Christmas 2009

As we gather with family and friends on this Christmas day 2009, we count our blessings for all that God has given to us. We truly are blessed.

~The famous Byers' Choice carolers~

~A fanciful place setting from Christmas Eve dinner~

~Mom's classic ceramic Christmas tree~

Last-Minute Running Around

In all of this last-minute prep work for Christmas Eve dinner, I had time to "collect" some Christmas cookies, drop off some Christmas gifts, and receive some Christmas gifts. This beautiful tree belongs to my friend Georgie. She's a fabulous artist, great friend, and she always designs the most unique Christmas cards. Are there presents under this tree?

My friend Becky is a talented jeweler and designer. She designed this wonderful Christmas ornament. Becky now sells her jewelry and ornaments in the new Art Seen Gallery on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre. Be sure to check out the gallery for some last-minute Christmas presents.

I couldn't leave Mom's house without some Italian cookies, chocolate chip cookies, and peanut butter cookies. Love, love, love the Italian cookies. This year, Mom made them with a lemon flavor instead of anise. That's OK because my friend Lynn of Lynn's Craft World swung by my afternoon art class with a little surprise.

Lynn knows how much I love her anise-flavored Italian cookies. So, she was kind enough to give me my own bag. Lynn, you're the best!

Lynn also gave me a bag of ginger Biscotti from Nonni's. They're great with tea or hot chocolate.

John's cousin Joanie gave us this wonderful napkin holder. Made in Bermuda, the wooden napkin holder looks like my cat Julius. I love it!

Cupcake Wishes Do Come True

In the last sentence of yesterday's blog post, I wished for a cupcake. Well, God answered my prayers. John came home this afternoon with a box of goodies from the Owen Street Bakery in Swoyersville. It's uncanny how there's a cherry on top of this cupcake as well as the one in my logo. Hmmm. Be careful what you wish for!
The Owen Street Bakery makes the BEST apricot kolachy. A traditional Polish pastry, each kolachy is loaded with apricot filling and covered in sugar. Yum!

A stickler for spelling, I searched the Internet for the correct spelling of kolachy, and I came up with kolacz, kolachki, kolacky, kolachy, kolace, kolachi, kolache, and kolachke. Spell it how you want to; these treats are addicting.

Here's a closeup of these awesome treats. If you're looking for delicious pastries, be sure to give the Owen Street Bakery a try. They're located at 90 Owen Street in Swoyersville, PA. They can be reached at (570) 287-3940.

Logo Design for Georgie's Bake Shoppe

This is the logo I designed for Georgie's Bake Shoppe for my Web-design project. I painted the cupcake on an old piece of wood, and then I scanned it into my computer and added the text. I wish I had a cupcake now.

Babushka Betty's Homemade Pierogies

After teaching my jewelry class this morning at Arts YOUniverse, I ventured into the kitchen to find Marie of Babushka Betty's selling her famous, homemade pierogies. Here's a plate of pierogies smothered in butter and onions that Marie was getting ready to serve . There's nothing like the taste of pierogies smothered in butter and onions.

Two weeks ago, I discovered Marie selling pierogies at Arts YOUniverse, and I was thrilled to find her because Marie and her family used to make the pierogies for St. Joe's bazaar in Hudson every year. I purchased two dozen of the potato and cheese and two dozen of the farmers cheese for my Christmas Eve dinner. I couldn't trust myself with the pierogies in my freezer, so I put them in Mom's freezer until Christmas Eve.

Marie's recipe is to die for (just like Mom's recipe), and Marie does not skimp on the filling! If you're looking for homemade pierogies, give Marie a call at (570) 824-4794.

Also, check with Arts YOUniverse because Marie will be selling pierogies there on selected Saturdays and Wednesdays.

PS - Marie makes her farmers cheese pierogies with a touch of salt (not sugar). I never understood that sugar thing with farmers cheese. Where did that come from?

Berwick Lights

John and I had the opportunity to take in the 63rd Annual Christmas Boulevard hosted by the Berwick Jaycees.

As you drive down Market Street in Berwick, Pennsylvania, you'll see many scenes that celebrate the Christmas season. They did a wonderful job with the manger.

Is this a gopher or a woodchuck?

I'm not sure what these cats are doing in the trees. Although, they kind of look like Julius, and he likes climbing trees.

A representative from Young's Funny Farm was on hand with several wild burros. Gotta love these beautiful animals. They're so adorable. Please visit Young's Funny Farm for more information. They provide a home to abandoned and rescued animals, and their animals are used as therapy animals.

I always loved the Heat Miser's hair. He's such a hot head. Check out that message.

When in Berwick, a visit to May's Family Restaurant is a must. May's Restaurant has the BEST chili (next to Mom's, of course). Their chili is loaded with chunks of beef, beans, and tomatoes, and the chili has just a touch of sugar to taste. John and I always take a quart of chili to go.

When my best friends Stacy and Bill were with me on the skating circuit, we always stopped by May's before our big night of roller skating at Skate Town in Bloomsburg. Ahhh...the good old days. It was even better when Jen joined us too.

If you're looking for a great, home-style meal at a good price, May's is your place. The turkey and stuffing dinner (with three sides) was a whopping $7.90. When I learned macaroni and cheese was one of the sides tonight, I ordered two along with the chili. You also get rolls, corn bread, and cranberry sauce with your meal. The leftovers are even better.

Meatball and Scamutz

When I found out John was on his way to Hazleton today, I asked him to pick up a ball of scamutz from The Cheese Store on 15th Street. If you love cheese, give scamutz a try. A bit like mozzarella, but at the same time not according to the expert I spoke to, it makes a great topping for any favorite food item.

Scamutz is easy to cut. When you take a slice and start to pull it apart, it's very stringy.

Meatball and scamutz - to die for!

Four Seasons of Beading Now Available

~image used with permission by DRG Publishing~Four Seasons of Beading

As a writer and designer for jewelry and crafting projects, the most satisfying part of the process is seeing my creations in print. It takes a long time until a book or magazine hits the bookshelves, but that's what makes the entire process worthwhile.

When I opened the door this morning, the new book titled Four Seasons of Beading by Barb Switzer was sitting on my doorstep. Once again, Barb did a wonderful job on this project. The photographs in this book are spectacular.

Wow! What an honor it is to be in the same book as Barb Switzer, Molly Schaller, Margot Potter, Candie Cooper, Fernando Dasilva, and all the other great designers!

~image used with permission by DRG Publishing~

This necklace is called Sea Treasure. The focal pendant is by bead artist Joan Miller. I purchased the pendant at last year's Philadelphia Bead Show. I knew the pendant would work well with the cathedral glass beads by Blue Moon Beads that I purchased from A.C. Moore as well as the chunks of turquoise and amethyst chips purchased from Fusion Beads.

No stringing project would be complete without the pewter beads called "pewties" by Talisman Associates. The seashell beads were purchased from Sweet Creek Inc.

~image used with permission by DRG Publishing~

Since I have the pleasure of teaching art and jewelry making at our local A.C. Moore store in Wilkes-Barre, I always get to see all the latest products. I love that aspect of teaching at this fabulous craft store! When I spied the new resin beads by Plaid Enterprises, I went nuts!

I also purchased the green pearls by Blue Moon Beads from A.C. Moore. Again, the pewter beads are from Talisman Associates, the Swarovski crystals are from Fusion Beads, and the head pins and jump rings are from Fire Mountain Gems.

If you like these resin charms, fellow jewelry designer Candie Cooper has a fabulous changeable pendant project on page 122 using long, resin charms by Plaid Enterprises.

As a metalsmith, I had the chance to take a class with a pioneer in resin for jewelry making in the early 90s with Susan Sloan. Believe me. This is a long process, and if you like quick and easy jewelry making like Margot Potter does, it's worth purchasing these resin beauties by Plaid Enterprises.

If you're looking for some fabulous jewelry projects, ask for this new book at your local craft or bookstore, or visit Amazon.com to pick up a copy today.

Now on to my next project.

Grand Opening Prize on Merry Whatever

I'd like to invite you all to the grand opening of the new Merry Whatever blog. My friend Sandra started the blog as a way for several of her artist friends to sell their holiday-inspired wares. As artists, we'll be celebrating all the holidays throughout the year. So, you may just find some of my patriotic artwork posted soon as I'm a big fan of red, white, and blue.

To spread the word about the blog, Sandra of Babycakes Doodles & Designs is offering this lovely, one-of-a-kind set of three hand-painted paper mache boxes. All you have to do is join the
Merry Whatever blog, and make a comment on the blog to be entered to win the boxes.

The drawing will be held on December 25.

Hope you'll become a fan of Merry Whatever!

Candy Land Christmas

As I feverishly work on my Web-design project, I had to take a break to get some photos of the community pavilion. This picture reminds me of Candy Land. The Christmas lights look like gumdrops, and the snow looks like marshmallow. Here's to the first snowfall in Northeast PA.

The lights cast a magnificent glow on the snow-covered bushes.

You know Christmas is near when you start to see all the wonderful lights.

Beautiful!

I love all the interesting shapes that the lights and snow create.

~A magnificent sight~

Snowy Makes An Appearance

~image used with permission of Connections Magazine~

I'd like to thank the folks at Connections Magazine for choosing my artwork for their December 2009 cover. As always, they did a wonderful job. This is my third cover for this magazine. It's a fantastic read, so be sure to check it out.

Here's a direct link to the information about the cover artist on their Web site.

I painted the original piece using watercolors, and then I used Photoshop to add the lettering to the snowman's hat. Just in time for Christmas, I think he's perfect for the December issue.

Liz's Jewelry Now Available at The Lure of Sirens

I'm happy to announce that my jewelry is now available for sale at The Lure of Sirens just in time for the holiday shopping season. Be sure to stop by The Lure of Sirens, which is located on the third floor at Arts YOUniverse.
Carrey Ann, the owner of The Lure of Sirens, sells her artwork, gifts, jewelry, and belly-dance wear. Yes, she offers belly-dance lessons. Carrey Ann was hard at work when I stopped by.

Carrey Ann does a wonderful job displaying her jewelry and gifts. The store/studio is a great place to shop and visit.

Don't forget about the holiday craft fair that will be held at Arts YOUniverse on Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7. Be sure to visit The Lure of Sirens during this upcoming shopping event. You're sure to find something for that special someone.

Day Trip to South Jersey

What a beautiful day it was for a drive to South Jersey. I love this town clock in Gibbsboro, New Jersey.

No trip to South Jersey is complete without swinging by the famous Berlin Farmer's Market, which is one of the oldest and largest indoor/outdoor markets on the East Coast. The seagulls were flying around the parking lot today as usual. I tried to get a snapshot of the little guys, but they were a bit too high for my camera today.

Besides all the fabulous flea market finds outside, I always have to stop by to see Ed at 5G's. He carries the largest selection of garden flags, and it was in his store that I first saw one of my designs on a garden flag in an actual store when I started to license my artwork (besides receiving samples from the manufacturer).

A trip to this market requires a stop at Lee's Produce. Where else can you get four lemons for $1.00, fresh mushrooms for $1.49, and a large container of fresh-cut fruit for $2.49? If you're looking for fresh produce at a reasonable price, Lee's Produce is your place.

~Back to Auntie Carol's for a peek at Simon snoozing on his quilt~

Holiday Crafting at Arts YOUniverse

We had a blast today at our holiday crafting event at Arts YOUniverse. Participants ranging from ages 6 through 90 were invited to attend our all-day crafting workshops, and we even had a guest photographer from the Times Leader show up to take pictures of the event. Be sure to watch the paper for the story next week.

Kathleen Godwin, executive director at Arts YOUniverse, taught students how to crochet with old fabric, make dolls, and make dream catchers. She also taught students how to make origami boxes, and she showed them some neat origami tricks, such as making Christmas trees and wearable rings using dollar bills. Kathleen is the origami queen!

I showed students how to make jewelry using recycled mat board and decorative art papers.

The students did a fantastic job with their recycled jewelry!

I also taught students how to use recycled brown paper bags to create these lovely, little decorations. These ornaments are stuffed with Christmas-scented potpourri, and they make for wonderful, folksy, primitive Christmas decorations.

Of course, I had to tell everyone why I came up with the idea for making these paper ornaments. Read more about that here.

A fun time was had by all today. We will definitely hold another crafting event like this in the future. Stay tuned for more fun.

Black Friday at Home Again

I dropped off several original paintings at Home Again just in time for Black Friday. This original oil painting is titled Christine's Relics. This painting features an old whiskey bottle and some wooden trinkets.

All the paintings I dropped off at the store have something to do with alcohol or cigarettes. And I don't even drink or smoke.