A LITTLE SOMETHING I MADE...

Today I am joining Rebecca's Birthday Blog Party ,wishing her the happiest of birthdays ever, and sharing a little something I made for Christmas gifts. My Christmas gift crafting this year is enmeshed in the theme of winter. I figured I would embrace it if I could not erase it, winter not being my favorite season. It all began with a couple of " Thank You Hostess Gifts" I was tardy in sending out and an obsession with this little guy's photo...(Feel free to snag him if he inspires you too!)
I think it is OK to show these now that I know they have been received and they are a representation of some other winter themed bees wax canvas collage pieces that I am giving as gifts this year...I can't show the ones I am giving because I am afraid the recipients will see them so I used photos of the hostess gifts so you get the idea. They are similar in theme and tone and I tried to change each one up just a little so they would remain individual.
The one gift I am sure the recipient won't see is one I gave you a little sneak peek of in a previous post and here is the finished product, a winter themed snow banner, you can click any photo to enlarge for better viewing...Of all the people on my gift giving list, the recipient of this banner, my step-mother, is the one person who appreciates handmade items more than anyone else I know. In fact, she requests them and prefers them to store bought items. Last year I gave her a small simple winter themed collage that was tied on top of her actual gift. She opened the gift, thanked me, and put it aside. The little collage was cradled in the palm of her hand most of the evening or kept nearby where she picked it up, studying every detail. She must have told me a hundred times how much she loved it. She just kept saying over and over how much she loved stuff like this and how special it was to her.She dearly loves seasonal decorating of all sorts. This year I wanted to add to her winter themed collection and began designing this banner with a two fold purpose, as part of a class I was supposed to teach and to give as a gift. I won't be giving her a store bought gift this year, but fulfilling the wish of her heart, to receive a handmade item that enhances her home and brings her joy. After all, the Christmas season is about sharing joy, giving from the heart, and for me creating from the hand.
I ended up loving the result of this project so I gifted myself with one too!
A few up close details...Thank you, Rebecca, for hosting and may all your birthday wishes come true!
Wishing all you sweet friends the happiest and merriest of weekends!
Blessings,
Sandy

A PARTY, A SNEAK PEEK, AND UPCOMING SURPRISE...

I have to say a huge THANK YOU! To all of you who sent me the sweetest and warmest and kindest get well wishes and prayers. The worst is over (bad reaction to both shot and antibiotics on top of trying to get well! Two allergic reactions at one time should not be allowed, aren't there rules about those kinds of things?) and I am starting to mend, enough so, that today I get to have a decorating day! I had to change my course of action and forget about planning out a new tree and display. I had my heart set on a warm white winter theme, snowflakes and feminine fluff like this...These are my favorite vintage gloves and I wear them every chance I get!
No such stuff. I had to make a decision between " want to" , " need to" , and " have to". It is not always easy to put aside our dreams or our visions when we set our hearts on them and then plans change. Like, a mouse eats your white tree, or you get sick, or you have a reaction to your medication which delays your recovery, or any number of other things that can, will, and usually do happen during the holidays. I learned something from this experience, what I set my mind and heart on are not always what is best or needful and sometimes the outcome of giving in and letting go can be a greater blessing than I can imagine. I imagined ice skates and snowflakes...And creamy dreamy wreaths, velvet flowers, and my grandmothers jewelery...
My holiday decor looks nothing like what I intended it to, and even better than I expected it to, and I can't wait to share it with you...on Friday. I got a little head start late yesterday afternoon and by days end what is done will be it, and I will move on to other matters. I did not drag out the bulk of bins and decided to turn my everyday decor into a bold holiday display, one big splash and hopefully a couple of small scattered touches in the dining nook and buffet serving area. Below are a few sneak peeks.

It wouldn't be my cottage if there were not a quill...Or a little songbird trill...It wouldn't be my cottage if there weren't a book...Or a little something with that shabby tattered look...Time is ticking...Although I'd love to stay and chat a while I don't want to delay my decorating day!

Oh, before I go I have to tell you about the party! Rebecca (A Re-Purposed Life) is having a birthday party and all the land of blog is invited! To join the party on December 18th post on a special gift you have made for someone you love. It can be anything, an ornament, a poem, a photograph, something you have fixed up or collaged or baked, its up to you. Post about why you want to give this person something special and show what you have made on your post, leave Rebecca a comment on her Dec. 18th post so she can visit. She will be picking out three of her favorites and handing out a gift to each of the three chosen because it is her birthday and she believes it is better to give than to receive. To take a peek at the gifts just click on the highlighted birthday party link above. I know there are some great ideas out there and I can't wait to see them!

I hope you day is filled with all the glory and goodness it can hold!

Blessings,
Sandy

P.S. I hope you will stop back my way on Wednesday to sign up for my holiday give away, I'll have the details and sign up posted then.

Birds of a Feather Blog Party and Victorian Valentine Winners.....

"Birds of a feather, flock together."

People ("birds") who are similar to each other ("of a feather") often spend time ("flock") with each other ("together").

(click on any photo to enlarge for better viewing)

Valentine's Day is most commonly celebrated as a holiday to express love and appreciation, most often in a romantic relationship. Today, I want to celebrate Valentine's Day in the relationship of friendship. I am blessed to have two very close friends, going on a twenty year friendship, who have stood beside me though thick and thin. I am doubly blessed to have "met" so many new friends in the blog community. I do consider my friends to be "birds of a feather", sharing similar tastes and spending time with one another.I joined with a group of artist through Soul Journal in participating in a Valentine Blog Party. The theme of the party is "Birds of a Feather". The idea is make an art journal page playing with the theme. I took one of the suggestions to pay homage to friendship. I created a two page spread in a small art journal I just began. I used images, words, and phrases that are symbolic of my friendship with my two oldest and dearest friends, Pam and Sharon. I think this definition pretty well sums up what true friendship is: Friendship is a term used to denote co-operative and supportive behavior between two or more people. In a sense the term connotes a relationship which involves mutual knowledge , esteem, affection, and respect along with a degree of rendering service to friends in times of need or crises. Friend's will welcome each others company and exhibit loyalty towards each other. Their tastes will usually be similar and may converge, and they will share enjoyable activities. They will also engage in mutually helping behavior, such as exchange of advice and the sharing of hardship.
A friend is someone who may often demonstrate reciprocating and reflective behaviors. Yet for many, friendship is nothing more than the trust that someone or something will not harm them. Friends have the tendency to desire what is best for the other as well as provide sympathy and empathy. Friends are honest, even in situations where it may be difficult to for others to speak the truth. Friends have a mutual understanding.I chose a nature theme for my collage journal pages. The base paper for this friendship collage is really special, it is ledger paper that my friend, Pam, used in her accounting class in college and it has her handwriting on it.

"A friend knows the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails"

~Donna Roberts~"A true friend is one who thinks you are a good egg even if you are half cracked."

~Author Unknown~"The bird a nest, the spider a web, man friendship."

~William Blake~

"Friendship is a sheltering tree."

~Samuel Taylor Coleridge~"A True friend reaches for your hand and touches your heart."
~Author Unknown~"If you're alone, I'll be your shadow. If you want to cry, I'll be your shoulder. If you want to hug, I'll be your pillow. If you need to be happy, I'll be your smile. But anytime you need a friend, I'll just be me."

~Author Unknown~

As a special Valentine gift to you, dear blog friends, I made up a sheet of vintage bird images for you to use in your art. These are from various sources in my personal collection. Notice that each one is different, unique in shape, size, and color but they flock together so beautifully on the page. These birds represent the blog community of friends I have made, each one unique in skill, talent, and ability with blogs that differ in content but that sing so harmoniously the song of friendship, community, and connection.
Now, on to the winners of Victorian Valentine Give Away! If you missed the tutorials for these, you can visit here to learn how to make your own. And the winners are.....

#3 ~ Lady Farmer

#8 ~Tiny Bear

#11 ~ Vee

#15 ~ Laura

#24 ~ Becca

#30 ~ Dawn

Congratulations Ladies! Please email me your mailing information so I can get your packages on their way. There is a bit of a surprise involved as I will not tell you which one you won, you will have to wait until they arrive!

Happy Valentine's Day,

Miss Sandy

A Pretty Little Christmas Party Announcement......

Heather of Pretty Petals is hosting a A Pretty Little Chirstmas Party on Monday, December 15, 2008, and YOU are INVITED to attend or just to visit around. If you would like to join in the party fun, follow this link for all the information. I hope to see you all there!

Blessings,
Miss Sandy