A Magical, Sparkly, Creative New Year!

I'm not normally what you'd call a "New Years" kind of person; I don't make resolutions, I don't do the traditional (in these parts anyway) pork and sauerkraut New Year's Day dinner (and while we're at it, um - eeeeeewwwww!) I don't go to parties or stay up to watch the ball drop, and I'd rather have root canal than watch football....

But this hasn't been the typical year.

So I must admit I'm feeling a little excited about seeing it come to a close, and imagining all the possibilities a bright, shiny new 2009 holds....

As I said, no resolutions. But perhaps a few intentions:

An uncluttered....no wait - make that a less cluttered workspace. Maybe some new, taller book shelves to store the contents of assorted bins and cardboard boxes.

A few more days off. It's important to replenish the creative well once in a while. ;)

More blog giveaways. I LOVE giveaways!!

Longer walks with the Aussies. THEY love walks (and I need them, hehe!)

A line of fine art prints and notecards on Etsy (stay tuned!)

More time counting my many blessings. :)

Finally, a HUGE thank you to everyone who's purchased my work, placed bids, commented here on the blog or sent encouraging emails throughout year! As challenging as 2008 has been, it's also been such a gift getting to "know" everyone here in bloglandia...I feel like part of a very special creative community, and I know 2009 will be filled with even more magic and creativity!

Oh - and before I forget, the trio you see above are listed individually on Etsy now (sooooooooo proud of myself for finally getting something listed, teehee!)

Wishing everyone a magic, sparkly, shiny and CREATIVE New Year!

´¨)
¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*´¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´ ~ Carolee (throwing confetti!)

Jumping Back In...

The holidays have been a bit of a whirlwind here, with a visit from Courtney, a steady stream of parties and guests, and waaaaaaaaay too many cookies and sweets for my already goddess size figure, hehe....(Back on the diet wagon after the first!)

Bestest gift of the year came from my Mother; none other than The King of Mice, teehee!! He's holding court on my computer desk at the moment - not shown here in the photo because it's more than a bit cluttered.

I'm back at work today, finishing a witchy tea caddy ("Wicked Good Brew") suitable for hanging on a wall, to be listed on eBay tomorrow evening. I'm also working on a couple of commissions, and have a few other wicked cool surprises up my sleeve for the New Year, so stay tuned....

OH! And speaking of staying tuned, the playlist here is no longer on "auto-start", so if you want to hear the new tunes I've added, you'll need to scroll down to the purple playlist on the right and click play. Its a random assortment of personal favorites, beginning with a few upbeat pieces for the New Year. I just LOVE listening to playlists as I create (my own and a few others!) but wanted to make this one optional, as it's not always convenient for those in the workplace. ;)

Many, many thanks again to everyone who mailed gifts, and sent cards and e-cards! I DO promise to make it up to you this year with a few giveaways and perhaps some cards of my own!

In the meantime, I'm off to listen to the new playlist, and face what's left of the day!

Artful Blessings,
~ Carolee

The Spirit of Christmas

I can't begin to tell you how touched I've been each day as I collect the mail, discovering another card, another letter, and even a couple of gifts! And I must admit I'm also more than a little embarrassed I was unable to reciprocate. (I feel like such a slacker - didn't even manage to get cards out this year!) It's been a challenging year for us, as I know it's been for many of you too. And that so many of you thought of us this season just overwhelms me, and is yet another reminder of how truly blessed I am. :)

As uncertain as these times are, I'm heartened by the connection we all share - and whether you celebrate the day or not, the spirit of Christmas - the spirit of peace and goodwill - still abides.

My wish for you this Christmas is love and light, and my wish for 2009 is a year rich with discovery and creativity, magic and joy, peace and hope.

Much love,
~ Carolee

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

The tree is finally finished, and not a moment too soon, as I still have quite a bit of baking to do and Courtney arrives the day after tomorrow!

I always have a horrible time taking tree photos - shot over 60 of them trying to get the right balance between that nighttime glowy, sparkly look (which is what the tree REALLY looks like) and daytime clarity. But it never fails - without the flash, the whole thing looks monotone and out of focus, and with the flash, it looks like the tree lights are off....Ah well, it is what it is, and I have baking to do, hehe...

Yes, it's artificial, *sigh*....Not my preference, but it suits our hectic lifestyle...

A close up of some of the more sparkly pieces. The glittery copper bird's nest is a favorite....

I just love these ornaments - made of mercury glass, I found them in a shop in downtown Lancaster a few years ago. The Sun is winking at the moon....

And aren't these guys great?! Old Sylvestri ornaments, mass produced, but they remind me of folk art woodcarvings (something I've always wanted to try!)

Now, on to the baking.....I've just finished whipping up a batch of chocolate fudge with walnuts, and thumbprint cookies are next. Last Christmas, my Mother gave me the most wonderful gift - the very same Betty Crocker "Cooky Book" I used as a child in the '60s! It's in print again, and I'm having sooooooooo much fun trying all the old recipes, hehe....Have to add, if you look very closely at my kitchen countertop (the old formica "boomerang" pattern), it SERIOUSLY matches the retro cookbook, lol...

As the cookies bake, I'll be painting a few last minute gifts....The only problem with being a painter and making a commitment to hand made gifts, is that the holidays become a little too much like WORK...Note to self: start knitting much earlier next year so as not to have to PAINT all these gifts!!

Speaking of painting, I have a few new pieces coming just after Christmas for eBay and Etsy too, including a witchy and whimsical salt box. Until then, there's the sparkly black cat clock and a bunny sign listed on eBay (although I think the clock ends tonight!) Talk about time flying....

I'll end with a heartfelt apology to all of you who've been kind and thoughtful enough to send us Christmas cards. My intention was to do the same, but it never happened. Between the time crunch, and financial challenges which necessitated working non-stop, it just wasn't possible....But please know I love you all, and send wishes for a joyous and blessed Christmas!

Until next time,
~ Carolee

A Happy and Blessed Solstice!

Midwinter...The shortest day and longest night of the year. It offically began at 7:04 this morning here on the east coast with the rising of the sun.

Although my own spiritual path is what many would consider more traditional, I have a deep respect for the ancient roots of December's Christian celebration, and find this an almost magical day; a day for honoring nature, for remembering goodwill, for merrymaking with friends and family....And even a cursory glance at the origins of the Christmas celebration shows that solstice is about as traditional as it gets. :)

I'll be spending the day putting the finishing touches on the tree (photos soon!), baking cookies, making another big kettle of gypsy soup, and painting a couple of last minute gifts for friends and family. I'm also going to make an effort to spend some time outdoors, replenishing the bird feeders, gathering holly from the backyard, and of course, walking the Aussies. It's a bit icy out there right now, but I'm hoping it will melt by this afternoon. I'm not the most surefooted individual, hehe...

Later this evening, we'll open a bottle of wine, sit in the living room and admire the finally finished tree.

In the meantime, I'm off to light some candles, listen to the playlist here and photograph a sparkly ginger cat sign, which will join a few others already on eBay later this evening....


Wishing everyone a Magical Midwinter!!

~ Carolee

Blessings Bright!

"Magic, moonlit winter's night, Black cats gather, Blessings bright."

I wanted the last timepiece this year to be something special, and hope I've succeeded.....The photos don't really show the sparkle, but the white base of the clock, like the snow on the interior, is covered with diamond dust (vintage glass glitter). It has a sort of three dimensional look, as if you could walk right in.....Oh - and Swarovski crystals mark the quarter hours! Above, the "Mother in the Moon" is a wooden ball with a bit of sculpting material added, and is also sprinkled with sparkling diamond dust....

It's listed now on eBay, with a "buy it now" option for quick shipping.

I also hope to list a few "quickies" tomorrow - welcome plaques suitable for last minute gift giving - a couple of snowmen and a winter wreath design.

Off to bake some cookies now.....

~ Carolee

Sneak Peek.....

Apologies for the darkness of the photo. The light fades so early these days, but I just had to share this with you.... I soooooooooo wanted to keep this piece! It would look great on the dining room table I've been planning to paint for.....oh, about two years now (seriously - there's a full size, unfinished dining room table leaning against a wall in my living room just waiting to be turned into a big piece of art!)

But much as I like this lazy susan, I like new art supplies and heat in the winter even better, hehe - so look for it tomorrow on eBay, at 9PM eastern. I'll be offering a "buy it now" option on the next few pieces, so as to give them time to arrive at their new homes before Christmas. I just love the thought of my work being a part of someone's celebration - makes it much easier to part with. ;) *UPDATE* - SOLD.

As for our own celebration, I'm afraid I'm running incredibly late this year. The Christmas tree is a work in progress - photos coming soon, assuming Merlin and Arthur don't attempt to climb it, and Cadie and Cosmo don't wrestle it to the ground. Next comes the baking; thumbprint cookies, pizelles, fudge, bourbon balls, sugar cookies and Russian teacakes. And possibly a fruitcake or two, although it's getting a bit late for those, as they greatly benefit from time in the freezer (Yep, I'm one of those crazy people who likes fruitcake).

My hope was to send my own printed Christmas and Yuletide cards to everyone on my snail mailing list, but I'm afraid it's too late now. Not much to do, except plead organizational impairment....

That's about it for today. I'm off to put some seasonal music in the CD player now (The Medieval Babes' "Mistletoe and Wine") and work on that tree! Back again in a day or two...

~ Carolee