Christmas Thoughts, Gifts, and Plans

                            As October wines down, thoughts jump ahead to Christmas.

I love Christmas!  A great excuse that allows me to step out of my normal sane self and make gifts for all those I love.

Over various years my gifts have ranged from quilts, fleece embroidered blankets, quilted handbags, to jewelry.  Each have been passionately made for many in the annual list of 'who gets gifts'.

Last year I sent my family my artwork… I sent off 8 photos in large format size “16X20” and all where sent in one package to my mothers’ address, since Christmas is normally celebrated at her house with my family members.  

My mother is wonderful & We all love Mom dearly!  We feel blessed that she is here, has a full & busy life, plus is doing her own thing in her own home! Now the problem with my dear mother is: she still has all these art pieces.  She never gave them to those who were to receive them.  None of us children ask anymore why she does these things ~ we just shake our heads...

This year I’ll be sending artwork out once again.  But to each family member's home so they may open their gift and keep it at their home LOL unless of course they think it would look better over at Mom’s house.

 

 

Challenge No. 1

Fall is basically over.  Frost is on my car's windows each morning.  Darkness comes early afternoon and leave late in morning.

We are preparing for winter. 

Yard has been raked.  Summer flower pots put away, as well as garden tools.

Winter gear is assembled and ready for grabbing when one leaves the house now.

Trash at West High now a Kaleidoscope

 
Will have to relearn coping skills for my nerves while driving in snow and ice again.
And I wait for the annual Holiday Bazaars.  As an artist I have to support other like 'handmade artists' so that they continue making the wonderful products that they do!  I love walking the aisles of the bazaars looking at creations that draw me to them like a moth to light.  Touching many of the items, wishing for myself or many times purchasing it for family or friends.

To each of you I also challenge you to do a new project before Thanksgiving Holiday.  To step outside of your usual domain and try taking photos of a total stranger.  Are you brave enough?  Will you step up to them and say 'I'm going to take your picture & thanks for allowing me' or are you one who will just snap shots and be anonymous?

 

Humping Day and Donating to Worthy Non-profits

Fishlips has no hump days.  I am not a paid worker.  I work for myself; as an independent micro, mini, business owner.   

Other words a starving artist.

Over this past weekend was the only holiday bazaar of the year for my business that I selected to do.  I took my photography as my main selling selection.  Then filled in spots on the table with jewelry that I create and greeting cards both mixed media and of my photos.  

Folks setting up at South High for the Rabbit Creek Christmas Towne Bazaar 32nd Annual event!  The 7th time for me and my various creations over a 15 year span.

I was amazed and very grateful to find buyers enjoying my photography.  I sold out of several prints quickly.  And just listening to those attending the bazaar state my art was so wonderful made my head swell just a tad!  As this being the first full year of showing my artwork in public I'm so happy to be able to have folks like and enjoy my work.

On Tuesday I received a lovely note in my email from the American Cancer Society asking for a donation for an upcoming fundraiser.  They had visited my booth at Rabbit Creek Christmas Towne Bazaar and thought some of my artwork would help raise money for them.

My father died of Cancer of the Pancreas in March of 2001.  

My guy’s mother died in July of 1994 of Cancer of the Pancreas.

As one on a limit income I’m always happy to donate some of my work to causes I find worthy.

Two of my larger framed artworks will be donated to the American Cancer Society for their fundraiser event: the 26^th Annual Anchorage Wine & Food Fest, which will take place at the Hotel Captain Cook on February 5, 2011.

I know my father, and Griff’s mother would be happy and pleased that I’ll be donating two pieces of art in their memory to the American Cancer Society in Anchorage, Alaska.

Now I just need to decide which pieces I shall donate so that a bidding battle occurs raising funds for a very worthy cause!

Moose Tracks

Moose live in, around, and thrive in Anchorage, Alaska. 

In my neighborhood we see a moose just about every other day.  My backyard has a creek that runs out to Cook's Inlet.  Moose follow this ancient trail in and out.  Mostly in...then they help themselves to my flowers, plants, garden delights and they love my Mountain Ashe tree during the winter. 

Luckily the moose leave my two lilac bushes alone.  Small favor indeed but priceless to me!  Lilacs are my favorite flower.

Lately a bull moose avoiding hunters and seeking out females in heat has been stalking the neighborhood.  My cockatiels become frantic when this monster is moving about our yard.  He is huge.  I would guess his rack span is well over 9 feet from one side to the other.  His shoulders are wider than any I've seen on the moose around here in last few years.  If I was a female moose my tail would be swishing for him for sure.  He is one handsome dude!

I'm betting his mommy is the female that has used our lower backyard as her nursery for the last 10 years.  For him to be traveling through our yard means he is one of the twins born a few years back.  He is prime bull moose this year!  Can't wait til spring to see his babies hobbling along in the yard.  Learning from their mom of the Ancient Trail for Moose in West Anchorage.