Happy Holidays

origami gift box (my son is very into origami and has to show me how to do the top part every time...

I feel like an elf - I've been busy making presents this year.

There are several reasons for this -
1. I really like making things
2. I can't really afford to buy much
3. I don't really want to buy much
4. I decided to make or buy handmade items whenever possible

I'm sure you're like me and you enjoy creating things. I made a bunch of my collage boxes for a gallery in Fort Worth recently. While I was making them, I listened to a bunch of my backlog podcasts - specifically This American Life. In one episode, Meet the Pros, David Rakoff talks about how he loves to make stuff and he wonders if he could love it as much if it were his job. He makes things for his friends but he's afraid that it must be like having a fitness-loving friend come over and do 25 push-ups in your living room and then say, "Happy Birthday!"

All I can hope for is that the recipient can feel the love that went into the creation of the gift. It would be a bonus if they actually loved the gift itself.

Anyway, here are some of the things I've been making:

Shrinky Dink pins for Tracey (inspired by wee wonderfuls)

Recycled bow made from strips of a magazine (inspired by Simply Green)

Tag/card (inspired by Lisa Solomon) - I had a ton of green paint chips left over from my son's room - I promise I didn't steal these for this project!

Sisters, 12" x 12"
Collage on panel with Lazertran, paper from Rag & Bone, solvent transfer, and gold colored pencil.
My mom asked me to make this for my cousin - these are her daughters. I finally used some Lazertran that I've had for about 3 years.

Another "commission" from my mom - she asked me to make a book from the same photos of my cousin's girls. I made a little flag book with some more Rag & Bone paper...

Detail of inside the book.

Another detail (that photo on the bottom in the center cracks me up every time).

Colleen's tote (inspired by the library tote from The Crafter's Companion)

Detail of embroidery on tote.

So as you can see, it's been busy and varied. Sewing, painting, collaging, bookmaking, Shrinky Dinking, and even some jewelry making!

I'll post more photos of projects later (don't want to spoil any surprises!).

The day after Christmas, my son and I are going with my mom, stepdad, and 2 nieces to Albuquerque and Santa Fe. We're planning on skiing, sledding, visiting the aquarium in Albuquerque (I love that little aquarium), and of course gallery-hopping! I've been promised a day by myself on Canyon Road. Woo hoo! I'll be celebrating my birthday there, too. I'd considered canceling it this year but then I wouldn't get any presents.

I hope everyone has a great holiday!

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Now playing: Ryan Adams & The Cardinals - Blue Hotel
via FoxyTunes