Sunday, November 29, 2009

'Tis the Season

Santa Sun Catcher

I love decorating for the holidays. I think I got that from my mother. Christmas was her favorite time of year and I so enjoyed helping her decorate the house. She had so many clever ways to bring the spirit of Christmas into our home. Now I feel that I carry that tradition in my own way.

I feel like I've been missing in action for several weeks. Holiday preparations and all that. I wanted to share a few of my stained glass creations that decorate our home this season. The first is a Santa sun catcher. I wish I could claim this design as my own, but I cannot. In the days before I started creating my own designs, I was quite the fan of Christmas pattern books. This originally was a Christmas ornament and I just didn't think that was the right size for this Santa, so I made him about 12" in diameter and he hangs in the kitchen window. I was really big on adapting patterns to suit my tastes and this guy is a perfect example of that. He helps me enjoy my time doing the dishes...of which I am not a fan, but it's one of those tasks that must be done! I used several different types of iridescent glass (red & white) in this one. He really does make me smile.

The Candle Nestled in Poinsettias

I've always loved finding the right glass to create a flame for a candle. I probably made this piece a good 15 years ago. Red poinsettias were my mom's favorite! The white in the candle is this great iridescent glass. I made several from the pattern book I had, one with a cardinal, one with some bells, all very Christmasy! I shared these creations as gifts with family and friends and kept this one for myself. This one is hung at the side window by our front door.

O Christmas Tree

This last one is another favorite of mine. A Christmas tree, but instead of the usual green, I used Bullseye's confetti and streamers Christmas glass with reds and greens. I had fun incorporating the red and green glass jewels in this one too. I have placed this next to the Christmas tree in our living room.

Each year these migrate to different locations in our home. I hope you enjoy the sign above this tree as much as I do. I found it a couple of years ago and really enjoyed the humorous note.

I do have projects waiting for completion and look forward to sharing these with you very soon.

Until next time, aspire to be more as an artist and a person. I hope your Thanksgiving holiday was wonderful.


13 comments:

-Don said...

I'll admit it, I'm a Christmasaholic...and proud of it. We usually start our Christmas season the day after Thanksgiving, but this year, one of our friends who was over for Thanksgiving had never seen "A Christmas Story" and we had to remedy that. So, this year it started a day early and will continue until the kids go back to school in January.

I really enjoy your Christmas glass designs. I especially like that Santa. I'd be willing to do your dishes to get a chance to be in front of it for a while.

-Don

Janelle Goodwin said...

All of these pieces are wonderful. I'm not sure that I have a favorite because they all have a different personality. Isn't it interesting to see how you used to do things and how you've progressed? I started out doing tole painting about 25 years ago. Thanks for sharing these, Kathleen. I need to start decorating!

Kathleen Krucoff said...

Hi Janelle. Yes it is interesting to see how our works have evolved. These are sentimental favorites for me.

Hey Don! I sure will take you up on the offer to do dishes! LOL :D Sounds like Christmas at your house is in full swing...that's great!

Celeste Bergin said...

well...it has to be said the Santa is my fav...but they are all so cheerful they all get stars. Thanks for sharing these, I don't have Christmas things up yet and this reminds me how a house is transformed by Christmas thingys--these are truly nice ones!

Kathleen Krucoff said...

Oh thanks so much Celeste! As I progressed with decorating this weekend, the spirit just took over. Enjoy your decorating!

K S Jewellery Designs said...

Nearly missed this blog post as I have been busy over the last few days or so (hasn't everyone!).

Anyway, I had to comment... I love the fact you have shown us some of your earlier pieces and how wonderful that they come out every year as part of your Christmas decorations - like old friends coming to visit.

Kristin :)

Kathleen Krucoff said...

Thanks Kristin!

Yes, you are right, we've all been very busy lately.

These are my sentimental favorites and I am happy to share them.

Deborah Younglao, Silk Painter said...

Love 'em! I think my fav is the candle. I'm a sucker for anything iridescent and that white glass does it for me! I like the transparency of the tree, that allows it to become whatever color is behind it.

Oh, and I love that expansive view out your kitchen window - that would definitely make doing dishes easier for me - I'll come and help Don!

Kathleen Krucoff said...

Great Deborah! I'd enjoy visiting with you & Don. We have nice vistas out here. Thanks for your comments too!

Mary said...

These Christmas pieces are lovely, Karen--and interestingly varied. Your glass work is so amazing that it is hard to believe you once relied on patterns--yet, hearing that is bound to be encouraging to all creative readers--we've all been there, and it's how we learn design. Your seasonal bowls and Lexi's Dream are stunning--I love to see your work.

Kathleen Krucoff said...

Hi Mary!

Thanks so much for your kind words about my work. I really appreciate it and I'm glad you enjoy my pieces.

LDWatkins said...

They are lovely! Christmas is truly a wonderful time of the year!

Kathleen Krucoff said...

Thanks Lynda! Yes Christmas is one of my favorite times.