A Valentine from me to you (above).

 

Mother Nature's gift to us all (below). 

Found while on a dog walk this past week.

 

 

 

There are few things more beautiful than red rocks in snow. That is one of the reasons we visit the southwest. This winter has been warmer and drier than normal, which—after three record breaking years—is sadly becoming the norm. January days near 70 degrees in the high desert of Arizona are pleasant for people, but the plants and wildlife are suffering.

My desire to see the flutter of big fat wet flakes inspired me to fashion a charm in hopes of inspiring the clouds.  Or, maybe, the round wooden tops on the bottles of Cholula hot sauce we have been consuming at an alarming rate inspired my creation.  It matters not.

Taking the wooden lids from different sized bottles and combining them created the perfect snowman shape.  A little embellishment with paint, glitter and stick arms brought him to life. His hat was fashioned from a discarded sock and embroidered with thread from a travel sewing kit.  The “coal” eyes and “carrot” nose are just tiny rocks found on an afternoon dog walk.  One warm day a snowman arose (from my limited craft supply) where before there was none.  And, he did the trick.  It snowed today.

 

 

A little extra whimsy was needed for my card after a serious year.  My initial idea for the image was a polar bear riding a 1947 Knucklehead.  After I wrote the caption for inside, some friends and a bell--or two--were required.  So often these illustrations take on a life of their own and constantly evolve.  This image would have continued to change if I did not have to meet the Christmas deadline.  More puffins?

 

 My 2020 holiday card comes with wishes for a healthy & happy new year. 

 

 

 

 

This quarantine has provided time to explore those forgotten boxes tucked away under the stairs.   Childhood sampler projects, unfinished knitting, hooks, hoops, and needles of every size, are all reminders of a creative upbringing.  My teachers were my grandmother and aunts. Among the tangle of yarns and accessories I found a box of embroidery thread that was given to me by my grandmother. The old box is riddled with tiny holes and I imagine her using it to hold her threaded needles nearly a century ago.  I was given that thread to decorate teenage jeans and jackets when it was all the rage. My grandmother used it to decorate pillow cases to supplement the family income during the Depression.  I was told the whole family helped including my grandfather who would embroider at night.  When I was handed-down that thread, the world I lived in was one she hardly recognized as her own.

While rummaging a couple of weeks ago I came across a collar crocheted by my grandmother.  It immediately reminded me of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.  I fleetingly toyed with the idea of sending it to her, but instead, I kept it as a reminder of the strong women in my family.  I am glad I did.  Suddenly Justice Ginsburg is gone and the world is turning into one I hardly recognize as my own.

 

To paraphrase Oscar Wilde (The Picture of Dorian Gray),

simple pleasures are a refuge from the complex.   

Javelina Valentine by Anne Mitchell

Happy Valentine's Day from the desert.

The desert was spreading the love this week.

Bah humbug.  That has been my feeling about the internet since March.  That was when I discovered my artwork was being used without my permission.  A friend shared a St. Patrick's Day meme she found on Facebook.  To my surprise, the image featured my leprechaun on a motorcycle that longtime blog readers know well.  Someone outside of the US stole my image, added Harley Davidson logos to the bike (trademark infringement), then signed the meme as their creation.  Needless to say, I have been reluctant to share artwork on the internet since.

It is the holiday season, however, and this year marks the twentieth year of my cards.  I am posting my card.  Please respect the copyright laws and request permission from all artists before sharing their artwork on social media.

I hope the love and laughter you experience this week follows you into the new year.  Be kind to one another.