Fall

I love fall!

It's my birthday season
The colors are gorgeous
Wearing scarves & long sleeves is a nice change of pace
It may be my favorite picture-taking season
Drinking hot coffee on a cool morning is bliss



Let's just revel in the glory of the season...

...not think about what comes next!

Known

Last fall, on a gorgeous sunny day, I decided to give myself a challenge: go around the city & try to find every letter of the alphabet. I don't mean actual letters, but rather things that looked like letters. Here are some samples of what I found that day.





Can you see the letters?

At the time, I wasn't exactly sure what I was going to do with these photos, but was pretty confident an idea would come.

And sure enough, it did.

When I was showing a friend the pictures, I came to the letter that starts her name & she said "hey, that's my letter". That's all I needed to start the ball rolling. So as a Christmas gift, I took her letter and added her name, the meaning of her name & one of her favorite Bible verses. I then matted & framed it.

I was so excited at how it turned out & couldn't wait to give it to her! I was pretty confident she would like it too. But I wasn't quite prepared for her response. After opening it, she sat there in silence, just staring at it. A range of emotions washed across her face...surprise, amazement, pride, gratitude.

At the time, I couldn't pinpoint the essence of these emotions. But now I think I know. There is something unspeakable about seeing your name in print. It means you are important, you are recognized, but above all, that you are known.

Here's her picture



Her response has encouraged me to do more. I have since done a handful of others, some as gifts for personal friends and some at the request of friends to give to others.

And everyone who has received them has much the same reaction. Affirmation in being known.

Here are the others I have created





When I hear the recipient's response to his/her picture, there is something that stirs within me. It's easy for me to just look at these as projects, but they really are much more than that. They are meaningful gifts that will be treasured.

They've been given as wedding gifts, housewarming gifts, baby gifts, birthday gifts & Christmas gifts.
I would love to work with you to create a gift that will touch someone deeply.

If you would like one, please go to my Etsy site and we can start working on your personalized photo today!

Etsy

I think all 10 of you who read this blog are also friends with me on Facebook, so this won't really be news. But just in case, let me show case my new autumn cards. They were posted to my Etsy page yesterday.

Pumpkin Orange Cards



Bright Yellow Cards



Brown & Yellow Flower Cards



Orange Paisley Cards



And just because I sell on Etsy doesn't mean I can't buy on Etsy! Look at my new wall artwork I just received over the weekend.



These pictures don't do it justice, but these photographs are stunning in person! If you would like your own artwork, click here

Days Like These

It's days like these...

I wonder if the sky could be any bluer

I want to soak in the sun as much as I can, because I know in a few short months, we won’t be seeing much of it

I want to hold onto summer just a bit longer (even though I’m looking forward to the brilliant colors of fall)

I barely remember January weather

I get lost in thought watching the sun’s reflection on water

I want to be out on a boat

I am reminded how blessed I am to have this time off to enjoy all this!

The View From Here

This morning, I woke up early (well, early for me!) and headed downtown. Why? Because my bathtub drain is giving me problems & it weirds me out to be home when maintenance comes to fix things. So I high-tailed it out of here as quickly as I could this morning.

I stopped and got a coffee (which was perfect for a cool morning) and hung out at my new favorite spot.

Along the river...



under the Trump Tower...



reading "Crazy Love"



By the way, if you haven't read this book yet, you should!

Then I went to the market & scored some Honey Crisp apples & blueberries. Yum!!

And then I met a dear friend for lunch.

Today, I decided to wear real shoes (as opposed to flip flops) for the first time since May and my feet were not happy. See?



Looks like I won't be wearing regular shoes for a couple of days. Back to the flip flops!

(Is it weird I just took pictures of my blisters? And please ignore the fact that my feet desperately need a pedicure!)

Coming Soon...

I bought a few sheets colorful paper this weekend & can't wait to use them to make some new cards.

Are you looking for fun & fresh autumn note cards?

Stay tuned!

Flowers: Spring vs Summer

The other day I was out taking pictures of the gorgeous flowers around the city. And as I was snapping away, my mind went back to 4 months ago when I was doing the same thing. However, the flowers in April were much different than the flowers in August. And I started thinking about these differences:

Spring flowers are pale in color
Summer flowers are bold in color



Spring flowers are light & airy
Summer flowers are heavy & sturdy



Spring flowers have a sweet fragrance
Summer flowers have an earthy fragrance
(I haven't yet figured out how to photograph fragrances, but I think you get the point!)



Spring flowers are elegant
Summer flowers are unpretentious



Spring flowers are full of energy
Summer flowers are easy-going



It's as if God uses His creation to go before us, reminding us of what's ahead. The flowers of spring seem so full of life, assuring us that the bleakness of winter can't last forever. Summer flowers seem to be preparing us for cooler weather ahead. By being darker, sturdier, earthier and lazier, they alert us to a slower pace of life ahead.

Reminds me of one of my favorite verses...

The Lord himself goes before you & will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8

Au Revoir Summer

Dear summer,
August has come to a close. School has started. There are hints of fall in the air. And I'm ready to wear something other than tank tops & shorts. It's time to bid farewell.

You have been very good to us this year. After last year's subpar performance (when I never turned on my air conditioning), I'm very grateful you were back to your old self again! No complaining from me during those hot, sunny days.

So here's a pictorial ode to you...




Chicago Skyline

Montrose Harbor

Along the Chicago River

The Bean at Millennium Park

The Art Institute

Sun & Sand

New Buffalo, MI

South Haven, MI

Summer Skies

Nappanee, IN

Chicago, IL

view from my apartment - Chicago, IL

Potomac River - Washington, DC

Farmers Markets

Daley Plaza Farmer's Market - Chicago, IL

Movies in the Park

Picnic

"To Catch A Thief"

Flowers

Hydrangeas - South Haven, MI

and more flowers

A Front Porch in Chicago & Zinnias from the Farmer's Market

Coloma, MI

Concerts in Millennium Park



Fairs


Navy Pier - Chicago, IL

Elkhart County Fair - Goshen, IN

Sunrises

Lake Michigan - Chicago, IL

and Sunsets

Lake Michigan - South Haven, MI

Thanks for the memories!