Holiday Art Market was a...

...a great success.  Matt has my camera down in St. George for the girls basketball tournament, so I don't have great quality pictures to post today.

This past month, my grandfather passed away and I left town unexpectedly a few days before the Holiday Art Market show began.  It was a challenge to get the word out and post preview pictures of what would be available at the show, if I wanted to actually finish the projects.  So, it just didn't happen the way I would have liked, and I've been playing catch up ever since my return home, so I've shared nothing with you this season.  There are certainly things that come up in our lives that become more important.  I was so grateful I could be at grandpa's funeral to a honor him.  He was just a few months shy of 99 years old.  Rest in peace Grandpa.  

I snapped a couple pictures with my iPhone before loading my car with one of the hand painted chairs, so the quality isn't super, but you get the idea.  I had 3 different chairs available, all of them sold, but I wanted to share the fun.  Samantha, I hope Santa's visit to your family Christmas party was extra special with the official Believe chair.  The one below was just so festive with all the little finials and curves, the decoupaged music and the hand lettered painted phrase, "Santa stop here, pretty please".  The embroidered upholstery reads, "Believe".  I like to think of these chairs as a new tradition for those that have the jolly old elf in the big red suit make his annual visit to the church or family gathering.  And they are smaller than an artificial tree, right?  I have a duplicate one that I never put out at the shows, I'm just really quite attached to the idea of keeping it now.  But do you remember the new, "No more chairs" rule Matt has established around here?  I need to gently work him up to the idea before putting it out by the fireplace Christmas Eve.

Speaking of traditions, my Grandma June always had a flocked Christmas tree in the big  family room.  She adorned it with toys, elves, nutcrackers and birds.  I loved her flocked tree.  I miss her around Christmas.  She made everything magical for her grandchildren.  This wreath was definitely inspired by her.  I think other shoppers at Art Market had similar grandmas from the feedback I received.

I have a few things left over from the show, and some individuals have asked me if I would do one more showing.  So, this Monday, I have decided to open my door to those last minute shoppers and friends.  I will make a few more decor items today, because several items sold out and I have a limited amount of extra supplies.  So it will be a small sampling, but hopefully you are all organized, unlike me, and can just come to shop for a few little things (by appointment only).  I should be ready by 10 am, Monday the 19th.  Call or text me if your interested in coming, 801-550-9207.

Please come back here and visit me next week.  I'll be posting all my home preparations and recent creative work I've done during the Christmas countdown.  I've got my nephews coming, so it's going to be extra magical.  I can't wait to have this little guy and this little guy here again on Christmas morning.  The. Best.  Lots of family will be coming to our house for a Christmas dinner, and then a talent night, caroling, a Santa visit, and probably the best children's Christmas Pageant ever.