Christmas Tidings

Wow! We're already upon the next holiday it seems. Christmas is right around the corner. (And I've finished my present shopping!) (I have yet to finish my cards though, which I started nice and early and then...hit the pause button. I have decided to write them after Christmas day [still during the 12 days of Christmas] when I am on vacation and embracing lazy mornings. For someone who makes cards as a business I am setting a terrible example...) I try to celebrate the season by giving where I can - donating the extra bit when I buy my groceries (or tonight it was six-pack, I'll admit) at Publix; Christmas shopping from the Greater Good site; donating a book through Anthropologie (and resisting the pretty pretty shoes calling my name); and giving to St Jude...and of course the Salvation Army Santas! I sound like some sort of commercial for these places, but my point is...there are so many ways to help someone less fortunate. In my quiet little life I feel quite fortunate. It's only little bits here and there, but I figure, every little bit counts, right? I hope you and yours have a joyful, beautiful, safe and warm Christmas and New Year! Here's to a lovely 2011!

Holidays!

How was your Thanksgiving-2010? Here is a "moment of zen" from my family and laughter-filled holiday weekend:

What a strange year, that I am so grateful for…

It is late November already – Thanksgiving is NEXT WEEK! Somehow my head is still stuck somewhere back in early summertime…

The warm (again) weather certainly isn’t reinforcing the actual time of year for me. Tank top and shorts in mid-November.

But, reflecting back on all these months that have passed me by, I realize how grateful I am for this year that will leave me full of love.

I’ve seen the fury of love in my two-year-old niece (this is sometimes followed immediately by her fury of…fury), and the love of her parents, my sister and bro-in-law. And really my whole family – she just sort of draws love out of everyone…

I experienced the intense end-of-life love that built incredibly in the face of cancer.

And I’ve learned to appreciate that there’s an everyday love buried in the ups and downs, aggravations and conversations, phone calls and emails…

So this Thanksgiving I grateful for love in all of its forms, expected and not. Cheesy though that is, that’s where this year will leave me.

Holidays are Coming!!

I think my Holiday Craziness started early this year, way back in early September. But I’ve been able to sneak a couple hours in between my crazy-day-job to work on my artsy-job (Pen&Paperie), finally! I’ve had a hectic couple of months, though I’ve just logged my last hours for my architectural license! Woohoo. (Now…on to those exams…)

With ambitions of putting out two calendars this year, I am…half-way there. I’ve got one done! Check out my little 2011 Garden Calendar on Etsy. I’ve made the pictures tear-off note/post cards so you can use them when the month is done.

And, hey, I think some of these can count towards my 1,000,000 Leaves project too…double-duty crafts! How efficient.

Next up: zodiac calendar and Christmas cards!

Have your holiday crazies started yet??

KW, FL

Stormy Grey Etsy Treasury!

I've been neglecting my blog lately...I know... Busy, busy, busy what with work and a wonderful vacation in the Florida Keys. Inspired by some of the weather down South, check out these beautiful stormy pretties in my very first Etsy Treasury: Stormy Sea & Skies - Team FEST Such talent!! What are your favorites?

1,000,000 Leaves - 234-359

234-323 324-359

Some of these are real leaves, some of them are purely imaginary. Though with the crazy imagination Mother Nature has, I wouldn't put anything past her. I am fond of the frond that looks a bit like a peacock tail. What about you? If you have any cool photos of leaves, send them my way!! If I use your inspiration in my stationery, I'll send you a copy of the card!!