Making

Now that Christmas is over, I can post pictures of the things I made for gifts. I did some collage pictures, some bleach design t-shirts, and some bracelets and necklaces.

This is the rooster for my sister, Cyndi.

Copper wire family on wood for my brother, Ron

button tree for my sister, Sheri

book flower and twigs for my sister, Karen

mountain collage for my brother, Chris

button tree for my sister, Kathy

bleach design t-shirts - the star for my nephew, Jim (the lion was my test shirt, which has found a good home)

star with barbed wire for my nephew, Josh and eagle for my nephew, Dawson

ninja star for my nephew Tyler and pirate skull for my nephew Bradley

chef pirate shirt for Keven and waffle shirt for Craig

cat pirate shirt for Becky

bracelets for my nieces, Kira and Morgan

bracelets for my nieces, Harley, Katie, and Gina

twine and bead bracelets for Katie, Harley and Gina (separated so you can see them better)

leather wrapped bracelets for Katie, Harley, Gina (separated so you can see them better)

stuff for my mom - necklace, button bracelet and stretchy bracelet

necklace for Denise - close up of key pendant

overall view of necklace for Denise (with bonus apple in the background)

I'm finishing up some fingerless gloves for a couple other people who I'll hopefully see for New Year's. Otherwise, they'll be getting a New Year's package....

December 2011 Pictures

There's been a bit of snow, but not much. No sledding this year while tree hunting. This is the most snow I found that day.

And some more smatterings of snow, and gnarled roots, and the green of trees...

my tree in the wild

Ice carving was the same day as tree hunting, so I walked around to check it out when we got back. There were a lot of new carvers this year. This is a moose just down the block from my favorite coffee place.

This is the grand prize winner - it's a phoenix, and the picture does not do it justice.

My porch decorations - maybe $5 worth from the thrift store. Still, it looks festive, and since I have no outside electricity, lights are out.

door wreath

festive table decorations, including my funky skiing girl

kitchen window - I found big light bulbs (yes, the thrift store) and tied them onto a jute cord to create garland

Christmas tree with lights and decorations

frosty fence

bag number one of packages mailed

and bag number two

My how time flies

when you're buried under papers.... This has become a pretty typical look for my desk.
This is becoming typical of the rest of the house, crafty piles here and there.
Between working at home (hence the desk), and working on Christmas and birthday gifts (the crafty piles), the house is not exactly as organized as usual. Birthday present will be mailed Monday or Tuesday, as will the Christmas present going to London. The rest are moving along. I'm hoping they'll be mostly done by the beginning of December. That will give me time to clean up so I can go on the great tree hunt and have another lovely tree we've chopped down.

I'm looking forward to that - a clean house and decorations and a lovely tree with lights. It's become my carrot, pushing me forward. Unfortunately, I can't post any crafty pictures until after they are received (no Christmas spoilers here, sorry).

Tree Hunting!

Snow, sunshine, kids, dogs, nice people, snacks, and lots of trees - everything you need for the perfect tree hunting excursion. I haven't gone out looking for a tree for quite a long time, and this really was one of the better hunting expeditions I've experienced. (Thanks, Peck Family, for adopting me for a day!)

Hmmm, which way?

My little tree (which will hopefully fit in the living room)

The big one (Bo is guiding them in)

Glad I don't have to figure out how to fit it in my living room!

Fun with rocks

Trees, check. Now it's time for some sledding!

Seriously, that tree just jumped out at us.

Moss and snow

Tree versus rock

Rocks and snow

Trees, Rocks, and Snow

Run!

Mmmmm

Mission accomplished

Hey, that looks like a good one for next year!

Merry Christmas!

Before I packed away the holiday stuff (along with everything else I own) for an undetermined amount of time, I decided to decorate the apartment for Christmas. This is the table Brenda helped me make, with a variety of lights, garland, and old fashioned St Nick on top of it. (The knitting needles, etc to the left are always there)

Some of you have been asking about what comes next, now that I'm officially graduated. I'm still waiting to hear on the Alaska job. I've been applying for more jobs. I've sublet my apartment here in Bloomington, and will be out on the 31st. Guys from a used furniture place will be coming to pick up stuff on Saturday. The moving guys come on Tuesday to move the rest of my stuff into storage until I know where I'll be.

As for me, I'll be going to stay with my family in the Omaha area temporarily. My favorite brother-in-law is spending his New Year's Day driving over to get me and Callie. We'll leave Bloomington on the 2nd. I'm not sure what happens after that.

For someone who likes order and familiarity, I've moved and/or started over several times. I do it, but I don't really like it. It would be so much easier to know where I'm going to be and what I'm going to do. Life doesn't always work that way; this is one of those times where life is an adventure. I'm going to have to see what happens, and trust that what happens, will happen for good. "This world's no blot for us,/Nor blank; it means intensely, and means good..." (Browning, Fra Lippo Lippi). I choose to believe that; the alternative would give me very little point for existing.

So, posting may be somewhat sporadic as I pack myself up, and get myself out of Bloomington. Thanks for all the good wishes and thoughts, for both the holidays and graduation. You are all in my thoughts. A very happy Christmas to all of you. I hope that the new year brings peace and hope, and that the challenges (personal and national) prove not to be insurmountable.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all of you. I hope this day leaves you with memories of friends and family, warmth, fun, good food, and peace.