I received a package in the mail yesterday. I had no idea it was on it’s way so I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was from my blog friend, Christine of Jaz Creations.
You’ve seen Christine many times over at FunkyJunk. She’s a digital art whiz.
When I opened the package, I couldn’t speak, move, breathe, nothing. I went blank. I honestly THREW the wrappers aside and held this in both hands with widened eyes and mouth open in utter and complete awe.
This is my alltime fav picture of my mom, son and myself taken at my son’s birthday one year. You can truly see love in our eyes. And I just adored how my son hugged Grandma! It really portrays how close we were so this shot is special to me.
I always meant to blow it up and frame it. But.. just never did. I’d like you to look really closely at what’s to follow.
This isn’t the photograph. This is digitally painted. I removed the painting from the glass frame so you could capture the beauty without the glass glare.
The colours are so warm yet vibrantly alive. Christine focused on the smallest most special details and highlighted tones where they were washed out in the original photo. This is the most lovely rendition of a photo I have ever laid my eyes on.
And this is the gorgeous frame it was in. It’s ultra elegant, a tiny bit rustic…
… and perfect for our home. And this amazing picture.
The artwork captures us perfectly. Christine even removed the truck keys I had in my hand in the original picture.
I knew where it was to go immediately. I have it sitting in the middle of the upstairs, to the right of my blog office and kitchen. I see it all the time because I adore it and it makes me smile. For so so many reasons!
Christine, you couldn’t have sent a more thoughtful meaningful memento at this time. I miss my Mom so very much, however what a wonderful way to cherish what I loved about her all day long. I am in love with this picture more than I can even express in words.
I’m very proud to call Christine my friend. xo
Hey.. I think I have a new profile picture. She knocked about 10 years off me with this one! 🙂
Do you have a special photo or artwork that is near and dear to your heart? I’d love to hear about it. I love stories. 🙂
Wow! That is a beautiful picture and such a heartfelt and wonderful gift. What a special friend to send this to you.
What a beautiful picture and touching gift! I’m sure you will treasure it always!
Kat 🙂
What an amazing treasure, Donna. It’s just beautiful.
Oh my gosh! It’s like a gift from heaven! I think she is amazing! The digital painting just brings such life into the picture. What a touching gift – it really couldn’t be anymore perfect.
Oh how beautiful! Blessing were sent from heaven from your mom and a very special friend. Christine did and wonderful job and what a great gift to a very special YOU! Have a blessed day, Vicky
OMG! That brought tears to my eyes. You know that you are truly loved to get a work of art like this.
Oh goodness… that is SO beautiful! What a special and priceless gift!
~Jennifer
What a wonderful, thoughtful gift!
Simply wonderful, Donna! What a lovely treasure; not just for you, but for your son as well!
Victoria
What a special gift…what a special friend!!
WOW! What a super nice gift that is awesome! I love it!!
~Morgan
Meet Virginia!
Meet Virginia!
Meet Virginia!
Donna
What a super special gift.
It looks perfect for your home and family. I can tell by your enthusiastic post you’ll cherish always. I bet your son likes it too.
Precious gift, precious friend to do this for you.
Wow, that is amazing and really a wonderful picture for you to cherish forever….Lucky you….
That is so beautiful! I can only imagine how much this means to you! Enjoy it, you deserve it!
This is fabulous! What a wonderful surprise..a touching gift. And it is beautifully rendered as well. Love it! And I can feel the love in your words!
Hugs
SueAnn
What a gorgeous gift, I’m sitting here all teary eyed for you! The picture is as beautiful as the friendhip obviously is. Theresa
How wonderful and thoughtful and beautiful.
There goes my jaw again! What a wonderful, wonderful gift. What a wonderful friend to create something so absolutely perfect for you. That Christine is something, isn’t she?
“What a wonderful world”……. so glad you showed us what love looks like. You are very lucky to have such a talented and loving friend. <3 donna
Donna, I am so very happy that you like it. The loss of your Mom broke my heart and when I saw the love in the photo that you posted I knew I just had to paint it and send it to you.
What a special blessing!
this is simply lovely and meaningful art. i’m glad it found you.
sorry to hear about your mom but know that you only have to ask heaven to be connected to her and you can hear her voice.
Donna, that is photo/art is so amazing! you can see so clearly how much love is in your family. And YOU are so gorgeous!!
How sweet! I love that picture of the 3 of you, and had no idea it could get even better! What a gift to treasure always!
Christine did a remarkable job. I hadn’t noticed her removing the keys.
gail
I have a digital painting from Christine of my two daughters in front of Cinderella’s castle at Disney World, and another one of my youngest in her ballet recital outfit. She does such amazing work! And, she’s one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. 🙂
What a treasured gift!
What a treasure!
~ a gift straight from the heart.
Hi Donna
What a gorgeous painting and such a thoughtful gift. There is definitely love in that picture!
Janice
This is beautiful Donna ~ she did an incredible job. What a thoughtful thing to do and I know it will be something that you will cherish now forever. xo
What a wonderful gift. That is a fabulous picture. It’s goes so perfectly in that spot.
That was such a sweet gift! I would love to do this with a picture of my dad who recently passed.
WOW, what a treasure for you and what a heartfelt gift from her! Anyone would be proud to have a friend like that.Its beautiful.
Sarah
HandbagsnPigtails.blogspot.com
What a meaningful and touching gift from your friend! The painting is so much like the original. It’s just beautiful! She is so gifted!
Such a precious item to have in full view everyday.
with tears in my eyes (again),
~Kolein
How gorgeous! What a wonderful gift she has given you.
Oh Donna, how awesome! As soon as I saw the picture it brought a lump to my throat. When I first saw your post with the picture of the three of you, I felt the love you all felt for one another. What an amazingly thoughtful gift from an extremely talented artist.
~ Tracy
What a wonderful woman Christine is to think of something so touching. It’s a beautiful picture! Very thoughtful of her.
Oh, it’s perfect! I know what you mean about a simple snapshot that you love so much. I have one of those from my wedding, where my new hubby was holding my hand while we were walking and twirled me around, like he does spontaneously to make me smile 🙂 Most people don’t get why I love that picture, but it kinda reminds me of how he makes me feel 🙂
How beautiful!
Donna… I’m an artist first and I love this!! She did such an amazing interpretation! Looks just like your beautiful photo!
What a lovely and touching gift from your friend Christine, she did an amazing job.
Be still my heart, what a wonderful and precious gift! Awesome job!
Choked up with emotion……
What more words can be said?
Wow! That is amazing, I have goosebumps!
Simply amazing! Such a treasure ~ she does exquisite work.
What a dear friend you have! I know you will cherish this picture with your mom forever.
WOW~ amazing!
That is so incredibly sweet and thoughtful. How wonderful – the picture is gorgeous!
Hi There,
I would like to provide a link to your great party in my Link Party Directory at Tools Are For Women Too! I am glad to do this for followers of my blog if they will link up to my party as well called, Modern Craftswoman Monday . Please let me know if you are interested. I can be emailed at toolsr4women2@gmail.com if needed. Have a great day! Rory
OH MY! What an amazing gift. What a blessing Christine is. She did an amazing job to capture the love of your family. It made my heart smile!
I am sure it will bring many years of comfort to you and your beautiful son.
That is so awesome! What a great friend and a beautiful momento.
Wow -“words cannot express” is right. That is such a thoughtful and treasured gift. The clarity is wonderful. I keep looking back at the picture that shows your hand almost touching your mom’s finger. That’s so special.
Christine did a fantastic job replicating each detail. I wasn’t aware she did this kind of art. I’ll have to go back and look again.
You know you’re special when blogland shows up at your door. I can’t imagine any gift ever being more special than this one.
Wow. Just wow. Christine did an amazing job. The frame is just right. What a beautiful gift & wonderful way to be reminded of your Mom daily. So cool.
i cannot imagine what was going through your mind when you saw this for the first time!
beautifully done, given, & so extremely thoughtful of your friend.
perfet in every way!
beautiful picture and beautiful gesture! 🙂
Hope you are doing better too!
Hi, Donna
I dont have a photo story to share. Just wanted to say how lucky you are to have such a thoughtful and INCREDIBLY talented friend. That photo is gorgeous.
This is heart warming. What a treasure and how thoughtful of Christine to do this for you. You blog ladies are incredible.
What a beautiful painting…and you’re right…the timing couldn’t have been more perfect! I love it that you have it in a spot where you can see it often and smile. Have a wonderful Mother’s Day. I know that your mom is watching over you and is so very proud of her remarkable daughter and grandson.
xo