allsorts

Christmas Friendsday

One more quickie post for today, because its Friendsday! It occurred to me as I was unwrapping and putting out my decorations, that some of these are like old friends that I haven't seen since last year! Like this quintet of snowmen that sit on my living room mantle. They were bought at one particular Christmas craft fair over the last few years, until one year the fair didn't have them. So five is probably all that I'll ever have. They are kinda wobbly so I have to arrange them just so, then they hold each other up. Maybe they've been in the wassail when no one was looking. I love how they look like they're wearing long-johns. Wouldn't they make kooky characters for a children's book?

These guys hang out on the piano each year. Its like some odd Santa convention, some very homemade by my kids, some folksy, some traditional. My favorites are the three tallest ones, they are made of tin, purchased at a wonderful little shop in Wimberley, Texas when my folks lived there. I love 'em! (the Santas AND my folks!)

Tomorrow... December 1st! Time to start your Advent calendars!

Cheers,

Jenny

Christmas can come now

You probably could hear me from wherever you are, whooping it up because I finished the artwork for the book! Such a relief to be out from under the never-ending deadlines. There still might be some changes, but I feel so unburdened now and my thoughts can finally turn to Christmas, my absolute favorite time of year. Janee commented recently that I'm a "seasonal" kind of gal, and she is so right. Really, I should live someplace where they have four proper seasons. Maybe someday, but for now, I will entertain myself by indulging my craving for All Things Christmas.

First things, a redecorating o'the blog. I'm loving this retro-ish version of red and green, more of a berry and teal. Great fun making the background, like a little puzzle getting the balls to form a nice random pattern.

The Stuff is all down from the attic and spread round the house and draped on the roof. The batteries on my camera are dead and recharging as we speak, so hopefully pics will be posted soon. Lots to do to get ready, I am guessing it is the same with you? I always run horribly late every year, with utter craziness right up until the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve!

So... bring it on! Cheers!

Jenny

The Bake Shop Ghost

Just discovered... its about a ghost, but this is no Halloween tale! Its about art, but its also about cake (one of my favorite topics). There is even a recipe in the back that I will surely take for a test spin when I buy this little book. Treat yourself to a reading by Daniel Pinkwater and NPR's Scott Simon, and check out some more images from the book. Makes me seriously want to pull out my watercolors!

Cheers,

Jenny

Hello from the studio!

Just a quick post from me and a few of my little friends. This gang is hanging around the studio with me while I toil away on the illustrations for my current book project. Its kept me from posting much lately, but I should finish it up soon. But then it will be holiday time, and as usual I am way behind already. How did it get to be almost Thanksgiving? I think someone nicked a week or two in there somewhere.

Cheers,

Jenny