I'm a Lucky Duck!

Last week on A Swap for All Seasons Linda (hostess extraordinaire) held one of her very special drawings. These little drawings are a big part of what makes this seasonal swap so much fun. Linda is a wonderful swap hostess. She's constantly coming up with all sorts of things to keep us entertained...everything from naming our favorite teen idols and sharing silly (or sweet) memories to giveaways and gorgeous images. If you've ever thought about joining a swap group I couldn't think of a better one than this. Our Vintage Valentine swap is in progress now but Linda will be announcing the next swap soon. Come take a look! Now, to get back to the drawing...I was the lucky duck who won the latest drawing and let me tell you, this is one sweet box of goodies! Linda packed it with so many dee-lightful things. Just look....a sweet, altered bingo card, a tin filled with vintage creamy white buttons, charms and a ballerina, a lovely pair of earrings, sweet treats, die cuts, a fun valentine punch, a notepad and a little card stamped with one of my favorite Red Lead images. What a treat this is...thank you so much dear friend!

Valentines

I just love these sweet Valentines and I thought you would too. Feel free to use them in your Valentine projects. If you do I'd love to see what you create with them.

One World One Heart

The One World One Heart event was created in 2007 by Lisa of A Whimsical Bohemian. The original idea behind this giveaway event was to bring bloggers together from around the world who may never ordinarily meet. I love the idea of people all over the world taking a magic carpet ride to visit each other. Because it IS magical to be connected to so many like-minded people in this way don't you think?!. You can read more about it HERE. So, grab your ticket and take a ride! My giveaway prize is this Enchant Your Life wall hanger. It's a 4"x6" collage on wood.




Now here are the rules:

In order to win, leave me a comment. You must also leave me a way to contact you should your name be drawn. The giveaway will end at 10:00 P.M. Pacific time on Feb 14th. International readers are welcome to enter. The winning name will be chosen randomly and announced on February 15th. Have fun on your magic carpet ride!

Are you a Jackie or a Marilyn?

A blog friend forwarded this quiz to me and here are my results...I'm not a Jackie OR a Marilyn. I'm a Katharine! I have to say I like that choice much better anyway. Now...go take the quiz!

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are a Katharine!

You are a Katharine -- "I am happy and open to new things"

Katharines are energetic, lively, and optimistic. They want to contribute to the world.

How to Get Along with Me

• * Give me companionship, affection, and freedom.


• * Engage with me in stimulating conversation and laughter.


• * Appreciate my grand visions and listen to my stories.


• * Don't try to change my style. Accept me the way I am.


• * Be responsible for youself. I dislike clingy or needy people.


• * Don't tell me what to do.

What I Like About Being a Katharine

• * being optimistic and not letting life's troubles get me down


• * being spontaneous and free-spirited


• * being outspoken and outrageous. It's part of the fun.


• * being generous and trying to make the world a better place


• * having the guts to take risks and to try exciting adventures


• * having such varied interests and abilities

What's Hard About Being a Katharine

• * not having enough time to do all the things I want


• * not completing things I start


• * not being able to profit from the benefits that come from specializing; not making a commitment to a career


• * having a tendency to be ungrounded; getting lost in plans or fantasies


• * feeling confined when I'm in a one-to-one relationship

Katharines as Children Often

• * are action oriented and adventuresome


• * drum up excitement


• * prefer being with other children to being alone


• * finesse their way around adults


• * dream of the freedom they'll have when they grow up

Katharines as Parents

• * are often enthusiastic and generous


• * want their children to be exposed to many adventures in life


• * may be too busy with their own activities to be attentive

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy

Gnome Party

The gnome party at Paula's is still going strong. Be sure to stop by and say hello and enter her fun giveaway. This morning I went in the craft room and realized the gnomes were missing. I looked high and low and finally found them downstairs doing a little yard work around the tea cottages. All the rain we've had lately had brought down quite a few limbs and lots more leaves. But, after a little hard work it looks like they have everything back into spit spot shape.

For Chris and Sharon

Every time you place an order with Red Lead Chris and Sharon include a special little free gift in the package. It can be anything...brass charms, pieces of pattern paper, collage images, tags, ribbon. Each time it's different but it's always a sweet surprise. I decided to return the favor and send THEM a treat this time. When I returned my atcs for the most recent swap I tucked in a little collage I made for them using one of their antique ancestor images. I love this little girl's face! Thank you Chris and Sharon for always "enchanting" our lives!

Very Vintage Atc Swap

The latest swap at Red Lead is "A Very Vintage" ATC Swap. Chris and Sharon have some of the best collage images (just wish they'd offer them digitally!) and the sweetest stamp line to go with them. Anyone can become a Red Lead Swap Sister...just join the Red Lead Yahoo group and start swapping with us! Our next swap is for Valentine tags. Here are my atcs for the swap.

TMTA - Buttons

Digital images by Tangie Baxter

Bella Vintage Valentine

Twyla and Lindsey of Two Crazy Crafters are celebrating Valentine's Day by sharing some lovely vintage valentines each day. They'll also be sharing craft projects and tutorials along the way. I was inspired by them to share some of the vintage valentines that I've found here and there. Here's one I found just the other day. Enjoy!

Gnomes

I've always had a soft spot for gnomes. I'm not sure when it all started but I've always loved them. Even when some people would tell me gnomes were tacky I loved them. I knew they just did know gnomes like I know gnomes! So, when I read that Paula of the fabulous Paula's Palace of Altered Art was having a Gnome Party I just had to join in! Paula is celebrating with all sorts of gnomish craftiness for the entire month. And she's inviting all her friends from here to Nome to share in the fun! Here is a photo of my little gnome family of four along with a cousin once removed. They sit in my craft room where I can often hear them whispering and telling stories. I imagine when I close the door at night they often take turns flying on the backs of these two Avon owls to visit the dollies on the top shelf. I'm sure that's why I find an occasional white feather on my desk in the morning! Do you love gnomes too? I'd love to hear more about it if you do. And I'm sure Paula would too. Be sure to stop by her blog and enjoy the gnome party!

Tag Along with Betsy McCall

Elizabeth of Creative Breathing is (among many other things) a tag maker. Each month she creates a new tag for herself using vintage images. She encourages anyone who likes to "tag along" with her. Earlier this month she made a special tag using vintage Betsy McCall paper dolls. Remember those? Lambie and I used to LOVE to play with paper dolls, Betsy among them. We even made our own sets...she still has the dolls that looked like Mumma and our big sister Jan. We spent hours making new outfits for them! Anyway...back to Betsy. There's a wonderful site where you can find all of the Betsy McCall paper dolls. Elizabeth suggested making tags out of the dolls for our birthday month and year. How fun! Here's my tag. Since my birthday's in January I thought this was a perfect way to start out the new year...with a fresh new start! On the page for my birthday month Betsy even has a doll so on the back of my tag there's a picture of me playing with my new kitchen set up in the cozy nook in our living room. The sentiment "let's play dolls!" is exactly what lambie and I would say to each other. If you'd like to take a look at all the Betsy McCall dolls they're behind the Bleu Door. Be sure to stop by to see Elizabeth's tag too...she has such a way with these. Thank you Elizabeth for this wonderful suggestion...you've given me hours of pure pleasure!

A Lunch Ladies' Christmas

I'm not sure why but I've been out of the mood to blog lately. Do you ever get that way? I think there's been so much going on with the holidays that I've just been enjoying things instead of writing about them. One Christmas event that I wanted to share though was the second annual Lunch Ladies' Christmas party. Jo and Cathy graciously opened their home once again to host us. We had a lovely lunch followed by presents and crafting. Lyneen taught us how to make her famous waterfall card...thank you again Lyneen. Here are a few photos from our afternoon together. I have to apologize though...we were having so much fun that I forgot to take pictures after the first few! Oh well. Here's a photo of the beautiful gifts I received and one of the clothespin dollies I made everyone. This is such a wonderful group of friends. I always leave our parties inspired and energized!

Happy New Year!

January opens

The box of the year

And brings out days

That are bright and clear

And brings out days

That are cold and gray

And shouts, "Come see

What I brought today"

A year to be glad in,
And not to be sad in,
To gain in, to give in,
A happy new year.
A new year for trying,
And never for sighing,
A new year to live in,
Oh, hold it most dear.

Leland B. Jacobs