My Favorite Holiday Card

We received a Christmas card from a dear friend made by Kathy Davis Studios, with the most incredible message. I loved it so much that I wanted to share:

The Greatest Gifts

May we break boundaries, tear down walls, and build the foundation of goodness inside each of us.



May we look past differences, gain understanding, and embrace acceptance. May we reach out to each other, rather than resist.

May we be better stewards of the earth, protecting, nurturing, and replenishing the beauties of nature.



May we practice gratitude for all we have, rather than complain about our needs.



May we seek cures for the sick, help for the hungry, and love for the lonely.

May we share our talents, give our time, and teach our children.

May we hold hope for the future very tenderly in our hearts and do all we can to build for bright tomorrows.



And may we love with our whole hearts, for that's the only way to love.

You may read more on Kathy Davis' blog. All of my photographs included here are available in my etsy shop. Enjoy!

2 New ACEO's in my etsy shop!

New in my etsy shop , two new ACEO's! I have listed two of my popular prints as ACEO's. ACEO's are fun little pieces of art (2.5x3.5 inches) to collect, trade, or give. A few ideas to display your ACEO's - a special photo album for them, a little basket of them on your coffee table for your friends and family to flip through, tuck them in a card as a sweet little "thinking of you," or matte and frame them to display in your home.

Here are my new ACEO's:


Ruby Red




Starfall

You may learn more about ACEO's and see some beautiful examples in this etsy thread. View all of my ACEO's here.

Have fun, and enjoy getting to know this fun little art form!

Zoo Lights

What fun we had tonight! One of our friends was performing with her Irish Dance group at our zoo during the holiday lights festival. It was mild outside - not too cold and very pretty. It always amazes me how beautiful our little zoo looks, all decorated for the holidays. Funny what a lot of colorful lights can do! Happy Holidays to all of you!

My Second Giveaway - Tiny Framed Print

Perfect for letting someone know that you are thinking of them, or to brighten a friend's day - tiny little framed photographs. The frames measure ~ 3x4 inches, perfect for a windowsill, desk or shelf. Most of the prints available in my etsy shop would work in one of these little frames - just let me know what you are interested in - I am happy to work with you!

For my giveaway, post a comment here describing your favorite holiday tradition. My little helpers and I will choose a winner out of our Boston Red Sox hat on January 1, 2009! The winner will receive one of these tiny framed prints!

Happy Holidays, everyone!

Underground Bazaar in San Francisco

I am so excited to be a part of the First Underground Bazaar in the Inner Sunset area of San Francisco, this Sunday, Dec. 14 from noon until 5pm . Twenty six vendors will be showcased.

There has been TERRIFIC publicity, in everything from CBS5, blogs, N-JudahChronicles, Laughing Squid, Lilycat, Yelp, and Sunsetdistrict.org .

What is the Underground Bazaar?:

It is a community-building art show exclusively for DIYers.

When?

Sunday, Dec. 14, Noon to5pm.

What is the cost?

Free to both buyers and sellers!

Where is this place?

In a grand, turn-of-the-century house on the NW corner of 6th & Irving, Inner Sunset, in San Francisco.

Why?

Because it sounds like a nice way to encourage talented people to sell creative stuff to appreciative people.

My DH will be the vendor for me on Sunday (thank you so much!)! So, if you are in the neighborhood, drop by and browse through the wonderful shops of handmade fun!

Here are a few of the items which you will find in my booth (they are also available in my etsy store)......

FAM - Made Holiday Holiday Gift Guide

I am thankful to be a member of the Etsy FAM team (Fabulous Artistic Moms). The women in this group are incredibly supportive, super talented, and a lot of fun.

The FAM-Made for the Holidays promo is under way! You will be entered to win FAM Bucks if you buy from my shop between Dec 1 and Dec 12! There are daily deals and surprise specials! The special for today is reduced shipping!




Take a look at the Holiday gift guide for teens on the FAM blog.

Counting my Blessings

My children are the most incredible gifts I have ever received. Their joy, curiosity and love take my breath away. Although we are very close, I never lived full-time with my stepbrother and stepsister. Because of this, I grew up mainly as an only child, so one of the most wonderful (and the most challenging sometimes) parts of being a mom to these four little people, is watching their relationships with each other develop. I am so thankful that they have each other to share life with.

Even on the tough days, there is plenty to laugh and smile about around here....

Their Dictionary

gassilator - alligator
rangakoo - kangaroo
sand oliver - sand dollar
companio - piano
superball - superbowl
outside outside - inside out


The benefits (?) of having three older sisters:
So, to my four little buddies, thank you for filling my heart. I love you to the moon and back.

New in My Etsy Shop! Downtown Architecture Cards

A great way to send a greeting to that friend who loves the beauty of architecture! I took these photos around our downtown area. The details in these churches were lovely, I thought. The cards are 5x7, perfect to send or to frame as a gift.

Each of the photos in this set is also available as a print in various sizes. Just email me through my etsy shop and let me know what you would like!

Advent Conspiracy - This is thought-provoking and inspiring. Please watch! (You'll want to turn off my playlist to hear the music. )

Wow! Take a look at the FAM Made Holiday Gift Guide 2008

Looking for unique, wonderful, handmade gifts for those you love? Please take time to check out the FAM (Fabulous Artistic Moms) Holiday gift guide! You will be sure to find something perfect for everyone on your list! Click on the cute little snowman to check it out! Happy Holidays, everyone!

Announcing the Winners of my Giveaway!!!!

Yes, it is a bit late, but we are dancing as fast as we can over here!!

Drumroll please.......................

(Yes, we went to a rock star birthday party last night. My little ones aren't usually sporting skull fingernail polish! But man, did we have fun! )

With assistance from my three little helpers, we have selected the winners (yes, we decided to draw a second and third prize too, because I have three little helpers), and here they are:

Third prize winner of a matted 4x6 print, "Finny," is Taylor of CurlyfrySC's Collage! (Her awesome etsy shop is here.)

Second prize, one of my "little red shoes" magnets, is Susan of The Redhead's Homestead! (Take a look at her wonderful etsy shop, Yaffa Dreams.)

and the grand prize winner of the Happy Holiday Pepper card set is Melanie of Whimsical Creations! (Be sure to visit her etsy shop, MelaniesCrafts . You will be glad you did!)

Thank you so much to all who participated! Tune in again soon for my next giveaway.........

BOGO Sale - Black Friday through Cyber Monday!!!

As usual, I have learned something new today....I have learned about Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving, traditionally a very busy shopping day in brick and mortar shops. And Cyber Monday is basically the same thing for on-line shops and markets. The thought is that people return to work on Monday, but continue their shopping on-line. So.....in celebration of my new-found knowledge, I am having a BOGO free sale on all the prints in my shop, allieart4children. Buy one print and receive a second print (of equal or lesser value) absolutely free! Just leave your choice of a second print in the "notes to seller" section when you check out!


For other etsy sellers: leave a comment under this post with a link to your own Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales! I will post a link to this announcement on Etsy, Twitter, etc. during the weekend. Hoping for many sales for all of us!


Some of my newest listings for you to enjoy.....

Little Bird No. 1



Reflections
Carmel Mission No. 1


Market Pinks

Meeting Place

New in my Etsy Shop! Tufted Titmouse Trio

As most of you know, birds and birdwatching are some of my very favorite things. All my life, birds have been a sort of companion to me, always nearby, making me feel less alone and hopeful in the tough times, and lifting my spirits even more when I am happy. To me, there is something almost unearthly about their gentleness, one of God's greatest gifts. They amaze me with their beauty, agility and tenacity. They are incredibly strong and amazingly fragile at the same time. As someone who is naturally drawn to the tiny details, birdwatching is perfect for me. And photographing birds was just the next step in appreciating and trying to capture a little of that ethereal beauty to keep.


I have had these photographs for quite a few years, and have been tossing ideas around lately about how to group them together. I love this set, because it displays the feeding behavior so well (see that little seed he's holding between his tiny feet?), and also because the photos really show off this little guy's details, from his crest to the beautiful rosy color of his feathers under his wings. So, here it is, my Tufted Timouse Trio.....

Unanswered Questions

There is so much I still want to ask you, but I can't. Actually, I guess I can, and I do, but I just can't hear you answer me, at least not with my ears. In my heart, I think I hear you sometimes.

The hardest is when my children ask me things about me that I don't remember, but that you would never forget...

What kind of birthday cakes did I like to have?

What was my favorite thing about first grade?

And in moments when I find myself wanting to pick up the phone and call to ask you~

Can you go over with me again how to make your shepherd's pie that he loves so much?
Did I handle argument # 1003 between the older two as I should have?
How do I talk to her about not letting other people define her?
How do I let them know how much I love them?

I know that you are fine now, and that is what I prayed for - mercy for you - it's just tough for me.

I can keep trying to hear you. I can eat my soup from your bowl, sleep under your quilt, try to catch the scent of your favorite pot pourrie. I can keep trying to remember how it felt when you touched my face. I can keep picturing you laughing and happy and safe, because that is where you are. I love and miss you so much.

Featured on Felted Treasures!

Yesterday, one of my etsy friends, Valerie of ValeriesGallery, was kind enough to feature my etsy shop on her blog, Felted Treasures, as her weekly Etsy for Charity artist. Etsy for Charity is composed of etsy artists who donate a portion of their proceeds to various charitable organizations. In addition, each month, members of Etsy for Charity select a charity of the month. The proceeds from the EtsyforCharity shop are all donated to the charity of the month. November's charities are Feed the Children and National Alzheimer's Association. Check out the EtsyforCharity shop. Find something wonderful for someone you love, and help someone else at the same time.

Valerie and I are also both members of FabulousArtisticMoms, another incredibly supportive Etsy team. Definitely visit Valerie's etsy shop for amazingly beautiful felted treasures. Valerie's attention to detail, and the incredible workmanship seen in her creations makes each of her pieces truly unique. Here are a few of my favorites that Valerie has created...

Old and New in my Esty Shop

As I mentioned before, I have been looking through some of my older photographs. It has been so much fun, and I have found a few to list in my Etsy shop. Please stop by and check them out! Here's a sneak peek..........

Olema Farmhouse Cat

Garden Mary

Stepping out

Lovely

Blessings

I had a wonderful time last night looking through some older photographs. Wow! How time flies....In celebration of the Thanksgiving season and in preparation for advent, I am focusing on blessings, and on ways I can serve my family.

To start, I want to say a very special thank you to my amazing husband. He is truly my best friend, my partner in crime, my biggest supporter, and the person who understands me better than anyone. I am so grateful to have been blessed with someone who understands me so well, and loves me anyway. We have weathered alot together, and he has been my joy and strength. It has been an amazing 16 years, and I look forward to many, many more adventures together. Looking through those old photos last night took me right back to our early days. What fun we have had!