creature comforts

Through the years I have collected things here and there that make me feel happy inside. Little gifts from Mother Nature, significant bangles, handmade treasures and other various objects of affection surround me in my day to day life and serve as little reminders. My Superhero beads remind me of my power. My ‘relax’ candle gently beckons me to be still and breathe. My heart collection reminds me of how much love I have in my life. I could go on and on.

 Some of these items have been gifts given to me by exceptional people in my life, some are found objects while others are special purchases I have made for myself with because, darn it, I am worth it. There is something really exhilarating about buying something for yourself. Something that isn’t practical, or really needed. Something that makes you happy just because.

A few years ago I discovered Amy Ruppel. I don’t remember how I found her but ever since I stumbled upon her online home, I have had a love-affair with her artwork. It began by buying myself one of her delightful bird paintings –I picked one out for myself on an online sale she hosted. And then I was lucky enough to receive one as a gift from a dear friend. Then came a third (I had to get one for my 40^th birthday). And just recently I treated myself to a pair of her newest, smallest offerings. That brings my total to 5 Amy Birds (the term of endearment my kids and I have given them).

I cherish my collection in a way that is indescribable. Each sweet bird sings to me of simple pleasures and joy reminding me that I deserve a little extra sometimes. Embracing that truth has been not only empowering but comforting as well. My birds share songs with me about the beauty in my life; about being grateful and content, about being curious and courageous and about remembering to fly.

Do you surround yourself with the magic reminders that make your heart sing? We’d love to hear about them.

We are fortunate enough to have Amy Ruppel giving away one of her lovely little works of art today in keeping with A Giveaway a Day here at Shutter Sisters. Thank you so much Amy! Just leave a comment here and you’ll be included in the random drawing. Good luck!

Congrats to the winner of yesterday's Flash Bulb necklace giveaway Lilia (aka Pumpkinoodle) at Babymoon Photography who commented "Oh, dreamy hooray!". Well said. 

Comments

[Christiane]

How very beautiful indeed. Thank you!

[Marcie]

I absolutely love these little birds....and would be more than honored to have one of my own.
In a way - I too - surround myself with birds I find in nature..in many different shapes and forms:
http://bravo.unisonplatform.com/~marciesc/index.php?showimage=608
http://bravo.unisonplatform.com/~marciesc/index.php?showimage=609

[laura - dolcepics]

Those are fabulous! Just beautiful!

[Emilyt]

Those are unique and lovely. I like to keep my daughters' artwork around. I have some favorites hanging around at work and of course at home. Some even get framed! Thierhandiwork are my treasures.

[wilsonian]

Mercy, those are cute. Love your kid's name for them too :)

[kiasa]

I love those adorable birds!!!

[Mod Girl]

I am smitten!

[shelli]

You have given me the excuse I need to photograph my pottery collection. There are many local potters in this area, and when I was single, that's pretty much what I spent my money on!! They delight me to this day. There's nothing like drinking coffee out of a piece a of artwork. I'll post the photos later after I take them.

[Jen - Beebee Mod]

A definate new favorite!

[cindy k]

wow, now that's a giveaway! i love amy's work. thank you all!

[hil]

i find her images so peaceful.

[Lisa]

Her little birds are so sweet! Amy is creative — thanks for sharing her work.

[cedarhil]

Hi. I too find Holiday spirit from handmade gifts or memorabilia found in my own home. Below is a digital page I completed before Thanksgiving. These were gifts from my Daughters.
http://www.designerdigitals.com/ddgallery/showphoto.php?photo=81455&cpage=2&ppuser=1188

[Heather]

I surround myself with, well...birds. The outdoor variety. My front porch is a buffet of various seeds and suet. I just love 'em. Watching them soothes me and makes me smile.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/strawberrygoldie/2496154802/in/set-72157605127694384/

[Kath]

There is a shelf on my desk that holds all colours of sharpies and pencils in mason jars. They remind me to be creative. The other side holds a folk art image of St. Francis from my late brother-in-laws desk, he was a Franciscan Monk and it reminds me to laugh, because he had the best laugh. My house is filled with much loved trinkets.

[Jessica]

Hi, speaking of the flash bulb necklace. i added my name a few months ago to the post about it, and i was under the impression that i was putting myself on a list for it, as the post explained that everyone who added their names to the comment field would be contacted. i never was. does anyone know what happened with this necklace/waiting list?

[Jessica]

ànd i am also leaving a comment about the great artwork. i hate birds, usually, but she makes them fantastic!

[sandi]

Whimsical and so cute!

[Golden]

Such beauty and simplicity!

[Terri]

Those are so cute.

[abbey]

love the birds... love the color especially.... very comforting!!!

[Karen]

Amy's work is beautiful Thanks for sharing.

[Ange]

so adorable!
inspriring!

[nickythomas]

Good afternoon shuttersisters,
Firstly, loving the bird!.

Secondly... the things we collect around the house tend to be musical instruments because my other half is a musician and a luthier.

we have violins http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickythomasphotography/2235655900/
and doublebasses http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickythomasphotography/2444104488/
but mainly i seem to be collecting children. http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickythomasphotography/3062392174/

i like the kids best.

have a lovely day folks.

Nicky x

[Marcene]

Those are so fun, what a great collection!

[devan]

so lovely! i'm very into birds. :)

[brittany]

wow! her birds are just gorgeous!

[carey]

no wonder you love your little "amy birds". they are charming!!

[jag]

So cute! Pick me... Pick me... :-)

When I go away on retreat, I have a smaller version of my "meditation treasures" tray, seen in this pic. I surround my candle with symbols of discovery, purpose & transformation:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jagspace/3061922911/in/set-72157610159243695/

jag xox

[Liz Dager]

Thank you so for all you are and all you do for women!

[Nikki Jo]

I had never seen her work before - but she's adorable!

[patricia]

worth collecting indeed! those are such beautiful pieces!

[nina beana]

so beautiful!

[Jenny Rebecca]

What sweet, sweet little paintings!

[Jami]

I love those little birds, would look very lovely in my house (I don't know if I could give this away for a christmas present)!

[Angie]

I love these! I seem to collect people, places, things. http://www.flickr.com/photos/anewsome/1203271994/

[Diane]

what sweet little birds... how I love this giveaway business!

[renee @ FIMBY]

magic reminders... hum... I'm not a collector of things. But my kids are now making objets d'art and I love collecting their treasures around our home. Little reminders of all the love and beauty in my life.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28442274@N07/3042652706/

[n.]

wonderful work - beautiful!

[betrank]

Your collection is lovely. In recent years I've wanted to start a collection of something but haven't really set my heart upon one particular type of item. My husband jokes that I collect paper and I suppose that's true since I'm constantly buying little notebooks or journals so that I can write down anything and everything. There are tiny notebooks for my purse, my gearbag, my nightstand and larger versions that fill a set of shelves in my bedroom. I think it's at the point of being called a paper fetish instead of a collection. :)

Thank you for sharing Amy's work! Have a great Tuesday.

[elaine]

i love those little objets d'art (or how ever it is spelled). please, pick me!

[ELK]

what special creatures ~ fly to me!!

love your collections...

i am a gardener so I suppose mine is here:
http://www.redorgray.com/

[Kimberly]

Thank you for sharing your wonderful discovery with us. I agree - she is wonderful!

[Sharon]

What lovely Amy Birds. Love them!

[Puna]

Thank you for being so generous! I'm a collector at heart so this really speaks to me. I have a little collection of German Christmas ornaments, they make me happy every year.

Here's the baker. He's adorable.

http://lifesignatures.wordpress.com/2008/12/02/christmas-ornament-the-german-baker/

[Robin]

beautiful - would love one for my daughter's room.

[Aubrey]

Awesome! Those birds remind us to spread our wings and fly. I surround myself with good music and as much creative energy as possible.

[camerashymomma]

what sweet birdie designs! makes me think of Maya Angelou's 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings'. they are beautifully done and i love your sentiment behind your collection tracey.

i don't know how, but it started a long time ago with family trinkets, my collection of buddhas. some are old and passed down, and some are new that stand beside them. but they, are like your birds, they remind me of the joy that sometimes i'm too busy to see.

xo.

[~ kristina ~]

These are beautiful. I collect all sorts of magic reminders...

[Katie Mathews]

These are beautiful!!