In my studio (oh those words make me smile!), I have been doing lots of different things this past month… but not really finishing much of anything. I have been *so* excited and happy to just be there , it’s been hard to concentrate!

I’m finally settling down a bit and I just finished this piece. It’s for the upcoming “Something to Crow About” show at the Details, Past and Present gallery.

I can’t believe Sosi is turning 7 this weekend. I look at her and all I see is my little baby. She still has those same ginormous brown eyes and round cheeks she had back then, and still never wants to be alone…

I somehow convinced her that a family trip to Halifax would be more fun than the usual big friends from school birthday party (it wasn’t hard… neither of us too crazy about parties). We are all super excited for some big city fun!

To make up for the lack of a party, we had her 2 best friends over for cake and pizza last weekend. It just so happens that their moms are also my best friends. So this worked out nicely for everybody! It was a great night.

We had so much fun decorating for this special evening. We made a giant 7 (I was inspired by this) and decorated it with polka dots, making this our “polka dot” party. She then got into the balloons and made this beautiful balloon wall. It felt more like installation art to me!

This girl has taught me so much over these past 7 years. Each day she tests me, challenges me, inspires me, ….but  most of all she just loves me. That is the thing I have learned most from her,  to love.

Happy birthday baby girl,

(Wondering about the cute matching t-shirts with my dogs speaking french drawing? They were made by the good people at ooshirts )

pages of a project that is in its final stages… just a bit more to do,

Ila’s mini art gallery,

a portrait Sosi did of Paul and I, it might be my most favourite thing ever.

I just finished this painting for my best friend who just had her first baby. I’m so happy for her. I always thought she would be a wonderful mom, but she was never sure. I think she agrees with me now!

I’m using these quiet days to organize all my fabric. I want to have them separated by colour, when I go looking a for a piece of something pink it takes me ages because I have to dig through bin after bin. I’ve wanted to do this for years, it makes me ridiculously happy to see them all in little piles.

This year I’m trying to hold on to my happiness… instead helplessly watching it slip through my fingers as we move into the dark, cold and sickness-filled-days of winter. First step: a HappyLight. This was our xmas gift to each other. We huddle around it at the breakfast table and let the happiness soak into us.

Step two: Take nothing for granted, stop and enjoy the little moments… like this one (this is how Ila came out of her room one morning).

… and this one (this is how I came across her one night).

Focus on the good things… like this drawing Sosi just walked up and handed to me. Her drawings make me so, so happy.

Stop being too busy to just spend time on the floor with my kids. Great things happen down there!

 12 things happy people do differently, worth checking out.

What are you doing to stay happy?

(All pictures were taken with my iPhone, using the Instragram app, which I love. If you want to follow me there… my profile name is lorijoy.)

… I’m trying to focus on the upside of being shut in all week with a sickie.

- lots of time to snuggle in the super cozy new bunk beds…

thanks Paul (it’s the best gift ever!)

-slow days spent in pjs with picnics in the playroom (yes! a playroom… this is very exciting)

-stealing moments to work on this beauty… hoping be  2012 might the year it gets finished.

Hoping  2012 brings you many happy things.

Here is my one of my favorite gifts from this Christmas, hope you are all happy and enjoying your own favourite things.

Be back here soon. Happy holidays!

I haven’t had too much to say these day, I’ve just been savoring these wonderful moments leading up to Christmas (and the completion of a project I’ve been working on for months, YAY!).

I love how these last days before Christmas are full of excitement of the gifts you’re going to give. There have been many late nights working away (my husband is making bunk beds for xmas!).

I’m also feeling so happy that I finally got to settle in to my studio. This place doesn’t look like much… but trust me it is full of magic!

I thought it was fitting that my first day in the studio was spent knitting doll clothes for Ila. Feels so good to be knitting again.

I’m  feeling so grateful for my little family who finally are all heathy (knock on wood) and  for all the family,  friends and neighbours that  we will be seeing and sharing time with over the next few days.

I am wishing you much happiness and coziness and love this holiday season.

* For a real treat check out these Christmas song/simple animations at Hallo Heute, she’s posted one for each day of December. It’s impossible to choose a favourite, they are all so good!*

Merry Christmas!!!

I just finished these 2 fabric pieces. It really is such a treat to get to work on these.