tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67281162376146173402024-03-13T23:07:01.106-04:00Splendidly SweetJulie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682742224838908180noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728116237614617340.post-14130068671101611272012-04-07T21:27:00.001-04:002012-04-07T21:27:51.351-04:00Easter Treats<p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">In celebration of Spring and Easter, I decided to participate in Cassandra’s:</font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ihXstOUKmUw/T4DpfMJiLDI/AAAAAAAABHo/f4KeaGvL9lA/s1600-h/6a0147e33045d4970b016762be1eef970b-500wi%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="6a0147e33045d4970b016762be1eef970b-500wi" border="0" alt="6a0147e33045d4970b016762be1eef970b-500wi" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hg1fPOiwpbY/T4DpfmBgDgI/AAAAAAAABHw/EF29B-Gw7cQ/6a0147e33045d4970b016762be1eef970b-500wi_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="383"></a></font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">and what a treat it was!</font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">My partners were Holly Moore, of <a href="http://www.paperpiecesofme.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Paper Pieces of Me</a>, and Kris Pare, of <a href="http://www.sweetdreamsartstudio.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sweet Dreams Art Studio</a>! With two uber talented partners, I knew I was in for some super sweet Easter treats, and it couldn’t have been more true.</font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aMPkwVnpvHA/T4DpgEqBQLI/AAAAAAAABH4/wYpZAsyQR-I/s1600-h/P4070003%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P4070003" border="0" alt="P4070003" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WhFuQ-w_t4Q/T4DpghYQGHI/AAAAAAAABIA/cYW-X9urJKg/P4070003_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="668" height="527"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Holly’s altered egg carton</font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KK5a7buLcro/T4DphOLpr4I/AAAAAAAABII/fMqvrSyoCN8/s1600-h/P4070002%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P4070002" border="0" alt="P4070002" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Bgq7TpIgWx0/T4DphbAVIpI/AAAAAAAABIQ/tPUqbrJqhHo/P4070002_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="667" height="521"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Gorgeous bling, sweet vintage figurines, beautiful pink lace</font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0n7bQySK66I/T4Dph64nzuI/AAAAAAAABIY/uVh-v2Sdpbc/s1600-h/P4070004%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P4070004" border="0" alt="P4070004" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NxzEZQogntw/T4Dpie0CbJI/AAAAAAAABIg/AfuI3ShtQ8Q/P4070004_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="667" height="520"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Goodies inside! Just look at the sweet lace pocket!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WIzFxa5-90w/T4Dpi1Zsq1I/AAAAAAAABIo/LwS4Z5iiXoA/s1600-h/P4070006%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P4070006" border="0" alt="P4070006" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yF2YWefIdis/T4DpjXP8FuI/AAAAAAAABIw/8eGQbSD5fbU/P4070006_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="679" height="524"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Kris’ altered egg carton</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bmsG7rM_xbE/T4DpjpeDSNI/AAAAAAAABI4/qbBTY_QpNnM/s1600-h/P4070005%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P4070005" border="0" alt="P4070005" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7243LED8_NI/T4Dpj3hxgII/AAAAAAAABJA/10kLoqjaaec/P4070005_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="689" height="532"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Extra treats, including a super cool wooden scroll box!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VZQMbRv3gfY/T4DplAa1-XI/AAAAAAAABJI/LdoEgSRncq0/s1600-h/P4070007%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P4070007" border="0" alt="P4070007" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-I9j6qAGd6VI/T4DplUXlYJI/AAAAAAAABJQ/f1-iEMb9d8Y/P4070007_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="680" height="535"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Treats galore!</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Thank you so much, Holly and Kris, for such a beautiful swap! I just adore both of these cartons and will display them all year round!</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="6" face="Porcelain">I hope everyone has a very blessed Easter!</font></p> Julie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682742224838908180noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728116237614617340.post-66483850835727098572012-02-19T12:14:00.001-05:002012-02-19T12:22:37.769-05:00Two Months In<p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Sorry- it’s been a long time between updates! I haven’t even been able to keep up with my blogger friends lately, so today, I’m dedicating to reconnecting!</font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">It’s been a journey so far for us… Every now and then, I have pangs of wanting to create, but they’re quickly overcome by other necessities I need to take care of in life. So, my craft room remains packed up for the time being. We’re still not sure if we’re going to stay in this house once our sublease is up in May, so that’s another thing that adds to our house being unsettled.</font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">But we’ve done a lot of flea market and antique shopping on our weekends! </font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain"></font> </p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">We’ve visited some stores in Kalamazoo and gone to the flea markets that they’ve had at the Expo center. We even journeyed to Schoolcraft for their flea market and stopped at the little shops down there. One owner gave us suggestions for other stores in Galesburg, so we headed out there and went to the 3 out there.</font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain"></font> </p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">The next weekend, our first stop was a shop called Sweet Pickins. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-T66H6l0yqWw/T0Et17Rbv_I/AAAAAAAABFo/_6gNYj4S94g/s1600-h/photo%252520%2525283%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo (3)" border="0" alt="photo (3)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9BkxxeP7Jrc/T0Et2KtHKtI/AAAAAAAABFs/uA2dZyawtEs/photo%252520%2525283%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="510" height="499"></a></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">I fell in love with this dress!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wx5NYiRMrwo/T0Et2WoO7OI/AAAAAAAABFw/4NOpRe8-pKE/s1600-h/photo%252520%2525284%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo (4)" border="0" alt="photo (4)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bdKEw1UanSQ/T0Et2xa6ICI/AAAAAAAABF0/RbhW1JeaNVs/photo%252520%2525284%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="568" height="782"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Z4XK5Kb-B9c/T0Et2zo7b4I/AAAAAAAABF4/xZ0WhGZS780/s1600-h/photo%252520%2525285%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo (5)" border="0" alt="photo (5)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-s-bEzHtODhE/T0Et3D80LdI/AAAAAAAABF8/cyUTbV3J6sg/photo%252520%2525285%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="572" height="788"></a></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">I wanted to buy this baby scale, but it was unmarked!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--2AAjf_9bvo/T0Et3uH3QmI/AAAAAAAABGA/QE5mjFBp_R0/s1600-h/photo%252520%2525286%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo (6)" border="0" alt="photo (6)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Yd5pq0gZoGE/T0Et3oDUtfI/AAAAAAAABGE/yrBERHAvjn4/photo%252520%2525286%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="587" height="451"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-K6aEPnx2e60/T0Et4L2IyjI/AAAAAAAABGI/0FYCPscHJ9k/s1600-h/photo%252520%2525287%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo (7)" border="0" alt="photo (7)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PBeYXVpb_eE/T0Et4fmrvRI/AAAAAAAABGM/xim8LZojAzE/photo%252520%2525287%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="593" height="1043"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PxQRjYUlUpg/T0Et4-Z6eEI/AAAAAAAABGQ/Yw4_XpqE-GY/s1600-h/photo%252520%2525288%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo (8)" border="0" alt="photo (8)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7nPR_dF7fCk/T0Et5Dl9cNI/AAAAAAAABGU/MJRO91XAXiU/photo%252520%2525288%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="598" height="832"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xdTf1LUIhiU/T0Et5RWs1bI/AAAAAAAABGY/2LQ30KEm0sI/s1600-h/photo%252520%2525289%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo (9)" border="0" alt="photo (9)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MyFRXMpQ8ik/T0Et5pIh57I/AAAAAAAABGc/aITrzjIgF1c/photo%252520%2525289%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="607" height="466"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-r1QtxCyvecM/T0Et598WH4I/AAAAAAAABGg/GutmC0Zf030/s1600-h/photo%252520%25252810%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo (10)" border="0" alt="photo (10)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-O6KQOgjxzzE/T0Et6K-tWaI/AAAAAAAABGk/LXkJgyKPMoc/photo%252520%25252810%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="622" height="478"></a></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">We kept going West and headed out to South Haven and found Murphy’s Antique Mall. There was a sweet little room near the back filled with shabby chic goodness like this:</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2mP75CGctfM/T0Et6Tg1idI/AAAAAAAABGo/FzrkTMni7Yo/s1600-h/photo%252520%2525282%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo (2)" border="0" alt="photo (2)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9BEZr3kAsfQ/T0Et6n91rLI/AAAAAAAABGs/0CrGGEk0GAY/photo%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="610" height="840"></a></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">We drove up Blue Star Hwy and visited a few more shops and malls. On our way home, we even ventured into a giant barn that was turned into an antique store, but it was really creepy, so we cut our stay short!</font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain"></font> </p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Yesterday found us in Grand Rapids. We visited quite a few stores, including the Blue Door which I had been really wanting to go see. It was a shabby chic dream in there! Lots of white chippy paint and crystals. The owner must dabble in some artwork because there were little pieces here and there for sale, like this garland:</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tcpHbhnGnt0/T0Et7A07lHI/AAAAAAAABGw/1X9Q2PwJh3E/s1600-h/photo%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo" border="0" alt="photo" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BX5Mr48McAI/T0Et7ET-g2I/AAAAAAAABG0/TWmbn02htBA/photo_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="692" height="531"></a></p> <p> </p> <p align="left"><font size="6" face="Porcelain">I ended up adding to my vintage hat collection and finally found a lower priced cast iron mirror ($10!!).</font></p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GDvAaf8XKVQ/T0Et7kRGNyI/AAAAAAAABG4/cSra_cxnD4Q/s1600-h/photo%252520%25252816%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo (16)" border="0" alt="photo (16)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VxSGeQ_dFnk/T0Et7qyWErI/AAAAAAAABG8/tgXjPua19Yo/photo%252520%25252816%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="684" height="531"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gAaQ1gRcAeU/T0Et8AU73bI/AAAAAAAABHA/cNEko7CdGYY/s1600-h/photo%252520%25252815%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo (15)" border="0" alt="photo (15)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vM_-7xMLn_8/T0Et8ies7OI/AAAAAAAABHE/PaYecKSYcQU/photo%252520%25252815%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="690" height="536"></a></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">I found a baggie of these millinery flowers for $5!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eUjWcJBOyV0/T0Et8xjPc3I/AAAAAAAABHI/al5ZYdS7kSg/s1600-h/photo%252520%25252814%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo (14)" border="0" alt="photo (14)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jeDiebhsW-E/T0Et9WmDonI/AAAAAAAABHM/DHtllLIFcVo/photo%252520%25252814%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="696" height="535"></a></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">This one was only $6.95 and it has velvet and chiffon flowers!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jGm1zbsJneI/T0Et9hPVkSI/AAAAAAAABHQ/25VXoSIV7lE/s1600-h/photo%252520%25252813%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo (13)" border="0" alt="photo (13)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4FtCj3u8AyY/T0Et98-JwYI/AAAAAAAABHU/ulatF80aXi0/photo%252520%25252813%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="697" height="548"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DnSsKDIX5RY/T0Et-T8gE8I/AAAAAAAABHY/55uxjOb_J2M/s1600-h/photo%252520%25252812%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo (12)" border="0" alt="photo (12)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3hMHOSXPN5w/T0Et-8i4KrI/AAAAAAAABHc/V4b8uQSNSsA/photo%252520%25252812%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="707" height="543"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_LpcN8qXC-k/T0Et_L32GeI/AAAAAAAABHg/lBbpAXT611Q/s1600-h/photo%252520%25252811%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo (11)" border="0" alt="photo (11)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VT8uZ0AKjD0/T0Et_QQGkKI/AAAAAAAABHk/Mn0HqLp_FAE/photo%252520%25252811%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="711" height="552"></a></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Ok, I might have indulged just a bit, but I didn’t pay more than $15 for any one hat and they were mostly around $7! Could you resist? <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FVCTK_HBRPw/T0Et_ZlW6VI/AAAAAAAABFI/JXS0Px9Pn0s/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></font></p> Julie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682742224838908180noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728116237614617340.post-6828438669964717192011-12-31T18:19:00.001-05:002011-12-31T18:19:53.094-05:00This Year I…<p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Had a traumatic experience- but learned who was really in my corner.</font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Graduated with my Masters degree- Finally.</font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Attended Cassandra’s Marie’s Danse des Fleurs- and met some new wonderful friends and reconnected with some beautiful souls.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FgxrZFGknvs/Tv-YVej-3YI/AAAAAAAAA94/EKk_JOzrfO8/s1600-h/5491989085_da87d96df1_b%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="5491989085_da87d96df1_b" border="0" alt="5491989085_da87d96df1_b" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OjGuT7zopSY/Tv-YVhU_nUI/AAAAAAAAA-A/03WbJr09ntc/5491989085_da87d96df1_b_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Went to court- and started on Ativan.</font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Finished our Unnamed Poker League- definitely not in first place!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-L_vVeRQOk5Y/Tv-YWAOoMiI/AAAAAAAAA-I/95Z9L3V6P98/s1600-h/SAM_0292%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SAM_0292" border="0" alt="SAM_0292" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZamsHURjaEE/Tv-YbTdae-I/AAAAAAAAA-Q/WKpLGk8A1kw/SAM_0292_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Lost a job- but not the true friends I had met there.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vMpzoNHHSpk/Tv-YbkzxBPI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/vOydPll_0Ec/s1600-h/girlies%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="girlies" border="0" alt="girlies" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Cmwed-UYRKA/Tv-Yd1wQycI/AAAAAAAAA-g/SDwgTgcsnEs/girlies_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Planned a wedding- and found it stressful for reasons I’d never imagined.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-q1fcszLTOSM/Tv-YeCwxdrI/AAAAAAAAA-o/xJW1CtwETQo/s1600-h/0419%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="0419" border="0" alt="0419" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IbHzx7lMGy0/Tv-YeY3KWYI/AAAAAAAAA-w/BfJ2rbPTKAo/0419_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Blew a super important interview- I was just so nervous.</font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Learned how to make fried rice.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7I2JJyM2uzg/Tv-YenCzvCI/AAAAAAAAA-4/csXanSw-L2Y/s1600-h/cfr%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="cfr" border="0" alt="cfr" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jmpd1_RUv3Y/Tv-YfYBonZI/AAAAAAAAA_A/4QojJkVstd4/cfr_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Celebrated my Dirty 30 birthday- the same night as my bachelorette party.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pgAB7tHRrGI/Tv-YfmsWmBI/AAAAAAAAA_I/RXbKDgK0UoU/s1600-h/part%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="part" border="0" alt="part" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-89_7x0HaF0s/Tv-YfzTHJ-I/AAAAAAAAA_Q/kV0LJndfJLI/part_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="183" height="244"></a></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Got laid off from the job I had had for 5 years- I never thought I’d be unemployed after finishing graduate school, but enjoyed the break.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-k4bflTGtJzg/Tv-YgFYQdGI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/dzqj15gw8Ds/s1600-h/lab%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="lab" border="0" alt="lab" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-f0zcTh--coQ/Tv-YgbLYmDI/AAAAAAAAA_g/ZREjzYnPAIY/lab_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Got married to Mr. Right- and then mini-mooned in Las Vegas.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-svVE_7sGuZI/Tv-YgquptSI/AAAAAAAAA_o/PHG07lqr6Yc/s1600-h/0623%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="0623" border="0" alt="0623" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OZQ-UKOyzdM/Tv-YhfkN1BI/AAAAAAAAA_w/jDgfTgbizw8/0623_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-r5huxQiR0gw/Tv-Yhvu3kCI/AAAAAAAAA_4/A6Vn8Z9yS30/s1600-h/IMG_0069%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0069" border="0" alt="IMG_0069" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0Q2QHvs8xtA/Tv-YiQZFTwI/AAAAAAAABAA/C5oaLZafTww/IMG_0069_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Danced with my Grandpa again, but for the first time in I don’t know how many years.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pl8j3W8jkII/Tv-Yib79jcI/AAAAAAAABAI/lQeqZ4Tv8po/s1600-h/gpa%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="gpa" border="0" alt="gpa" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ey5X1RJIpmM/Tv-YitN3Y0I/AAAAAAAABAQ/1bD0-4DgVcM/gpa_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Lost Matt’s aunt- and regretted not being a better friend to her.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1iuu5-QGdN0/Tv-YkMCWOEI/AAAAAAAABAY/pGcq-dEENhc/s1600-h/debbie%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="debbie" border="0" alt="debbie" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sMiY8jy_1vQ/Tv-YlMC-B7I/AAAAAAAABAg/fURZhxqPJLw/debbie_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="146"></a></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain"></font> </p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Started selling my crafts in a local store- keeping busy while out of work.</font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Did my first and second craft show- even though it was a bust.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-M7ufNq9P0w8/Tv-YlVo3nXI/AAAAAAAABAo/F_gTisQCz9s/s1600-h/downsized_1119110958%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="downsized_1119110958" border="0" alt="downsized_1119110958" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XjqVLfsbZVo/Tv-YlnJSw5I/AAAAAAAABAw/fmGD_9QSr4E/downsized_1119110958_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Went to my first poker game without Matt- and still had a blast.</font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Grew so much closer to some people- even some who I never thought there would ever be closeness with.</font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Got flown out by a potential employer to interview- and learned how to be confident.</font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Got a new job in research- from academia to industry, but a lateral move…</font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Moved out of my home state- I always wanted to prove myself, but I miss home.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1iz9F4hel9I/Tv-YlpKrIVI/AAAAAAAABA4/HvcJOJPwaWk/s1600-h/3428%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="3428" border="0" alt="3428" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nnRPh5Q7IT0/Tv-YmNjDXDI/AAAAAAAABBA/aF_H0U9KlGA/3428_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="153"></a></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Let a relationship go- I am still sad and think about it often, but my time with her was at an end.</font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Celebrated our first Christmas as a married couple away from all our friends and family- it was good, but sad, too.</font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">And tonight we will celebrate the new year together, with Bella, at home.</font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Good and bad, it has been an event packed year for sure!</font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">What will the new year bring?</font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain"></font></p> Julie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682742224838908180noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728116237614617340.post-19756609499760285992011-11-10T18:48:00.001-05:002011-11-10T18:48:12.223-05:00And the winner is…<p align="center"><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Number 6!!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Karen Valentine</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="6" face="Porcelain">But don’t fret… I’ve reached 100 followers thanks to Molly Knox!!! A celebratory giveaway soon to follow!</font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain"></font></p> Julie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682742224838908180noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728116237614617340.post-53804907947845857252011-11-09T08:34:00.001-05:002011-11-09T08:34:54.206-05:00Giveaways!<p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Today, I wanted to share with you three fabulous giveaways!</font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">First, Shelly is giving away a customized handmade lace trim necklace!</font></p> <p><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mB7SpYghUtE/TrIBsfY9rwI/AAAAAAAADRA/4qz54rdYkvE/s1600/My+Necklace+2.jpg" width="248" height="264"></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">You won’t win the necklace shown here- instead, Shelly will create one in the colors of your choice!</font></p> <p><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4XRX5-nUjHU/TrIBw9JziaI/AAAAAAAADRI/om5-yP4C8sc/s1600/Pink+and+Black+Necklace.jpg" width="255" height="306"></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">But hurry! This giveaway ends November 15th! Click <a href="http://bungalowbling.blogspot.com/2011/11/giveaway-time-custom-lace-neclace.html?showComment=1320324441072#c7741423968232539174" target="_blank">Here</a> to go visit Shelly at Bungalow Bling!</font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">The second giveaway is for a veritable treasure of French farmhouse goods!</font></p> <p><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l6Et62ceSvQ/TrSma4PgdaI/AAAAAAAAFL4/5jfiRuwLJlY/s640/Picnik+collageFFgiveaway.jpg" width="262" height="276"></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Becky is giving you the chance to enter to win not one, but 7 different pieces! But hurry, her giveaway ends November 15th, too! Click <a href="http://junktojoy1.blogspot.com/2011/11/french-farmhouse-giveaway.html" target="_blank">Here</a> to visit Junk to Joy!</font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain"></font> </p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">And last, but certainly not least, Rebecca is giving you a chance to win a vintage train case, ready for you to alter!</font></p> <p><img src="http://gatheryeroses.com/template/listings/traingiveaway.jpg" width="320" height="465"></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">To enter, and for more ideas on how you could create one of these beauties, click <a href="http://rebecca-gatheryeroses.blogspot.com/2011/10/vintage-train-gathering-case-giveaway.html" target="_blank">Here</a> to visit A Gathering Place!</font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain"></font> </p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">And speaking of giveaways, don’t forget to enter my mini giveaway, one post below!! I see I almost have 100 followers, too!! Once I reach that magical number, I’ll definitely have a super spectacular giveaway to celebrate! <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6N3QvJ7aXsw/TrqBfU_ru1I/AAAAAAAAA9I/rOn8MbCO7II/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></font></p> Julie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682742224838908180noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728116237614617340.post-81807328885664902262011-11-01T11:05:00.001-04:002011-11-01T11:05:37.610-04:00Antique Jewelry Hull, a New Project, and a Giveaway!<p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Happy November! </font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">This past weekend, I visited a local antique store for the first time. Actually, I had tried to go there before, but I got totally lost!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1lkP4Nymzqw/TrAKqzVALOI/AAAAAAAAA20/F2nkajGP2fg/s1600-h/Flowers_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font size="6"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Flowers_thumb" border="0" alt="Flowers_thumb" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vmy2qsZczJI/TrAKrMdXZcI/AAAAAAAAA28/-DQ0KhnG1mc/Flowers_thumb_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="154"></font></a></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Ok, I also got lost this time….And I was only 5 miles away from it!!!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Myz7mZSvzmw/TrAKrZm396I/AAAAAAAAA3E/-CyK7nPhKPY/s1600-h/IMG_0368_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font size="6"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0368_thumb" border="0" alt="IMG_0368_thumb" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lNUrkcU_JMk/TrAKsLEsi7I/AAAAAAAAA3M/xn-PLpaqbMs/IMG_0368_thumb_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></font></a></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">It took me an hour to find it- thank goodness for cellphones with internet on them!</font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Luckily, I *did* find it! I found a gorgeous blue headband with silk millinery, and tons and tons of jewelry!</font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_PdcNq9mqVQ/TrAKsbIYybI/AAAAAAAAA3U/x0qmnDN_PqY/s1600-h/IMG_0369_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0369_thumb" border="0" alt="IMG_0369_thumb" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RT8aTjNxlto/TrAKsgkgA8I/AAAAAAAAA3Y/5WqBDRIaDlI/IMG_0369_thumb_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Most of the earrings and pins I bought were only $1-1.50!!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KBKFTJKXOP8/TrAKs2Mr8gI/AAAAAAAAA3k/LMgXr3XR61E/s1600-h/IMG_0371_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font size="6"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0371_thumb" border="0" alt="IMG_0371_thumb" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HfwIeZHPL-s/TrAKtCkvBtI/AAAAAAAAA3s/wYuc-8u-41U/IMG_0371_thumb_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></font></a></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Dazzling rhinestones in pink and blue…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Kv8CmoSWaLM/TrAKtfMgGEI/AAAAAAAAA30/fjGUQJ7B0Pk/s1600-h/IMG_0372_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font size="6"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0372_thumb" border="0" alt="IMG_0372_thumb" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Qu6G8pqxRlU/TrAKtuGJT-I/AAAAAAAAA38/m8kwIRKfM5M/IMG_0372_thumb_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></font></a></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Blue, white, and cream pearls, cameo earrings, and a sweet necklace.</font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">This weekend, I also worked on a new style of my Noel blocks.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AqRuZB6a-Sg/TrAKt_TjIeI/AAAAAAAAA4E/NMtWLoFMXG0/s1600-h/noel_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font size="6"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="noel_thumb" border="0" alt="noel_thumb" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ewUjxp0Urlo/TrAKuXYzd_I/AAAAAAAAA4M/EAiwABnprPQ/noel_thumb_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="100"></font></a></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">These ones are covered with flocked vintage wallpaper and have the silver German glass glitter lettering. Which ones do you like better?</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kDVUMdIrm7A/TrAKuZx1zAI/AAAAAAAAA4U/2-_G-c6KC08/s1600-h/n_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font size="6"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="n_thumb" border="0" alt="n_thumb" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9uqjT31rTn4/TrAKu6sMxWI/AAAAAAAAA4c/bBMJaMLJ35k/n_thumb_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="233" height="244"></font></a></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Lastly, in celebration of the upcoming holiday season, I’m having a giveaway!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-avBjns1WPcw/TrAKvFz0ZAI/AAAAAAAAA4k/ral3-EMHmCw/s1600-h/giveaway_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font size="6"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="giveaway_thumb" border="0" alt="giveaway_thumb" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Jtu4kUA1hAk/TrAKvvEyoxI/AAAAAAAAA4s/BdWstvl-7DQ/giveaway_thumb_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></font></a></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Up for grabs is a splendidly sweet altered mini notebook. It’s embellished with vintage millinery, rhinestones, and even has a cute little bookmark to save your spot. I will also include a few more surprises for the winner <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-guP-etijYKE/TrAKvw02u6I/AAAAAAAAA40/mBBT8KaEW3Q/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KMjQmuhpj-I/TrAKwJBhUtI/AAAAAAAAA48/OZDBYdX4ivU/s1600-h/giveaway2_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font size="6"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="giveaway2_thumb" border="0" alt="giveaway2_thumb" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yN0zNw_YHmk/TrAKwNifaaI/AAAAAAAAA5E/pxyaFCkUtzE/giveaway2_thumb_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></font></a></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">You can earn up to 3 entries- please leave a separate comment for each entry and I will draw a winner at random on November 10th:</font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">1. Leaving a comment on this post will earn you 1 entry. </font></p> <p><font face="Porcelain"><font size="6">2. Liking </font><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Splendidly-Sweet/111639738941" target="_blank"><font size="6">Splendidly Sweet’s Facebook Page</font></a><font size="6"> will earn you another comment. </font></font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">3. And posting a link from your blog to mine will earn you a third entry.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Good Luck!</font></p> Julie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682742224838908180noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728116237614617340.post-24052347013536354602011-10-25T22:29:00.001-04:002011-10-25T22:29:52.633-04:00The Meaning of Our Wedding<p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">For so long, I’ve struggled with this post. Most likely because I had struggled to define what a “wedding” truly was.</font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Our wedding was August 5th.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rR4LnsadfZo/Tqdwdvr7quI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/V16OdFoZH4k/s1600-h/0657_thumb10%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="0657_thumb10" border="0" alt="0657_thumb10" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IBN1Gw9-qfY/TqdweNVObdI/AAAAAAAAAvY/3x-MU_gendo/0657_thumb10_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="161"></a></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">The ceremony was Matt and mine.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sUnDELaqjTw/TqdweVGKPNI/AAAAAAAAAvg/urtPoO_6CMw/s1600-h/0717_thumb2%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="0717_thumb2" border="0" alt="0717_thumb2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IeuMRGYZq9Y/TqdwesAMXbI/AAAAAAAAAvo/KyaSR2F16X8/0717_thumb2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="241"></a></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain"></font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">We chose the readings; even though Matt is not religious, he let me include some bible passages and he chose some poems. My family was included in the ceremony, even though they could all not be part of the wedding party.</font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain"></font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iiCoedQByK0/TqdweuXL4NI/AAAAAAAAAvw/t-T6xzjIMkc/s1600-h/ricklesliemike_thumb2%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ricklesliemike_thumb2" border="0" alt="ricklesliemike_thumb2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QVxKVyvkrUA/Tqdwe7pvdUI/AAAAAAAAAv4/uSeVJPaOOAs/ricklesliemike_thumb2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="154"></a></p> <p align="left"><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Matt read “These I Can Promise” and I cried when I read back “Love” by Roy Croft.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="6" face="Porcelain"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-u3bnHJjaz5Y/TqdwfBNEwaI/AAAAAAAAAwA/gnTQbt94NEI/s1600-h/0628_thumb2%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="0628_thumb2" border="0" alt="0628_thumb2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dT2DxFzyytU/TqdwfXDYHZI/AAAAAAAAAwI/ZPH8nPMSh_I/0628_thumb2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="241"></a></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="6" face="Porcelain"><font size="4">(I didn’t make it past the first line without starting to cry.)</font></font></p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OhQ35LC3fY0/TqdwfhtKlzI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/L1I578HVJ1w/s1600-h/0633_thumb2%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="0633_thumb2" border="0" alt="0633_thumb2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2hr1SSqaV5Y/Tqdwf5QT01I/AAAAAAAAAwU/BfW_9PIGjcc/0633_thumb2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="161"></a></p> <p align="left"><font size="6" face="Porcelain">We exchanged rings, kissed, and held hands.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="6" face="Porcelain"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sGY3s_MuXSc/TqdwgNwjs7I/AAAAAAAAAwc/gfQ_meAHdVg/s1600-h/ceremony_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ceremony_thumb" border="0" alt="ceremony_thumb" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-khqcpI5WqOg/TqdwgeOE6ZI/AAAAAAAAAwo/MFgUIGq_xb0/ceremony_thumb_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="157"></a></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="6" face="Porcelain">But that was only the first 15 minutes of the “wedding”- the part that was for us.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="6" face="Porcelain"></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="6" face="Porcelain">The rest of the wedding was for a memory…</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="6" face="Porcelain"></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="6" face="Porcelain">The dresses… <font size="5">(</font></font><font face="Porcelain"><font size="5">The girls wore vintage slip dresses, handmade by </font><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/amandarosebridal" target="_blank"><font size="5">Amanda Rose</font></a><font size="5">.)</font></font></p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-V2U8b8XXVCs/TqdwgrwbvyI/AAAAAAAAAww/lE2c2uj_KGE/s1600-h/0419_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="0419_thumb" border="0" alt="0419_thumb" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MGRWcMqiKo4/TqdwgxlD-7I/AAAAAAAAAw4/wApXXOEFh3k/0419_thumb_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p align="left"><font size="6" face="Porcelain">The fans…</font></p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EY5w2ZfhQzA/TqdwhOcEi2I/AAAAAAAAAxA/G67w5FRCbeI/s1600-h/fans_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="fans_thumb" border="0" alt="fans_thumb" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_GjKmpVzl3Y/TqdwhXMA58I/AAAAAAAAAxI/KSll0zu-Vp0/fans_thumb_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="157"></a></p> <p align="left"><font size="6" face="Porcelain">The flowers…</font></p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GM5-EPymRSU/TqdwhlLzFyI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/EwIapHkfqes/s1600-h/0148_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="0148_thumb" border="0" alt="0148_thumb" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-t59WF9_ezOw/Tqdwh2LVXGI/AAAAAAAAAxU/-DnKpcuZQzY/0148_thumb_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p align="left"><font size="6" face="Porcelain">The venue…</font></p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-U_GH4NI4szg/TqdwiN-iJjI/AAAAAAAAAxc/G5jj3BL8a2E/s1600-h/0854_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="0854_thumb" border="0" alt="0854_thumb" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LjqpSkxRn3o/TqdwiQaHsMI/AAAAAAAAAxk/KUCClLB-99Y/0854_thumb_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="163"></a></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">The little pieces I made, even the photographer missed- the remembrance candles, the table numbers, the guest book… Everything our wedding was about was for family (and friends, you are our family, too).</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lW4q-xCOcYQ/TqdwirWNxzI/AAAAAAAAAxs/hnL7bNArE3o/s1600-h/grakowskyfamily_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="grakowskyfamily_thumb" border="0" alt="grakowskyfamily_thumb" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PFpsHAAxU8Y/Tqdwi1Q1OrI/AAAAAAAAAx4/CWbJfPpRth4/grakowskyfamily_thumb_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">Our wedding wasn’t just about the vows, the dresses, the rings, the flowers… It was about the people who came to it, who love us, who are our Family. We put so much of ourselves into designing the perfect evening for our guests *because* we were not only celebrating our union, but those people who came to share it with us. At least, this is how I felt through the whole process.</font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">And that’s what made it a little heartbreaking when people who were expected to be there didn’t show up. And I don’t just mean friends and family from out of town- Matt’s own grandparents and my uncle didn’t come. They didn’t just not show up- their RSVP was a decline. It’s easy to say it’s their loss- the other guests would say they missed great food and a beautiful party- but it is our loss, too. However, I have become more thankful for the people who chose to be part of our lives and appreciate us ever more so.</font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Porcelain">There were so many ups and downs, excitement and disappointments, happiness and tears that were unexpected. But in the end, it was a labor of love, in many different ways, and what memories were made to look back on!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RuJ0b-1WRD8/TqdwjdE00DI/AAAAAAAAAyA/X4_8Wo2YJNs/s1600-h/0796_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="0796_thumb" border="0" alt="0796_thumb" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oGIoDtBP-FA/Tqdwjh8zebI/AAAAAAAAAyI/7Aey7lKzGPE/0796_thumb_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iNOlh7VXxQo/Tqdwj_QfT0I/AAAAAAAAAyQ/4KrWvk0M_5g/s1600-h/0445_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="0445_thumb" border="0" alt="0445_thumb" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aTUeKITrwk8/TqdwkbeyDoI/AAAAAAAAAyY/b0qivzU8NTU/0445_thumb_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UZwahveyYbU/TqdwkqSHpsI/AAAAAAAAAyg/TEnHT6QaD1A/s1600-h/0584_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="0584_thumb" border="0" alt="0584_thumb" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BsNpF3EQ2as/TqdwkyxYYNI/AAAAAAAAAyo/6nTF8-yO1jQ/0584_thumb_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bi1EIOkMyy8/Tqdwk9fB5PI/AAAAAAAAAyw/Kt0BCz9rosk/s1600-h/0610_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="0610_thumb" border="0" alt="0610_thumb" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-55xEcN_Wobw/TqdwlOoO0TI/AAAAAAAAAy4/bcXsyCo_rlo/0610_thumb_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-COAkf0IQLvI/TqdwlxqdZAI/AAAAAAAAAzA/-gCoZCXAlZ0/s1600-h/0946_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="0946_thumb" border="0" alt="0946_thumb" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BE2AZrFB6B8/TqdwmF7Ov6I/AAAAAAAAAzI/jUmlqkfD7Ms/0946_thumb_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VCyW547mHPs/Tqdwmc7960I/AAAAAAAAAzQ/8btUg4u08h4/s1600-h/1010_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1010_thumb" border="0" alt="1010_thumb" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-X0ZeQSDdYG0/TqdwmgLSkUI/AAAAAAAAAzc/xTt4vlHiUbg/1010_thumb_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rGQ7t9fE3rM/TqdwnG0znfI/AAAAAAAAAzk/RnNQhvrLc_s/s1600-h/1038_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1038_thumb" border="0" alt="1038_thumb" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xsJySEI_x-E/TqdwnTiSYII/AAAAAAAAAzs/l7W3yIbcf7g/1038_thumb_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-STy4atuHdgg/TqdwngBmYAI/AAAAAAAAAz0/ZGy1cgY6b_c/s1600-h/1031_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1031_thumb" border="0" alt="1031_thumb" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_pnYjfsArws/Tqdwn0ii1JI/AAAAAAAAAz8/AMpUVc8XSdk/1031_thumb_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> Julie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682742224838908180noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728116237614617340.post-23960652671383729982011-06-15T18:26:00.002-04:002011-06-15T18:27:54.244-04:00Beads, Beautiful Beads!<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LJCmnSg7Ndw/TfkwgTTrizI/AAAAAAAAAks/NTQGeP650Lw/s1600-h/019%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="019" border="0" alt="019" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5P1HK41GRE4/Tfkwgu7Y5QI/AAAAAAAAAkw/5KNtBMyKUrw/019_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="188"></a></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="4" face="Harrington">Sarah hosted a bead swap recently and I was lucky to participate!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_zEez0xmZQI/TfkwhYnvWVI/AAAAAAAAAk0/Ppb_5MgQuiU/s1600-h/Rhea1%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Rhea1" border="0" alt="Rhea1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-G8LXtjmlWsc/TfkwhkmJ8bI/AAAAAAAAAk4/Z8lEC1S9KQs/Rhea1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="4" face="Harrington">When I received my package, I was giddy with excitement! It’s been so long since I’ve participated in a swap!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-agCNixWIfkA/Tfkwic53bvI/AAAAAAAAAk8/3IPRE7XeEUQ/s1600-h/Rhea2%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Rhea2" border="0" alt="Rhea2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-X-ink1TaICk/TfkwititjYI/AAAAAAAAAlA/ecf0HApp01c/Rhea2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="4" face="Harrington">Inside were 3 precious gifts from my talented partner, <a href="http://www.sweetnshabbyroses.blogspot.com/">Rhea</a>!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LpHkdZnuDH0/TfkwjWFeEFI/AAAAAAAAAlE/8iXaXEveRKc/s1600-h/Rhea6%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Rhea6" border="0" alt="Rhea6" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-U8gTq-rM9o8/Tfkwj0GaEDI/AAAAAAAAAlI/6JSGzRTn3-s/Rhea6_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="4" face="Harrington">The first piece was a delicate embellished piece of china Rhea altered into a wall hanging. I think I’ve found the perfect spot in my studio for it!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GyORvz-I_o8/TfkwkXFvRLI/AAAAAAAAAlM/PJpW-qRTiT4/s1600-h/Rhea4%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Rhea4" border="0" alt="Rhea4" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IaBmzw4dOlI/Tfkwkzq44WI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/nTjAGHkrmL4/Rhea4_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="4" face="Harrington">In this box, I found a stunning piece of jewelry with pink and blue rhinestones wrapped inside a vintage handkerchief! Just gorgeous!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-McAOVHRby_c/TfkwlRvPUpI/AAAAAAAAAlU/wlsBr4jxYuU/s1600-h/Rhea3%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Rhea3" border="0" alt="Rhea3" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_43jILpLr74/Tfkwl9mxpLI/AAAAAAAAAlY/SFoW58KReLw/Rhea3_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="173"></a></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="4" face="Harrington">I saved the largest box for last… because it was my favorite, and I almost died when I took it out of the box!! Such beautiful cream and blue!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CCE7LLj99wI/TfkwmQRY5YI/AAAAAAAAAlc/SlpRA25ZGE4/s1600-h/Rhea5%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Rhea5" border="0" alt="Rhea5" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2BGB8cmstqw/Tfkwm043CLI/AAAAAAAAAlg/RtUZnBpJpTQ/Rhea5_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="159" height="244"></a></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="4" face="Harrington">In it, was another vintage handkerchief holding hand picked beads…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zggsvQ_kE6A/Tfkwnvcl-2I/AAAAAAAAAlk/5t785EztMuE/s1600-h/Rhea7%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Rhea7" border="0" alt="Rhea7" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-r7vDIm3ajJ4/TfkwwHtBNcI/AAAAAAAAAls/yM4tPzJbb3s/Rhea7_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="4" face="Harrington">Such beautiful beads!! Glass, mother of pearl, swarovski, czech glass, chandelier crystals… All in an array of pinks, light blue, and a creamy white!</font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="4" face="Harrington">I must say, I was nervous making a package for Rhea! I wanted to find the perfect beads and focal point for her!</font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="4" face="Harrington">Our colors were very similar, though, and I re-learned what was aqua and what was light blue! Lol <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9reCAZp_2RY/TfkwwZCcHhI/AAAAAAAAAlw/XE6o7NG3p2Q/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="4" face="Harrington">So I chose these pink, aqua, white and cream beads for her…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vVaOtrbG1eo/TfkwxPPwvQI/AAAAAAAAAl0/ajknHR1lBUY/s1600-h/Bead-Swap-1%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Bead-Swap-1" border="0" alt="Bead-Swap-1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-s1G8fo7Op8s/TfkxcZa7BeI/AAAAAAAAAl4/evRU8cSl4OM/Bead-Swap-1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="4" face="Harrington">And placed them inside a rose trinket box I embellished with pink swarovski crystals…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YW1DrkeJGjM/TfkxdP-VDYI/AAAAAAAAAl8/Y9P8boeoayQ/s1600-h/Bead-Swap-4%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Bead-Swap-4" border="0" alt="Bead-Swap-4" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1x15OSPW3Zc/Tfkxja4oXHI/AAAAAAAAAmA/c_aIcvXHIGE/Bead-Swap-4_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="193"></a></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="4" face="Harrington"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jr3otH8N3mk/TfkxkO6M0SI/AAAAAAAAAmE/SaBRBRKuKgg/s1600-h/Bead-Swap-5%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Bead-Swap-5" border="0" alt="Bead-Swap-5" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZPvZKwurkAg/TfkxkTcyRVI/AAAAAAAAAmI/FoMKPn4SCfg/Bead-Swap-5_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="195"></a></font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="4" face="Harrington">And then I stamped a kraft box with French text and graced it with pink and aqua handmade roses, vintage lace, and bling to send off the beads and some surprises! (You can check out her blog to find out what those were and also see her amazing cakes and other goodies while you’re there! <a href="http://www.sweetnshabbyroses.blogspot.com/">http://www.sweetnshabbyroses.blogspot.com/</a>)</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-G_nMwF0Wx20/TfkxlNGmnGI/AAAAAAAAAmM/DChg1buFfXM/s1600-h/Bead-Swap-7%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Bead-Swap-7" border="0" alt="Bead-Swap-7" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bo6rxCxQpQg/TfkxlqoV3sI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/B_glVB6xa0A/Bead-Swap-7_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="224"></a></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="4" face="Harrington">Rhea spoiled me silly!! I totally adored her altered boxes and hand-picked beads- Thank you SO MUCH, Rhea! And thank you, Sarah, for pairing the two of us- it was so much fun picking out beads! I can’t wait for the next swap!</font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="4" face="Harrington"></font></p>Julie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682742224838908180noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728116237614617340.post-487724245819817612011-01-01T09:30:00.001-05:002011-01-01T09:35:14.806-05:00Cassandra VanCuren presents Marie's Danse des Fleurs!!Hello Friends!!! It's been oh so long since I've posted!! I have been keeping my head above water between my two jobs and the holidays and an incredibly busy summer, but I wanted to let you know about a special event I will be attending in February of 2011! It's Cassandra Van Curen's Marie's Danse des Fleurs!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://mariesdansedesfleurs.blogspot.com/2010/03/maries-danse-des-fleurs-art-event-and.html"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cPL9I4uH10w/TOlaxGcBqdI/AAAAAAAAFf4/6W4EjsoeV0U/s400/button.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Image courtesy of Cassandra VanCuren http://myartfuladventures.blotspot.com<br /><br /></span></div>This incredible event will be hosted by the sweet and lovely Cassandra VanCuren herself, along with teachers; Kimberly Ryan, Bryanna Lenan, Heidi Wallingford, and Jennifer Hayslip!<br /><br />This amazing 2 day event will be held at the posh Saddlebrook Resort in Tampa, Fl, so get ready for some fun in the sun!! Definitely a wonderful reprieve for those of us who live in the north where there's 6 months of winter every year!! I can't wait for the escape!<br /><br />The event will kick off with two make and take projects by Kimberly Ryan and Bryanna Lenan, including a gorgeous hand mirror and a scrumptious faux cake!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Saturday evening, indulge yourself at the Grand Ball!! Clothed in the finest Marie fashions, taste the most decadent sweets, make new BFFs and admire </span>the beauty Cassandra has created! And you'll be able to purchase some astounding works of art to fill your home with memories of your enchanted evening during Marie's Market Soiree, from 7:30-10:00pm.<br /><br />Sunday will be filled with projects exploring your creativity with making a Marie style hot air balloon, Marie's altered cigar box, and a Marie inspired statement necklace! After all of the fun, Cassandra has arranged for a lavish dinner of the finest French cuisine!<br /><br />If you're not ready to depart come Monday, you can head on down to the Webster Flea Market with us for a day of "flea"-ing delights!<br /><br />For photos, more details and registration, please visit http://mariesdansedesfleurs.blogspot.com/2010/03/maries-danse-des-fleurs-art-event-and.html. But HURRY!!! Time is running out! I can't wait to see you in February!!<br /><br /><br /></div></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cPL9I4uH10w/S7dDSwYACYI/AAAAAAAADr0/xqWI-V9tzpA/s1600/bry+project.png"><br /></a>Julie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682742224838908180noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728116237614617340.post-53257588903088331342010-06-08T22:14:00.001-04:002010-06-08T22:14:36.111-04:00I’m Getting Married!!!!!!!<p>Hello!!  It’s been sooooo long!!!  I’ve missed so much- including my one year blogaversary!!!  Ahhh!!  I will have a giveaway for that soon- hopefully sometime this month, so stay tuned!!</p> <p>It’s been crazy here and now you know why---  I’m finally getting married!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/TA7487xWKOI/AAAAAAAAAjc/SqikVpOKAw8/s1600-h/piepie%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="piepie" border="0" alt="piepie" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/TA749VUa3TI/AAAAAAAAAjg/3TchRNOgMgY/piepie_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Matt and I have been together since 04/05/06.  We met at work when I was terribly adverse to having a relationship, much less dating someone I worked with.  But it must have been the eyes….</p> <p>We were engaged one morning, in bed, in January 2009.  Matt wore the ring on his pinky all night- lol :)</p> <p>And now we have been blessed by my parents and are able to have an actual wedding!  My dad passed in 2001, but him and my mother set aside a wedding fund for me and my sister.  My mom turned 60- today actually- and had waited until she could access the fund to let me know.  So it really has been very recent since we found out we could have a wedding!</p> <p>The reason we have to have a wedding next spring is because I am losing my job at the Research Institute on Addictions because my boss’ grant runs out.  So I will be without a job after next June or July.  And then we will probably have to move so I can have a *real* job- he he.  We didn’t want to have to come back to have the wedding if we had already moved…. soo…. time to rush!!</p> <p>I’ve already picked out my dress!! </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/TA7493s7a_I/AAAAAAAAAjk/0poDGR-czpo/s1600-h/Y2711%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Y2711" border="0" alt="Y2711" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/TA74-T53fiI/AAAAAAAAAjo/ulE2ONmUbYg/Y2711_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a>I hope I can lose all this weight so I can look like this in it!  lol!</p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/TA74-xVuOsI/AAAAAAAAAjs/DskwyYa35IA/s1600-h/Y2711back%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Style: "New Balance 2-6-07"" border="0" alt="Style: "New Balance 2-6-07"" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/TA74_GGBpmI/AAAAAAAAAjw/OW5Zjx4iDnc/Y2711back_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="149" height="197" /></a> This is the back of it- I just fell in LOVE with the train!!!</p> <p></p> <p>I also picked out the bridesmaid dresses:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/TA74_r5mgtI/AAAAAAAAAj0/3EH-Up5XlNA/s1600-h/6034L-front-standard%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="6034L-front-standard" border="0" alt="6034L-front-standard" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/TA75AHW1PaI/AAAAAAAAAj4/_-y72Khtua0/6034L-front-standard_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> These look kind of white, but they are blue with a gold lace overlay!</p> <p align="left">And the tux:</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/TA75ASOW05I/AAAAAAAAAj8/YFWtQVxl6SY/s1600-h/monaco_defstnd1%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="monaco_defstnd1" border="0" alt="monaco_defstnd1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/TA75A-k7jvI/AAAAAAAAAkA/Km6Tc6Z2Xx0/monaco_defstnd1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="137" height="244" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p>Tomorrow I am going to put the deposit down on our ceremony and reception venue:  <a href="http://avantimansion.com">The Avanti Mansion</a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/TA75BEOr7RI/AAAAAAAAAkE/MBpoKHoe8ls/s1600-h/av%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="av" border="0" alt="av" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/TA75CM05LqI/AAAAAAAAAkI/a5n22U7wilc/av_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="163" /></a> This is the mansion, however, they are building an entirely new facility that opens in August of this year.  Inside will be a library and a ballroom.  We are planning on having the reception in the ballroom, which will be gorgeous with antique style furniture and faux marble floors and also a huuuuge staircase entering into the ballroom!  Plus, the bridal suite will be upstairs with a balcony overlooking the ballroom which I think is sooo cool!  </p> <p>Unfortunately, we will not be able to go into the real mansion the day of the wedding (because another party will rent out the tent that has been in use for receptions all these years) or the gardens over there because it belongs with the reception tent, but I don’t think that will be too big a deal.  There will be a tiered ceremony site along a little creek on our side and we will also have a patio outside of the ballroom that our guests can use to dance under the stars!</p> <p>And, we are going to have such a cool dinner service!!  They do a live grill there- so everything is made to order and you can eat as much as you want!  Plus, dinner is served to all guests in 10 minutes, so no waiting around for everyone to get their food and be able to eat!</p> <p>I’m sooo excited! :)  Finding a reception venue has been very stressful, so I’m kind of glad that part is over.  On to funner stuff!!</p> <p>Don’t you want to come?!?!  Lol :)  I am definitely inviting some of my blog friends- ones I’ve met in real life and ones I haven’t met yet- and I would just be in heaven if everyone could come!  So look out for your Save The Dates!  :)  Tomorrow I will be back with a Set-In-Stone-Date!  Have a wonderful week and thank you for sharing in my happiness!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/TA75Ce6czVI/AAAAAAAAAkM/YWFfecFdZSE/s1600-h/nicciswedding%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="nicciswedding" border="0" alt="nicciswedding" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/TA75CvAu0jI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/CQJDp5ow4lw/nicciswedding_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="167" height="244" /></a></p> Julie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682742224838908180noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728116237614617340.post-11602545820027828152010-05-02T14:14:00.002-04:002010-05-04T12:48:11.599-04:00Simple Joy<p>I’m not quite done with my story of my vacation in Georgia, but remember all those swaps I kept writing about… well I have received them all and I want to share one of them with you today! :)</p> <p>I participated in <a href="http://aswapforallseasons.blogspot.com/">Linda’s A Swap For All Seasons</a> Tussie Mussie Swap and my partner was <a href="http://kardkrazy.blogspot.com/">Louise Granlund</a>. Once we exchanged emails, we knew we had the same tastes! This was the first tussie mussie I’d ever attempted and I could not for the life of me find a paper mache cone! So I used what I had and created this for Louise…</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S93AwSExBXI/AAAAAAAAAhk/UQQzorwJT-8/s1600-h/TussieMussie%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="TussieMussie" alt="TussieMussie" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S93Aw09rZ-I/AAAAAAAAAho/GUZEH1dTgRY/TussieMussie_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="244" width="184" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S93AxTlT5lI/AAAAAAAAAhs/Ta3SIn29veU/s1600-h/TussieMussie1%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="TussieMussie1" alt="TussieMussie1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S93Axl1SQsI/AAAAAAAAAhw/V9XyU5bO_N0/TussieMussie1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="244" width="184" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S93AyTuPN9I/AAAAAAAAAh0/LZXjEvtoBxM/s1600-h/TussieMussieTeaser%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="TussieMussieTeaser" alt="TussieMussieTeaser" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S93AzCKbR7I/AAAAAAAAAh4/8a3SrlE9U60/TussieMussieTeaser_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="184" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S93AzgCx07I/AAAAAAAAAh8/iLYhqgIxgAA/s1600-h/TussieMussieTeaser1%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="TussieMussieTeaser1" alt="TussieMussieTeaser1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S93A0MmAAvI/AAAAAAAAAiA/EPHt_veahGQ/TussieMussieTeaser1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="184" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S93A0eRVTNI/AAAAAAAAAiE/eTkFojRa8bU/s1600-h/TussieMussieTeaser2%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="TussieMussieTeaser2" alt="TussieMussieTeaser2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S93A01SsFQI/AAAAAAAAAiI/MEybcGjrIAo/TussieMussieTeaser2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="184" width="244" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>To see the articles I included in the Tussie Mussie, you’ll have to visit <a href="http://kardkrazy.blogspot.com/">Louise’s blog</a>, because I forgot to take pictures before sending it off! But she had told me she loved Primas… :)</p> <p>I was having a bad day the day that I received Louise’s Tussie Mussie, but that all changed drastically the moment I opened up her package!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S93A1Bze1ZI/AAAAAAAAAiM/kf1ZqtFoxDc/s1600-h/TussieMussiefromLouise%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="TussieMussiefromLouise" alt="TussieMussiefromLouise" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S93A1iNS4TI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/eMGXcx3PI50/TussieMussiefromLouise_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="184" width="244" /></a> </p> <p>Louise made me this gorgeous shabby chic Tussie Mussie! Just look at the beautiful torn paper strips in pale blue, cream, and pink… And that gorgeous lace trim!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S93A10QtwqI/AAAAAAAAAiU/XD1tVMg0Rmw/s1600-h/TussieMussiefromLouise6%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="TussieMussiefromLouise6" alt="TussieMussiefromLouise6" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S93A2ZPXwEI/AAAAAAAAAiY/DDpwKMcBc04/TussieMussiefromLouise6_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="184" width="244" /></a> </p> <p>And inside, two little girls in bonnets smiled back at me with beautiful pink flowers :) </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S93A256G8DI/AAAAAAAAAic/hTuR3eZUEBo/s1600-h/TussieMussiefromLouise1%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="TussieMussiefromLouise1" alt="TussieMussiefromLouise1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S93A3FgzlHI/AAAAAAAAAig/ieiKGJFgMXc/TussieMussiefromLouise1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="207" width="244" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p>Here are the things stashed inside… A beautiful rose handkerchief which was from her mother(!!!), two lace trims, a gold spoon, a tiny calendar, a gorgeous sewn hand (which I just ADORE!!), unique flower crystals, and a tiny little picture frame with a sweet little collage inside…</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S93A3o09ugI/AAAAAAAAAik/Dgd-iDtwI7E/s1600-h/TussieMussiefromLouise2%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="TussieMussiefromLouise2" alt="TussieMussiefromLouise2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S93A3-M__xI/AAAAAAAAAio/XuMoRohWObA/TussieMussiefromLouise2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="244" width="184" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S93A4YIUTjI/AAAAAAAAAis/f-q2i2gCPeI/s1600-h/TussieMussiefromLouise3%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="TussieMussiefromLouise3" alt="TussieMussiefromLouise3" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S93A4n87sWI/AAAAAAAAAiw/i0Or2-sznYc/TussieMussiefromLouise3_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="184" width="244" /></a> </p> <p>And then, there were even more gifts!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S93A5Or_VEI/AAAAAAAAAi0/uwosnDvn5wA/s1600-h/TussieMussiefromLouise4%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="TussieMussiefromLouise4" alt="TussieMussiefromLouise4" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S93A5mcuoFI/AAAAAAAAAi4/tTgUedjCbyw/TussieMussiefromLouise4_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="243" width="244" /></a> </p> <p>A sweet card from Louise and handmade “Card Candy” flowers in sweet shabby chic style…</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S93A6NE8wqI/AAAAAAAAAi8/2wBhYnhNAps/s1600-h/TussieMussiefromLouise5%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="TussieMussiefromLouise5" alt="TussieMussiefromLouise5" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S93A6TTcVPI/AAAAAAAAAjA/ouk9xpAaXgc/TussieMussiefromLouise5_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="184" width="244" /></a> </p> <p>Tons of paper ephemera and cards in my favorite 50’s vintage style! And from her sister-in-law’s family!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S93A64TuOsI/AAAAAAAAAjE/QQGE-GH3Q7s/s1600-h/TussieMussiefromLouise7%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="TussieMussiefromLouise7" alt="TussieMussiefromLouise7" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S93A7FTacwI/AAAAAAAAAjI/rCERzsxFquE/TussieMussiefromLouise7_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="244" width="173" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p>And a sweet, sweet yellow handkerchief card- a gorgeous collectors item!</p> <p>I almost cried when I saw the thought and love Louise had put into this swap for me. Especially for sharing items with me that were part of her own heritage! But even though the gifts were wonderful, beautiful, and so very considerate, it was the feeling of connection- that someone, a stranger, had taken the time to know me and really Understood the kinds of things that I loved that brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so much, Louise. This swap really touched my heart and I will treasure these heirlooms, always.</p>Julie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682742224838908180noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728116237614617340.post-10889547781905099912010-04-03T11:30:00.001-04:002010-04-03T11:30:37.951-04:00Miss Rhea’s Easter Basket Swap Reveal!!<p>This Easter, I feel so incredibly blessed.  I am so thankful for my friends and family, my new part time job, especially in this economy, the beautiful weather we are having here…  I only wish I could do more to give back!</p> <p>I love to participate in swaps, as you well know, and today I get to show you the beautiful Easter Baskets I have received!  Are you ready for the picture show?!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S7de_MJxxrI/AAAAAAAAAcI/BYD75xw4V0U/s1600-h/FromDeb1%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="FromDeb1" border="0" alt="FromDeb1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S7de_o26lyI/AAAAAAAAAcM/wTvYicxl-uM/FromDeb1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> This basket is from <a href="http://garagesalegal.blogspot.com">Deb</a>!  Isn’t it sweet with the felt egg and gorgeous chenille?  I just love the fabric baskets!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S7dfAN7Sn1I/AAAAAAAAAcQ/YljEvM0Ih8A/s1600-h/FromDeb2%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="FromDeb2" border="0" alt="FromDeb2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S7dfAic6-0I/AAAAAAAAAcU/_z7Yq7OQvtA/FromDeb2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> A perfectly pink felt egg!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S7dfBJhk1YI/AAAAAAAAAcY/s2w7-fhahTY/s1600-h/FromDeb%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="FromDeb" border="0" alt="FromDeb" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S7dfBaAYU8I/AAAAAAAAAcc/ubiucOolo88/FromDeb_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>A sweet little flower patterned bunny, a gorgeous vintage Easter postcard, the most adorable bunny and chick figurine, a cute pink bunny cupcake topper, lovely bunny stamp, and a blue bunny ornament!!  Note:  There was also a box of chocolates, but um… they couldn’t be photographed as they hopped into my mouth as soon as they were spied! :)</p> <p align="left">Thank you so much, <a href="http://garagesalegal.blogspot.com">Deb</a>, for your beautiful basket and all these delightful treats!!! :D</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S7dfB5znLlI/AAAAAAAAAcg/RcxPdlRoC68/s1600-h/FromPam%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="FromPam" border="0" alt="FromPam" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S7dfCaic8lI/AAAAAAAAAck/5DxYIk2lHTs/FromPam_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="163" /></a>  This Easter basket and gifts are from <a href="http://pam-embracinglife.blogspot.com">Pam</a>!  She included a sweet bunny, chocolate bunny, and chick figurine, a beautiful handmade cross, a pretty flower bookmark, pink, white and black paper flowers, and beautiful photo cards of photographs she has taken!  They’re just stunning!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S7dfCo-PyII/AAAAAAAAAco/sOHvpDOEySI/s1600-h/FromPam1%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="FromPam1" border="0" alt="FromPam1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S7dfDK9_CUI/AAAAAAAAAcs/Nq9mE0DSSZU/FromPam1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> A close up of the flowers on the basket handle- aren’t they gorgeous?!?!  I just love them…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S7dfDs8TnFI/AAAAAAAAAcw/QI3waEv5dBE/s1600-h/FromPam2%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="FromPam2" border="0" alt="FromPam2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S7dfD5T9MHI/AAAAAAAAAc0/c4TpqkWE9hg/FromPam2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> And look!!!  A beautiful flower encrusted egg!!!  I am seriously loving this egg!</p> <p align="left">Thank you so much, <a href="http://pam-embracinglife.blogspot.com">Pam</a>, for making such a beautiful swap for me!!</p> <p align="left">Lastly, I won <a href="http://bungalowbling.blogspot.com/">Shell’s</a> giveaway for one of the extra Easter baskets that she made!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S7dfEeowQJI/AAAAAAAAAc4/kmvDlIFGdkQ/s1600-h/FromShelly%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="FromShelly" border="0" alt="FromShelly" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S7dfEuLQiFI/AAAAAAAAAc8/PY3mkgLDEfU/FromShelly_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> Such beautiful details!!!  Let’s have a closer look…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S7dfFFbh4pI/AAAAAAAAAdA/3Gm_kGLU024/s1600-h/FromShelly2%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="FromShelly2" border="0" alt="FromShelly2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S7dfFX4E-0I/AAAAAAAAAdE/RJ9kP4H7Dsc/FromShelly2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> I am in love with gingham!!  How’d she know :)  And look at those dainty butterflies!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S7dfF2bXQKI/AAAAAAAAAdI/ZSipA-1W5vo/s1600-h/FromShelly1%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="FromShelly1" border="0" alt="FromShelly1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S7dfGXLAN-I/AAAAAAAAAdM/o38m-iZ01Xk/FromShelly1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="215" /></a> They’ve laid tiny butterfly eggs as rhinestones on the handle! :)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S7dfG6kAuBI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/ie4_mFZSzww/s1600-h/FromShelly3%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="FromShelly3" border="0" alt="FromShelly3" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S7dfHRY4nCI/AAAAAAAAAdU/4_FSVkEicuM/FromShelly3_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> As if that wasn’t enough, the basket came with two cute as can be vintage postcards- one finished with sparkling silver glitter!  And candies!!!  Yummmmm.  Which I have been Good, and haven’t eaten yet!!  lol :)  </p> <p align="left">Thank you so much, <a href="http://bungalowbling.blogspot.com/">Shell</a>, for this generous giveaway gift!!!</p> <p align="left">I just love Easter, Spring, and the promise of new and renewed life…  I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing these beautiful gifts- which I’ll keep out all year round!!!  :)  Thank you for visiting me today and I hope that your Easter is blessed with love and joy!</p> Julie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682742224838908180noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728116237614617340.post-35087277537893595512010-03-29T23:21:00.001-04:002010-03-29T23:21:40.463-04:00Behind…<p>I am so very far behind updating about precious pieces I’ve found or been given in giveaways…  So here are a few things.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S7FuHw51eSI/AAAAAAAAAbA/TEDiSZh0Otw/s1600-h/TopofArmoire%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="TopofArmoire" border="0" alt="TopofArmoire" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S7FuIUUp0JI/AAAAAAAAAbE/UWrf5-Cwo1w/TopofArmoire_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="136" /></a>Pretty little things :)</p> <p align="center">(Little birdies in nests from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Kittyandme">Kitty & Me Designs</a>, Mouse with cherry on cupcake from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/mykobocek">Myko Bocek Studios</a>,  Candy Chick (behind those gorgeous feathers) from Cari Skuse for <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/haitibyhand">Haiti by Hand</a>, Pink Heart Pillow Sachet from <a href="http://kandeland.typepad.com/my_weblog/">Natalea Kandefer</a> won at her Valentine’s Day Tea Party, and Spring is Here Martini Glass Doll from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Distressrelief">Sandy</a>)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S7FuI2wf33I/AAAAAAAAAbI/A7p5ZS4IrBg/s1600-h/SandysDoll%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="SandysDoll" border="0" alt="SandysDoll" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S7FuJWddQMI/AAAAAAAAAbM/MmNgZeuZqL8/SandysDoll_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="174" /></a>A close up of Sandy’s doll… I drooled over this for a month until I couldn’t stand it anymore and had to have it!!!  Inside the glass are an old key, a domino, vintage buttons, a ballerina, and a pink nesting spring bird!  But truly, it was the feathers, the fan, the beautiful doll, and bird that told me I needed this :) </p> <p>This is my collection of Primas before the giveaway…</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S7FuKO8uiTI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/evTPG9PQoQQ/s1600-h/DSCN1989%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSCN1989" border="0" alt="DSCN1989" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S7FuKmu5ZCI/AAAAAAAAAbU/A5-grSGE75Y/DSCN1989_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="205" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>And here’s what $100 of Prima goodies looks like…</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S7FuLIJKj8I/AAAAAAAAAbY/H0aY1wu6YhY/s1600-h/PrimaGiveaway%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="PrimaGiveaway" border="0" alt="PrimaGiveaway" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S7FuLmQEDGI/AAAAAAAAAbc/vZ8ZNQULcNc/PrimaGiveaway_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>:)</p> <p>Last week I had an order for some cute little baby boy carnival tickets:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S7FuMEvAecI/AAAAAAAAAbg/5fi6TpvWfwc/s1600-h/bluecarvnivaltickets%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="bluecarvnivaltickets" border="0" alt="bluecarvnivaltickets" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S7FuMo7AGiI/AAAAAAAAAbk/Zs8pgs1-Jd0/bluecarvnivaltickets_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p> And I made this quick tag as a special thank you for their order :)</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S7FuMwYXveI/AAAAAAAAAbo/QrWDt0h7OIE/s1600-h/BabyBoyTag%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="BabyBoyTag" border="0" alt="BabyBoyTag" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S7FuNbP4FPI/AAAAAAAAAbs/08kwLJBZoZo/BabyBoyTag_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="123" height="244" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>More super quick pieces are these cards I made for <a href="http://garagesalegal.blogspot.com">Deb</a>, <a href="http://pam-embracinglife.blogspot.com">Pam</a>, and <a href="http://jodielejeune.blogspot.com/">Jodie</a> :)</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S7FuOE9SsPI/AAAAAAAAAbw/EY8_6FNMTf0/s1600-h/CardforDeb%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="CardforDeb" border="0" alt="CardforDeb" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S7FuO9bXWLI/AAAAAAAAAb0/neGq_0pHFq0/CardforDeb_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="188" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S7FuPdKhupI/AAAAAAAAAb4/Uu5xzgO2fGY/s1600-h/CardforPam%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="CardforPam" border="0" alt="CardforPam" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S7FuP1H8DrI/AAAAAAAAAb8/VxYMsReLlEk/CardforPam_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="197" height="244" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S7FuQft2_EI/AAAAAAAAAcA/Tjjo7emu8fM/s1600-h/CardforJodie%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="CardforJodie" border="0" alt="CardforJodie" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S7FuQ6GW3MI/AAAAAAAAAcE/giXti-Alun8/CardforJodie_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="191" /></a> </p> <p>I’m not the greatest card maker… but I felt like I should send cards along with the little treasures I sent to these beautiful ladies!</p> <p>That’s all for tonight :)  I have to get to bed!  Bella’s already up there warming it up for me- hehe :)  Thank you for visiting and have a wonderful day!</p> Julie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682742224838908180noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728116237614617340.post-65195204904375162182010-03-28T12:58:00.002-04:002010-03-28T13:02:32.977-04:00A "Giveaway" You Will Definitely Win (If you live in the U.S.)!!!!<p>Ok- please forgive me if you think this is tacky…. but I know I would want to be informed of something I could get for free!!! (And brand new, too!)</p><p>While browsing the web the other day, I came across this coupon… For one <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>COMPLETELY FREE</strong></span> pair of panties from Victoria’s Secret!! (And who doesn’t need more panties??) </p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S6-Ks50SLQI/AAAAAAAAAa4/C89_UwAHkJk/s1600-h/vspanties%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="vspanties" border="0" alt="vspanties" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S6-KtSYjx1I/AAAAAAAAAa8/Jp_Qf9Ixbwg/vspanties_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="182" height="244" /></a> </p><p>All you have to do is follow this link: <a href="http://www2.victoriassecret.com/onlineemail/?c=30980_FB07518D3F23B27FA475034F089F03E7">http://www2.victoriassecret.com/onlineemail/?c=30980_FB07518D3F23B27FA475034F089F03E7</a>, print out the coupon, and take it to your nearest VS store. The best part- <strong>NO PURCHASE NECESSARY</strong> and no shipping charges! Yeay!!! :) So go get your free undies! :)</p>Julie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682742224838908180noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728116237614617340.post-20442178539282925352010-03-25T14:32:00.001-04:002010-03-25T14:35:41.591-04:00Hippity Hoppity<p><font size="7" face="JFFerrule"></font></p> <p><font color="#ff80c0" size="7" face="JFFerrule"></font></p> <p><font color="#ff80c0" size="7" face="JFFerrule"></font></p> <p><font color="#ff80c0" size="7" face="JFFerrule">E</font>aster is just around the corner!! </p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#ff80c0" size="7" face="JFFerrule">W</font>hen I was little, the Easter Bunny (aka My mom) used </p> <p>to hide our Easter baskets and presents!</p> <p> </p> <p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S6usSn039kI/AAAAAAAAAao/xHvbMFRYwCg/s1600-h/MissRheasEBSwap%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="MissRheasEBSwap" border="0" alt="MissRheasEBSwap" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S6usTVSHkxI/AAAAAAAAAas/buD7Zt9Vmx4/MissRheasEBSwap_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="201" height="244" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#ff80c0" size="7" face="JFFerrule">E</font>aster morning, my sister and I would wake up early, just</p> <p>like Christmas morning, and go in search of our Easter baskets…</p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#ff80c0" size="7" face="JFFerrule">I</font>’ve found mine hidden in the shower, in the wall where the</p> <p>circuit breakers were, behind the sofa, in the pantry…</p> <p> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S6usTrbquQI/AAAAAAAAAaw/SW-BmZgZVbQ/s1600-h/MissRheasEBSwapside%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="MissRheasEBSwapside" border="0" alt="MissRheasEBSwapside" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S6usUEPKlKI/AAAAAAAAAa0/itd8VOOkhnA/MissRheasEBSwapside_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="201" height="244" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p></p> <p><font color="#ff80ff" size="7" face="JFFerrule"></font></p> <p><font color="#ff80c0" size="7" face="JFFerrule">W</font>here did you find yours?  :)</p> Julie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682742224838908180noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728116237614617340.post-13670619872866179642010-03-14T19:57:00.003-04:002010-03-14T20:31:16.110-04:00Beautiful giveaways!<p>Roses?</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S513yvixUxI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/IqpL1ABSBSw/s1600-h/roses%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="roses" border="0" alt="roses" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S513yxUt4DI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/fHlVHqtVTkM/roses_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="99" height="118" /></a> </p> <p>Earrings?</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S513zLtrEVI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/hZGRUokmNQE/s1600-h/earrings%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="earrings" border="0" alt="earrings" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S513zjtmX4I/AAAAAAAAAaA/6_vruI6Wj9k/earrings_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="90" height="114" /></a> </p> <p>Necklace?</p> <p align="right"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S5130Fw9yRI/AAAAAAAAAaE/OHVor--49eQ/s1600-h/necklace%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="necklace" border="0" alt="necklace" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S5130sb50TI/AAAAAAAAAaI/pdSoRKAzQA0/necklace_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="101" height="128" /></a> </p> <p align="left">Lori of Katie’s Rose Cottage is having an extraordinary giveaway!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://katiesrosecottage.blogspot.com/2010/03/time-for-giveaway.html"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="giveaway" border="0" alt="giveaway" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S5131A0jvAI/AAAAAAAAAaM/q0LzNh6gJHA/giveaway%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="228" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Please click on the image to visit her blog for more information on how to win!! :)</p><p>Pink not your thing? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"> (You could always send it to me!! lol :))</span></p><p>How about black, white, and cream??</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://whitelinenlavenderfield.blogspot.com/2010/03/celebrate.html"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 371px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jmUTOBmgwWA/S5x8KPQn5pI/AAAAAAAACKg/04-4Ch2s2-8/s400/anniversarygive+009.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://whitelinenlavenderfield.blogspot.com/2010/03/celebrate.html"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 348px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jmUTOBmgwWA/S5x8npjvJ-I/AAAAAAAACKo/cFT1PbSyDcE/s400/anniversarygive+001.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a>Click on over to Linda's blog, <a href="http://whitelinenlavenderfield.blogspot.com/2010/03/celebrate.html">Robin's Egg Blues</a>, to see how you could win this gorgeous giveaway, celebrating Linda's 1 year blog anniversary!<br /><p>And here are some Teaser photos from my yogurt cup Easter basket for Miss Rhea’s Easter Basket Swap!! :)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S5131mHGRnI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/3EgwzE24zMI/s1600-h/MissRheasEBSwapteaser%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="MissRheasEBSwapteaser" border="0" alt="MissRheasEBSwapteaser" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S5131_0BFjI/AAAAAAAAAaU/WKb8YVSh3gw/MissRheasEBSwapteaser_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="133" height="244" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S5132_nD1tI/AAAAAAAAAaY/VT7uoFY7kc4/s1600-h/MissRheasEBSwapteaser1%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="MissRheasEBSwapteaser1" border="0" alt="MissRheasEBSwapteaser1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S5133Ur9NmI/AAAAAAAAAac/7XJDEUO2QSk/MissRheasEBSwapteaser1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="199" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S51338kD_VI/AAAAAAAAAag/dpG4rIzDwis/s1600-h/MissRheasEBSwapteaser2%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="MissRheasEBSwapteaser2" border="0" alt="MissRheasEBSwapteaser2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S5134EMHU1I/AAAAAAAAAak/UeGU2Mf89oU/MissRheasEBSwapteaser2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="98" height="252" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Don’t forget to scroll down to see my post from yesterday- showing off pictures of my gorgeous lacey dress for P&P dress up! :)</p>Julie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682742224838908180noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728116237614617340.post-51908995595871992452010-03-13T17:20:00.001-05:002010-03-13T17:20:23.493-05:00Yippie!!!!! Here it is!!!<p>Gorgeous cream….</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S5wPnJaFhFI/AAAAAAAAAZc/2V7KNS06uCc/s1600-h/dress3%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="dress3" border="0" alt="dress3" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S5wPni7pr2I/AAAAAAAAAZg/F9X4RgwQkkE/dress3_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="215" height="244" /></a></p> <p> Lace and tulle ruffles</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S5wPorz3c-I/AAAAAAAAAZk/lnoHbmQhzy4/s1600-h/dress1%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="dress1" border="0" alt="dress1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S5wPo45-1sI/AAAAAAAAAZo/Rvvmh7UsGh0/dress1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="214" height="244" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p>My dress for Petticoats & Parasols Cupcake Party/Vendor Night!!!!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S5wPpE39BVI/AAAAAAAAAZs/aBh3PxOvoBw/s1600-h/dress2%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="dress2" border="0" alt="dress2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S5wPpsObsVI/AAAAAAAAAZw/kvH7dnRaDXY/dress2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="130" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>(Of course I couldn’t show it all…)  :)</p> Julie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682742224838908180noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728116237614617340.post-59541136471478169412010-03-12T18:37:00.001-05:002010-03-12T18:37:42.574-05:00Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, ohmygosh!!! I GOT IT!<p>No.. not THAT it- for all of you who have read Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret.  lol :)</p> <p>I got the dress I am going to wear for Petticoats & Parasols!!!!!</p> <p>It is a bit over the top.</p> <p>It is not vintage, but it is in vintage style.  Cream, tulle, lace tiers….</p> <p>It is just GORGEOUS!!!  Lol- someone besides me should wear it!!</p> <p>I can’t take a picture of it right now because there’s no light!!  Tomorrow…  :)</p> <p>I still can’t believe it’s mine!! :)</p> Julie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682742224838908180noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728116237614617340.post-40676347579621514542010-03-11T22:20:00.005-05:002010-03-11T22:54:55.753-05:00Yes.... Seriously.Another Swap!!! :D<div><br /></div><div>This one is being put together by Sarah, the sweetheart of <a href="http://mysocalledjunkylife.blogspot.com/">My So Called Junky Life</a>. She makes the most gorgeous jewelry, so be sure to check out her blog and Etsy page!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://mysocalledjunkylife.blogspot.com/2010/03/secret-garden-swap.html"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r22fGo4A3QQ/S5a9R-GwqKI/AAAAAAAAB3I/kiacbB2t2AY/s320/029.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Please click on the image above if you'd like to join!!</div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I have finally started on my P&P swaps! Well, at least I know what I'm going to make up... Now I just have to get all the pieces together. No matter how many supplies I seem to have, I never have quite the right thing to complete my projects!! This time, I had to order more little pastel posies- from Andrea at Popalicioustoo! She just sent me something on Monday... I feel bad for making her go to the post office again!! (like I'm her only customer... I'm sure she has to go all the time!! She should just make the mailman pick everything up at her house! Well- maybe she does!)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And my gosh, have you seen the new Primas??? They are just gorgeous!! Michelle, from A Million Memories, just sent out an email the other day with all the new ones she stocked her store with.... I really need to win the lottery!! Ok, so first would be pay off my mom's house and car, plan a wedding, then figure out where to move and buy a house... maybe a nice vacation... and then Crafting supplies shopping spree!! lol :) haha- maybe not in that order! Oh, dreams...!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Also- DO NOT MISS your chance to win this gorgeous gorgeous bedding set!!!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.thecreativeconnectionblog.com/blog/2010/03/our-first-contest-its-fantastic.html"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 240px;" src="http://www.thecreativeconnectionblog.com/.a/6a0120a62d53b6970c01310f834198970c-500pi" border="0" alt="" /></a>If you win and don't want it- I do!!! lol :) The Creative Connection has a brand new blog and their first giveaway is of this gorgeous blue Summer Sky comforter set, complete with the comforter, shams, bedskirt, and 3 decorative pillows!! I am loving just looking at this :)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I have also started in on my first swap that's due- Rhea's Easter Basket Swap. So far, my cups are painted. Lol- I'm hoping tomorrow I can finish them up, and then I just need to find 3 more things for each of my partners. I always wonder about making something for swaps- instead of buying things... I worry that my partners might not like what I make them- we don't always have the same styles... and I think that at least with embellishing supplies like glitter and ribbons and things, they'll be able to use them to make something they like... Well, I guess the point of making something for someone is so they don't have to do it themselves. :) Ok, well I will think on that a little more.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I gotta say- I am so glad this week is over... Even though it was a good week. (I mean work week.) I am really slacking on writing my Master's project... I think it's because I feel like I should move on, get a better high paying job after I get my Master's- after all, isn't that why I'm paying all this money for school?? But I feel like I'm not ready to go... so I'm stalling. Well, I think my advisor is ready to kick my butt into gear- so I'm glad that the week is over so I can just deal with it next week!! lol :) Did I mention I am a huge procrastinator?? :)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thank you for stopping by to visit!! If I don't post between now and then, I hope you have a wonderful weekend!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Julie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682742224838908180noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728116237614617340.post-31496414481120672302010-03-06T08:46:00.003-05:002010-03-06T08:54:12.164-05:00An Awesome, Awesome Giveaway!!!Hello Friends!! Here is another awesome giveaway I stumbled across! One with TONS of chances to win!! What will you win, you ask? Well, look below!<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uLsg-ecpO4E/S4w1cV_KpTI/AAAAAAAAA8s/I008-ysDLZ4/s320/OfficeBox_OpenWTotes.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uLsg-ecpO4E/S4w1cV_KpTI/AAAAAAAAA8s/I008-ysDLZ4/s320/OfficeBox_OpenWTotes.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /></div><a href="http://theoriginalscrapbox.com/catalog/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=87&Itemid=138">The Office Box</a>- A brand new design from <a href="http://theoriginalscrapbox.com/catalog/">The Original Scrapbox</a>!!!! Please click on the text to be taken to their website to see more of their innovative storage solutions! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uLsg-ecpO4E/S4w1c-1GLlI/AAAAAAAAA80/m8M-SZRzb-g/s320/Wrong+Number_front.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uLsg-ecpO4E/S4w1c-1GLlI/AAAAAAAAA80/m8M-SZRzb-g/s320/Wrong+Number_front.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><div>And a signed copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wrong-Number-Rachelle-J-Christensen/dp/1599553643/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1">Wrong Number</a>, the newest Thriller from Rachelle J. Christensen! Here is a trailer to find out more...</div><div><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Jg5X0T59a9E&rel=0&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Jg5X0T59a9E&rel=0&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; color: rgb(204, 204, 204); line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">There are 25 different blogs participating in this giveaway. Each blog is giving away a preliminary prize and a chance to win an entry into the Grand Prize Drawing.<br /><br />Here's the list of blogs where you can enter:<br /><br /></span><a title="http://www.themommy-files.com/" href="http://www.themommy-files.com/" style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">The Mommy Files</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span><a title="http://www.cricutholiday.com/" href="http://www.cricutholiday.com/" style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Cricut Christmas</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span><a title="http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/" href="http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Little Birdie Secrets</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span><a title="http://priscillastyles.blogspot.com/" href="http://priscillastyles.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Priscilla Styles</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span><a title="http://mommymandy.com/" href="http://mommymandy.com/" style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Mommy Mandy</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span><a title="http://rockinmama.net/" href="http://rockinmama.net/" style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">RockinMama</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span><a title="http://rachellewrites.blogspot.com/" href="http://rachellewrites.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">RachelleWrites</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span><a title="http://alvor-daretodream.blogspot.com/" href="http://alvor-daretodream.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Alvor-Dare To Dream</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span><a title="http://diony-george.blogspot.com/" href="http://diony-george.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Diony George</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span><a title="http://heatherjustesen.blogspot.com/" href="http://heatherjustesen.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Heather Justesen</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span><a title="http://www.queenoftheclan.com/" href="http://www.queenoftheclan.com/" style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Queen of the Clan</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span><a title="http://scribbledscraps.blogspot.com/" href="http://scribbledscraps.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Scribbled Scraps</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span><a title="http://www.annebradshaw.blogspot.com/" href="http://www.annebradshaw.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Anne Bradshaw</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span><a title="http://rachelrager.blogspot.com/" href="http://rachelrager.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Rachel Rager</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span><a title="http://tristipinkston.blogspot.com/" href="http://tristipinkston.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Tristi Pinkston</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span><a title="http://camicheckettsbooks.blogspot.com/" href="http://camicheckettsbooks.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Cami Checketts</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span><a title="http://nicholegiles.blogspot.com/" href="http://nicholegiles.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Nichole Giles</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span><a title="http://www.wendypaulcreations.com/" href="http://www.wendypaulcreations.com/" style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Wendy Paul</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span><a title="http://mrbunderson.blogspot.com/" href="http://mrbunderson.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Marilyn Bunderson</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span><a title="http://thewriteblocks.blogspot.com/" href="http://thewriteblocks.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Ronda Hinrichson</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span><a title="http://bythebecks.blogspot.com/" href="http://bythebecks.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">C.L. Beck: Write Up My Alley</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span><a title="http://christinebryant.blogspot.com/" href="http://christinebryant.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Christine Bryant</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span><a title="http://authorjennijames.blogspot.com/" href="http://authorjennijames.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Jenni James</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span><a title="http://blog.annettelyon.com/" href="http://blog.annettelyon.com/" style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Annette Lyon</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"> </span></span></div>Julie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682742224838908180noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728116237614617340.post-35066925323588109632010-03-03T10:36:00.002-05:002010-03-03T11:14:22.390-05:00Swaps and Candies!Ok- you're probably aghast and sick of me talking about how many swaps I'm in, but I seriously could not resist these two!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://fatedfollies.blogspot.com/2010/02/may-day-petite-basket-swap.html"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 205px;" src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e138/jennysfowler/Fated%20Follies/MayDayButton.png" alt="" border="0" /></a>Jenny's sweet little May Day Petite Basket Swap<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://speckled-egg.blogspot.com/2010/03/petite-inspiration-box-swap-nesting.html"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 215px; height: 215px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lMon8DWowpQ/S454WZthoAI/AAAAAAAAC9A/HZz4qNt8EBo/s1600/nestingswapbutton.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Heather's Petite Inspiration Box Swap- Nesting Edition!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">If you would like to join in these two swaps, please just click on the images and you'll be taken to all the information you need to sign up!<br /><br />Ok.... so that means I am doing... 6 different swaps. With... 27 different partners. WHAT??! Lol!!!! My gosh- I'd better get going! Good thing I've found some goodies lately!! Like, yesterday, I ordered lots of vintage trim from <a href="http://www.amillionmemories.com/product_line.php?id=806">A Million Memories</a>! Oh my gosh- I just cannot stay away from that store! Just look at this gorgeous trim!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.amillionmemories.com/uploads/0whitebeads.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 302px; height: 226px;" src="http://www.amillionmemories.com/uploads/0whitebeads.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Photo taken from <a href="http://www.amillionmemories.com/product.php?id=13172">A Million Memories</a><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.amillionmemories.com/uploads/0bluesequins.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 304px; height: 298px;" src="http://www.amillionmemories.com/uploads/0bluesequins.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Photo taken from <a href="http://www.amillionmemories.com/product.php?id=13172">A Million Memories</a><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Could you pass these up?? I think I just suffer from noselfcontrolitis. lol :)<br /><br />Now on to some fabulous giveaways!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OVpByMFma_o/S4gkh6kn_TI/AAAAAAAAFo4/0_LbVX3jZ90/s400/DSC_0055-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 287px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OVpByMFma_o/S4gkh6kn_TI/AAAAAAAAFo4/0_LbVX3jZ90/s400/DSC_0055-1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Created by <a href="http://sweeteyecandycreations.typepad.com">Jennifer Hayslip</a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Picture from <a href="http://lollishops.blogspot.com">Lollishops Blog</a></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OVpByMFma_o/S4gkhb5DWlI/AAAAAAAAFow/lsGstmQqGPQ/s400/000_1013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OVpByMFma_o/S4gkhb5DWlI/AAAAAAAAFow/lsGstmQqGPQ/s400/000_1013.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Created by Sadie Lou Who<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Picture from <a href="http://lollishops.blogspot.com/">Lollishops Blog</a><br /><br />Sadie Lou is having a giveaway for BOTH of these GORGEOUS pieces in honor of Jenn's Petticoats & Parasols event on the Lollishops Blog!! I love them both so much!!! I told Jenn I was going to stalk her vendor booth at P&P so I could get one if I don't win! lol :)<br /><br />Lollishops Design Team is also having a bunch of giveaways! Please visit these links to each Design Team members' blogs where you can see pictures of their beautiful creations for this month and enter to win their prizes!<br /><br /></span><a href="http://ittybittybirdy.blogspot.com/">Itty Bitty Birdy</a><br /><a href="http://www.joannsholidayfrivolities.blogspot.com/">Holiday Frivolities</a><br /><a href="http://mysocalledjunkylife.blogspot.com/">My So Called Junky Life</a><br /><a href="http://gypsyfleamarket.blogspot.com/">Gypsy Brocante</a><br />and <a href="http://www.krishubick.blogspot.com/">Retro Art Cafe Gallery</a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://gypsyfleamarket.blogspot.com/2010/03/march-1st-gypsy-countown-till-spring.html"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xRO2YHYay6Y/S4uviQj-q8I/AAAAAAAABGc/0QEz7vCva0M/s320/Spring_giveaway_button.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Jill is giving away one of her Gorgeous Gypsy rosettes EACH SUNDAY until March 21st!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/2010/03/march-celebration-give-back.html"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 189px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ciM9uvBdJ30/S4m4-68xwsI/AAAAAAAAFrA/wkC_qLgackY/s200/button_C.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Deb is celebrating several awesome milestones in March by giving away 3 Gorgeous rosettes!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I'm sure there are some I've missed here, but these are the most recent ones I've come across :)<br />Thank you for stopping by to visit today and I hope you have a Splendidly Sweet day!<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /></div></div><br /></div></div><br /></div><br /></div>Julie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682742224838908180noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728116237614617340.post-41165904837235710382010-02-27T08:03:00.003-05:002010-02-27T08:06:27.583-05:00PRIMA giveaway!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://prima.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451cc5c69e201310f3ff70b970c-450wi"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 338px;" src="http://prima.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451cc5c69e201310f3ff70b970c-450wi" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Prima is giving away a prize package worth $100 to celebrate their BIG SECRET!! Hurry over <a href="http://prima.typepad.com/prima/2010/02/prima-has-something-really-big-coming-your-way-------but-we-cant-reveal-it-just-yet-we-know-youre-going-to-love-it.html#comments">HERE </a>to get the details and sign up for this awesome giveaway! :)Julie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682742224838908180noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728116237614617340.post-29943582007370382202010-02-24T17:04:00.003-05:002010-02-24T22:18:40.587-05:00Spring Longings…<div style="text-align: center;">Hello! :) The snowy days are lingering and I’m wishing for the warm spring sunshine! How about</div><div style="text-align: left;">you? Fresh snowfall can indeed be gorgeous, but I’m just aching for spring flowers and no more winter coats!</div> <p>I have two new pieces to share with you today… The first is my Spring/Easter Twinchie canvas for the ArtHaven Group. I’m leading the special swap for March and I have just been waiting for the perfect time to make my first collage type piece :)</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S4WiWGQZUBI/AAAAAAAAAYs/FGD7A7ctLh4/s1600-h/SpringEasterTwinchie2%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="SpringEasterTwinchie2" border="0" alt="SpringEasterTwinchie2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S4WiWgFXAhI/AAAAAAAAAYw/xDCXcDilgkg/SpringEasterTwinchie2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="207" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>I originally started out with a totally different idea… I was going to have cute little cut out animal shapes in different patterned paper with some flowers in different squares, but this took on a life of its’ own! A bluebird swoops over glittery eggs in her nest while a baby with two grey bunnies frolic on a hillside, spreading Spring cheer! Vintage flowers, findings, and german glass glitter add whimsy and sparkle throughout. A little kitten chases a butterfly who flits by and seems to pop off the picture while sentiments of Easter and Springtime state the joy of the season.</p> <p>Most of the images are from <a href="http://craftysecrets.com/">Crafty Secrets</a>- my favorite company for stamps and things… The image of the kitties (in the bottom row) is from a <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/PeggyLovesVintage">Peggy Loves Vintage CD image collection</a>. Flowers in the center square are brand new from Prima and surround an old vintage rhinestone. The cute little bluebird button was found at <a href="http://tessaann.etsy.com/">Tessa Ann’s Etsy shop</a>. I’m forgetting where all the trims came from except the vintage pom pom trim which I found at <a href="http://www.thesugarsugarshop.com/">Sugar * Sugar</a>. And the little metal butterfly is from a Making Memories Vintage Findings kit.</p> <p>I also have a card to share…</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S4WiXAkyRqI/AAAAAAAAAY0/AY_eJkjnHKM/s1600-h/Ewelinascard%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Ewelinascard" border="0" alt="Ewelinascard" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S4WiX3xNCOI/AAAAAAAAAY8/gdlcBMiGh1E/Ewelinascard_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="171" height="244" /></a>Sorry about the bad photo… too much light!</p> <p>This card is for someone who works with me- she’s leaving us to move back to her hometown, NYC, at the end of this week. I kind of like how this came out- even though I usually don’t like my cards… I debated putting glitter along the edges of the black piece backing the sentiment, but I thought it looked ok without it… What do you think? Also, there is a little black corner piece in one of the corners on the edge of the sentiment… can you spy it? :)</p> <p>I’ve also given in and joined two Springtime swaps…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://aswapforallseasons.blogspot.com/2010/02/ita-may-day-tussie-mussie-swap-sign-up.html"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="swapforallseasonstussiemussie" border="0" alt="swapforallseasonstussiemussie" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S4WiYKHgWWI/AAAAAAAAAZA/nkxe_We6tNo/swapforallseasonstussiemussie%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="143" /></a>Linda’s May Day Tussie Mussie Swap! </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://sweetnshabbyroses.blogspot.com/2010/02/easter-basket-swap.html"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="missrheaseasterbasketswap" border="0" alt="missrheaseasterbasketswap" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S4WiYcAqLZI/AAAAAAAAAZE/9fksNUEFN8k/missrheaseasterbasketswap%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="191" height="244" /></a> And Miss Rhea’s Easter Basket Swap!</p> <p align="left">If you’d like to sign up for these awesome swaps, please just click on the pictures above and you’ll be taken right to information on how to join!</p> <p align="left">Hmmm… there’d better not be any more great swaps coming up because I don’t know how many more I can handle!! lol :) I signed up for a huge swap at Petticoats and Parasols where we are making a goodie for each of the 19 girls participating! So I have to get going on that, too…</p> <p align="left">I would love to sign up for Vivian’s Bunny Swap, but I honestly have no idea how to make a Bunny!! lol :) If you’d like to sign up for that one, though, click <a href="http://vivs-whimsy.blogspot.com/2010/02/say-say-oh-playmates-its-time-to-play.html">HERE</a>!</p> <p align="left">I’ve also signed up for Cassandra’s new Ezine…</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://myartfuladventures-ezines.blogspot.com/2010/02/march-pretty-spring-things-ezine.html"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="cassandrasspringezine" border="0" alt="cassandrasspringezine" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S4WiYzOE2_I/AAAAAAAAAZI/3p72jhkduXo/cassandrasspringezine%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="173" /></a> At only $15 for 5 projects and a chance to be in a swap using all your new techniques- it’s a steal! You can click the picture to sign up, too :)</p><p align="left">Also, there is an awesome giveaway for this necklace going on at Fabulous K! Please click on the image to visit the blog and enter to win!</p><p align="left"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.fabulouskblog.com/2010/02/elizabeth-lewis-giveaway.html"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S4XrwY_x_7I/AAAAAAAAAZM/XhNWUKJgvkE/s400/fabulousk.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442014941323329458" /></a><br /></p> <p align="left">That’s all for now… Matt’s camera recently was without batteries, so I haven’t been able to take pictures of all the cool prizes I’ve won through OWOH, but I’ll be sure to get on that for my next post! Have a splendidly sweet day!! :)</p><p align="left"><br /></p>Julie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682742224838908180noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728116237614617340.post-47863827704833958112010-02-15T18:51:00.001-05:002010-02-15T18:51:20.844-05:00Swap Treasures, Tea Party, and OWOH Winner!!<p>Hello! :)  Today I have some very special things to share with you…. as well as the winner of Wish, my OWOH giveaway prize!!</p> <p>In the spirit of OWOH, brining people together, I wanted to tell you about how blogging has affected my life since I started about a year ago.  Not only is it a creative release, but I have also met some of the most wonderful people through bloglandia.  One of these people is Teresa.</p> <p>I came across her blog one day, thinking that Maggie Grace was such a sweet sounding name and wanting to get to know the person behind the blog because she had attended an event I had read about that I knew I would have adored going to.  So I followed a link from that event page, thinking that I would meet someone like-minded, with the same creative interests as myself.  Little did I know that by leaving comments, I would open myself to a wonderful, blossoming friendship!</p> <p>I learned her name was really Teresa, and you’ll just have to visit her blog to find out whom Maggie Grace refers to!  I should have known then that I was sent an angel, because I have only ever met one other Theresa in my life- and she was my babysitter for the first 13 years of my life.  Since then, we’ve shared some of our deepest, far reaching thoughts and feelings and our friendship has reached beyond the miles that are between us.</p> <p>Before Christmas, we decided to swap goodies- (because I kept bugging her about <em>this</em> journal she had made for a show in fall that I had completely fallen in love with!! :))  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S3ndyE_0WjI/AAAAAAAAAXA/kH7jrebvl4g/s1600-h/journal2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="journal" border="0" alt="journal" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S3ndyqKSxlI/AAAAAAAAAXE/Yl2urVO1bj0/journal_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>(Taken from Teresa’s blog, <a href="http://maggiegracecreates.blogspot.com">Maggie Grace Creates</a>) </p> <p align="left">One day not too long ago, I received a wonderful package from Teresa with so many delightful goodies inside!!</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S3ndzJCIqPI/AAAAAAAAAXI/Wu-xgISiZvI/s1600-h/Teresamulti2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Teresamulti" border="0" alt="Teresamulti" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S3ndzlJK-NI/AAAAAAAAAXM/s9xbHRR4AKA/Teresamulti_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="190" /></a>Beautiful scrapbook papers, tons of different sized tags (maybe so I could create a tag collage as she had been working on this weekend!!), a gorgeous 3 strand bracelet with my favorite color- light blue, and a beautiful hand soldiered pendant with lace inside!!</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S3nd0D1qKUI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/jrpYdvR3CVc/s1600-h/Teresacardall2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Teresacardall" border="0" alt="Teresacardall" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S3nd0r3OxCI/AAAAAAAAAXU/7IHWSNqhAY4/Teresacardall_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="189" /></a> 5 beautiful handmade cards with such sweet vintage images!</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S3nd08WTsjI/AAAAAAAAAXY/-dymkm_Fjpg/s1600-h/Teresajournal2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Teresajournal" border="0" alt="Teresajournal" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S3nd1blKrfI/AAAAAAAAAXc/_oIHFnUzL5A/Teresajournal_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="185" height="244" /></a> And a journal, just for me!!!, with that gorgeous angel paper!</p> <p align="left">Thank you so much, Teresa!!   :)</p> <p align="left">And I am so excited for this spring because I will actually be meeting Teresa in person when I travel to Georgia to attend the Petticoats and Parasols event!!  Teresa isn’t able to go to the event, but I am making a special trip upstate so we’ll be able to finally meet and hang out! :)  I can’t wait!!</p> <p align="left">One other instance of blogging effecting my Real Life stemmed from a recent swap I was in…  Last time, I posted about Speckled Egg’s Petite Inspiration Box Swap, and one of my swap partners was <a href="http://vivs-whimsy.blogspot.com/">Vivian Neroni</a>.  We came to find out that we lived only an hour away from each other!  And in her kindness, she invited me to <a href="http://www.kandeland.typepad.com/">Natalea Kandefer’s</a> Valentine’s Day Tea Party. </p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S3nd1ySsQ_I/AAAAAAAAAXg/n97BAlj-xiA/s1600-h/Nataleasparty2.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Nataleasparty" border="0" alt="Nataleasparty" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S3nd2RynX0I/AAAAAAAAAXk/sJ2BQoRYQ40/Nataleasparty_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> Hmm… doesn’t this tree look familiar?!?!  :)  But mine isn’t decorated with nearly as many gorgeous handmade ornaments!!  I’ll have to get on that… :)</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S3nd23PaONI/AAAAAAAAAXo/Nts9F2F03qM/s1600-h/Nataleasparty12.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Nataleasparty1" border="0" alt="Nataleasparty1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S3nd3dCdZCI/AAAAAAAAAXs/7dV93nGL1fo/Nataleasparty1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> Pretty Valentine’s Day decorations!  See that little doll on the sofa…  there are some scary pictures of me giving her a little Valentine’s day love floating around out there… hehe :)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S3nd3--g_BI/AAAAAAAAAXw/fnWqnEEIL-Q/s1600-h/Nataleasparty22.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Nataleasparty2" border="0" alt="Nataleasparty2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S3nd4QRJ9WI/AAAAAAAAAX0/vaUOEHiFRWA/Nataleasparty2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>A pretty little Vday vignette! </p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S3nd4to3wOI/AAAAAAAAAX4/wAtzQZ4PyiY/s1600-h/Nataleasparty32.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Nataleasparty3" border="0" alt="Nataleasparty3" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S3nd5R5iafI/AAAAAAAAAX8/QpdyMT_aRMc/Nataleasparty3_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>Sweet petit fours made by the lovely Jenny of <a href="http://lollipopworkshop.etsy.com">Lollipop Workshop</a>!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S3nd5ry9LmI/AAAAAAAAAYA/cmsbzPXKM8w/s1600-h/Nataleasparty42.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Nataleasparty4" border="0" alt="Nataleasparty4" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S3nd6C51UNI/AAAAAAAAAYE/H-JzHPmUhw0/Nataleasparty4_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a>One of Natalea’s Gorgeous chunky books  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S3nd6cW3bcI/AAAAAAAAAYI/CSQ4ZjIMTVk/s1600-h/Nataleasparty58.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Nataleasparty5" border="0" alt="Nataleasparty5" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S3nd6_CKMRI/AAAAAAAAAYM/zwZcd4Y5O1U/Nataleasparty5_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>A sweet corner of Scarlet’s perfectly pink bedroom! </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S3nd7XVTryI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/tVYfiVplAyg/s1600-h/Nataleasparty62.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Nataleasparty6" border="0" alt="Nataleasparty6" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S3nd7vyvCgI/AAAAAAAAAYU/uKLdUKhtcjw/Nataleasparty6_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p align="center">What party’s complete with out a towering cupcake tower?!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S3nd8GEYirI/AAAAAAAAAYY/njFMmF0AHzA/s1600-h/Nataleasparty72.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Nataleasparty7" border="0" alt="Nataleasparty7" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S3nd800IUlI/AAAAAAAAAYc/Mfwaeyc1rK4/Nataleasparty7_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Mmmmm… yummy Earl Grey Tea Cake!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S3nd9tYaLcI/AAAAAAAAAYg/Yj3WGrD61QQ/s1600-h/Nataleasparty82.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Nataleasparty8" border="0" alt="Nataleasparty8" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S3nd-DgaguI/AAAAAAAAAYk/RMbcmKkX1xk/Nataleasparty8_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Ornament/gift swap goodies!! (And once again, I forgot to take pictures of the ornament I made… oops!)</p> <p align="left">It was a wonderful time and Natalea is hostess extrordinaire!  And I got to meet <a href="http://vivs-whimsy.blogspot.com/">Vivian</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/becheery/">Jenny</a>, <a href="http://sandy-sandyscreations.blogspot.com">Sandy</a>, and <a href="http://www.kandeland.typepad.com/">Natalea</a>, of course!</p> <p align="left">I will share pictures of the wonderful goodies I brought home from the party next time… because my camera ran out of batteries today!  :(</p> <p align="left">I’m so thankful for the friends I’ve made through blogging that mean so much to me and whose love far exceeds the bounds of space and bytes!!  OWOH was such a wonderful event- I met so many other bloggers whose work inspired me and overloaded my Google Reader with subscriptions!!  Beyond the giveaways, through the heartfelt comments I’ve received and been given, I was reminded that blogging is so much more than pretty pictures and words in cyberspace- it truly is a melting pot of ideas and a wonderful way to connect with others.  And I’m so thankful that I’ve been given the chance to meet such beautiful people through this medium!!</p> <p align="left">Now, for the giveaway…  :)</p> <p align="left">(Drumroll please….)</p> <p align="left">The Random Generator has chosen number 226!!!!</p> <p align="left">That’s Deborah!!  Congratulations Deborah!! :)</p> <p align="left">Thank you so much, everyone who left me a heartfelt comment during the giveaway!  I may not have been able to get back to you all, but I read every single one and I truly appreciate your time and effort in leaving me a special message :)</p> Julie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682742224838908180noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728116237614617340.post-885465488401577302010-02-14T00:00:00.001-05:002010-01-28T22:17:22.949-05:00One World One Heart<p>This post will remain at the top of my blog until February 15th!! Please scroll down for NEWer posts!! :) Thanky :)</p><p><a href="http://awhimsicalbohemian.typepad.com/a_whimsical_bohemian/one-world-one-heart.html" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="owoh" border="0" alt="owoh" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S10OoM4okGI/AAAAAAAAATw/_r8cjm_jk7w/owoh%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="213" /></a> </p> <p>Hello! I am honored to be your next stop as you travel the blog world on your magic carpet! Please come in and have a look around! Although I am a fairly new crafter and blogger, not even reaching my one year blogaversary yet, I do hope you will find some pictures or prose that will inspire you :)</p> <p>(Note: I swear there is a giveaway, but first, a little about me… :))</p> <p>My name is Julie Ann and I’m 28. I was born in South Korea, in Seoul, and was adopted when I was 13 months old. I was raised in Rochester, NY but currently live in Buffalo, NY where I am completing my Master’s degree in Behavioral Neuroscience. However, I’m done with my coursework and am working on my Master’s project- exploring cocaine addiction and a possible treatment called Neuropeptide Y (NPY).</p> <p>But this blog hasn’t had too much to do with my school or personal life… I began this blog to connect with like-minded people who were into papercrafts. I actually began my love affair with crafting back in February of 2009. It was all sparked by getting engaged! My boyfriend, now fiancee, proposed to me in January and in thinking about ways to have a budget friendly wedding, a lot of the sites were recommending making your own invitations and gifts. So, I actually began my journey with card making. However, I quickly found out how hard it was for me to do!! I don’t know why, but there is something so intimidating about a blank card! I never knew where to start or what to do… I looked all over the internet and saw gorgeous cards I’d love to be making, but I always felt guilty for copying someone else’s idea- so I didn’t. </p> <p>Soon after, I found unfinished wood, in the form of birdhouses and jewelry boxes. I loved to decorate birdhouses with scrapbook paper and transform them from plain wooden houses to something “uptown” birds would love to live in! My jewelry boxes were covered in gorgeous scrapbook paper and then I quickly moved to luxurious flocked vintage wallpaper.</p> <p>And then I decided I needed a Cricut so I could customize things and cut out whatever shapes I wanted. Soon after I bought the Cricut, I found a Yahoo group called SCAL Hints. I had no idea what SCAL was, so I joined to learn more about it. There, I began to see that people on the list had blogs and I would visit any one who included their blog within their signature. </p> <p>That is how I found Penny Duncan. :) She was always so friendly and helpful in the group and her work on her blog was amazing! A very short while after I had joined SCAL Hints, Penny posted that she was going to start her own group called ArtHaven Creations Friendships. I never posted on the list- I am very shy in Real Life and didn’t ever really know what to say- but something told me to see if Penny would let me join her group, so I did. And she did! And I am SO GLAD that I did!!! With ArtHaven, Penny has created a family type atmosphere where we are free to talk about anything and everything! This is a group created around art, but the motto is Friendship first! It is so incredible to me that I have met so many wonderful people through this group which is still rapidly expanding. </p> <p>Upon exploring blogland, I used to lurk all over the place! Even if I thought something was totally mind blowing, I would still never leave a comment because I was afraid I would be saying something dumb. Everyone whose blog I visited seemed so established, so why would they care about little old me over here, crafting on her kitchen floor (hence the name of the blog!)? However, that all changed one day when Jan Thomason mentioned something about her lurkers and told us to comment on her page! So I said hi- and that I was sheepishly admitting to reading her posts daily, but never saying a thing. And then something happened- she wrote back to me! And here I was, this nobody, being written to by someone else I’d never met before! And that’s the story of how I got over my fear of commenting :) Now I usually don’t give it a second thought- even if this person has published in 40 magazines and is considered one of the greats. My problem now is that my blog roll has grown so big that I don’t have time to comment on every single post! :)</p> <p>For me, this blog is a record of my personal successes in crafting. I don’t consider myself an artist because I don’t feel like I am creating something brand new. I am more of an embellisher, modifying things and trying to pretty them up :) I usually don’t post all the things I start to create and give up or mess up, but there are a lot of those!! I haven’t expanded this blog too far into my personal life, but I may get there some day. But for now, it’s just usually about completed projects, swaps, and goings on in blogland!</p> <p>I am a huge lover of all things shabby chic. Well, ok, maybe that is a little big much. I find myself more on the chic side of shabby chic. I love whimsy and pink. I very much appreciate vintage, well kept things, but don’t mind a chip here or scratch there. I love pink and light blue and aqua, white and cream, bright and pastel. I am a complete girly girl and loooooove fouf!!! My favorite things to use when I’m embellishing are feathers, rhinestones, pearls, flocking and glitter.</p> <p>Whew! That’s a lot of text. LOL! There was supposed to be something about a giveaway in here, right? Well, if you’ve managed to read along this far (or scroll past!), I finally have a picture for you :) Oh. And a GIVEAWAY! :)</p> <p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S14ffD9mrRI/AAAAAAAAAT8/h6g0ta3mvEo/s1600-h/OWOH2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 378px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sREz6iLhFLs/S14ffD9mrRI/AAAAAAAAAT8/h6g0ta3mvEo/s400/OWOH2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430812819155496210" /></a><br /></p> <p> </p> <p>Hmm, now that I think about it, I’ve never named a piece before. But I am going to name this one!! It’s called Wish- bet you didn’t know how I came up with that! Lol :) One World One Heart means to me a coming together of a group of people who want to share and connect. Each of us is bringing ourselves to the table to try to better ourselves and reach out to others. We all have hopes, dreams, and wishes. My piece reflects this wish of Peace. Fouffy white feathers surround the wooden star trinket box as if supporting the star on a cloud. The star reflects the light from iridescent pink sequins dancing along its’ edges and glitter plays with the light reaching the tips of the crepe paper medallions. A white dove, with pink glitter tipped wings, sits atop a pink pearl in the heart of the medallions, representing Peace. The top is held in place by magnets which opens up to reveal a star shaped cove in which to put a small but prized treasure.</p> <p>In honor of One World One Heart, I am offering Wish to one of my commenters. If you would like to enter to win this piece, please leave me one comment on THIS post. You don’t have to have your own blog to leave a comment here, but if you do not have a blog, please leave your name and email address so I can contact you if you’re the winner!! This giveaway will end at 6pm EST on February 14th,2010, and I will post a winner on February 15, 2010.</p> <p>Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and visit! I hope you will come by again and often! Have a wonderful week :)</p>Julie Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09682742224838908180noreply@blogger.com247