Wednesday, December 24, 2014

And to All a Good Night

Warmest wishes for a beautiful, joyous, & magical Christmas and holiday season. May family, friends, & good cheer bring light to the dark winter. May a hearth fire burn in the heart of your home all though the dark nights, may stories be told by the young and the old. May traditions be kept like heirlooms & new ones be made, too. A bright New Year to you all.



Sunday, December 21, 2014

The Gift of Story

I recently crafted some tiny story books for my nephew and nieces. These are hand bound (and painstakingly collated) books containing a short tale written by me and a title page illustration. The jury is still out on how well they enjoy the story but as they opened the small books they seemed quite pleased. I love the idea of giving a story for a gift, especially in the winter when storytelling around fires should be at its height. Possibly in the future we can make little books with their own stories. 
 




Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Good Tidings

And they're off. I've just finished 95% of my Christmas greetings. This year I am mailing 41 and hand delivering about 20 in person. I haven't the time to embellish each one, but I handwrite my wishes within and address them all. I have a few left that will go along with gifts that I've yet to package up. And they will contain more of a letter than a short note. Thanks to all who send me Christmas cards, I've gotten 9 already. I love hearing from my far-flung friends and family.
 
 

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Holiday Hussle

My creative projects this holiday season have been many and quite varied. And they are all on a time crunch. I don't want to be the cause of late gifts, so I've been busy. Below are some hand painted signs to be hung in homes or on porches or driveways. The Howard one below has been wood burned. I ended up embellishing it a bit more. The giant ruler is for a child's bedroom to mark heights. A couple coats of varnish are now drying then they are ready to go out into the wide world to my patrons who are giving them as lovely gifts for Christmas

 

I also hand painted 60 frosted glass ornament for the girls over at Meaningful Movements Dance Company. These little dancers will adorn many a Christmas tree.


 

A few more Dancing Darlings were crafted for gifts as well.

These cute, cheeky hand painted coffee mugs were commissioned by a good friend. I painted 5 of these last week.
 

 
 
So, there are many other things I am still working on, mostly gifts for my family and friends which I cannot share quite yet as that would spoil all the fun! Happy Holidays.




The Colors of Winter's Cloak

Yesterday morning was such a gift, a spring morning in the midst of winter. The earth was wet from overnight rains, the air was mild with a gusty breeze. The sky was a dance between purple cloud and golden sun. The usually soft, muted colors of winter became more saturated, the moss like jewels, the clinging oak leaves like amber stained glass.
 
Winter is not all gray. The cedar trees are heavy with blue fragrant berries and the meadows are peppered with red rosehips, golden grasses, and plum red berries from the Buckbrush (Coralberry). I collected several bunches from these plants to make winter arrangements. The soft red, green, and blue make a subtle statement that’s a little more rustic than Christmas’s traditional red and green, gold and silver.
 
Yesterday’s wind blew in a cold front and a blanket of cloud cover and has only gotten stronger since. The air has regained its winter chill and the wind howls a solemn tune as the days shorten and winter solstice nears. The moon is almost new and the nights get darker. This December, the new moon lands on winter solstice. It will be a long, dark night indeed, a bonfire night to be sure. Family, friends, and the cheer and the magic of the holidays are the light of winter. So a fire blazes in the hearth and I work away at my many Christmas cards. Card boxes, pens, stamps, and stacks litter my table as I fold well wishes of peace and happiness into envelopes for those near and far.

 










 

Friday, December 12, 2014

In the Meadow We Can Build a Snowman





20% Off Etsy Shop

For you lovely readers of my blog, a coupon code for 20% off of anything in my Etsy Shop. Use the code BLOGGER at checkout. If there is anything you need or want for Christmas you better get it quick. Oh, the days are flying!
 

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Let it Snow

This window was painted for Aurora Pet Salon. I hope it brings some holiday cheer to the shop's customers and all those driving by. Stay warm this winter!
 



Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Old World Winter

As Winter gears up for cold, I don hat, scarf, gloves, and coat to paint some festive windows in the chill of December air. Here is my first of the season - a winter scene with old world charm.
 





Monday, December 1, 2014

Hello December

 
December is upon us. It should not surprise us, but always it does. And the New Year is equally sneaky to arrive before our stunned eyes. So, I am trying to slow December down, a difficult task to be sure. We recently equipped our hearth to burn fires safely and efficiently so this is the beginning of my efforts: warm fires, low lights, soft music (Celtic holiday tunes now). For many, this season is full of hustle bustle, a race to the finish, and an inevitable crash after all is said and done. In the past years I have slowed my pace and tried to create my own traditions, ones that allow me enjoy the season, not survive it. I have tried to replace bought gifts with something handmade, or a deed, or time spent with those I love. This doesn't always free up more time, but time is better spent, more enjoyable, memorable, and fulfilling. Along with gifts I am making for my family, I have projects to finish for others who are less crafty yet still want a touch of handmade and one of a kind to their holiday gifts. So the list is long. But a hot kettle, a warm  fire, and some festive music will keep me company as the days shorten.