Happy Holi-daze

Whoa.  We just got back a few days ago from our holiday crazy bonanza of travel.  We had six Christmas celebrations and one college friend reunion.  Here are some shots from the last week of travels!

{Check out the adorable sweater I made for my equally adorable nephew.}





And, last but not least, my favorite gift to give was this one:  A little painting I made of my nephew for my sister and brother-in-law.


Hope you all had a happy, healthy, and fun holiday!

Knitting!

Now that the weather has cooled off and my schedule has become a little less insane, I finally re-started our knitting night!  I started knitting when I was in college and haven't stopped.  It has been a great way to meet new people.  When I moved to Sycamore, IL for grad school and when I moved here to South Dakota - some of the first people I met were fellow knitters (who I found through Ravelry.com - a great resource for fiber artists!).

Last week I had the honor of teaching my new friend Kacie how to knit (and she's already halfway through her first scarf!) at our Stitch & Bitch.  It is fun to teach people a new craft.  I've probably taught about 50 people how to knit in my lifetime, and I really love seeing the directions they go with their craft!  Making things with your hands can be so rewarding and relaxing (once you get the hang of it).  

{Jacy looking pumped!}

I also love how craft can bring people together!  :)

I worked on a pair of legwarmers made from some recycled wool yarn - they are finished now, and I've worn them almost every day since then!

I've also been working on dismantling a few other sweaters to 'harvest' their yarn.  

It is my favorite way to get yarn. :)  

Well, I better get back to my grading!  I've got another day's worth then I am done!!!

In the Studio - Progress/Process

I feel like things have really been moving along with a great flow in my studio.  I think I've gotten to the point where my painting practice is completely ingrained into my weekly routine.  This is probably a good thing as I've got a lot of shows coming up in the next six months:

   Jan-Feb: Solo exhibit at the University of Sioux Falls, SD

   Feb-March: Ipso Gallery with Mark Stemwedel, SD

   March-April: Solo exhibit at Deer Run Art Gallery, CA

   June: Solo exhibit at Brookings Community Cultural Center, SD

Here's a bit of what I've been working on:  

Keep your fingers crossed that I keep my sanity in the next few months! :)