new year.....new hopes and dreams

For me, twenty-ten has been a journey of self-discovery…

not only as an artist and blogger but also as a wife, mama, sister, friend, and daughter.

And as I prepare to welcome twenty-eleven with renewed

Resolutions

Hopes

Dreams

and

Aspirations….

I’m also feeling so very grateful for what I have right now…

my life, family, friends…..

and all of you my kindred spirits!

May all your hopes and dreams for twenty-eleven come true....

Happy New Year!!!

P.S. I’m kicking off the New Year with this five year memory book…
it will be filled with little bitty notes of love….from me to my girl…
I can’t wait to start!

A Christmas wish and an awesome hubby....

Hello my friends,

I hope your Christmas was blessed with beautiful memories.

Mine was filled with many glorious moments that are already tucked within my heart.

One blessing in particular I'd love to share with you...it's a gift from hubby.

Can you guess what it may be?

perhaps the photos sprinkled along this post will help...

you see...he knows my love for photography...

and heard my whispered wish for a camera lense...

one that would capture the images that are just beyond my reach.

and so he gave me one for Christmas.

Though the camera lense is a wonderful gift...

I am even more grateful for the man who made this wish come true.

I'm a happy girl!

XO,

P.S. none of the images were edited one bit just so you can see the loveliness of it all,  love it!

P.P.S. I have some very exciting news to share with you...

and will be celebrating with a giveaway...stay tuned!

P.P.P.S. Happy New Year!!!!!

remembering the reason for the season

I have a very treasured find among my collection that really tugs at my heart.

It is an old image of a mother and child.

Perhaps because of the time of year I find myself staring at it a bit more closely...

taking in every detail of her and her sweet baby...

from her tattered clothes...to her tired hands.

I am suddenly reminded of a humble girl named Mary
and the baby boy she brought into this world....

realizing that as a mama she too had this same look in her eyes...

that gaze of one whose love is deep and unwavering...

and filled with worry and uncertainty.

She had a story....

one that mustn't be forgotten while in the midst of the Christmas hustle and bustle.

I plan to remember her story and the the birth of her baby boy Jesus....

the true and only reason for the season.

I hope you'll do the same my friends.

Wishing you a 
Blessed and very Merry Christmas,

XO,

Working on....

It seems Christmas has crept up on me much too quickly.

There are presents yet to be wrapped,

cookies to bake,

gifts to mail and believe it or not

I'm still decorating the house...

though I've decided at this point it is what it is.

The important pieces are out...

the nativity,

the special ornaments,

and the village

and that's good enough for me.

This weekend I'm working on the last of my handmade gifts...

birds in flight, ornaments with snow and vintage sheet music, and a few hearts here and there.

 They're humble but made with lots of love.

What's your plan for the weekend?

My shabby chic advent calendar

Hello sweet friends,

I'm off to an afternoon birthday party...

but first I wanted to share a few pics of my advent calendar.

I created this little number last winter,

while on the Creatilicious design team.

'Til this day it remains one of my very favorites.

And even though my Sophie's not as girly as she used to

she still wants to see it among the Christmas decor.

It started off looking like this....

and after some shabby white paint

and lots of paper craft products

I created this.....

each door is unique...

embellished with old and new.

some numbers are quite clear....
while others may be a bit more subtle...

it sits atop the kitchen table

and each morning the little Miss is greeted by a tiny treat...

and a love note too.

Still pondering on what I'll place in number 25.....

any ideas?

P.S. I'll be back to share a few more pics of Christmas in our home.

Linking up with:

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia Tuesday Treasures