Happy Birthday, Paul!!!

I certainly cannot let this day go by without posting a special birthday wish for my brother Paul. This ATC was created using a childhood photo of him taken, obviously, after he had injured his arm. Paul has dealt with a lot during his lifetime...accidents, surgeries, therapies...but survived it all and is probably a stronger person because of it. One thing I can say for sure is that he never complained about pain and discomfort...he was a real trooper through it all! Paul has been a very special friend and uncle to my son Garett, and for that, among many other things, I am deeply grateful.

Happy birthday, dear brother...we love you lots!!! Garett sends birthday wishes, too!

ATCs to share...

In addition to the beautiful card shown in my last post, my dear friend also sent these wonderful ATCs. Judy and I have been exchanging Artist Trading Cards each month for the past two years, many of which I have shared through blog posts. The detail in Judy's cards is exquisite...each little flower cut from fabric and arranged into a bouquet...bits of fabric cut and placed to form a delicate silhouette...bold colored felt & hand stitching creating "almost a circle"...all so lovely and uniquely "Judy"...enjoy!!!

"Evening Song"

This beautiful piece of paper cut-work was created by my dear friend Judy. The foreground, with all its fine detail, is hand cut from black cardstock and overlayed onto a beautifully hand-colored 'sunset.'

As it sits on my bedroom bureau, "Evening Song" will sing its quiet tune of beauty, peacefulness & friendship evermore. Thank you, Judy!

Fantasy destination...

Another art journal has come my way. The owner has requested participants to reveal a place they would travel if they could go anywhere in the world. Well, this was an easy one. Since forever, I have always dreamed of going to Egypt - a destination of mystery, antiquity and beauty. These are the pages I created...probably the most I will ever see of my fantasy destination.

The Newlyweds....

Yesterday was an exciting day for the family....our niece's wedding. With the Atlantic Ocean as their background, Joanna & Sean exchanged their vows at Bass Rocks in Gloucester, under a beautiful, sun-drenched sky. After the service, family and friends joined together for a dinner reception. The beautiful bride and her groom are pictured here, dancing their first dance as Mr. & Mrs.!!!

Congratulations and best wishes, Joanna and Sean, for a long and happy life together!

Bye, Lorna...

I know I've said this before, but one of the greater pleasures of having a summer home on the Cape is being able to share it with friends and family. The last few days have been days of fun, fun, fun with my dear friend Lorna. We talked, ate, drank, talked, swam, sunned, talked, shopped...well, you get the idea...we did all the stuff girl-friends do! Her 'significant purchase' this visit was a Trollbeads bracelet, which is absolutely stunning! As a matter of fact, I may just have to start one of these gem collectors for myself!

Well, Lorna is gone now...the house feels strangely empty and quiet...but wait!...who's that coming up the driveway?!?!

Two brothers, one sister...

The last few days have been a fun-filled time of reminiscing and reconnecting with two of my three brothers. This is probably the first time since I left our family home (33 years ago) that we have actually lived together in the same household - and they were just kids then - John was 17, Joe was 12. To have experienced them as adult men with history was a joy, and yet, in many ways they are still the little brothers I have always adored. We spent many hours at the beach and lots of time remembering our shared childhoods. We even became nostalgic for some of Mom's home cooked Lithuanian food; so, needless to say, we made some borscht (beet soup) and keugele (potato cake), which turned out great!
Well, the boys are gone now, but the memories will remain forever. I love you guys, thanks for being here!!!