Open Studio

Here is my gorgeous, sunlit studio going back together again.  I am so happy when I walk into my studio now, it is like walking into dripping golden honey without getting sticky.  My husband did such a good job and learned enough about laying flooring to do the back half of the house sometime.  A friend gave us some great oak flooring that was reclaimed from either a church or school in Kansas.  That is a project for another time though.
I am readying the studio for the 1st Annual Gilpin County Artist Open Studio Tour which is this next weekend.  I am very excited about opening my studio and sharing my love of quilting with anyone who wants to take a drive into the mountains to catch the aspens changing and some great artwork.  There are 17 people on the tour and I am quite honored to have been invited to participate.
If you live locally and would like a map, contact me for one.  I will gladly respond to all serious inquiries.
I have never looked forward to winter before like I am this year.  We have lots of firewood and I have a good deal of quilt work to get me through.  Not to mention, I get to work in the space above with the wood-stove blazing and the snow falling outside.  The dogs and I will have a lot of fun snow-shoeing too!

A COMFORTABLY DECORATED HOME

Tis the season when we spend more time on home decoration. I feel most comfortable when surrounded by beauty. If you can rest your eyes on something beautiful or well-loved, I believe it makes you feel better. Kind of like petting your animals. Some things just make you feel good. I have many shelves filled with wonderful objects from all over the world. These are the best knick-knacks to decorate the home with. They are intriguing conversation pieces for visiting guests. Also, if it was a gift, it probably came with a good story to share.
For Christmas this year, I really was not comfortable with bringing in a tree. Our forest is being devasted by the pine beetles. Even if we dug one up, where to put it bothered me as well. I decided not to do one this year. When Solstice came, I suddenly really wanted to bring evergreens into the house. It is the smell and symbolism that were important afterall. The evergreens enliven the spirit. So, I went and harvested some branches off of trees that got beetles last year. Still fresh and green, but doomed in the near future. I then pulled out my floral supplies and began to create a topiary tree. It came out wonderfully adorable and sits on the table complete with a string of lights. It doesn't take much space yet it gives me so much in return. For me, this season is not about impressing anyone. It is about loving, reflecting, and being joyful that life can be so grand. Fill your home and hearts with love and beauty this season.
Happy Solstice!