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?

Comments

[Debbie Seyer]

1.

When my youngest, Cassie, was getting ready for her first day of pre-school, her older sisters were going to their first day of "big" school. Cassie was so excited to be going to school like her sisters. She was up and dressed about 3 hours early so she walked with us to the bus stop. When the older girls got on the bus stop, we were waving and Cassie yells - "Bye, you brats!" I thought my hubby & I would die laughing. She was acting so big and grown up, too! LOL

[Pat]

2.

As I was getting ready to leave my only son (& child)at college his freshman year, he put his arm around my shoulders and said "don't you dare cry - because if you do I'm not staying I'm coming home" Needless to say I hung in until he walked away and immediately started sobbing... It was a very long drive home (9 hours)

[Angie Britt]

3.

Ok, I just have to comment here because I just started my oldest daughter, Allison in pre-school. I was getting her ready the morning of her first day (she's only going 2 one-half days a week) and she says to me, "Mom, do not worry about me because I'm not going to worry about you", and "don't cry" (of which I was not crying-yet:). It was so stunning because I didn't and wouldn't tell her that I was worried about leaving my baby at school, she was excited and I was going to try and hide the fact that I was a little nervous. Needless to say, I dropped her off and she gave me a hug & kiss and pretty much went on her way not even looking back. She has only been going two weeks and she is already saying that she wants to go MORE days. Good luck, Lisa...I don't know how you do it all!

[Faith]

4.

You have to read "the Kissing Hand" childrens book...

I still do this (and read to them and them to me) and my son is 18 and daughter 24...
Faith

[Debbie]

5.

Hi Lisa! That banner is awesome! I've been on a banner kick too lately but nowhere near the detail of yours!! Very inspiring!

[Kimberly]

6.

Hi Lisa! Oh my gosh! I'm at work (shhhhh) reading your story about your girls starting back to school. I'm doing my best to keep the tears from streaming down my face!! While I don't currently have any children in school, I do have a almost 3-year old and a 1-year old. Two little girls. The thought of them going off to school is something that I'm dreading....and as you know, the day comes way too soon! On my way into work this morning I saw all the little kids standing out waiting for their busses.....their backpacks bigger than they are. I couldn't help but picture my little girls doing the same thing. Needless to say I cried just about the whole drive to work. I can't imagine what I'm going to be like when those kids that I see waiting for their bus are MINE. The time goes WAY too fast.....

[Roxanne]

7.

I have a 4 year old who just returned to his last year of preschool today (this is his 3rd year) and a daughter who's 16 months. I was so sad reading your words about your kids growing up. I too wish I could slow this part down...and I do try to treasure every moment, but reading your note makes me feel even more blessed to be in the phase I'm in now, and I too can relate to how you're feeling - it all seems so bittersweet. I am already dreading the loss next year as my oldest goes into kindergarten. I know he will change and it will be a good thing for him, but he will need me much less and I will miss the snuggling as you say. And my daughter at age 16 months is moving from the baby phase to the toddler phase and I'm agonizing that loss too as she's to be my last also....gosh...I'm sad for you (and me too, I guess)! :-)

[Janet Sisk]

8.

I remember when my baby went to preschool the year before Kindergarten. We decided to put her in preschool because she was so painfully shy. The first half of the year I spent peeling her off my leg and dashing out the door - I am NOT kidding. I finally was able to walk the door in a normal fashion in JANUARY. Well now this same girl is a senior in HS and competed in the National Forensics Competition in May. Man, she sure did get over her shyness!!! LOL

[Marilynn]

9.

My daughter is a freshment in college, and when I look back over the last eighteen years I cannot believe it went by so fast. From the little girl who would never let go of my hand, hugging my legs, soon would let go and live her own life. I would give anything for one more hand holding or leg grabbing.
Marilynn