Hoop Art Swap...

Heather of Life Made Lovely, formerly Blessed Little Nest, hosted a Hoop Art Swap and I knew I had to join!! It was so much fun!! My partner was Amy of Hershey's Kisses. I made the hoop above. I dyed a doily teal, cut a flying sparrow out of burlap, and made rolled felt roses. I then embroidered a sparrow with teal embroidery floss. It is hanging from vintage lace and I couldn't be more pleased with how it came out!!

This is the hoop Amy made for me. I love the yellow fabric and the branch is such a fun touch!! Also note that she used my word for the year, "Joy"...

Thank you so much for hosting this swap, Heather!!

Halloween Swappin' with Emilie

Emilie and I decided to do another swap. A Falloween one...We've had several fun swaps together in the past and I knew I would love whatever she sent this time, too!! She made a gorgeous pennant banner-currently hanging in my dining room, a "bobo monster"-the kids love him, a pillow that I absolutely LOVE, fun paper napkins, cupcake liners, ribbon, stickers---Oh my gosh, I was looking at this thinking something was missing. Um yeah, I immediately put some of my other things{including a wreath, garland, and glittery skull} out that she sent, so that will have to be in another post. Oops...

Here is another pic...Emilie sent the kids a fun goody, too, but they ripped into those quickly. She also sent Violet leg warmers, a book, and a cute headband.

Here is a close-up of our lil' bobo monster. Lilly has claimed him and wants one for her birthday or Christmas.

Oh wow...this pillow is gorgeous!!

Here is Violet in her headband. I know you can't see the detail against the background very well...

As for what I sent...

Looking at the difference, it seems as though Emilie got the short end of the stick. I made the wreath, spooky banner, chalkboard plaque, tassel, and ruffled candy jar. I also sent a stamp set, tag, notepad, pumpkin plate, and glittered pumpkin.

Her children also got little goody bags and window clings.

Here is the blackbird tassel I made.

The yarn wreath...I just wrapped yarn around a straw wreath, stacked circles and pinned them on, and hot glued the scrabble letters. I love the way it turned out!!

The burlap banner-look for a tutorial on that next week.

Here is the chalkboard plaque. It was originally a not super cute number from Target's $ section. I just rolled some chalkboard paint on one side and mod podged scrapbook paper on the back. I also replaced the original ribbon with wire and tied fun ribbon on it. Emilie can write whatever message she pleases, too.

The back...I just love this paper. Oh, if you go to Emilie's blog, you will notice we have the same knobs!!

Thank you, Emilie, for another fun swap!!

S'more Summer Swappin'

I did a swap with my old/new friend Rebecca of Thrifty Goodness this summer. We decided to go with a vintage summer theme. I "met" Rebecca from Sweet Goodness Swaps when I participated in one of their swaps a few years ago. Recently, we've reconnected. As much as you can virtually...
Rebecca did not disappoint. Swapping with like-minded people is so much fun!! My package was full of vintage goodness, including some awesome vintage linens-love them!! She also crocheted some super cute fruity things-that I think would be so cute in embroidery hoops. I've been wanting to collect nut choppers and the yellow topped one Rebecca included is great for starting me off.


LOVE these napkins-Rebecca embroidered them!! Look at the detail on the edging...

Gotta love the watermelon and apple!! I am amazed at her ability to turn some yarn into art!! You can also see a sneak peak at the strawberry toppers. They would be so cute on cupcakes!!

Vintage embroidered linens...swoon. Rebecca actually embroidered the citrus fruit one herself.

I LOVE aprons and this one is perfect-the colors are right up my alley and look great with my kitchen!! You can also see the potholder-adorable. The ladybug pin would make such a cute magnet, right??

Oh my word...this has got to be one of my favorite things{sorry the pic is sideways-I didn't notice it before}. Rebecca made this sweater and bonnet for Violet and I CANNOT WAIT until she can wear it this fall and winter. It is so super soft and gorgeous!!!! Love the vintage hangers, too, and that color-close becoming a new favorite!!

Thank you so much Rebecca for a fun, fun package!!

Now for what I sent...

I had fun putting together a package for Rebecca and hope she enjoyed everything!! I got the straw bag from Target's $2.50 section and whipstitched vintage lace to it. I also made the yo-yo flower brooch. Also, I made a pennant banner, a clothespin doll, shell encrusted vase, and some paper birds to craft with. Knitting needles I found thrifting, and the embroidery pattern and vintage lace were from an awesome yard sale find!! I also included a scrabble game "seashells", sea glass via Pottery Barn in a vintage jar, a knitting book, stamps, and a fun ruffled card round out her package.

"I can hear the ocean." This girl loves to comb the beach for seashells.

This vase was inspired from a Country Living magazine.

Ahhh...I love me a pennant banner!! This one was made from vintage and thrifted sheets.

I think the blue print is one of my faves-reminds me of wallpaper.

Here are the other prints. This was such a fun swap!!

Summer Fun Swap!!!

Monica at The Homespun Heart and her sister, Carrie, host these super fun shoebox swaps and I couldn't resist joining in. My partner was Chrissy and this was her first swap. We decided to do a Summer Fun with Vintage Flair for our theme. I think she did great!! She sent me some fun flip flops and foot scrub. Lilly and I had fun using that together. Also included was two nest votive holders, two nest plaques, an R plaque, and my favorite-a vintage ice cream scoop and sprinkles in a mason jar!! The sprinkles in a jar was the cutest thing ever and inspire my kitchen counter vingette. I'll share that another day. Hopefully before summer is over!! ;)

Look at the packaging. So sweet!!

Here is a closeup of the nest plaques. I love the saying, "A crowded nest is best." So fitting here!!

Chrissy also sent this heart wall hanger-love it!! And this believe sign{?}...

She didn't leave the kids out, either!! Lilly was excited to see rock candy, sparklers, and pinwheels. So much fun!!

Thank you Chrissy, for an awesome swap package!!

Now for what I sent...

Here is what I sent to Chrissy. She mentioned liking the button flowers I made and shared a few posts back, so I had to make some for her, too. Chrissy likes to scrapbook and make tags, etc. so I sent some scrapbook papers and a stamp. I also made her a raggy flower pin to wear, a patriotic clothespin doll{Chrissy has gorgeous red hair that I have to buy out of a bottle, so I thought her doll should too}, a frame that I painted and embellished with yo-yo flowers, a book on creating fun memories with your children, some flower seeds and an embellished cylinder.

Some close-ups of the details...

The doll is holding a "sparkler" that I made from a star button and wire.

Another view of the cylinder. I used hymnal paper, scrapbook paper, and bird images from a bird watching book. I mod podged all that on, then inked it a bit, and then glued vintage crocheted lace around the top. Love the way it turned out!!

Button flower goodness...

I also included a glass flower frog turned recipe holder. I got the silver fork at an antique shop and decided to share a few of my favorite summertime recipes.

I had fun making and collecting things for this swap!! Thanks Monica and Carrie for hosting!!

Christmas swappin' with Jenny...

Y'all know by now that Jenny and I are swapping crazy!! Here is some of what I sent to her. I have a few more things that need to go out.

Old-fashioned candy canes and my favorite Bob's candy sticks.

A couple tags I made...

I glittered up chipboard letters and wired them to a mini garland.

Had to make a tassel for Jenny. I loved how this one turned out!!

A fun kitchen wreath rounded out this box of Christmas goodness!!


What did I get??

Super cute snowman doily ornament greeted me as I opened the box!!

All my goodness!! A cute, Christmas plaid basket, Gooseberry Patch Christmas book-LOVE it, fun kitchen towel, a snowy scene embroidery{I have two already-one for summer and one for fall}, primitive candy canes{Jenny has a tutorial}, little Christmas cottage and tree, R typewriter key plaque, cute ornaments, AWESOME handstamped metal ornaments with my kids' names and the year, snowman tag, and an ornament/keychain combo.

See the ornaments?? Jenny stamped those onto washers. I love me some personalization!!

Thank you so much for a fun swap package, Jenny!!

Stuff I've made...

I got an itchin' Sunday to make a doll for a friend's little girl's birthday. I think she turned out cute!!

I participated in Monica's Noel swap and this is what I gave to my partner. We are supposed to fit it all in a shoebox. I made a circle garland that I posted about here. I also made rag balls, shutter ornies, gift tags, and put mini pinecones from my sister-in-law's cabin in a mason jar.

I also participated in Emilie's Thanksgiving mini swap. I sent Lori a cloche, fabric pumpkin, scrabble letters spelling Thankful, and a tag.

What have y'all been crafting lately??

Tidbits...

Thank you all so much for my birthday wishes!! It made my day so much more special!!

We've been trying to enjoy the last few days of fall here. Tuesday it rained cats and dogs. It was great, though. Wednesday was super windy and yesterday was just perfect. We took these photos on Monday before all that. The tree in my front yard is pretty much bare now. I think this is the first time we've ever raked leaves and jumped in them and the kids had so much fun!!

I also got a few swap packages that I wanted to share. I have other things to share that I've won or purchased but still need to take pics of.

I participated in Emilie's Thanksgiving Mini Swap and got a super cute leaf garland, pumpkin, and squirrel brooch. So cute!!

Oops, the photos are flipped!! Anyhow...here is the pumpkin and squirrel. Jenna made the squirrel. Isn't it cute?!?!

Here is one of the leaves on the garland. Such detail in the stitching...love it!!

I also joined a Christmas swap. Here is what I got, minus the popcorn and M&M's and bowls to serve them in. I got a lighted rag garland, a candle, an ornament, dishrag, mini stocking, cards, and little NOEL tags to tie onto pinecones. Oh yes, a copy of The Christmas Box.

I forgot that the bowls weren't in the photo when I was taking it, so I took a pic of them awaiting a bath. Hahaha!!

Thank you, Jenna and Angie!!

Do y'all remember when I was all in the mood to watch Elf and craft?? Well, Cory ordered Elf on demand for me and I made this garland. I am quite pleased with how it turned out!!

Here is a little more detail. I used homespun, ticking, and calico. I love the color and print combo.

If you hung in here this long, bless you!! Hahaha!! Hope y'all have a great weekend!!