My Amazing Swap With Carol from Buttermilk Creek Farm

I've been wanting to show you all my lovely swap goodies that Carol from Buttermilk Creek Farm sent me.  It was like celebrating Christmas all over again. Each items as wonderful as the last and each made with love and attention.  I thought I had died and gone to prim heaven..LOL. :0)

I wanted to do more besides show you just a group shot of these new treasures. As some of you know I just don't have the heart to put some of my holiday treasures in boxes for next year....so here is my basket of winter loves.  Can you see Carol's sweet snowman in back.  He looks perfect with his new family of snowfolk and Santas.

I know what you're thinking....WHAT a Christmas tree.... still!  Well yes...and no....LOL!!!  This tree has a little black bear in it at Christmas time I decorate his tree with Christmas ornaments.  Then after Christmas...just snowmen for winter. In the warmer month the tree sits empty. Getting Carol's cute as a button Santas, snowman, and kitty in a stocking ornaments made it to tempting...I had to put them on the tree. :0)  In all fairness we still haven't celebrated Christmas with Brian's family so I may just keep it up until they come in early March.

I know so many of you are already in high gear for Spring and even I am beginning to feel the need to spring clean and downsize (like that will ever happen...LOL).   Carol's sweet bunny got me in the mood to change out my dining room buffet.  It always changes with the seasons.  I just love the mouse and sheep she sent me too.  I think they fit right in with my other spring goodies perfectly. 

Here is a close-up photo....I wish my camera did them justice...because they are so incredibly sweet.

Here is a close-up of  the little bunny she gave me too.  I know... adorable right. :0)

A while back I started a whisk broom collection and Carol was sweet enough to remember that so she sent me two of them.  I now need to find room for the over flow.  I'm sure that wont be a problem...as I love this black shelf and I've been wanting to find something similar to put in our family room. :0)

Last is this adorable little mouse on a pumpkin.  He looks right to home in my studio...which is all Halloween...all year round.  See I told you I don't have the heart to put these treasures away... until their appropriate holiday comes around.

I want to thank Carol for sending me such a wonderful box of creations.  I can't believe she spoiled me so much...sometimes I feel like I didn't do enough in return.  I know all the time and effort that goes in to making such treasure... and it warms my heart to know that they were given to me by such a sweet friend.  If you haven't been to Carol's blog please go visit her....http://buttermilkcreekfarm.blogspot.com/. 

Her creations are divine and the attention to detail is amazing...treat yourself you wont be sorry. :0)

 

Hugs,

Theresa

 

Giveaway Winner Is!!!!!

The winner of my one year blog giveaway is.....drum roll please....

 Lori from Apple Grove Treasures!!!!! Congratulations Lori!!!  I'll be contacting you soon Lori for your mailing info.  I want to thank all of you for entering in my giveaway.  I'm sorry I didn't e-mail each one of you back.  I've been sick with a very nasty head cold....but I am feeling much better. I hope to be catching up on all the things I haven't been doing....like the mountain of laundry and dirty dishes stacked in the sink.  When mommy is sick nothing gets done around the house...LOL.  Plus I'm behind on many things I promised others I'd get done...so I'm hoping I can hurry up and catch up. 

Thanks again everyone for your well wishes....it means so much that you're all here with me in blog land.  I wish I could hug you all for the wonderful year of comments and support...you're all amazing!!!!

Hugs,
Theresa

PS...Come back later today I'll be posting about my lovely swap with Carol from Buttermilk Creek Farm.

One Year Blog Anniversary Giveaway

Hello my sweet friends.... I know you've all been waiting for my giveaway.  In celebration of my one year anniversary (in blog land) and for having over a hundred followers I  made these sweet bunnies to giveaway to one lucky winner.  I used a Chestnut Junction pattern to make them.  Last year I bought a set of bunnies just like these from Vivian from Blue Moon Beginnings for my best friend Holly.  I was smitten with them and knew that one day I would own the pattern so I could make myself a set.  Well I still don't have a set made for myself...LOL...but at least they'll bring happiness to someone and that's what makes me happy. :0)  Now I will be adding a few surprises to the giveaway box....but I'm not going to say what they are.  One... I don't know as of yet what I will add but I like there to be a bit of a surprise for the winner.  The rules are very simple....become a follower if your not already, leave a comment, and for an extra chance post this giveaway on your blog sidebar.  Please let me know which you have done when you leave a comment.  The giveaway will only be for the US and Canada....shipping costs are to high internationally.  The contest will end February 17th.

I hope this post finds you all doing well....also before I go I do have four spaces for my "Pay It forward"...please read my earlier post (1-10-13) if you think you'd like to join in the fun.  If not.... I will fulfil my end of the pay it forward by sending something out to random people. Well it might not be to random...I might just send out something to those I feel need a smile or something uplifting.

Thank you all for a wonderful year of blogging!!!
Hugs,
Theresa

A Wonderful Baby Shower!!!

 

I wanted to share some wonderful news with you all.  I'll be a aunt in late February....my little sister Barb will be having a baby girl named Rosalie.  These photos were taken at Barb's baby shower on January 12th in upstate NY.  The above photo is of my sister and I...it was taken by our good friend Jenna Beers (Jenna was nice enough to let me use a bunch of her photos since my camera didn't do a fantastic job...Thanks you Jenna!!!!).

As you can tell by the look on Grandma's face she's very excited to be having another grandchild. :0)If our mother had her way we all would have had ten children each...LOL!!!

The baby shower cake was made by our mother.  I made the elephant cake topper for it.  I thought it would be a nice keepsake for Barb. The cake as always was fabulous and it was strawberry...pink for that sweet little girl to be.

 

Our Aunt and Uncle were sweet enough to host the baby shower for us.  It was nice of them to let us make a mess out of their house.  The banner above is the one I made...you can't see but it has clouds on it behind the colorful fabric balloons.  

This was the gift table....I think this baby is loved very much and she hasn't even been born yet. :0)

This was the kitchen table with the two baby diaper cakes I made on them.  I really had a great time making these.  The little pink elephant with the red heart on it's butt...I made as well.  I loved it so much I made myself a patch work one.

 

 

 

Here's the happy mommy to be..... opening all her baby gifts. Doesn't she look radiant. :0)

The favors that all the folks got to take home....they were filled with yummy chocolate.

Silas had a great time at the party too.  He got to hang out with his best buddy Wesley.  I just love this photo...I'm so glad Jenna sent it to me. 

Here's Silas helping Aunt Judy with clean up.  He's such a good little helper. :0)

 

These were the bibs I made Rosalie.  Barb found these as a free tutorial on the web and she fell in love with them.  I thought they turned out cute.

Last is a photo that Jenna took of us.  It's been so long since our family had a group photo taken.  Here we all are starting in the back my older sister Jo Ann, Me, Silas, Barb, our Dad-Roger, and Mom-Beverly.  I know my poor Dad...three girls...LOL...this is why we all know how to change the battery in our cars.  Just ask my husband...the last time I needed a new car battery I changed it while he ate a granola bar (true story).

Well I should go my dear friends. I hope this post finds you all happy and healthy.  I still have four openings in my "Pay It Forward" if anyone else would like to join.  If not I will pick random people to send off gifts to. 

Hugs,

Theresa

Pay It Forward 2013

A few days ago I decided I would love to join Mary from Marmmies Mammy's to pay it forward.  This is my first time doing this so I'm really looking forward to it.  I do hope that those who sign up to do this will enjoy what I send them...there's nothing better then getting a surprise in the mail especially a unexpected one. :0)
If you would like to join in on the fun please read below... 2013 Creative Pay It Forward....The first 5 people to comment on this post will receive from me something during this calendar year a gift....What will it be???? I don't know but it will be something hand made by me.  There will be NO warning and it will happen whenever the mood strikes me...The catch???? Those 5 people MUST make the same offer on their blog and follow through with the giving....That's it!
*Please note this is open to USA and Canada bloggers only. I am so sorry for this, but international shipping has gotten outrageous.*

I look forward to seeing who the 5 people be!!  I hope this post finds you all happy and healthy my friends.
Hugs,
Theresa

Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year!!!

Just want to wish you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!  May you all have happiness and health in the new year to come.
Hugs,
Theresa

The Winner Is...& Christmas Swap With Misi From 1890 Gable House

The Winner of my Christmas giveaway is.....drum roll please.....Karen Mary Butterfly!!!!  Congratulations Karen!!! Silas put his little hand into Santa's hat and pulled out your name.  I do my drawings the old fashioned way... folded paper, pen, and scissors.  I know I should move on with the times but I like the old ways best....LOL. :0)  I want to thank all of you for commenting and for entering my little giveaway.  Now for those that didn't win...don't worry I'm doing another giveaway real soon.... like the end of January or early Feb.  I'm sure you're all wondering why....well I have to celebrate having over 100 followers plus my one year blog birthday will be up too. I never would have thought I'd last this long in the blog world or that any of you would find me interesting enough to follow...LOL.  Thank you!!!!

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My fantastic swap with Misi from1890 Gable House: http://1890gablehousemusings.blogspot.com/

  Misi and I decided to do a private Christmas swap since we both love this time of year.  I can tell you she spoiled me rotten.  I can't believe all the goodies she sent.  The box was filled to the brim with fantastic eye candy.  I had to take two photos so you could see all that she sent.  Don't you just love the Santa's, snowman, and the gingerbread man (he just cracks me up...love his expression...LOL).

 Look at all the ornaments for our Christmas trees and the fantastic patterns.  If you look real close at the top elf you'll see our sweet Silas' face...what a treasure that is. In fact Silas looks at it and says YOU.... which he means me...LOL. :0)

Here is how I decorated with what Misi gave me...such treasures each and every one. The Santa she gave me is from Kimberly "The Red Cupboard"....you all know how I have a addiction to her creations.  He sits with one of the Santa's I made.

The funny.... way to cute gingerbread man is hanging out with my Jackie Melerski bear and one of my reindeer.  Misi told me that Traci from York Mountain Primitives created him (plus the snowman, Mr. Claus & Mrs Claus ornaments).  I really love Traci's creations too.   I have to say that's all Misi's fault....she gave me one of Traci's black cats in our last swap and it was love at first sight. :0)

Love this sweet faced Santa too.... he's got an old soul kinda of face.

My bear seems to keep collection snowmen LOL.... I guess I could call him the snow folk keeper this year.  The thing is I couldn't really fit them all on his lap anyway.  I'm sure he makes these trouble makers mind. :0)  I think the one Misi gave me is a little afraid my bear might mistake him for that gingerbread man.  He's heard that the bear likes cookies...LOL. :0)

Here is my prim tree in our dining room...I added all the wonderful log cabin houses Misi made to it along with the Mr.& Mrs. Claus ornament she sent.  They really look great with the other ornies on it.

 This is our fireplace in the family room....I have threatened for years to find and old mantel or to make one of my own...but I still haven't done it.  I hate the color of it.... I want it to be old distressed white or black wood.  One day I will have my dream fireplace but until then....I look at what's on it and not at it....LOL.   The little Elves Misi sent hang from the Christmas garland my mother tatted for me last Christmas. My doll to the left holds Misi's handmade ornament in her left hand (it's like Misi made it for her)....while the other sits in front of a brown glazed jug.  Since we are in this room for most of the day I get to enjoy these treasures for many hours out of my day.  I want to thank Misi for her thoughtful and generous heart!!!!!  I am happy to call her friend and I can only hope that what I sent her makes her as happy as I am with the things she sent me. Please go over and visit Misi's blog if you haven't all ready (she's posted a lot of the pieces I made her in her Merriement chain). I can't tell you how wonderful her boxes, ornaments, candles, and other creations are.  I think they're the best and I'm not just saying that.  Thanks again Misi for making Christmas come early this year!!!  :0)
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Just a few more Christmas decorations to share with you.

My mice from Pam Gracia "Soft In the Head"...along with another deer I made.  Most of the deer are Christmas gifts for my family and friends that's why I have so many...LOL.  :0)

My sweet kitties in their basket... along with a few candy canes and a Santa.

Nothing like winter kisses to keep you warm... or at least that's what my Pat Murphy bears think.

Last I decided to put my fantastic snowman that Wendy gave me under our tree in the family room....along with two Santa's I made.  Now the one on the right I've had since 1997....he was the first Santa I ever made.   I didn't know about coffee staining then and my good friend and quilt teacher Anne convinced me if I could quilt I could make dolls.  I remember having such a hard time making him....and being so happy when I finished him.  He may not be old looking (which I've debated about staining him) but he does have a part of my heart. :0)

 

 

 

Okay my friends.... I should let you go...thank you for stopping in and for reading about my wonderful swap with Misi.  Congratulations again to Karen! I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year!!!!  May you all be blessed with happiness and health.

Hugs,

Theresa