Gifting From The Gifted

Have you ever noticed it seems that people who are very creative seem to also be such joyous givers. They genuinely seem to be pleased at the thought of sharing and making someone else happy. I'm not the most talented but God did give me a love of all things sweet and kind and a joy of giving.

When I receive a gift it always makes me feel so special but actually it's gift giver who is special. Let me introduce those of you who have not had the good fortune of meeting Elizabeth from Creative Breathing she is one of these joyous people. Just take a look at these sweet books that she gifted me with. I was so excited to receive them that I sat down and had the most relaxing evening reading these and then looking at the pictures over and over (Neil always says what are you doing, looking at the pictures? You know you can't read. - ha-ha, he's so funny). She is one of the most talented and modest crafters, no make that artist that I know. I feel so privileged to call her my dear friend. I have to admit, I am addicted to her blog. Not only for the most wonderful cheery photographs of her lovely creations and more but her writings that just let me drift aways to a bygone era of simple sweetness, gentleness and kindness that we have to search a little harder to find today. Her title is so apropos "Creative Breathing". Sometimes it's hard to find time to slow down. I want to thank Elizabeth for that special moment when I open my dashboard and sigh "Oh' goody, a new post from E.".

Have a blessed evening ya'll!!!

I Love Giveaways...How About You?

For the love of Pink!!!! Look at this giveaway. Anne at Carol Anne's Boutique is having a wonderful giveaway loaded with lots of girly pink. If you have never been to her site before you must check it out. She loves to collect vintage cabinet cards, postcards, sheet music and all kinds of ephemera which generously shares with everyone!

Above you will see her wonderful photo of the all the pretty items including the 2009 issue of Somerset "In Love" magazine as well as cardstock & paper, ribbon, roses, seam binding, lace, stickers, & collage sheets!

Also included is a box of hand dyed ribbon with metallic gold threads, 2 lovely silk and lace Roses and 1 silk Cabbage Rose from Flights of Fancy (you really must visit this website if you haven't already), a card of vintage white lace with flowers, the prettiest crinkle ribbon from Counting Your Blessings(Love this website), puffy stickers from K and Company and a trio of mini Roses in lovely pastel shades from Prima.

You'll be so happy you checked out her site! There is so many eye pleasing goodies!

P.S. Don't forget to take a peek and leave a comment for my Martha Stewart Giveaway as well.

Like I said I love giveaways and here is another.

Mary Green at Green Paper is hosting a drawing for the September ephemera envelope giveaway. I know you'll enjoy her blog as much as I do. She has a wonderful collection of ephemera. Be sure to check it out!

Thanks, Tracy

MARTHA STEWART CRAFTS GIVEAWAY

TINY PARTY IN A BOX!!!!!!

I've been wanting to have my first giveaway and just look at this cute kit that I found. It seems like all of August we were celebrating birthdays in our family. Luckily September gives us a break because in October my niece Stephanie and my granddaught Ki'a have birthdays.

So in honor of Kia's 7th birthday coming one month from today I'm giving away Martha Stewart's "Tiny Party In A Box Kit". This kit contains coordinating elements for a pint-sized party. Beginning with a tiny invitation and ending with little favor boxes that you can fill with miniature gifts, everything is tiny about this party except the fun. Add to the tiny theme by serving bite size finger foods.

To enter, just leave a comment and please be sure I have a way to get in touch with you if you don't have a blog. If you would like a second chance to win, post about this giveaway on your blog and leave another comments saying you posted it. This will run until Sept 31, 2009 at midnight and the winner will be announced on October 1st.

This is my first giveaway so if I forgot anything please let me know. I'm always happy to get tips and ideas from readers. Have fun....Tracy

Swaps are just fun!

Here comes Halloween and I have a Fairy Witch for you.

A close up of my fairy all decked out for Halloween.

Do you do swaps?

I'd like to know. I love seeing people sharing with each other and who doesn't love to find a surprise in the mail. It just makes me smile and makes the world feel a little kinder. This week was another first for me. I joined a QTA (quick turn around) swap on swap-bot. We were swapping Halloween Button Fairies. This was my interpretation of a fairy and it was really fun to make. If you look on flickr under button fairy you will see some very cute ones. This was fun and quick. I might try making some more of these in different categories of course. Wouldn't a Thanksgiving garland with pilgrims be cute and Christmas is right around the corner. Any ideas? Let me know, I love your comments.

A closeup of the vellum wings that I embossed and glittered - They're a little large which I'll keep in mind when I attempt my next Fairy.

Please share your latest creations and comments with me.

Have a blessed day....Tracy

She's Gone Home

Hi everyone.


First I'd like to thank you to so many people who have left kind words and kept my sister & her family in your prayers. Lula did pass away during the night, just after midnight and not long after the ventilator was removed. My sister who was in Atlanta got the call from her husband and he was of coarse terribly torn up. I can only remember how four short years ago Neils brother passed away unexpectedly at 52. Neil is still so lost. It is such a long road to that healing place of acceptance. I only have the one sister and I don't know what I would ever do without her. Though she lives in Atlanta hardly a day passes that we don't talk to each other. Our parents passed away when I was on 26 & 27 and Joni was only 31 & 32. I thought I'd never recover. I can assure you my life changed forever. I am better now but they are desperately missed. I think we feel like a child forever when it comes to our parents. My heart goes out to Oli, his parents & siblings and Lula's children. May God bless them with strength and peace.


I've listed a couple of comforting quotes that I found below. Take care all my friends and enjoy each day of time on this earth for it is short as we never know the Lords plans for each of us.

Hold on to what is good even if it is a handful of earth. Hold on to what you believe even if it is a tree which stands by itself. Hold on to what you must do even if it is a long way from here. Hold on to life even when it is easier letting go. Hold on to my hand even when I have gone away from you.
- Pueblo Blessing


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There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness,but of power. They speak more eloquently than 10,000 tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief,of deep contrition,and of unspeakable love.
- Washington Irving

Terrific Little Sayings with a Big Impact

Hey Ya'll. Sorry I haven't been blogged in a few days. It seems something's always going on. I've had several Drs. visits lately. Nothing big just doing a lot of checking. I have another on Friday and then lucky me a colonoscopy and whatever it's called when they go down the thoat too on the following Thursday. My bil's sister who is only in her 30's I think is in Texas and she is dying. He left Atlanta to go be with his sister and the family. I believe they are going to remove the ventilator tonight and they haven't said how long she might last. My heart goes out to the entire family. He just lost a brother a few years ago and it was very unexpected. Please keep my sister and her family in your prayers.

I keep a little homemade booklet that I call "My Little Book of Terrific Sayings". Anytime I find something that I really love I write it down, that way if it's not committed to my memory at least I can find it. I really need to create a journal book for these. Something with a little artsy style, something cute.

I shared a couple of these below. Take a peek.

I'm planning to have my first give away listed later this week, so please keep watching. And as always please leave me your comments. They are what inspire me and motivate me and I could use a lot of that right now. Hugs.....Tracy

Indian Summer Sale

Hey ya'll. Well it's September which means I'm in the official fall state of mind. The magazines are all showing the fall displays, clothes, home decor, etc... Go to the stores and it's the same thing. The only problem is the same problem I've had since I was a child. I LIVE IN FREAKIN' FLORIDA, the sunshine state - UUUUGGGHHH!!

Autumn is my favorite time of year and it's probably because we get so little of it. Take today for instance...is almost 90 degrees but the calendar and the rest of the United States say it's fall. Believe it are not, even though we can still go to the beach, you can tell a slight difference in the weather & the water. Not enough to cut our sacred air conditioning off but a light breeze, a bluer sky, a difference. My son calls from upper New York to remind me why he will never live in Florida again. The lows are now going into the 40's and the summer wasn't that bad. Just wait, I'll get my revenge when he's shoveling that snow out of the drive just to take the kids to school and shoveling it again to get back in. Seems he has moved to the snow belt region. I never thought he would make it up there, with his slow Southern temperament and Beach Boy Surfing ways. He never ceases to amaze me. His goal is to live an hour from the beach in maybe North Carolina. Which I would love because we have mountain property just no cabin there and maybe I would get to see him more often. It's just so odd how you think we'd do that later and later turns in to years and the grands are in school and I'm suddenly much older.

Ooops.....How did I spend that much time on the weather when all I wanted to do was let ya'll know that I'm having a sale at my ebay store with 15% off 250 items. Please take a moment to peek here in my store north-florida.

What about you, yeah you, the person reading this right now. Do you have an ebay store or perhaps some other store. Leave me a comment, let me know. I love to get your comments and see what you're up to!!! Have a fun weekend...Tracy