Made New

I fell in love with the rose of sharon this winter.

I think it was the small seeds inside the dried pods.

They reminded me of sunflowers.

I took hundreds of photos of the faded, drooping and crinkled flowers.

I googled and googled until I discovered what type of bush I was shooting.

And I couldn't wait to see the transformation from dried stem to flowering plant.

Last week I saw this.

As the old hung on for dear life,

the new pushed through.

Fresh.

Vibrant.

Strong.

And in an instant the anxiety that had been plaguing me faded.

As I work to shed some old, unhealthy habits that

{let's just say it}

hang on for dear life

I worry that they will

{once again}

win.

I'm longing for fresh, vibrant and strong.

I'm pushing for fresh, vibrant and strong.

Somehow it helped me to see the old and the new co-exist on this bush.

I was reminded that change does not always happen in an instant

That just because evidence of the old hangs on,

it doesn't mean that the new is not growing.

Let me say that again.

Just because evidence of the old hangs on,

it doesn't mean that the new is not growing!

I love that thought.

My heart needed that thought!

And I am, once agina, grateful that my photography slowed me down,

opened my eyes,

and guided my heart towards a healing connection.

Joining Kat for 

Photo Heart Connection

and Heather for

Just Write

Stillness

"Learning how to be still,

to really be still and let life happen -

that stillness becomes a radiance."

Morgan Freeman

Someday is Now!

I'm looking forward to having fun.

Instagram fun. With my new iPhone.

I've got stories to tell that

have been waiting for these photos ~
photos from the camera that's in
the phone that's in my pocket.

I look back and remember when

I had to wait two weeks
to see the pictures taken with
my Kodak "instamatic". Two whole weeks.
Down the stairs I'd run when
my dad got home from work
hoping for that envelope of prints.
For days he'd hold out his
empty hands and sing to me,
"Some Day Your 'Prints' Will Come!"
For days. So now that "insta"
really means instant...I'll be counting
 to 365 with the help of
the camera that lives in the
phone that's tucked in my pocket.

Linking up with Melissa
who asked us what we were
LOOKING FORWARD to!

Chilly November Morning

Brrrrr....

What a Weekend!

Twice a year I set aside a weekend and host a marathon workshop ~ this was one of those weekends!

I am so blessed to have this space and to be a part of the work done here.

So many different stages of life captured in photos and then preserved on scrapbook pages.

Photos from the 1950's

Photos from Easter (just last weekend!)

Photos from many seasons and years in between

(Lots of) Photos of kids

Photos of babies, toddlers, graduates, atheletes and models

Photos of winter sports and summer fun!

Photos that capture and elicit all sorts of emotion

Photos that tell our stories

Thanks to all who came and all who wanted to come but were out making memories instead!

I cherish these times, these friends and (though exhausting!) these special weekends!

Making Sweet, Simple Cards

We had a few friends over on Saturday night ~ so I fussed just a little with the table, and treated myself to some daffodils.

Before everyone arrived, I took some photos of the daffodils ~ knowing that if I got a picture that I liked, I could make some cards. Today I had 10 3.5" x 5" prints made of my favorite shot. As I've mentioned before, I'm a big fan of using my scraps. My current project has left me with a pile of paper and sticker scraps that I haven't used yet.

So, I sat down with my daffodil prints and my scraps and got to work! First, I cut a piece of card stock to measure 5.5" x 8".

Then I folded it in half so that I'd have a card that evenly bordered the 3.5" x 5" prints that I had made.

Then I chose another piece of paper from my scrap pile and, using double stick adhesive, secured my photo along a clean edged corner. Once in place, I trimmed the mat so that the photo would have a thin frame in a complimentary color.

Once my photo had a mat, I attached it to the card ~ so cheerful, don't you think?

This pretty, home made card cost about thirty cents! Once I have this basic formula, there are lots of ways to add to it ~ to play with it. Word stickers and letter stickers can be added.

Or, just grab different color scraps, and create more blank, photo cards.

If you have ribbon, twine, buttons or other doodads, feel free to add them. You can trim the photo so it's off center, tear the paper mat for a different effect and add some twine ~ endless possibilities!

Cards this size fit into standard "invitation" envelopes (4 3/8" x 5 3/4"), and as I said, envelope included, cost less than a postage stamp! I enjoy giving sets of cards as gifts, sending my own notes and hand made birthday wishes....and using my scraps of paper!

What photos do you have that would make pretty cards?