Before December 2013 becomes too distant a memory, I would like to celebrate the gifts of the season.
In early December a couple of my BBG pals and I took a painting class with Judy Wise at collage. How fun to work so large, 24 x 24! Each student's piece was so wildly different, a reflection of the artist within. Here is my painting, nearly finished. Thank you, Judy, for always being such an inspirational teacher!
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The very next day I did the Handmade Northwest Formal Holiday Show. Formal attire was required of the artist vendors, and I have to say that my man was the best dressed in his snazzy tux! Thanks for always being so supportive, Robbie! (These pics by Janet Wilson.)
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The BBG (our new name for the art group) had fun, as always, getting ready for the holidays at collage. I seem to be ready to dance a jig!Thank you Maria, Sonya, Darcy, and all the crew at collage for sharing your wonderful space with us! (Photo by Janet.)
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I've been published in Lesley Riley's new book, Quotes Illustrated! This was the original cover of the book (another artist's artwork - aren't the colors wonderful!). Northlight Books bought the publishing rights after the book came out, so in its next printing the book might have a different cover, and I'll potentially have two pieces in the book. Below is my piece that is in the current book, "Holding On and Letting Go."
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Way back in May I started this project after seeing somebody else's quilt with this wonderful Japanese bunny fabric. Every time I see bunnies, I think of my dear friend Paula, so after searching for and finding the bunnies, I set out to make her a quilted purse. Here is the finished bag, both sides (the handles are stuffed inside). I hand-pieced and quilted the central panels, then machine quilted the red borders. While working on this, I rekindled my passion for textiles!
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My BBG pals had a Secret Santa Exchange! On Dec. 16th, gifts were exchanged and the secrets were revealed. I was Jan's Secret Santa. I made her this catrina doll to go in the home she will soon have in San Miguel de Allende. I had lots of fun playing on my new sewing machine to make this doll's elaborate costume.
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Dear Janet was my Secret Santa. Look at this AMAZING sewing wallet she made for me!!! It began as a Sue Spargo pattern, but as always, Janet put her own wonderful spin on things. (You can see more of her process, HERE - great detail shots!!!) The funny thing was that Janet was working on this project in front of all of us at our usual gatherings at collage, all the time saying things like, "Wow, I've never made something like this for myself before!" I was clueless at the beginning, and even helped to pick out the fabrics for it! Very sneaky, Janet! (I did get a little suspicious toward the end, and started hoping I would be the recipient. DING! Wish granted! YAAAAAAAY!!!!)
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Of course, the very best gift we all received was the wonderful time we've had together, arting at collage. Hooray for the BBG!!! Janet, thank you for bringing us together!
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December 25th: the gift of being with family. Emily surprised me by coming home early in December. She's here for about two months before she heads back to Los Angeles. She and Willow came over Christmas morning for our traditional cinnamon rolls and gift exchange. What a gift my darling daughters are!
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And my beloved hubby Rob - I can't be grateful enough for all his love and support.I made I am making him a quilted portrait pillow. Can you discover why he's laughing in the first picture on the left as he looks at the pillow in progress?
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He's laughing because he only has one half of his mustache!
What a treasure our pups are! Ollie has just celebrated one year with us! (Oh my goodness, now she is ten-years-old!) And Rattie is my cuddly little baby boy, bringing me joy every day.
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The gift of family. We spent the afternoon and evening at my sister Stacy's beautiful home. What fun to listen to the cousins chatting and laughing at their reunion! (But we missed you Kyllian!!!) And thank you Brother-in-Law Bryan for your wild pizza imagination! Bryan received the gift of a pizza oven from the families of the girls' soccer team he coached for years. Now he treats us with gourmet pizzas. For Christmas dinner he made at least ten different kinds of pizza! My fave - I have to go with my nephew Aaron on this - the margharita pizza is THE BEST!
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Rob and I spent New Year's Eve at the Winterhawks game for the third year in a row. It is officially our tradition! The wonderful thing about this is that we get to skate on the ice and meet the team after the game. Rob snapped me posing with my faves Oliver Bjorkstrand, Keoni Texeira, and Keegan Iverson. Go team!
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And LOOK what my hubby did!!! When games are at the Rose Garden (Moda Center, ahem!), fans can request messages to be posted on the megatron during the intermissions. Do I love how he professes his love for me to the universe this way? Yes, I do!!! I love you, Robbie!!!
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Happy 2014, Everyone! May we all share and appreciate the gifts that each new day brings us!
In early December a couple of my BBG pals and I took a painting class with Judy Wise at collage. How fun to work so large, 24 x 24! Each student's piece was so wildly different, a reflection of the artist within. Here is my painting, nearly finished. Thank you, Judy, for always being such an inspirational teacher!
The very next day I did the Handmade Northwest Formal Holiday Show. Formal attire was required of the artist vendors, and I have to say that my man was the best dressed in his snazzy tux! Thanks for always being so supportive, Robbie! (These pics by Janet Wilson.)
The BBG (our new name for the art group) had fun, as always, getting ready for the holidays at collage. I seem to be ready to dance a jig!Thank you Maria, Sonya, Darcy, and all the crew at collage for sharing your wonderful space with us! (Photo by Janet.)
I've been published in Lesley Riley's new book, Quotes Illustrated! This was the original cover of the book (another artist's artwork - aren't the colors wonderful!). Northlight Books bought the publishing rights after the book came out, so in its next printing the book might have a different cover, and I'll potentially have two pieces in the book. Below is my piece that is in the current book, "Holding On and Letting Go."
Way back in May I started this project after seeing somebody else's quilt with this wonderful Japanese bunny fabric. Every time I see bunnies, I think of my dear friend Paula, so after searching for and finding the bunnies, I set out to make her a quilted purse. Here is the finished bag, both sides (the handles are stuffed inside). I hand-pieced and quilted the central panels, then machine quilted the red borders. While working on this, I rekindled my passion for textiles!
My BBG pals had a Secret Santa Exchange! On Dec. 16th, gifts were exchanged and the secrets were revealed. I was Jan's Secret Santa. I made her this catrina doll to go in the home she will soon have in San Miguel de Allende. I had lots of fun playing on my new sewing machine to make this doll's elaborate costume.
Dear Janet was my Secret Santa. Look at this AMAZING sewing wallet she made for me!!! It began as a Sue Spargo pattern, but as always, Janet put her own wonderful spin on things. (You can see more of her process, HERE - great detail shots!!!) The funny thing was that Janet was working on this project in front of all of us at our usual gatherings at collage, all the time saying things like, "Wow, I've never made something like this for myself before!" I was clueless at the beginning, and even helped to pick out the fabrics for it! Very sneaky, Janet! (I did get a little suspicious toward the end, and started hoping I would be the recipient. DING! Wish granted! YAAAAAAAY!!!!)
Of course, the very best gift we all received was the wonderful time we've had together, arting at collage. Hooray for the BBG!!! Janet, thank you for bringing us together!
December 25th: the gift of being with family. Emily surprised me by coming home early in December. She's here for about two months before she heads back to Los Angeles. She and Willow came over Christmas morning for our traditional cinnamon rolls and gift exchange. What a gift my darling daughters are!
And my beloved hubby Rob - I can't be grateful enough for all his love and support.
He's laughing because he only has one half of his mustache!
What a treasure our pups are! Ollie has just celebrated one year with us! (Oh my goodness, now she is ten-years-old!) And Rattie is my cuddly little baby boy, bringing me joy every day.
The gift of family. We spent the afternoon and evening at my sister Stacy's beautiful home. What fun to listen to the cousins chatting and laughing at their reunion! (But we missed you Kyllian!!!) And thank you Brother-in-Law Bryan for your wild pizza imagination! Bryan received the gift of a pizza oven from the families of the girls' soccer team he coached for years. Now he treats us with gourmet pizzas. For Christmas dinner he made at least ten different kinds of pizza! My fave - I have to go with my nephew Aaron on this - the margharita pizza is THE BEST!
Rob and I spent New Year's Eve at the Winterhawks game for the third year in a row. It is officially our tradition! The wonderful thing about this is that we get to skate on the ice and meet the team after the game. Rob snapped me posing with my faves Oliver Bjorkstrand, Keoni Texeira, and Keegan Iverson. Go team!
And LOOK what my hubby did!!! When games are at the Rose Garden (Moda Center, ahem!), fans can request messages to be posted on the megatron during the intermissions. Do I love how he professes his love for me to the universe this way? Yes, I do!!! I love you, Robbie!!!
Happy 2014, Everyone! May we all share and appreciate the gifts that each new day brings us!