Painting without a plan

My barn quilt stencil waiting for me at Board & Brush in Coppell; photo by Elise Anthony

If you’ve been to Board & Brush, you know the exhilaration of swinging a metal meat tenderizer at raw wood and the sensory overload of choosing colors, stains, signs and designs.

It’s also a little intimidating at first, stepping up to a table of tools you’ve never used before, as you’re surrounded by talented people who create beautiful work.

Starting this blog is a bit like that, a mix of ideas, inspiration and new tools.

Welcome to The Joy & Gladness, my blog about living joyfully, crafting, shopping, antiquing and the search for the perfect work bag.

Right now I’m painting without a plan, trying to figure out how to use the stencils and pencils.

It’s more fun to craft together — join the conversation and send inspiration as I share my road trips, projects and more.

Enjoy!

— Elise