I have painted a suitcase for Kitt Kittredge and one for the 2010 Girl of the year-Lanie. They are looking great. I want to paint a smaller case for Barbie’s and hopefully one more before I go. They are time consuming. I get into these cases and research to find out about the doll’s story. Each has it’s own book/books with their stories. Kitt lived during the depression. Her father had to go to the city to look for work and her mother was forced to rent out rooms to make the mortgage. Kitt has a treehouse, so that is painted on one side of her case–it’s an older tweedy looking suitcase in great condition–so it makes a great dollhouse/case. On the other side, I painted the Kittredge house as it looked on one of the books. Inside, I’ll paint Kitt’s room.

Lanie is an outdoorsy girl and loves wildlife and is interested in conservation. I’m painting her camper on the back of the case and a scene with trees and a lake on the other side. Inside, the suitcase was designed for suits. I am painting the dividers like her bedroom might look on one set, the inside of her camper in the middle, and I haven’t decided about the next compartment.

Then tonight I got an email from a group in New York City that is doing an online art competition, Re:Form School. One of their task force members had seen my painting on etsy and emailed me asking me to submit it in the contest. I thought that was great! So I entered the painting–we’ll see what happens.

This week, my husband Gail and I are going to see our youngest daughter and her family–and going to the Kansas City Plaza Art Festival. I’m excited about that too. It always inspires me when I see lots of beautiful art. I’m looking forward to this week, getting the rest of my painting completed, seeing the grandkids and my daughter and her husband, and going to the art festival and the show next week. Life is good!

This is a picture of one of the rooster windows that features a black copper maran cock.

I’ve also been painting old wooden windows with flowers and roosters to hang indoors or out. The shabby chic windows are beautiful hanging on your wooden fence or brick garden wall. They are a great way to brighten your garden while waiting for those annuals to fill the garden with beautiful blooms. So far I’ve painted a rooster, poppies, hollyhocks, and sunflowers. These paintings and bells are available in my gallery–Sentosa–#102 in East Wing of the Galleries at Sunset (3701 Plains Blvd, Amarillo, TX). I’m there most days, but you can call 806 676-1733 just to be sure–sometimes I am out working on a project or painting outdoors or at a ballgame–our grand-daughter Bailey’s softball team is in the playoffs. All of the galleries will be open Friday, May 7th for the First Friday Art Walk from 5-9 pm.

Made from a strong upcycled suitcase, this new product is eco-friendly! Let’s keep those beautiful vintage suitcases out of the landfill and give them new use!

This case pictured is made for Josefina, an American Girl Doll who lived in New Mexico in the 1800′s. She has a beautiful pueblo style home and garden, a bedroom and closet to store all of her clothes and accessories.

This beautiful Samsonite case is handpainted and textured. The outside shows the home and garden and inside her dresser and mirror are painted. It makes a beautiful dollhouse that any young girl would love to play with. She can store her treasures with her doll in this attractive case.

Please check out these pictures! The suitcase along sales for $195 with free shipping in the U.S. It includes the suitcase alone with 4 wire heart hangers.

The doll and clothing is available, along with the horno oven, and handmade peppers, basket, bread and wooden spatula.  Send me an email if you are interested! I can customize the case for your child’s doll or for your decor. This is all hand painted, one of a kind artwork. If you have a special suitcase you would like to have customized, please let me know. I will be limited as to how many I can make before Christmas.