tags and traditions

some snowflake mini-card, letterpress on cardstock, 2.5 in. x 3 in. when folded. I made these on Tuesday.

Good morning everyone,

It has become quite a regular thing now that in the morning when I work at the computer one of my cats, Bootsie settles herself in my lap. Right now her head is resting on my arm, not so easy to type this way. This is our "girl time", so she stays.

Recently I have been tagged {individually} by two talented ladies, Jeana who has a show opening this weekend at Taylor De Cordoba Gallery in LA. and by Kristen. Kristen and I met ten years ago when we were resident artists together. She is a fabulous ceramic artist and in addition to selling her work in galleries, she has just opened up an etsy shop!

I participated in this tag last month {naming five random facts about yourself} so now I'm going to share a few of my favorite Christmas traditions in our family.

1} Every year my husband and I go visit my family on the coast of South Carolina for Christmas. Since the weather is usually nice we are able to take walks on the beach, in the forest preserve and ride bikes. It's so great to be in the fresh air after shivering here in Kansas!

2} My Dad is quite the bread baker artisan. Christmas morning he makes homemade cinnamon rolls or cinnamon swirl bread. We eat this for breakfast around the time we open stockings. I always look forward to his breads.

3} My sister and I usually have some crafty time together to make something for Mom. One year we made a tree skirt for the living room tree, and another year we've hand stenciled a table cloth and napkins for the dining table. I always enjoy this time with her. We have another project scheduled for this year, wait that's next week!!

4} We attend a Christmas Eve candlelight service. The last hymn that we sing is Silent Night, while everyone is holding their candles high in the air. It is really beautiful.

5} My Mom has two trees in the house; a live tree in the front hall with all white ornaments and a faux tree in the living room with ornaments from nearly every year for the past 30+ years! Each year my sister and I make new ones to add to the tree. Seeing the years accumulated on the tree is always a good reminiscence.

** Now instead of tagging others, I invite you to share one of your favorite Christmas traditions you share with your family and friends.

Have a bright day,
Heather

icy reflections

icy reflections

Good morning,
It's still icy here but not nearly as bad as some other parts of Kansas and Oklahoma who still don't have power. I hope those folks can stay warm and have power returned soon. K-State {in Manhattan, KS} even cancelled semester exams yesterday! That is unusual.

Have you seen:
* Susan posted a wonderful gift guide yesterday : art esprit: Highlights from Mapping the Way with work from the participating artists of the show, including a couple of my pieces. Thanks Susan! Also at Artstream lovely glass nests by Heather Palmer.
* Helle has a new beautiful bracelet, a commission piece, but oh my it is stunning! More of her work is in her etsy shop.
* urchins

I better get ready to teach.
I'll see you soon {with images of some letterpress tags I made yesterday},
Heather

JOYful JOYful...

...is FINISHED!
With each roll of the press drum, listening to the grooves clank together, I kept thinking, 'I really like printing'. who knew? I'm also printing some gift tags, I'll show you later along with some [rather abstract] ice photos.

enJOY the day,
Heather

go see :
: Little Bird ornament by Things are better with a Parrott
: nuts everywhere ornament by Kathleen
: many moons by Jude
: we got some ice by Hannah

ice

Hello,
It's raining and icing here. This photo I took last night. Today there is ice dripping from everything; the trees are laden with glass. When it stops precipitating I will venture out for photos. My studio stairs were slippery enough for me this morning!! Our power did go out for a few hours overnight but it is obviously on for the time being. Enough about me, here's some holiday cheer to check out.

ice at Alicia's house this morning
greenery
gingerbread mobile
snow left as it fell
faux vintage glass bird
going home

Keep warm and cozy today!
Heather

oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree, how little are your branches

our little tree
it just reaches my waist with the star on top
we mulled some cider last night to have while decorating the tree
but then I fell asleep because I had been sneezing my head off and was tired
so after my evening nap I trimmed it without M.
{so much for ceremony}

I bought this little tree last year
from the garden center at the end of our street
it is still potted in it's dirt
it had a funny growth spurt this year near the top
but it's still our little tree.

I'm still hoping to see some more of your trees and decorations!