Merry Christmas

6x6 watercolor on paper Mini Masterpiece Apples in Candlewick

 SOLD

Merry Christmas everyone!!!  I can not believe how fast this year has gone, sigh!  I'm sure you are all knee deep in gift buying, wrapping, and Holiday cooking,  I wish you the best of luck and the speed of Santa's elves:)  Things are in full swing here also.  My oldest son Steven (4yrs) has been in heaven.  He loves to decorate, go out of drives to look at the lights, and of course it's about to kill him to wait to open the presents under the tree, any present , even if it isn't his, he just wants to rip one open:)  It is such a fun time of year.  Steven was concerned this morning that Santa might hurt himself coming down the chimney so we have come up with a solution, we will be placing some pillows around the fireplace.  He's so thoughtful, I just love how kids minds work:)

Even with all of the Holiday hub bub, I have managed to complete some commissioned pieces and gifts.  This weeks painting is another 6x6.  And yes it does look familiar.  Since I won't be selling the larger version of this painting, I decided to paint a mini version as a commission for a special lady.  This is one of my favorite paintings and tackling it in 6x6 was a lot of fun.  I wanted to see how much detail I can get at that size, and so far it isn't driving me too crazy.  Painting larger is easier, but it's also a lot more time consuming, so got to weigh the pros and cons.  I am going to be pursuing this 6x6, Mini Masterpiece idea this year.  There is a great sense of accomplishment to finish one of these guys the same day I started it.

Our tree this year.  I like white lights, Brian likes colored lights, so we alternate years.  We've done this every year we've been married.  Oh, and it's Brian's year this year.

I'm sharing some of our Christmas decor pictures.  I also took on the task of  making the boys some stockings.  Let me tell you I'm not a seamstress and this is a pretty challenging endeavor.  But, I do want my boys to have Mommy-made stockings, or Santa socks (that's what Steven calls them).  And lucky me, both my boys names start with "S" so I only had to make one pattern:).  Inside of the "S" I used strips of their baby clothes.  I think it is a really good use of the baby clothes I just couldn't part with.  I still have some adorning to do.  I plan on adding sequins around the "S" and their names at the top.  With my sewing skills I'm just glad it resembles a stocking shape.

Our mantle, we have our Swarovski snowflake ornaments suspended above the mantle.  We've been collecting them each year that we've been married.  We have 10 this year:) Notice the Christmas picture to the left.  I love changing up art and incorporating Christmas pieces.

close-up of our mantle

My Mommy-made stocking WIP:)

Steven also painted some ornaments this year.  We did this last year also, so it may become a yearly tradition for both boys.  On last years ornaments I printed out a little picture of him painting the ornament and attached it with the year printed on the card.  I'll be doing the same with this years.  They were of course a hit with the Grandparents.

Steven's masterpieces this year.

Well friends, I wish you the Merriest of Christmases, and the best Holiday Season!!!  Take time to enjoy yourselves, and remember the Reason for the Season!

Carrie