Giving Thanks - Tuesday

I am joining the "Giving Thanks" celebration. Be sure to Kelli's blog for more great posts or to participate.

At the beginning of this season, I found it hard to get into the spirit. We had a difficult summer with the lost of my precious Mother and paternal Grandmother within three weeks of each other.

My mother adored the holidays and I miss her dearly during these "first" times without her. I have decided rather than avoid the holidays she loved, I will embrace them with the love and memories of our times together.

When Mother passed away, a dear cousin sent me a lovely autumn magnolia wreath. She knew I loved magnolias and I fell in love with it.

When Grandmother died three weeks later, a different cousin went to the trouble of having a matching wreath made in her memory. Both knew I had double front doors and had the wreaths arranged in the two different directions.

Each time I look through the door from inside or enter those doors, I am embraced with not only the love of those gone but of dear friends and family. May your Thanksgiving be filled with warmth, love and precious memories.

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Photo Memory Wreath

As my family and friends know, I love old photos. I have a large collection of family pictures ranging from the early 1900's to current. Sharing those precious memories increases the enjoyment!

I've used photos in a variety of ways including scrapbooking, family history sites such as Ancestry.com, online photobooks such as on Shutterfly and even Facebook.

An idea you might wish to try for the upcoming holidays is a Photo Memory Wreath. It's so easy to make and you will treasure it for years to come.

I selected approximately 20 pictures...old and new. I scanned all the images and then printed them in black and white. I found using thin card stock worked best rather than photo paper. Use a variety of shapes for your photos such as ovals, round, square, etc.

After printing the images, I used black and tan card stock. I attached the card stock to the photos using a photo safe glue stick. Trim and shape your picture. I then used a hole puncher and used raffia to attach to a wreath.

Over the years, I've used these on wreaths, my Christmas tree and even as place cards on a dinner table. Family loves to search for their own picture or of a loved one who may no longer be with us.

Enjoy those pictures...savor the memories...and find creative ways to share with family.

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