Well, it�s time for the Holiday Decoration Post, Thanksgiving Edition.

Most days I live in the two dimensional world of book illustration. The blank white page of possibility. The pencils, the inks, the gouache. Bristol board and tracing paper. Electric eraser shavings and full wastebaskets. And, finally, the happy buzz of the scanner when all goes well.

It�s a very nice world. But, still, consistently creating in two dimensions can make one a dull boy.

But, this time of year -- I think of it as �Holiday Decoration Days� -- is a handy excuse to create in three dimensions. The local crafty stores -- in our case, Michael�s -- are full of bits and pieces begging to be combined into something new.

Pictured here is this year�s Thanksgiving table centerpiece. In this case,the bits and pieces include a paintable vinyl turkey, two bags of feathers, styrofoam gourds (1/2 off), a wooden wall plaque of rustic quality, a bag of some straw-like stuff and a film canister. A little drilling, a little painting, a little gluing did the rest.

Next up... my favorite... nutcrackers!

Happy Holidays!