my day with hellos and goodbyes...

I had a messy day expressing the processes in my work on the advent calendar Christmas Tree.  For whatever reason I began working on the back..the gel medium has covered both sides and I applied a sheer silver glaze and then added holiday stamps with "dots" to add a bit of interest.  The 25 square prize boxes ...will become a gifts...waiting to hold small delicious treats.  I am going to work on the front tomorrow...I am learning to be patient because the layers take time to totally dry.  I am not always such a patient person...I want to see what develops next.  Now. 

I continued my card production...it is a mindless joyful exercise and brings a smile to my face when someone asks me.."Did you make all of these cards?"  I like playing with delightful childhood images... and adding small jingle bells is a way to give them their own voice to sing.  I am working on a making special cards tomorrow night with my kids ...cards filled with JOY to send to Washington for recovering American soldiers to help add some sunshine to their recoveries.  I think the kids will enjoy making something to cheer up someone who may be having a difficult time. 

For the last five years I have been a member of the Licking County Convention and Visitors Bureau Board.  This afternoon was my last board meeting.  We voted to change the dimensions and size of the 2013 board and reduce the numbers gradually in the next two years.  Our county has so many wonderful events, attractions and incredible people in our community.  I have learned a great deal about the bed taxes, National Heritage venues...we have The Great Circle Mounds of the Adena and Hopewell tribes, collaborating with distinct and different agencies and cultural programs.  The National Road Garage Sales,  Pumpkin farms and natural resources of Buckeye lake and our world famous Velvet Ice Cream plant  just north of Newark are just a few  to name the wonderful experiences for our families and visitors to enjoy.  The art galas, galleries and the Midland Theater and live summer stock at our Weathervane Theater bring something that is often over looked but its intrinsic value is what makes us all more humane and diverse.  I am ready to move on but I will appreciate all the gifts I have received by working with committee of community minded individuals. 

 this Merry Cat card is the first of selected couple of cards I am making for Charlotte...

 the snowman stencil is ready to report for duty on Wednesday...

 Joy to you and yours...

 the stocking were hung by the chimney with care...

 another snowman makes her appearance known...

 this nativity scene needs a bit of help...more thoughts will come tomorrow...I hope..

 the color is off here but I think it is my camera...







the back
is coming into fruition
with a silvery glow
step three ...


the mystery boxes are ready now to decorate...

 can you tell my brain is not totally healed...???

 a happy jolly little Santa is almost ready for Cindy's tree...

 silver bells ..a transparent ornament with sheer papers for Cindy's tree this season...

 an 8 by 10 canvas with frosty memories of Jared 's first couple of Christmas ...

 I have this vintage carrying box filled with ornaments from the classic Rudolph the red nosed reindeer...this just makes me smile and be happy... I play the video for the kids in December...

 a tiny red nosed deer ...for the kids to create for their trees...

 a music box made from painted slate ...
butterfly prints made with Jennifer...
a small hand made quilt just for fun...

 a special tea set ...vintage ...ready for wintery afternoons to share hot tea with a friend... time out for quiet...

 the plants are seeking space...in the window...

 snow may be moving in to my beloved community...







my gift from LCVVB five years of dedication to bringing people to our county...   think about the LCA and the Gib Reece Ice Rink...how could we work together???

I am back to work for about another hour...I pray your day was peaceful and productive.  I ordered a book today for me from Amazon by Hafiz, his poems are sprouting up all around me so I think I need to learn more.  Peace  be with you all.  Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart