A beautiful Monday in downtown Newark...

 Little Olivia loves jingle bells...I am not sure she understands what this Christmas is...but she does love the blow up Mickey Mouse and Tree in the central gallery....

 These little artist will be there on Wednesday to stencil our first snowmen,,,with collage pieces...

my work space is completely full right now...I am making magic happen ...

 Sandy Gartner came down with her new camera...I know her Dad is smiling down on her work....she got her scarf at the LCA !!!

 this is a motley crew...ready to paint ...please...

 Olivia is worn out...too much going on for this little one...

Go Buckeyes!!!!







This large Tabby is for a special Christmas  card for my favorite Cat loving sisters!!!

I went in today and had several visitors right away ...coming in and placing orders for a couple special Christmas gifts.  Life is great and busy.  Yes I do work almost every day but I am available when the clients need to make arrangements with me and I enjoy creating with a purpose.  The sun was shining...the Carols were playing and we had a vital group of women playing Spades today...the laughter was contagious for us all.  I know I will get a chance to rest soon but I also need to work on my sketches for the desert works for next may.  Caution...just remember showing up is essential for just about everything.  One step at a time and the race may be slow but the work gets done.  Oh what a tangled mess I have made ...wet table ...gel mediums applied to wood surfaces before the "Fun" collage stages can begin.  I am working on a Christmas tree Advent calendar...with 25 boxes for each day in December...surprise packages or gifts to make the day and this is all made in my studio.

I made a few requested cards ...a special thank you Christmas card to go in the mail with a video disc and a card for a young woman who lost her struggle with living with Lupus at the age of 36.  A not so subtle reminder ...to catch the gifts of each day and look up into the clear blue skies and enjoy the sunshine on my face.

I was more tired today than I had expected and came home to make comfort food...whole grain spaghetti with homemade sauce seasoned with fresh green peppers, onions and mushrooms...the kitchen was filled with warmth and aromas.  The garlic bread was crisp and the finishing touch to our dinner.  I ended with the last of the laundry and checked the computer for any Cyber Monday sales I could not live with out...I found a few and affordable gifts at Amazon but nothing that will set me back in the debt zones...our TV seems to throw material things out every 30 seconds on the commercials...I do remember when we got one big gift and the customary underwear and socks from the grand parents.  Today it is a mountain of things to tempt parents and well all of us to rush out and buy buy buy!!!

Tomorrow is another busy day and a board meeting at 4:30.  Then I am home again working on my quilt readying for the final photography.  Whew just typing this out makes me dizzy!  Have a great day!  Peace,  Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart