gratefully giving. take time to notice the gift of friendship.

created the box with layers of papers then painting and more layers.

oh the love of details 

she loved beauty = i do i do

grateful for kindred spirits

happiness combo platter = 3 gifts ready to mail

Today was a day for packing, thinking, creating and gifting. Oh the joy I feel when I create presents for others. I truly love love love giving. I am not sure what a therapist would say about this passion I have for giving. It comes from a very real pure place in my heart. I never expect anything in return. Okay, I like thank you's. I really just feel better noticing that others need to feel loved and being a tiny light shining = hopefully saying, "hey, i notice and you are beloved."

So I created three fun packages today. I am happy to say in the midst of a very busy studio day and packing. So much of life is often over looked. I love having the ability to take time to be grateful and gush out into the world.

Grab the gifts of friends and like minds. It matters. I have learned this past year about community of like souls. I have been on this beautiful key living, creating and facing every bit of anxiety, fear and doubt. I have been very alone (thank goodness for my hubby and sweet little dog Pearl Button).
Prior to moving across the country I was lucky to have several friends to call and instantly have community. I have had big surprises this past year. I am grateful for the learning however painful the lessons. I am growing stronger, braver and getting my messages into the big world.

I matter. What I create matters. I am good at being me. If a handful of people see me truly get me that is plenty. More then enough. I wake up wanting to gush joy and gratitude for my life, and that is perfectly fine. It's who I am. I am just swell with me.

Happy is the very best path in life. Take it, you can make it thru most days with a dose of happy.
It is in the noticing. Promise.

sending packages = i adore

i had a ball putting this package together today.

happy banner, 53 cards nested, tin cowboy, you name it = fun filled

One of my favorite things to do in the studio is to create really fun packages that i know the person receiving will have fun opening. I love layering treats on top of treats on top of more treats. I really just enjoy all the energy that goes out in a package.

This package contains my 53 cards I posted yesterday with some other fun goodies. A jumble of my life and loves and silly things around me that I cherish.

The person receiving this package has never received one from me before. Ooh more fresh goodness.

For today I am grateful for the ability to create for a living, to have daily passion to make things, to have an abundance of ideas and be able to bring them to life. I wish this for every single soul who reads this. Feed your soul daily it always gives back.

More creative by me http://www.facebook.com/730Thursday

handmade birthday heart = love

start with a pile of scrap fabrics you love

cut a heart shape out of paper for a pattern and start layering your goodie

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after all the pieces are sewn on flip over, pin and sew around your heart

finished heart. stuffed with love of course.

details on the bottom. you know how i love these details.

quick sewn bag to nest it in with vintage bird tied on and handmade tag

To be honest I never really know if friends like handmade presents? I think they do. I for one would much rather receive a gift handmade. So with that I show and tell you how simply a gift can be created. Read captions.

I love to create everything and think that giving something you make is so special and cannot be replaced. So for me this year it is all about handmade, vintage, lovely giving.

Quick steps to creating.
• find some random fabrics you have laying around in your pile of goodness
• make a heart shape pattern out of paper (cut a heart out like you did in grade school)
• trace the heart shape on the wrong side of the fabric (you do not want to see your lines when finished)
• before you sew the front and back together add some layers of lace, torn fabrics, goodness to one side (sew these on)
• simply pin the front to the back and sew around your heart shape
• leave a little opening for stuffing. you can stuff with cotton, batting, fill with lavender etc.
• add a few treats sewn on the top. stones, beads, crystals, words (personalize it a bit)
• sew up the side by hand with a few stitches

Instant present and so pretty. Oh, and I added a little loop of ribbon to the back for hanging.

Sweet!!! Have fun make many, you never know when you need to give a sweet gift.