Featherstone Mask Party

In January we went to the Featherstone Mask Making Party in Ravensdale to help Gill celebrate her birthday. Here's my completed mask. I used lots of seed beads and strands of freshwater pearls along with colored glitter pens and even some yarn.

Whatever it was, it was funny.......and I love Debbie's mask LOL!

Me, Nicole, & Dan.

Lotsa goodies for our mask making.

Marilyn & I.

Shells, Fossils & Rocks completed this mask.

Marilyn used lots of feathers and would you believe, scrapbooking supplies!

Marilyn & Nicole

This was Marilyn's first time out to a Featherstone gathering of artists. We had tons of fun, great food, good wine, and wonderful conversations with fellow artists. Can't wait for the next get together in March.

Wildlife World Zoo, Phoenix

We all took a trip to the Wildlife World Zoo during our visit to Phoenix. The Giraffes are probably my favorite and here's a young one enjoying some time away from it's mother.

The big cats are sooooo amazing.........

.........but we hate the cages!

Love the Zebras......

......and all the exotic birds.

Christmas Day with Grandma & Grandpa

We were lucky enough to spend the Christmas break at Dan's parents in Phoenix this year. After our side trip to the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas we made it back to Phoenix on Christmas Eve and stayed until after the New Year.

Christmas morning, Shannon & Kendra both got cozy hats. Shannon's turned out to be a bit big....................

.......but Kendra's fit perfectly.

Al & Chris thought his musical tie was pretty cool!

I think she likes it!!

I guess Shannon's happy too!

A few days after Christmas we took a hike up to White Tank Falls at the White Tank Mountains Park. It was one of the hottest days we had.

There are lots of petroglyphs in the park...

and Shannon & Kendra climbed up to the falls although it was completely dry.

The next day we went to Scottsdale and saw this wonderful metal sculpture of an Indian lady.

Chris & Al get to see incredible sunsets from the back of their house.

Vegas

Las Vegas............

It was cold and windy in Vegas but it was Shannon & Kendra's
first visit to the big city. The canals and gondolas were cool but

certainly nothing like the real thing that we were lucky enough

to visit in 2008.

The Holiday decorations were incredible. These Polar Bears and Snowmen were all made from thousands of carnations!

The casinos, the shopping malls, everything was so opulent. I don't think Shannon & Kendra will forget Las Vegas in a hurry!

Grand Canyon

We took a trip to the Grand Canyon over Christmas break. It was so beautiful with all the snow on the ridges.
We even got to see this Elk close up and personal!




Kendra found a tree she wanted to climb....

What an amazing place on earth.

Creche

We just spent an evening at Creche in Maple Valley. Over 400 nativities on display and live music performances by local musicians. Shannon & Kendra each played a solo on the piano, followed by a duet. Their piano teacher Amy is a member of the church holding the creche so the girls were invited to play this evening. They both did a great job and were already invited back for next year!

Hassle Free Holiday Bazaar

The weekend before Thanksgiving I could be found at the Hassle Free Holiday Bazaar in Renton. I set up my own little store there complete with sprigs of Christmas Holly and other little bejeweled items. It was a lot of hard work but a lot of fun too. Check out the pictures.

Friends, Sharon & Shawn Miller stopped by
to buy some goodies for their new home.


Mmm, mmm fresh fudge!



Of course my BF Marilyn was there
with her purses and totes. Check out her store at
http://www.bymarilyn.etsy.com/



Shannon came to help me.........









Ann was there selling her doggie treats, bandanas and doggie themed earings too.....woof, woof!





Just a few of my treasures.