I'm Back and Have Some New Giveaways To Share

First I want to thank all my friends for there kind comments and well wishes. Ya'll make me feel so loved and I love you too!

UPDATE: I thought I was back last night when I wrote this post but now I'm second thinking that. Feeling sicky still but different, sore throat, tired and yada, yada, yada. I won't bore you all with that. Just know I'm thinking of you all and will be back with some decent post as soon as I feel up to it. I'm working on some tags little by little and almost done. I hope to mail them tomorrow and will post pics after that.

Hugs and back to the original post.......



I listed a couple of new giveaways that I found for ya'll to take a look at.



The first one is:

Linda over at Robin Egg Blues. She's giving away 3 Inspirations kits celebrating her 100th post. You read right ~ there will be 3 winners. Make sure you click here or click her blue swan on my sidebar and go by Linda's blog and congratulate her on her 100th post and then maybe I'll be congratulating you on winning.



The second giveaway is:

Donna over at Brynwood Needleworks. She's got a fabulous giveaway as well. Just tons of great items to celebrate her 200th post. I hope you'll all stop in and see her lovely creations and enter her contest too. You can click here or go to the button on my side bar.

Just a quick update

Hi all.

I just wanted to let you know that I'm not ignoring anyone but I've been not feeling so well the last couple of days. So if you've emailed me, I'm sorry I haven't been able to get back to you yet. When I get a chance I read them but hate writing back when I'm not feeling pleasant. You deserve better than that. You're emails mean so much. I love you all. Right now I'm going to have to take a pain pill (which I never do) and will probably be in bed the rest of the day. I hate to take it knowing it's going to cost me a whole day. Anyway, just wanted to let everyone know - NOT IGNORING and I will be back soon.

Love, Tracy

And The Winner Is.........

Hey Ya'll.

First I'd like to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for the sweet comments. They brighten my day so much. I just love meeting all the wonderful people I've met and consider so many dear friends. I hope you'll all continue to come back and visit often and keep me up to date on all the fun things in your lives and if you need a friend to share any sadness. I'm here for that too.

Now back to the winner. The winner is:

**************Deb from Dragonfly Treasures***************

Congratulations Deb. Please contact me by email at cottonpickincute@hotmail.com and share your address and I will get you Fall Giveaway package in the mail.

Hugs to you all....Tracy :)

Fall Giveaway ends at midnight

The end is almost here. And this we be shipped out to the winner so they can enjoy it the last 2 weeks before Thanksgiving.

I want to thank all those who have already ended. I've enjoyed reading your comments so much. You have given me many smiles and lots of joy. If you haven't entered time is running out so hurry and enter now!

I hope it helps ready your house for the gathering of friends and family. The giveaway is opened through Wednesday midnight November 11, 2009. I will draw the winner on Thursday November 12th.

Hugs and love to all my sweet friends and followers....Tracy :)

A Heartfelt Thank You To All Who Have Served

Dear friends, on this Veterans Day I am at a loss after losing our own soldiers on a base here at home before even heading to the war. My son also served in Iraq a few years ago and my father and Uncles in WWII. I feel deeply indebted to those who have served and fought for our country. Also for those loved ones who stayed home to await their children's return, the wives who fought to keep their families together and took on the extra duties of their spouses, and for all the children who cried tears missing their parent who chose to leave to serve and protect Americas freedom instead of staying in the comfort of their own homes secure with their own families.

I could never say enough or repay you and your families for all that you have done for me, my family and my country. You have my undying respect and appreciation. God bless each and everyone of you!

A few new November Blog Give Aways To Share

We all like giveaways so when I find one I try to share with you, not to mention an extra entry for my goodness, ha-Ha, so here are a few new ones.

Number 1 is Sharon at My Vintage Studio has a Ewe-Too-Cute giveaway you should check out, just click here.


Number 2 is from Kerryanne at Shabby Art Boutique.
In celebration of all that is good right now: new business, new lifestyle, great health and wonderful friends, she is having a Blog Giveaway. On the 20th November she will draw a winner who will receive this 10" x 10" mixed media cupcake painting, plus a selection of 4 cuppies from my new range of Faux cakes at Woodberry Designs. You can see the beautiful painting in the button on my sidebar.

God Bless You All!!!!

Hugs...Tracy

One Day Left To Enter Fall Giveaway & Craft A Day Is Back

Hello. Do you remember me and my big mouth. Well I haven't exactly kept my word but I didn't stop crafting. Somehow I'd start one craft need something or someone here would need something and so on and so one. So in the middle of one craft I would start another one. I have been crafting everyday. Ya'll just haven't been able to see it. There is a very special friend that I'm sending something I made to but I wanted to be able to include the tags for a tag swap that I owe her and I also wanted to make a few things to show my gratitude for some past sweetness she has done for me. I'll show you the pics after I think she received everything.

On top of that this camera has me so frustrated it's like why did I commit to do something when my pictures don't even show what they look like. (Sorry, I'm frustrated). A sweet new friend Pam has been so kind and tried to give me some help but so far I haven't been able to find it on this camera.

So now after all my whining are the pictures of one craft. I decoupaged these bird house ornaments. (Believe me, they look prettier than the photos show).

*****Also, I wanted to remind you if you have not entered my fall giveaway do it now. The deadline to enter is Wednesday at midnight. That gives you one more day.****

I made 3 of them.

I bought these houses already built at the Dollar Tree. Guess how much I paid for them. Ya'll are so smart, yep $1.00 apiece. First I painted all of them white where it might show. Then I covered this one with a pretty white scrapbook paper with blue violets. I cut some other flowers, butterflies & dragon flies from some more paper and decoupaged them on top. I trimmed the eves and base with some more paper. I replaced the twine hanger with ribbon and added a banner that I cut from a box of tea and some satin roses.

Here's the back side.

More of the same steps. You get the idea.

Here's the back side. I used some heart shaped paper clips placed in a circle with a little flower and button on top.

This one's a little different. I used a really pretty paper in warmer colors. It would be great on my country tree. (I have a formal pink decorated tree and a country one, if I have the energy to put both up). For the roof I used acorn caps that are plentiful in my yard right now. Then I glue reindeer moss in between. I added some jeweled fall leaves and the hanger off with a raffia bow. Easy as came be. Would be much easier if you have all your colors picked out and gathered up when you start. Once you get started on a project like this you suddenly remember what you could use all those cute little odds and ends they sale for. I wish the mailman would bring me a ton of old lace, toy pieces and craft items. Oh' did you say that's what everybody wishes for? Hee-Hee.

Well, that's it for today. But I promise you'll see more crafts everyday I hope. Actually I'm hoping that you get more than one a day to make of for the ones I missed. They're in the works.

Thanks for visiting ya'll. I know I'm repeating myself but your comments do mean so much to me and knowing you visit warms my heart.

Have a warm sweet night. Hug....Tracy :)

Please Join Me For A Cookie

Hey Ya'll.

I just hate showing you the pictures with this camera but it's all I've got. I spent a little time baking this morning. And no this is not the craft of the day. I hope to get that on before midnight tonight.

If you like something really sweet then you will love these Cream Cheese Cookies. They're really easy too.

How do you like my early Camellia flowers. These scrubs are so pretty but the flowers are very hard to arrange (as if my arrange would look any different if they weren't). They are usually displayed floating in a bowl, especially the hugh multi-bloom ones that bloom after the cold. I wish you could see how delicate the color is. Such a soft white and pink with a touch of bright yellow in side.

I've listed the recipe below if you'd like to try it. They're yummy and you store them in the fridge, that is if they last that long. Honestly I have a major sweet tooth but I couldn't eat more than two of these at the time.

Cream Cheese Cookies

1 package yellow cake mix

1 stick butter (soften to room temp)

1 egg

1 package pecans chopped (optional)

In large deep bowl blend above 4 ingredients with a pastry blender. ( I used my kitchen aid mixer on low and it worked fine). In a greased 9 x 3 cake pan (with greased hands) lightly press dough in pan bottom. Layer will be stiff and thin.

1 box 10x confectioners sugar

2 eggs

8 oz package cream cheese (softened to room temp) and pour over 1st layer. Bake at 350 till medium golden brown, approximately 40-50 minutes. Checking often toward end. Cookies are easier to cut when completely cool. If possible refrigerate several hours.

I hope you try it. If you do let me know what you think.

I'll be back later with a craft for day 4 (I hope).

Have a fun filled weekend. Hugs...Tracy :)

Still Making A Craft A Day Sorta ~ Day #3

Hi Ya'll.

Well every night I seem to post later and later. I am trying my best not to skip a day. I sorta cheated with this one. I really needed to finish a surprise that I'm sending someone but I don't want to show it until they get it. So instead I'm posting something I made sometime ago. Three prim country Christmas stockings. One for a girl and two for guys. I made this from a pattern but I can't actually remember which one. They were really simple and pretty quick to make.




I don't intend for the entire 30 days to be on Christmas but so far it's looking that way. I have no definite plan but lots of ideas.

After seeing the terrible pictures my camera is taking, I'm afraid ya'll won't come back. LOL

That's it tonight folks. I'm going to try to go to bed earlier tonight so I can accomplish a little more tomorrow.

I want to thank you all for stopping by and leaving such sweet comments. You don't know how they make my day. I read everyone and smile. I love you guys!

Have a fun Friday. Hugs....Tracy

Here we go Craft Day #2

Well I promised a craft a day. I didn't promise what time of day. Okay, yeah I did say I'd try to get them up earlier but well, you know.

Ya'll will have to excuse my horrible pictures. I need a new camera so bad. Anyone out there want to be my Secret Santa? LOL

Back to craft day #2. I decided to make ornaments out of jewelry boxes. This is a great way to use up all those little scraps of paper and ribbon and lace. I had so much fun on the first one that I ended up making 5! Very easy, this is a great craft project for anyone to do. So easy that I didn't think anyone needed a tutorial on this one. Kinda like follow by pictures sorta thing.


I used scrapbook paper, some Christmas magazine pages and some even some music sheets and glued them on the back of the inside and around the inside edges as well as all of the outside. I added cut outs and used pop up dots to give them a dimensional look. I also used some raffia in the bottom of one. I used a lime green metallic wreath (like 11-13") to make the Christmas tree. Boy that poor wreath has been through it. I've cut it up for quite a few projects. After trimming around the top (and sometimes the bottom or even all around) with paper and lace borders I cut the back of a few decorative buttons off and glued them on as well.

Oh', I guess I should mention that it's easiest to poke the two holes in the top for the ribbon after you cover it with paper but before you add decorative elements. I made that mistake too many times and remembered at the end when I would realise I didn't have a hanger attached.

Darn this camera....Darn it, Darn it, Darn it!

Please leave a comment so I know you stopped by. I just love reading them. They are a required necessity to keep me encouraged. Thanks friends. I love you all.

I hope you enjoyed day #2. I can't take complete credit for this because I saw the idea in a magazine but can't remember which one. This would be a fun keepsake Christmas craft to do with a child. But they're not necessary. LOL.

Have a blessed and fun day and be sure to come back tomorrow and lets see what I come up with. Hugs.....Tracy :)

This is a BIG one ~ Like 30 days BIG

Oh my, oh my. I'm not sure but I might have lost all sense and sensibilities. Either that or the one day of fresh chilly air has invigorated me (at least for a little while). That's where ya'll come in but I'm skipping ahead, let me go back to the beginning so you'll know what I'm talking about. Okay are you ready? Has the suspense and excitement built up yet? I can't hear you. Hello are you still awake? Okay here goes.

********** I'm planning on doing 30 crafts in 30 days!!! **********

Stop laughing, enough already. It's not totally impossible. Is it? Oh', I'm already starting to doubt myself. Nope, not going there. No negative thoughts. Breath, Breath, Breath.

Okay, all better. I'm such a procrastinator. I know that's a nasty little habit. It's not like I just picked it up. I got it passed down to me, topped with my own little quirk of daydreaming a lot ~ well, that's just not a good combination. I know what your thinking, you can change anything you want to. But to be honest it's just not that easy, especially after so many years. It's kind of like an addiction. I'm just grateful that's the only addiction I've got well besides sweets and chocolate, which is a whole nother post.

There I go digressing again.

So that is where ya'll come in. I'm going to need some encouragement. Your encourage in everyday life means so much but for 30 days of crafts - whew - just let me reiterate - I need you and your encouragement.

Now these won't be a build an addition type crafts, I can't cram a week into a day, obviously. Come on, get real. This will be simple and fun crafts, up-cycle projects, holiday ideas ~ who knows really ~ a hodgepodge of projects ~ a potpourri of crafts and ideas.

If I wasn't such a procrastinator this would have begun all proper like on November 1st and ended on November 30th. Alas, not my 30 days. This one starts at the end of the first day which is today November 3rd.

So come on ya'll make a commitment to me, promise to come by and encourage me. Share some ideas. I love you guys and can't do it alone.

I'm going to try and create tutorials for some of these as a I go, as if ya'll probably couldn't figure it out on your own. Ha-ha. The first few will be of things I've just recently done, hence no tutorial.

So here we go, let the party start!

Blessing to you all.....Tracy :)

Project Day #1

Actually I did this scarecrow a few years ago. I just thought it was an appropriate time to show it. He was made with muslin and a few other fabric scraps and a little raffia. Easy to do face with magic markers. When I hung him up last year I added couple of extra nails in and hung the raffia on his wrist and ankle so it looked like he was waving and jumping. He had a little more raffia hair coming out from under his hat but I guess the stress of being boxed up in the attic made his hair fall out. Ha-Ha.

Here's a close up of his happy face. As you can tell by the crow on his shoulder he didn't take his job of being a scarecrow too seriously.

*****Don't forget to come back tomorrow, (Earlier I hope) and see what's next for day #2!

Please leave comments. I love reading them and it lets me know you cared enought to stop by.

Hugs and blessings....Tracy

Gingerbread Man Giveaway Alert

I've just stumbled across another fun giveaway. This one comes from Michelle at Sweet Something Design. In honor of her 100th post she has made these adorable Gingerbread Men Decorations which can be used on the tree or to clip on your curtains or just about anywhere. Aren't they cute and happy!! Boy, it really makes you want to get creative for the holidays.

So click here to stop in an show her some love for her 100th post and enter her cute giveaway. Be sure to tell her I sent you.

Hugs...Tracy

Fall Chill Brings Out Warm Hearted Giveaways

It sounds like a news headline doesn't it? Don't you just love giveaways? And it seems like everyone (including me) is having one now. During my blog hopping tonight to check in on all my wonderful friends, Traci over at Beneath My Heart , she's such a sweetheart if you don't know already, blogged about a new giveaway that I just had to checkout. Sure enough it was a wonderful fall packed giveaway from a sweet person named Melissa at Heart and Home. I not only entered but hope to have found a new blog friend too. That's what makes this all so fun. I just love people and you meet the best here. Anyway just click here to stop by and tell Melissa Happy One Year Blogiversary and enter her giveaway while your there. You might be like me and stay awhile. Just tell her I sent you.

Don't forget to enter my fall giveaway too if you haven't yet.