Alana George's Easter Swap

Sometime shortly after Easter, Alana George contacted several of us Silver Bella Sister's letting us know that she wouldn't be attending Silver Bella this year (BOO) and asked if we might want to be in a Spring Ornament Swap....well if you all know me...I jumped at the chance. Since it was after Easter....we had plenty of time to create & take advantage of the Easter savings we might find a local hobby stores. I love the connections we all got to make. Here is the ornament that Alana created....it is so adorable.



I wanted to create a replica of a vintage sugared egg and lo & behold....Miss Lynn (Lesback) of Create/Breathe did just that. I LOVE what she did & find it just precious! Miss Lynn is a passionate Christian and I jumped at the chance to participate in her & her sister's Faith Hope Love swap at Silver Bella. Love you Lynn!




Just look at this sweat little bunny! Created in the beautiful shades of Easter I just love what Robin Sanchez did for spring. Her packaging was just exceptional....it was like a little waxed paper clutch....too cute. Thanks Robin for an adorable ornament.





This little cutie was created by Bianca Gaspard of The Paper Playground. It is so sweet and delicate. Glittered in all the right places.






I absolutely loved this little cutie from Shawn Street. Oh and the packaging was so cleverly incorporated!!! Just a little bundle of cuteness!

Paris Inspiration Box

I just love participating in Heather.....from Speckled Egg's matchbox swaps. The themes that she chooses make it even more fun. I LOVED doing the Paris Inspiration Box. This is the one that I sent to my partners. I love the glitter Eiffel Tower....I got it from Speckled Egg and glittered it up with some German Glass Glitter.



Here is the loot that I sent. I LOVE filling up the little boxes with inspiration items for my swap partners. I kind of went with a cream theme with a few splashes of color. My favorite thing that I added to the box were my hand dyed tags....I have always wanted to coffee dye tags and this was just the push I needed....plus I wanted to use some of the infinite number of rubber stamps that I have purchased over the years. God love my husband....he never complains about all my crafting supplies....but you can know that when I actually use the stuff he gives a sigh of relief.

Here is just some of the wonderful loot that Karen sent from Recycledrita. The French flash cards were the bomb. And the beautiful laces she sent were wonderful.

Here is Karen's pretty box. I just loved how she adhered the French paper onto the box. It was so simple....yet sophisticated. I adored it.

And this was Natalea's from Kandeland beautiful box. Her attention to detail was breath taking. And the little Eiffel tower charm she added was the perfect addition. My favorite part of the box was the wonderfully handcrafted fabric flower. It just added the most perfect touch. If you haven't been involved in a swap.....these match box swaps from Speckled Egg are just too fun. I highly recommend signing up for her next one.

A Treasure for the Treat Bag

I have always been the mom who LOVED making the treat bags for the birthday parties. I always knew that the kids loved them....but I never knew I would love creating them as much as I did. But I know one thing for sure....I still love to get a treat bag.....even at age 44. So I jumped at the chance to be a part of Art & Communion.....Shea & Debbie's AWESOME event over at What Happen's Next. Shea & Debbie contacted me about a month ago and asked if I would like to be a sponsor and donate a 'special' treat for their 'treat bag'. First of all....I was just immensely honored that they thought of ME.....and second of all.....have you checked out their blog lately???? And all the cool stuff they are up to? Let alone that they live in a church and hold all these cool art retreats there???? So this is just a little snippet of what I made to give. It is a test tube filled with all kinds of neat treats to create with. Buttons.....rhinestones.....trinkets galore.....vintage fun!!!!!! All prettied up with a velvet leaf & an adorable tiny Frozen Charlotte. So I hope all the participants that are SO lucky to attend this special event enjoy my addition to the 'treat bag'.

Something Old....Something New

I had so much fun participating in Linda's (A Swap For All Season's) summer swap. I though it was just dreamy doing a swap about weddings since most of us have summer anniversaries. Here is the loot that I sent.

I have a tendency to really get into collecting for swaps. They are so much fun for me to participate in. My swap partner was nice enough to send me these photos. I got so into the swap and wrapping it up all pretty....that yes....I forgot to photograph. I hate that part.

Look at this neat book that I found. The bride was born in 1888. She was married in 1908 and her friends and family made the happy couple....Carrie & Bert....a neat little booklet to commemorate their marriage with helpful tips and loving advice. There are even hand drawn pictures to add to the nostalgia. It was quaint & special.....and I bet the bridal couple had no idea their special book would end up in Wedding Swap 102 years later.

Jan DeBellis was my swap partner. We really hit it off and have been emailing like crazy. I thought it fitting to send my 'borrowed' items in an old mini muffin tin......after all every new bride needs an old muffin tin. This one was yummy and patina-ed so wonderfully. I put really fun items in it for Jan to create her magic with. Of course I had to add a few Frozen Charlotte's....I can't remember when I haven't added those to one of my swaps. I hope you enjoyed seeing the treasures that I sent to Jan....and if you haven't signed up somewhere for a summer swap....I highly recommend it....it is really fun to connect and create for a new friend. Blessings for a wonderful, creative, & productively filled day!

I Scream....You Scream.....We All Scream for Ice Cream!

It is funny to me that I decided to post about ice cream when just three short days ago I swore off sugar. I am still feeling the slight headache that just days ago wasn't so slight. But I couldn't resist posting about one of summer's sweetest treats.

I love the simplicity of a plain vanilla cone....going to our unique little ice cream stand in downtown Bloomington....The Chocolate Moose....where still today....you can get a Torch Cone for a mere 37 cents.....a bargain in any one's pocket book. I love the elegance of the Watermelon Granita pictured above.....courtesy of my favorite Country Living Magazine.

And who doesn't love the cool delectable Popsicle. I couldn't resist these special treats made in old vintage jello molds. These Orange-Banana Smoothie Pops featured in Country Living make me squeal with excitement!

And although I have never to my knowledge eaten a Huckleberry....I am sure purple ice cream would be dreamy. This Huckleberry Ice cream looks so cool and creamy....perfect for a hot summer night shared on the porch watching the firefly's & shooting stars. While I have vowed off sugar....I just might on the perfect summer night....share one of these delectables with loved ones. After all isn't that is what summer is for!

.....and just the little blue napkin that this sweet sits upon is enough to make me swoon the name is even more exquisite...Rosemary-Cranberry Sorbet. I can just envision this delight after a wonderful meal...cleansing my palette. While I still am the kind of girl that longs for the 37 cent Torch Cone....a nice ending to a meal is always a joy. I hope you have enjoyed drooling over these delicious ice cream treats....know that for now I will view this post to enjoy them. Thanks Country Living for these luscious photographs!

Petite Inspiration Box....Oui! Oui!

I missed out on Heather's last petite inspiration box swap....and I was ever so sad. So I jumped at the chance to join this time. The next rainy day I have....I am creating for pleasure! I usually create something everyday....but it isn't always for pleasure....although any creating is pleasureable to me. Sometimes it is stuff that just has to get done....like special orders and things.

I have been so busy getting the mundane accomplished lately. Today is my kids official first day of summer. A little sleeping in and then we hit the garden....or should I say flower beds for a morning of weeding and cleaning out the beds. Although it wasn't the most fun I have ever had....it was nice. Spending time with Lindsey in the cool morning working and talking along the way. Sometimes the mundane is just what you need.

I actually got all my spring decorations put away....and got out the summer decor'. I even got it accomplished before Memorial Day. So....we will spend the summer months donned in Red....White....& Blue. I love that. It was a mundane task....but sometimes the mundane is just what you need.

Sometimes I have a real hard time doing it all. Juggling the creative desire in me....keeping the house tidy & clean....doing the laundry....cooking....and just being well....a wife & mother. I have been trying to do it all lately & by the grace of God....it is happening. The mundane is turning into relevant & important....and sometimes THAT is just what you need. May you always feel that your life is more relevant & important than mundane.....may you accomplish all that you want to today. Blessings to you.

Lindsey's Junior Prom

I can't even begin to tell you how proud I felt as my daughter Lindsey

and her boyfriend Mr. Matthew Acton left for their junior prom. It was a delightful

moment that about brought tears of JOY to my eyes.

What a special time to be young and in LOVE. Lindsey was escorted

by this handsome gentleman last year as well. Last years prom was their first

official date. So this year all the jitters were gone. Round two was just so fun.

I absolutely love this picture....look at the special way Matthew is looking

at Lindsey while she pins on his boutonniere. It truly makes me melt.

Here is the whole gang. They all rode to dinner and all the festivities

in this giant Hummer limousine. This group of kids had a very fun

evening together. I loved seeing them all together. I think they all

look so happy.