a photo worth celebrating...

it's a tradition

photos of the kids

sometimes...

us parent's too

it was easier when

they were young

all under the same roof

then they age

and off they go

to their own worlds

with a wife and a girlfriend

it's hard sometimes

knowing just

how far to push

when to let go

how to stay connected

add in a grudge

 or two

a betrayal

hurtful words

and life gets even

more

 complicated

and at times confusing

this little family

is fractured right now

heartbreaking

yet necessary

with time comes healing

maturity

perspective

and hopefully

 new found energy

to move forward

to create new beginnings

thankful for the

happy times

such as this picture

taken on sister's birthday

for those memories

keep your heart

beating

snowy splendor

there's just

something

about a...

...freshly fallen snow

that brings peace

to my existence

and when it

happens

at just the right

time

late in the quiet
of evening

in front of

a window full

of kate spain

christmas quilts

my heart

becomes full

of holiday spirit

speechless...

it's not easy

for

my husband...

.

 

...to surprise me

we work together

we share

 the same bank account

the same credit card

the same schedule

not to mention

sarah

she's not so good at

keeping secrets

up until now that is

turns out

they stopped at

my favorite little art gallery

in downtown willoughby

and purchased a set

of purple troll beads

for me

before sarah's music share night

 she finally told me about it

on christmas

i was shocked

and

speechless

which made the gift

all the more special

for all of us

so grateful for

my hubby

 and family

red plaid taffeta...

on the bolt

it was just

plaid taffeta...

.

 

red and black taffeta

i'd bought it not sure

what i'd make

then i turned it into

 the bottom

half of a dress for my

sweet sarah

a bow tie

for her handsome brother

even a skirt for me

 

 

on

a sunday afternoon

the 19th of december

my family of four

walked into

the state theater

for a live performance

of the nutcracker

a plain dealer photographer

captured this pose

and soon that red plaid taffeta

became the symbolism

for christmas

nineteen ninety two

i cherish the memories

so very thankful

our girl was

healthy that day

so grateful we

spent the time

together

enough said...

even for me

this is unusual

but then...

.

...i've never ever

worked in retail

for an entire year

in my life

wishing you all

 a very merry christmas

time to share...

for nearly 

twenty years

i've collected...

.

...holiday ornaments

with a sewing theme

i've had a tiny tree

in my creative corner

for mostly my eyes only

haven't even put it up

the last few years

although i've added new

findings to the box

never in even my dreams

did i expect to one day

share this box

of holiday cuteness

yet tonight

my sarah and i

gleefully

 arranged them on a tree

for all our friends to see

over at the

house of fabric

i had to dab a tear or two

as we stood back

 admiring the room

for i recognize so clearly

the many hearts and hands

who made this all

possible

i am so very grateful

now wishing you a

very merry christmas

july style

hallmark says it best...

better than candy...

in my

christmas

stocking

.

12 days of christmas

i adore this collection

such the perfect blend

of holiday fun

and colorful whimsy

along with

subtle sophistication

and

contemporary flair

a combination

so pleasing for my new projects

it's beginning...

to look

a lot like

christmas...

.

for the first time

in my life

i am actually sewing

with

christmas

fabric

in

june

i even got

my red cd case out

the one with all the

christmas music in it

this is fun

stay tuned

oh want to see a little more

click here