Catching Up....

This post has been saved as a draft since last May. Originally I, very cleverly, entitled it "Lilacs". I love this picture of the lilacs from my yard so the photo stays, lol. Lilacs fill my house with a fragrance that always reminds me of sunny spring mornings that are filled with anticipation of a lovely day. Unfortunately they don't last long once cut, but their beauty is stunning.

What a year since these lilacs graced my dining room table, many happy days, many sad days. My family and I have had a most devastating loss of my husband last October, preceded by a very rough summer. So that is why I haven't been contributing to any posts here, it's been difficult to share anything creative since my mind has been shattered into many parts.

 

 

Having the seclusion of a very cold winter and a pandemic lock down has given me time to reflect, to remember the good and to release the bad. 

I have been in the loving embrace of my family and friends who have been my saving graces, each and every one contributing to helping me heal. For this I am eternally grateful, how did I get so blessed to have the family and friends that I have? 

 

 

Very slowly I am coming back to what gives me peace and calmness, working at my drawing table and easel. The canvas and boards have been prepped for months now, it's time to get busy!

Thank you for stopping by.

 

 

Happy Spring!

Spring is here, no matter what else is going on in the world, spring is here!
I brought in some magnolia buds to force, the bunnies and I are waiting patiently.....

Since my last post, which was way too long ago, things have been very active. Christmas time was so busy with my lovely customers supporting me, I felt truly blessed.
Family and friends as always, have been such a rock for me. I had a few very significant losses last year that made it almost impossible to concentrate for very long. Still I am muddling through....


But then I also am blessed to have this guy in my life....

He keeps me grounded and I love him dearly.

 With this time inside I am hoping to do a lot of finishing up of past projects and starting new ones. The itch to do some oil painting is pushing at me and some sewing and some paperclay sculpting and more collages.

This bread recipe is one that I go to over and over again and it's so comforting to have a freshly baked loaf of bread cooling on the counter. Just google Jim Lahey's overnight, no knead bread recipe.
It's yummy!

I hope that this silly little post finds you all happy and healthy!
Stay put, bake bread, paint..!!

Hope That Your Christmas Was Merry!

 I have used this tree for about twelve years now, I purchased it for $40 it was a floor model and the store was going out of business. It has served us well over the years, I do need to add lights to it now since a bunch have burned out and we can't seem to figure out how to fix.

This has been in every tree since our first Christmas together, my mother gave it to us and it is showing it's age but I just love my two turtle doves :)

The ugly sweater party was a success!

And this little man has been a delight!

To each and every one of my Etsy, Handmade on Amazon and pop-up customers,
you are amazing and I am thankful for each and everyone of you. The response to my artful pendants has really helped my home based business to grow in so many ways.

Wishing you all a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

A visit to Dia:Beacon.

A few weeks ago when my younger son was in for a visit, we spent a few hours at the Dia: Beacon. A contemporary art museum in Beacon, NY which is a small city along the Hudson River.

I love this pathway!

So many light filled areas.

The building itself was originally used as manufacturing plant producing Nabisco boxes.

 

The architecture is as amazing as the art within.

If you are in the Northeast and haven't visited yet, you should!
If you are planning a trip any time in the future, make sure to put this as a stop.

Sue
https://www.etsy.com/shop/digiliodesigns?show_panel=true

Merry Christmas!

 Gingerbread Sunday 2015 was a lot of fun...

 

 and very successful! I love our time together.

I wish for you all a very Merry and Blessed Christmas!

Looking forward to a wonderful 2016.

Gingerbread Sunday

 I really should call it Gingerbread Week! I start a few days ahead

 making the four sides of the houses. We started cheating a bit a few years ago and we use graham crackers for the roof. They are lighter weight and the house will set up quicker.

 I have the dining room table covered with plastic to make clean up quicker.

 As my family comes in the candy pile gets larger and larger.....

 So many decisions to be made, which candies to place where....

 It is very serious at times.

 Everyone get involved with ideas to share and sometimes a bit of a competition starts!

It's always a super fun day of eating and creating and enjoying each others company.

p.s.      and they all leave with a sugar high!!!

p.p.s.   please note my clean chandelier!!!

Catching Up!!

It was a very busy fall and holiday season this past year. I committed to too many fairs and shops, it overwhelmed me to say the least! However, I met some lovely people along the way and was able to focus in on my product lines better. I did quite a few small paintings for the craft fairs, they are easier to tote!

My prints and art bevels were a big success, I plan on expanding those selections this coming year.


The gingerbread houses got assembled and nibbled as usual this year….

It is very serious construction…..

each house is unique and lovely!

But not as lovely as my nieces!

Gingerbread Houses

My good old Kitchen Aid mixer getting ready for our yearly batch of gingerbread.

Goodies of all kinds waiting to decorate our houses.

A few busy elves.

My sisters and nieces and dare I say it great-nieces!

For the past three or four years we, my sisters and nieces and I (and when I can convince them... a few very special people) get together and make gingerbread houses.

Will we win any prizes? We think so and each year we have been getting better at it.

But the main thing is having fun and sharing memories during this very busy season.

A little get-away!

Lake George, NY

Lake George looking at The Sagamore, a beautiful resort.

Moonrise over Lake Champlain - so pretty!

The weather this past weekend was perfect. We were able to get out and enjoy it with family and friends. A haunted trail on saturday and Lake George on sunday - monday. We haven't been up to Lake George in a few years, we used to take our boys there almost every year. This lake is one of the prettiest ones around, the weather was perfect and so warm that some people were actually in the water swimming! Very unusual for October.