Happy New Year!

I am finally back to the blog after a long holiday vacation away. Most of the ornaments are put away and I am now knee-deep in tax forms that must be out by the end of the month. I've been busily crafting also.

One of the big events for the craft and hobby industry is only 14 days away. It's the Craft and Hobby Show. This industry show is mainly for retailers who go to view the latest products to order for their stores. Business seminars and classes on how to use the products are also available.

Designers are a big part of the show and participate in many ways. We teach classes. We demonstrate for the manufacturers on the show floor. Designers also have the chance to show their work to a wide section of the craft industry including manufacturers, publishers and editors. We can have a booth right on the show floor or showcase our designs in a table-top display.

So, January is a little crazy as I try to come up with some new designs and create an eye-catching display. And, then, I try to fit it all into my suitcase! For the last couple of years, I have used canvas panels hinged together for my back drop. They were painted a nice soft green with lightly stenciled ferns here and there. This year I'm going bolder. I came up with this woodsy abstract by mixing three colors of paint and streaking it on with a foam brush.

I don't paint often, and when I do, it's usually a small kid's craft, so this abstract was out of my usual genre. I think it was a nice change from the precision of needlepoint and jewelry-making. And, when I get back from the show, I might put it on my wall!

Hope you'll try something outside your usual craft this month!

Happy crafting!

Terry