Dilemma!!

So Christmas is over, but we're having a hard time putting away all our decorations, ornaments...and the tree! What to do? Everything is so sweet, & it's the first time in years we've been able to see our decorations! Even the one my Dad made me! Ron keeps watering the tree, & I keep using the Santa incense burner! And those Wee Folks! Christmas is really year 'round anyway, right? Well, I have the pictures now & guess I'll look forward to having even more of our decorations unpacked for next year! Yea! Happy New Year everyone!

Time Off?

And then...when we weren't busy with everything else,

or just needed a break, we worked on some jigsaw puzzles!

Here's a few we've done.

We've got a really hard one going now!

Ron's Dream Tree!

So Ron has always wanted a HUGE tree for the holidays! Must come from his days as a forester. So we went out & got our giant tree. I don't know if you've ever seen this...I hadn't...but where there was empty spots, he repaired the limb with some extra pieces the lot gave him! Dr. Ron!

Here you can see how we learned that you should put the lights on before you lift the tree up! And a comparison to my 5'4" height!

So here it is all lit up!

Now for more of the ornaments!

Uh, oh...no star on top!!!

Out comes the 16 foot ladder which I held onto for dear life

as he leaned to put the star on the top! Ack!

But here it is, all done, decorated, tinsel on & the star on top!

With wishes for Peace on Earth!

Wire Wrapping

Did alot of wire wrapping this year to give as ornaments.

I sure need some practice, & I really have to find some of my tools!

All in good time!

Season's Greetings!

Good thing we made our card a Season's Greeting card!
What with all the moving, unpacking, making cookies & presents,

decorating for the holidays, I'm amazed we got one done!

Whew! And how nice it was to be able to spread out!

So in case I didn't get a chance to tell you all,

I hope you had a happy holiday & will have a great new year!

Ron's looming? And Repair?

Guess who's sharing my studio with me? My DH has been seeing all the beautiful weaving here, knew I had a small laptop loom, & decided to try weaving!

He is fearless in his creativity!

And the other picture is some of his repair projects.

I love sharing space with him!

Before and After! Dreams come true!

We all like makeovers, right?

Well, remember this studio before?

Now here we are after...almost done. Just a few more things to add.

Here's a little tour around the room:

You walk in and to the left are wooden shelves filled with inspiration, materials to work with, art work from other art pals & some of mine in storage. Straight ahead you can see my light table where I do most of my sketching!

Continuing around the room, there is a wall devoted to all things paper, glue, scissors, etc.

To the right of that, on the next wall, are 2 tables.

The one on the left is for metal work & bead work.

The one on the right is for fabric, embroidery, sewing projects, etc.

Also some projects in bins up on top.

To the right as you turn the corner is my little table so I can have my sewing machine out all the time. And I can see over the loft to talk to my DH! As you continue on that wall is my computer section. Don't have it all set up yet. Need a new printer. Ours was ruined in the move.

And finally, before you leave the room is storage for Huckleberry Hut & Ron's envelope & card making supplies and finished projects.

And a few more things to unpack!

I have dreamt about this studio for years! It was on my life map. I'm so happy to now have room for all of my creative supplies! I've spent most of my time recently in the sketching, paper, & wire sections over the holidays!

How wonderful to have room to spread out! I am blessed!

Come make something with me!

Cookie Day 2009!

Our first Cookie Day in our new house!

I LOVE this tradition & the Italian cookies!

Here's Ron mixing the dough & me starting to knead.

By now we're kinda loopy! Lots of decorating!

Here's some of the cookies done,

and some tins ready to give to neighbors.

Hope they liked them!

Good Friends!

So when you need help, who shows up but good pals!

My pal, Canolli, came to help us move in!! Thank you pal!!!

We took a couple breaks that you'll see below.

First we made a stop at one of our favorite places...the Petroglyph National Monument! Here's Canolli & I in our special place, and Ron & I pointing to some petroglyph...can you tell it was staged? LOL!

Here's another staged one of my pal, but you can see some cool pets! And finally one more pic of pets. I hadn't remembered all the hands!

And to top it off, she took us out for my birthday dinner to the High Noon Saloon!

We ate in the Santos room.

The statues come from different places around the world.

It was a great dinner & a wonderful visit! Thanks again!

We moved in!

Wow! I can't believe I forgot to put in some pics of the move in!

So here's some now!

The neighbors had never seen anything like this:

Kitchen getting unpacked first!

And we finally got to use the potholders I made while we looked for the house!

Boxes, boxes everywhere!

Now just imagine boxes in every room! Ack!