Happy Thanksgiving....giving thanks/Stocking Swap

Happy Thanksgiving to all. I cannot believe I am finally on here, tonight of all things. I recently emailed another blogger friend Thanksgiving wishes and then it came to my mind that it was a lovely new friend from another country and this is a holiday not celebrated by all. No matter, always a good time to give thanks for all that we have and all that we have need not be ALL there is to have, Amen? I am so thankful for a full belly today and mostly the opportunity to have a blessed meal w/family when so many families are torn apart by divorce, illness, or many miles in between. We are not perfect, but we are a family. I am also thankful to know that I have developed friends on-line that even while I do not have much time now to post, they drop by and leave a message. Friends. Who could ever have too many?? And LOVE, who could ever have too much??
Speaking of FRIENDS....one of my newer friends and swap partners had sent me her package from the "Vintage Christmas Stocking Swap". She sent a lovely green satin stocking w/velvet trim on top, very pretty.

Filled to the top w/these lovely goodies. Just look at the fun stuff, from trims to ornaments to candy and collage images.

A great hand made sparkly tag, OKAY, I will try not to pout!!! i promise

And, then this super great canvas w/images of some of my girls (minus the grown-up girl) transposed....how cool is that, my girls could not believe their eyes. You are so talented Jullie, thanks again for this fun swap!! and another friendship.

You can visit Jullie here at Whimsical Notations . You may have already been there for a visit. She is a doll and so gracious. I have emailed her about her blog and she has offered advice and help to update my own blog. It always amazes me how helpful some of my wonderful friends out there in bloggie land have been, without you help I would be lost in this new world. AND speaking of new world...I really need an update as I have been sooo very busy I just realized that it has been a year since I have found my own little space here and met some of you. I am giving thanks for this new world of inspiration and friends.
Great big super hugs to you all, and may you experience some true blessings today and every day,
Carol

Fall Winnings & More

However does time pass so quickly? I will never understand. Expectations must be lowered sometimes and as much as I wish to be here to update more, reality is not cooperating with this idea. The dreamer says...."i can visit friends and update at least once a week. Along with that, I will sign up for many more Christmas Swaps, since that is my favorite season, full of wonder and magic and hope". Oh yes, that part is surely the "dreamer" because reality says that with kids, a home, work, church...and more, I am just only going to be able to do what I can. After recently completing 2 swaps I learned that I have much more going on this year than last! And it does not take much to just be swamped w/stuff to do. Sadly crafting takes that last spot in life and I just could not sign up for another swap while in the midst of completing others. But here is what is new lately. A great package arrived in October and I am just now posting a big hug and "thank-you" to Julie, you can find her here at CUPCAKEDD
I won this fall surprise box on her blog and it was wrapped so nicely, a cute vintage dolly (in orange outfit for fall!!), pumpkin spice tea, a pumpkin scented candle, this great book below
And this GREAT altered art cupcake collage made by Julie too! It is so different and cool looking, a nice addition to my fall decorating...oh, so Sparkly!! Thanks again Julie, nice work and wonderful surprises!
Oh Yeah! Here was our newest little "trick-or-treat" doggie...She decided she would be a "lady-bug"....silly doggie, we knew it was you!!

Then, to throw in some Christmas sparkle. Some pics of the ornaments for the "star ornament swap" that Lenna had HERE on her blog. We created 5 star ornaments and sent them off, awaiting my 5 stars in return, soon to come.
I decided to make some cardboard stars and coat them w/pretty polka-dot tissue paper, then added an image from "Delicate Beauty" images collection. A ribbon cut-out of the word "Noel" was applied to each onto more paper and a border of glitter. What is Christmas w/out a bell...one was added to each w/a tiny star brad at the top. Then some glass glitter to sparkle the edges of the star, completed w/a ribbon on top to hang from a tree! Wow, this was fun!

Thanks to all who stop by. I can remember stopping by some bloggie friends and wondering when they would post again after a bit of an absence, and I was happy when they came back...I guess that is me now at times, but please visit again, I shall return....hugs, Carol