For Emily Michelle

Dearest Emily,

Today is a wonderful moment for me as your mother. You called me late last night to tell me that your engaged. How wonderful that makes me feel. Its almost like it is happening to me thats how close I feel to you. We have a wonderfully close relationship that I cherish everyday. You have become a beautiful and talented young woman and to watch you grow into an adult is something I will cherish for years. My memories of you are etched in my mind so clearly that I can recall conversations and emotions of these memories. I still can picture you clearly in my mind, your birth, you at 2 years old sitting in a chair at the hairdressers getting your first haircut, your first recital, your first loose tooth, your first homerun.....I could go on and on. I am thankful for you, Emily Michelle, my beautiful daughter, a woman now and starting your own life with the love of your life. I wish you so much happiness, joy and love and I know this new path your taking will be everlasting. I love you dearly, Mom

My Piano

My sisters and I grew up in a very musical family. We all loved to sing, but of course some of us shouldn't, including myself. Some of us have wonderful voices, some played the violin, guitar, but what I fell in love with was the Piano. Actually it was my sister and I. Every Weds we would walk together to take our lessons from Mrs. Stein. She was a wonderful older lady who taught us classical to boogie woogie. Of course I wanted to learn Smoke on the Water, but that wasn't happening. I just wish I kept with it....as I grew older my priorities changed. But my love for my piano is still alive. Sometimes I sit and play but I never get bored just looking at it.

My First Feature Artist

My first feature is Olivia, owner of The Filigree Garden. The moment I went into Olivia's Shop I felt romance. Her jewelry peices have a sense of history along with beauty. It all started when Olivia was small, she loved rummaging through her mothers jewelry draw, thinking she was in a treasure chest. She loved to see and feel all the wondeful gems. She would make simple pieces for her dolls. When Olivia was in her 20's she took a silversmithing class, however, at the time she was working with fabric. She makes bags, childrens clothing, pillows, curtains and slip covers. She says "Fabric is very tempting to me, I love all the colors and textures." Olivia just recently has returned to her love of jewelry with needing to repair her own jewelry and having her late mothers collection. Being a big fan of handmade and locally produced items, an internet search brought her to Etsy. She states "Its very satisfying to give new life to forgotten things"

One of the reasons I loved this shop is Olivia's items contain an element that has been "rescued" from a broken piece of vintage jewelry which is a big part of their beauty and also makes them one of a kind. So far her Etsy experience has been wonderful. She loves being apart of her BBest team. She mentions that being with so many vibrant, artistic and interesting men and women over 40, keeps her going when she starts to feel old, it reminds her and all of us, that there is so much to look forward to.

Olivia's other passions are Photography and Writing.

Please take a visit to Olivia's shop, The Filigree Garden http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5373919

Vintage and old photos

I've been fiddling around trying to perfect some vintage and old tyme photos. So far this is what I've created.

I get alot of enjoyment experimenting with all the resourses that are available in software. I can get different effects from the same print. Thats very exciting to me.

***Contest***

Take a look......thats me in the center......Can you tell what I was taking a photo of? Hmmm might be very easy...But I'm going to throw in a little lemon twist.....be specific!!!!

Winner will win one of these magnets........perfect for Valentines Day. Leave your answers in the comment box. Good luck!

The winner of the contest is Precious Quilts.....thank you all for guessing.

My Sandwriting

My Sandwriting was started about 7 years ago with my family on our vacations on Martha's Vineyard. During this time I would have alot of fun by writing everyones name in the sand and then snap the photo right when the wave came in. This is where timing comes in. Of course on more than one occassion I would have to redo these over and over again because the ocean waves kinda do what they want. Over the years many people have requested I write their childrens name, their last names, their hometowns etc. Sandwriting has turned into quite a big part of my photography and I enjoy it immensely.

Below is a few examples of sandwritings that I've created.

My family has been going on vacations to Martha's Vineyard for over 20 years. Its a place we all feel is home. Its a place were we all get together and play games and go to the beach and pretty much do the same thing every year......what makes us love it so much? Must be because its being with the whole family at the same time. We fight, scream and end up laughing every time. This is a tradition that is going to continue with my children also. They love the island and make sure they come every year also. So I guess Martha's Vineyard means family and thats why I love it so much. Here is a little snippet video of us enjoy our summer.