Happy Hogmanay and Happy New Year!

I am loving the blue moon tonight - lit the path to my door for me. Love the shadows of the trees that are cast in the snow. Beautiful. Cold night tonight - the air is crisp and the moon's light is bright.

Laura McCabe's Geo Floral Beaded Bead

I've come to the conclusion that I have far too many UFOs (unfinished objects) in my queue and intend to make headway in completing them. The first one I will complete is Laura McCabe's beautiful floral cube pictured above. I have one side done. Now for the other five and then to put it together. I love Laura McCabe's designs - she combines geometry and stitches to create beautiful objects.

Once I take stock of what I have in progress, I'll list them here - which is like proclaiming my intentions to the world! Yikes!

Tonight's quote is one of my favorites from Ralph Waldo Emerson: Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.

And one more from W. Clement Stone: Aim for the moon. If you miss, you may hit a star.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!

Holidays

Man walking dog down ravine path in Lake Park.

I like the time between Christmas and New Year's the best. All the hustle and bustle of the holidays is over and it's time to play with your new toys. (I hope everyone got a new toy of some sort or another!)

I made two gifts for Christmas this year and they were well received - a felted wool scarf (which turned out very well but took forever to dry) and a beaded Brewer's logo for my sister the baseball fan.

I'm happy that I made at least two gifts this year. I did buy a handmade gift for my brother - a lamp by Kirkiture, an artist from Pittsburgh who makes amazing lamps. Shop seems to be empty now, but check back. Very nicely done.

Wintry tree on lakefront.

So now is the time of year that I spend reflecting on the past year and looking forward to next year. I have some things I'd like to accomplish next year fermenting in my mind. Time to pull out a journal and begin anew.

Today's quote comes from Ellen Goodman: We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives... not looking for flaws, but for potential.

and another from John Burroughs: One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this: To rise above the little things.

This is Magnificient!

Viggo's Eye - in progress by Jo Hamilton. Go take a look - you'll be amazed! Never thought of doing free form crochet! (I have trouble following a pattern - maybe this would be an approach to try - although doing work this detailed would be a ways off if ever...)

Saw this on another cool blog Dude Craft. He posts all sorts of cool things that people are doing.

Quote today comes from James McNeill Whistler: An artist is not paid for his labor but for his vision.

Handmade for the Holidays Part 2

Frost Thursday, December 10, 2009.

Only less than two weeks left in the making season for gifts... Will I finish on time? Probably not. Will I have problems with a project and have to scramble for plan b (which I don't have)? Probably. Aaackkk!

Went to the Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago last weekend. Lots of interesting things to be seen in between the bodies wedged next to the tables and in the aisles. Not a place for the faint of heart or for the agoraphobic. Didn't take long until my sisters were ready to leave. Now.

I did manage to spend some money - some funny cards, a skein of hand-dyed and hand-spun yarn, amongst others.

Renegade Craft Fair, Chicago December 09

Or, as we took to calling it, the Rebellious Craft Fair. I have my theories about these craft/art fairs, but they need to simmer a bit before I voice them.

View from the Amtrak Hiawatha from Milwaukee, arriving at Union Station in Chicago. Cool reflections of clouds and buildings on the Chicago River as viewed from the train.

And, oh yeah, got the Bead and Button Catalog today. Haven't had a chance to sit down to look at it yet. May save it until some chores are done.

Today's quote comes from Ralph Waldo Emerson: But it is a cold, lifeless business when you go to the shops to buy something, which does not represent your life and talent, but a goldsmith's.