I always enjoy looking at the photos that painters send me.  Andrea lives … and paints! … in Germany.  I find the photos she sent me especially intriguing because of the way she has taken my designs and incorporated her own ideas into delightful finished projects.   The chicken wreath and clock are adorable.

For the penguins, Andrea attached small lanterns to their wings.  Cute idea! 

She used the snail pattern from Nora’s Nook for this adorable nightlight –

Great ideas, Andrea!  Thanks for sending your pictures.

My main philosphy in life is “why have plain when you can have pretty?”  That’s why I paint.  Sometimes my creative spirit lands me in the kitchen where that same philosphy holds true.  A decorated cookie looks and tastes better than a plain one.  And when it comes to birthday cakes, there is no such thing as plain!

This cake was for my daughter’s birthday.  Her garden is always beautiful and growing.  I made the vegetables with royal icing a day ahead of time.  I painted the scarecrow on card stock and the seed packet was created on my computer using clipart.  Using these pre-made elements, it was a “piece of cake” when it came time to decorate this cake.