Gratitude & the Perfect Gift

I love coming up with different and creative gifts for my family. I always have a hard time though because if my family wants something they get it -very hard to buy for.  I was having a particularly hard time one Thanksgiving.  

It's no secret, I love Oprah. So when someone on her show recommended a thoughtful gift I paid attention.  I thought it would be the perfect gift - "one of a kind" and "from the heart". 

For the project I was to select a special container and place hand-written notes inside. These notes were to tell the story of my relationship and my gratitude for what this person brings into my life. 

This kicked in my creative juices. I found myself on a quest for the perfect container and the perfect stationary. I used my special glass pen and ink to write the notes (below). I also made a ritual of sitting in my special chair and writing out notes in a special notebook. Then I would write them out on the note cards. 

For my brother, I found a copper covered retangular box with nail-head decoration, simple but masculine. For my Mom, I chose a sparkling glass vase, etched with a scroll pattern and a unique chrystal top, delicate and feminine. 

I loved the idea because I could be as extravagant or as cost effective with the note paper and container as I wanted. I had so much fun picking out the perfect container to fit their personalities. 

I starting the process by thinking about my childhood and memories of my family.  It's not hard and once you get started, the memories come rushing back. I would be in the grocery store and think of my brother's first trip to the beach. Once I began writing, memories came to me, things I hadn't thought of in years.  

Start with sentences like, "I remember when we", "I have always admired your", "You never knew this but", "I love you because", "You are special because" and "I remember the time you and I", etc. 

It's always been hard for me to tell my family how I feel about them. Writing notes gave me the courage to say what I wished I could say out loud. 

I could see how much my Mom and brother were touched by this gift. What I didn't expect was how much it meant to me. It was the best gift I ever gave myself. 

Paperweights

I cherish my Mom's paperweight collection.  She left it to me when she died.  I have always loved the colors and swirls and images in glass.  She had twice as many as you see here but I only kept the ones that I really like - gave the rest to friends and family as a memory from my Mom. 

At one time we sat down with each one and cataloged them.  Where they were purchased, how much they cost, when they were purchased and the occasion, if there was one. She never needed an occasion to purchase a paperweight. 

The most expensive was about $500 and the least expensive about $30 - averaging around $100 for most. We loved the fact that she loved paperweights because it finally gave my brother and I something we could buy her for holidays and birthdays, that we knew she wanted. 

Artwork

I loved the classes I took in art school, especially at the beginning with painting and drawing. The 2D and 3D classes. One particularly challenging class (and teacher) was Drawing 101. While at art school I worked with many mediums. One of my favorite drawings was done with a technique that started with charcoal rubbed on paper until it was solid black. Then the subject was "erased" from the page, revealing an image.  One of my favorite actresses was Rita Hayworth so I chose her as the subject of my drawing - not necessarily because I loved her films, (I don't really know them) I just loved her looks.  The beautiful, curly red-flaming hair.  The beautiful features and figure.  I just loved her looks.  

I see things now that I would change about her face - her eyes and teeth. But I love her hair and her shoulder. I think I got the shading just right. And (you can't tell from this picture) the mink stole she's wearing around her shoulder has light shining from behind and looks like fur. 

I have a gallery wall in the bedroom where some of my favorite art hangs. The iris flowers on the top center was painted by my great aunt.  She was an artist and taught me in my childhood.  The pencil portrait of a thistle plant on the top right was drawn in the same art class as Rita (above). The portrait on the left middle is my grandmother.  It's taken when she was about 20 and it reminds me so much of the roaring 20s. She was gorgeous. 

I think artwork should be something that touches your heart. It is whatever makes you feel something / anything. It should be in your home to tell your story and make you smile with knowing. 

Creative Projects

I wanted to do creative projects around the house. One way I could do that was to sew or glue.  I wanted to make lamp shades (not just have plain shades that you purchase from the store).  I wanted frills, ruffles, patterns, etc. So I got out the sewing machine and my glue gun and created. Of course, it was easy things like pillows - just 4 straight sides. Then it was on to table cloths, reversible table toppers - things that were harder to make. 

First, I made lamp shades with beautiful fabrics, fringes and lace. I figured they would be easy enough to make since all I had to do was glue. They turned out great. I made a Parisian lamp shade to match a lamp base that had Fleur de Lis. Found the perfect fabric and fringe.  Then I wanted something romatic for the bedroom.  I found the perfect lace fabric, fringe and ruffle. I love them - I made two bedside lamp shades. 

Then I decided to get out the ol' sewing machine. I made a table skirt and a table topper. The topper was made from golden metallic material.  I loved it.  Then I found a silver metalic material with the same pattern - a reversible table topper.  The idea was to use the silver topper at Christmas. 

Then I moved onto other projects.  I took this already bling-worthy chandelier and added more bling.  I got beads from the local craft store and worked them into the chandelier. I love sparkle and especially liked it hanging in the bedroom. 

The next project is Christmas pillows out of velvet. I will use bold colors like ruby red, emerald green and asure blue.  This is an item on my 2022 vision board for October - just in time for December.  

I have made a rule for every item in my home - if I don't love it or it doesn't make me smile - it gets donated to someone else who will love it. 

Inspiration from Everywhere

I love cats.  I actually love animals (including dogs) but in the past 10 years I've really taken to cats.  It's because you can leave them alone with food and water for a night or two without worrying about them too much. With a litter box they don't need taking for a walk. They are so independent. 

I saw a cute joke the other day - You know the world is not flat because if it were, the cats would have knocked everything off already. 

My beloved Annabelle.  She was a Snow Shoe breed. It's a rare breed - I read a statistic several years ago that there were only about 500 in the world.  Don't know if that's true but they are rare.  They are called the "Elizabeth Taylor" of the cat world. Blue eyes, incredible shades of brown and each of her 4 feet were totally white (thus the name).  They always have points on the face. 

How Annabelle came to be adopted by me. My Mom found Annabelle in a shelter in a small town near where she lived. She was looking for a cat to leave outside to keep the squirrels in her yard under control. She would not be keeping the cat indoors. Mom called me and said the shelter called her a rag doll cat. (We didn't know at the time she was a Snow Shoe).  I was horrified.  I told Mom that rag dolls were breed to be docile.  That they were great pets but definitely should be inside.  In fact, that's why they are called rag doll - they are best known for their docile and placid temperament and affectionate nature. The name "Ragdoll" is derived from the tendency to go limp and relaxed when picked up. I hadn't even seen Annabelle but I knew she couldn't be an outdoor cat. 

I begged Mom to bring her to me and go get another cat.  She brought me Annabelle and the rest is history. She was with me for 13 wonderful years and passed away in 2019. 

Inspiration.  During my years at design school, Annabelle was an inspiration to me.  Her coloring inspired many a project. in fact, I used her brown shades when I came up with my business card design. Her sweet and loving personality kept me going during the stress of class and homework assignments.  I miss my Annabelle. 

At one point about 15 years ago, I had 4 cats.  Now I only have 1. His name is "Chipper" and he's my brothers cat.  I adopted him and he's now 17 years old.  He and I are growing old together.  Sleeping and eating - that's us (especially during the pandemic). 

I will always have a cat.  The heartbreak of losing them is outweighed by the love, affection and laughter they give. 

Bucket List

Speaking of vision boards.  I'm also working on my bucket list.  With COVID putting a stop to travel - that list is growing but I'm determined to travel soon.

I've been looking for those "out of the way", "quirky" festivals to enjoy.  Don't really care where they are just as long as they are unusual and look fun.  

On my list are the following:

Jasper Dark Sky Festival. Held in October, Jasper National Park is one of 17 designated Dark Sky Preserves in Canada. They are the 2nd largest Dark Sky Preserve in the world, and the largest accessible Dark Sky Preserve - meaning there's a town within the limits of the preserve.  A Dark Sky Preserve is an area in which no artificial lighting is visible and active measures are in place to educate and promote the reduction of light pollution to the public and nearby municipalities. It sounds amazing.  Just look.

Hydrangea Festival in Cape Cod. This festival is held in July at Cape Cod, of course, and is an annual celebration of the region's blue, pink and white signature flowers! This ten day festival's main attractions are the daily tours of private gardens, each designed and maintained by the individual homeowners and carrying a unique charm. It is filled with unique spaces, including a cocktail trail. 

The Tarot Garden in Tuscany Italy. I've always wanted to go to Italy and this space spoke to me. Inspired by Gaudi's Parc Guell in Barcelona, Niki de Saint Phalle created Le Garden des Tarots in Capalbio, Tuscany. Her monumental structures were inspired by Tarot Cards, resulting in huge creamic, mosaic and glass figures. 

Hon Fest in Baltimore, Maryland. Grab your boas and tease that beehive! It's time for the 27th Annual HONfest.  HONfest symbolizes all the charm and goodwill that lies within the hearts of those who live, work and play in Bawlmer. "Hon" the Bawlmer term of endearment sort for "Honey", embodies the warmth and affection bestowed upon our neighbors and visitors alike by the historic working woman of Baltimore. HONfest is an annual celebration in honor of these women. Looks like so MUCH fun!

Anywhere in New Zealand and Australia. I've always wanted to go to Australia and New Zealand. It looks amazing. And it takes so long to get there you might as well stay awhile. The beauty of the land, the famous animals and the people. Recently I saw a special on the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. It's an attraction at the North Island of New Zealand. It's a cave known for a species of glowworm found exclusively  in New Zealand. That sealed it for me - I have to go. 

I'm always looking for exciting, quirky and unique festivals to attend.  Anything that looks fun and unusual. The list, like my travel world, is growing. 

Vision Board 2022

It's a new year - 2022. I decided a long time ago - I don't do New Year's resolutions.  For some reason, for me, I feel resolutions are about "fixing" something and they have a negative connotation.  My list always included diet and exercise. Of course, I never lost weight or exercised more. And having it on my list and never making any progress made me feel like a failure. 

For that reason I changed my new year rituals. My birthday is at the first of the year and I set aside that day to think, reflect and ponder goals.  I have a glass of wine, sit in my favorite chair and light my scented candle. 

Several years ago I came up with the plan to have a goal for every year to coincide with my age.  I finally realized that number was growing and becoming difficult to achieve.  I had a list of 45, then 50 then 55 - whoa - let's not make that list so large.  

I then decided I would do a vision board every year with only 12 items (one per month).  I felt that was more doable and still gave me challenging goals to reach.  I did later add 2 items per month - 1 general goal and 1 creative goal. For the creative goal I have to create something. Duh. This year on the list is a resin painting, a antique jewelry Christmas tree and a homemade ornament. 

I do not put any pressure on myself.  If I come to the end of the year and haven't accomplished the goal - I reassess.  If I don't want to do it anymore - it comes off the list.  Simple as that. If I still want to challenge myself with that item - I leave it on the vision board. 

I only have one rule.  Everything on my vision board must make me smile.  

Here's my vision board for 2022.