Mixing up my holidays...

I wanted to wish you a happy valentine's day... such a good day to think of all those we hold dear.
I decided to include this photo of one of the Christmas ornaments I make, filled with antique buttons and a calligraphed word or name and embellished with a tiny antique bulb. I know I am mixing my holidays together just a bit, but thought this "love" bulb was somewhat appropriate for today. I have made many of these ornaments as custom orders for baby's first Christmas with the child's name inside and the year included on a tag wired to the hanger at the top along with the tiny bulb or embellishment. They are adorable with just a few old blue or pink buttons added along with the white and cream.

Sunshine

We are back from our trip to sunny Arizona where we had a wonderful visit with my sister-in-law and brother-in-law. I very much appreciated their gracious hospitality during our stay with them.

As I worked on another encaustic collage/painting today for my upcoming exhibit, I was so glad to be able to enjoy a rare day of sunshine and slightly warmer temps here in Ohio. Nothing like a bit of sunshine to help your energy level...

I have included a picture of another wooden collage frame in which I incorporated bits of old text and vintage wallpaper. The wood is one and a half inches thick and all four sides are decorated, as well. It is meant to hold your own photograph, but I included an old photo of my father as a sample under the glass. Isn't it a fun photo?

Tea time...

It is miserable outside. I look out to see snow, ice, freezing rain, and grey skies, and predictions do not sound especially positive for the next day or so. We postponed a flight to warm and sunny Arizona because of this nasty storm that is blasting across much of the country. Not relishing the thought of being "stuck" in an airport, we rescheduled the flight for later in the week when weather is hopefully more conducive to air travel.

In the interim, I am working on some encaustic paintings for my upcoming exhibit and drinking lots of tea. Tea always seems to ease any difficult situation, don't you think? I leave you with a favorite quote about tea and the hope that you stay warm and can enjoy a nice cuppa...

"When the world is falling apart around you, drink tea." - Author unknown.