SO MANY TIMES in the last few weeks I've started to write a new post and then...major distractions.  Much to tell.

The new year's cleaning whirlwind started in my studio, and I haven't stopped since.  Every room of the house has been torn apart, scrubbed and vacuumed, then put back together.  During all this commotion, I came to the realization that I was pretty darn tired of the everyday decorations I was putting out after the Christmas stuff was gone.  Rather than buy all new stuff, I shopped the rest of my house for doodads and artwork.  Funny how things can look new and fresh in a different room, in a different arrangement.  All this cleaning and organizing has taken me away from the studio for longer than I'd like, but it's something that really needed to be done.  I did take a time-out one evening to make this:

I bought the wooden frame at Goodwill, it was on sale for 99 cents!  I just sanded the edges a bit in some places.  The  postcard in the background was sent from my great-grandpa to my great-grandma in 1910, when they were dating.  I covered the matte with an old recipe for Piccalilly, which was hand-written by my great-grandma.  The lock and key were from a box of old rusty things that was in my grandma's attic.  I didn't have a plan when I started this - I was just so happy to not be cleaning!  It was a  quick project that put a little pep back into by step.

I've been expanding my photography skills, and recently shot a family portrait session.  We have an old run-down barn adjacent to our property, that's where we started the session.  It was a brutally cold day with temps barely in the teens.  We had to pose and snap quickly, then bundle back up!  At the time it may have seemed easier to shoot indoors in a studio environment, with manipulated lighting and backgrounds, but I'm not so interested in that.  It's much more exciting and unpredictable to be outside in the elements, using the light that nature provides.

Perhaps you've heard about our Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker in the news over the last year or so? He made an appearance at the snowmobile races in Eagle River a couple weeks ago, and I got to meet him.  Definitely a highlight of my year so far...

I love making these fleece hats and have made a ton of them in the last two years...no two are exactly alike!  This week I shipped out two hats.  Thinking I may just need to make myself one of these red ones too...

All wrapped up and ready to be mailed, this hat is black with gray and black flowers, and is a surprise gift from one sister to another.  Apparently the one sister only wears a baseball cap, and the other sister thinks she needs to step up her style a bit!  Too funny.

A dear friend gave me some of her old buttons, so I made her this keepsake box using almost all vintage materials, including some of her buttons.  I mailed it today.  Hope she likes it!

Here's my friend Sarah during an impromptu photo shoot at my house one snowy weekend day.  Sarah is a part-time model (can't you tell?!) and is always game for picture taking.  We had been waiting for enough snow to take this "snow kiss" shot, and what a fantastic bonus that this day also gave us a gorgeous sunset for a background.

One thing I love about photography is that it gives me little spurts of instant artsy gratification during times like these, when life pulls me in lots of different directions and I can't spend all day in the studio like I want to.

A couple weeks ago I dropped off my camera for a cleaning and (long story short) ended up with a brand new free upgraded camera.  I was over-the-moon excited about this, and poor Pompeii had to listen to me go on and on about it.  So she got to be in the very first picture I took with my new camera.  I fancied it up a bit, but here she is, listening...

I've been working on my health and fitness these days and have once again boarded the exercise train, after a half-year hiatus.  It's very easy for me to find excuses not to work out, but last week in the gym I witnessed a lady doing squats while rocking a baby stroller with one hand, then later nursing the baby in the lounge.  I think of her when I think I have an excuse not to work out.  She has fortitude!  

We have some nasty winter weather coming our way in the next couple of days.  Looking forward to being snowed in, hopefully in the studio with a paintbrush in my hand.

A CLEAN & ORGANIZED STUDIO!

HAPPY

HAPPY

HAPPY

Words cannot express how wonderful it feels to have a clean and organized studio again.

I feel like a new woman...a non-frazzled, put-together, efficient new woman!

I used to keep all my little mixed-media doo dads in drawers,

but ended up forgetting what was in there.

Now I'm convinced the secret to using this stuff up is to utilize see-through containers

that are kept out in the open instead of being tucked away.

At least that's my hope.

Because the collection could perhaps be getting a bit out of hand.

 I really enjoy sorting things by color, so was excited to start the button sorting project.

But by the third evening of sitting on the living room floor with a headlamp strapped to my forehead so I could see better

(this is NOT a joke), I had pretty much had enough.

Every time I thought I was done sorting, I kept finding little stashes of buttons all over the place.

But it was worth the effort because it makes me smile when I see them all together in one place, like colors together,

in see-through containers.  

Now I must think of some button projects.

What to make, what to make...

I've caught the crud.  Since Christmas it's been creeping up, and now I'm down for the count.

I read on a natural health blog that slathering eucalyptus oil on the bottom of the feet can help with congestion.  My very un-scientific explanation is that the bottom of our feet are very porous so stuff can be absorbed more quickly.  Willing to try just about anything to feel better - except get a flu shot - I've been trying this feet thing using eucalyptus and spearmint oil from Bath & Body Works.  A friend introduced me to this scent while we were shopping before Christmas, and I've been hooked ever since. BTW, this isn't a paid endorsement...just want to share my good find!

Eucalyptus Spearmint "stress relief" from Bath & Body Works

Also, lavender oil can be added to the eucalyptus concoction and applied to the bottom of the feet, which I've tried too.  I'm not sure if this ritual is really helping my sickness, but it's a nice treat to oil up my tootsies and wrap them in a thick pair of Smart Wool socks.

In between naps and bouts of coughing I've been cleaning up my studio.  During the holidays my room became a catch-all for stuff I didn't know what to do with, and I didn't spend much creative in there once I was on the road for the holiday sales I did.  I'm also the very fortunate recipient of some fun hand-me-down items from my aunts, mom, and friends.  I had yet to put the new-to-me stuff away in the proper place, so that added to the ever growing piles.  I really can't wait to use these new things in upcoming creations, so that is my reward once everything is nice and tidy.  Really can't believe I let my studio get so disheveled.  I even took a picture of it for posterity but am embarassed to show anyone.  Then again...maybe if I post the picture here, it will be a reminder to stay on top of things.  Yeah, that sounds like a good idea...so...

Ready for this?

Well, the bright side is that Pompeii was able to find a cozy place to rest while I dug into the piles.  My goal is to keep the countertops and work table clear of clutter, something I've struggled with since, well, forever.  I brought down a metal shelving unit from the attic that will now house my jewelry supplies and beads.  Knitting supplies are now being kept on a shelf in the garage.  I've tossed a couple garbage bags full of junk, packaging, and unfinished wayward projects.  Think I need one more day in there before posting an official "after" picture. 

Right now it's late at night and I can't sleep due to daytime naps and cold medicine, so I'm looking through Christmas photos.  Thought I'd share a few...

Our first Christmas celebration was with my husband's family, where we rented a cabin up north for a few days.

Not a bad view to wake up to!

Plum Lake - Sayner, WI

My mother-in-law made this adorable bear for her granddaughter as a Christmas gift.

She used a pattern that her own mother had used, making it even more special!

Our niece settled in for a long winter's nap...

The day after Christmas we drove to Illinois to spend time with my parents and sister's family.

We played outside in the snow and on the ice...

We opened presents, ate cookies, and played video games.

Even did some target and skeet shooting, and my Dad showed me how to shoot a pistol.  

One of the days we went to see the Harlem Globetrotters play, that was a fun day.

We really had a relaxing Christmas this year, despite the traveling.  It was awesome to be able to spend good quality time with both of our families.  

There was one happy kitty here when we finally got home!

Lucky

Here's a picture I took before Christmas of our girl waiting patiently to eat her cookie.

Sweet, sweet girl.

Well I'd better try to get some sleep now, it feels like the NyQuil is kicking in.

Good night!

The last sunset of 2012!

Annual studio clean-up has begun!

Years of vintage button accumulation, finally all in one place.

Of course I had a million things to do today, the first day back after a week of traveling to be with our families for Christmas.  This button project wasn't on the priority list, but I couldn't stop once I got started.  Besides, it was fun.  More fun than anything on the priority list.

My friend Sarah and I had been wanting to do a fun snowy photo shoot for awhile. Last Saturday, a few hours after an impromptu morning text message, she was at my house, knee deep in snow as we took advantage of some unexpectedly perfect sunset lighting.

We didn't really have a plan in mind and ended up raiding my house for festive props...grabbed the ornaments and presents right from the living room tree! I'm a believer in the idea that most of the time the best things happen when you least expect them. Really pleased with the way these images turned out and there were such little prep work and preconceptions! In my heart of hearts I feel that the images genuinely reflect my personality and photographic style. That's super exciting and rewarding as an artist!
























I'm writing this post from a rented cabin up north where we are spending a few days with my husband's family. Hoping the pictures on this post will not turn out blurry like the last time I tried to post remotely (fingers crossed). There's no high speed Internet at the cabin and I'm using my iPad...not an ideal blogging combo...but I won't complain!

Wishing you a magical holiday season and a very Merry Christmas!
XoXoXo

Oh the weather outside is frightful...

...but inside it's so delightful...

 ...as long as you love me so...

*LET IT SNOW!*

*LET IT SNOW!*

*LET IT SNOW!*

Out the front door this morning!

Today I'm doing some menu planning for our upcoming festivities.  I need to be prepared in advance as we will be on the road most of the week, first traveling up north and then down south.  My plan is to cook and bake everything tonight and tomorrow, freeze, then grab and go as we pass through.  It sure would be easier if our families all lived in one place!

I've picked a few recipes from a book my Grandma made for me years ago.  It was to be a wedding shower gift, a tradition she had started for her four granddaughters.  Since it took awhile for me to get married, she gave in and I got my book early.  In my youth, and for a few years thereafter, I had a big crush on Kenny Rogers, so she included Kenny's recipe for Country Chicken Salad in my book!

We're expecting an overnight snowstorm, continuing through tomorrow.  Winter Storm Advisories are out, schools are already closed and the salt trucks have been preparing all day.  I'm all ready to be snowed in tomorrow!  Maybe I'll break out the old Kenny Rogers albums!

Just finishing up the last custom order to be mailed in time for Christmas.

I'm knitting a headband and matching neck warmer.

Lucky is watching, and I'm about to be pounced on...

Lucky the Studio Cat

Funny little guy.

The angels are always near to those who are grieving,

to whisper to them that their loved ones are safe in the hand of God.

-From The Angels' Little Instruction Book

Like everyone else, I'm trying to come to terms with the monstrous school shooting in Connecticut.

I wish my little nephews lived closer so I could hug them tight.  

There's no place like home...

I'm visiting my parents for a couple days. Love being here, in the house I grew up in,
especially when it's decorated for Christmas.

Happy Happy Happy!

Laughed out loud when I first saw these socks in the store.

Thought the individual toe part might bug me, but it isn't so bad.

Completely worth any minor discomfort to look down at my feet and giggle at random times throughout the day!

Just got back last night from a weekend in Illinois, where I participated in Ladies Night Out, a holiday sale at the Woodstock Country Club.  It was a fundraiser for my nephews' school, and just a lovely evening at a lovely setting with lovely people.  Thank you so much to all the wonderful ladies who offered such nice words of support and encouragement.  Thank you, thank you.

After the sale on Friday, the rest of the weekend was family hanging out time.  My parents were also in town for a visit.  We all really love being together.  We're lucky like that!  I slept in the bottom bunk in my youngest nephew's room, and several times during the night I heard him giggling in his sleep.  Warmed this Auntie's heart right up!

It's good to be silly!

My sister was quite pleased to have some female adult helpers for their annual tradition of decorating gingerbread houses!

We went to a Christmas tree farm on Sunday.

Then I had a four hour drive home.  I'm pooped!