Normally, I am very persistent when facing challenges, but I am on the brink of surrendering to, what is clearly, an inability to take decent pictures. In spite of my cute, new camera and the discovery of the Photobucket editing program, the pictures that land up on my computer monitor do not come close to those I've captured in my mind's eye. I will, for at least a bit longer, plug along and hope that I have one of those "AHA!" moments when everything "clicks". In the meantime, I trust that your wonderfully creative imaginations somehow transform my awkward attempts into something lovely. I was pouring through older pictures of my children and decided, perhaps, they (the pictures, not my beautiful kids) would look better in a collage. Worth a try!
***Lest it appear that I favor my daughter over my son, I offer this disclaimer: he has made it perfectly clear that he wants no part in my blog and has "forbidden" me from mentioning him. Does he forget that I brought him into this world..... My daughter, on the other hand, would happily star in each and every posting!
I will, undoubtedly, be inundating my blog with posts that refer to...or are primarily featuring...all of the amazing goodies from my friend, Monica. The plethora of treasures she sent me is overwhelming and I am still discovering hidden surprises! Everything she sent me is still sitting on my dresser, en masse. I can't make myself put things away just yet. It's a bit like Christmas morning: when you start the clean-up process, it's an indicator that the gift giving has reached an end.
I wanted to share my absolute favorite thing she sent me, a handpainted china bell. Ever since I fell in love with the movie "It's a Wonderful Life", I have a sweet soft spot for bells ("Teacher says 'every time a bell rings', Daddy, 'an angel is getting his wings'."). Again, this is something Monica did not know about me, yet she gifted me something I shall treasure always! Monica painted the most beautiful, intricate peach & lavender flowers on this particular bell. Since I have not an ounce of traditional artistic talent (painting, drawing, etc.), I am perpetually astounded by people who are talented in this arena. Monica is absolutely one of those fortunate people.
The bell is sitting right next to my computer, so I can gaze at it often. Every so often, I pick it up and give it a tiny shake...just in case Zuzu was right about ringing bells!
Just when I thought my day couldn't get any happier...
I have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of my package from Monica (from the swap we did). The transit time between Connecticut and Italy does not suit my impatient nature, but I have been held over by daily emails, from Monica, sharing the projects she has been working on with some of the vintage baubles I sent to her. It snowed (AGAIN) today, which meant that my mail carrier was running late. I kept looking out the window, for telltale signs of the mail truck's tracks in my driveway. Finally, shortly after 5:00 p.m., I saw that the mail had been delivered and there appeared to be a sizable parcel, somehow, attached to the front of my mailbox. I grabbed my coat, skated down my icy driveway and lo & behold, there was a package affixed to the box with a bundle of rubber bands. Suddenly, my impatience quieted down a bit and I wanted to savor every part of the unveiling....thus the pictures, beginning with one of the snow covered parcel. I emailed Monica immediately, to let her know her goodies had arrived. Of course, the 8 hour time difference means that she won't know that until tomorrow.
Inside of the box was a lovely Pannetone tin that, once opened, overflowed with the most wonderful treasures from my sweet Italian friend! There was a rainbow of assorted ribbons, in so many different colors & materials, which I had mentioned I was sorely lacking in my crafting supplies. Monica added bunches & bunches of beautiful silk flowers...of which I had none. In fact, I was wishing I had some pretty flowers to add to the tutus I was working on yesterday. I will surely be using them on the next tutu I make.
I will save the sharing for another post, as I need to get my daughter settled for the evening. Suffice it to say, I am thrilled beyond words at Monica's thoughtfulness and generosity. It is positively uncanny that everything she chose suits me to perfection. You are absolutely remarkable, Monica, and such an amazing blessing in my life!
I had to run to my local thrift shop, this afternoon, to drop off several bags of clothes. While I was there, I, naturally, had to take a quick peek around. As the ladies were gratefully beginning to sort through my donations, I spotted a gorgeous dressing table and bench by the door. Since I really didn't have room, in my house, for one more piece of furniture (not to mention the fact, that I need to be mindful of my budget, until I find a job), I wasn't even going to take a close look or ask the price. I looked around a bit and found a pretty topiary and a cute lamp and was ready to pay for my finds....curiosity got the better of me and I had to inquire about the dressing table. With a perplexing sigh of exasperation, the woman who runs the shop explained that it had just been dropped off and they had nowhere to put it. Hopefully, I asked what she was going to ask for it. She looked around, at the already crowded shop, and told me....since I was such a "generous patron of the shop"...I could have both pieces. "Have"...as in free, no charge, zero damage to my bank account!!! As quickly as possible, before she came to her senses, I snatched up the dressing table and bench and loaded them into the back of my car. The fabric on the bench is a little torn at the seam, which is an easy mend, but I may just make a new cover for the cushion. Although I love the fabric, I'm not a big fan of the "matchy-matchy" look. When I got home, I realized it should work beautifully as a computer table: it has storage drawers under the skirt, as well as room for my printer! I will give it a try and, I'm sure, will be posting an update shortly :-)
Here is the second tutu I made. This one has a touch of Hawaiian flair, don't you think?
What to do with leftover tulle (yards upon yards) from the baby shower...make tutus, of course! These were, perhaps, the easiest projects I have made to date and, if I do say so myself, they came out rather nicely. Now, if only I had a daughter who was a girly-girl, they might be put to good use. Instead, I will be putting them in my Etsy shop....if I ever get it up and running. Once again, I have found another use for Deb's fabulous, double ruffle ribbons! Please stop by her Etsy shop, Just Because Ribbons. She has the most wonderful assortment of colors, is wonderful to do business with and the ribbons are such fun to play with! An aside: I was placing yet another order with Deb, this weekend, and she was busily trying to figure out which colors I might like/ need, giving me such warm, personal attention via email. Meanwhile, her baby girl is healing from a finger-slammed-in-the-door episode. That is the kind of commitment and professionalism Deb exhibits with her small business! She also wins the "Mom of the Year" award for being such a fantastic nurse to her little one.
The baby shower is, at last, a fait accompli! I'm exhausted after all of the prep work, hostessing, and clean-up. The outcome, however, made it all worth it.
~The mommy-to-be was elated.
~The Grandma-to-be was thrilled.
~Most of the guests showed up.
~The gifts were abundant.
~The weather was beautiful.
~The food was yummy...and I won't have to cook for a week...or until my kids start complaining about eating left-overs.
I didn't have time to take pictures during the shower, but I did snap a few shots of the remaining flower arrangements. There were originally six, but the others were given as prizes for the games we played. Normally, and I have written about this before, cut flowers make me a little sad. For some reason, though, these seem to brighten the whole house and are lifting my tired, but content spirits!
Time to curl up, in front of the fire, with my book.
