Ah, here we are:: 2019. Welcome!~
A fresh new year, with months of blank pages for us to write in. It’s always exciting….and I always get in the mood to start new projects, make new plans for new art….it’s a time of hope, and that is always a good thing. This is also a time of quiet coziness, and I’ve been looking forward to that just as much as Christmas, I think. Now…..we are left to our own devices. The calendar is cleared of parties and gatherings (as nice as those are). The cold days stretch ahead….but they are days to fill with whatever we like. And I look forward to that!

    For the past several weeks I’ve been enjoying some little stitching projects and have been having lots of fun with them. I’ve always loved the look of cross stitch, and would try it off and on throughout my childhood….but never got the hang of it. Strangely, I think doing things like knitting and weaving, learning to read those patterns and do those things…..made cross stitch easier to take on! And with little projects like these ornaments I made, they’re finished fairly quickly.
 
   This Christmas I made an ornament for my brother and his new wife and also a little love bird ornament for my parents since they celebrated 40 years of marriage in 2018. I’ve also been playing around with other simple motifs I’ve found in several sampler books I’ve gathered, and have been enjoying myself….

       Of course we are, technically, still celebrating Christmas. Epiphany is still 4 days away so we are still making merry a bit. I am enjoying so much my ‘bright copper kettle’ that I received for Christmas this year. Its a Newey & Bloomer kettle that my husband gave me, and its pretty fancy— he’s always good at researching and finding the best thing. I know this kettle is going to make me a lifetime of good tea and coffee, and I love it. It’s even just pretty to look at! Who knew I could be so charmed by a kettle?!

   But, of course, between the cups of tea and stitching, I am planning for a year’s worth of art. As I’ve gained experience, I’ve learned that even though I often get grand and amazing ideas, its best to bite off little manageable bits at a time. I definitely plan to put out a 2020 calendar, so rest assured you’ll have another coming! I’ve got some other ideas for projects….but they need to percolate. We shall see what 2019 will bring…..but you can be sure it will bring lots more art!~

Thank you for coming by today….and I hope you have a wonderful new year….
Take Joy!~
h