Grat"i*tude\, n. [F. gratitude, LL. gratitudo, from gratus agreeable, grateful. See Grate, a.] The state of being grateful; warm and friendly feeling toward a benefactor; kindness awakened by a favor received; thankfulness.
That pretty much sums it up. Exactly how I feel right now...overflowing. I have such deep, deep gratitude for each and everyone of you who left such heartfelt and loving comments for me here, and for the many emails that both made me laugh and brought tears to my eyes with their touching words. Kindness awakened by a favor received. Such beautiful words...and the positive words and reassurance given to me yesterday, certainly awakened my soul to see the beauty and love out there. I can hardly express in words how I felt receiving each and every comments...but please know...each one touched me. And as I stated in the previous post...you are the reason I do this.
And being so filled with gratitude, I have something special coming later this week for you...so please check back for that...I don't want any of you to miss it! I think it will be something you will like...
But...in the meantime {I know what a tease am I!}...I wanted to share some other happenings over the past couple of weeks...
First...my sister-in-law had a birthday on the 13th. She is not only the loveliest woman, but also has such a beautiful sense of style and creative soul. I wanted to give her gifts that would really mean something and inspire her with her own artistic journeys...{she gave Josh an amazing work of art for Christmas that I simply must show you at some point...it is stunning...created with vintage finds and bits of nature}.
I found this really pretty vintage jewelry box at a sale sometime ago...just waiting to use it for something special. I knew the colors would be perfect for Rebekah....golds, yellows and browns...
It has many little compartments...which got me to thinking of perhaps filling it with little bits of "creative inspiration"...so that is what I did. I set to work finding treasures in a coordinating color palette...that could inspire her and perhaps one day become embellishments in her own creations.
Included were buttons, beads, vintage and new jewelry parts, vintage charms, seashells, feathers, vintage watch parts and clock faces {Joshua's contribution}...
...trims, a vintage bottle adorned with lace and buttons and filled with Lavender...Scrabble tiles spelling out "create"...
I tucked an old photograph, vintage Victorian greeting, and Flinch number cards for her date of birth in the back, as well as a few more trims, and some rick rack.
It was filled to the brim with creative inspiration...all with her style in mind...
Then of course...it needed to be gift wrapped...
{The box on top held a vintage necklace I found for her}. I took an old linen and wrapped it like an envelope around the box, and pinned it together with a vintage hat pin and white fabric rose. And voila. What better gift to give than that of inspiration! And it can be accomplished for relatively low cost for those of us trying to save money these days...as inspiration can be found in the simplest of treasures...once you start to look...
I hope to give more gifts to inspire in the future...and the best part...if you are like me...it is so much fun pulling it all together and creating something beautiful with little bits of this and that!
The other "news of note" is not so much of the inspiring kind...but the furry, Cairn terrier kind...
Poor little Renoir had a torn nail last week on his back foot, and we ended up having to take him to the vet to have it cut. It was so sad to hear him yelp as they cut it...it seemed to last forever. Then the doctor came out and said..."Boy, he doesn't like to get his nails trimmed!" She said the first yelp was for the hurt nail...the rest...{for which I was cringing listening to in the waiting room} was just him complaining about getting his nails cut! That was a relief. But...he did get quite a bandage...and lots of babying around here...
He is completely back to his old self now...but I just had to share these photos of my baby with a bandaged foot!
Well, thank you again dear friends, for your love, support and encouragement! You ladies are the best. And don't forget to come back later in the week for the special surprise!
Till next time...
What a beautiful, thoughtful gift! How pleased your sister in law will be to receive it. The way you have wrapped it makes it so pretty and inviting, just gorgeous.
Poor puppy..... such a sad face! LOL
Hugs,
Margaret B
Posted by: Margaret Bouwmeester | March 24, 2009 at 11:11 PM
What a thoughtful, beautiful gift! I'm sure your sister-in-law loved it! One of my dogs had the same thing happen to his nail - he didn't like his bandage and kept trying to get it off. Renoir seems to be better behaved about the whole thing!
Posted by: Claudia | March 25, 2009 at 12:42 AM
Oh my how I would go crazy if I received such a gorgeously wrapped gift of goodness!! So thoughtful and beautiful.
Posted by: Lisa Super | March 25, 2009 at 12:55 AM
MANY hugs from Marian from the Netherlands!! I love the thoughtfulness in the gift you made. And that poor doggie, AAAWW!!
again hugs to you and chin up girl. I know easier said than done ♥
Posted by: Marian/Dutchy | March 25, 2009 at 02:16 AM
What a lovely gift given! I just love giving those kinds of gifts that are truly from the creative heart. Poor Renoir... I hope he is feeling better!
Posted by: Sheila R | March 25, 2009 at 02:56 AM
This is a truly beautiful, unique and thoughtful gift ~ how lucky your sister in law is! I love the way that you have wrapped it in linen.
Hope that Renoir is feeling a little better (although probably making the most of sympathy!)
Posted by: Ali at Betty & Violet | March 25, 2009 at 03:14 AM
What a beautiful gift for your SIL Alice. Wouldn't anyone of us love to receive that thougthful and inspiring gift.
Poor Renoir with his torn nail. Our Gypsy did the same thing once and she squealed like she was being skinned alive - what sooky-la-la's they are.... but we love them!!
Glad youa re feeling better about the blogging world today.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
Posted by: Kerryanne English | March 25, 2009 at 03:18 AM
What a beautiful, unique gift! I'm sure your SIL is going to love it before she even opens it.
I'm so glad your Renoir is better!
Posted by: Melanie | March 25, 2009 at 07:39 AM
You are so amazingly creative! Everything you create is so beautiful. What a wonderful gift. I know I would cherish it (and probably not use any of it because it is beautiful as is).
I don't comment very often, but I read each post. Thank you for sharing your inspiration with the rest of us.
Posted by: Vanessa {Bloom Right Here!} | March 25, 2009 at 07:46 AM
Hi Alice,
Poor little Renoir, I don't think any kind of animal wants there nails clipped. I have 10 birds and they don't like it either.
I'm sure your sister-in-law was thrilled with the lovely package and with her being creative herself was delighted with the contents inside. A very lovely thoughful gift!
Have a Great Day-
Posted by: Sandra~RomantiqueInspirations~ | March 25, 2009 at 07:48 AM
Such a beautiful gift. And the wrapping, just gorgeous - how do you think of these things? :-)
Oh, Renoir's bandaged foot was too cute. Glad he is back to his old self.
Posted by: Shana | March 25, 2009 at 07:49 AM
Wow, simply one of the best...and prettiest...gifts I've seen. Bet your sister-in-law had a fabulous birthday!
Poor lil' Renoir! Give him a little hug from me please:)
Posted by: Leah C | March 25, 2009 at 09:44 AM
Oh Alice...what a gorgeous and thoughtful gift that you put together! You continue to amaze me !!
Blessings!
Posted by: Sandi | March 25, 2009 at 09:53 AM
OMGosh - I love this - I'm going to put one together for my daughter for Mother's Day - she is the mother of my 4 grandchildren. Today I am going to all the thrift shops in town (not very many - we live in a small town) and look for one these boxes. I was going to do one in an overnite case, but I like this better - compartmentalized. Thanks so much for shareing, I love your blog and please do not take to heart nasty or negative comments
Posted by: Dru Cabral | March 25, 2009 at 11:06 AM
I love that jewelry box! I've been on a bit of a vintage jewelry box kick here lately and I even purchased a couple for gifts and now I know how to fill them!!! How beautifully creative! Hope you won't mind me using your idea for my gifts. :)
Hugs,
Lesley
Posted by: Lesley | March 25, 2009 at 11:25 AM
what a wonderful gift.....I bet she was thrilled! I know I would be.....
Posted by: denise | March 25, 2009 at 08:19 PM
Hi Alice,
What a beautiful gift for Rebekah. It looks like something from The Secret Garden or The Little Princess, certainly worthy for a special heart! Your wrapping is beautiful as well and makes the piece a gift within a gift. Renoir takes a beautiful photo as a patient and I'm sure he's getting the royal treatment (as he should ;) from you and Josh. Please add the photo of the gorgeous box for Rebekah to your repertoire of photos. I'd love to include it to my collection of photos you've taken, especially alongside the Antoinette Perkins sitting atop a very large frame in my studio. Hmmm, off to the shop!
xo~Tracie
Posted by: Tracie~My Petite Maison | March 25, 2009 at 08:56 PM
ohhh poor puppy :( i am glad he is doing better.
and what a GREAT creative gift for your sister in law!
i am glad you found comfort and love in your comments the other day, what good is it doing all this if we can't enjoy it and let it bring a smile to our face :)
Posted by: Lizzie | March 26, 2009 at 01:46 AM
What a beautiful gift for Rebekah.
I just love seeing that little Renoir, he's just a cutie pie... I'm so glad your doing better and found some comfort from peoples comments.
Stephenie
Posted by: Stephenie | March 26, 2009 at 09:26 AM
What a beautiful gift for your sister-in-law to receive...and the wrapping is stunning. You can tell you put a lot of thought and care into it. As for Renoir...poor little guy...most boys don't like the idea of pedicures, but we gotta keep'em looking good don't we :o)
Posted by: Andrea | March 26, 2009 at 10:09 AM
I have just visited your new up-dated site today and I have to say...I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE EVERYTHING!!! :0) You are such an amazing, creative lady! The gift you created for your sister-in-law is super fantastic. I love all of the thoughtful little details. I am sorry to hear about your sweet Renoir. I wish him a quick and speedy recovery!
Posted by: Christine D | March 26, 2009 at 01:41 PM
He is ADORABLE even with his little blue bandage!
Thanks for stopping by my blog... you have me very curious... you said "Love the tour at Laura's and your sketches! The chair one is fab!!!" Who is Laura? I like to know who is showing my paintings. If you could email me and let me know that would be great... fifi@fififlowersdesign.com
Thank you... ENJOY!
Fifi
Posted by: Fifi Flowers | March 26, 2009 at 06:41 PM
OH Alice, I'm sure your sister-in-law just flipped over your gift. I love how elegantly you wrapped it! And, of course, you got lots of sweet comments ~ It's because you're YOU. ;)
(hugs) ~Polly
Posted by: French Cupboard | March 27, 2009 at 12:15 AM
Oh, the gift to your sister-in-law is so beautiful! She must have just loved it. How hard it must have been to unwrap that beautiful package!
So sad to see Renoir with his little bandaged foot. I'm glad he's back to normal.
Robin
Posted by: RobinfromCA | March 30, 2009 at 04:20 PM
Ohhh... poor sweet Renoir... I'm so sorry to hear about what he had to recently endure... no doubt it was painful... and my heart goes out to you, also... there's not much that gets more painful to hear, than the cries of one of our babies in pain and distress... I'm very thankful that Renoir is back to health, now! Precious photos, btw...
~blessings~
Pearl
Posted by: Pearl | April 02, 2009 at 12:49 AM
I couldn't help myself... Renoir was just too cute... pop over and see how he looks with paint on... http://fififlowersdesign.blogspot.com/2009/04/alice-ws-baby.html
ENJOY!
Fifi
Posted by: Fifi Flowers | April 02, 2009 at 10:59 PM
Kisses to Renoir :)
Posted by: Berlin | April 05, 2009 at 12:56 AM
I just came upon your post found the link at etsy.com. Very beautiful blog you have. We also have cairn terrier...he is 14 years old...we have the same color of terrier. They are such a loyal companion.
Posted by: Annie | November 24, 2009 at 01:11 PM