More Goodies!

One of the drain pipes needs to be fixed and this giant icicle formed.

I had a real off week, last week.  Felt like crap, couldn't get warm, crying real easily and which culminated with a killer headache from hell on Sunday....just one of the lovely hormonal byproducts of middle age.  Like a beacon of light, I got that package from Tracy with the sugar cookie mix and the very next day I got another box full of flat backed glass blobbies from Kim!

PLUS chewsticks for my fuzzies!

Of course Sagan demolished his in no time, then sat on the couch, with his eyes flicking back and forth between Pepper still munching her chewie, and me, with a dejected look on his face.  I couldn't stop cracking up. 

I looked down at Bean and she looked up at me like this, which only made me laugh harder.

Eventually she tired of hers as it was rather large and Sagan left it alone for awhile which surprised me, but he finally finished it off later in the day.

So the day I had my headache, the only thing I managed to do was sew beads to this little doily bowl I made a few weeks back by spraying starch on it and letting it dry over an inflated balloon.  It didn't make the bowl as stiff as I wanted and it began to collapse under the weight of the beads.  So after they were sewn on, I tried spraying more starch on it but that still didn't work, so I coated the back with mod podge and let it dry.

Then I got up on Friday, checked my email, and was excited to see that I won another giveaway, on the Krafty Max Originals blog/Facebook page!!  I won a bracelet but I haven't gotten it yet. 

And then I got this from Michelle!

I Won! I Won!

Several weeks ago, Maureen over at Victorian Studio took us on a really cool tour of her new Victorian studio where she creates her beautiful crafts and cards. It's wonderfully organized with great furniture pieces, and she has a knack for thrift shopping.  At the end of her tour, she was having a giveaway.  All you had to do was comment and then you were entered in the contest.  This was on or about July 13th.  Well I plumb forgot about it till I saw a recent post announcing the winner. To my utter delight, it was me!!!!!!

My package arrived covered in Canadian stamps, as it winged its way from Winnipeg, Manitoba (aka "Winterpeg").  At first I thought it was from Italy, because it says, 'Fra-GEEE-lay'.  ;-D

I find it ironic that the 'Fragile' side of the box is the one that got punched in.  The whole box looked like it had been through some hard times.

Luckily it was filled with packing peanuts which kept the contents from breaking!

Maureen is a very gifted artist and made this beautiful card.  I tried to take a picture of the amazing texture but it didn't come out.  

Inside was this great large lace doily and this lovely little china set.

See how tiny?  I used a nickle to show scale.

An amazing silver tray that reminds me of scallop shells.

3 roles of old lace

Salt shakers and some fun bits!

This is amazing.  It's a shell design on black velvet and very 'fra-GEE-lay'.

And some vintage BINGO cards!!!

How very cool and how lucky am I?!?!  Thanks again Maureen!! 

Looky What I Got!!!

My bff/kindred spirit/sister and college roomie, Michelle, sent me a goody box the other day!!! I was so excited!! Thought I'd share the wonderful surprises I found inside!

I got a box of coyote notecards, drawn by Michelle's mom, Judy, who is also a gifted artist.

Here's a cool cross stitch kit that Michelle bailed on, and which I can't wait to get started on! She and I definitely play to our crafting strengths. She works magic with, and has the patience for, seed beads, and I have the patience for cross stitch but not with seed beads. But we both have the same taste in designs, that's for sure! I would have bought this kit on my own if I saw it in a store!

Michelle made these smart new bandanas for Sagie and Bean.

That flower toy is one of Sagan's faves, that's why I gave him the flower bandana. Plus the silly smiling flower pattern matches his goofy personality! "Tanks Auntie Michelle!"

And the dark bandanna also looks good on the Bean, who is, as usual, thrilled to be modeling for a yet another photo. "Tanks fer da bandana but pwease tell momma ta stop takin pitchers!"

I saved the best for last. This is a knitted/beaded butterfly bag that Michelle MADE!!!! Isn't she amazing??? She posted it on Facebook and I begged her to make me one too, and offered to pay for the materials. She offered to give me this. I couldn't believe that she would want to part with it!! I am humbled and honored.

It's perfect.
The strap is meticulous and exquisite!!
A beautiful beaded dragonfly with Swarovski crystal eyes.
And an ant with the tiniest curly antennas I've ever seen!!!!
A wee ladybug!

Lampwork glass snake made by Michelle's friend Cindy! I am equally thrilled to own some of Cindy's work as well!!

And a little lampworked slug, also made by Cindy!
I cherish this amazing piece of art. It is a prized addition to my collection!

Thank you so much Michelle!!!! I love you and miss you lots!!! XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO