I received the BEST handmade book from one of my all time favorite students last week! And every time I look at it, it puts a smile on my face!

It’s kind of an ongoing joke between the two of us. It all started when I made a few little paper dolls that had animal heads on human bodies and I had them in my studio during one of our classes. To say Melissa freaked out is an understatement! She thought that they were so creepy and couldn’t even stand herself! I thought they were pretty funny and adorable! We had such a good laugh over these paper dolls that it’s become an ongoing laugh during our weekly classes.

Last week she surprised me with a fabulous handmade book featuring some pretty over the top creatures with totally strange clothing options and situations! This little treasure sits on my desk in my office and makes me smile every day now! It’s hilarious, creepy and awesome, all at the same time! My kids got the biggest kick out of it as well, since there is even a page featuring some cows on a subway, which was entitled “NYC Subway.” And since we spend a ton of time in NYC, this made the kids laugh their asses off. Especially since last weekend they came face-to-face with some dude dressed in a clown mask and a monkey suit on 8th Avenue!

I will keep this book forever and it will put a smile on my face every time I see it!

And this all goes back to my Word of the Year: Share. My sweet Melissa shared her talents with me. And I’m forever grateful and appreciative that she continues to take my art classes!