Nothing more exciting...

than having a new arrival in the family, and for the past week, I've been in Calgary family-sitting with my niece after the arrival of her second baby.

Mara was born on the 9th of October, and is happily spending time with her big sister, Maevie, a 25 month old tear-away.

From dog-walking Fernie, 

to enjoying the beautiful fall weather and colour,

I feel like I'm in a world that is wholly unlike my normal studio and classroom one.  I'd forgotten what a challenge two small children could be, with rounds of medical appointments, dinners, laundry, trips to and from day care and constant feedings (not MY job with the baby, luckily).  

And of course, the best part is the opportunity to bond with another grand-niece and spend lots of time with the first one.  

And here's my salute to these parents and parents everywhere- you're totally amazing at  what you do, and my hat's off to you  (and so is Mara's)!

Back in town, back to Blogspot, back re-creating a life...

It's been four months since my last posting on Blogger with the Painted Turtle Gallery.  In that time, the gallery has been closed and mostly wound down (I love bookkeeping so much that it may take a while - until tax time at least - to finish that aspect), the house whipped back into shape, minimal gardening completed, a studio created in the basement, and some heavy-duty welcoming of a new grand-niece (born at 8 lb. 13 oz. on September 2/11 to niece Shaina and her husband Lonny).

Maevie Clare Hand

What's driving me now is the scheduling of workshops over the winter, so keep your eye on this space to find out what's happening in this studio and elsewhere.

NW corner of studio