Bloggerette Sorority Summertime Swap "La partie Deux"

So here is the second part of my Summertime Bloggette Sorority Swap Post. My partner was Jackie of Pretty Ragged Threads. Jackie sent me the cutest rose filled box of goodies and an awesome vintage style messenger bag that she also made. I love it all! Here are some photos of what I received. Jackie you are such a sweetie! Love it ALL!!!

My Matchbox...



Goodies inside...laces, flowers, jewelry pieces, old photos, and yes a Frozen Charlotte! I love them! I sent her some very similar things too, isn't that funny?





And here are some pics of what I sent Jackie...She said she liked reds, greens, earth tones and anything vintage...hope she likes it!

Bloggerette Sorority Swap "Sneak Peek"

Here's a peek of the Matchbox I made for my Bloggerette Sister, Jackie, "Pretty Ragged Threads" blogspot. She should be receiving it in a couple of days then I will post more pics for you all. I made a double decker box like Debi's cute example! It was soooo much fun! If you haven't been to Jackie's blog, you really need to go check out her amazing work! Talk to to all real soon! Becs

Daddy's Roses

These are my favorite! They almost look like a cabbage and the pink and white are just beautiful!


I love this time of year because dad's roses seem to bloom and bloom and bloom! He loved his rose bushes and trees. I loved to help him trim them back when it was time. It's one of my fondest memories of him.



I was in the yard today with my sister and Kody (my puppy dog) and decided I needed to take some pictures of daddy's roses. They were in desparate need of pruning too. So after I snapped a few photos, we cut back the dead ones so the new blooms had room to open.




It's amazing how the colors and shapes of these roses have changed over the years. When we move, I think this will be the hardest thing to leave behind. We did plant some new trees in buckets in honor of our parents and we will be taking those with us. So I am going to enjoy them while I can. I hope you enjoy the photos!





Thanks so much for sharing my memory with me! God Bless! Becs

Sweet Friends in Blogland!!!

I have to say I have made and met some amazing women through blogland. I would have NEVER considered traveling to other locations to spend time and create with people I did not know...until recently. I wanted to share a couple of lovely gifts sent to me during my recent recovery from surgery and my birthday that was just a few weeks ago.

My dear friend Sherry Williams was one of my roomies at Cassie's Marie Danses de Fleurs event. She was so gracious to cart me around all over the are, and she went above and beyond when she offered to ship several items (Three huge boxes) worth of flea market finds for me.

I would to you see what she had shipped to me for my birthday and get well...

This gorgeous shoe was hand made by Amada Label, Over the Top Studios. Isn't it lovely! Sherry is such a sweet and kind woman, you have NO IDEA!!!

Then Amada sent me this lovely Marie Antoinette Match box style box...it is beautiful!

Thank You Amada for the wonderful birthday wishes!

Then I received a Moulin Rouge Charm made by LuLu Kellog. SHe knew I wanted to go the the event but was having surgery, so she sent me a charm she made for the event! What a sweetie pie! Thanks LuLu!


I also want to thank Marsha Mees for sending me a mini doo to work on. I will do a separate post about that soon...I am finishing up an apron for her....Thanks Marsha!

I have to say I have met the most amazing friends on blogland and love you all dearly! Thanks so much! Becs

Royal Albert Old English Rose

Isn't this the most amazingly royal pattern of pink and deep red roses you have ever seen? I love it! I love the shape and the color! I recently recieved this amazing cup and saucer from Caroline Outz Hay, in a swap on the Marie Antoinette Mail Art Group.


We were supposed to pick a tea cup and saucer that was German, English or French made. We had to add some of our favorite tea with it and a hand made gift item as well. This is what I received from Caroline! Isn't she AWESOME? WHen we told each other what we wanted I just told her I liked Pinks, Reds and roses and unusual shapes. She had no idea that I have been wanting to collect this particular pattern for quite some time. And this so happens to be my first addition. YAY!

This tea is shaped in a pod and when it steeps, it opens up into a flower! It is so cool! And it tastes yummy too! My niece, Angie was here helping me this weekend and we had to try out this tea. That's why you only see three bags in the photo...LOL

The next picture is showing the beautiful box Caroline made me. It has the softest pink and cream flowers on it and has been stamped with tea insignia. It is lovely!


You would thing that was enough right? Well not for Caroline! She actually decorated, painted, stamped and decopauged to the shipping box! It is amazingly pink and beautiful! THANK YOU CAROLINE!


I unfortunately did not photgraph Caroline's tea cup, so I will post it later after I beg her for a photo...lol It is a beautiful cream and pale blue with pale gold scrolling on it. It is beauiful!

Have a great day! Becs

THINGS WITH WINGS SWAP POST

Joanne over at Vintage Dragon Fly is hosting matchbox swaps. I participated in the last one, Things with Wings. I got to send to Jennifer Phillips, I had never covered a little match box before and it was alot of fun. Our theme was to make it and fill it with things with wings....It is was challenging for me to find teeny tiny things to put in these little treasure boxes...




I had this Frozen Charlotte I was determined to send as a fairy, since she wouldn't fit in the box I made her wings out of ribbon and tied her on to the top.


I received this awesome box of winged goodies from Kim Hanauer I love how she did the lace over the picture on the cover. And a little Frozen Charlotte Fairy inside! Thanks Kim!!!




And here is my Frozen Charlotte Fairy!!!


And, if you want to jin in on the next swap, Joanne, is hosting one themed "Treasures of the Sea".


Just click on the button on my side bar to join in. While you are there, take a look at all the other matchboxes...They are all gorgeous!

Talk to you all soon! Becs

My LOOT from my Florida Trip!

Webster's Flea Market! Here's a cute litte video that kinda captures the vastness of Webster's. It's from You Tube.


I have to tell you that one of the highlights of my trip was going to this flea market! Cassie had been showing pictures and blogging about all these awesome finds from Webster's Flea Market. Especially for Vintage jewelry and buttons. So I packed light for the trip just for this day!

After Marie's Danses de Fleurs event, on Monday several of us went to Websters. I had the pleasure of riding with Sherry, and we didn't even make it to the flea market before we found a yard sale, stopped and we all (Sherry, Stephanie, Julie Ann and Me) found some awesome bargains and made our first purchases! BE prepared for lotsa BLING!!!!

When we arrived at Webster's we met up with Cassie, Bryanna, Marian, and Joanna and off we went! Our first stop was a booth that had crates full of vintage buttons and you could fill a small zip lock baggie for $3.00 (the bag didn't even have to close) You should have seen us all digging in those crates! Next to the crates was a table where the man's wife was, and she was going through packaging and pricing glass and rhinestone buttons. OMGNESS! I went NUTS! I ended up getting all these for $40.00 and at least half of them are glass!



I think I was there for about an hour!

Now this antique sterling silver spoon and cameo at the top of this next picture I bought at a table a few feet down from the button guy. It was actually my first purchase. Can you believe I got both items for $10.00? That doesn't happen around this neck of the California woods! The rest of the jewels in this pic and the next few pics were from the vintage jewelry lady...

Do you see the Brooch (above)on the left that has the fire opal stone in the center with the crown crest at the top and the drop? It is a vintage Sarah Coventry piece. My gramma used to sell SC when I was little and I remember playing with her sample kits....It is a signed or stamped piece as well.

As I said, the next stop (with a few detours along the way) was Cassie's favorite vintage jewelry lady! I think I was in Heaven. This must be what it looks like when the streets are lined with gold and jewels!!!


Look at all the rhinestone bracelets! My favorite one is the three strand with the fire opal gemmies, it is stunning!


This next picture shoes some stamped altered art pieces that I got from another vendor. They were a little pricey but I have not found this much around here. and the pale blue and cream pearl necklace and earring set was a steal! The lady had it for awhile and it was at the end of the day and she gave it to me for $8.00!


Now these double strands of vintage crystal necklaces I got from the vintage jewelry lady too. She originally told me $25. for two. I ended up with four and she came down even more on them when it was all said and done. Four sets of double stranded Vintage crystals! OMGNESS!


More bits and baubles, and the crystal chandalier pieces (including the blue one) I got all of them for $1.00. Amazing!




More bits and baubles, earrings and rhinestone necklaces here...


It just goes on and on...I got these goodies on Saturday while we were in Plant City. The rhinestone buckles were off a pair of shoes I bought for really cheap at a second hand store. The shoes weren't even my size! I got them for the buckles which are sturdy and in perfect condition.


Ok, well that is all for the Bling Loot. I will post on the linens, statues and other awesome finds from Websters, Plant City and Dade City just as soon as my last box of goodies arrives! Blessings to Sherry for lugging it all home and shipping it all to me! So until next time....and don't forget, almost done getting my giveaway goodies together for my 200th post giveaway, stay tuned....Thanks for stopping by...Becs

Spring Bunting Swap Peek

I am finished with my banners for Amy's Spring Bunting Swap We each had to make five then send them to Amy where she will switch them out and put them together and ship five back to us!

I used cardstock for the base then ironed on muslin to the back and sewed vintage trims and ribbons to them. I used stickles glitter to highlight. I think they turned out really cute for my first time making buntings...lol I can't wait to see everyone's creations.



And please read my previous post for a perfect pay it forward oppotunity. Scroll down to read more about it!

Pay it Forward 2011

As I was looking through all my blog friends' blogs tonight, I came across this awesome idea to send gifts to people just because. I ended up at Fish Tail Cottage and signed up for her Pay it Forward, then I went to On Hollyhock Farm and signed up there too!

So, have you ever sent or received a small gift from someone just because? Did it seem to come at the just the right time? Well I have been blessed many times with gifts from blog friends and it is the most amazing feeling!

If you wanna be a part of the Pay it Forward 2011 this is all you have to do! Easy Peasy...

1: Be one of the first 5 people to leave a comment on this post and you'll be a lucky receiver..as I will send handmade gifts to the first five.

2: You also need to post a Pay It Forward on your blog so you can make a send the first five to sign up on your blog a gift too.

You are welcome to use my Pay it Forward picture above and on the side bar if you'd like or you can make your own.... Also, please post a sneak preview of the items and post when you send them out so we can all enjoy it! Have fun, Be Blessed and Be a Blessing to someone else! Becs