New Years Eve and Calendar Challenge!

As 2010 draws to a close, I remember the joys and the trials but most of all, I will cherish the love and friendships. Thank you to you all for your visits, your encouragement, your hugs, and your closeness over the miles. Happy, healthy, blessed new year to you!

And now, for one of my many challenges and on-line projects for the coming 2011 year of creating:  Kate at TheKathrynWheel has again put out the challenge for monthly calendar creating, and I have joined up for the fun! Join along and check it out each month too!

Here is my January 2011:

I used spray inks, stencils, cut cardstocks, stamps, silver markers, and snowflake punches. My calendars will be created in this 8" X 8" sketchbook I found in my rubble (!) but now love.

January is one of my favorite months, even though I don't like the cold, because it is my wedding anniversary and birthday month. (More on this later...ack!) But the snow is beautiful and I LOVE snowflakes.

Happy New Year everybody! Wrap yourselves in warm arms and warm blankets and lots of love! ~Kath

Sneak Peek...

...before the new year...♥

I Love Mornings Like This

Simplify stamp handmade by lori, and available in her inspiring etsy shop here.

I've always believed that the only thing we take with us when we die, is love.

I woke up way too early on this day off (4:45 a.m.) but after going downstairs, I stepped into a journaling takeover. LOVED it. What a great morning.

Hope your morning is fab, too.

~K

Promises of More

Some promises to myself, because sometimes less is more:

Prepping a page for tomorrow or for another day:

Create and be happy. ~Kath

Those Moments After Christmas

I just love the few days after Christmas when the wrapping paper settles...but there are still some cookie crumbs... and books to read. I am cold and sleepy and want to wrap up in a fuzzy blanket with Ellie and immerse myself in my new art journaling book (listed at right) that I got for Christmas.

I hope all of you are doing the same: enjoying the glow of Christmas past. ~K

And it Was Good

♥ Michael and I .

I made a Solstice Memory Book.

My two brothers.

Michelle made her Dad a Family Love Frame.

Hands-down, my daughter's packages are the prettiest!

Getting together to say Grace.

My boys...

Even Sadie and Ellie celebrated.

Come on over for coffee and homemade cookies! Wait til you see the pies!

Hope yours was merry!

love, Kath

Peace & Joy

Wishing you love, laughter, and moments that give you the happiest of memories. ~Love, Kathy

♥

*The Past Two Days*

I just wanted to share a few more photos from our incredibly heartwarming Winter Solstice Celebration on Tuesday Night:

Me on left, holding Ellie ♥, Longtime best friend Kath, Angelic Mom-in-law, "Grama Z" (right)
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Another glowing shot of the ice sculpture of the sun!
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The two masterminds of this celebration: Neighbor Bill, and Michael ♥. Cheers!
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The glow of love and friendship

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And, yesterday I finally pulled my car over, in the dark of morning near work, to finally take this photo of a house I love and an archway of Christmas cheer!

It's a wonderful way to start my work day, everytime I pass this home:

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These incredible cupcakes were made by a student's Mom for our class party yesterday:


And a creative Aunt of a student made these reindeer from miniature Hersheys chocolate bars:

Solstice Love and Light

Welcome to the second annual Winter Solstice Celebration!

Homemade Ice Candles line the walk from our home to yours:

Warm yourself by the fire:

Michael created this sunny ice sculpture.

Oh, it's a happy time when the days grow lighter.

It was a perfect evening! Friends, family, hot mulled cider and wine, a champagne toast, incredible food, snacks and Christmas cookies, hilarious laughter,

and music (every song with "sun" in it!).

Here comes the sun!

Wishing you all peace, sunshine in your days, and a brightly glowing moon to light your darkness.

Trying...

It's December 19th. Already. I am trying to not feel the way I do. Really. I wanted the peacefulness to be the only thing to overwhelm me.

Oh well, there's still a few days left to get it together. At least I'm trying and I'm praying and I'm grateful for the moments I do succeed with.

This was just a quick scribble, but even this I smeared. I missed my journal so much, that I figured that doing a quick entry was better than not doing one at all today. Again.

Color Week's Silver

Happy silver, sparkly Christmas color week to my special bloggy friend, lisa!

You always inspire me with your wonderful photos and sweetness!

Reindeer Visit

The briefest of directions. No pattern. Drippy glue. Scissor cuts. Lots of smiles and fun.

Downtown Lights and Colors

Dazzling colors and lights everywhere...

Somewhere inside this nature-girl, there is a very big city.