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

Xmas

Xmas

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.
Xmas 2012

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!).
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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).  
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{Jacy looking pumped!}
I also love how craft can bring people together!  :)
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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.  
Turning a sweater into 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:  
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:)

Work work work

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