The Tattered Quilt Cottage

Christmas Ornament Swap with An Artful Adventure

2011-11-27T14:19:00.000-08:00

Ashley and I joined Cassandra for a handmade Christmas ornament swap. We were paired with three talented ladies. Take a look at the treasures we received from Karen.

Love, love, love this felt heart with jingle bells...

I love this decorated spool too...

And this cute little altered tart tin...

Thank you Karen for our wondeful ornaments. We will treasure them forever.

Have a great rest of the weekend.

Mystery Envelope Swap #7 with Donna

2011-10-22T18:11:00.000-07:00

I am on a roll today. Received an envelope full of treasures from Donna. Again, I was so excited, that I forgot to take a picture of the goodies before creating with them. Here is the banner panel I created.

Thank you Donna for the wonderful goodies to create with. Can't wait to see what you create with the supplies we sent to you.

Have a good weekend all!

Mystery Envelope Swap - Halloween

2011-10-22T17:50:00.000-07:00

I received my package from Jen for the Mystery Envelope Swap which Tee hosts. I can't believe I got so excited that I forgot to take a picture of the contents Jen sent me. But here is the banner panel I created with the goodies.

Thank you Jen for the wonderful goodies to create with. I can't wait to see what you came up with using the supplies sent to you.

Have a good weekend all!

Altered Altoid Tin with Bliss Angel

2011-10-07T07:30:00.000-07:00

We joined Wendy over at Bliss Angels for her Halloween Altered Altoid Tin swap. We are just getting into altered crafting and are having quite a blast. We were paired with Besty. Just check out this wonderful tin Betsy sent us.

Thank you Betsy for our wonderful tin and goodies. Hope you have a Happy Halloween.

Mystery Envelope Swap #6 with Fran

2011-10-06T18:17:00.000-07:00

I joined Tee's Mystery Envelope Swap #6 and was paired with Fran. Just look at the wonderful items she sent for me to create with.

As I have been creating banner panels, here is what I created with Fran's supplies.

Thank you Fran for the wonderful supplies to use.

Mystery Envelope #4 with Tee

2011-08-27T11:13:00.000-07:00

I received my envelope for the Mystery Envelope #4 swap hosted by Tee. Tee herself was my partner this time. Here are the great supplies she sent to create with.

And here is the banner panel I created.

Thank you sooo much Tee for the great supplies. Can't wait for Envelope #5 time.

Mystery Envelope #2 with Kim (REMAKE)

2011-08-08T11:45:00.000-07:00

Remember all the wonderful goodies that Kim sent me for the Mystery Envelope Swap. Well, I back tracked and made another banner from the goodies I had not intially used. So now I have a banner panel and a tag. Here is the banner panel...

Since I had already used the cute vintage picture she sent, I had to use one of mine. The only other thing that came from my stash is the white button at the bottom and the crepe paper.

Again Kim, thank you for all the wonderful goodies which I used to create two fantabulous treasures with.

Mystery Envelope #3 with Victoria

2011-08-07T11:11:00.000-07:00

I think I am addicted! I joined another one of Tee's wonderful Mystery Envelope swaps and our swap partner this time was Victoria. Here are the wonderful goodies Victoria sent...

Again, the rules are that you have to use 75% of what is sent to create something. I am soooo not imaginative and have been thinking for weeks on what I could do with the wonderful supplies that are being sent to me. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks...what if I made banner panels! AHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Here is the panel I made from Victoria's goodies...

What do you think? Once I get several made, I will hang them from string and display them proudly.

I can't wait to see what Victoria makes from the goodies we sent her.

Have a great rest of the weekend!

Mystery Envelope #2 with Kim (I missed #1)

2011-07-28T14:12:00.000-07:00

I joined Tee for her Mystery Envelope Swap #2. I was paired with Kim and here are the neat supplies she sent me. The rule is that you have to create something, your choice, out of 75% of the items sent to you.

And here is what I created. I really love the items she sent. I have it hanging from my mantel.

Thank you Kim for such wonderful treasures to create with. I can't wait to see what you create with what I sent you. I went a little holiday specific, so I hope you don't mind.

Faerie Shoe Swap with Buzzn Bee (Debbie)

2011-07-21T08:47:00.000-07:00

I got soooo excited with the faerie shoe which Ashley made, that Debbie from the MJFG forum agreed to swap with us. Ashley used the same technique as below to make Debbie's shoe.

Here is the shoe sent to Debbie

We hope you like your shoe Debbie.

Have a great rest of the week.

Faerie Shoe Swap with Wendy

2011-07-21T08:39:00.000-07:00

Ashley and I joined a faerie shoe swap with Wendy. We were paired with Marfi Bradford.

I have to admit, I was completely lost as to what we would be doing. The shoe could have been made out of anything you wanted. Wendy showed examples of paper shoes, felt shoes, etc. I was thinking of altering a ladies shoe, but that would have been really big to display. Ashley then came up with the idea to alter a baby shoe. So here a bit of the process she used to create our faerie shoe.

She started with the baby shoe

Altered it with cardboard, paper, and cloth, which she mod podged onto the shoe

Here is the final faerie shoe created for Marfi

We hope you like your faerie shoe Marfi.

Altered Spoon Swap with Tee

2011-07-21T08:24:00.001-07:00

We joined an altered vintage spoon swap which was hosted by Tee. We were paired with Donna. We received Donna's spoon and just LOVE it! Thank you soooo much Donna.

We found a wooden spoon shelf at a local thrift store and have proudly displayed your spoon as our first.

Thank you again Donna!

Whimsey Pocket Swap with Tee...

2011-05-30T08:11:00.000-07:00

In searching the internet, I came across the blog of Tee and saw that she was having a Whimsey Pocket Swap. In reading the directions, I knew I could do it. The whimsey pocket is actually a cardboard handtowel tube cut in half with the bottom glued or sewn shut. I just had to sign up and try my hand at it, as I have never done one before.

I was paired with the wonderful Karen. Look at this wonderful pocket she sent me. I just love it!!!!!

Now, I must admit. I have yet to open up the wax paper baggies as I just love how they look and I am afraid I will ruin them. I feel my way around the baggie to figure out what is inside. Silly, I know. :-)

Thank you soooo much Karen for this wonderful swap. I am thankful that you were my swap partner. I hope you enjoyed your pocket too.

A Swap for all Seasons...Brooch Swap

2011-05-11T15:24:00.000-07:00

Ashley and I particiated in Linda's Brooch swap. We want to thank Kelly and Wendy for being our partners.

Here is what Kelly sent Ashley. We love the bright colors. Thank you Kelly for such a wonderful brooch.

Here is what Wendy sent myself. Not one, but two brooches. Thank you Wendy. I am wearing the pearl one today.

Here is what I sent to Wendy.

Here is what Ashley sent Kelly.

We hope you both will be able to enjoy the brooches. Thanks for swapping with us.

Amy's Nine Days of Easter Swap!!! Day 9

2011-04-24T07:00:00.000-07:00

For Day 9 of our swap, Monique (a non-blogger) created this wonderful rick-rac lapel pin. I have seen these on other blogs and have wanted to try my hand at one, but have not gotten around to it. Now I have one! Thank you Monique, I LOVE it!

Well, our swap is officially over AND it is Easter Sunday! Thank you all for joining this swap and sending such wonderful easter treats I will treasure for years to come.

Hope you all have a great day with family. Try to relax!

Any's Nine Days of Easter Swap!!! Day 8

2011-04-23T07:00:00.000-07:00

For Day 8 of our Easter Swap, Sara created this adorable chicky bag! It is so cute. Thank you Sara! I love it!

Hope your weekend goes well!

Amy's Nine Days of Easter Swap!!! Day 7

2011-04-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately Lisa came down very sick and was unable to complete the swap. Hope you are feeling better Lisa!!!

Amy's Nine Days of Easter!!! Day 6

2011-04-21T07:00:00.000-07:00

For Day 6 of our Easter Swap, Wanda created these pretty safety pin baskets and filled them with a chocolate bunny. I have seen this type of crafting before, but not as a basket. Thank you Wanda, I love it! It is a new easter treasure I will display year after year.

Hope you are doing good. The week is almost over!

Amy's Nine Days of Easter Swap!!! Day 5

2011-04-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

Ashley and I created Day 5 of Amy's Nine Days of Easter Swap. We had purchased little tart tins at an estate sale and created easter baskets out of them. We hope you ladies enjoy our little treasures for years to come.

Take care!

Amy's Nine Days of Easter Swap!!! Day 4

2011-04-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

For Day 4 of our Easter Swap, Kim created this adorable easter scene in what I believe to be a baby food jar. I just LOVE this! What a creative idea! Thank you Kim for this wonderful new easter treasure.

Have a great week!!!

Amy's Nine Days of Easter Swap!!! Day 3

2011-04-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

Hello all!

For Day 3 of Amy's Nine Days of Easter Swap, this wonderful little bag was created by Amy herself. I have it sitting on my dresser holding some little charms I have collected. Thank you Amy for this cute little bag. I love it!

Hope your week is starting off great!

Amy's Nine Days of Easter Swap!!! Day 2

2011-04-17T10:05:00.001-07:00

Good morning!

For Day 2 of Amy's Nine Days of Easter Swap, Wendy created this cute paper egg ornament. Love the colors and the flower on the front. Thank you Wendy very much!

Hope you all are having a great weekend!

Amy's Nine Days of Easter Swap!!! Day 1

2011-04-17T09:53:00.000-07:00

Good morning all,

I joined Amy for her Nine Days of Easter Swap. A couple of ladies were unable to complete the swap, but I wanted to post and thank those of you who did send in a package.

For Day 1 (the original One dropped out) Amy created a cute little easter bag and included some painted clothes pins and a paper mache egg. Where did you find the eggs at Amy? I'm thinking I could do something creative with them. Hmmm...

Thank you Amy for hosting this swap and for the wonderful gift you created at the last minute for us.

Have a great rest of the weekend!

Kandeland's Inspirational Post Card Swap

2011-04-06T15:15:00.000-07:00

I joined Natalea over at Kandeland for an inspirational post card swap. Here are the postcards I have received. Thank you ladies who sent one. I've enjoyed them much!

Hope you're having a great day!

Mini Sampler Swap - A Swap for All Seasons

2011-02-18T09:05:00.000-08:00

I joined Linda over at A Swap for All Seasons. We were paired with a partner to make a mini sampler. I was paired with the wonderful Tracy. Please pay her blog a visist when you get a chance. Just look at the wonderful sampler she sent me. I love the deep colors in it. And those flowers... Thank you Tracy for being my partner.

I looked on USPS tracking and see that Tracy's is currently being delivered to her residence, so I think it is safe to post this picture. It has a little bit of everything. Embroidery, old hankie, old buttons, fabric yo-yo, vintage lace, vintage picture of friends, vintage piece of quilt, and fabric stamping. I hope you like it.

I hope you and yours have a safe trip Tracy and your package if awaiting your return. Thank you for being my swap partner.

2010 Christmas Matchbox Swap - Here they are all together!!!

2010-12-26T07:00:00.000-08:00

We just want to thank you ladies for all the wonderful matchboxes. We love each and every one of them and will treasure them for years to come. We plan on displaying them each year as part of our holiday decorations. We sure hope we can do this again next year.

Merry Christmas!!!!

2010-12-25T07:00:00.001-08:00

Ashley and I wish you and yours a safe and happy holiday!!!

2010 Christmas Matchbox Swap Day #25

2010-12-25T07:00:00.000-08:00

Last, but certainly not least, thank you Kelly for our wonderful matchbox and christmas tree pin. We love them.

2010 Christmas Matchbox Swap Day #24

2010-12-24T07:00:00.000-08:00

Thank you Jenny for the matchbox and glittery silver star ornament. We love them.

2010 Christmas Matchbox Swap Day #23

2010-12-23T07:00:00.000-08:00

Thank you Grace for our matchbox and tile pendant. We love them!

2010 Christmas Matchbox Swap Day #22

2010-12-22T09:00:00.000-08:00

Thank you Becky for our matchbox and itty bitty ornament. We love them.

2010 Christmas Matchbox Swap Day #21

2010-12-21T07:00:00.000-08:00

Thank you Maria for our matchbox and tiny snowflake.

2010 Christmas Matchbox Swap Day #20

2010-12-20T07:00:00.000-08:00

Thank you Genie for our matchbox and the button magnet.

2010 Christmas Matchbox Swap Day #19

2010-12-19T07:00:00.000-08:00

Thank you Sherry for our matchbox. We saw the domino ornament on another blog and was hoping for one. We just love it.

2010 Christmas Matchbox Swap Day #18

2010-12-18T07:00:00.000-08:00

Thank you Lauri for our matchbox and lovely beaded angel. We love it.

2010 Christmas Matchbox Swap Day #17

2010-12-17T07:00:00.000-08:00

Thank you Mary for our matchbox and little santa ornament. We love it!

2010 Christmas Matchbox Swap Day #16

2010-12-16T15:07:00.001-08:00

Thank you Vanessa for this super cute matchbox and mouse. We just L.O.V.E. it!

2010 Christmas Matchbox Swap Day #15

2010-12-15T09:00:00.000-08:00

Thank you Angela for our matchbox and little snowman ornament.

2010 Christmas Matchbox Swap Day #14

2010-12-14T09:00:00.000-08:00

Thank you Kathy for our matchbox. As I mentioned, I was sure hoping to get a little bottlecap ormament, and now we have received TWO! SCORE!!!! We love the little green candy and fabric ornament too. Thank you sooo much!!!

2010 Christmas Matchbox Swap Day #13

2010-12-13T09:00:00.000-08:00

Thank you Michelle for this sparkly matchbox. I was hoping we would receive a bottlecap ornament, and we did. We just love it. I soooo love me some glitter.

2010 Christmas Matchbox Swap Day #12

2010-12-12T09:00:00.000-08:00

Thank you Tracy for the cute matchbox. Love the mini snowman ornament.

2010 Christmas Matchbox Swap Day #11

2010-12-11T09:00:00.000-08:00

Thank you Molly for our matchbox. How fun to have a shell from the Kure Beach in NC.

2010 Christmas Matchbox Swap Day #10

2010-12-10T09:00:00.000-08:00

Thank you Sophia for our matchbox. What a beautiful pendant you have given us.

2010 Christmas Matchbox Swap Day #9

2010-12-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

Thank you Nancy P for our cute matchbox. It has a little elf inside.

2010 Christmas Matchbox Swap Day #8

2010-12-08T09:00:00.000-08:00

Thank you Bonnie. I am just learning to embroider, and I love the little snowflake felty.

2010 Christmas Matchbox Swap Day #7

2010-12-07T14:27:00.000-08:00

Thank you Patty. Such a cute little pin you have given us.

2010 Christmas Matchbox Swap Day #6

2010-12-07T14:24:00.001-08:00

Thank you Carol. We love the little bead flower angel.

2010 Christmas Matchbox Swap Day #5

2010-12-07T14:19:00.001-08:00

Thank you Amanda. We love the little gingerbread man.

2010 Christmas Matchbox Swap Day #4

2010-12-07T14:09:00.000-08:00

Thank you Jan for our matchbox. What a neat idea the puzzle piece charm is.

2010 Christmas Matchbox Swap Day #3

2010-12-03T14:51:00.001-08:00

This cute Snoopy matchbox is from Linda.

Inside were these beautiful heart earrings.

Thank you Linda, we love our matchbox.

2010 Christmas Matchbox Swap Day #2

2010-12-02T15:44:00.000-08:00

Day #2 is the matchbox Ashley and I made.

With the beaded little snowman or snowlady.

2010 Christmas Matchbox Swap Day #1

2010-12-01T15:48:00.000-08:00

Well, Ashley and I joined Linda over at A Swap for All Seasons when she hosted a 25 Days of Christmas Matchbox Swap. We had a blast decorating the 25 little matchboxes.

December 1st matchbox is from Denise. Thank you sooo much Denise.

Inside was this little bell.

Again, thank you Denise. We love our little matchbox.

Whimsey Jars Sent

2010-07-22T12:00:00.000-07:00

As I posted prior, I joined the Kid's Napping? I'm Scrapping (hosted by Jessica) Whimsey Jar Swap. Here are the jars I sent Stacey and Jessica.

I had a blast creating the items for these jars. I made little bottle cap pin cushions, paper flowers for scrapping, button flowers, and included trims in their colors of choice, and buttons. I also had fun creating the tags for the jars. I had purchased several vintage photographs of country girls/friends and thought they could be cute as a tag.

Hope you are having a great week!

ME and Vintage Apron Swap - Thank you Fran!!!!

2010-07-21T15:00:00.000-07:00

Fran and I secretly swapped paper aprons which we created. (Check out her blog and see the really cute "Knob Heads" she has created.)

I received Fran's aprons and wanted to share just how dang cute they are.

Upon opening the cardboard, the two little aprons were wrapped in pattern tissue. What a wonderful idea! I'm gonna have to steal that idea!

Just check out how cute these aprons are!

The front (there are little wooden clothes pins in the pocket of the beige apron. WOW!)-

And the back -

Thank you Fran for swapping with me. I've really enjoyed it.

Hope you all are having a wonderful week!

Graduation Banner

2010-07-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

My best friend and daughter, Ashley, graduated from high school this year. As we all say, "Where the heck has time gone?" I wanted to create something for her to treasure and she just L.O.V.E.S. looking at my parents yearbooks, so I decided to try my hand at making a congratulations banner. I gathered yearbooks for my parents and sister, along with mine and Ashley's. I color copied our senior and freshman pictures on cardstock. Almost went through an entire ink cartridge, but oh well. Here is what the banner turned out like.

I really like how it turned out. The only change is that I should have used black glitter for the "CONGRATS" chipboard letters.

What do you think?

Hope you are having a great week!

Happy Camper Camporee Tag Swap

2010-07-20T19:30:00.000-07:00

I joined Paula for her awsome Happy Camper Camporee Tag Swap. I get all giddy when I see a little vintage travel trailer and hope that someday I will have one of my own. Until that time, I was soooo excited to join Paula and the other talented ladies in creating our own little little travel trailers to swap. I can't wait to see them in person.

Hope you all have a great rest of the weekend!

ME and Vintage Apron Swap

2010-07-15T09:52:00.000-07:00

Cindy hosted a paper ME (Mary Engelbreit) and Vintage Apron Swap. Unfortunately I missed the sign-up date, but she opened up another group so I am swapping with Cindy herself and Leslie. Can't wait to see what they create.

Is there a secret place which sells Mary Engelbreit paper or fabric? I could not find either here, and we live in a large city. Oh, well. I purchased fabric in what I thought was close to her pattern and pieced it together for this fun apron swap.

I noticed that Fran commented on Cindy's post on what a bummer it was that she had missed the swap, so I contacted her and asked if she wished to swap between us. She delighted me and said "YES!" I am sooo excited to swap with her. I have been following her blog and have enjoyed getting to know a little bit about her. Please drop by and say Hi! when you are blog surfing.

Here is what I created and sent to Fran.

Hope you all have a great week!

Whimsey Jars Received

2010-07-13T19:42:00.000-07:00

I joined Kid's Napping? I'm Scrapping's (host Jessica) Whimsey Jar Swap. I was paired with Stacey and Jessica.

From Stacey, I received a very fun jar containing wooden beads, lace and glass beads. Thank you sooo much Stacey. I love it all. All will make a nice addition to the craft stash I am building.

From Jessica, I received a very cute jar containing little beads, ribbons, a little cupcake, and lil' tickets. Thank you very much Jessica for all the wonderful goodies. Again, all will make a nice addition to the craft stash I am building.

Stacey and Jessica, yours have been mailed, so you should be receiving them shortly. I enjoyed putting the jars together for you. I hope you get use out of them.

Again, thank you both sooo much. I really lucked out having you two as partners.

Have a good week!

Has it been that long....

2010-07-13T19:28:00.000-07:00

since I last posted. I can't seem to participate in swaps and blog at the same time. I have so much fun reading all the creative blogs out there, my lil 'ol blog just doesn't hold a candle to them. Oh well, I'll keep chugging along like the little train that could.

I'll start with the latest swap I've joined. It is a fridge button magnet swap. We need to make three button creations with a magnet on the back and in return we will receive three from other swappers. Here is what I created.

Have a great day!

MJFG Halloween/Fall Treat Swap

2009-10-18T19:16:00.001-07:00

I joined the MaryJane Farmgirl Halloween/Fall Treat Swap. I was paired with Nadine and Tammy. I made them candy bouquets. I hope they like them.

Once the candy is eaten, just pull out the foam and insert the battery tea light (included) and you have a halloween docoration!

Once the candy is gone, you fall have a container to store goodies in!

Have a good week!

MJFG Shopping Tote Swap

2009-10-18T19:03:00.001-07:00

Yet again, I joined a MaryJane Farmgirl swap. This one was the Shopping Tote Swap. You could purchase a tote or make one. I chose to purchase and add a little something to make it more from me. I was lucky to be paired with Linda and Karen.
Here is the front and back of the totes I sent to Karen and Linda.

Here are the totes I received from Karen. What a lucky duck I am!!! I use them to carry my items to and from work in. (Plus the colors match with many of my outfits!!!)

Hope you have a good week!

MJFG Halloween Apron Swap

2009-10-18T18:51:00.001-07:00

I joined the MaryJane Farmgirl Halloween Apron Swap. I had the pleasure of being paired with Sally and her mother. What fun I had creating these aprons. I did not tell Sally, but I have not sewn since junior high school. I think I did pretty good! What do you think?

I included a "tuck," which is a present placed in the pocket. Now sure if you can tell, but it is a silver bag of halloween candy charm.

Hope your weekend was restful!!!

2009 Homemade Halloween Swap I Received...

2009-10-18T18:39:00.001-07:00

Here is the package I received from Yvonne.

I just luv the little pumpkin pin. I will wear her the week of Halloween!!

Check out this banner!! I has glittery letters on what looks like an old newspaper. Way cool!

Here is the banner displaying so proudly!!! I just luv it!!!

Hope you had a good weekend!

Heidi's "2009 Homemade Halloween Swap"

2009-10-18T18:23:00.000-07:00

I signed up for Heidi's "2009 Homemade Halloween Swap." The rules were to send something homemade and include a receipe. My partner was Yvonne. Here is what I sent her.

Hope you had a great weekend!

Berry picking time...

2009-08-17T10:45:00.000-07:00

After gathering our sewing supplies in Carpinteria, mom, Ashley and I headed north to Gaviota and Solvang/Santa Ynez in order to pick us some fruit and veggies. Okay, being a city girl all my life we just pop on over to the store and pick up what we need. Well, in July Ashley and I took off on a day trip heading north and just stopped at any side of the road stands we came across. What a hoot we had picking our own strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and olalieberries. We decided to go back in order to stock up before school started and this time we got to pick our own blackberries too. I have since found a magazine called the MaryJanes Farm. Guess what, I am hooked. This spring we will start our own garden of veggies and fruits. Let's see how it goes.

We climbed back into the car and headed up less than 100 feet up the road and came to the blueberrie farm. Gathered a bucket of blueberries and off we went to Pea Soup Anderson's for lunch. Yummy chicken salad sandwich with fries and a bowl of split pea soup. YUM!!!!

Back into the car and headed to Santa Ynez to the Morrel Berry Farm where we picked up raspberries and blackberries.

Got up Saturday morning and made ourselves some blueberry pancakes and fresh squeezed orange juice to get our bellies full. After breakfast, we had a job ahead of us freezing the berries.

What a creative idea Ashley had to use Dixie cups to stack the cookie sheets on top of each other in the freezer in order to freeze more berries at once. She must be her mama's girl!!!

Hope you all had a great weekend!

Off to the Treasure Hut in Carpinteria and beyond...

2009-08-17T10:25:00.000-07:00

On Friday mom, Ashley and I took off on a road trip through Carpinteria to Solvang in order to pick up some sewing supplies and pick ourselves some berries. What a great time we had. We even stopped at Pea Soup Anderson's and had a yummy lunch.

Here is the Treasure Hut. It's a house that was converted into a store.

Here are some houses across the street from the Treasure Hut. I luv taking pictures of cute little houses.

Here are a couple of cutie pattootie houses right next to each other connected by the white picket fence. Ashley just doesn't know it yet, but this is how I invision us living, me right next to her forever. I can just see her eyes rolling to the back of her head!!! HA!

Well, hope you have a great day!

Halloween Apron Swap #2 Apron

2009-08-17T10:19:00.000-07:00

Well, got apron #1 finished. Have apron #2 cut and ready to be sewn. I am making two aprons, one for Sally and one for her mom. (Hope your mom is doing well Sally!) Also have a couple of extra things I have made and will include. Hope they like them. I will post tease pics shortly. :-)

Halloween Apron Swap

2009-08-02T15:35:00.001-07:00

My swap partner Sally and I are making aprons for each other. I have not sewn anything in such a long, long time. I am having a blast. Here is a tease Sally!

Signature Block Swap...

2009-08-02T15:30:00.001-07:00

Still working on this. Have almost completed the 70 blocks. How are you all doing?

Sweet Summer Swap for Sue...

2009-08-01T08:44:00.001-07:00

My 2009 Summer Sweets Swap for Sue included a fruit designed coupon holder, two candles, one of them lemon scented candle (which is my fav scent), a mouse pad, a little goodie box full of Smartie candies, a homemade scrapbook or cookbook, a four pack of magnets with a food theme on them, two note pads with fruit theme, a sewing tin, a reusable lunch bag (which Ashley and I had to get for ourselves to use this school year) :-), and some melon ice cubes. Sure hope you enjoy your goodies Sue!

It arrived!!! It arrived!!! Thank you Sue...

2009-07-30T19:10:00.001-07:00

Today when I got home from work I found that my Summer Sweets package arrived.

I love the little fairies on the inside of the box wrapping!!!

What a cute box Sue. I love the vintage/prim print on it.

Everything was wrapped in glittery tissue paper and furry yarn.

Love, Love, Love the "Please leave me alone to enjoy my sundae!" card.

Sue, how did you know I was out of flexi straws? Ashley keeps saying "did you get more straws mom?" Now we have them, in fun colors too. Love the watermelon stirrers and wooden watermelon. Oh my gosh, what memories you brough back with the little umbrellas. I remember going out to dinner when we were little and getting virgin drinks and they included those umbrellas. Confession, I just got the drink for the umbrella and then let Barbie use the umbrella when we got home. Ashley thought that was dorky. :-) Love all the candy. Ashley stole the rock candy already. That's her favorite. The licorice is already gone. I just love licorice!!!! The popcorn bags are awsome. When we go to Oklahoma each January we stop at an Amish store and I purchase rainbow popcorn from them. We fix the popcorn on the stove in a pot with a little of oil just like my great grandma Blanch used to. Won't go back to boxed popcorn again. These bags will come in handy for movie night. Sue also gave me two packages of tissues from Hallmark. One reads "Shoe-la-la" and has vintage shoes on them and the other package says "in my original plan, I had a maid" which is so how I feel each time I have to do housework. :-) I also received the cutest foot note pack which are sheets of paper in the shape of a flip-flop. Way to cute. It's going to work with me. There was also a very small book entitled "Chocolate Lovers." My favorite saying was "I think I ate my willpower."

And last, but definately not least, was a beautiful sandal pin with pink stones. Just precious.

Thank you sooooo much Sue! I love everything.

I hope you have received your package and enjoy your goodies as much as I do. Can't wait to do this again.

Happy Birthday Dad!!!!

2009-07-19T11:36:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was dad's birthday and he wished to go to dinner at Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour in Santa Clarita. Okay, we have not been to an arcade in such a long time, but what happened to Pac Man, pinball machines, etc. The games in the arcade were soooo different, but Grandpa and Ashley played 'til their hearts content before we were called for dinner.

Ashley swore that grandpa was stealing the tickets she was winning, but he disagreed. HEE HEE!!! They sat us down for dinner and we had sandwiches and/or burgers and fries. This is normal for mom and Shannon. Something I am going to look for now is a stained glass light. Check out some of the patterns on these. Sure are pretty.

This one is my favorite. Lady Liberty stood behind our table. Next was ice cream time. They pounded the drum, rang the fire bell, and sang happy birthday to grandpa to the beat of the Adams Family Theme. We then got to dig into our ice cream.
After eating, grandpa and Ashley wanted to go racing. Before Ashley was born, grandpa had a race car and the family traveled around California and Arizona racing. Ashley sure wishes she had been a part of that. :-) Anytime she can challenge grandpa to a race, she WILL!!! Grandpa swears that he was about to lap Ashley, but she believes different. She claims he was "eating her fumes" the entire race. Last but not least, we got to get some candy for the ride home. What's your favorite candy???

Well, that was our weekend. Hope you had a good one too!

Until next time.

Historical Houses on our Walk...

2009-07-12T08:35:00.000-07:00

Ash and I walk several times a week. Since she gets out of class earlier than I get out of work, she will meet me in different parts of the city where we will go for walks. Today we met on "G" and "F" Streets, which is the historical part of town. These are some of our favorite houses along the route:

My favorite...

Ash's favorite. She loves the covered patio to the right side of the house...

This is the house I see myself in out in the country...

Hope you have a good rest of the weekend.

Care to join us in a Summer Sweets Swap...

2009-07-11T10:11:00.000-07:00

I stumbled across Noelle's Summer Sweets Swap (http://futuremrsk.blogspot.com) and am excited to join. Care to join also? Just click on the link above and maybe we'll be partners. Have a good weekend.

Flea Market Finds...

2009-06-01T19:11:00.000-07:00

Well, Ashley and I went flea martket shopping at the fair grounds this Sunday. Had a blast. We first had to get a sausage burrito from the Cruiser's Cafe. They are great with salsa on 'em.
I just love looking through others treasures. Came home with a few things I am going to to repaint. I am sure liking chicken items for my kitchen at this time. I found two white glass chicken figurines. Both were $1 each. I just love it when sellers set a bunch of items on a blanket and put signs which read "All $1," "All $3," etc. There is stuff I can't live without at that price, I just know it.

What did you do this weekend?

And we have a winner...

2009-05-30T15:32:00.000-07:00

Alyssa from "Home Is Where My Heart Is" is the winner of our 2009 Cottage Giveaway. WOOHOO!!! A BIG thank you to all who entered our drawing. I can't wait to do this again.

Thanks again and have a great weekend!!!

PS - Anyone know of any other drawings going on, please leave me a message.

Our First Home Project

2009-05-02T12:30:00.000-07:00

I've been watching Kim over at Twice Remembered Cottage redo their house and that gave me the itch to do something to ours. We moved in to our house over ten years ago and made no changes. Lack of funds, as usual. Over spring break, with tons of mom's help and instruction, we painted the hallway and master bathroom. My daughter Ashley and I then ventured into the dining room and stripped two layers of wallpaper (ughhhh!!!) and painted the walls battleship blue and added wainscoting and a chair rail. I love the way it turned out. We then went thrift store shopping and found window toppers and a few vintage decorations and BAM! it pulled together. What do you think?

Cottage Charm Giveaway 2009

2009-05-02T11:51:00.000-07:00

This is my first time entering the Cottage Charm Giveaway. My giveaway includes several of my favorite collectibles. Included are two Susan Branch note pads (does she not have such cute drawings?), a Karen Rossi bracelet entitled "MOM", a glass sunflower tea light (flameless tea light included), two beaded window charms, and a wooden beaded necklace. Please leave your email address so I can contact you when you win this lot!!! Thanks and have a good weekend.

For more great giveaways, please click on the Cottage Charm Giveaway link here: