a million little things...

Right now, we are savoring the end of summer treats like corn or the cob, cantaloupe, green beans, tomatoes, and squash.  And, we are noticing the signs of fall around each bend, like the Black-Eyed Susans lining the roads, the golden afternoon glow, the coolness in the air, etc.  I love this time of year, because it means my most favorite time of year is very near.

I have been whipping up all sorts of recipes that include zucchini such as, zucchini bread, zucchini cake, zucchini cupcakes, zucchini cookies, baked zucchini, zucchini sticks, and soon to come, fried zucchini.  Pretty sure my family is growing tired of "zucchini this, and zucchini that"....haha, those are actually my little girl's exact words :).

I have a couple of things to share today, the first is a fun, stamped cotton bag.  I used Papertrey Ink's Strawberry Patch stamp set and coordinating dies.   The leaves are colored in with a Copic, while the berries are stamped using Berry Sorbet ink.  

A stamped Tremendous Tag is attached at the top with Raspberry Truffle scrunched seam binding from My Craft Spot, and vintage trim and pink pom poms are attached around the top of the bag.

This project was created for Emma's Paperie and is based on a color challenge posted there.

I used so many fun things on this little pocket such as the darling bows from Studio Calico.  

Stickers from Echo Park and paper from Webster's Pages.

Inside the pocket is a coordinating tag...perfect for a lunchbox love note, if you ask me :).

You can find a complete list of supplies used on this project HERE.  

I get homesick for my family this time of year...not sure why except maybe it's because of a tradition we started several years ago, that hasn't happened for a while now because of the distance between myself, my brothers, and our parents.  I miss them all right now. Anyway, my brother Scot has been on my mind lately and this morning I visited his Facebook page to check in on him and found that he has posted some beautiful photos...he's an AMAZING photographer and his photos always seem to reach right into my heart.  These are all his and there are plenty more on his Facebook page, not to mention he has left a sweet and very direct message to his daughters, my nieces, on his blog, A Life Worth Living.   What an wonderful dad he is and such a great example to me.

I love how he captures the tiniest details through his photography.  Life is truly full of a million little things to beautify our world and bring us happiness...if we'll just slow down and look for them and recognize them for what they are, reminders of our Heavenly Father's love for us.

This one leaves me speechless and makes me long for home...I should have this framed an in my house somewhere.

And, this one of course, is one of my favorite photos of his...the Salt Lake Temple.  I am thankful for what this photo represents, knowing I can be united with my family forever, throughout eternity.

Hope your day is full of many tiny little things that make you smile and help you feel loved.

Melissa

Comments

[Danielle Flanders]

I love your stamped bags!! I need to try one soon! xo Sorry you are missing home. I know that feeling all too well. Maybe a visit is in order? :)
Dani

[Patty O'Malley]

I love your sweet bag! So pretty! The card is adorable and wonderful to leave a message for someone. Your brother's photos are amazing. He should be a professional photographer if he isn't one already. I am so happy anticipating the changing season. We haven't had any signs of it yet except for a couple of days when the weather was perfectly cool and comfortable.

[Deirdre]

Every time you show us one of your gorgeous bags Melissa, I want to rush and do one too and today is no exception! I have to say, this Summer has been one that I really enjoyed but for past two weeks, the nights have drawn in, air is crisper and you just know Autumn is waiting to touch down. Love your brothers photos and funnily enough, my sister brought me home a bunch of gorgeous sunflowers and I have had my camera out to capture their loveliness. I think when we are any distance from our family, there are certain little unexpected things that trigger wistfulness in us and we want to be transported straight to them. Only natural but do print off your brother's photo and wander home for a few minutes......take care dear Melissa@-}--

out to capture that golden, sunny moment.

[Deirdre]

Oops apologies Melissa, now I see where that last few words disappeared to....ignore pretty please...:-)

[sherrie]

Wow, your canvas bag is just adorable! Can I ask what kind of ink pad do you use to stamp on these??
I love the fun strawberries, flowers and adorable tag!
The pictures are all amazing-thanks for sharing!
Sherrie K
http://sherriescraps.blospot.com
jskoning at msn dot com

[Becky Green]

SWEET PIECES MELISSA!!!!!!!:) LOOOOOOOOVE that little Muslin Bag!!!!!!!! TOOO CUTE! :) AND your brother's photography is WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!:)