How is it already December?  Time is just flying by!  I had so many creative plans for holiday projects and I just didn't manage to make the time to get them done. Even my holiday cards are only half done.  Sigh.  Nonetheless the house is full of Christmas and Hanukkah (I celebrate both) cheer along with the usual colorful art making and daily drudgery.  ;)  Take a peek:

from the Balzer Designs Blog: Around Here: December 2016
from the Balzer Designs Blog: Around Here: December 2016
from the Balzer Designs Blog: Around Here: December 2016
from the Balzer Designs Blog: Around Here: December 2016
from the Balzer Designs Blog: Around Here: December 2016
from the Balzer Designs Blog: Around Here: December 2016
from the Balzer Designs Blog: Around Here: December 2016
from the Balzer Designs Blog: Around Here: December 2016
from the Balzer Designs Blog: Around Here: December 2016
from the Balzer Designs Blog: Around Here: December 2016
from the Balzer Designs Blog: Around Here: December 2016
from the Balzer Designs Blog: Around Here: December 2016
from the Balzer Designs Blog: Around Here: December 2016
from the Balzer Designs Blog: Around Here: December 2016

I made Christmas Crack for the first time and my waistline is unhappy, but my mouth is super happy.  You can find the recipe in this week's vlog or with a simple google search:

Thanks for stopping by!

Julie Fei-Fan Balzer

Based outside of Boston, Julie Fei-Fan Balzer is a painter, printmaker, and collage artist who constructs vibrant compositions. Her artwork investigates the interplay of identity and perception, inviting viewers to take a longer look. Julie works in layers, both physically and metaphorically, exploring what is visible and what is concealed. Passionate about connecting with and inspiring other artists, she shares her expertise through in-person workshops and her online classroom at MyArtPractice.com. Julie's achievements include high-profile clients, multiple publications - including her book, “Carve Stamp Play” - and exhibits in New York City and throughout Massachusetts. She is a graduate of Brown University.

84 thoughts on “Around Here: December 2016

  • Hey, that Vlog didn’t have your Mom in it! I kept looking for her!

    Reply
  • Hey, that Vlog didn’t have your Mom in it! I kept looking for her!

    Reply
  • Hey, that Vlog didn’t have your Mom in it! I kept looking for her!

    Reply
  • Hey, that Vlog didn’t have your Mom in it! I kept looking for her!

    Reply
  • Hey, that Vlog didn’t have your Mom in it! I kept looking for her!

    Reply
  • Hey, that Vlog didn’t have your Mom in it! I kept looking for her!

    Reply
  • I absolutely Love your video, seeing your art, your beautiful Christmas decorations & tree.And THANKS for sharing the Christmas crack, I can’t wait to make it today with my nephew.I have enjoyed watching you creat your art~work for years. I just wanted to say “Thank You” for sharing all you do, & I Hope your Christmas continues to be filled with loved ones,friends,& happiness.
    Sincerely, Dawn.

    Reply
  • I absolutely Love your video, seeing your art, your beautiful Christmas decorations & tree.And THANKS for sharing the Christmas crack, I can’t wait to make it today with my nephew.I have enjoyed watching you creat your art~work for years. I just wanted to say “Thank You” for sharing all you do, & I Hope your Christmas continues to be filled with loved ones,friends,& happiness.
    Sincerely, Dawn.

    Reply
  • I absolutely Love your video, seeing your art, your beautiful Christmas decorations & tree.And THANKS for sharing the Christmas crack, I can’t wait to make it today with my nephew.I have enjoyed watching you creat your art~work for years. I just wanted to say “Thank You” for sharing all you do, & I Hope your Christmas continues to be filled with loved ones,friends,& happiness.
    Sincerely, Dawn.

    Reply
  • I absolutely Love your video, seeing your art, your beautiful Christmas decorations & tree.And THANKS for sharing the Christmas crack, I can’t wait to make it today with my nephew.I have enjoyed watching you creat your art~work for years. I just wanted to say “Thank You” for sharing all you do, & I Hope your Christmas continues to be filled with loved ones,friends,& happiness.
    Sincerely, Dawn.

    Reply
  • I absolutely Love your video, seeing your art, your beautiful Christmas decorations & tree.And THANKS for sharing the Christmas crack, I can’t wait to make it today with my nephew.I have enjoyed watching you creat your art~work for years. I just wanted to say “Thank You” for sharing all you do, & I Hope your Christmas continues to be filled with loved ones,friends,& happiness.
    Sincerely, Dawn.

    Reply
  • I absolutely Love your video, seeing your art, your beautiful Christmas decorations & tree.And THANKS for sharing the Christmas crack, I can’t wait to make it today with my nephew.I have enjoyed watching you creat your art~work for years. I just wanted to say “Thank You” for sharing all you do, & I Hope your Christmas continues to be filled with loved ones,friends,& happiness.
    Sincerely, Dawn.

    Reply
  • All in all great week!

    Reply
  • All in all great week!

    Reply
  • All in all great week!

    Reply
  • All in all great week!

    Reply
  • All in all great week!

    Reply
  • All in all great week!

    Reply
  • Julie…you are truly amazing! First, it did not matter what time of the day, whether no makeup, wet hair or pj day, you looked beautiful throughout. I remember those days when I was your age and fretted over having a zit,or having a critical mirror reflecting back. You looked beautiful on date night and the makeup looked perfect. If I had to say to my younger self what I know now, especially watching you…..I would have told my younger self, you look beautiful no matter hair up or down, makeup no makeup. When you get to the age of 60 you cannot be caught without some eye makeup for people are aghast at the aging face without makeup. So enjoy your beautiful, young, enthusiastic, lovely face, zits…that are barely noticable on camera…..and all. Happy Chanukah, Merry Christmas and thanks for sharing your vlog. Loved every minute. Best wishes always.

    Reply
  • Julie…you are truly amazing! First, it did not matter what time of the day, whether no makeup, wet hair or pj day, you looked beautiful throughout. I remember those days when I was your age and fretted over having a zit,or having a critical mirror reflecting back. You looked beautiful on date night and the makeup looked perfect. If I had to say to my younger self what I know now, especially watching you…..I would have told my younger self, you look beautiful no matter hair up or down, makeup no makeup. When you get to the age of 60 you cannot be caught without some eye makeup for people are aghast at the aging face without makeup. So enjoy your beautiful, young, enthusiastic, lovely face, zits…that are barely noticable on camera…..and all. Happy Chanukah, Merry Christmas and thanks for sharing your vlog. Loved every minute. Best wishes always.

    Reply
  • Julie…you are truly amazing! First, it did not matter what time of the day, whether no makeup, wet hair or pj day, you looked beautiful throughout. I remember those days when I was your age and fretted over having a zit,or having a critical mirror reflecting back. You looked beautiful on date night and the makeup looked perfect. If I had to say to my younger self what I know now, especially watching you…..I would have told my younger self, you look beautiful no matter hair up or down, makeup no makeup. When you get to the age of 60 you cannot be caught without some eye makeup for people are aghast at the aging face without makeup. So enjoy your beautiful, young, enthusiastic, lovely face, zits…that are barely noticable on camera…..and all. Happy Chanukah, Merry Christmas and thanks for sharing your vlog. Loved every minute. Best wishes always.

    Reply
  • Julie…you are truly amazing! First, it did not matter what time of the day, whether no makeup, wet hair or pj day, you looked beautiful throughout. I remember those days when I was your age and fretted over having a zit,or having a critical mirror reflecting back. You looked beautiful on date night and the makeup looked perfect. If I had to say to my younger self what I know now, especially watching you…..I would have told my younger self, you look beautiful no matter hair up or down, makeup no makeup. When you get to the age of 60 you cannot be caught without some eye makeup for people are aghast at the aging face without makeup. So enjoy your beautiful, young, enthusiastic, lovely face, zits…that are barely noticable on camera…..and all. Happy Chanukah, Merry Christmas and thanks for sharing your vlog. Loved every minute. Best wishes always.

    Reply
  • Julie…you are truly amazing! First, it did not matter what time of the day, whether no makeup, wet hair or pj day, you looked beautiful throughout. I remember those days when I was your age and fretted over having a zit,or having a critical mirror reflecting back. You looked beautiful on date night and the makeup looked perfect. If I had to say to my younger self what I know now, especially watching you…..I would have told my younger self, you look beautiful no matter hair up or down, makeup no makeup. When you get to the age of 60 you cannot be caught without some eye makeup for people are aghast at the aging face without makeup. So enjoy your beautiful, young, enthusiastic, lovely face, zits…that are barely noticable on camera…..and all. Happy Chanukah, Merry Christmas and thanks for sharing your vlog. Loved every minute. Best wishes always.

    Reply
  • Julie…you are truly amazing! First, it did not matter what time of the day, whether no makeup, wet hair or pj day, you looked beautiful throughout. I remember those days when I was your age and fretted over having a zit,or having a critical mirror reflecting back. You looked beautiful on date night and the makeup looked perfect. If I had to say to my younger self what I know now, especially watching you…..I would have told my younger self, you look beautiful no matter hair up or down, makeup no makeup. When you get to the age of 60 you cannot be caught without some eye makeup for people are aghast at the aging face without makeup. So enjoy your beautiful, young, enthusiastic, lovely face, zits…that are barely noticable on camera…..and all. Happy Chanukah, Merry Christmas and thanks for sharing your vlog. Loved every minute. Best wishes always.

    Reply
  • One question I forgot to ask. Did you make your front door mat? I loved it so much!! And…I love your textured faces painted on canvas. So interesting.

    Reply
  • One question I forgot to ask. Did you make your front door mat? I loved it so much!! And…I love your textured faces painted on canvas. So interesting.

    Reply
  • One question I forgot to ask. Did you make your front door mat? I loved it so much!! And…I love your textured faces painted on canvas. So interesting.

    Reply
  • One question I forgot to ask. Did you make your front door mat? I loved it so much!! And…I love your textured faces painted on canvas. So interesting.

    Reply
  • One question I forgot to ask. Did you make your front door mat? I loved it so much!! And…I love your textured faces painted on canvas. So interesting.

    Reply
  • One question I forgot to ask. Did you make your front door mat? I loved it so much!! And…I love your textured faces painted on canvas. So interesting.

    Reply
  • I am amazed at all you do!!! Hope you have wonderful holidays and I look forward to all that you have in store for everyone and yourself in the New Year!!!

    Reply
  • I am amazed at all you do!!! Hope you have wonderful holidays and I look forward to all that you have in store for everyone and yourself in the New Year!!!

    Reply
  • I am amazed at all you do!!! Hope you have wonderful holidays and I look forward to all that you have in store for everyone and yourself in the New Year!!!

    Reply
  • I am amazed at all you do!!! Hope you have wonderful holidays and I look forward to all that you have in store for everyone and yourself in the New Year!!!

    Reply
  • I am amazed at all you do!!! Hope you have wonderful holidays and I look forward to all that you have in store for everyone and yourself in the New Year!!!

    Reply
  • I am amazed at all you do!!! Hope you have wonderful holidays and I look forward to all that you have in store for everyone and yourself in the New Year!!!

    Reply
  • Dear girl, you constantly amaze and inspire me! I pray that you get down time to just chill and do nothing. We all need to be “off the clock” once in a while, you are due. God bless you!

    Reply
  • Dear girl, you constantly amaze and inspire me! I pray that you get down time to just chill and do nothing. We all need to be “off the clock” once in a while, you are due. God bless you!

    Reply
  • Dear girl, you constantly amaze and inspire me! I pray that you get down time to just chill and do nothing. We all need to be “off the clock” once in a while, you are due. God bless you!

    Reply
  • Dear girl, you constantly amaze and inspire me! I pray that you get down time to just chill and do nothing. We all need to be “off the clock” once in a while, you are due. God bless you!

    Reply
  • Dear girl, you constantly amaze and inspire me! I pray that you get down time to just chill and do nothing. We all need to be “off the clock” once in a while, you are due. God bless you!

    Reply
  • Dear girl, you constantly amaze and inspire me! I pray that you get down time to just chill and do nothing. We all need to be “off the clock” once in a while, you are due. God bless you!

    Reply
  • Love the Chrismakah house. You definitely had a fun week. Wish that we could get trees as big as yours here but this is Texas and a medium one costs $100 or more. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah.

    Reply
  • Love the Chrismakah house. You definitely had a fun week. Wish that we could get trees as big as yours here but this is Texas and a medium one costs $100 or more. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah.

    Reply
  • Love the Chrismakah house. You definitely had a fun week. Wish that we could get trees as big as yours here but this is Texas and a medium one costs $100 or more. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah.

    Reply
  • Love the Chrismakah house. You definitely had a fun week. Wish that we could get trees as big as yours here but this is Texas and a medium one costs $100 or more. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah.

    Reply
  • Love the Chrismakah house. You definitely had a fun week. Wish that we could get trees as big as yours here but this is Texas and a medium one costs $100 or more. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah.

    Reply
  • Love the Chrismakah house. You definitely had a fun week. Wish that we could get trees as big as yours here but this is Texas and a medium one costs $100 or more. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah.

    Reply
  • Merry merry, happy happy to you too Julie! What a great year of inspiration

    Reply
  • Merry merry, happy happy to you too Julie! What a great year of inspiration

    Reply
  • Merry merry, happy happy to you too Julie! What a great year of inspiration

    Reply
  • Merry merry, happy happy to you too Julie! What a great year of inspiration

    Reply
  • Merry merry, happy happy to you too Julie! What a great year of inspiration

    Reply
  • Merry merry, happy happy to you too Julie! What a great year of inspiration

    Reply
  • This is the second time today I’ve seen someone refer to Christmas crack!!! But considering I’ve got three containers of goodies in my desk drawer (homemade fudge, homemade chocolates, caramel corn with chocolate bits or something) it’s quite possible that I have enough sugar in my life, ha, ha. I’m so enamored of your stamp carving. I keep saying I’m going to get your book & some supplies — maybe it will happen in 2017!

    Reply
  • This is the second time today I’ve seen someone refer to Christmas crack!!! But considering I’ve got three containers of goodies in my desk drawer (homemade fudge, homemade chocolates, caramel corn with chocolate bits or something) it’s quite possible that I have enough sugar in my life, ha, ha. I’m so enamored of your stamp carving. I keep saying I’m going to get your book & some supplies — maybe it will happen in 2017!

    Reply
  • This is the second time today I’ve seen someone refer to Christmas crack!!! But considering I’ve got three containers of goodies in my desk drawer (homemade fudge, homemade chocolates, caramel corn with chocolate bits or something) it’s quite possible that I have enough sugar in my life, ha, ha. I’m so enamored of your stamp carving. I keep saying I’m going to get your book & some supplies — maybe it will happen in 2017!

    Reply
  • This is the second time today I’ve seen someone refer to Christmas crack!!! But considering I’ve got three containers of goodies in my desk drawer (homemade fudge, homemade chocolates, caramel corn with chocolate bits or something) it’s quite possible that I have enough sugar in my life, ha, ha. I’m so enamored of your stamp carving. I keep saying I’m going to get your book & some supplies — maybe it will happen in 2017!

    Reply
  • This is the second time today I’ve seen someone refer to Christmas crack!!! But considering I’ve got three containers of goodies in my desk drawer (homemade fudge, homemade chocolates, caramel corn with chocolate bits or something) it’s quite possible that I have enough sugar in my life, ha, ha. I’m so enamored of your stamp carving. I keep saying I’m going to get your book & some supplies — maybe it will happen in 2017!

    Reply
  • This is the second time today I’ve seen someone refer to Christmas crack!!! But considering I’ve got three containers of goodies in my desk drawer (homemade fudge, homemade chocolates, caramel corn with chocolate bits or something) it’s quite possible that I have enough sugar in my life, ha, ha. I’m so enamored of your stamp carving. I keep saying I’m going to get your book & some supplies — maybe it will happen in 2017!

    Reply
  • Love having you come to my house almost every day with wonderful fun and amazing ideas for creating, thanks soooooooo much. I find your painting of the mouth and nose marvelous, darling.

    Reply
  • Love having you come to my house almost every day with wonderful fun and amazing ideas for creating, thanks soooooooo much. I find your painting of the mouth and nose marvelous, darling.

    Reply
  • Love having you come to my house almost every day with wonderful fun and amazing ideas for creating, thanks soooooooo much. I find your painting of the mouth and nose marvelous, darling.

    Reply
  • Love having you come to my house almost every day with wonderful fun and amazing ideas for creating, thanks soooooooo much. I find your painting of the mouth and nose marvelous, darling.

    Reply
  • Love having you come to my house almost every day with wonderful fun and amazing ideas for creating, thanks soooooooo much. I find your painting of the mouth and nose marvelous, darling.

    Reply
  • Love having you come to my house almost every day with wonderful fun and amazing ideas for creating, thanks soooooooo much. I find your painting of the mouth and nose marvelous, darling.

    Reply
  • This vlog was wonderful! First let me tell you, the lipstick color looked fabulous and you did NOT have too much blush on. Your face was simply glowing. Hope your date went well. I like the way you transformed the journal page; did you keep the flower/sun image in the background between the 2 faces? It was fab. Finally, have you ever done a video showing how you carved the bird and then the various parts? If not, I wish you would. I finally carved my first stamp this month and am looking forward to doing more. Happy Chrismukkah!

    Reply
  • This vlog was wonderful! First let me tell you, the lipstick color looked fabulous and you did NOT have too much blush on. Your face was simply glowing. Hope your date went well. I like the way you transformed the journal page; did you keep the flower/sun image in the background between the 2 faces? It was fab. Finally, have you ever done a video showing how you carved the bird and then the various parts? If not, I wish you would. I finally carved my first stamp this month and am looking forward to doing more. Happy Chrismukkah!

    Reply
  • This vlog was wonderful! First let me tell you, the lipstick color looked fabulous and you did NOT have too much blush on. Your face was simply glowing. Hope your date went well. I like the way you transformed the journal page; did you keep the flower/sun image in the background between the 2 faces? It was fab. Finally, have you ever done a video showing how you carved the bird and then the various parts? If not, I wish you would. I finally carved my first stamp this month and am looking forward to doing more. Happy Chrismukkah!

    Reply
  • This vlog was wonderful! First let me tell you, the lipstick color looked fabulous and you did NOT have too much blush on. Your face was simply glowing. Hope your date went well. I like the way you transformed the journal page; did you keep the flower/sun image in the background between the 2 faces? It was fab. Finally, have you ever done a video showing how you carved the bird and then the various parts? If not, I wish you would. I finally carved my first stamp this month and am looking forward to doing more. Happy Chrismukkah!

    Reply
  • This vlog was wonderful! First let me tell you, the lipstick color looked fabulous and you did NOT have too much blush on. Your face was simply glowing. Hope your date went well. I like the way you transformed the journal page; did you keep the flower/sun image in the background between the 2 faces? It was fab. Finally, have you ever done a video showing how you carved the bird and then the various parts? If not, I wish you would. I finally carved my first stamp this month and am looking forward to doing more. Happy Chrismukkah!

    Reply
  • This vlog was wonderful! First let me tell you, the lipstick color looked fabulous and you did NOT have too much blush on. Your face was simply glowing. Hope your date went well. I like the way you transformed the journal page; did you keep the flower/sun image in the background between the 2 faces? It was fab. Finally, have you ever done a video showing how you carved the bird and then the various parts? If not, I wish you would. I finally carved my first stamp this month and am looking forward to doing more. Happy Chrismukkah!

    Reply
  • Christmas crack is super addictive (thus the name I guess).
    Happy Holidays Julie and thanks for another year of inspiration.
    I did notice that there is some bare wall space in those photos. LOL

    Reply
  • Christmas crack is super addictive (thus the name I guess).
    Happy Holidays Julie and thanks for another year of inspiration.
    I did notice that there is some bare wall space in those photos. LOL

    Reply
  • Christmas crack is super addictive (thus the name I guess).
    Happy Holidays Julie and thanks for another year of inspiration.
    I did notice that there is some bare wall space in those photos. LOL

    Reply
  • Christmas crack is super addictive (thus the name I guess).
    Happy Holidays Julie and thanks for another year of inspiration.
    I did notice that there is some bare wall space in those photos. LOL

    Reply
  • Christmas crack is super addictive (thus the name I guess).
    Happy Holidays Julie and thanks for another year of inspiration.
    I did notice that there is some bare wall space in those photos. LOL

    Reply
  • Christmas crack is super addictive (thus the name I guess).
    Happy Holidays Julie and thanks for another year of inspiration.
    I did notice that there is some bare wall space in those photos. LOL

    Reply

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