i'm home

Hello dear friends. After 6 days in the hospital i'm finally home. Not up to getting on the computer yet. As soon as I am I look forward to visiting each of you that have left such kind comments. Thank you so much for putting a smile on my face and warmth in my gearto. Love, Tracy

thank you for your prayers

I'm still in the hospital but want to thank everyone for the kind words and prayers. I was bitten by a small cat and got a big infection. I'll tell more when I feel better. I hope to go home tomorrow. Love, Tracy

short absence

I haven't forgotten my promised giveaway but I'm in the hospital for a few days.

I Recieved the Sweetest Most Swooney Package

Do you get as giddy as I do when you receive a package in the mail?  Oh' I get so excited it just makes my day especially when it's from someone I love and admire so much.  I was one of  the lucky winners of Donna @ Brynwood Needleworks giveaway last week.   These sachets are so chic and smell dreamy.  And you'd better believe I even kept the ribbon that she hand stamped.  I've used her picks because mine always come out so crummy.  She included the most darling note pad book and postcard.  It was all wrapped up in the prettiest tissue paper.  Did I already say I was giddy?  The last time I received such a girlie gift was when my Mama was alive.  Thank you Donna for making me feel so girlie!

I always just oooh' and aaah over all her creations.  I consider Donna to be a dear friend.  She is always coming by just to share a sweet hello and remind me that she cares.  She's wonderfully cheery and I'd love to be able to spend a whole day with her.  Have you ever looked in her shop?  You'll want it all.  I do!  I hope you stop by and take a peek and tell Donna hello.

Testing - Please Ignore

Thanks For Entering My Giveaway - But We're Not Done Yet!

I've had so much fun hearing from so many friends this week.  A year ago I would have never guess that I would have loved blogging so much.  The friends, the support, the uplifting, the sharing...it has all become so important to me.  I love hearing your stories, seeing your creations, admiring your up-cycling.  Thank you friends for feeling a void.  


First.....I want to say congratulations to Diane at Diane Knotts Musings!   Random.org said it was Diane's turn for a win.  By the way have you seen the gorgeous new pillow that Diane and Holly have made for their etsy store.  As Donna likes to say it's swooney.   Just full of lace and sweetness.   You can see the pillow here along with a multitude of other beautiful things.


Second.....Please excuse my mess.  I am trying to correct some layout problems and I'm almost bald now.  But I hope to be  it will be back to normal soon.


Third.....I just want to remind you all that I have another giveaway coming up for my blogiversary.  I hope to have it posted tomorrow.  It all depends on if there is enough sun to get a good photo but I think you're going to like it.


Thank you CSN for hosting this anniversary giveaway.  I can't wait to see what you get Diane.


Have a wonderful night friends.  Hugs....Tracy :)

1st Blogiversary Giveaway Ending Soon - Low Entries

Hi Ya'll.   I hope everyone had a fun packed weekend.  This is just a quick reminder.  My first blogiversary giveaway will end Tuesday night so please be sure to click here and leave a comment on that post to be entered.  That's it...Easy Peasy - no jumping through hoops for this one.  If your not already a follower I would love to have you become one but it's not a requirement.  


And remember I have more giveaways coming up for my blogiversary so keep checking back.


Hugs and best of luck....Tracy :)

Yeah - I Did It

This may not be a big deal to anyone else but I finally made my first button!  I know nothing about html, etc.  That should be obvious by now.  And I don't have Adobe and if I did I'm sure I'd still be totally confused.  I have a very, very old program called Presto (believe me it's ancient).  But I'm proud to say I still fumbled my way through till I did it, which took me forever and who knows if I'll ever be able to do it again.  (I have to do things about 5 times close together to be able to retain it).

There are simple instructions for most people on this great blog I found called Mommy's Idea.  Her blog is all about giveaways, reviews and how to.  Like this tutorial for instance.  Just click here or on Mommy's Idea and check it out for yourself.  This is not an advertisement, she doesn't know I'm writing this.  I just like to share when I find something that really helps me.

I really did write this because I was so excited that I have finally created my first button.  If any of you could post about my giveaway or put my button on your blog I would so appreciate it!  If you do please be sure to leave a comment on the giveaway page so an extra entry.

Thanks Dear Friends for a year of fun.  Hugs...Tracy :)

A Summers Worth of Postcards

I just want you to look at all the fabulous postcards I received in the "Wish You Were Here" postcard swap.  Elizabeth at Creative Breathing hosted this fun swap that gave me a visual vacation.  I was Ewwing and Ahhhing the whole time.  (anyone know how to spell ewwing?)  The postcard above was the one Elizabeth created.  Just too cute and I love the adorable flamingo that she made each of us to go with them!   I just love seeing what all the others come up with. So to share them with you I've put together a collage.  I've also listed all the talented friends that created them.  You can match the names with the postcards left to right.

Click on the collage to enlarge

Each postcards creators name is listed below.

Top Row:  

Betty @ She's Sew Pretty, Tamera @ The Stone Fence Cottage, Meri @ Imagi Meri's Creations, Sue @ Sue Loves Cherries

2nd Row: 

Christine @ The Tin Can Cottage, Joyce @ Scrap For Joy, Cindy @ Rick-Rack and Gingham, Elizabeth @ Creative Breathing

3rd Row:

Sandy @ 521 Lake St, Jessica @ Kids Napping? I'm Scrapping, Paula @ Paula's Palace of Altered Art, Julie @  A Vintage Chic, Kari @ Dharma Waits, Stevie @ My Art Canvas (sorry Stevie but I couldn't find you link, please send it to me and I'll correct this),  All the cards together, The back of one of mine.

I hope you'll take a minute to visit all of these uber talented ladies and there blogs.  So much eye candy to behold!

I hope everyone enjoyed this as much as I did.  Thank you to everyone who spent time creating these adorable cards.  I love them.  Thank you Elizabeth for all your work in organizing this fun, fun swap!  

Hugs everyone.....Tracy :)

How'd I Get So Lucky

Whoa....how did I get so lucky?  The last two months have been great as far as winning giveaways go.  With Neil and I sharing a computer now it seems I hardly get time on line anymore.  I can't imagine how many I might have won if I could have found time to look for giveaways.  These are blogs I just love to visit and  though time has been in short supply I did manage to get a few visits in.

I've got four wins that I want to (finally) say thank you for.  I really do hope you take the time to visit each of these blogs because I honestly do visit these regularly and you'll see why when you visit.  Lots of info and lots of hot tips.

My first win in May was from Kiley over at Cherry Blossoms.  I really was excited to win this one because I had never heard of it but knew I needed it.  I'm guilty of forgetting towels and leaving them to get that terrible mildewy smell - uggghhh, I hate that!  Believe me I've tried it all, white vinegar, baking soda, you know the drill.  First thing I did was clean my  washer with it. It only takes a cap full so this bottle should last awhile.  I haven't used it on any towels are clothes yet but I'll tell you more when I know more.

So thank you Kiley very much for a win that is much needed at my house.  And thank you Smelly Washer for sponsoring Cherry Blossoms giveaway.

 

My  second win of  May was over at Koupon Karens Blog.  Karen's blog keeps me up to date on all the weekly sales.  Talk about organized, Karen has got it going on.  Tips on coupons, combining sales, and giveaways all in one place and organized by store too!

Karen's giveaway was sponsored by Lysol. Who doesn't use lysol.  We use it a lot around here.  This was the first time I've tried the Spring Waterfall scent which is a light clean smelling spray disinfectant.  They also sent me  the 4 in 1 disinfecting wipes in the same sent.  I love this for quick in-between cleanups.  Thanks Karen for picking me as your winner and for always keeping me so up to date on the best bargains out there!

My 3rd win is well a winner for a coupon user like me.  I won Dee's giveaway at Cocktails With Mom.  I won the Savvy Cents Wallet in black.  If you use coupons you know that the only way to get the most from them is to be organized.  Well otherwise it just becomes too confusing and too time-consuming.  Just look at all the compartments and it even comes with handy labels.  Now I actually have a chic wallet that doesn't look like a coupon holder to carry them in.  Thank you Dee, I love it!  Dee is another busy blogger, always on top of the latest giveaways.

And last but not least is my latest win from Chris at Freebies and Much More.  I won the Mom's Best Naturals Cereal giveaway.  I got to chose the two that I wanted to try and they shipping them directly to me.  I chose the Mallow-Oats to help satisfy my sweet tooth.  I also chose the Instant Oatmeal Variety pack with 10 packets in 3 varieties for my MIL.  Mom's Best is a healthy, delicious, low-priced and environmentally friendly cereal.  Check out Chris' blog for all the latest on freebies, giveaways and coupons.  She even has a column called Freebies by Topic.  Could she have made it any simpler?  I don't think so.  Thanks Chris for filling my pantry with good deals and now cereal too.

Well girls (and not to discriminate, guys too), there you have it, my latest wins.  Remember if you don't enter you can't win.  And you meet the nicest people and find the coolest blogs too.  What about ya'll?  What have ya'll won lately?  Do you know of a great giveaway you want to share.  I love hearing about them.  

P.S.  Don't forget this is celebration month for my 1 year blogiversary!  My first giveaway has already started.  Click here to read more about it and enter.  Keep watching there's more giveaways to come.

Hugs....Tracy :)

I Could Just Play With Vintage Images All Day!!!

 
Hey Ya'll.  It seems like it's been forever since I posted anything.  I'm so behind and that's to be expected when you skip a week or two.  Last night I posted the first giveaway for my 1 year blogiversary and I promise there is more to come but I have a lot of other things I want to share with you too.


Elizabeth at Creative Breathing hosted a fun summer swap.  She's always full of the best ideas.  These are my creations for her "Wish You Were Here" postcard swap.  Elizabeth gave us a postcard template and we got to pick a state and there you go.  The cutest postcards flying across the country leaving smiles on countless faces. 


I chose Florida because, well simply put, it's a postcard paradise and a tourist mecca and it sounded easy.  Shame on me.  I admire the way Elizabeth and so many others can come up with a plan sketch it out and then execute it perfectly.  I just can't seem to do it.  Well for one I can't even draw an apple and if I did I'm sure by the time I put it together you wouldn't have a clue what it was supposed to be.


All 17 are different even if in a minor way.   My process always starts the same way.  First giddy joy, that I was allowed to join in with so many others that I admire.  Second comes sheer panic!  Followed by Scarlett's famous line "I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy. I'll think about that tomorrow".  

This time I got caught with my pants down.  Once I really got rolling I got sick and that put me behind even more.  When will I learn?

Here's my first attempt at a collage.  These are photos of the postcards I made.  Be sure to stop by tomorrow and see all the to die for postcards I received!  Thank you to everyone that participated  in the swap.  I just love all the post cards I received.  And a special thanks to Elizabeth for hosting another super swap!  I had so much fun.

I'm so grateful to have made so many friends blogging and I love you all.  Please don't forget to enter the 1st of my giveaways ~ A CSN store GC.  You can click here to enter. 

I've been busy working on my porch makeover and of course when you need to paint chairs it rains every day for two weeks.  I'm not complaining, Florida has had years of drought, it's wonderful to get the showers back and have everything green and healthy.  I wanted to have it done by the 4th but everything happens at once.  I needed to finish my postcards,  I got sick, it rained for 2 weeks, spent a night in ER with MIL, who is fine, thank our heavenly Father, Neil and I had a huge shipment to get out.  More on that later.  So watch for an upcoming post on my porch redo on a tight budget.  I have also won some great prizes lately and feel terrible that I haven't listed them yet.  I hope tomorrow will be the day.  Oh' how I wish I could take my computer to the shop, this sharing is definitely slowing me down.

Cotton Pickin Cute is 1 year old - Giveaways are starting now

I can hardly believe it.  I have almost reached my 1 year blogiversary!  Woo Hoo!!!  I was so scared and now I'm nothing but grateful for blogville.  I'm still working on the details of my July Celebration so I hope you will all keep coming by to see my plans come together and enter the giveaway(s).


By now I imagine you've have heard about CSN Stores.  Where you can find a huge selection of items from dining room sets to home decor, cookware and even office supplies.  Just take a look at a few of the Dining room sets that I like.  I think this is a great casual chic look and it seats six.  Perfect for  the cottage I keep dreaming of.

What about this black set.  Notice the armed chairs have rollers.  Would this be the perfect game room table for puzzles and cards? 

This retro table brings back memories.  Though it's not exactly like the one we had grew up with it's very close.  When I see this table I think the many times we sat on Grandma's back porch as kids eating watermelon.  Yummy!!!

By the way this table is so low maintenance.

Now back to my Blogiversary Celebration.....

This is where I'm proud to announce that CSN Stores has agreed to help me celebrate by offering  me the opportunity to review the product of my choice and for one of my lucky readers to win a $25.00 gift certificate to spend as they wish!  

Yeah for CSN helping to celebrate my one year milestone. 

Go check them out....CSNstores.com and see what YOU would buy.  Be sure to come back and leave me a comment to be entered to win the CSN $25.00 gift certificate.  The deadline to enter this giveaway is July 14th at midnight.  On July 15th I'll choose a random winner.  Good luck everyone.

And don't forget to keep coming back for more details and more giveaways for my blogiversary!

I've been away from bloggerville so don't be surprised if  you see several posts back to back.  I wouldn't want anyone to pass out from shock!