Anne Leuck Feldhaus Adventures & Art

Unexpected Gift #2

I guess I should say Unexpected Gift #3 if I include that great Kong Care Package we received last week...So this one came from the east coast...from Art Licensing Artist & Maven Carol Eldridge...she recently blogged about creating all these fun holiday decorations complete with very well thought out merchandising package. So it was also the gift of a little lesson in product development, licensing design, and packaging! Thanks so much Carol..I love my happy little Blue Bird and fun pins! As always you are a wealth of knowledge.

Unexpected Gifts...

I received 2 lovely and very unexpected packages in the mail today! Michelle Allen, an incredible artist and blog-o-sphere pal sent me this wonderful handmade snow man ornament complete with vintage bingo card (he is sporting a bingo chip) and other fanciful details, and a greeting card with magnet art attached. I can't believe it because when I read her blog and post about making these I immediately wanted one (and secretly wished I was there helping to make them)...she posted a few in her etsy store but of course they were gone by the time I checked it out. Suddenly I have one, thank you so much Michelle! ...and the whole presentation with vintage bingo card...so cool...and all so thoughtful.

I'll tell you about the second gift that arrived in my next post...

Giveaway Thank You & We Have a Winner!

Wow...I'm blown away by the response to this giveaway...over 50 people left comments, almost 60 subscribed to my Newsletter not to mention those of you that mentioned it on your Blogs, Facebook and Twitter - thank you so much, I only wish I could send something to every one of you!  But alas...only one gets it and the winner is: Jennifer Mazur - Congratulations Jennifer! 

Kongs for Christmas!

I recently sold 2 paintings to a wonderful new customer who happens to work for the Kong Company. As many of you know I've included Kongs in my dog paintings for many years now so I was thrilled to connect with Laura. Ironically, the day the UPS man came to pick up the painting I was shipping to her, he handed me a big box first. It was Canine Christmas here...a box filled with all kinds of Kong products and treats, some we had not seen before like the Wubba, which unfortunately is now over the fence in the neighbor's yard (probably until spring)! The best part was seeing Izzy so excited and engaged with her new Senior Kong and Treats for inside...Thank you Laura!!!  xo Izzy & Alice

these girls love UPS delivery surprises...this is the best they ever received

notice Izzy licking the box of treats in the bottom right photo

Give Away Contest ends at 5pm Central Time Today!

I'll do the drawing for the GIVEAWAY tonight (Friday, December 26th) and post the winner tomorrow...You can still enter until 5PM Central Time, click HERE to find out how to enter ...Good Luck!

Sugar & Spice...

My favorite holiday memories growing up included a whole weekend baking a variety of wonderful treats with my Mom which we would give to neighbors and friends. I only see her every other Christmas (we swap Christmas & Thanksgiving holidays with Rich's family) so in 2004 I decided I would have my own little holiday baking party every other year, then on the years that I am with Mom, we bake gingerbread houses.

2004 my first holiday baking extravaganza in my tiny (but very cute) little kitchen (on a workbench from Home Depot for extra counter space, with a mosaic in the background that I did right on the drywall). We knew one day that house was coming down...and it did!

Alice with a cookie cutter from my childhood (she was about 6 months here).

2006 in my much bigger kitchen...when we were kids my Mom gave Carl & I white frosting and food coloring and let us mix our own colors for the cut out cookies. I really think my painting color palette developed around this baking & frosting activity. Thanks Mom!

So now it's 2008 and I should be baking up a storm but ran out of time and decided to just do one cookie this year. It's not even a traditional holiday one for me...it's Grandma Leuck's Ginger Snaps. I thought it would be nice to send some to my Dad & brother along with the recipe. She died in 1978 when I was in 5th grade. The taste of these cookies takes me back, we made these at home quite often too. So I didn't take pictures baking but my Mom came through and found a photo for me to include on the recipe of me and Grandma Leuck...Calverna, isn't that a great name? She always called us her cute little monkeys...happy holiday baking to all of you kindred spirits out there!

My Gift to You...A Holiday Giveaway!

Enter to Win My Holiday Giveaway!

Enter to Win:

A Large Dog Lover's Gift Pack:
2 Note Pads Poodle & Mixed Breeds + Border Collie Ornament
A Small Dog Lover's Gift Pack:
Mixed Breed Notepad + Magnet
A Mounted Ready To Hang Laminated Print
Little Sweetie Black & White Dog
6 Pack of Mixed Canine Holiday Cards & A Magnet!

A $100 value (shipping is on Me)!

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You can Enter one of Three ways:

1. Comment on ANY of my blog posts from now till December 26th.
2. Sign up for our Newsletter on the top right hand side of this blog.
3. Promote my giveaway on your blog! Feel free to pull this image to use on your blog. And don't forget to leave me a comment so I know you did.

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I will pick a winner on December 27th with Random.Org.
Thanks so much for Participating and Happy Holidays to You & Yours!!

Procrastinators Find Presents...

What: Last Chance before the Holidays Open Studio Sale: Come Share a Glass of Wine or Hot Cider & Toast the Season! Many Great Gifts under $50! Where: 2843 N. Washtenaw, Chicago When: Sunday, December 14th, Noon-5pm Map to Anne's Studio This is it folks...We still have some great gift items left. And we'd love to see you!
Specials and other items for Sale:
12x12 Box Print Close Out Sale! Discontinuing this format All Ready To Hang 12x12 BOX Prints Regular Price $85 each, now $47 each or 2 for $85!	Many Original Paintings Still Available with Generous Holiday Discounts!
Dog & Cat Face Ornaments	Feline & Canine Holiday Cards
Studio Visits Are Always Welcome, by Appointment! Just Call 773.772.1085 or email: anne@annesart.com

I spoke to soon...

Guess she's still got a ways to go towards growing up...(see previous post)

4 Legged Love...

 
Lounging Canines...Izzy loved the Open Studio weekend, I think having company energizes her spirit. Alice not so much as she spent much of it in locked up in the bedroom...but then she received an unexpected present:

This wonderful gift from my very good customers and friends..the Skiersch family. It has squeakers...she LOVES it! In the past she would have ripped this thing to shreds by now..maybe she really is growing up?

Smiling Alice & Winking Izzy...the 14+ year old wonder dog! and her comical side kick.

C'mon...throw it already! Yes, I'm head over heels with my pups...

Goodies...Holiday Dog Lover's Gift Packs

DOG LOVER'S GIFT PACKS: 2 Notepads 1 Ornament + Gift Card & Ribbon
Now Available in my Etsy Shop! Only a few left, order yours today!

More Dog Star Goodies...

 

At the request of a customer I added the Dog Star Ornament...and threw in a bag. The perfect gift for the lab, retriever, or mixed breed dog lover in your life! You can order by clicking these links which will take you to my Cafe Press Store:

• Dog Star Ornament
• Dog Star Bag
• Dog Star Holiday Cards

One of a Kind Friends...

Some fun pictures with many of my pals from the One of a Kind Show...wish I had gotten around to see everyone (no helper this year) - it was crazy big, I think over 700 artists with the Artists Project.

With Ann Maxwell-Weisbrod...the very wisest of Broads!

My wonderful neighbor, Nancie King Mertz.

Flat Iron based artist and really nice guy, Kevin Lahvic...

with the lovely jeweler, Jodi Rae Brownstein...

Andy (thumbs up) Witt one half of Circa Ceramics...

with Nancy Pizarro (other half of Circa) & mixed media artist, Kim Frieders.
(Photo credit: Kelly Velasco!)

Mary Laskey (winking) with her beautiful enamelware.

Jeff Condon...who I never even had a chance to chat with.

Jean of Weener Ware & Barb in the photo below:

Annual Holiday Open Studio Sale this Weekend!

Don't miss our Annual Holiday Open Studio Sale this weekend! Great Deals on Paintings, Prints, Ornaments, Holiday Gift Packs & More! Please let us know if you think you can make it...We would love to see you...

*Special Agent* *Dale Cooper*

This pet portrait of Cooper only took a mere 365 days to finish! Last year I traded with Susan Hinckley at the One of a Kind Show. I received a beautiful hand stitched wall piece titled "Let It Go"....in return I agreed to do a pet portrait of her dog Cooper. And true to form, being the ultimate procrastinator I finished, varnished and framed it on Saturday night just in time for them to take back home to Minnesota (and I did it exhausted after 3 days of the show and wanting to do nothing more than recline on the sofa all evening). She and Russ were very pleased with the outcome..and so was I, this is such a fun composition. For inquiring minds, "Special Agent Dale Cooper" hearkens back to the television series Twin Peaks. Happy Susan...

Tomorrow...more photos from the show...
 

Tuesday Set up...

Rich & I headed down to the Merchandise Mart yesterday morning to set up for my show which starts tomorrow. It was nice to have today to catch up...and I've still got work to do tonight but I should relax a tiny bit as the hard part is done. Some photos from the day:

 
 
 

The entrance into the underworld of the Merchandise Mart from Kinzie Street.

It was so dark I couldn't get a good photo so I desaturated it...it's remarkable how much freight goes in & out of this building in an average day. We have 500+ exhibitors for our event alone setting up over 2 days...you pull in, unload and they take your work up on giant dolleys. You then go park your truck and by the time you get upstairs: your work is in your booth! wah-la!

 
so before...
 
and after...

Will put more goodies and the magnets out tomorrow...okay..now I'm excited, I needed that visual reminder that I am really set up and pretty much ready. This really is an amazing event with lots of good energy and shoppers...and it's always so fun to catch up with my artist friends from all over the country! (and to trade with them! stay tuned..hopefully I'll have new treasures to share in a few days.)

Goodies...Holiday Cards

CANINE HOLIDAY CARDSHOP:
I will have mixed card sets available in my Booth #3803. Any cards purchased on line are only available in single image packs.

FELINE HOLIDAY CARDSHOP:
Limited formats & sizes, contact me if you would like more choices!

Holiday Goodies...Ornaments

I mentioned these goodies on my postcard but have not had time to get links on my website so I'll post some directly here. I will have all of these products at the One of a Kind Show at the Merchandise Mart and at my December Open Studio Events as long as my supply lasts. So I'll start with ornaments.

HOLIDAY ORNAMENTS...each one comes with a red ribbon hanger. Available in my CafePress Shop. Follow individual links below to purchase:

Izzy Wreath Ornament

Border Collie Ornament

Cat Wreath Ornament

Dog + Snowman Ornament

Dog Park Debacle

"Dog Park Debacle": Just finished this up...well, had too - I ran out of time! Some of these dogs still need spots...The plan is to hang it in my booth for One of a Kind...loaded the truck tonight, we set up in the morning...which is coming at me way too soon - better get to sleep.

Cyber Monday Deal of the Day: "Doxie"

"Doxie"
11x11x1.5
Original Painting on Mounted Wood Panel
This adorable face fits a few different breeds but many people say it looks like a Daschund. Acrylic on wood mounted on board - this painting has a great 3d feel due to our stacked wood panel mounting technique.

Cyber Monday Special $99
+ FREE SHIPPING!