I have a friend... we met about a year ago.
She is very sentimental. The little details really matter to her. She is a very loving mother... nurturing, sincere and watchful. Her husband loves her dearly, and she loves him equally. Their mutual respect for one another's goals and dreams exists truly, without spite or provocation.
She is a good friend. She is cheerful, understanding, empathetic, hopeful when I am not...and has a real sweetness to her soul.
I wanted to give her a special something for her birthday... something I know she could appreciate. Not that a small token could ever suffice for all of the support and encouragement she has given me. She has a unique ability to champion me (and others) as a mother, wife, friend and artist. I am so lucky!
I just want her to know that her friendship means a lot to me! :0)
I put together a bundle of artful treats and an altered book for her. All in her vintage, heirloom, sentimental color palette of creams and browns... rustic and worn.
Here is the altered book I made for her... sort of like the book I made for myself, but I've added some extra tags and journaling spots as she is an exquisite writer. Perhaps she will use it to jot down ideas, dreams or special moments shared with her family.
I really enjoyed using the antique colors, creams, browns, golds, silvers, black and grey. I used a lot of tea and walnut stain, vintage and tattered trims and lace, vintage buttons and ephemera.
My friend is a gift to me! I hope she enjoys my gift to her...
xo
Analise
Gorgeous! She is lucky in many ways to have you as a friend.
Hugs and Blessings,
SHeila
Posted by: Sheila | March 25, 2009 at 04:28 PM
Very beautiful. I love altered books. Lovely blog, very inspirational.
Posted by: angie | March 21, 2009 at 04:33 AM
I cannot imagine her not loving this and seeing all the love put into it!!! What a great, thoughtful friend you are also!
karen...
recycledrita.blogspot.com
Posted by: karen | March 15, 2009 at 11:56 AM
Mar.11,2009
Hi Annalise, I love your blog, music, craft pics. I like the vintage style & the hearts, flowers, allll of it!
I like to scrap, make candles,or soap the weekends I'm not busy. I love giving personal gifts. You are so gifted. Tell the fam hi for me! You are missed! We are doin great!
lol
Micky Sue
Posted by: Micky Sue McLeod | March 11, 2009 at 03:09 PM
What a beautiful post for a dear friend Analise! I am sure she loved your precious gift more than anything xo
Posted by: Natasha Burns | March 11, 2009 at 04:38 AM
You won a blogging award, friend!
*hugs*
Thanks for always writing and inspiring me!
Love,
Sadie Lou
http://craftilyeverafter.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Sadie Lou | March 10, 2009 at 02:19 PM
ps
analise, i was just looking around your beautiful etsy site and had to tell you that i love your musical selection. very fun, poppy and cool! i dig.
xo
Posted by: elyse | March 09, 2009 at 04:33 PM
I find that people who are blessed with good friends are generally good friends themselves.
Such a lovely token of friendship!
Posted by: Laura Ingalls Gunn | March 09, 2009 at 06:46 AM
What a lovely testament to your friend. Your words express beautifully just how much she means to you and the gift you assembled reflects the same. She is lucky to have you as a friend Analise. XOXXOO
Posted by: Molly | March 08, 2009 at 10:31 AM
Hello Analise, Oh what a beautiful creation.
I'm sure she'll be bowled over! Love and best wishes Lisa xx
Posted by: Lisa Parish | March 07, 2009 at 01:13 AM
What a wonderful gift. A friend who "gets" you is a treasure indeed!!
Posted by: Betty @ She's Sew Pretty | March 06, 2009 at 03:38 PM
what a wonderful way to celebrate your friendship. very sweet and what you have assembled for her is lovely!!!
xo
Posted by: elyse | March 06, 2009 at 09:17 AM
Such a pretty book! What a wonderful gift.
♥, Susan
Posted by: black eyed susans kitchen | March 06, 2009 at 07:51 AM
Your altered book is gorgeous! And I feel your friend is going to be very haoppy to recieve.
Posted by: Wanda | March 06, 2009 at 06:34 AM
One of my favorite blog posts ever Analise! XOXO Jennifer
Posted by: jennifer | March 06, 2009 at 06:21 AM
Analise,what a beautiful and super thoughtful gift! That photo is too precious! I bet I know who the friend is! hee! hee! XOXO,Jenn
Posted by: Jennifer | March 05, 2009 at 05:06 PM
So beautiful! You ladies are lucky to have each other. Hooray for Friendships!
Posted by: Berlin | March 05, 2009 at 01:24 PM
What a darling friend you are! She will adore this special gift - so heartfelt and full of beauty!! It's always so much fun to make things for other people - always my favorite thing to do!
Take care,
Holly
Posted by: Holly | March 05, 2009 at 10:12 AM
What a wonderful friend you are. This friend you speak of is very lucky! What a beautiful, enchanting package this is!
Sheila
Posted by: Sheila | March 05, 2009 at 10:09 AM
That is so GORGEOUS! I know she will treasure all your beyond BEAUTIFUL creations.
Happy Day!
Melissa
Posted by: Charmed Life | March 05, 2009 at 09:23 AM
I don't know but it seems she is pretty blessed to have a friend like you too. You are very thoughtful.
Wendy
Posted by: Wendy | March 04, 2009 at 07:57 PM
It looks like a beautiful, heartfelt gift!
Posted by: Maija Lepore | March 04, 2009 at 05:55 PM
Oh yes friends are such blessings. Be sure to never stop expressing all the love your heart holds for her. I have a friend just like the one you've described ... she has made such a difference in my life; helping me to be a better mom, wife, daughter-in-law and friend. She was in a bad car accident on Jan 16th and was just taken off life support. I miss her already and I ache like I cannot explain. And yet I find a blessing in knowing that beause she and I shared our hearts out loud with each other that she knows, as she leaves this earth, that I love her and cherish the gift she has been to me. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on friendhsip here today ... it means a lot to me.
Posted by: DeniseLynn | March 04, 2009 at 09:24 AM
What a lovely gift to receive. Full of beauty and meaning!
Lorrie
Posted by: Lorrie | March 04, 2009 at 08:30 AM
I don't know which is sweeter, your beautiful words for a friend, or your wonderful creations. I am sure she will appreciate both.
xoxo, Tiffany
Posted by: tiffany ~ shabby scraps | March 04, 2009 at 07:59 AM
Your friend is lucky to have you for a friend. THe book is just adorable, beautiful job. Kathleen
Posted by: Kathleen | March 04, 2009 at 06:07 AM
She sounds like a treasure of a friend!! What a lovely gift you have put together for her~! I just adore that beautiful altered book you created for her- she will love it!!
Michelle
Posted by: Michelle | March 04, 2009 at 05:41 AM
Wow what a thoughtful gift. I am sure if she is the friend you describe she willbe over the moon happy to get this surprise!
Posted by: Debra Abel | March 04, 2009 at 04:40 AM
Analise,
Very lovely and heartfelt. A beautiful collection of treasures...and wonderful sentiment in your post.
Elizabeth
Posted by: elizabeth | March 03, 2009 at 10:44 PM
What a lovely & heartfelt gift!
Posted by: Tami B. | March 03, 2009 at 10:15 PM
colors-sweet! thoughts-precious! you are a great friend to acknowledge how lucky you are-you surely will make her day! ann-marie
Posted by: ann-marie | March 03, 2009 at 09:38 PM
Analise, That is a beautiful gift I just know your friend is going to LOVE it, pretty colors I love those warm antique colors. Let us know what she thinks.
Hugs, Diane
Posted by: Diane | March 03, 2009 at 09:08 PM