We really had such a wonderful time. The second day brought a few new students and a fresh set of classes to the studio. As before, the excitement of being in the studio with Mary generates a special buzz (possibly stoked by the neighborhood Starbucks a few steps away)! Mary and Barbara welcomed everyone so warmly. For me, it's always like coming home.

My Sunday class was Old-fashioned Ornaments. Lots of loveliness!

I think the favorite was the paper houses. We snipped house numbers from old book pages.

We cut up my upcycled felt stash and made some little mitten ornaments.

Kathy's class made stunning paper wreaths.

Nancy's class made beautiful holiday tag books.

Everyone enjoyed the day so much. I thought it was especally sweet that several students used the event as a girlfriends' getaway reunion.

It felt like that for me too. Having the chance to weekend with my old friends was so great. Mary brought out her stitched version of my little house sampler. So darling! I left her with a few new designs to try out.

And then .... drum roll ....

She signed a copy of her beautiful new book - as a gift for one of you!

It's amazingly beautiful, so richly illustrated with the magic of her style, Christmas, sugar plums and fairies galore. If you'd like a chance to win this signed copy of the Nutcracker, please leave a comment on this post and a winner will be drawn Sunday night.

Thank you, Mary and Barbara, the studio staff and all the wonderful students! What fun!