This Christmas several of the special gifts exchanged between my daughters and myself were handmade. My older daughter attends a creative festival each summer which involves costumes so I bought her a handmade tutu from a delightful mother and daughter at a local show. Watching her open the box with a flurry of tulle cascading out was such fun! She loved it!

Amanda gave Kate a beautiful handmade hammock which folds up into bag. The hammock is made by a local artist Cory Richardson known as Max, who calls them Hanging Hugs. All of the proceeds from the hammocks go to providing sleeping hammocks in Uganda. His story is an interesting one, you can read about this young social activist on his website. Here is Kate wearing her hammock!

Gifts chosen were thoughtful and handmade are even more special. Both girls went home from the holidays as always with a piece of my heart and gifts created with love! Follow the JOY! Debra, CEO!

A New Year begins tomorrow. I look at the beautiful new journal my daughter gave me for Christmas, fresh pages ready for this next year of my life. New calendars, a new year to begin filling in. Resolutions, intentions, we are drawn to looking at our life on this last day of the old year and make promises to ourselves to live next year better.

To have wants and desires, goals and dreams is part of our nature, to strive and grow. We are on a journey in life, one of constant movement and change. Some changes we hardly notice, some shake our whole world but change remains constant like the waves. Through it all we have the choice in how we navigate our journey through whatever comes.

This I believe that life is simply a love story, the core of our being continues because of love. Who we love and how we love defines us. When we love deep, true and strong we anchor our life. It allows us to soar with our dreams knowing we matter in this life. To love your life allows you to do your best work, that work you are here to do. We all make a difference, our energy fills the air around us and travels far. It is a powerful force. As dear friend, the amazing Ms. Margot Potter says" Love trumps everything!"

This I believe that we do not walk alone, that Joy is always with us. With love, faith, compassion, kindness and gratitude we share our best selves with the world each day. We are enough just as we are, we are a gift in this life.

Create and be creative, inspire and be inspired, love and be loved. Share your gifts, talents, your essence with the world. Lead your best life in this new year and know you are perfect just as you are. To a new year, welcome!

To the past year of my life thank you for the love that has filled each day, to the special relationship that has brought me great joy. To my daughters who are the light of my life and have taught me more about life than they will ever know. To dear family and friends who are a constant reminder of the abundance of goodness, joy, love and laughter in this life!

Most importantly take the time to say I love you, to tell those in your life how special they are. These moments you choose will be remembered forever.

To all of you who take the time to visit each day, a heart felt thank you! Fran & Freda appreciate their loyal followers on Fowl Friday! ( I had to bribe them for today!) May this new year be filled with a luscious life for all! Remember to Follow the JOY! Debra, CEO!

Handmade gifts are always special. A gift created with love, time and caring hands. The gift is filled with a loving energy between both the giver and the receiver. This year I made a quilt for my youngest and pillows, wall hanging for my oldest daughter. Other gifts they received were also handmade by the most wonderful artists. Both girls are so appreciative and it was a cherished morning Christmas Day opening gifts, laughing and loving!

My youngest daughter Kate had been wanting a quilt. I love to sew and have designed baby quilting fabrics but I am not really a quilter. I wanted to make it bright, fresh and use colors she likes. She also loves plaid so that had to be incorporated. I chose a bold graphic print first, when cut into squares it gave alot of pattern variation and created my color palette. All of the other fabrics chosen complimented this main fabric. I used Fairfield's Natur-fil quilt batt, a bamboo quilt batt which is so very soft. I laid it out on the floor and quilted it by machine. The pattern is a simple patchwork "around the world" pattern. She was thrilled with it and spent the rest of the holidays with the quilt wrapped around her. While she was here I transferred some of her favorite quotes to the back of the quilt. I sent her off back to school with a piece of home, of love to surround her every day! Follow the Joy! Debra

The holiday weekend was a very special one with both of my darling daughters here. The annual gingerbread house creation is always so much fun. The themes are unusual and would not be my choice but the laughter, creativity, candy and time together is priceless. So this year a tribute to a show they both watch "Teen Mom" and the house a Teen Mom Spa & DayCare.

A path of candy lego blocks and soothers with a brown sugar sandbox!

Partners in crime!

Okay, the front of house I "helped" with, got a little messy! Just a fun time had by all! Follow the Joy always! Debra, CEO!

photo courtesy of Create & Decorate

Preparations are almost all ready around here which is hard to believe! My first Christmas with my daughters living away and coming home. The oldest arrives today. Kate has been busy baking and enjoying just hanging out with me! It is such fun to have her here! Here she is in my little kitchen making cookie dough truffles for gifts!

There is nothing more wonderful in my world than having my two darling daughters here for the holidays, the snow is falling, lights twinkle and music fills the air! I am blessed with love & joy! May your heart & home be too this holiday season! This I believe that Life is simply a love story! Follow the JOY! Debra

Creating decorations for my new place has been fun. I enjoy working with fabric and felt and trims. Using STYROFOAM brand foam shapes I created some larger lightweight ornaments for the tree. When there is not alot of time and you are going for a wow factor larger ornaments are the ideal solution. Since I have a bird theme in my place I wanted to make bird houses for my tree. I cut foam blocks angling the sides. Covered the block with fabric, created a roof with ribbon covered cardstock and then embellished with trims, ribbons and floral accents.

The second ornament I designed was using two small foam cones glued together. Again I covered the shape with fabric adding ribbon, tassels, buttons and trims. They give an elegant look to the eight foot tree in the entrance way.

Today the place smells like lemon and chocolate, my daughter and I baked all day listening to Christmas carols. Tonight we are watching "Elf" which is one of her favorites, she can recite every line which adds to the fun!

May this Holiday season find you enjoying many wonderful moments! Follow the Joy! Debra, CEO!

Having my youngest daughter back home is beyond wonderful! She just turned nineteen and has been away at school. I became and empty nester six months ago when both daughters left. Sold my house and followed my heart to a new place. To have her back makes home once again, the favorite ornaments on the tree, familiar and loved carols playing through the sparkling lights.

My other daughter arrives in a couple days, the place will be filled with laughter and love! The annual themed gingerbread house will be constructed, favorite holiday movies to watch, games and goodies. Christmas morning we spend time oohing and ahhing over each gift, savoring the time spent together, of gifts chosen and created with loving care. These are indeed special times, moments that capture the heart forever. To my darling daughters, my sweet chicks who have left the nest but not my heart, I love you! Follow the JOY! Debra, CEO!

It is Fowl Friday with Fran & Freda! Well excitement is in the air as well as an overpowering amount of greenery, lights and glittery boxes! Kate arrives home for the Christmas holidays today and Debra is in a flurry of last minute preparations.

WE miss Kate, we do not MISS the dreaded felines. Been a bit lonely without the girls around so today will be so fun. Kate is in pastry school so there are also many many treats on the way. We know she would not forget her favorite fowl!!! Chocolate chicken feed brandy truffles, yippee!

So what have we been up to, well we have a decorating style as well so we have been decking some halls and trimming the tree too! Freda is slightly afraid of heights so the 7 foot tree has been a bit daunting. However I just blindfold her going up the ladder and then give her something above her to focus on. If that doesn't work I just add a wee bit of wine to her water. That always works!!! Follow the Fowl! Fran & Freda!!!

This is week seven, the final week of the Sizzix Triple Play Blog Hop! The featured die Treat Bag Toppers, Bigz XL Scoreboards Die #656774 is designed by the talented Eileen Hull. More exciting news from the talented triple trio!

 

I love this time of year! Preparing for the holidays and my darling daughters arrivals! Last minute gifts underway. My favorite design work is using STYROFOAM brand foam products and felt.

I created this cute scene for a quick centerpiece, perfect for the Fave Crafts monthly blog hop this month! It is also featured in the Homearts newsletter the Creative Buzz. Full instructions are on the website. Ho! ho! Ho! Enjoy the season! Tomorrow the Sizzix Triple Play blog hop continues. Follow the JOY!!! Debra, CEO!

photo courtesy of Homearts