Fall Findings Swap

I recently participated in the "Fall Findings Swap" with Karen Decapites (http://www.somedaysarediamonds.blogspot.com/) Bloggerette Sorority Sisters. The idea was that you decorate a box and fill it with fall findings for your swap partner. Now, you did not know who had your name so you were asked to fill out a questionnaire so that you could get some info about your swap partner without contacting them.....Well, I was matched up with Debi Huntsman (http://www.lifeinmystudio.blogspot.com/) Karen did a good job matching me with her as she loves to sew ...just like me...and alot of her crafting is similar to my style too! So if you click over to her blog (noted above) you will see what I did for her....Now the twist, Karen had actually matched us up to each other but we did not know that...Yeah!!!!! So are you ready to see what Debi created for me?????? This is a close up of the box...just beautiful (note that the box did not have to be a fall box) the details are just amazing!
Here it is on my craft table along with the things she sent that were outside the box...really..she sent so much it was just like Christmas opening up all the little extra gifts. She also sent a little pumpkin candle holder, it got cut off in the pic but you can see the corner of it.
Here is a shot of the inside lid of the box, isn't it just lovely??

And all the lovelies inside the box, a little fall pillow, an old thread spool with dreamy lace on it, decorated thread spools, and bric a brac....
Some old buttons and beautiful flowers too!

This Bottle full of vintage pearls was one of the gifts outside the box, has a vintage looking label on the outside "Extra Strength Cauldron Bubbles" very cute.

These three little thread spools decorated with flowers, lace , ribbon and bling...love them!

And this beautiful tussie mussy full of lace and a a white pumpkin, I already hung up to display.....
Last but not least....of course I saved my favorite thing for last...is this darling canvas with the witches on it and the words read "He...He...He" this is SOOoooo me! Isn't it just so stikin cute??? Of course it is also already displayed proudly in my home with all my other Halloween decorations...

Thanks Debi for all your goodness....and thanks to Karen for putting this all together so we could all enjoy some new Fall Findings!

Just Jo.......

Just Jo...ARE YOU KIDDING..JUST JO! If you follow this lady you can't help but to be amazed at who she is and what she does! I had the honor of spending some one on one time with Jo Packham along with my friends Karen Decapite and Tiffany (The Fancy Farm Girl) while on a trip to Washington State. When Tiffany told me that she needed to pick up Jo Packham at the airport around the same time Karen and I were coming in (we were renting a car) I said to her we can bring Jo to your house don't make that extra trip, well unless Jo would not be comfortable with that arrangement. Well of course she would not....she really is just Jo..as we would be in awe of her she just kept telling us I am just Jo...so it stuck. I took this PIC of her and Tiffany at Tiffany's home, her bedroom to be exact. What a beautiful home she has, every room just arranged to perfection. I am sure Jo gets asked so much to have her picture taken I was alittle remiss about asking too much,but I did click off a couple. We had a wonderful dinner cooked by Ms. Tiffany and had such a wonderful time hearing about Jo's adventures and Tiffany's crazy busy life. When we awoke in the morning it was misting and overcast, we walked outside only to see the most amazing sight.....spider webs everywhere..I mean everywhere, on trees and bushes all around....now who would of thought that Jo Packham would have been so amazed with this sight (as she sees the most amazing things on a daily basis) but she was just looking and laughing and asked Tiffany to take some pics for her...of course her camera is just a little nicer than mine..he..he...but I did manage to get a couple of good shots.

On our way to art camp we stopped over in Portland and did some shopping...when I got a call from Tiffany asking if Karen and would like to join her and Jo for dinner....ARE YOU KIDDING! What time we will be there.....so we got to spend some more time talking and enjoying her company, really she is just so sweet! Then on our way to Art Camp where we met up again with Tiffany and Jo.....Here is a pic of Tiffany and I , we were trying to show off our outfits that were very similar..do you think?

In the end we said our goodbyes.....Karen got this shot with Jo as we all giggled.....GOODBYE JUST JO!!!!!

Art Camp.....

Upon Arrival the tables were set up so beautiful with these old jugs and sunflowers....simple but lovely! We each had our own wine glass with a handmade charm by Terri with our name on it..cute idea.....and the name tags were beautiful too , Terri told us they used an old wedding dress for the fabric to make all of the name tags and dresses on the front of our bags.

See the trim on the top is also from the wedding dress...

Sunflowers are my favorite and I just loved the way they displayed them..

Each day they did a menu board .


And just look at these cupcakes we had for desert made by Teresita...awesome!!!!!!

These ladies were the cooks....Joy and Terri (sisters) there worked their butts off...I mean really they were in the kitchen 24/7 and always the first ones up in the morning at 5:30 to start breakfast....thank you so much for all your hard work..you ROCK!!!!!!



Now the projects were just as amazing.....first my crown taught my Tiffany, I did not get any before pics..too busy working but it is made out of chicken wire and a heating duct vent....who a thought????

Everybody was so creative with their crowns.....some did Halloween ones...I think I may have to make one when I get home..sorry no pics I was having so much fun....
Then the amazing snow angel...this was taught my Christy Meyers...paper clay molded and baked in the oven overnight.....

The we made this box and the tree inside while we waited for our angels to cook.

When they came out of the oven we painted them and put them in our boxes...

Oh ...but we were not done yet....

The we added glass to the front and soldered it..added feet and I added a ribbon all around it...I just loved this project..she is so cute!
Lastly the soldered crown...this was amazing, I did not think I could do this with all these round pieces..but I did! First step to wrap all of the parts then lay out your design.


The start with making a circle...not so easy.....

But it all came together somehow...I did not quite finish but will add some more at home but I like it so far......
I had such an amazing time.....and so glad to have spent some time with Tiffany , she is an amazing , wonderful woman who I am so glad to call my friend.....

Packing up....

I am packing my bags for Terri Brushes Fall Art Camp...been waiting for this day to come for 6 months now! My friend and partner in crime Karen(that would be the crime of shopping too much according to our husbands) are headed off to Oregon for a week...Yeah! For some fun shopping and girlfriend time with sweet Tiffany ( The fancy Farm Girl) and creativity galore.....

Packed up my cute new train case with all my craft supplies....check it out, it is cute right?

Got all my teacher gifts and such all wrapped up and ready to go! And of course my new apron that is a must have...you can see a bit of it in the picture, but you will have to wait to see the whole thing..he..he . I will post some pics when I get back with me wearing it...it is really cute if I do say so myself.

This is a much needed get-a-way for me...I mean really..really need to get away!!!!!! See you when I return! Hugs

LIFE.....its not always a joy

Life is not exactly joyful for me right now......you know the saying when it rains it pours...well it is pouring in my life right now!! No details, I just need to say it out loud ! I want to SCREAM!!!!! But I am thankful for those close friends who listen , you know who you are and I love you!...and for my outlet. I mean my creative side that just takes over when I need some time alone.... This is my escape from life...
My sewing machine....it keeps me sane! I have so much fabric that I just started digging and decided I need to use what I have. This is what I created with stuff I already had on hand. A new bag! I need a new bag..right? A messenger style cross the shoulder bag, good for shopping!!! Maybe I need to do some retail therapy too..he..he..see I am starting to feel better already.

I used a old piece of tapestry for the flap, something I picked up and thought "I am sure I could use this for something"and had the perfect upholstery fabric in teal that matched the teal flowers in the tapestry fabric, used some other fabric that looks like burlap for the base of the bag, all this I had in my stash......
I have seen these flowers where they are stamped so I decided to try it, I took the flower apart and stamped each layer then re-assembled it adding some extra fluff and a vintage brooch.....stitched on a old doily and some fringe trim .

I also whipped up this cute little phone holder for my new droid phone, I used a piece of an old grain feed sack and some vintage lace added the black rosette and blackened a new Fleur de lis pin to attach. Picked up these cute bling binder rings from seven gypsy so I can attach to my purse or bag...

See inside my new bag I made a loop to hang it on...perfect....I am working on new apron too. One I can take with me to Terri Brushes Fall Art Camp. I really need this get-a-way right now! I am not a very profound writer and it is hard for me to find the words to say how I feel but one thing I do know is that Creativity is my therapy....

Treasure Hunting....Paradise

Florence...Colorado is a haven of antiques shops......I wonderful woman named Mary I met along the way told me about this place called Florence and said if I like antiques I must go there....OMG I am so glad I did...row after row, after row, of shops......

I started to shake as we drove down the block..you know that feeling, right?

Oh the treasures I could find.......

My hubby brought our dog and his cigars and said to me "have fun" he is so good to me! I wandered up and down and in every shop that I could go to.....as he patiently waited for me.

Everyone was so very friendly....a lady then told me about a place were the men go...this was just perfect, check it out..."Mantiques" to funny...

This little town seemed to have everything. I found so many wonderful things of course I had to have..he..he....

Laces...buttons...jewels....hats with millinery flowers....old bingo cards

But my most favorite find was this vintage laundry cart....it was in perfect shape and even came with a brand new extra cover...and it is pink! I knew I had to have this !.....it would come in handy on our trips in the motorhome when we need to do laundry..right? Perfect and it folds up flat so it travels well. Ready to do laundry????
This is the bottom of the cart, it is called the Gypsy Kart, perfect name for it!

Now you know you have a great find when your hubby gets in on the action, isn't he cute toting this cart to the laundry mat....
Even the dog got in on this one! We had so much fun with this cart, what a great find!