Happy Holidays! See you in 2011...

I hope all of you have a great Holiday surrounded by friends and family enjoying good food, laughter and fun.

2010 has been a wonderful year for me, I hope it has been for you, too. I wish all of you health and happiness now and for 2011.

Some things to remember as 2010 comes to a close: (I love making lists!)

1. tell your loved ones that you treasure them.
2. Have a chocolate milkshake every once in a while.
3. Snuggle your pets regularly.
4. Keep your mind, body and spirit healthy.
5. Wake up with a smile on your face.
6. Read a really good book. (Laura Hillenbrand has a new one out--Unbroken--it's incredible. )
7. Take a walk in the winter air and take in the season's splendor.
8. Set aside a day to do nothing. Recharge.
9. Bake cookies.
10. Have a Star Wars movie marathon.
11. Compliment someone.
12. Don't worry.
13. Replace the milk with egg nog in your favorite pancake recipe.

...and some fun stuff to do:
14. Make your own butter: whip some cream until it forms clumps or curds(keep going with the electric beater until it is past the whipped cream stage--you see the cream gets stiff and forms yellow fat globules--that's BUTTER!! Yay!), drain these butter curds through a cheesecloth or sieve, rinse the clumps until the water runs clear, form in a mound and mix a teaspoon of salt per pound of butter. Save the buttermilk! It's really great in quiche. FUN! (I grew up on a farm--and we had a Jersey cow that gave us the richest, creamiest milk imaginable. The butter made from that ultra-rich cream was heavenly.)

15. Make your own jewelry with beads, suede cord and Sculpey clay. (Sculpey clay makes great beads and bakes in the oven. Add a little gloss to the finished bead with some clear nail polish!)


Until 2011---be well, be happy, be peaceful and have fun!

Thank you for a fantastic 2010. Your support means so much to me,

Helen

Day three of cold...aaachooooooo!

...and my second day of takin' it easy in the reclining comfy chair, with laptop on my lap. Hey, that's why they call it a laptop. *groan* Go easy on me--I'm sick--pass the Kleenex!

This week I am putting the finishing touches on Phase One of the Big Project. Only a few people know what I am up to, and I appreciate their support. All will be revealed soon, I promise.

The Big Project is taking me on wonderful journeys, and I am only a few months into it. I've talked with some incredible people, been moved to tears, and met an amazing, heroic horse that stole my heart. I can't wait to share these experiences in detail. Believe me, I am chomping at the bit! Pun intended. *grin*

I know this is cryptic, but I would appreciate good wishes and lots of luck. I am very passionate about this project, and I am devoting most of my spare time to its development. Send french fries, too. They help a lot!

Thank you and I wish you happy and healthy Holiday!

Eat lots of clementines, (vitamin C is good for you),
Helen

today's photo is of Skeeter, my studio assistant.

Cooper

Cooper, 2010. approx 11x14 inches charcoal and pastel on Canson. Casey collection, CT.

The newest pet portrait, done just in time for the Holidays. I LOVE doing pet portraits, e-mail me if you want one--the process is actually super easy because I designed it that way! E-mail me at soundthebuglestudio (at) charter.net to find out more.

I also have gift certificates, perfect for Christmas morning!

It's getting quite chilly here in Connecticut--and I love it. I am definitely a cold weather girl, no doubt. The white candles are flickering in the windows of my little schoolhouse home.

Happy Holidays!

THANK YOU

Another Holiday Open Studio has come and gone, and here I am with a big smile on my face.

Thank you all, so much!

I love sharing my art and my process with people. I am honored that you want to know how I create my artwork.

My gratitude knows no bounds.

What next? After dinner and unwinding with Project Runway from Netflix, I'll probably sleep for about a gazillion hours (I am the Queen of the Mega Crash--I feel one coming on...).

Then, it's back to the Big Project. It involves research and a lot of time on the laptop and a lot of time in the studio.

Is the suspense killing ya? All will be revealed soon. Let's just say I have a lot of work ahead of me. Most of Phase One is done (eeeeeeee! YAY!!). My new deadline is January, as a research trip was rescheduled. What the flip am I talking about? *drum roll*

Watch this space!

Thanks again, everyone!

And Thank You to my incredible and talented art mentee, Ian, for all of his help today.