There's been a couple of comments on the art-quilt in my previous photo, so I decided one last seasonal picture that would allow it a moment of glory (and the person who created it as well) My mom decided to take up quilting a few years before she retired from teaching, and over the years she's become quite accomplished, to the point that she has actually taught quilting classes for a couple of the quilter-societies she's involved with. This is one of her (many!) Christmas-related quilts, which has taken the high place of honor in the living room, serving as a gentle and beautiful reminder to them and all who visit them just why they are celebrating that day. I firmly believe that I inherited my own artistic impulses (at least for the visual ones - I have an awful lot of musical ones that came from both parents) came from her, and I am very grateful that my parents always encouraged them in whichever way I sought to explore them. In return I try to support their creative impulses as well, so each year I wander through a fabric store, with my mom's only limitations being "take whatever catches your eye, but please don't spend too much!" I'm not so good at the second part though, fabric so often has such fascinating patterns and textures that I have a hard time curbing my impulsive side. It is always fun for me to look at her quilts, looking for how the fabrics I got her have been used. At any rate, you can now see both how I ended up so heavily involved in the visual arts, and how my mom and I both seem to end up reinforcing our own addictions to making things! I hope you've all had a good Holiday season, and those of you who are being hit by the latest big storm - be safe everyone and stay warm!