Great gifts come in all sizes

DOWNLOAD

A Fair Day Hug

A big annual event at this time of year kicks off today here in town. The State Fair of Texas opens, and Big Tex begins his booming, "Howdy, folks," greeting to fairgoers. Many people in our office take their lunch break to watch the Opening Day Parade -- and to some, it's the real sign that fall has arrived. (Although we're told to expect 97 degree temps today.) One of my favorite entries in the parade is the U.S. Marine Corps band. They're magnificent and they're such a powerful presence.

Another interesting fact about the fairgrounds is that the buildings were constructed for the 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition, and they have remained the largest collection of Art Deco buildings in the world. There are still a lot of traditions associated with this event, and although I've only been a handful of times myself, there's a certain spirit that it brings to downtown Dallas that seems to herald the holiday season in a special way.

A lot of people don't care for Texas or Texans, but I promise I'm one of the good guys ... and I know LOTS of others who are, too. :)

Today's word art is meant to inspire you to give yourself a hug. You deserve it! DOWNLOAD

Blessings to you all,

Melanie

Font credits: Alex Regular, CK Sugar Cookie, Beyond Wonderland, Classic Typewriter, CK Quick Stitch, Blackout Serif

Funny business

I hope that everyone takes today's word art in the spirit in which it is intended. No disrespect is meant, whatsoever.

I always enjoyed the humor of the late Erma Bombeck, whose wit and wisdom inspired women in particular for several decades. Hope this is a pleasant memory for those of you who are familiar with her sense of humor, and that it is also an introduction to the younger generation of this very clever lady.

And that it gives EACH of you a smile today.

SPEAKING OF SEIZING THE MOMENT, I learned the hard way about 20 years ago to take time NOW to let people know that you care ... that you notice their accomplishments ... that you appreciate them.

Today, I want to send a With a Grateful Heart tribute to my digi-scrap blog friend, Mindy. Mindy has been a true inspiration to me, personally -- whether she knows it or not. I've mentioned her several times in my postings (including yesterday!) but wanted to send her this tribute today as a true gratitude moment. The spirit of her digital scrap products and gifts caught my eye immediately. They have a sense of joie de vivre in them that I think must be a reflection of her personality and her life.

Thank you, Mindy, all the heart you have put into your encouraging words and your artistry! Please take a few minutes to visit her blog today and her shops.

DOWNLOAD

Blessings,

Melanie

Font credits: Chocolate Box Decorative, CK Fantasy & CK Celebration

According to the calendar ...

... it's now officially past the first day of Autumn. Unfortunately, Texas is one of the US states that doesn't experience the first crisp day of fall until late October, if we're lucky -- but usually it's well into November. I still would LOVE to enjoy the full season of autumn in all it's glory, especially in New England. And I believe our Canadian friends have stunningly glorious arrays of color at this time of year, too. Send photos, please!!!

I enjoyed seeing Mindy's fall display that she posted on her blog on Saturday. Hopefully, we'll get our decorations out this weekend.

I would love to see how you use today's word art. Please send me links to any layouts using it, or any other word art you've downloaded from my blog. It's like working in a vacuum when I only see my own layouts with these freebies! DOWNLOAD

Hope autumn is an inspiring time of year for you ... and happy fall, y'all!

Melanie

font credits: EK Brush Lettering & Andiron Outline

Yawnnnnnn

Every Monday it gets more and more difficult to drag myself out of bed and show up at the office. I'm still needing that vacation I've moaned about ... can you tell?!!

I thought this quotation was all too true, so it's my posting for the day. Hope you can use it. DOWNLOAD

Blessings,

Melanie

Friday's gift

I just made this word art for a layout featuring our 1-year-old dog (a West Highland White Terrier) with a series of photos showing her antics. She is soooooooo cute. Hope you can use it. DOWNLOAD

Happy Friday & blessings to you all,

Melanie

Click

Today, class, we're talking about one of my favorite subjects: PHOTOGRAPHY. I absolutely love it, and if I could make my living at it, I would. I love to catch serendipitous moments with my family and freeze that moment in time. I love capturing the sunrise over San Francisco Bay or Mount Rainier. I love trying to still the cathedral hush of the piney woods in East Texas or the timeless waves of the Atlantic while watching for whales on the coast of Maine. I love photographing doors in the villages and towns of England and photographing architectural elements wherever I can find them.

This photograph of the California poppies was just such a moment when the light shown through the petals and brilliantly displayed these fiery hues (taken at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, April 2006) -- and another one of those irresistible shots I had to take.

The advent of digital photography has enabled more people to experiment, and I've seen some really great stuff from amateurs. They, too, have learned the joy of this art form, which is so incredibly expressive.

When I recently came across the quote from the renowned Ansel Adams, it said so much about how I personally feel. I bet it does for you, too.

DOWNLOAD