Search
Categories
"photo essay" #hdmoment #shuttersisters #sscolormonth #ssdecember #sselevate #ssmoment #thewrittenwords abstract adventure aperture archives art autumn babies beauty black and white blur bokeh books business camera bags camera gear cameras camp shutter sisters celebration, change childhood children cityscapes classes color community updates composition contests crafts creativity creatures details diptychs discovery documentary documentary dreams elevate equipment events events events everyday exposure expressive photography fall family fashion featured products film flare flash focus food found words found words framing fun gallery exhibitions gather giveaway giving gratitude guest blogger healing heart holidays holidays holidays home inspiration instant interviews interviews introspection iphoneography iso jump kitchen landscape landscapes laughter leap lenses life light love love macro mantra medium moment moments moments, mood motherhood motion muse nature nature negative space night photography Oasis one word project patterns perspective pets photo essay photo prompts photo walk, picture hope place places play poetry polaroid portraiture pov pregnancy presets printing process processing processing project 365 reflections savor self self-portraits sepia series shadow shop shutter speed simplicity sisterhood skyscapes soul spaces sponsors sports spring step still life stillness stillness story storytelling, inspiration style styling summer sun table texture thankful time tips tips, togetherness travel truths tutorial urban, video vignettes vintage vintage effects visual poetry water weather weddings weekend weekending windows winter words workflow you
« The Bottom of Everything | Main | when the water is warm »
Tuesday
Dec022008

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 40th 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. 

Reader Comments (214)

those birds are adorable!
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterBrianna
I love your collection. It is lovely!
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterTracie
I surround myself with phtographs of those I love and special events. Every room in our house is full of pictures and looking at those moments in time and remembering the joy experienced can shake the blues or bad day away in an instant.
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterSteph Wiese
I would love one of Amy's pieces. Thank you so much for the giveaway!
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterabbersnail
Totally enchanting.
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterGooksu
Tracey, yes I do surround myself with things that make my heart sing. Unfortunately I'm working against a deadline and can't upload any photos right now so I hope I can quickly just tell you about them.

I've always love things that people have made for me and have kept them all -- both in kind but especially deep within my heart. My mother died a year and a half ago and I still struggle with the grief. One thing I've finally been able to do is bring out a number of things she has given or made for me over the years. When I packed up and cleared out her house I also saved a few of her favourite things to take home with me. She collected frogs of all sizes and shapes and I have many of them. They sit inside her Christmas Cactus, a great big giant frog sits beside me in my home office as a daily touchstone to her, and so on. I treasure them as a connection deep in my heart to my dear mother. I miss her so.

Diane
(although it may be too late for this day's post, I WILL add a few photos on my blog tonight or tomorrow morning.)
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterDiane Schuller
OMG, seriously!??! I won?!? I never win anything!! Wow - I can't say that anymore! :-) This site and the flickr group are both a total inspiration to me, and the necklace is gorgeous. Thank you so much, my sisters!!

xoxo, Lilia

(p.s.please don't take this as an entry for today's giveaway...I'm not greedy like that ;-)
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterlilia
How wonderful! Thank you for introducing us to this artist!
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterJennifer
I have been collecting graniteware for years and when I do shoots, I almost always find a way to include the beautiful pieces I have collected. It shows up in food shoots, cookbook shoots and my personal favoite, the puppy shoots. My post has a border collie puppuy and a yorkie puppy in my blue graniteware!
http://pixels-n-pen.blogspot.com
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterJean M Fogle
I have been collecting graniteware for years and when I do shoots, I almost always find a way to include the beautiful pieces I have collected. It shows up in food shoots, cookbook shoots and my personal favoite, the puppy shoots. My post has a border collie puppuy and a yorkie puppy in my blue graniteware!
http://pixels-n-pen.blogspot.com
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterJean M Fogle
sweet little birds :)

i surround myself with books, spilling out of corners, photographs and artwork and painted rocks and a big heart rock found on my favourite coastline by my husband :)
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterdarlene
Cheerful birdies. I want.
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterChana
LOVE her art. I have to have something for my daughter's room. Thanks for sharing :)
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterCandace
Fresh flowers and photos of my kids.....those are my creature comforts. Both make me smile 100% of the time !!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the featured collection !
PEACE !
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterLauren C.
oh beautiful birds! :)
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered Commentermika
These are delightful! Thank you for sharing them!
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterjenlancaster
I love these birds! They remind me of the song by the Be Good Tanyas, The Littlest Birds. I surround myself with blue glass, unusual rocks, crystals, original art, prints by favorite artists, tiny signs, rocks with messages, funky scarves and wraps, and color. (I was a goth in college and stuck with the all-black clothing long after I stopped using excessive eyeliner, so this color thing is relatively new to me.) My newest acquisition is a holiday one: a Christmas-tree cone made of mirrorball bits. My daughter is SO delighted when the sun hits it on the breakfast table and it shines sparkles around the whole yellow-splashed kitchen.
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterpjkpixie
Oh, dreamy hooray!" - if it worked once, maybe it will work again.
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterdawnfh
I love her work - yippee!
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered Commentersamantha b.
as a lover of anything bird i also randomly came upon amy's beautiful bird artwork a few years ago. not only does her work spark your spirit and imagination but it always shows the love that amy puts into it making her one of my favorite artists to date!
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered Commenteralison
I have framed prints of my dearest Shutter Sisters on my windowsill, those are my treasures.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hippyhappyhay/2941182544/
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterHay
Love the site! Thanks!
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterShosh
i just love knowing that every day this month i will not only get the chance to enter a giveaway but i'll also be introduced to some cool new creators and their creations! these birdies are just so lovely.
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterVanessa
Your Amy birds are beautiful, along with your post of 'nice surroundings'. Great post sister.
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterBecky
I love the simplicity of the pieces. I'll have to show her website to my husband, he loves art like this.
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterAndrea
Lovely and beautiful.
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterliz
Pretty birds!
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterMelissa
such sweet birds - what lovely illustrations!
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered Commentersperlygirl
How sweet!! I think with all the hustle & bustle today we ned little reminders like yours:)
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterKristy
oh! pick me!
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterkarla
I love my Stangl plates. They are so cheerful and really make my heart sing. I use them every day.

These were mass-produced, but each piece is hand-carved and hand-painted, and whenever I use them, I think of their designer, Kay Hackett (who wrote to me when I sent her a letter telling her how much I loved her work) and I also think of all the talented New Jersey artisans who worked on each piece.
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterSuebob
A give away a day! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! I love it!
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterlisa
Those are charming birds!

I love to have things around my house to remind me of my childhood, married life, or motherhood.
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterEmily
lovely, just lovely
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterkristin
Oh those little birds are so joyful, she must puts lots of love in them. I think I am hooked
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered Commentermarcy
Those are gorgeous. I love them!
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterRachel Dallaire
Enter me, please! Those are lovely!
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterGrace
I surrond myself with photographs of the people that make my heart sing. It's hard to lose sight when I see their happy smiles.

When it comes to the holidays though...I'm having some trouble feeling the magic this year: http://umbrellablog.com/holidays/in-search-of-merry-bright/
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterJamie
oh i love those amy birds!!!! off to look at her shop and crossing my fingers for some give-a-way luck! xoxo
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterjen d {she saw things}
I love them! I might have to put one of these on my Christmas list.
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterAnn
oh yes we are a treasure family. we gather. living by the beach aids in our habit! sea glass, shells, heart stones, acorns, now berries and twigs and pine adorn my sills and mantle, made a wee bit more magical with silver bells. http://www.flickr.com/photos/14811117@N02/3076729701/
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterkristin
These are delightful!!! I am going to add you to my blog favorites... :)
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterHeidi Rumph
The best thing about her work is how very cool and kind Amy herself is. I can't think of anyone more deserving of her success.
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterMichaela
what lovely little birds
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterelizabeth
I love everything about birds! I hope I win (yes I do!).
I got a gift from ZukZuk a while ago, one of her "jellybean birds" (http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/2805969485/). I hang it in my livingroom (http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/2806838758/). I love it. It's a reminder of how many nice, warm and creative people are out there, even if there is such an uglyness in the world all around too.
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterJulie Alvarez
I have a thing for little birds myself. It is actually a nickname for my daughter. ANYWAY, I love your collection.
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterJess
I hope I win!
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterJachiCue
Its kinda funny, i am seperating from my husband and moving across the country and i find the only things i want to keep are tiny momentos from 11 years past. A seashell, seaglass, the kids artwork, my favorite fuzzy socks, etc...

He can have the big screen tv, the furniture, et al.
But i would be broken if i lost my little momentos and collections!
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterAshlea
Love, Love, Love the simplicity of the birds...my kind of artwork!
December 2, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterMary

PostPost a New Comment

Enter your information below to add a new comment.

My response is on my own website »
Author Email (optional):
Author URL (optional):
Post:
 
All HTML will be escaped. Hyperlinks will be created for URLs automatically.