Happy Mail- Bonus Box!

I forget when or where I started swapping with Michelle. But it has always been so much fun!!! I never know what treasures I will find when I open a box from her!!!

I love her blog, and I love getting packages from Poland- I hope she loves getting packages from the US!!!

Late last year, Michelle started a project with 50 participants- and asked me to be one of them. It was really more a project for HER! Everyone was to mail her 50 pages/papers of a certain size- vintage paper, art paper, ads, any old ephemera. She was then going to assemble 50 notebooks (!), cutting, mixing, and matching all the paper she received.

                                   What a massive undertaking!!!!

Yesterday, a postage stamp encrusted box showed up at my PO - finally, after a long trip across the sea......

Unwrapping the box- I discovered a lovely handmade hang tag, and something wrapped in great brown       paper.

                                              Here, also,  was the Projekt Zeszyt- Project Notebook!

                                           Below, was what I found in the brown paper - I had sent Michelle some canning jars a while back - and she was sending me one - a great Polish glass jar! Took me a minute to figure out how to get it open- and then, that spring just FLEW off at me!!!!

The jar was stuffed with wonder-full pins- crocheted by Michelle- little flower brooches - and an adorable little button tree!!!

The jar was wrapped in a beautiful crocheted purple shawl- it is so nice - THANK YOU, MICHELLE!
My daughter saw it, and said - "It's PURPLE!"

                                               Uh, oh, hide the shawl - she loves purple!!! LOL

And, finally - here is the notebook - upside down, of course (thanks, blogger, thought we had resolved this....)

There were 50 pages of all types - so neat - just took pics of a few of them - everything from vintage, to hand painted vellum, mostly European. I almost don't want to even put anything else on the pages - each page looks great as is!!

I did already take some of the polka dot red tape that was on the package, and use it on the cover of the journal. I will probably use the stamps, and brown paper in the journal somehow also, and one of the flower pins!

What a great swap and project!!!

Be sure to drop by Michelle's blog and see some of the wonderful things she creates!!

Autumnal Equinox

Faerwillow, of Serendipity, has a beautiful blog, and decided to have a swap, in honor of the Equinox.


My swap partner was Deb, and what a lovely package she sent me- a book of poetry, a cd of Celtic music (my favorite) and two packages of teas, cleverly held together with earrings!!! Her little card had a tiny hummingbird pin - she must have checked my blog - h'birds are another favorite- altho all of mine are well on their trek south by the time the equinox arrives. I still leave fresh food out, for the straggler or two passing thru on their migratory flight.

Thanks, Deb - for the "happy mail"!!!!

Anyway, I have to thank Faerwillow for organizing this!! You can visit her blog to read more about it- and she might have a link to the other participants. Drop in on Deb, and see what I sent her........................

Autumn also begins with a full moon, altho' the moon has been pretty bright, and almost full,  these past few evenings. I am ready for cooler days, how about you?

Now, I am off to balance an egg. This is supposed to be the only time of the year when a fresh egg will stand on end. If it works - I will post a pic!!!

Christmas- A Little Bah Humbug

The "Bah Hum" Bug got ahold of me this year.
I was not really in the mood to drag out all the decorations, and get a real tree, or unearth the faux!!! Maybe when I have grandchildren!!! LOL That could be a while.........!!

I grabbed two of my small primitive faux trees, and decorated the larger one on the dining room table, and the smaller one by the tv. I used what I had on hand, and what was most accessible, to decorate, with a couple of traditional must haves, that come out every year.

One must-have is a gilt framed picture of St. Nick, the other is a string art Christmas tree that my daughter did when she was in elementary school. I had it framed, and that is hung every year.

The other must-have, is a quilt that I did, in 1992!! It was a Xmas block swap, with the Countryside Quilters of Sterling, Va. I think it was machine quilted by Anne Weber of Ashburn, Va. There might even be a block on there by "our" own Pat Sloan - I'll have to go check!!! My block is the candle block in the top center. I kept the worst of the candles for myself!! LOL My appliqueing has improved greatly since then!!! The flame is a little less than smooth!!!

The place settings are hunt themed dishes I got a couple of years ago in the thrift store, the Frosty ornament was a gift from a former neighbor, and the huntsman and hounds was also a thrift store find. Christmas is not complete without one of my Santas, and the Hallmark Frosty, who will play and sing ad nauseum, if allowed!!!!

I'm sure as the days go by, I will drag out some more holiday memorabilia and decorate, but for now - I'm done!!!