Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden

We had an absolutely magical day at Fairchild Gardens in Miami. This wonderful place has a mission of preservation and education. The sculptures were striking. The guide was hilarious. I can't wait to go back.
Pretty, but not so comfortable.

Christmas Traditions

This Christmas started out like all the others-with Mickey's Christmas Carol. Before Mickey's Christmas Carol came out in the theaters I used to listen to in on record. This year Mark watched with me. :)
Then we went for a walk, read, ate lunch, and napped.

Since we're down in Miami visiting wonderful friends, we decided on a movie and our favorite Chinese food restaurant for dinner. Dinner was fabulous-as expected. We went to see True Grit before dinner. This movie was beautiful. We laughed (a lot) and were all so moved by the film.

We are now sitting on the bed watching Scrooged, with Bill Murray. I've already had my ice cream and am thinking that is has been a wonderful Christmas spent with people I love.

Happiness and love to all!

Ornament Exchange

Our exchange party was on the 10th and it has taken me this long to get a post up! It's been a busy two weeks. But, it was great to get together with wonderful friends and have some fun. Here are our finished ornaments-
Sue's Tree
My Partridge in a Pear Tree
Dianna's Turtle Dove
Dawn's French Hen

Lori's Calling Birds

Debbie's Golden Rings
Ashley's Geese-a-Laying
Stephen's Swan
Anna's Maids-a-Milking
Jessi's Ladies Dancing
Marion's Lords-a-Leaping
Joyce's Pipers Piping

Bethsabé's Drummers Drumming

Getting ready for the Ornament Exchange Party

My friends and I are getting together for our first ever ornament exchange party on Friday. Yeah! We decided on the 12 Days of Christmas theme and I chose "a partridge in a pear tree" as my verse. After cutting out and firing the birdies I took them home to paint.
I decided on a cold finish technique because I didn't think I cold wait to them to fire again!

Beaks

Eyes
Wings
All I have to do is sew them onto the tree part of the ornament and I'm done!

I am Thankful for...

Home made cookies
Cute doggies

Rolling hills

That leaf that hangs on until the end

Icicles

Memories of the fire

Enough is enough!

I went to Ikea today to get a Billy shelf to help me (continue) to organize the craft room. I said a while ago that I was not going to shop at Ikea anymore. I support my local businesses, so I'm not going to beat myself up about this trip. After putting the shelf together I took my fabric out of the plastic bins and sorted it by color. Gee, I have a lot more fabric than I thought. I do NOT need to buy anymore fabric for a while...

Good thing I got some super cute fabric at Ikea before I made this decision!

This just screams reversible bag.

Finished!

I finally finished the Scrabble tile necklace for submission to Florida Craftsmen. It's my first entry to a show and I'm not sure it'll get into the show. Whatever the outcome I had fun making it!

Working on...

Dum dum dumm dum dadumm dum dadumm

What, you don't recognize that song? It's Darth Vader's theme music. Maybe I should have started with the Star Wars theme. I'm just so excited. Look what came in the mail yesterday!

Once I've turned my grades in I'm putting these to use!

Halloween Parade

I love Halloween at school. Our students are adorable, and we have an excuse to dress up. This year the Specials teamed up with the PE coaches. Hi ho, hi ho! It's off to work we go!


Halloween last year.

Something Fishy!

My fishy foot stool is finally finished. I love that I spent so much time on something that is going to live under my desk!

New Tiles

I had a lot of work due today. As you can see, I took a lot of breaks this weekend. The tiles still need to be mounted so that they are chain ready.



Little Giovanna is having a Chococat birthday party. The "G" is for her mom.