Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

This past year or so, one of the new things I've been trying is painting.  My friends and I have taken a few classes over at Painting with a Twist, a chain that specializes in making painting a fun experience by encouraging you to bring a friend and a bottle of wine.  I skip the wine -- painting is fun enough.

My friend, Jennifer, is such a good help at the shop all year, and a great personal confidant and supporter.  She loves Santas, and I painted her this canvas as part of her Christmas present this year.  I love the way he turned out, and he was really fun to do.

Lindy at The Silver Needle was bugging me earlier this year to NOT STOP DESIGNING towards the end of the year.  There typically isn't a lot that comes out during December, so I promised her I'd have a few new releases.  The previous blog post showcased "Christmas is Coming."  Here is "Jolly Joy Jingle," another new release for December.  Jennifer stitched this one for me, and she did an awesome and QUICK job.  The fabric is 32 ct. Swamp by Picture This Plus, and the buttons are by Just Another Button Company, of course.

We're down to just four kittens at home right now.  Birdie (above) is a fantastic little cat.  She's happy, intelligent, independent but loving, well-adjusted, and very pretty.  We had her for around a month.  She was easy to have around, and we were pleased to save her life.

Greyfell was Grasshopper's brother (Grasshopper had to be put to sleep over a month ago due to a digestive system malformation).  We just called him "Grey," and he is earnestly loving and always wanting to be held.  He'll make someone a great lap cat.  He's had his surgery and is going over to PetSmart this afternoon to find his new family.

Yes, Halloween seems like eons ago, even though it's only been six weeks or so.  I was tickled to see the above Halloween display on the Shepherd's Bush web site showcasing a Halloween display.  If you look at the top left corner of the display, you'll see two of my designs...Boo Scurry Yum and the old standard...Witchy Washy.  I always love seeing my pieces in other environments.

I've spent the last week or so with the stomach flu/gastroenteritis.  No, it wasn't food poisoning.  And you'd think after a week of eating almost nothing but Saltine Crackers, oatmeal, rice and bananas that I'd be going INSANE for something like ice cream.  But nothing sounds good, still, and I'm hoping to feel much better in the next few days.  The Internet tells me a good bout of what I've got can last ten days.

Hope y'all are enjoying a fantastic Christmas season so far.  I am getting caught up with preparations, and may brave setting up the tree tonight.  I will have a LOT of wide-eyed cats at home.  And while we look at our pretty glass ornaments...they go back in the storage box.