savoring the details

Thursday's thought...

Advent Tradition...

I have blogged about our Advent tradition of the unwrapping of a different Christmas book each night of Advent for the past few years and I have received a few emails each time asking me to share the titles of the books I use.  For the most part, the books largely stay the same, but a few new ones here and there are added as special Christmas books come into our lives.  I finally got around to taking photos of the books this year to share with you.  {The link above will explain more about this if you are not familiar with this family tradition of ours.}

Today, I simply gathered the books from my shelf, and tomorrow will get them wrapped and placed in the basket to sit by the fireplace.

Here are the books so you can see them a bit more clearly:

Merry Christmas, Davy

You are my Miracle

The Best Christmas Present of All

One Snowy Night

I've Seen Santa

SHHH!

Olive, the Other Reindeer

Merry Christmas, Big Hungry Bear

Santa Mouse

Mrs. Wishy-Washy's Christmas

A Snowy Surprise

Night Tree

Who's that Knocking on Christmas Eve?

The Dog Who Found Christmas

The Very Snowy Christmas

The Stable Where Jesus was Born
 
Jingle Bells, Homework Smells

Joy to the World (The Story of Christmas)

Bear Stays Up for Christmas

Clifford's Christmas

Frosty the Snowman

Santa and the Three Bears

The Night Before Christmas

I always end with The Night Before Christmas and I wrap this book in a unique way so it cannot be chosen until Christmas Eve.

There was one book that I didn't photograph, because it had been moved and I forgot to include it, but it is called Santa's New Jet. It was a new addition for us last year and the boys really enjoyed it.

If you have a question about a title or author, feel free to email me.

Here's to the most joyous season of the year and special family traditions.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I haven't been around much as I am doing my best to get my photography business up and running, including a website, marketing materials, etc.  However, I didn't want today to slip by without acknowledging all that I have to be grateful for.  I am richly blessed and for that I am eternally grateful.  I hope you all have a blessed Thanksgiving and a day filled with love, joy and gratitude.

Thursday's thought...

Thursday's thought...

Favorite day...

Oh, this is always my most favorite day...when the red cups arrive at Starbucks.

Just makes me smile.

Just makes me feel that the holiday season is upon us.

Just makes me feel thankful.

Just makes me feel happy.

Just makes me feel good.
 

A little of this, a little of that...

I love to make cards, especially cards for little girls because nothing is off limits in terms of flowers, pink, jewels, ribbon, etc.  This is in complete contrast to cards for boys which I am usually making for my own boys and their friends.  So,when I saw the darling 'self-portraits' on the Copy and Paste Project blog (sidebar), I knew something similar would be perfect for my sweet niece who turned six today.  So, I made her a little paper doll card that is a mini version of herself. 

A little closer:

And these photos from today make me laugh.  I guess this is what life is like when you are the third child.  My other two boys NEVER held their own bottle (and even sippy cups for a while)...they wanted mama to hold it for them. But, not Jackson...I guess he realizes it is easier to feed himself than to wait for me.  Smart boy! ;)

 
 Fall is in full bloom here and we love it.  This week has been especially beautiful.

And lastly, don't let this ferocious lion scary...he's all ROAR!

 
 
 

Pumpkin Bumpkin...

I have been wanting to make some fabric enhanced onesies for Jack for a while now and finally got around to it.  I decided to go with a Halloween theme and made him a pumpkin onesie. 

Now, this is not a tutorial per say, but I have a few photos to show what I did in case you are interested in making some of your own.

First I used Heat n' Bond which is an iron-on adhesive that will allow the pumpkin fabric to adhere to the onesie prior to sewing.  Following the instructions, I just ironed the Heat n' Bond onto the back of the orange fabric and brown corduroy.  Once you have this on the back of your fabric, you can draw your shape etc. onto the fabric and easily cut it out.  In this case, I drew a pumpkin onto cardstock first and got it just the way I liked it and then moved onto my fabric.

Once the pumpkin was cut out, I removed the Heat n' Bond paper backing and ironed it onto the onesie.  With both the pumpkin and stem in place, I'm ready to sew. 

For sewing something like this, I just move real slow so that I can go around corners and tight areas.  Once the sewing was done, I just pulled my thread through and tied the threads in the back. 

And that is that...super easy, but fun and cute for little ones.

Now, here is our model showing off his new shirt.

 

Fabulously cool...

I came across the Uppercase magazine several months ago amidst my blog/internet hopping and I was immediately intrigued.  However, I tried for a while to resist a subscription because you know, if you read this blog, that I have a serious addiction to magazine subscriptions.  But, I couldn't resist any longer and I am so glad that I subscribed to this magazine.  When I tell you that it is so cool and inspirational and filled with gorgeous photos and fantastic articles, you will just want to get it for yourself.  Don't believe me?  Check out some of my favorite images from issue 2.

 
 

A magazine for the creative and curious...that says it all to me. 

 

Amazing huh?

And that is only a glimpse at all the goodness inside.  My third issue just arrived this week and it looks incredible.  Can't wait to have some time to relax with a good cup of Starbucks and be inspired by Uppercase.  Their blog is fabulous too.  I especially love Tuesdays when they devote space to "Type Tuesday". 

It is very refreshing to have a fun, hip and totally inspiring magazine available to us when it seems that every few weeks another magazine is folding.  I think seven of the magazines I subscribe to have ceased publication.  That makes me sad because while I love the internet, there is no substitute for magazines/books that we can hold in our hands and read at our leisure, set on our nightstands and pick up at a later time. 

Do you like polaroids?

If you answered yes, you will love this link.  This may be old news to you, but I wanted to share it here just the same because I LOVE polaroids.  Here is a link to Poladroid.  This cool free software allows you to transform your photos into Polaroids with just a 'click' on the Polaroid camera icon.  It is just fun to play around with and 'make' your favorite images into polaroids.

Have fun!