Lucky

I am one LUCKY girl. This month has been pretty tough. I'm feeling anxious about next weeks anniversary of my moms passing. A year ago tomorrow will also be the day we found out Brad was sick too. I remember feeling so overwhelmed with grief, and anger. This has been the most painful thing I have ever felt, but now a year later I am able to see the many blessing I have been given through this struggle. I am so thankful for Brads health. I am thankful for the my sister and how close we have become. And although I miss my mom everyday, her passing has brought a friendship into my life that I never thought I would have, my dad or as I affectionately call him my BFF.

I got the idea for this layout from this lucky tag.

I changed up the wording to fit "us" in there. It's messy, but that is really who we are. We have flaws imperfections, and quirks  but this is what makes us unique and special.

What clothing brand describes you right now?

Lucky-  having been marked for luck, fortunate

Are you like a pair of Levi's? - strong heavy denim, reinforced seams, tough and rugged.

[oht- ku - chur] ( couture) exclusive, designer, custom

 Juicy- richly interesting, gratifying, rewarding

Or ... maybe you just have a thing for FRUIT!

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Have a great weekend everyone!

signed, sealed, delivered

The other day my sister and I were talking about how no one writes anything anymore. In school cursive handwriting isn't even enforced.  A teacher recently told my eigth grader " The only thing you need to know how to write is your name"! I think this is kind of sad. My sister has every note she and her best friend Annie passed to each other throughout high school. If in 1983 there was texting and face book I might not have these.

These are the letters Brad wrote to me all through college.

In them are heart breaks and make ups. The visits we looked forward to, the missing and longing to be together again. I so looked forward  to these letters. I used to carry them around in my purse and read them over and over again.  Some of these letters are over 20 years old. In fact when I opened them up to take the picture I found the first letter he wrote to me while at school.

I love looking at Brad's little drawings and hockey stick pictures he  drew for me  at the end of his letters.

This is where I keep all our memorabilia. In a jar on my nightstand.

I treasure the fact that I have these stories to leave my kids.  They have only ever seen the letters in the jar, but once out, they got a kick out of seeing their fathers handwritten lengthy love letters. They really liked all the liitle drawings.

So, I was inspired to create this.

 and i was sure to use my own handwriting.

 When was the last time you wrote someone a love letter?

 BBFF ( best blog friends forever)

xoxo

field notes and findings

On Friday I went on a vintage excursion around downtown Barrington.

Just me and my camera. I met a couple of the shop owners, chatted and  we shared our love for various things like Anthropologie design, crafting, and antiquing. They were all delightful. I was so inspired by all the art, textures, colors and even smells, that I came home and made this..

I love these chandelier stamps by Prima. This self picture was taken by looking into a paper mache' mail box that had a mirror in the back of it.

Here I made a little "field notes and findings' book to document all the little stories and finds of the day.

While talking to the owner at the Trivole antique store, we discussed our love for all things Julia Child and she says "I've got to show you something"... Then she takes me over and shows me this bed frame that is French and it is the same  bed frame used in the movie Julie and Julia!   After further musings about Julia, she tells me she is planning a Julia Child inspired window display. I give her my business card  ( for the blog adress) and tell her all about the "Boof " day; she invites me to come pose like Julia in her window. Can you see it now? Me amongst all of her antique French cookware, books and furniture? What a photo op this would ...Will be!

         htS

 I've also been trying to use a bit more with  of the the distressing dyes and inks by Tim Holtz. Loving his products and these papers by Heidi Swapp.

Here I used a bit of both.

Then Brad made my wishes come true... I'm going here for my birthday!!!!!!!! Flying alone... being adventurous...? ( it's an hour and 1/2 flight) I cannot wait! I have a travel book already picked out, just waiting for the weekends pictures!

Make it a creative day!

glee vs gloom

Another gloomy day here, it's starting to get a bit depressing and no end in sight till Sunday.

Last night I scrapped this. While listening to this.

I absolutely love Tim Holtz new filmstrip ribbon. Want  a closer look?

 

 I also used some of Tim's alcohol inks to stain the letters.

Ella is having a Halloween party so I made these as the invitations.

This is just a fun picture I took of a scarecrow outside Jer's guitar lesson. Thinking of having all the kids make musician themed scarecrows as a contest for the party.

 Can you guess who it's supposed  to be?

Hope it's sunny where you are!