Cape Rouge Primitives

Back on track!

2010-01-04T09:48:00.000-08:00

Well the holidays are now behind us and it time to start getting organized for the production months ahead, if Jan- April goes by as fast as Sept- Dec did, I might start to panic!! There always seems to be so much to do and any interuption seems to throw me off the creative wagon... I have lots of projects lined up and several paintings started but I need a good kick in the behind to get in gear. I've had a cold for the past week, feeling better now so of course I didn't get all that much done. I have decided to try ( sort of a new year resolution) to do a weekly update here, daily is impossible, my life is pretty routine so I don't want to bore anyone ! But on a weekly basis, I can probably find a few things to blab about and hopefully post a few pictures of some finished goodies. The holidays here were quiet which is how I like 'em, I am not a fan of big get togethers, suppers etc... most of my relatives live far away so it's easy to keep it simple. I did make some cute ornaments for some of my girlfriends using some decorative papers, glitter and glass. I'm the little one in the front who's slouching! I can do custom pieces for anyone who might be interested. Hope you all have a great week!

2009-11-20T04:48:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pictures of my new goodies I had made for the Christmas shows. I did one last weekend and was quite disappointed , the people that did buy were were far and few but were appreciative, the rest expect to get everything for dirt cheap. It's annoying to see them pick something up , make a OMG face about the price and leave your booth without even saying a word. I know the economy has something to do with it, but lets face it, plenty of people are still full of money, but I guess they're the ones that will least likely part with it. Also , quality here does not seem to be a priority, the imported stuff (garbage) has really hurt the handmade craft industry I believe. If it looks similar and is less than half the price of quality handmade, it seems to be good enough for them. Frustrating... I was just reading someone else's post about a disappointing show in their area and although I am sorry for her outcome, I'm glad to see that someone else is having this problem and that it isn't just me.I have another show next weekend, we'll see if that one will be better. I have a website and don't have much luck with that either. Maybe I should just find another job....

Where does the time go??

2009-11-17T14:43:00.000-08:00

Can't believe we are already past the middle of November! The shop has been closed for about a month now but I have been very busy preparing for some craft shows. The first one was this past weekend and was a bit of a disappointment. Down about 1000 people at the door, I made a bit of money but not as much as I had banked on. Hopefully the next one will make up for it. The fall here has been windy and wet, so it made for a not busy end of the season. Before you know it though it will be May again so as soon as the craft shows are over, I have to get back to work on next season's stock. Hope to post some photos of the craft show booths soon!

keeping busy...

2009-06-08T17:01:00.000-07:00

Well I have been absent for a bit again, I find myself spending less and less time indoors once it starts getting nice out, I am at the shop part time presently until June 18th and then it's full time.It's not busy right now and I still have lots of work to do at the shop so at least I have time to do that. Late spring is the most wonderful time of the year! The trees are blooming, birds singing, beautiful temperatures and everything is so full of life! I have a few pictures to share of the new shop displays for the season, hope you enjoy and most of all enjoy the splendid weather!

And yes, we are indeed in May...

2009-05-12T12:21:00.000-07:00

It's already been almost a month since my last post, how time flies! Well we are thrilled to have the motorbikes out and thought it would be fun to share an unlikely scene for motorcycles. This looks like a very cold scene but it was actually quite a lovely day. We live near the Cape Breton Highlands National Park in Nova Scotia and this is on top of North mountain(appropriately named) . At times during the winter this section of road is closed because of the inability to keep it cleared for traffic. Snow here can linger well into June! I am almost 6 feet tall just to give you an idea of how much is left of this bank!

Onto other news... I am opening shop this coming Thursday. It's always exciting at the begining of each new season but also scary. We have been on steady decline in tourism traffic since 9-11, our economy has never bounced back and to top it off an official recession is now upon us...sigh...

Here's hoping to a good season...

2009-04-15T04:41:00.000-07:00

Here are a few shop pictures form last season, my window boxes were just starting to bloom, thry looked awesome in August, very full! Hope you enjoy!

2009-04-15T04:32:00.000-07:00

Here a some more recent paintings, the fisrt one was done last season and is a 10x20, the others are 5x7's and one 5x 10. All local scenery her in Cheticamp, Nova Scotia, Canada.

2009-04-15T04:23:00.000-07:00

Good morning!

Thought I'd share a few new handmades with you, the bunny heads were made using a Back Porch Pickin's pattern, I think they turned out fabulous! Tonya is such a talented doll artist. I am still painting quite a bit lately, trying to get out as many small pieces as I can. Don't figure I'll sell any large ones for some time yet. The smaller paintings are easy to carry and usually move quickly, but not so sure about that this season. I shall be going into the shop soon to start cleaning, pricing and tidying up my displays. I have many new projects I want to start over there too, with my stained glass, have a few ideas with the altered art stuff. I'm excited! I have a few shop photos to share as well and a few more paintings. I really do wish I lived in a more prosperous area, it's quite sad here business wise...

signs of spring!

2009-04-05T07:31:00.000-07:00

Hi Yall!

Just thought I'd share some pictures that I took yesterday in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park In Nova Scotia.This scene looks cold but it was a beautiful 22 degrees celcius! Still a few ice flows in the gulf but what a change in a week. two weeks ago , the ocean was still all encrusted with heavy ,thick packs of ice, everyone figured the lobster fishing season would more than likely be postponed a week at the beginning of May. But low and behold, when they started moving out, they flew out! I don't remember them leaving this early. I was out in the park yesterday for a 16 km run, starting some training for the annual Cabot Trail relay race. I ran the road that you see in this picture .It is grueling! Anyway, it really is beautiful out here and everything comes alive when the trees bloom. My kitty calls so bye for now!

2009-03-31T15:11:00.000-07:00

Good day everyone, I have finally gotten the pictures off my camera(actually about a week ago) I'm so bad at this! Anyway hope you enjoy, I actually have 2 almost 3 more paintings finished, it feels good to finally get back the painting bug that had left me for a few years. I have been working on some dolls on the side and got two small teddies done also. Will get some photos of those soon. I am starting to look forward to getting the shop ready for the upcoming season. I have placed a few orders so far and still have a few more to get done. I carry all handmade crafts in my shop , alot of it I make myself, for those of you who don't know me, but there are some things that I simply cannot make or time does not alloy me to do so ,so I like to support other artists and have a fun variety of unique treasures at hand. I have become increasingly intrigued by altered art collages recently and might try my hand at it soon (when time allows! Maybe at the shop, where my stained glass tools and supplied are) but for the time being, I have ordered some pendants from three artists, they were all so nice and different, I couldn't resist! If you have the time, check out their sites, Tickle me pink boutique's Etsy shop, just google that, I don't have the link at the moment , www.bluevivor.com ,she also has an Etsy shop and www.sallyjean.com .I have Sally Jean's book and was so inspired by her work, I too tend to collect trinkets and have found a purpose for them! I am also going to get fun little prints from a gal in Toronto Canada, check out her blog at www.timewithtascha.blogspot.com and follow the link to her Etsy shop. Enjoy, I 'm off to do some prim baking! Not my favorite step but sure is worth the effort! Goodnight!

Technical difficulties!

2009-03-19T07:37:00.000-07:00

I had intentions of posting my new painting pictures only to discover I couldn't get them off the camera!Stay tuned, I will try again tonight. It's raining here today, A sign of spring I guess, Working at the gym this afternoon, so this post is a short one, gotta go get some lunch ready!

Still alive !

2009-03-14T16:15:00.000-07:00

Well I have finally emerged from the mountain of laundry that appeared upon our return from Florida. I am not kidding, but it took me about a week to get everything washed and folded and put away! It didn't help that I worked out of the house at the local gym for 5 out of those7 days but man was I happy to fold that last sock! It still has been pretty cold here with a cold windchill of -30degrees celcius yesterday, enough already! Spring seems to want to make an appearance at least , we have been seeing more sunshine in the past couple of weeks which is a real pick me upper. We seem to be swallowed by a dark cloud all winter so it's nice to see some bright sun , it also reminds you that it is really time to dust , the dark cloud theory for not seeing the dust doesn't work anymore!We enjoyed our vacation in the sunny south but not the warm south. It was beautiful the first three days but then got really cool.It was still sunny though and it didn't snow! Oh summer here cannot come soon enough. I am looking forward to getting the shop up and running for the season once again but am also scared to death to see what this year will bring.With all the talk about the recession, it will frighten even the ones that do have money to travel.Disposable income for gifts and crafts will probably not be on the top of their spending list, after gas, accomodations and meals ,will there be any left at all on their spending budget.Extremely frightening.I know it's a reality for everyone in the retail business but small towns are really hurting, our main strip looks like a scene form a ghostown, we only need the tumbleweeds.I have a new painting picture to post, I had to charge the camera batteries so I'll add that in the next few days. Hope everyone is well and tata for now.

Finally some pictures!

2009-02-23T09:19:00.000-08:00

Finally some pictures of these finished little girls! I was waiting to bring them down to the shop and take some pics there, they always seem to turn out better at the shop.They also look nicer in real life.These will be available on my website www.caperougeprimitives.com soon. I am leaving for Florida for a much needed sunny vacation from this miserable winter weather. It was storming this morning again but died out before lunch. Still windy, but better today than Wednesday -flying day! Haven't gotten much done in the sewing department, have been painting, will have a finished 6"x12" painting to show soon.May will be here before you know it and I feel like I don't have much new stuff made up yet. Lots of Christmas since I had lots left over from a disappointing craft show.

I do enjoy reading everyone else's blog, they are all so interesting ! Sorry mine is pretty boring! I don't have anything exciting going on and I am not a gifted writer! Gotta go , have a great day!

Winter bug...

2009-02-10T16:01:00.000-08:00

Well I guess I couldn't get away from it- a cold that is, it's not the flu at least , so far. Well I finally finished my large painting that's been hanging around now for over a year. I have more in the works, going to try to get a good assortment for the upcoming tourist season, if we have one with this economy crisis. It's a tough time for alot of people and I thank my lucky stars that for now , time will tell which way the business will go.

It still has been pretty cold and yet more rain , more forcasted for thursday. We certainly have been on a weather roller coaster.

I have also finished my panda and some dolls but I was too lazy to take pictures so that will come in the next few days. My nose is on the run, gotta go , take care and goodnight!

Almost finished!

2009-02-03T10:14:00.000-08:00

Well these dollies are coming around! I still have to finish off their little badges, maybe put something in their hands and I'll be glad to move onto some new projects.Don't you just hate it when you start something, get sidetracked for a few months ,then have to go back and finish these things? I usually feel like starting something new when this happens. I had a bunch of unfinished projects -including some christmas star santas to get off my plate. My basement is a mess of this and that, finallty starting to clear out! I would have wanted to make a few valentine dollies but it's sorta late now, Easter will be here soon so I have some bunnies and spring things to make.I don't usually make anything for either of these holidays since I can't sell it at this time of the year at my shop, but I wanted something to put on the website. It looks better. I am planning on offering this dollie as a pattern if anyone is interested. She will be my first pattern offering. I must go and get some painting done. Hopefully finish this painting soon!I put in SO many hours in each and every painting, it is a labour of love, I will have some giclee prints available later this season, so stay tuned for that as well. We are in for a storm today, hope the weather is nice where you are!

2009-02-01T05:43:00.000-08:00

finished and unfinished goodies!

2009-02-01T05:30:00.000-08:00

I've included some photos of a few of my display shelves at home, thought I'd share! The bear and dolls will hopefully be finished sometime in the coming week, and the valentine heart will be posted on my website soon, I have to take the actual photos at the shop.I also have two valentine pillows which I forgot to photograph.We ended up going to Sydney yesterday for some shopping and I went to a sewing shop that was having their last closing out day. I ended up buying a new sewing machine! It was a $300.00 machine ,on for $148.00. My current machine was not a really good one and hasn't been working well for awhile, and I figured for that price,I'd treat myself! They also had fabric on for $3.99/metre. There wasn't much of interest there, lots of large floral which I don't care for ,but I did get a few pieces.We just had a small women's clothing/sewing shop go out of business here in town. It's a pretty rough time for alot of people.Cheticamp has seen the closure of more than a dozen businesses in the past 15 years or so. We are fast becoming a ghost town and it's pretty scary. I have posted a few pictures of my guest bedroom, which is almost finished, I still feel it needs a few more decorative touches.Also ,check out my Havana Brown kitty, Jesse! Such a handsome fella, Tata for now, gotta go get some house work done.

Out of the deepfreeze!

2009-01-30T16:37:00.000-08:00

Well we are getting some much needed relief from this horrible season we call winter!Finally some decent temperatures.I have a few more goodies finished, I will post the pictures tomorrow,it's too dark to take some pictures now.I am working on my painting too so I hope to have something finished to show soon there too! i would also like to announce the opening of my new primitive website @ www.caperougeprimitives.com Check it out and let me know what you think! Have a great evening!

New handmades and back to the deepfreeze....

2009-01-23T07:48:00.000-08:00

Well, I finally got something finished to show! A trio of prairie dolls, and a few Valentine stitcheries.I have more Valentine goodies started ,hope to get them finished in the next few days. I have been doing some painting , which is kind of taking priority over sewing, especially since my sewing machine is not working the best. I have been pretty slack in the painting the last few years and don't have much on the walls at the shop. I'm hoping to change that this winter. From the paintings, I make prints which are much more affordable to most people, and also notecards which are always good sellers. Time for newer images though !

We have once again plunged into the deep freeze. Once again I HATE winter, DETEST ,I suppose is a better word for it. Spring and summer cannot come soon enough! There's not even any snow to ski. Giving temps of +4 tomorrow and rain, and -17 for Sunday, more ice,how wonderful... Sorry so negative, just that kind of day.

2009-01-18T04:27:00.001-08:00

Another bitterly cold day! People who know me know that I am certainly not a fan of winter to begin with and this is certainly way past my acceptable level of cold! I could not go skiing or running yesterday ,just too frigid.I stayed indoors but didn;t seem to get much done again,I don't know where the time goes...weather is suppose to change tomorrow,a storm system with a mixture of snow and rain- hooray! Not really, I will be happy for the warm up but it's just going to lead to more ice. It's a no win situation this thing we call winter!
I am hoping to be able to post some pics of some completed projects soon, certainly this slump will not last forever. On a happy not, we have booked our trip to Florida again. after deciding we weren't going this year,I guess this little cold snap has made Kevin changed his mind.I escape winter for a week and will get to drive a motorcycle in February,pretty cool I think! Gotta go and work on something, bye for now.

2009-01-10T14:34:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd show you a few pictures of my messy basement where I make my dolls, one of my cats, Chloe is always content to keep my mohair warm while not in use, and this is also my fabric stash in the closet there.For those of you who craft ,you know how stashes accumulate! Here is a photo of that finished painting as well as another one waiting to be completed,this one has been in the works since last winter.I suppose I'll get it finished in the next few months. I was working at the gym today, it was a steady day, the wonderful part about working there is that I basically get paid for working out and also working on my website while it's not busy.Pretty cool I think! Must get a little work done tonight, I work again tomorrow, ta-ta for now, Paula

2009-01-08T16:36:00.000-08:00

Just checking, I guess I figured it out!

2009-01-08T16:23:00.000-08:00

Well I'm finally trying to get back on track with creating.I'm not a big holiday fan but it still seems to cause interuption in my routine.I had a commissionned painting to do for someone of the lighthouse here on the Island and finally got that pretty well finished this afternoon.I'm always torn between my different mediums and what to work on. I am first and formost an oil painter, ventured out into stained glass and most recently started sewing.I must admit I love the fibre arts very much at the moment. The art is quite time consuming and with the economy the way it has been for the past few years(we've been in a recession for at least two years as far as I'm concerned) selling high end work such as painting has become more difficult.And of course with decreased sales comes decreased interest in painting. I started making primitive dolls and mohair teddy bears about three years ago and it was such a nice change of pace for me.Less time consuming, less brain power ( aka less concentration required!) needed and a quicker turnaround sale wise. I still want to paint though and I still want to do everything else so it's always choices for me.Sorry about the rambling! I still have to figure out how to upload pictures for the posts so bear with me for a bit! Goodnight ! Paula

New to the blogging world!

2009-01-07T12:33:00.000-08:00

Well, I've finally joined the band wagon and ventured out into the world of blogging! I hope to bring you updates on my business, my handmade products and of my small existence in this world through this blog.Hope you will find this interesting!