Lifestyle Photographer specializing in Families and Children in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago

Julie Kittredge Art & Photography bio picture

04.05.12

gifts.

My visual journal of gifts is growing. There are many many more that go uncaptured by Instagram but these moments all have meaning to me. I know exactly where I was, how I was feeling, what the environment felt like, what the mood of the day was, and how each of these moments brought a smile to my soul. Recognizing the gifts … and capturing them visually … is something that helps me maintain perspective. I live a good life. It has been very difficult at times. But I live a good life. I see the good things.. These moments are God’s gifts to me. These moments are how he communicates (one way) that I am valuable to Him. These moments are deeply personal. Sometimes they are just a chuckle. Sometimes they are deeply moving. And sometimes I’m just smiling on the inside while I click on the outside. And sometimes they are just a reminder that I am incredibly blessed … without having a lot of stuff or a lot of privileges … I still have a lot of both … more than enough. Here is a smattering of the most recent moments! You can follow along on flickr as the collection grows!

mosaic70a5a74a54aafbf22a6127f28bed78a7c1f6b4da
1. 81 : Early morning runs in march are an amazing thing! Beautiful!, 2. 80 : And watching my 5 year old paint each toe a different color, 3. 79 : Happiness is spring in March!, 4. 78 : Only in America would we sit in a drive through with a rewards card for a $4 coffee. Wow. It’s kind of sick really. But. How I love a Starbucks in the car with no kids! I’m so conflicted!!, 5. 77 : Who says a spoon full of peanut butter cures all tears., 6. 76 : We’re at Jasmine Star “the Fix!”, 7. 75 :Good morning sunshine!, 8. 82 : Back at the bookstore. Next to the outdoors, this is my favorite place, something about leafing through a hard bound book is so satisfying!, 9. 83 : So glad it’s the last day of karate! This wasn’t a hit!, 10. 84 : Just ignore the mess. Playing in my studio, i.e. corner of my bedroom., 11. 85 : Gorgeous day at Cantigny Park!, 12. 86 : Happiness!, 13. 87 : Early morning cuddles, 14. 88 : My baby., 15. 89 : Friday = family movie and pizza night!! !!, 16. 90 : Happiness is a new doll house from the flea market!, 17. 91 : Really enjoying this corner lately. Really want to paint and draw more this year., 18. 92 : Finding joy in the inspiration of a work in progress., 19. 93 : His word for me today 4/2/2012, 20. 94 : Teaching her how to use tracing paper to transfer elements of a drawing., 21. 95 : 6 months ago she froze with fear. Look at her now!! Success!!

show hide 1 comment

comment

link to this post

email a friend

Melissa - Such a gift to share these with us. They are beautiful God-moments–that only you could capture so perfectly.

04.03.12

weekend flea

The flea market is a hit or miss thing. It’s all about the treasure hunt … but … if you hit the flea market on a weekend when my girlfriend is hosting a booth … you will not go wrong. She has the best taste and an eye for all things lovely. She creates a booth that draws you in from across the room. I was looking for her and seriously … I entered the vast expanse of vendors and I knew exactly which booth was hers. Her little vignettes make shopping in her booth easy! She’s always swamped and an hour before the show shuts down she’s practically sold out. Meet lovely Melissa from Megillicutti (ahem … who also needs to start a blog so we can link up to her wit and lovely ways!) and her antiquing sidekick Kirsten. For this show they paired up and shared a booth this time!

How cool is that peacock? And the chippy green painted … anything … she can spot it a mile away.

See the adorable pink shelves on the left with the vintage wall paper backing? … it’s mine …

So … after a flea outing … the only thing to do when you bring your treasures home is … put your feet up with a lovely glass of wine and call it a day … But the next day is a different story. You had a vision when you left the flea market. A vision for the treasures you brought home … so here you have, the vision in place. A new doll house (or “people house” as my daughter calls it). Cute cute cute and the perfect new home for this perfectly imperfect piece.

This looks a little messy but … it’s actually spotless compared to it’s usual condition. Isn’t that the best dollhouse ever? I was inspired by a few bookcase doll houses on Pinterest. So so cute. The cute chenille bedspread came from Melissa too. Perfection? Yes. Her room is in progress which is the best way to do it. Slow and steady creates the best eclectic mix! I’m working on pictures and such for the wall opposite her bed, above the dresser and stove … perhaps a reveal down the road?!

Little girls rooms are the best. Perfectly imperfect. Love.

{As an aside, Kenny made the little yellow stove for Kiana out of scrap wood and a salvaged faucet. I think we purchased the little stove dials and the bowl for the sink. I still need to paint the burners … details details.}

show hide 3 comments

comment

link to this post

email a friend

Krista Pankau - LOVE!! So cute, Julie! I think that is far cuter than any plastic doll house out there. I need to remember this.

Laina Stilwell - I also entered the flea market and could spot Melissa’s booth from across the room — who else would think of a scarf canopy! As our boss says, ‘she will be famous one day!” Love the ‘people house’ and stove. Very clever!

Julie - I know … she will totally be famous someday!!!

03.30.12

Where did it go?

Spring break went way too fast! There was a nice balance of beautiful days for picnics in the park and rainy days for having friends over or laying around and resting. We slept in every day. We laughed. We took it slow. It was so good to enjoy each other this week … back to the grind on Monday! I didn’t get my camera out as much as I’d hoped but that’s going to change. I have a new personal project on the horizon. I need to shoot just for me. Should be fun … more later!

Happy Weekending!