Again, the holiday forces conspire against me and turn me into a Christmas-minded person before the official start of the Christmas season (when Santa shows up at the end of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade). This morning I got a call from the high school pastor at church. He knows that in the past I've painted ornaments and given them as gifts, and this year, he'd like me to make 30 ornaments to tie onto the leaders' gifts. (I've never made that many in one year!) I'm way jazzed, because this is the first time anybody has "commissioned" me to make art for them of any kind - usually I offer.

So I've got a design ready - I don't have to kick into high gear on these yet, but I've had it on my mind all day - and now I just need to wait on whether or not Joel likes it. I figure if I make 12 a week starting next week (with time taken off for Thanksgiving of course), I'll have them done in time.

I'll keep track of how the project goes here, just so you all can share in the experience. :D

( Here's design idea #1: )

Also, designing ornaments, going to the Christmas section of Target to price ornaments, and giggling with Lauren over the Christmas CDs has gotten me into the Christmas spirit. I'm listening to Christmas music. Sort of. I'm listening to a snarky 20-something deconstruct some of the worthiest targets this side of "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch."