Barbara Pagani's Tresor Cache 101

Wow, I came across some old pictures that I had done in ink many years ago. I believe it was in the 70's. Anyhow I decided to scan them and crop some of the sections as some of the papers were torn and of course I used tape which eat right through the paper.

Day One- and now day 4 -A million and one things to do I just finished my usual clean up this morning and now I have to tackle one or more of the things to do list. Since I really hate paper work or bills hanging around I have decided that this would be the longest and hardest mission. After that of course will be some free time to work on some art which is of course my favourite thing to do. Must make sure to take photos of progression of work. Right now I have 5 paintings in the works on my newly stretched canvases that I did last week. A pair of winter skates in design phase and sketches for 2 paintings. I think since my time is limited today I will work on the skates. Photo to follow  I have limited myself to only 45 mins on blogging, emails, and of course the famous Pinterest.....it is so addictive. I see cute ideas on there every day. So when the timer goes on in the kitchen on the stove so does the computer. I have opted to allow myself more time in the evening if I have

Here is a site that I came across through  http://www.housetweaking.com/2010/10/12/humanite-where-fashion-upcycled-decor-intersect/  called,  hu manité:  dwelling.  style.  compassion. I love the use of recycled, upcycled items for the designs in the store.

an old wooden tool box an old coal bucket a rusted candle holder. This is really cool when lite up with all the holes. I was going to leave it rusted but it would be outside all year and thought a little enamel paint would help to preserve it. And of course it gave me a good excuse to use my favourite colour blue  finished and hung up on our deck at the cottage an old wooden basket memo board one huge piece of scrap wood and 3 different animals. A cow, a pig and a rabbit an armoire in the city. Painted with chalk board paint then drew on the design with chalk and then painted over with white acrylic paint mirror frame to match the design in the front entrance years ago. the back of the coal bucket. an old rusted spade an old piece of wood a piece of wood cut from a project and added a hole and put in a dowel to put in the flower pots....as if I didn't know what they were.  This is just some of

This has always been one of my dreams to own a house that was a church. Alot of people tell me that is creepy but I think it would be cool. This summer we were invited to a corn roast hosted by Denis (the homeowners association president) and Jocelyne in La Mineuveure Que. Although I was able to do a tour of the house, I didn't think it would be appropriate to take photos in doors as I didn't really know them that well but maybe if we're invited again I will ask if its okay. It was absolutely wonderfully converted. It still had some of the pews in the front original section. The whole back end of the house was built on later when they purchased it.

It's that time again to start painting more skates for Christmas gifts. I have a box of them in the basement to decorate. Here are the ones from last year.

I have been commissioned to work on a painting for my friend Daniel by his wife Kitty, of his old tractor. I took some pictures while visiting them along with their son Owen. I started doing some sketches but I am not sure what size of painting she wants yet so I will put it on hold for now. Here is the picture of their house and the tractor. This is my girlfriend Kitty and her husband Dan's house. It is a 100 yrs old farm house. This part on the right was an addition built on at a later date. This is the family room which the House concert was performed by Cam Penner and partner John (I will have to look up his last name)  and of course the John Deere tractor 

After playing around with the wonderful canvas material I got at Omer Deserres this Sept, I have finally been able to stretch my own today. The first painting I did was because I wanted to do some paintings for my 2 nephews in Texas but the shipping cost to send them stretched was too much. As it turns out it can be quite liberating to work on canvas that is not stretched. I have now worked on 4 and needed to be able to get up the nerve to try to stretch at least one. I did the first one back in Sept after checking out the instructions on You Tube. It wasn't so great. It doesn't have the nice little knocking sound that one should hear when you knock it. So I decided to get advice from my friend Dan and brought a couple of paintings that I needed done. He used a different stapler made by Master Craft which has the front end load. What a difference. Now that I learnt how to do that all I needed was the right tools, so off to Canadian Tire my hubbie went to get it for me. I spent

I just got a peek at the new Anthology 2011 Winter magazine on line thanks to the Design Sponge group. It features on of my favourite Artists Lotta Jansdotter who does a lot of printed designs. She makes it look so clean and simple. I just love reading her stories. She has been featured a lot this year in various magazines.  Here is the link to the Anthology magazine......hope you have some time to check it out....you will not be sorry. Just make sure you have lots of time before you sit down because it is quite enjoyable. http://www.anthologymag-digital.com/anthologymag/2011wintergiftguide#pg62