Holiday Home

First... let me thank all f you who shared your favorite books with me! I'm elated and starving to read them all. I am taking my list down to the library  and checking out what I can... and recommending for purchase what they don't have! I'm so VERY excited! THANK YOU!!!!

Now... this post was intended to go live a few days ago... but alas, I got it all ready and forgot to time it (and when I came back I needed to post my Challenge Ornament)!!  I then left for a trip up to the Okanogan National Forest for some Hiking, Fishing and Geocacheing! I had a few emails worrying about me.. I'm so sorry that some of you were concerned, yet I was touched at the same time. I felt that "Awe... that's so sweet!" feeling. Thanks guys!  We had a great time Geocaching! This was my older girls first time. We just started getting into it, after thinking about it for a few years. LOL! My girls are in LOVE... and we now have a family activity that everyone loves to do together! (the 5-15 yr olds are hard to connect in that way.) We have been visiting the Methow valley for over ten years and were able to see things there we wouldn't have without the little push of the treasure hunt! I think I'm going to set up a stamping Geocache... wouldn't that be a blast!!!!! Check this site to find more about WHAT Geocaching is all about. We were going to hike some more... but the mountains were so cold... it snowed... and I wasn't taking any chances going on a 4 mile hike with that crazy stuff going on... Brrrr.

 Finally.... the god stuff! :)

I LOVE working on special magazine issues, Holiday Home is no exception! You may not be familiar with this CK Media special issue... neither was I until last week... It used to be Homegrown Hospitality... then it became Home & Heart... and finally Holiday Home. (It's last official name in it's series as it's retiring.)  This is an exceptional issue... I was elated to be able to get several projects in and as I browse through the pages I am humbled by the beautiful projects that the other designers contributed.

Here is one of my projects from this issue... it was hard to choose which one to share!

I thought I would share the thing that took be the longest to create... a Halloween swag! (Sorry it's a tad out of focus.) I used Spooky Sweets and Black Noir Ink on everything! I also used Borders & Corners {Circle} for the little moon! such a fun ad on!

I kid you not when I say it took hours upon hours to create! It's rare that spend that kind of time on a project. I felt compelled to do so in this case though... lots of hand stitching and sequin placing... I had to create the pattern for the bat and pumpkin too. I created this during a time when I was really sick and had to be in bed... it was comforting to be productive (I have to be of some use or I go insane). I knew that one day it would make it back to my door... and I would keep and use it for many years. It was a project that was one I submitted a concept for... but was real life inspired.. and beloved. That's not always easy for me. As a designer I distance myself from what I do to a certain extent. I have an attitude that my design work is serving a specific purpose to whomever I'm designing for. It's rare I feel an attachment so personal... this has made it easier for me to have a "Have it your way" kind of attitude with editors and manufactures that hire me. (only they know the big picture for their company and what their needs are... so I don't mind changes and artistic direction.). I think that my work turns out better when I feel a heart string attached... I'm not sure how to attach it manually though... it's automatic, or not I guess. I'm happy that i was attached to this one though... it made a HUGE difference!

School starts this week. All four girls will be going for the first time. (if you hear a loud wailing on Sept. 3rd, it's me ...leaving Ella at Kindergarten!) I can see Ella changing already as she preps herself for school. So bittersweet. At least I will be in the classroom often to help... that will give me a snapshot of her life away. We were walking hand in hand the other day and I said to her that she was my bestist friend... she said "Awe Mom! I love you! you're my bestist friend too!" She will forever be changed...be more independent....even more adventurous. Snuggling me will fall down the list of her favorite things to do. That's how its meant to be... I know I will find joy in her growth... but it's hard, so very hard, knowing what I will lose. I'm thinking it's the fact that she is my finale, my baby. it's not just her growing up... but a phase in my life that is ending... and I'm embarking on a new adventure. My feelings feel like when I buy a grab bag... never knowing what I will get. LOL! The good thing is that I will have a regular work schedule... I will get so much more done...(but I would turn back the clock if allowed!) This may sound sad... but my cat's are awesome and tend to follow me around when I'm alone. Mozart tends to jump on my lap when I sit with my laptop (He just popped up here as I'm typing! LOL!)I guess they will keep me company now!

 Ella isn't the only one with major changes in school. Hannah starts the Challenge program at the Middle School. This will be intense for her... but she is SO bright, intelligent, creative and motivated... she will shine! It will be hard... about 2 hrs of homework per night just for that Bloc class (3 subjects). She is blossoming into such a lovely young woman. Alex is starting her Sophomore year... and taking classes I never even tried to get into! (I was a goof) Honers everything. *in Awe* I can't believe she will be gone in just a few years. :(  Pepper is going to 4th grade... and her new role is to be a big sister at school! She can't stop talking about what she is going to show Ella and who she will introduce her to! I'm sure I will hear some funny stories!

Do you have any fun stories about your baby going to school for the first time?