Friendship and the Collage.....

I am a truly blessed woman!

When you look up in a dictionary to see what the definition of a girlfriend is you will find that it usually deals with love between a boy and a girl. So disappointing for one who loves to use quotes and definitions in her work..... I have been married to the same man for almost 29 years and I claim his as my best friend! But there is something about girlfriends.... the bond, the history that seems to be a "happy place" that I enjoy going to. How is it that friends can get together after years and that bond is still there or even stronger because we have been thinking and praying for them over that time?

Friendships for me started in first grade.... Yes, I said first grade! I seem to only have good memories of "the girls", I am sure I experienced bad... but the memory of these times is just not there! Memories of parties, teachers, boys, the ball park, the All Star, Ken's Pizza, driving down Memorial Drive, Winn Dixie parking lot and my favorite~ Playing Girls Basketball!!! Over the last couple of years the "ladies" of South Gwinnett High School Class of 1978 have been getting together every month. We average about 15 at each luncheon, trying to spread the luncheons out between locations and time so all can attend. I am amazed at how this group of girls adds so much to my life! We talk about the present, but so many conversations lead back to the past. Teachers we admired, trouble we got into (including spankings) and wondering about those we no longer have contact with or that have passed on.

I have a group of about 17 girls that I actually attended 1st - 12th grade with. Now that is a true band of girlfriends.... We still know so much about each other, many of our children attending the same school and knowing each other.

When I started working on this piece, of course I had to find the perfect quote.

I loved the quote ~

A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.

But the I found this one....

Like branches of a tree we grow in different directions, yet our toots remain as one. Each of our lives will always be a special part of the others.

I read this quote and knew it had to be the quote for my piece.

If you have old girlfriends that you have not heard from in some time...

Call them, put together a girls date.

You will be so blessed by igniting that part of your heart again!

Some of the girls that I attended 1st - 12th grade with!

A Charming Wedding .. Part I

My daughter's sweet and beautiful friend, Katelyn, was married this weekend to the love of her life, Daniel. From the time that Katelyn walked through the door, crying with tears of joy, as one being in attendance, you knew this wedding was going to be special. Katelyn and Daniel, together, took the time to fill their whole night with symbolism of what Christ expects from us as we take this journey.

The wedding planning started taking shape when Katelyn and her MOM came to me asking for suggestions. When I found out she wanted to use apple green, I was so excited. I went to Archivers, our scrapbooking/art store, and started looking for papers that we could use. I had one paper that really caught my eye and I knew that Katelyn would be the type of bride to hop on the train and use it. The flowers on the paper were charming! After visiting the florist that I highly recommended, The Garden Gate in Monroe, the color scheme was set.... Apple green and a wine red. I LOVED IT! This was going to be a fun wedding!

The beautiful bride, Katelyn. She wore her Mother's veil.

Katelyn's bridal bouquet!

The Bridesmaid Flowers.

Katelyn and her MOM, Leslie.

My daughter and Katelyn.

This dress was perfect for Katelyn! Look at all of the details!

The wedding party in front of one of the most beautiful Churches I have ever been in.

The shirt Daniel designed for the wedding party to wear at rehearsal.

Too Cute!

The paper that started it all!

Day of Creating with Friends...

It was rainy outside, but inside we were all having a blast! Using Cosmo Cricket theme papers, the girls created their own story boards! Each one was so different and had its own story. They were encouraged to either bring their own "goodies" or go through my "stash" of goodies to personalize their pieces evens more. The girls came up with ideas that I hope to use in the future, including this little window box. Don't you just love it! She used different flowers until she came up with the perfect fit! I love it! The class was so successful that another has been planned on the 21st of this month!

Stepping out of my comfort zone.....

Childhood Friends ~ South Gwinnett High School

This week I am trying something new......

Teaching a large group of women how to create their own piece of ART!

I have had classes for children and enjoyed them, I have had classes for small groups of women and enjoyed them...... Now, it's time to Step Out and teach a large group of women!

I am excited about this class! Most of these women I have known since childhood, actually attending school with them from 1st-12th grade. They are a wild and crazy bunch, so teaching them will be a great experience for me. It will be quite a challenge keeping their attention while they are laughing and talking. I know if I can end the day with these girls having completed their piece, I can teach anyone. It will be a blast Friday at 443 Lakeshore Drive!