Recently I visited a dear friend's home for lunch. Visiting her home is always a treat in more ways than one. She is a warm and caring person who has a way of making her friends feel welcomed when they walk through her door. But, she also has an artistic and creative way of decorating that fascinates me. She quickly denies this acclaim that I give to her whenever I mention it. I happen to be one of those people who first of all, most always carries a camera with her, and secondly, I love to take pictures of a hostess's decorative touches in her home and photos of food that is served to me. On this visit I felt a need to bring out my camera.





Here is the fruit and cheese platter that she served to us. Look at the fruit kabobs on the crystal plate. She used wooden skewers from the grocery store and added fresh fruit. The unique pretzels and slices of different cheeses made a beautiful presentation of a simple combination of foods. So you see I just had to take a picture of this simple beauty.

On her kitchen counter and windowsill was a display of mercury glass pieces. Here she had added some greens from the garden. I always admire the windowsill above her sink and find myself looking forward to seeing each vignette she displays there. With each visit I find a and different arrangement on the windowsill, as she uses things she already has in her home, and creates a new look.

Beside her sink was this silver tray where she displayed simple pieces from her kitchen, along with a rosemary plant. I thought it looked great how she had it and found myself taking a picture of that also.(with her permission of course)

Now, I am going to share another aspect of my taking pictures. My way of creating thank you notes and sometimes birthday cards, is to use the pictures that I take. I buy a pack of plain white cards at Johann's Fabrics or any craft store.

I take a pad of decorative papers also from the craft stores. I find a pad like this comes in handy in so many ways, and lasts a long time.






I run off a 3 x 5, or 4 x 6 color(or black and white) copy of the photo that I took from my visit. I use rubber cement glue and glue the picture to a coodinating piece of the decorative paper from the pad, pictured above. I think it personalizes the card, it reflects the recipient's creative touches, and it is a very inexpensive way to send cards.

Inside I stamped a "thank you" with black ink, and added a touch of glitter with a tiny sticker from the dollar store(that I keep on hand).

Here a close-up photo that I took of the fruit kabobs. I think that when someone goes to the work of creating beauty like this out of food, it should be photographed.

Here is another illustration of how I copied a 3 x 5 picture on my copier, cut it out, glued it onto a decorative paper from the pad pictured above, and had another simple, yet personal card that I could have used for a thank you note to my friend.

I have been doing this for a few years, when I have my camera with me and the situation allows me to do it. I find it is a fun way for me to say my heartfelt "thank you" to those whose homes I visit, whether it is just for a cup of coffee, or a meal.

Just thought I would share this quick, easy and inexpensive idea with you.

Thank you for your visits to this blog and for all of the comments that you share. It means so much to me.