The Day After The Day After...

*sighs* In our family, the holiday tree comes down after New Year's. It's something that was done in both families and a tradition that D and I like to continue in our family. We've done this before without any problem--even with cats in the house. 

This year I may be taking the tree down sooner than that. Because of the cats in the house. Especially because of these cats in our house! 

 

Notice the tree leans to the right? That's because one or two of the cats (we suspect Merlin AND Harley) played "BONSAI" into the tree last night, breaking one of the stand pieces. Also note the ornaments--or the lack thereof. They are getting fewer and fewer. During the fiasco last night, D managed to catch the tree, but one of the ornaments that have been with me for 30 years got broken. I tried not to cry because after all--it's a thing right? Lives are more important than things certainly. I knew it wasn't the loss of the ornament per se that  upset me--it was the tangible evidence of that particular piece of history that upset me. 

Other than the sad state of our tree, D and I have been taking it easy. I started working on my next semester's classes. I need to revamp, revise, redo many aspects of my teaching so I'm not so swamped with students' work and the students don't get lose the high quality of teaching that's expected and needed. D is thinking about work that needs to be done around here before his final semester picks up and he gets too involved to do much about the work needed here.  

But I've taken advantage of the lull and been happily, voluntarily working my other vice...my true addiction...my obsessive-compulsive disorder. 

My NEED to BEAD. 

I actually made this for my mother-in-law before the holiday. I felt the pale pink rose and the pearls would work well for her since she likes roses.  

 The rose pendent was made by Mary Ellen at BeetreebyME. 

 She's got some new beads, flowers, angels, fairies, and other pendents in her store. 

The centerpiece finding came from Shannon over at Fab Beads. She has a great selection of various findings!

I made this set for my baby sister who also loves red roses. 

The set below is for my niece who collects crosses. I used dark red coral Swarovski crystals to accent the pieces. In case you're interested. 

 

These anklets were resized for a friend of mine who has been extremely patient with me in getting these to her. I made these for her a year or so ago, but they were the wrong size. The anklets are headed back to Washington DC today. 

I made earrings. One of these days I'll discuss my obsession with earrings and why I like them! I like all kinds of styles and as you probably have guessed--even similar ones with similar styles. Call me nuts and you'd be half right! :D

   My obsession...

Some more of Terri Stone's artwork done in a cool but funky way.

 

And these were for me. I made the necklace to go with the bracelet and earrings but forgot to photograph it.  

        The goldstone diamonds came from Gretchen Lima's store. 

The roses were made by Mary Ellen. I loved the drama of purple and red together. Cool, royal, and dignified versus hot, passionate, and intense. Mary Ellen's art is simply beautiful. This picture doesn't do them justice unfortunately.

 

 I have a surprise gift occasion coming up in a month or two. I decided to make this in advance. While I had some time. While I could bead. The pendent bead is from Ivy Koehn who does beautiful artwork at ikandiclay.

So what are your plans for New Year's? Will you go out and party in the New Year? Or will you stay at home and have a peaceful night?