Mother to six Little Women and Two Little Men. Married to a Happy Mortician. Caretaker to goats, chickens and many, MANY bunnies. Photographer. Homeschooler. Lover of Jesus, coffee & tea and all things pink & vintage.
How dreary would be the world if there was no Santa Claus!…
There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence.
FRANCIS P. CHURCH
What could be more magical that a visit from Santa Claus right in your very own home this Christmas?
Two little children were thrilled to have Kris Kringle not only visit them, but also read them a Christmas story together!
I hope you’re all finding some magic this Christmas season … speaking of magic … please don’t forget to send me your nominations for Help Portrait…. here are all the details … thank you to EVERYONE who has already e-mail and offered their help! I can’t wait till Saturday!
One of my friends referred me to this website tonight … and it completely touched my heart.
On December 12 this Christmas, photographers around the world will be donating their time and talent to use their photos to help someone. Anyone. Wherever they are.
This project can help anyone … it can help a single mom who can’t afford to have photos taken with her and her kids. It can help a grandma who would just like to have a photo to be remembered by. It can help a family who recently lost a loved celebrate who they are and where they are at this time with a photo of their family. It can be anyone. Anyone that needs to feel special and loved this Christmas.
The project is called Help Portrait. Watch this short video and I will explain more afterwards …
So what I need from you is just one thing … we all know different people in different walks of life … I need you to submit the names of the people you know that would be blessed through Help Portrait.
E-mail them to me so I can contact them and bless them by giving them a family portrait or a self portrait or a photo of their children. Free of charge. Just to bless them.
We don’t have a lot of time left before the big day – December 12th! – so don’t delay in getting a hold of me!
Also, if you are a makeup artist or a hair stylist who would possibly help in making the person feel beautiful for their photos, this is chance for you to volunteer your time to help out, as well.
If you own a lab and can print the photos for free, that would help too!
If you are a babysitter and would like to help with watching the children of those volunteering to work that day, that is a way of giving back, as well!
I know the holidays are busy and we all have stuff that needs to be done – I know I will be juggling ballet lessons and birthday parties and will need to find babysitters on December 12th, but to give up three hours of my time to help someone …
Well, that is what Christmas is all about, isn’t it?
nicole –hey Gillian,i just read your blog and hope i didn’t miss it but if you need my services just let me know,and i would be happy to help.
December 9, 2009 - 2:11 pm
Krista –Gillian I can’t belive how big your heart is!
So i’m making phone calls and My amazing Hair Dresser Adele from Adele’s Hair Salon wants to Help as well.
I will offer my time for babysitting, and what everelse is needed.
Christmas seems to feel so much better when you give with your heart!!!
December 8, 2009 - 10:48 pm
Kari –That’s an awesome idea!!! I’d love to help but I’m at work on the 12th 🙁 let me know of any other time i can help out!
December 8, 2009 - 7:32 pm
Carry –Hey Gillian, Let me know how I can help, babysit, be a gofer, assistant whatever!
Janice –Thanks for the link… I think this is a great idea!
December 9, 2009 - 3:35 pm
{Help} » Gigi Blog–[…] are falling down my cheeks right now as I read over the e-mails sent to me for Help Portrait. There are so many hurting people so local to us … so many going through very troubled […]
She wears funky high heels shoes. Rollerblades. Twitters. Is a facebook follower. She was the first one in our family to own a Mac. And she is the most amazing Gramma one could ask for.
A few months ago, my grandma, Gerr, moved to my town – she moved across the country – from British Columbia all the way to Ontario. And she is just a God-send, let me tell you! I absolutely LOVE having my favorite Grandma in town! She’s just minutes from my house so in the summer (too wimpy to walk in the winter) we can walk or bike to Great Gramma’s house and spend hours doing crafts, talking, drinking coffee or watching old movies together (we both share a love of older movies – like Singing in the Rain, High Society and Holiday Inn).
What really makes my heart bust with happiness is being spending time with my girls and my gramma – together … memories like building gingerbread houses together – just like we did when I was a little girl … one of my fondest memories with my gramma was making gingerbread creations every Christmas … this year, my girls built the same memories with their Great Gramma. How lucky are we?
It was a bit trickier than Gramma remembered, but she still did a great job with Lacey!
Lyla, putting some nice touches on our sleigh that just wouldn’t stay together … gotta love the collapse-inwards-re-icing-everything moments when building gingerbread treasures!
Not sure if Lucia is helping or eating all the sprinkles …
The rugrats in all their icing glory …
The whole gang …. and puppy …. Lyla’s stuffie of the week (do your kids do that? Find one toy and just LOVE it SO much a week at a time?)
Love you, Gramma! xo
P.S. Stay tuned for another fun giveaway coming your way in the next 24 hours! 😀
Stacey Woods–Oh how I miss my relationship with my own Grandma. You are so very blessed, Gillian. And so are your girls for having a wonderful, fun-loving Grandma in their lives! I hope you have the merriest Christmas ever.
December 8, 2009 - 10:54 am
Stacy W.–Aw, what precious memories here!!! I’m sure the group photo is one that will be treasured for generations to come!
December 7, 2009 - 3:55 pm
Sherri Smith –You can almost feel the love and happiness coming out of the photos. Love you all. Big Christmas hugs to each of you.
December 7, 2009 - 1:48 pm
Jenn –Looks like fun was had by all, you never seem to miss a great memorie. Glad you could share with your girls and us 🙂
December 7, 2009 - 1:07 pm
Jennifer–Wow! The gorgeous gene continues from generation to the next! What awesome photos of your family’s Christmas memories. Thank you so much for posting photos of Jeremy and Kristin’s wedding…I have been checking you blog continuously since their wedding to get a sneak peek! So thank you! They too are so wonderful and they will have a tough time choosing I’m sure!
Did you happen to get a photo of the flower girls and ring bearer?
Jen
December 7, 2009 - 12:56 pm
Catherine –What great photos, and what amazing memories!
With the *insanity* of the fall sessions … I haven’t had the chance to showcase some of the weddings that were photographed this fall …
First up … Kristin & Jeremy. One of the most awesome couples I have ever met … they were so easy going and willing to just do whatever I suggested, including having their photos at a waterfall *before* the ceremony, shooting at an old abandoned farm, hiking through huge fields with their large bridal party – yes, they were game for anything! Shooting weddings like theirs makes my heart sing. I loved every minute of their special day …
And a BIG HUGE than you to Heather, a fellow photographer, who helped me out immensely with this wedding. THANK YOU, Heather!
Kristin, you are vision of loveliness!
Just married – announcing the Mr. and Mrs!
We tried about 10 times for this shot. Every time we set it up, a car would round the corner and we’d all have to run aside … but I love the final result.
Chris–You have captured emotion. If a picture says a thousand words…..yours say millions! Devine skill and keen instinct. Just breathtaking!
December 8, 2009 - 4:01 pm
Catherine –Seeing these make me want to get married again, just so you can capture the day! You are amazing! Where were you 12 years ago???
December 7, 2009 - 10:28 pm
Amber –WOW!! Gillian, these are breathtaking!!
December 6, 2009 - 10:14 am
Melanie –SO beautiful! I agree, I want to get married again and for you to take my pics! They are stunning!
December 5, 2009 - 9:31 pm
Melissa C –I want to get married again just so you can be my photographer this time ! (to the same guy of course :))
December 5, 2009 - 4:14 pm
Brenda (Gillian’s mom) –Oh … AND I loved the one with the rings in the lily!! Great idea!
December 5, 2009 - 4:13 pm
Brenda (Gillian’s mom) –Gillian, these pics are amazing! They took my breath away and gave me goosebumps! What a lucky couple to have such amazing wedding pics! I loved the one at the waterfalls and the road with the umbrellas. The ones with just the two of them look so romantic! And her eyes are sooooo blue!! Beautiful …. I am sure that they are pleased with their photos! xo
December 5, 2009 - 3:09 pm
Petra Lea–Oh wow. The pic in the road with the black umbrellas looks Beyond stylish! And I totally love the last pic with the calla lily holding their wedding rings. Bliss indeed 🙂
December 5, 2009 - 12:40 pm
amanda –Beautiful as always!
December 5, 2009 - 11:08 am
Rebecca –Gillian!! You make me want to get married all over again! These pics are absolutely gorgeous!
December 5, 2009 - 9:35 am
alexis –i love seeing your wedding photography!!! you must post more!
December 5, 2009 - 9:14 am
shelleysomers –wow, sooo beautiful and gorgeous! I love her dress too!
This is the second time I’ve photographed wee little Charlotte – I knew we were going to hit it off when her mother brought me a piping hot, awesomely-delicious Gingerbread latte … hee hee! THANK YOU, Sarah!!
And oh.my.goodness … what a little doll Charlotte is … she’s wee , petite and just like a little porcelain doll. I looked up the meaning of her name and I found it means tiny and beautiful – so fitting!
Rachel Tyrrel –This is my beautiful niece, what a precious child. What gorgeous pictures!!
December 5, 2009 - 3:46 pm
Karen Bince –What beautiful pictures! Can’t wait to get one. ove, Nana & Papa Bince.
December 4, 2009 - 4:22 pm
Christine –oh my goodness, isn’t she so cute!!
I would love it if you would offer a mini session for a 1 year old, I missed the current mini sessions, I would love some pics like this of my little munchkin!!
December 4, 2009 - 3:46 pm
Nana and Papa Tyrrel –Thank you for taking such amazing photographs of our granddaughter.
December 4, 2009 - 11:19 am
Sarah –Oh Gillian! They are stunning!! Thank you!! You have brightened my day today!!!!
December 4, 2009 - 11:19 am
Sarah –Oh Gillian!! They’re stunning!!! Thank you!! You have brightened my day today!!!
December 4, 2009 - 9:21 am
Sherri Smith –Love the cheeks!
December 4, 2009 - 8:44 am
Shannon –OMG!!! She is precious!!!!
December 4, 2009 - 2:52 am
Petra Lea–Beautifully captured! And I’m LOVING the legwarmers! Fabulous!
by Gigi
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