New Calendar!

It's always a treat to look at the latest offerings from my blogger friends.  I'm usually so inspired by what others are doing.  One of the artists I follow has a gift for capturing the beauty of nature in her sketchbook -- and then she posts her pages and I'm always in awe.  Her name is Pam Johnson Brickell, and you can find her blog here.  (I'm also a little jealous because she lives in South Carolina where the winters aren't brutal and she can enjoy the outdoors year-round.)  ANYWAY, she created a 2012 calendar and had a giveaway on her blog, and I won it!  It came in the mail yesterday and it was a little like early Christmas.  Every page had me oohing and aahing -- I already have a place in mind to hang it -- right outside of my studio where everyone in the family can admire it.

Here's a couple of pages from it:

Aren't they just magnificent?  I think she is going to be making more and selling them, so be sure to check her blog for details!  I think they would be just the best gifts for nature lovers!!

Thank you, Pam!

Arboretum tree

Here's a few more pictures of our work-in-progress.  I had to leave the actually tree decorating festivities early so I don't have any pics of the finished product.  Soon!

Letter tags that we made into garlands:

Origami stars:

Putting it all together:

Stay tuned . . .

Christmas ornaments already?!

Our calligraphy group is decorating a Christmas tree at the arboretum this year.  So all members have been invited to submit decorated tags and papers.  Some will be cut up for origami ornaments and some will be hung as is.  Here's what I've come up with so far:

I'll post more pictures as the process continues.  We're getting together Sunday afternoon to begin to pull it all together.