And then - stuff happened!

[imbecamiel]

Meh, I feel like I'm being terribly uncommunicative lately. Lots of big and little craziness!stuff that adds up, not so much to an actual total lack of time to do things as to  general distractedness and inability to focus on anything. So much writing I want to get done, both my own and in comments, and yet... *so much fail* 

But yeah, lots going on, even setting aside last-minute Christmas preparations! Among other things, the masons came to tear out the whole stone front of our fireplace, which has caused a fair amount of chaos...

And of far more interest, and the best possible chaos - I have a brand new great niece! Baby Elle arrived last night! *so excited* There were a fair amount of complications during the labor, which was the cause for some anxiety, but both momma and baby are safe and healthy now, if quite exhausted. And Elle is adorable. Not that I'm at all biased. ;D

And Lexie is, naturally, continuing to be an adorable little princess herself as well. She's missed her mother terribly, and so when she arrived she cuddled up next to Ashley and just repeated "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy..." over and over in the happiest tone of voice - not wanting anything, just so happy to be with her again. So. Cute. 

Just a couple pictures (yes, I shall resist the urge to spam y'all with them ^.^) -


Elle!


Black hair, just like her sister had when she was born.


And because I couldn't possibly leave out big sister - Lexie. :3



(Why yes, we did spend quite a bit of time at the hospital today. There aren't that many good, fun reasons to visit a hospital, but boy, when they're good they're really good. *g*)

So yeah, even when I've had time on my hands it seems like I've had the worst time actually getting anything done. Yes, in a couple days the holiday craziness with be settled and it'll likely be much easier, but still. *feels bad*

Heh, as so often seems to happen, though, when I'm having trouble focusing either because of sickness or busyness, the one thing I can easily do is art. And as Nef's got me started on a little art spree (literally as well as figuratively)... A few things I've done.

As Neffie's already mentioned on her own LJ - she asked me the other day to try making her a butterfly she could use for her LJ userhead. Then she also wanted a butterfly with a coffee cup. So I came up with a couple designs for her:

And then, because it was fun, I... got carried away. Not sure how recognizable some of them are without knowing what they were intended to be, but hey, I only spent maybe 10-15 minutes at most on each, so.

A sword:
A bow and arrow:
A dragon:
A couple LOTR-fannish ones:
A Star Trek one:
And a leetle Stargate:

I kinda feel like doing more for practice, now, but I'm out of ideas. XD 

Comments

[scarvenartist.livejournal.com]

Heh, there is nothing like this time of the year for giving you an inability to focus, I think. Though you've definitely had your share of goings-on. (And whaa? Your fireplace was torn out? Whyeee? Upstairs or down? Blargh, I do know the mess that causes. :P)

Elle! Oh, oh, what a sweet little face! She looks absolutely precious - so glad she's here safe and sound and that Ashley's doing well!

And I love the userheads. Love them. I particularly like the bow - just amazed how much detail you manage to pack into something so tiny. *bows to you* ^^

[imbecamiel.livejournal.com]

Oh! Didn't I tell you about the fireplace? Yeeeah, we found out that it was... broken. (Er, I didn't even know wood fireplaces could break?) It's the downstairs one needing fixing. There's apparently some problem in the chimney, that would - well, most likely cause things to light on fire that really shouldn't be on fire, should we try to use it. And it's in about the most awkward spot possible, and so pretty much impossible to repair. XP

So... only workable solution we can find is to put in an insert/chimney lining. And since it's really cold downstairs without the use of the fireplace, plus we get a tax rebate if we do it before the end of the year - had to put a rush on it. Problem is, insert = slightly smaller opening to the fireplace. Which would leave a big gap in the stonework. And it's impossible to find stones to match the ones we have anymore. So, result being: have to tear out all the old stonework downstairs, and completely replace it. Heh. Chaos, yes.

(Although the masons doing it? Are awesome. The dust that results can't really be helped, but otherwise? Then actually leave the work areas cleaner than it was when they came. o.o I have never seen workmen clean up after themselves like that. They even washed the hallway where they tracked dirty snow in.)

But oh, yes, Elle is just so very darling. We were taking turns holding her on Christmas Eve, and just... *melts* Can't get enough of her. ^.^

And yay, I'm glad you like the userheads! *bounce* They were so much fun to work on. :D

[silivren-tinu.livejournal.com]

Aw! Elle and Lexie are sooooo adorable! *sends hugs for them* I'm very glad Ashley and her baby are both healthy and well, despite the complications! Elle is really a perfect Christmas present for your family. ;-)

I love your LJ userhead art! *starts squeeing when she spots the Star Trek one*

[imbecamiel.livejournal.com]

Aren't they just the cutest? I just can't get over it, every single time I see them. Elle is indeed the best Christmas present we could possibly have wished for. :D

And thank you! I'm glad you like them! :D LOL, that Star Trek one was the hardest of any of them... the angles in it just didn't want to turn out. I'm glad you think the end result looks good!

[cairistiona7.livejournal.com]

What an adorable pair of nieces!!!

And I love that little sword userhead. *g*

[imbecamiel.livejournal.com]

They are just darling, aren't they? And sadly, most of their cutest expressions go unrecorded, because they - certainly Lexie - just move too fast for the camera. *g*

And thank you! That one was really fun to do. ^.^