a little bit of Christmas

So, I did end up spending Christmas day alone, but I didn't feel lonely! I was able to talk to my girls over in Hawaii on Christmas Eve, then bright and early on Christmas morn I got such a cheery phone call from Miss Deirdra! That really started off my day on the right note. From there on there were other calls to friends and family, then lots of time art making in the studio! For me, a fun day! Plus, I told myself it wasn't Christmas yet - I only had two days to wait! Love that yuletide anticipation.

Today was fun getting out and about for the first time in two weeks. I walked the mile to the MAX station (now I'll be able to tell my kids and grandkids, "When I was your age, I walked a mile through the rain and snow to get to...") to meet up with Deirdra and new friend Gay at the Portland Art Museum. We took in the Columbia River photo exhibit. Gorgeous and technically amazing photographs from the 1800s through the 1950s or so.

After the museum we headed over to my neck of the woods for yummy food at Chevy's, and then the girls came in to see my casita and my little tiny studio. What fun to hear such encouraging feedback! I wish we all lived closer so that we could make art dates. I can't wait to visit them in their part of the state sometime soon!

Deirdra gifted me with the prettiest domino painting! And today I received a package from artsy friend Tina - such a pretty handmade card with an ornament charm enclosed that I am going to wear around my neck! And then a glass ornament with such a beautiful poinsettia faerie face attached. I was getting ready to take pictures, when suddenly - horrors! I couldn't find my camera! I realized it must have fallen out of my book bag - hopefully in Deirdra's truck. Good thing she has a cell phone, even if I don't! Camera was found, but pics will have to wait until Sunday now. Off to Mom's tomorrow for Christmas - if I can get my car up the still-icy lane! Wish me luck. ;D

December views: Christmas Eve

Roses still blushing in the snow,

Lights around the hearth all aglow.

May your Christmas Eve be filled with love, warmth, and peace.

Back to my Elf Self

Yesterday and the day before I was back to work on gift making. This is how one person's gift began.

I put into gear skills I had learned from Misty Mawn and practiced during my face-a-day month. First, I photocopied the same beautiful face (is it a da Vinci?) four times, and turned two of them on the right into photo transfers. The two on the left I coated with gel medium. I think it's interesting how the expressions turn out slightly differently, especially on the transfers.

Next I painted over each image. Girl number 1 (top right) turned out so goofy! But I persevered. Here they are individually.

Girl #4, bottom left corner. I think she looks a bit like Deborah Kerr.

Girl #3, top left corner. I like her mouth.

Girl #2, bottom right corner. A big improvement over #1!

Girl #1 revisited. I figured since she turned out so badly the first time around, why not play with it some more? I used artist crayons over the painted version, and now I sort of like her!

I chose Girl #2. Then I started playing with layouts for her dress, added stamping and such.

This was the first time I ever used an embossing stamp pad and powders. Oooh, pretty! I have a feeling I'll be playing more with these...

This is as much as I can show for now, until after Christmas, which for me is going to be on Saturday. ¡Hasta luego!

December views: Yesterday

December views: Snowed in

My sister and I are beginning to wonder if we'll be snowed in for Christmas. Her hilly street has been officially closed, no driving allowed. But the kids are happy - it's a sledfest! (Maybe she'll send me some pictures of that. ; ) )

Pic I'll email to Emi in Hawaii.


Even some of my birdie neighbors are snowed in.

December views: Snow poem

winter has wrapped me in its heavy arms

I find comfort in the thick white silence

chill brushes my cheeks, maternal affection

my eyes take in this secret world

the glimmering crystals

the rosary of frozen dew

sky and earth becoming one

open and enfolding

whisper

breath

hush

December views: The Morning after the Big Storm - Shoobie's Walk

Early this morning (Sunday) the critters and I took in the view of the courtyard from the "sun room."

Four inches inches as of 6 p.m. last night. It snowed another inch and then the frosting got a layer of freezing rain to make it nice and crunchy in the morning for Shoobie's walk. Poor baby wasn't sure how to proceed...

Good thing I left the gate propped open last night. It was frozen in place.

Wither shall I go?

We slowly tromped our way over to the road, where the walking was much easier.

We took in the views along the way.

Some neighbors built this icy sculpture in the school yard. Ooh, and they had the coolest stroller for their little one: instead of wheels it had skis! MAYBE this is de rigueur if you live in Vermont, but west-coaster me has never seen such a fantabulous contraption!

Good dog, Shoobie!

December views: Saturday p.m., the big storm

Hey, Emily, take a look at your car! See what you're missing out on, over there in Hawaii...

December views: elf at work

It snowed all day Saturday, more snow than I have ever seen except for at ski sites. So the little Christmas elf went to work on presents. A little bit of all I have been learning and practicing this year went into the work: I did a mini-ulterior motif mural a la Misty Mawn, made use of my journaling and SoulCollage cards, and some soldering. I'm excited to show it all, but I can't until after Christmas. To reveal all would be to tip off some of the intended recipients! So here's just a tiny sneak peek.