Happy Birthday...

I've been thinking a lot about my grandma today... It's her birthday today. I miss her. It's been a number of years since she passed away... but when I think of her my memories are as strong as if I last saw her yesterday.

The smell of her freshly popped popcorn, the way she'd rub her hands together, how she looked in her beautiful red coat with her squash blossom turquoise necklace, her patience and kindness to all, the way she looked at and enjoyed nature, the way she played piano and tried to teach her grandchildren, how she would tend her garden (no pesticides... just cut off those pesky grasshoppers heads with scissors specifically for this purpose!), the light in her eyes that showed her wonderful sense of humor, generosity that knew no limits, appreciation for all creatures great and small (except maybe those grasshoppers and snails).... I guess you could say I just miss everything about her... especially her patience, love, and understanding for me no matter what I did... even when I didn't deserve it.

Happy Birthday Grandma... I miss and love you very much...

Decorating & Family

What a wonderful time of year!

I get so excited to have the family together to put up our holiday decorations. We decorated the day before Thanksgiving... It was so nice to see all the beautiful, festive decorations while we enjoyed our delicious Thanksgiving dinner. Cami is always excited when Leila is home from college and they had a great time trimming the tree. I love hearing the noises of my family with beautiful Christmas music in the background... it makes me teary eyed just thinking of it!

We spent some time taking family photos for this year's holiday cards. It's always fun to see how they turn out. We have quite a few to choose from this year... it makes it easy when you have such gorgeous (not that I'm prejudiced or anything!) girls!

One of our Thanksgiving traditions is that we make/write cards to each other. It's a place to write how grateful you are for your family. It's one of my favorite and most touching moments. Leila & Cami make beautiful cards and I treasure each one I receive year after year. This year felt especially poignant to me... and I have to say again how absolutely grateful I am to have/be a part of such a wonderful family.

(Here are pictures of a couple of cards my daughters made this year...)

Holiday Tags...

Cut... cut... cut... and paste! or sew! I put together a couple set of holiday tags... Yeah! It feels good to have some cute tags ready for the holidays! I always like presents that I give to look beautiful (it's part of the gift!). The tags I made are primitive, but festive. I have to control myself so that I don't make a small project end up being the creation of some HUGE perfection driven drama. I think I did it! ... and I feel good about how they look! That's the important part!

I listed two different sets on etsy today...

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7912578

and...

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7913019

Now that I've had fun... It's time to get to the business of getting some "work" done! It's almost time to pick up Cami from school....

Today I'm Listed in Bags & Purses Showcase!

I decided to make an investment in my shop... A couple of days ago I bought a spot in the etsy showcase for bags & purses. I'm curious to see if it will increase the traffic to my shop. I hope so! This is the link for the "Gorgeous Hand Knit Cable Bag" I put in the showcase: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7843204 We'll see what happens!

Well... I'm using this blog to push myself creatively and to have a space to record what I accomplish. I am thrilled, yet nervous. It's like that feeling I get when I have a new project in my brain that I REALLY want to start ...yet.... I'm somehow apprehensive about getting all the stuff out and just getting to work. What is that? I need to stop doing that...

So... in the spirit of moving forward, today I plan on sewing up some holiday tags. (That's right... create some accountability... I hope I don't regret this later!) :)

It feels like the very first time....

I'm joining the blogger revolution... (OK... so I'm a little slow... ) :)

I am excited to have a place to record my adventures in arts and crafts! I don't quite know how it will all work yet... I'll learn as I go... I really want to make this a place where I focus on being creative. I guess it is just like the very first time! The first time I've had a blog site!