Well, winter is here on the calendar, but not visibly as yet.  We didn’t have a white Christmas, but I’m sure we’ll have snow soon.  I could be happy without any at all.

I have lots of winter and spring classes on the Classes page of the website, along with pictures of the projects.  There will only be one project taught at each class as it is so confusing to find things and make copies at the last minute.  This way I can have everything ready for you when you arrive at class and we can all begin together.  I have picked projects that will allow you to learn the most techniques possible.  After all, that is why you are here at class - to learn how to paint well. 

All of the painting classes will be on Monday evenings, but I will teach some great sewing and needle-art projects on Wednesday afternoons and evenings.  I hope you find some projects that you would like to do.  I also have classes on Saturdays and for those classes the students can work on what they wish.  They can also do one of the Monday or Wednesday projects on Saturday.

I am trying to get my theme trees organized this year.  I feel like it is time to get things finished and to be better organized.  I started making theme Christmas trees a few years ago and now have a Gingerbread tree, a Patriotic tree, a Music tree, and a Quilt tree.  My goal was to make all of the ornaments and then put them all in a beautiful Bentwood Brides Box or round cheese boxes.  I bought four boxes but now I want to paint a picture of some of the ornaments on the outside of the box.

Gingerbread Tree	Close Up of Gingerbread
Musical Notes Tree	Close Up of Musical Notes
Patriotic Tree	Quilt Tree
Another View of Quilt Tree	Close Up of Quilt Ornaments

I hope to add an Angel theme tree, a Snowman theme tree, OH, COME ON, help me out here?????? I’m running out of ideas!!!!!!

List of Possible Christmas Tree Themes
Angels
Snowmen
	Tea Cups
Roses
Antique Toys / Trains
Birds
Cup Cakes
Teddy Bears

Since my goal was to make one for each of my grandchildren, I need to get my act in gear and get busy as I have nine grandchildren and the youngest is almost sixteen and the oldest is twenty-one.  I thought it would be fun to allow the grandchild to pick the one that they would like to have upon the occasion of their wedding.  There aren’t any weddings planned as yet fortunately, but time seems to be flying by and before I know it there will be lots of weddings and great-grandchildren!  Now, what shall I do for them????

If anyone wants to start a theme tree, let me know and I’ll guide you through the planning.  It is much easier with less grandchildren.

The sewing and needle-art projects are lots of fun, but sometimes there are costs at the beginning for equipment, but then the costs go down after you get your equipment, such as a punch needle, hoop, and good sharp scissors.  I love to do the punch needle projects and look forward to teaching rug punch later on this year.  I would also like to add some rug hooking classes, but that requires a frame, which will add cost to the beginning classes.  It is all very satisfying to work on and the projects look so wonderful in your homes when finished.  Think about joining us for some needle-art and sewing projects. 

Saturday classes will resume on January 6th, and the Monday night classes will start January 16th. 

One of my students, Janice Smith is in Clifton Springs Hospital after a bad fall resulting in a broken collar bone and some other complications.  We wish her a quick recovery and hope to see her back at classes when she recovers.   

Please let me know what classes you want to sign up for and I’ll be sure to have plenty of materials and supplies for classes.  It is much easier to know in advance who is coming to classes so I can be prepared. 

Happy New Year to Everyone!  Hope to see you in class in 2012.