5 Christmas's, 3 Days

Ahhh, another Christmas over....all that build up, & it seems it's over pretty quickly. Probably  because of being busy, busy, going from this house to that. We've had several Christmas celebrations in the last few days. Here are some of the photos:

Cody with new cousin Audrey

 

 

With Grandpa Rick

 

At Uncle Larry's & Aunt Monica's

 

With Gigi, a good family friend(my church high school counselor too)

Modeling some new clothes

 

New Nerf gun, so Cody can play with Dad

 

My friend passed down her son's bike to Cody(a great present)

A present I gifted myself with

Grandma & Grandpa's house

 

Looking at the little village at Aunt Lindy's

 

If you are reading this, out there in Blogger land...hope you had a Merry Christmas!

Metamorphosis

Awhile back I mentioned my project I had going, of trying to customize my first Blythe doll.  Well, she is done, & I am happy she came out of all her little procedures looking like she does now...since there were times I was thinking she'd never be done, or I was afraid I would ruin her. Opening the dolls head & changing the eyes was a little scary this first time.  Now I have a little experience under my belt for the next one.  Anyway, here she is...quite lovely I think.

                                             Before

                                                           

                           
                                                    Coloring her hair
                                                                 

       
                                   Removing the eyechips
                                             

                                        Faceplates

                                           Face carved, new makeup on

                                                     Haircut

                                       Ta-da, all finished.

Esme

Hi there.  Just showing a little mixed media painting I finished the other day. I named her Esme. She has a paper hat, that is made of a picture of an old type writer.

Festivities

Merry, Merry.  Here are a few photos from our December, so far....

Finding our tree.

My friend colored my hair dark for me.  I like it, but it is taking time to get used to...sometimes I catch a glimpse of myself, & am surprised not to see red hair.

 Excited for the Father Daughter dance.

                                           Love the trees in this shop window

Santa Monica Mall

Santa Monica Christmas Run(5K)...Sage did great, only stopped a  couple seconds to walk.

 

 

 

Bohemian Blythe

Just sharing a little something I made yesterday.  It's a picture of one of my Blythe dolls, & I added some paint to the hair with a dry brush.  She is in a shadow box, with various embellishments...I really like the little pocket watch that you can put pictures in.

 

Thankful Tree

 I am stalling a little on getting any cooking started yet. Relaxing some, & also trying to give myself a pep talk into taking a morning jog. We'll see about that one!  But it's not like I will be spending hours in the kitchen, since we are going to my aunt & uncles today, & just bringing a few dishes with us to share. 

Last night we added some leaves to our little painted Manzanita tree, & shared what we were thankful about this year.  I am thankful for so many big things in life, like the experiences I've had...the good & even the bad, because I know I am learning from it all.  Thankful for this family I have been allowed to have, & for friendships.  Thankful for all the little things, & the things I take for granted, day in & day out, but are really gifts.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Collector

I've always collected little interesting or pretty objects. I think it all started with shells when I was young.  My aunt (who is an artist too), had a beautiful shell collection in her house, in little display cases & I remember loving to look at her things.  Now I have kind of traded in the shell collecting(still have a few), for some other little objects...

Here are my new guys above....two little brothers from the 1800's.  These are Tintype pictures.

So I really love objects that have a history to them, that have a story.  I wonder how many hands they have passed through, etc.  One of the things my daughter Sage asked for Christmas was old coins.  I am happy to oblige since I like them too.  I got her an Indian Red Cent from the late 1800's to start her off.

Pow Wow

 Happy November!  It hardly seems very Fall-ish here in our part of California...it's been upper 80's to 90 degrees lately.  Oh well, that is what I love about this place too, being able to wear shorts pretty much all year.  

There is this place for sale, I have been day dreaming about some, pretty near us.  So I could keep my warm weather, but it is farther in the canyon from us...so more land & I could have my animals.  It's an old house, made of stone & the locals refer to it as "the castle".  Needs renovating, which is cool...I am picturing a really lovely art studio, some chicken coops, a garden.  The husband man & I were taking a drive in the canyon this past weekend(just us), cause our kids were away with my folks, so we could be kid-less for our 12th Anniversary & saw my new homestead(I wish).

Have been working on a new painting, because my walls are kind of bare.  I am grateful to have sold 2 paintings last week, yay!  It's funny, sometimes just when I start to doubt my work a little someone comes along & wants to get something, or gives me a really great compliment.  Last night this man wrote to me,  & told me how much he loves my work....so nice!  Still working on my custom Blythe doll...that girl is somewhat time consuming, & I feel like I don't have much to devote to her makeover right now.  I'm hoping to debut her before the holidays.


                     Indian Pow Wow scene on my mantle

 

 

New Art in the works

 

 

 

 

 

Love this crazy/wordy quote...had to put it up in our place.  I feel like this quote truly get's me!  Ha ha

 

Octoberish Things

 

Hi there. Been having fun, doing a couple different races this month, Fall fairs at school, threw a somewhat impromptu little Halloween party. I love October, & it's almost over already :( I'm really not ready to pack away the Halloween decorations quite yet, & get out my Pilgrims & Indians.

 

Run For Your Lives Zombie Race In Temecula with Catherine & Ian.

Mini Triathlon in Palm Springs.  Many thanks to my friend Susan who cheered me on in my swimming/drowning(while swimming herself). 

That would be my crazy daughter, this was after she gobbled up a handful of cany corns.

Licking sprinkles off the table.  I had to cut her off the sugar after that!