You never know...how much fun Mail can be...

Got this amazing package today from Lije Handmade. What a doll...I mean her, not the goodies, well, yes, the goodies include the most FANTASTIC dolly things: a sweet chicken toy, a fabulous bird apron (I adore birds) and a scarf with the sweetest dolly decoration...all handmade by Liliana Jesus. Unbelievable.

I feel bad because I've never done a private swap and didn't come anywhere near what she sent...I didn't know what to expect! I've been disappointed by a couple of group swaps (once not receiving anything) and another time receiving an item not too exciting (ouch, can I say that)! :) So, it only goes to show that the one time I don't go overboard, the other person does!!! How utterly embarrassing.

I'm off to write my thank you note and to begin work for the next group swap I'm in. So, if you believe in paying it forward, just hope you're on the receiving end of my “Hanging Up Springtime” swap!

The Search

Pat Metheny's song "The Search" is playing in the background...along with "American Heartland", I've been repeating them as they cheer me and are delighting me on this fall morning. Thinking about my Dad, thinking about life, thinking about my amazing daughter.

This photo is of her in September, laying on our concrete floor...it appears that the wind might be blowing in her hair...she's such a sweet bird...

I'm off to do some artsy crafting, but am reminded by Van Gogh: "The more I think about it, the more I realize there is nothing more artistic than to love others." and my search is over (today), and I'm off to boil some water for tea and to load the washing machine, lovingly.

Glitter, stamps and fun...

The past few weeks have been fun creating little whimsys for my favorite store, Gatherings, in Georgetown, Texas. They're having their "Holiday Open House" this Thursday, so I've been working a lot with reds, greens and cheerful holiday papers.

Fun tags, a door hanger and then a trip to the "Settlement Home" garage sale...I've got lots of fun to deliver to the owners today!

Halloween Swap Goodies for Michele

Such fun pulling together and creating items for HopHopJingleboo's Halloween Swap! Black cats and....other goodies will be tucked into a "Trick or Treat" bag being sent to Michele in Vancouver, Canada. Wish I could fit in with it -- gorgeous place, I was there many years ago and had a simply enchanted time.

I'm also working on additional shabby signs. Creative artist, Stephanie at her store, Gatherings, in Georgetown, Texas is willing to show a couple in her store; and I've outfitted my yard with a few...maybe will put some on Craig's list?!

We've begun "demolition" and are having fun!

So...we've been pulling down mini-blinds -- thank goodness for Freecycle, else no-one will take them as a donation (Goodwill doesn't want them)! Pulled down some walls in the basement and have begun making some plans for the remodel! Not using a napkin, we're plotting preliminary ideas and have our lists of materials ready for sizing!

Noodling over exterior paint colors -- in this neighborhood the possibilities are ENDLESS! I met our neighbor this weekend, comes cooler weather, they're going to paint their house Purple! Fun...the house next door to us is blue with dark blue trim, the house across the street is coral with turquoise...hmmmm....we're thinking a spicy pumpkin...but I digress. Steve's off to meet the drywall contractor and begin plotting!

Peter Rabbit Beatrix Potter illustration and Children's books

Lately I've been on a big Peter Rabbit kick...the illustrations in Ms. Potter's books are so sweet. I made over this child's stool and used some vintage look children's alphabet paper to dress up the top of the stool...then used some illustrations from a 1980s Peter Rabbit collection...don't worry, the book was in very poor condition!

I've also come across several Nancy Drew's at the Goodwill stores in the area...am building up the collection at Nina's school as well as our own personal collection.

Whimsey finished for International Vintage Banner Swap

This was the first time I've made a banner...quite fun...the more I would dig in my boxes of goodies, the more embellishments I found. Vintage sewing pattern, vintage tatting (picked up at the "Caring Place") purchased quite some time ago...someone spent so much time on it and the delicate rose colored lace that resulted is pretty surrounding the banner.

Also used a Perrier de Jouet ribbon, shabby tags (one says Made in America -- my swap Partner was delighted to be receiving something from the U.S.), glitter and a Victoria's Secret garter that I cut up and tea-stained and then affixed to the top. Finally, a couple of sea shells and some beads to dress it up a bit. Hope she likes it!

I got a glimpse of the banner I'll be receiving, and it's DELIGHTFUL! All the way from Germany, by Svenja (artcreations).