Christmas Presents II

Jennifer got me a box of small Ralph Lauren fragances, which I love. Each one is in a unique glass bottle. This is the first one, called Notorious, fitting for the New Year!

Christmas Presents

I thought I might draw some of my gifts as I go to bed at night. It is my drawing exercise for the day. This first one is a bar of hand made soap I got at a quilters Christmas party. I am also using my new sketchbook and graphite pencils that my daughter got me. I need to play with them awhile to figure out their value range. I will enjoy using the soap in my spa tube some night real soon! I have never heard of Olive oil soap, I can't decide whether to cook with it or bathe with it!

Finishing Up 2008

Ok admit it, this is the cutest picture so far! Nathan trying to hold his twin sisters on Christmas! Sorry I had to share it.

As the year is winding down I was glad to have finished some old UFO projects. I am going to start 2009 without all this extra baggage. I finished Nathan's pirate quilt which I have been working on for TWO years! I wrapped it again and gave it too him, unfortunately I forgot to photograph it so picture will come later. I also made that fleece blanket I have had the fabric for all year. I have so many art quilts in different stages of completion and although I am working on them I doubt I will make my Jan 1 deadline.

I am busy finishing up a quilt for the "Edges" challenge for the July IQA show in Long Beach, deadline is Jan 14th. There are a few of us in the art quilt group I belong to that are going to enter it. The challenge was to come up with our interpertation of what "edges" means to us. I thought it was going to be a really tough challenge but I love what I came up with. Shhh, its still a secret until I am finished. I will give you a peek then. The thing about challenges is that they make us think outside of the box and stretch. Monday I also received a two year contract to design fabric for Red Rooster Fabrics in NY, I am really excited about that! We are reading it over and checking all that fine print. How exciting to think that "Desiree's Designs" will be printed on the side of every yard of fabric they produce with my designs. Wow, another 15 minutes of fame! LOL I need to now work on the coordinating fabrics to go along with my panel I submitted to them. And then finally, my patterns got picked up by a big distributor and possibly a catalog company. These latest opportunities are directly related to our trip to Houston. THANKS HOUSTON!

It is turning out to be a busy end of 2008, a good time to clean up the old and welcome the new! I am hoping for many new and exciting opportunities for 2009!

Merry Christmas!

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Early Christmas Presents

I have gone to a few parties and so I have gotten a few wonderful gifts. One, from Dawn is still unwrapped under my tree. Another was opened at our quilting Christmas party, oil paint sticks and a book. The other day Marta called and asked if she could stop by with my present. She came with a wrapped gift, quite a surprise for Marta, our beloved scrooge. Inside the box was a pair of hand knitted socks! They are so wonderfully colored and warm. I have been wearing them everyday to keep my feet warm during our cold spell. The fire was on, a good Christmas movie was playing, I had my warm PJ's on and my new socks. As I layed on the couch I sketched them and then painted. There is somethings so special when someone takes the time and cares enough to give you something that they have made! Thanks Marta!

The Aftermath

OH the dietary trauma we all experience after Turkey day is amazing. I think I might be permanently stuffed myself now. The day was just about perfect, friends, family, games it was wonderful. I was so happy to have my family all together and mom was feeling fairly well, concidering her midnight fall! Now its time for fun parties, decorating and shopping. Phew, I am already tired! Hope your holiday was blessed!