ornament swap and classes in 2012

I have patiently been watching this stack grow for the last 

couple of weeks.

My friend, Deryn Mentock, asked me to (step in) participate in the annual 

Twelve Days of Christmas Ornament Swap,
as she recuperates from what sounds like excruciating shoulder pain.

I was sad (for her) yet thrilled she asked me to be a part of it, 
as I have watched from afar each year as she opened the swap ornaments, one by one, from 11 or sometimes 12, very talented artists...
Ruth Rae
  Maija Lepore
  Kelly Snelling
Joanna Pierotti
Pilar Pollack
Jackie Allison

Melissa David

  Crystal Neubauer
 Sally Turlington
 Lou McCulloch
Danita Salcido
 Deryn Mentock
So now, I am anxiously waiting for tomorrow,
as that's the day the group decided to begin opening the ornaments this year!
*(I will be posting pics each day)*

Soon after I had my 12 ornaments out the door, I began reminiscing on the past year.
My husband and I crisscrossed the United States, 
as I taught at quite a variety of venues,
finding out that after teaching at the last retreat in September....

....I needed a little rest =)

Well, that lasted for about 2 weeks....or less.

I began working on preliminary details for a couple of online classes 

that I will be teaching next summer at 

Artful Gathering.

Two of my favorite classes,
Etched and Layered Cuffs

"Etched & Layered Cuff"

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and

Heart Strings

"Heart Strings"

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You can be sure that I'll be packing in as much information in these two classes
as I possibly can!
On another note, for the first time in over 15 years,
I was able to get our Christmas tree up by December 1st!
It felt great hanging the ornaments I've pulled out of boxes for more years than I can count.

This little snowman was made by my Melanie 

(who is 36 today~HaPpY BirThDAy Mel) 

 in elementary school....*sigh*.
I love decorating for Christmas, and always vow I will do it earlier.  But, I must admit,
it is just not that fun climbing up into the attic and pulling out way more boxes of decorations than are needed.  Yes, I have some culling to do.
Which I will finally do, in January =)
Now, onto more class details for 2012.
I have been on the phone and emailing potential teachers for the
Spring and Fall art retreats at The Prairie.
As mentioned in my earlier post, Deryn Mentock and I will be teaching in the Spring.
Three days of classes.  Special after hours activities.  And MORE.
The lovely Karen Valentine is busy working away on our new site.
Details will continue to trickle in as they develop.
And finally,
I've been busy working on a new class that will debut at The Prairie.

 Just can't get enough of it.
See you tomorrow.