Eric returning from Spain and how he had cooked a wonderful meal for Rick and I. A few people asked me for the recipe and Eric was kind enough to write it down for me and I absently forgot to post it.

Look at the smile on that guy's face on his return home from Spain in the photo below. I know it's blurry, but I wanted to share it anyway.

"Spaghetti All'amatriciana"

3 chicken breasts

7 oz. bacon (cut into small squares)

2lb. small tomatoes (plum tomatoes are best because they have fewer seeds)

1/2 onion (chopped)

grated pecorino or parmesan

olive oil (4 tbsp)

salt

chili powder

Peel the tomatoes and cut into quarters. Remove seeds with a small knife.

Set aside and cut chicken breasts into 1" pieces. Cook in 2 tbsp. olive oil over moderate heat until browned. Set aside, then cook the chopped bacon in 2 tbsp. olive oil until fat has melted.

Remove bacon and cook onion in bacon fat. Add tomatoes and leave sauce to simmer & thicken (10 minutes). Add chicken, bacon, chili powder & salt (to taste).

Cook an additional 10 minutes.

Serve over spaghetti.

This is spicy, but very yummy!

A couple weeks ago my friend, Susie, and I went to Atchison, KS. We visited Nell Hill's and drove around the area looking at old homes. Amelia Earhart's home is something I've always wanted to paint, so I took several photos to reference.

To learn more about this famous lady and her life check out the official website.

Love those gothic windows!

Last year when my husband and I visited the area, we couldn't take a picture because a huge tree in the front yard had fallen down in a storm and landed right on top of a car parked out front. Luckily no one was in the car.

I hope to paint this in the very near future. If you have any other ideas of great locations for paintings, please let me know. I'm always open to ideas!

My Craft Night Project Crochet Cowl

2011-11-11T14:05:00.000-08:00

I realize this is not a cowl in the photo below, but guess what? I finally finished this afghan that I made for our queen size bed. It took months and months to make this, but I'm so glad that I stuck with it.

My husband makes the bed each morning (yes I know how lucky I am) and was shocked at the weight of it. It will feel good this winter though when the temperatures drop to freezing and the wind is howling outside.

I had several balls of these colors left over and decided to make a cowl. If you've never worn one of these, you need to get you one. Besides keeping me cozy and warm it hides my lovely aging neck. Now if I could just find a picture of a hip hairstyle for an aging gray haired lady, I'd really be happy. No kidding, if you have an image of a hairstyle you think I'd like, send me the image link.

Does this look like a granny afghan wrapped around my neck?

This cowl is made using several different granny squares and a variety of stitches and crochets up very quickly.

You can find the instructions here.

Vee, here are the instructions for that crocheted pillow

I'm in desperate need of a haircut, so send me those ideas ladies!

Hooray for Cupcakes Painting

2011-11-09T10:20:00.000-08:00

I will be busy for the next few weeks painting another Christmas scene, but I wanted to share this new little cupcake painting that I listed on eBay.

"Hooray for Cupcakes"

Perched high on top of a butter pecan cupcake piped with chocolate frosting sits a wise old owl hoo keeps chanting, "Hooray for cupcakes!"

A brown and aqua dotted ribbon is wrapped around the edges of the canvas and ties in a bow at the top.

I was having difficult time coming up with the saying to go on the cupcake painting and all I could come up with was "Hoo's your Cupcake". That wasn't my favorite and this painting sat on my table for a few days until I finally came up with the title. Hope your having a "Hoot" of a day!

Christmas at Ray's Diner Folk Art Painting

2011-10-28T21:15:00.000-07:00

I've been wanting to do this painting for a couple years now and have had this vision of Ray's Diner as a 50's Christmas scene with the big bright lights from my childhood that we used to hang on the tree as well as outside. I realize it's a little early for Christmas, but I just couldn't wait any longer.

Established in 1932, Ray's Diner has served breakfast and lunch to locals and visitors who return year after year. The aroma of bacon and eggs cooking on a grill in front of the customers at the counter, lingers in the air causing stomachs to growl. Coffee is served while food is cooking and customers catch up on the local gossip or read the morning paper. Step back in time at this 50's diner famous for their burgers and chili.

When I finished the building, the painting looked a little blank so I added the old station wagon for a little more color. I can just invision mom and dad in the front seat and the four of us kids in the back pushing and yelling, "Mom he's touching me!" Life was grand in the 50's.

I changed the sign on the door to "Ginger Bread".

The Daily Standard, our local paper is in the yellow newspaper stand.

When I was in high school we used to stop at Ray's before the Friday night football games for a hamburger and fries. They still make one of the best burgers around!

You can bid on this painting on eBay by clicking here.

The auction ends next Friday evening.

Crochet and Knitting Projects

2011-10-26T17:53:00.000-07:00

Lately I have a new addiction. I can't sit still without having something in my hands to work on. I've crocheted these colorful new pillows for our bed....

I'm learning a new stitch and making this mustard cowl (possibly a Christmas gift)...

I made two new cowls from a washable wool on our trip to Branson this week... (one for me and another possible gift)....

A knitted dish cloth from white, turquoise, and red cotton yarn and some crocheted scrubbies....

and I worked on this granny ripple afghan on our trip to Eureka Springs a few weeks ago....

where we spent the weekend with this fun group of young friends. Our daughter and son in law were married in Eureka and we all returned to celebrate their anniversary.

I promise I'm still painting. I should be finishing a large Christmas painting of a local establishment in our home town. I'll share it soon.

What projects are you working on?

Olivia's Orange Apron Cupcake Painting

2011-10-11T13:57:00.000-07:00

Before my husband and I left this past weekend for a trip to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, I listed this painting on eBay:

"Olivia's Orange Apron"

Olivia works for her best friend Ruby at her Cupcakery. She designs and makes the aprons that they wear at work and also sells them to the customers. Between Ruby's famous cupcakes and Olivia's fashionable aprons the two have become quite the entrepreneurs in their small community.

Olivia also loves French pedicures and Ruby's culinary creations!

This painting would be cute hanging side by side with:

"Ruby's Red Shoes"

Both paintings are available on eBay.

We had a fabulous time in Eureka Springs staying in a quaint log cabin and driving around looking at the beautiful scenery and colorful autumn leaves! Now I have lots of catching up to do this week and new paintings to start.

Are the leaves changing in your area yet?

Gratitude Autumn Folk Art Painting

2011-09-30T16:18:00.000-07:00

I'm still on a roll and that pumpkin sitting on top of that hill below might be too. You can check out my newest painting on eBay.

"Gratitude"

As he makes the long climb up the winding trail to the old yellow farmhouse at the top of Clover Hill, Johnnie hears the music playing from the old radio in the kitchen on top of the frig. It gently drifts through the windows and into the chilly night air. Memories of dancing with Tilly around the kitchen floor to this very tune brings a smile to his face as he quickens his steps toward home to surprise his wife. Gratitude for a safe return after 12 months serving his country and into the arms of his sweetheart is more than an answer to their prayers.

I can't decide what to paint next, but my mind is full of ideas and it should be fun!

New Halloween Tasty Morsel Cupcake Painting

2011-09-29T20:14:00.000-07:00

Check out my new cupcake painting listed on eBay tonight.

A Tasty Morsel

Myrtle's hat flew off and landed right on top of this delicious chocolate cupcake topped with purple butter cream frosting and orange sprinkles.The star studded cupcake wrapper is the perfect attire for this tasty Halloween morsel.

A black and white checked ribbon is wrapped around the edges of the canvas and ties in a bow at the top.

I'm on a roll and have been painting away and loving it! I'm not sure what motivates me. Maybe the cooler weather? What motivates you?

Autumn at the Village Inn Folk Art Painting

2011-09-23T10:04:00.000-07:00

The first day of September I was in full autumn swing. I got up early and made two loaves of pumpkin bread. It wasn't long before my family was drawn to the kitchen where the sweet aroma tugged at their appetites. A couple days later I made pumpkin pies and then a week later pumpkin chocolate chip cookies with brown butter maple frosting.

Now I've turned my autumn desires to painting and finally finished "Autumn at the Village Inn". I listed it on eBay last night.

Ester and Joe are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary at the Village Inn in Strasburg, PA where they spent their honeymoon. Taking long walks hand in hand they chat about how God has blessed their lives with family and friends over the years. Sweet memories rich with love and happiness have bound these two together even through the hard times. Their lives are woven together like the stitches in a quilt. Pieces of their lives are sewn to one another forming a blanket of wonderful memories that warm their hearts.

What are you up to this fall?

An exercise program should be high on my list to get rid of all those extra pounds due to all the baking going on around here.

Petite Cupcake Shop Open

2011-09-21T14:26:00.000-07:00

A few months ago I was commissioned by three lovely ladies wanting a cupcake painting for their soon to be cupcake shop.

Petite Cupcakes & Events, LLP is the brain child of three dynamic women who hail from New York, Louisiana, & California. Brought together by shear luck, this partnership was formed based on their absolute love for cupcakes and the belief of family fun. Our mission is to produce and market quality yummy cupcakes, fun-filled events , great customer service, and a family-friendly environment. So, stop on by and taste our "cuppies", you know what they say "good things come in small packages."

They are now open and here is their storefront:

Cupcake samples:

If you are in the area, stop by and tell them I sent you!

2766 Belle Chasse Hwy, Gretna, LA 70056 yum@petite-cupcakes.com (504)233-3020

Village Inn Folk Art Painting and a Great Book

2011-09-14T13:00:00.000-07:00

Just in case you think I've skipped town, I thought I'd share what's been on my paint table for the last two weeks. I've decided that I need to get back to painting some folk art scenes instead of cupcakes every week. It's been fun, but very slow going. The scene I'm working on is the Village Inn from Strasburg, PA. I'm painting it as an autumn scene with lots of brightly colored leaves and pumpkins. I visited Strasburg while teaching several years ago at Steph's Folk Art and fell in love with the area.

My hope and goal is to finish this painting this week.

I got a surprise in the mail this week from Paraclete Press.

What a sweet little book about Gratitude. It includes a Thanksgiving short story by Louisa May Alcott. The best part though is the folk art on the front cover is mine. I'm honored to have my artwork on this sweet little book that is available at Amazon.

Amazon also will let you have a look inside the book. So, stop by and take a peek. It is a quick read for a cool autumn day.