mothers…..GRAND and GREAT

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Today is a day for mothers, I am missing my own mom of course, but I am also thinking of the mothers that came before….of my GRAND-mothers, one of whom is still alive….she is also a GREAT grand-mother.  Here is a painting (in progress) of both these women, mothers that came before me, without them I would not be here today.  Did they know, on this day that they donned their party hats, at the wedding of my parents, that all these years later I would be be here, another mother, with two more daughters (possible future mothers)?  I’d like to think that on the day of this photo they glimpsed how their love would grow from that moment. I’d like to hold my great-grand-mother’s hand today and tell her how much her love means to me still.  She is still here and yet I cannot reach her (she lives in Saskatoon, her mind is increasingly confused) but I hope that she can feel my love.  I hope all the mothers that came before me can feel my love.  I miss you Mom and I miss all the moms I never knew and I am grateful to them all.  I also honour the mothers who have come since (step-mother, mother-in-law) and all the mothers yet to come (oh I hope my girls might feel their hearts swell with the love of their own children one day).

Happy Mother’s Day everyone!

new cards….just in time for mother’s day

Hello to all of you who love stationary as much as I do! I have good news from my studio today — I am bundling up some new card designs to take to Artzi Stuff (in Nanaimo), Pier Gallery and Village Food Market (both on Gabriola).  There are some sweet ones if I do say so myself.  The bike would be perfect for an anniversary card, the “good friend” one could do the same duty but would also be perfect for a mother’s day card.  The camping surfers scene would be perfect to send to someone with your summer news.  There is a new oyster catcher (since I received so much good feedback about the first one) and “trust the universe” is a reminder we all need to hear once in awhile. Then there are those feathers topped by party flags, they would be perfect for any sentiment I think!

new cards are  here!

good friendso good together

I will also be replenishing all three shops with some of my other favourites, just in time for mother’s day.  If you don’t have time to make your mother/grandmother/mother-of-your-children a card, then why not consider one of these?  Whatever you do, please honour the mothers in your life in some special way….they deserve it!

pile of cards perfect for the mothers in your lifeP.S.  remember, all my cards are printed on 100% recycled paper, so they are a gift for mother earth too!

 

let’s go pick daisies

daisy collage fun

This time of year we love to pick the daisies that grow wild in patches of our yard and along the roadsides, here there and everywhere.  Daisies were my mom’s favourite flower and they are one of my most favourite too. Based on my daughters’ joyful picking, bouquet making and daisy chains I would have to say that they love these cheerful blooms too!

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And of course, daisies make great cake toppers when we make a birthday cake in honour of my mom (her birthday and the anniversary of her death fall in the midst of wild daisy season, that seems perfectly fitting somehow). This week, as I remember her, I am drawn to the spots where these blooms grow by the sea, my mom’s fave place in the world….and mine!

 Mom/Granny Kathy, we will always pick daisies and think of you doing the same!

my mom picking daisies

 

a mother’s LOVE – custom order for some cherished daughters

Isn’t a mother’s love the biggest kind of love there is?  Speaking from experience, I think it must be.  So I was not surprised (though hugely flattered) when an old high school friend asked me to paint some inspirational works for her teenage daughters.  Here they are, finally finished, painted with so much colour and love and intention.  I so enjoy working on special gifts, especially those that carry a mother’s love to her cherished children. I do hope these paintings inspire my friend’s growing girls to always be themselves and to remember how much they will always be loved….especially by their mama!

xo