
“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re Doing Something.” ~ Neil Gaiman, British author

I spent some time in my art room yesterday experimenting with my new wood burning tool. I WISH I could do what you see above. So far, MY stuff compares reasonably well with a 4-year-old with crayons, but the images wouldn’t make it to the fridge door, even if you loved me. :0)
Happily, I found a wonderful source of help. A wonderful lady name Jannie Lisonbee has recorded YouTube videos on pyrography that I’m just starting to watch. I watched one yesterday of the 7 things she wished she had known before she started. She also has a website called Burn Savvy.com that shows various nibs and what they’re used for – just what I was looking for! I just signed up for her newsletter and emails. I feel like I won the lottery – well, ALMOST….
Our backyard neighbors didn’t feel obligated to put on a fireworks show to entertain the Lewises at midnight, so we just hugged each other, said “Happy New Year” and went to bed around 12:30.
Today is cool and crisp, nice and sunny.
My husband’s Christmas present was a MIG wire welder. He’s enjoying playing with it, buying stuff to use with it, reading about it in the manual that came with it, and online. He wants to set it up for gas AND electric. He’s found some videos on people making things with it, and so is in “Hog Heaven.”

MY present was my wood-burning tool, and then I ordered some replacement kitchen knives. They are ceramic and called, “Kyocera.” I truly love them and use what I have every day. I’ve had the set for several years, but, sadly, I chipped two. I’m still using them, but I decided that I would really enjoy having ones that weren’t chipped.
My only New Year’s Resolution is to try to give myself a break. One thing in particular is my new ‘habit’ of hitting the backs of my hands on things, causing large bruises. (I’ve TRIED telling my friends that my husband is abusing me, but they don’t believe it. They know I’m just a clutz.) I don’t know I’ve done it until AFTER I’ve clobbered one hand (or both) again. It would be nice to be bruise-free at least every once in a while. :0)

This Calvin & Hobbes piece we made will go up on our mailbox today or tomorrow.
I wish us all the happiest of New Years!






