reminders

 She gets me. Do you have that special someone in your life that builds you up, reminds you of all the goodness inside you and awaiting you? Oh how I hope you do. Those irreplaceable members of your tribe that stand with you side by side, through all ups, downs and in betweens. Life has felt a little uncertain lately. We all have those times, those times when things weigh on our hearts and dampen our creative spark. 'All will be well', I remind myself, again and again. Then the mail arrives, and tucked in an envelope amongst a few funny magazine clippings and handwritten notes, was this tiny tag. A token of her morning tea no doubt, but she saved it just for me and added a little extra love to seal the deal. How did she know? But of course she knew, she just does. Someone else might think it silly, not me, it was just the thing I needed. I tucked this little tag on my bedroom mirror right under this sticker.

Some days you just need a little reminder. I AM limitless, and just in case you forgot, so are you.

Have you found a message you needed in your tea, at your feet, or embodied in a token?

Do share it with us today.

loved

A bell is no bell 'til you ring it,

A song is no song 'til you sing it,

And love in your heart

Wasn’t put there to stay -

Love isn’t love

'Til you give it away.

~Oscar Hammerstein

There is usually one holiday gift each year that speaks to my heart.  Sometimes it is a handmade card from one of the boys, a silly trinket in my stocking, or that perfect gift that only Santa knew I wanted.

This year,  love came to me in the mail from Camp Sister, Chelsea.  A tangible reminder that I can wrap my hands around, feel the warmth, and bask in the knowledge that I am important to others.  

Today, share with us a photo that reminds you that you too are loved.   It is such a wonderful feeling.

Holiday Memories

When my brother and I were growing up, we would help my mother make desserts for the holidays.  She would dig out her favorite holiday recipes and we would bake dozens of sugar cookies with sprinkles, homemade fudge, Peanut Butter And Butterscotch Rice Krispies Treats, and milk chocolate marshmallow treats called Church Windows.  It was the one time of year when a silly contraption known as the Cookie Shooter came out of the pantry. 

It was always an afternoon filled with laughter, love, holiday music featuring Gene Autry on the record player, and mugs of hot cider with cinnamon.  Each year, the memory of this tradition brings me back to my parent's kitchen and fills my heart with warmth. 

Today, I invite you to share a favorite recipe that fills your family with cheer, year after year.  

love, light and being together

You know how everything is better when you're together? That's obviously the way we feel about things here at Shutter Sisters! That's why I would like to personally invite you to join in the fun this year as we Picture the Holidays.

Many of you might know of the Picture Series I have taught over at Big Picture Classes for the past year and a half. Many old friends and new ones too have gathered to spend some creative photo fun together in these classes. With every prompt and with each class my hope was to inspire people to see the world around them with a brand new perspective. My other hope was to bring people together; to learn, shoot, and share a space where like-minded, like-hearted women could gather in the name of creativity!

Keeping all that in mind, I would like to give you all a personal invitation to join us this year to experience Picture the Holidays. I am delighted to announce our partnership with Paper Coterie for this years versionof Picture the Holidays! I would love for you to participate in the daily photo prompts (that will come right to your inbox) as well as join the conversation in our private Facebook group.

If you are in need of a way to slow down enough to actually enjoy your holiday season (and who isn't?) then this experience is exactly what you need! All you need to do is sign up at Paper Coterie on thePIcture the Holidays homepage to "become a member". This gives you a membership at Paper Coterie AND enrolls you in the Picture the Holidays "Prompt Me" experience. If you've taken Picture the Holidays already last year, you're invited to do it again! If you're already a member at Paper Coterie, you still need to fill in the "become a member" prompt with your current member information and you'll be enrolled for the prompts. Upon becoming a memeber you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to get into the facebook group if you'd like to join us there too! The prompts for Picture the Holidays are complimentary. I hope by offering the 31 daily prompts to EVERYONE we can start our own Holiday Revolution and take back this Season! It's time to remember what it's all about; love,, light and being together!

At the end of 31 days of inspiration and imagery, you will be invited to create a photo book of your very own featuring the photos YOU took during your December. The book is optional, but encouraged. It's a perfect gift to afford yourself for reclaiming your Holiday season! And it was designed specifically for Picture the Holidays which makes it extra special.

So, what are you waiting for? Click over to Paper Coterie and pre-registerby becoming a member. Oh, and if you register before 11/23 you are entered to win an Epiphanie Bag too! YAY!

Join us and come December 1, we will be on our photo path to enjoying the Holidays together! I cannot wait to begin!

How do you enjoy your Holiday? What helps you slow down and savor?

open

through my lens i see

a beautiful world because

my heart is open

________________________________________

Do you remember when you first fell in love?  Life and everyone around you became beautiful.  Each moment was precious.  Any differences were easily overlooked.  The silliest things made you feel like a kid again.  I have found that you can feel the same way when you open your heart to creativity, you will fall in love with the world around you.

Since returning from Camp Shutter Sisters, my passion for photography has been re-ignited.  Now, as I go about my day, I find that I view everything as a photo opportunity.   A simple raindrop, the little flower that is blooming, the tiny dew drop in the grass, the view that I have seen for years... all are now shiny and new as though seen through lovers' eyes.   The true beauty in the simplicity of life is there and you will certainly find it... if you just open your heart to it.  

Today, I invite you to share an image, a poem, or a quote that has spoken to your heart recently.   Let us all bask in the glow.