Another Christmas Come and Gone

Well here we go into another new year in just a few days. Our Christmas here in New Mexico was a really good time. All the girls are here and we had a friend over. We played Phase 10 and watched movies and ate a wonderful dinner. I also got to talk to both of my sons. Justin has now gone back to Italy and Matt is still in Iraq. The picture is from the website for family members of the 1st Cav and there is my Matt, top center in the the Santa hat next to the tree top. It was a great surprise to see him in the photo. To me he looks good and he sounded good too on the phone. He gets to come home sometime in January for his 2 weeks R&R. I can not wait to wrap my arms around him and give him a big hug.

Well I am off to teach a class tonight so I will have to tell more about the holidays another time. I hope the weather holds out, it is starting to snow again and the temperature is dropping. I'm not a fan of driving on icy roads. Wish me luck.

Let's Create!

I am so excited to be participating in a year long doll swap that originated on Violette's website (www.violettesfolkart.com). We will be each making a doll per month and mailing it out to one of the other participants. I will post pictures of the dolls I make and receive throughout the year. I have my first dolled planned out and is she ever cute. If she turns out the way I envision then I think she will become a workshop project.

I am also hosting a mixed media charm swap on the ArtUnraveled yahoo group. It is full already but again I will be posting pictures of the charms as they come in. For those of you who didn't get in on the swap and want a really cool piece of jewelry, there will be two up for auction at AU next year. I had enough people for two separate swaps so there will be two available. Barbara Matthiessen has graciously offered to help put at least one together for the auction. So all you who know her and her work know it will be totally awesome.

I am also putting together a Christmas Collage House for my class here next week. It is really cute. My dad built me a bunch of really neat wooden house niches. They are going to be the base for several classes I teach next year. Again, I will be posting pictures here and on my picture trail when they are complete.

Tonight it is a class beading a Christmas Tree pin. I have 5 or 6 students so far so it will be a nice lively class. Maybe I should bring cocoa and cookies or something. Just to get the holiday spirit happening.

Well happy creating to all of you.

For Lisa and her mother

Another Sunday

Well here I sit amid all the Christmas stuff I pulled out of the garage several days ago. The only thing I have accomplished it putting up the tree (half decorated). I love this time of year but just can't seem to summon the energy to get it done. I look at all the stuff I need to get done and then at the stuff I want to get done and just don't get to either one. I really need to organize myself better. I think I would even feel better if I were a little more together. I don't believe in New Year's resolution but I think I will try harder in 2007.

Justin is now gone again. He is in California with my parents. I know they are enjoying him just as much as I did. We had such a good time together. He is now a wonderful man. I can't believe he grown and on his own. I still see him as the little boy with the big smile who loves sports. I guess he will always be my little boy no matter how big he gets.

Okay enough rambling. I will now get my butt in gear and do the Christmas thing.

Enjoying the time of year

This week has been a wonderful time for me and my family. My son Justin is home from Italy for the holidays. He will leave me on Saturday and go back to California for the rest of his leave but I am so enjoying my time with him. It is the first time in 2 1/1 years that he has been home. He has less then a year left in Italy then he hopes to get stationed in San Diego. That is closest to his girlfriend and California is where he grew up so it feels like home to him. We have been doing alot of shopping and eating. We are putting up the Christmas tree and the outside lights. I love this time of year.