May Already

I really can't believe how fast this year is flying by. Already it is May and I don't feel like I have accomplished anything but then again what am I to accomplish?

My last post was when we were demonstrating at the West Seattle Show and after that we took a little trip to Eastern Washington to the Spring Barrel Tasting and spent time with family. I have a couple of favorite pictures that I was able to snap while we were there.

My Brother and DH enjoying the scenery from Terra Blanca Winery.

My mother and SIL inside Terra Blanca.

I just realized that while we make the excuse to go to E. WA for this event the main reason is to be with family. We don't have to many family get togethers where we can just sit and read or share a great glass of wine and eat to our hearts content and not have to worry about going somewhere, like home in a few hours. We all converge on my brother's house, DH and I sleep in the Motorhome and the others inside. It's hard to explain the noise, peace and love that can all happen at once. It really is a special time that we wouldn't give up for the world.

This week I've been working on ArtCharms and findings. I had a couple of swaps that I wanted to finish up one was a Sewing theme and I made hook and eye closures... these were fun.

These were made for a Pendant/Focal Swap.

And if that wasn't enough I decided to develop a new class for Shipwreck Beads called Simply Findings. So I made my samples, submitted my proposal and took pictures for their web site. I am happy to announce that I'll be offering this class starting in July. I'll be sure to post more when I have the actual dates and times.

I think for now I'll be cleaning off my studio desk and get ready to do some painting. I've been missing my art for the past couple of weeks and it's time.

Have a great weekend.

Holiday Hum Drums

Has the stress started yet? I do know a few people in my family that haven't even started thinking about Christmas yet.... come on people it's only 2 weeks away. We hit the big warehouse store today and got a few things for our open house on Christmas Eve. I think DH said we spent more in this one trip than we did the entire month last month but I have a good start on the fix'ens. I even started looking through my gift pile to see what I still had to make before the big day. I still have a couple of hats and wrist warmers, dish cloths and a few hot pads. We'll see if I get to the dish towels.....maybe that will be a plan for next year.

So how are you doing? Have you made all your big plans, traveling or staying at home?

I do have a new item for Christmas this year, it is a notebook/journal with pictures by DH and myself from our travels. If you need a quick gift for someone, there it is. You can order it directly from Blurb and get it within about 5 to 7 days so there is still time.

A Penny for your Thoughts by Dana and Paul James | Make Your Own Book

I'm thinking next year of doing one of my paintings as a weekly calendar although I like the idea of the notebook as it isn't date specific and you can use it for just about anything. I do still have a recipe book of DH's moms favorite dishes in mind to do. I know the family would enjoy that one. Ideas?

It's been Christmas Party after party for the past week. Saturday we went to our gem and mineral club's annual party... lots of good food, awards, gift exchange and the new officer installation. It's always a fun time. We also have an ornament contest and unfortunately I didn't win again... :-( I made these great little bird nest ornaments with gemstones as the eggs. They were fun.

We have one more party this coming Wednesday which will be a little different as we haven't attended one from this group before. They have a white elephant auction for charity, so that should be a riot. I'll be sure to take a few pictures.

I'm currently trying to get my classes scheduled for next year at Shipwreck Beads and new classes written up. I've already submitted one new class which is the Falling Leaves Bracelet.... tutorial was posted last month. Other than that, I'll still offer my Standard Gem Tree, Pine Tree and Holiday Tree. New tree classes that I'll be writing up is the Crystal Willow and maybe the Lace Leaf Maple. I've had students interested in learning them so I guess I should get busy.

Stay sane and safe. If the stress gets too bad just have a glass of wine and watch a good holiday movie.