Sewing the seeds of Love

Friendships for me have been the strongest and longest relationships I have ever had in my life. Besides my mom and sister, my female friends have always surrounded me with love and joy unconditionally whenever I have needed it.

Today is my dear friend Aimee's birthday, Meredith's is on Sunday. Without these two amazing women along with others I am blessed to call "Friend" I have never really felt alone, lonely or misunderstood. I have great friends to make sure I always know I am loved.

My friends have inspired me to be creative, to be funny, to laugh and to learn to love deeper. I have known and loved their children before I had my own and the life lessons my friends have taught me are endless. Finding one good friend is like finding an needle in a haystack...but I have been blessed in my life to have been able to find a handful and true good friends.

I am a better mother, wife, friend, daughter, sister, photographer, blogger, caregiver and human being because of them.

When Jake and I were cleaning out Hope's closet a few months ago we came across her sewing machine. I was shocked to tears when I found it. Having never sewed in my life, I had in the previous few months been longing to learn how and to start making handmade gifts for my friends and family. So....I brought the sewing machine home and with some help from my mom...began teaching myself how to sew. So far..I love it! Thanks to Hope, who even now from beyond this life.... continues to inspire me. How's that for unconditional friendship!

So...for Aimee and Meredith's birthday, I have made them camera straps like this one:

With fabric like this these:

On Hope's sewing machine.

It's interesting to me that a lot of my friend's birthday's are in November or December.

So to Aimee, Meredith and my dear Hope....your November birthdays help me stop to remember that I am loved and cared for so well by amazing and strong friends. Today, tomorrow and beyond time.