Starting the New Year Right

January started in a grand manner with the notification that I had won the darling Jessica Rodarte's 31 Favorite Things giveaway. Click the link to go to Jessica's blog and read more about the giveaway and see a complete list of the items included. We apparently share many likes as I was totally pleased with everything. As I told Jessica, it's such a clever idea and getting the package was like opening a Christmas stocking!

She and I have participated in a tiny book swap in the past, and have swapped one for one. Her tiny books are adorable. You can see a few in her Etsy shop here.

Last weekend the DH and I celebrated a break in the cold by taking a little road trip to western Oklahoma.  We stopped in Hydro at the Mema's Momma's and Mine Antique Store on old Route 66, where I found these treasures. 

I love the gray hat with all it's leaves and petals, but bought the other just for the black velvet rose appliques - one on each side. 

This vintage tablecloth in my favorites of aqua and chartreuse was also a great find. It's a bit faded but that's fine with me.

We stopped in Clinton at The Mulberry Bush Antique & Vintage Market on Frisco Avenue where I found this lovely lace. As best I can tell, it's rather old, and appears to be beautifully tea-dyed. There were several other bags of vintage lace and it was tough to leave them, but I managed to limit myself to just the one bag. 

We went as far south as Hobart, then took a different route home. I found these items in a thrift store in Fort Cobb. I have plans for them.

Can't wait for a few estate sales this weekend, and maybe a bit of thrifting, too!

A Look Back at 2013

I'm embarrassingly late posting my 2013 review, but here goes! Last year seemed fairly uneventful compared to 2012, but there were definitely some great creative opportunities. This post includes a few photos that haven't appeared before on my blog. You may also click on any month to see to see all the posts for that month.

JANUARY was a bit slow, probably due to Blogger giving me fits, but I did exchange fun gifts with Laurie

FEBRUARY included quite a few great classes, including this darling Valentine banner and crown.

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MARCH was a very full month with lots of wonderful swaps and estate sale finds. These sweet baskets were made for the Creative Wings Spring Has Sprung swap.

For Tabitha

For Lisa

In APRIL  I worked on cards for the Paper Cowgirl Rolodex Art Card swap and found a few good buys at a nearby estate sale, including these sweet appliques, buttons, buckles and brooches..

MAY  was all about finishing up Rolodex cards and creating swap items for the upcoming Birdsong event in June. Here are just a few of the Rolodex cards I made.

JUNE brought the highly anticipated Birdsong 3 event at Karla Nathan's wonderful home and studio in Kansas. It was such a fun and friendly event where I saw several creative buddies and met quite a few new ones. Just click on the June link to see all the swaps.

Photo from Karla Nathan

JULY included junqueing

and a pic of the DH's old car that garnered lots of interest.

Click on the July link to see lots of pics of Birdsong 3, including classes and more swaps.

AUGUST  and SEPTEMBER were single-post months due to problems with Blogger, but I did manage to post about all the fabulous Rolodex cards I received from the Paper Cowgirl Rolodex Art Card Swap. Here are a few. If you'd like to see more, just click on the August link.

Debbie Schuh was in Oklahoma City in September and I was able to take two great classes, but no photos unfortunately. You can find links to other blog posts about the event here.

OCTOBER included classes as well as exhibiting at a local weekend antiques show. The show wasn't a great success, but I did enjoy spending time with friends. I also finally found a mannequin that wasn't too large for my space or too rich for my budget. She's plain, but in this lovely pale aqua brocade and her bling, she's perfect! The dress is for sale in my Etsy shop, but I've already found a potential replacement should Ms. Mannequin (still thinking about a name for her) have to give it up. 

Another October event/class that I never showed photos of was the Halloween Soiree at Paper Crown. Here's the room prior to class. I didn't capture all the cuteness, but it was such fun. There was a lovely treat table at the front of the room as well.

Bobbie led us in making these wonderful - and large - Pumpkin King creations! Love him!

She also included sweet little kits to make a bingo card door hanger.

Some of us made headgear for the occasion. My crown turned out well, I thought.

It was such an enjoyable day!

NOVEMBER  included a couple of classes and another Paper Cowgirl swap - a altered tin this time. Here's the one I made. You can see more pics by clicking on November, and see the amazing tin I received under the December heading.

One of my favorite classes this year was Jackie Peters' Christmas Santos class. Mine will be on display year round.

DECEMBER seemed to be a month for tags. I made tags for family

and tags for a swap

one for a friend and one for me

and one more for ME!

Whew! Now, ON TO 2014!  Hope you're having a good year so far!