more gifts

i made this book bag for a special friend, someone who i know will read this and i have to share a bit of our history. when i first stumbled onto blogs, i found one with an author located in southern california. not knowing she lived nearby ... i emailed her to say "hi" and ask her advice on starting my own blog. she immediately wrote back with helpful advice and we started a little back and forth letter writing on various topics, mostly crafting and the blogworld.
when lisa congdon's art show came around at a local gallery, i asked her if she wanted to go together, she agreed and was a great sport when my girls had to tag along. man, i thought for sure i made a bad impression when i pulled up in my mini-van with a couple of chatty girls who ran like wild chickens through the gallery, teetering glass at every turn. somehow she still liked me enough to keep conversing and we continued our correspondence.
out of the blue she asked me to join a book club she belonged to and we were finally able to talk (without screaming kids) and get to know each other; i loved hearing her point of view about the books we read and life in general. i am so glad i sent that email and we hooked up, i love that we can talk about books and blogging and crafting... anything! thanks for being such a great friend jen!
xoxo