SORRY TO HAVE BEEN GONE!

...BUT I'M BACK!

*****

So sorry I was MIA ....I just needed a bit of time to get a few things in order and to finish a few UFO's. You know how it is ...to many things to do and so little time!

One little thing that I had to finish up ...was this 'Friendship Bag' for a swap I joined.

You can check out it out here. Rachel Griffith also put together this

great tutorial here. Here is the little bag I made

for my secret partner. I will say ....I did have

to mail it out of the country. That's all I'll say, I'm not sure

if she has recieved it.

I had a lot of fun sewing this and using up a few of my fat quarters.

It's a fun little project and so easy to sew.

I used a feather stich to quilt this bag. The little bags were to be 5″ high, 5.5″ wide, 3″ depth.

And....here is what I sent along with my bag! A few fat quarters, a little crochet covered tape measure and a flower pin cushion.I also included a few buttons, pins and rick-rack trim! I also sent along a few 'Made in Utah' truffle bars!

Here is it ...all filled up and ready for the post. It's amazing how much stuff you can stuff into this little bag! I sure hope my 'secret partner' likes my 'Friendship Bag'!

*****
Thanks for letting me share! If you like to see more 'Friendship Bags' you can go over to the 'Flickr' group. There are some really cute bags to see!

DOLLY'S VALENTINE SWAP!

Recently Dolly from My Cherry Heart hosted here second 'Vintage Valentine Swap'. It was wonderful once again. You must visit her to check out some of the beautiful items she received.

http://frommycherryheart.blogspot.com/

My partner was Cathy at Cranberry Cottage. I received her gift last week ...so without further delay here's a few of the wonderful items she sent me.

http://cranberrycottage.blogspot.com/

I love surprises ...oh, what could be inside?

It's a beautiful handmade tote! Isn't it wonderful?

And look ...it's full of some wonderful things!

Cathy sent me some lovely scents from her own

Etsy store. She makes the most wonderful natural products.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5093605

Beautiful ...right?

Everything was packaged up so cute!

Thank you Cathy!

It was wonderful to get to know you a little.

And ...thank you Miss Dolly

for hosting such another wonderful event!

Here's a peek of what I sent to Miss Cathy!

A Tisket, A Tasket! It's a basket!

Full of lots of wonderful goodies!

Oh ...I'm feel'n the L O V E!

AND....THE WINNER IS?

ONE WORLD ONE HEART 2009

http://oneworldoneheart.typepad.com/

*****

The winner of my

OWOH Giveaway is

Debra from 'It's All Good'

http://willnnabel.blogspot.com/

Congratulations Debra!

I will be in touch with you very

shortly to get

your mailing information!

(The winner was chosen using a

random generated number program.)

*****

A big THANK YOU to Lisa Swifka

from 'A Whimisical Bohemian'.

http://awhimsicalbohemian.typepad.com/a_whimsical_bohemian/

*****

You hosted yet another wonderful event!

A huge success with over

900 participants!

What an inspiring and creative

person you are and what a

wonderful way you

have created for all of us

in blogland to be able to

meet and mingle with one another!

THANK YOU!

ONE WORLD - ONE HEART

Just a reminder ...

My One World - One Heart Giveaway is closed.

http://oneworldoneheart.typepad.com/

Winner will be announced tomorrow.

Good Luck to everyone who entered and thank you for visiting!

This year OWOH was a huge success.

With a grand total of 911 participants!

ONE WORLD - ONE HEART

COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED!

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ENTERED AND GOOD LUCK!

WINNER ANNOUNCED TOMORROW, FEBRUARY 12, 2009!

ONE WORLD ONE HEART

has begun and I do hope that you will join along. OWOH is sponsored by Lisa Swifka. from ‘A Whimiscal Bohemian.’ OWOH is a world wide giveaway with a chance to meet and visit blogs from all over the world.

You can find Lisa’s creative and artful blog here

http://awhimsicalbohemian.typepad.com/a_whimsical_bohemian/

This is the third year that Lisa has hosted this gathering, but it’s the first year that I have signed up to participate. The idea behind OWOH is to get as many participants as possible to join in. Lisa developed OWOH as a way for fellow bloggers to meet new and wonderful people from all walks of life.

If you go here

you will find the list of participants. There is no need to be signed up as a participant in order to participate. The idea behind Lisa’s dream is for fellow bloggers to visit one another …like visiting an ‘open house’. Each participant who signs up hosts an open house …at each home there is a sampling of goodies that you have a chance to take home like a door prize. At each home you visit, you leave a comment and on February 12th a winner from each OWOH participant will be announced. You must leave your comments on this post in order to be considered for the drawing. I will also need to be able to contact you in the event that you might be the winner of my giveaway, so be sure to leave a contact link.


MY ONE WORLD ONE HEART GIVEAWAY!
*****
FROM MY HEART TO YOURS!

My Giveaway is open to EVERYONE worldwide with an active blog.
You DO NOT have to be signed up as a participant to enter; you just need to have an active blog.

For my giveaway, I have lovingly knit a ‘Friendship Shawl’. I thought it appropriate given the meaning behind OWOH. The shawl is made from ‘Homespun’ yarn, a blend of 98% Acrylic and 2% Polyester. (I chose this yarn as to not rule out anyone whom might be allergic to any type of wool yarn.) It’s completely machine washable and dryable. The main body of the shawl is knit in an oatmeal color with three bands of color shaded from greens, to blues, to rusts. I finished off the ends of the shawl with a crocheted scalloped edge. Included with the shawl is a lovely handmade stickpin; ….and what would a shawl be without a book to cozy up with.
I have chosen James Patterson’s ‘Sundays at Tiffany’s’.

My gift!

From my heart to yours!

'SUNDAYS AT TIFFANY'S'

What if your imaginary friend from childhood was your one true love?

The shawl measures approximately 22" x 60"!

I’m so glad that you have taken time out to travel the road of OWOH. I wish you joy and happiness throughout your travels. I do hope that you meet new friends along the way or perhaps reacquaint yourself with old friends.
Please be sure to leave a comment on this post to be considered for this giveaway!

I will announce the winner on February 12th! Please leave a comment on this post to be entered.

********

COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED!

(After receiving 417 comments! WOW!)

********

WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED TOMORROW

FEBRUARY 12, 2009!

********

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO

PARTICIPATED IN THIS YEARS OWOH!

I'M LATE, I'M LATE FOR A VERY IMPORTANT DATE!

I'm late, I'm late for a very important date!

Vanessa over at 'A Fanciful Twist' is hosting a 'Mad Hatter Tea Party' today. This grand tea party soiree is to celebrate her 200th post! We do hope you will join us at

http://afancifultwist.typepad.com/a_fanciful_twist/

Vanessa has planned the most extravagant Tea Soiree. She has posted links to all those attending the party. We do so hope that you will join in the fun.

Alice dear ....won't you please join us?

Just follow the garden path? ....

That's right! Almost there!

We are so glad that you could come ...we just can't start without you.

Henry's been waiting! He looks a little grumpy! I think he's getting hungry!

And....Horace too! Please, please hurry Alice! The tea just can't start without you!

This indeed is a magical place ...there are even blue cats!

The bears are waiting ...so stately and grand with their crowns of gold and silver!

And ...what Mad Hatter Tea Party would be complete without the masterful rabbit himself?

Oh Alice ....do hurry! We are all getting so excited!

More guests have arrived!

The table awaits....

The sweets have been prepared!

A special place is waiting just for you!

Hello Alice! We so glad you finally made it to the grand 'Mad Hatter Tea Party Soiree'!

At last the festivities can begin!

*********

Congratulations Ms. Vanessa for 200 wonderful posts! Everyone here in 'Wonderland' hopes for many more posts to come!

Thank you for inviting us to your 'Mad Hatter Tea Party Soiree'!

WHERE HAVE I BEEN?

The 'Swashbuckling Pirate Soiree' has ended quite too soon I must say. Though I still seem to be sailing the ocean seas. I do hope to complete my journey soon, it's just that there was pirate business that needed tending, so I've been absent for awhile. The Soiree was and still is a wonderful journey visiting all the fair maidens who participated in the high seas adventure. I am truely amazed at the wonderful talent that these fair maidens hold. The Soiree has been a grand adventure and I applaud all the fair maidens who exhibited their treasures of gold and silver.

This adventure would not have taken place, thus it weren't for the Queen herself. You can still sail on over to The Ribboned Crown ...Donna still has the links to all the fair maidens who attended this 'Pirate Soiree'. http://donnaobrien.typepad.com/the_ribboned_crown/

**********

I thank you Ms. Donna for the grand high seas adventure and letting us all participate in the party!

**********

One final note....I won! Yes, indeed. The Queen herself drew my name from the treasure chest and I won! I can hardly believe it....but there amongst the silver and gold was my name!

WELCOME ABOARD!

YO-HO, YO-HO IT'S A PIRATE'S LIFE FOR ME!

Welcome aboard fair maidens! The fairest of maidens Donna O’Brien is hosting a ‘Swashbuckling Pirate Soiree’ and all fair maidens are invited. Be aware there may be villains, scoundrels and enemies. But I have heard that the great pirate himself, Jack Sparrow will be in attendance. Put down your swords and daggers for today we celebrate.

*****

Dress in only your finest ....for Fair Maiden Donna is celebrating her one year blog-a-versary with a 'Swashbuckling Pirate Soiree'. The only requirement involved is to RSVP and then create something special to be posted upon your vessel for all to see.

*****

I have removed my sword and dagger. My crew is above on deck cleaning and polishing so that my ship will be well prepared to make sail. I have been under deck designing something special for the grand Soiree. I have used jewels from buried treasures and the brightest pearls from the sea. Any respectful fair maiden would have this displayed in her boudoir in hopes of enticing Sir Jack himself into the her ship’s state room.
*****

I am now dressed in my finest and ready to set sail for tomorrow the adventure of a lifetime begins! I do hope that you will come along. Fair Maiden Donna has posted all those attending, so that you may see what has been created for this special ‘Swashbuckling Pirate Soiree’.

http://donnaobrien.typepad.com/the_ribboned_crown/

No fair maiden should be without a pearl and gold encrusted pillow for her boudoir.

Only the finest of jewels from my treasure chest....

and, only the finest of the ocean's pearls adorn it.

Any rightful young maiden would only use the finest of French textiles...

As I set sail to attend the party of the year.

I'm pretty sure that I'll be able to lure Jack Sparrow himself onto my fine ship and into my state room. Yo-ho, yo-ho ....it's a pirates life for me!

***************

Thank you Fair Maiden Donna for hosting such an exquisite event!

GET READY TO SET SAIL!

Set out the rum and prepare to cast off. Donna O'Brien from The Ribboned Crown is hosting a 'Swashbuckling Pirate Soiree' tomorrow to commemorate her 'blog-a-versary'! Sounds like tons of fun. I can't wait for the party to begin. So, set sail and go over to see more on Donna's Soiree http://donnaobrien.typepad.com/the_ribboned_crown/

A Package for Me!

Look what I got....a package for me in the mail today from my Valentine Swap Partner, Rebecca from http://ourbackporch.blogspot.com/. Wow, am I spoiled or what?

I just knew I was in for a treat when I opened the box and saw all the pretty crinkled filler and the pink and red rose petals. How devine is that?

Look what was in my Valentine box. It was filled with lots and lots of glorious goodies! Oh my...there's so much!

There were cute little paper creations.

And, more decedant paper embellishments!

A beautiful pink dish was packed ever so carefully. Can you see what was in it...little candy heart tags. They look yummy enough to eat!

More embellishments...and a most delightful little heart filled with little dog tags. Rebecca certainly knows my love for dogs!

Absolutely the most feminine little cone I have ever seen....look at all the fluff!

And....best of all....HUGS sent from Rebecca to me! Thank you Rebecca! I've really enjoyed meeting you and getting to know a little about you!