The new STUDIOS magazine is here!

The past few days have been filled with ups and downs...isn't life always like that?  My eldest daughter was on the brink of emergency surgery so I had a bag packed and was ready to drive three hours to be with her but, thankfully, everything turned around quickly.  I know three hours doesn't seem so far away, but it really does when you miss your child so much and all you want to do is be there to hold their hand.  I also worked at the library all weekend, which is usually not a bad thing, but having my girl on my mind made it difficult and I have to say I am exhausted today.

On a really good note, my Christmas shopping is almost done!  I love Christmas, love purchasing handmade items from people I have connected with somehow, and books are always a high priority for our family...shopping for them is always fun.  Plus I love being done early so that whenever I'm out I can just sit back and enjoy the holiday music and great treats with my friends and family.  **I do have a little secret to getting shopping done early, throughout the year I keep a small Moleskin sketchbook in my purse so that I can sketch wherever I go...AND I write down the items that people comment on while we're out, those things that catch their eye...which means I have handy birthday and Christmas wish lists with me at all times.** 

And...the winter issue of STUDIOS magazine arrived in my mailbox this morning and my own personal sanctuary is in it!  I am abundantly grateful to Kristen Shima for the absolutely beautiful photographs.  I love my space and am so glad others do, too.  So now I will make a large creamy hot chocolate (maybe with a pince of cayenne pepper and a dollop of whipped cream) and hunker down to enjoy perusing others' studio spaces...definitely favorite thing.