Spring will spring!

It hasn't sprung yet, but I'm convinced that spring will come soon!  Despite the very loud winter storm we had last night, and the 50-ish and rainy day we had today, I've seen the daffodils blooming, and I see the weeds growing (a sure sign it is time to get myself into the garden).  So, the new front page for Alere Modern is spring-inspired.  And a bit birthday inspired, too, since spring is about new life and re-birth.  So thinking spring, here is the new main photo for Alere Modern:

The main photo is one I took last year about this time - maybe mid-March - at Wellspring Spa.  I must have been six months pregnant, and I went up there with my mother, a few aunts, and some of her friends, on a little girls retreat (it was through a wonderful organization called Passages Northwest, who take young girls out into the wilderness).  I woke up early in the morning, and decided to take a walk through the woods around the spa.  I don't think I'd had my camera out to take anything but product photos in years, and I felt absolutely inspired by the morning light passing through the cold leaves.  It was probably 30 degrees out and I was frozen by the time I got back to the cabin, but had some peaceful nature photos to show for it. 


My favorite picture from the entire trip, though, was one I took on the way up.  I stopped at a "scenic lookout" and actually ended up taking photos of the rock wall behind me instead.

It is probably a little hard to see but the center writing says "I'm in <3 with the most beautiful girl in the world."  I think I fell in love with this piece of graffiti because I was pregnant with our baby daughter at the time, who is of course the most beautiful girl in the world in her mother's eyes.

And there you have it. A little bit of my handmade artwork on the front page, and the story behind it.  Also on the front page are pieces from Patrick Irla, Bella-Bijou and Christine Mighion.  Three artists I'm sure any girl would be happy to get a piece from for her birthday!

Off to bed...
Caitlin