Easter Fun, NO PEEKING If I'm Swapping With You!

 Hi Friends! I'm sorry that my posts have been few and far between. I haven't been feeling the best with my R.A. When I do get a bit of energy though, I've been making little Easter things for swapping. It's so much fun!

The cute cards in this post were recent purchases on EBay. I needed a little "pick-me-up"!

 I tried my hand at a Vintage Easter Putz House!

 I made my first little match box!

 At my local thrift store I found these two vintage bunnies and a great book! I made a doily basket for the yellow one. Look at what they've been doing at the thrift! They now pull out the old books and write "vintage" on them. This one was marked $2.50. In the past it would have been $1.00.

The next time I visited the store, they had put out the other two bunnies that go to the set! They're so cute!

 But not as cute as these little bunnies!

These were at the thrift too, and they're marked "Made in Spain"

I think I have to trim the awning of the one on the right. He's so cute under there...painting Easter eggs!

But you can't see him unless you pull up the fabric.

 I found this Good House Keeping ad online and thought it was just great! So I made a couple of these wooded plaques. They're heavily distressed and glittered. Sometimes I get carried away with making things look old! It's just so fun to do!

Another card that I couldn't resist.

These handmade paper mache rabbits are sold, unpainted, by a seller on Etsy. I had fun painting and decorating these up last night. These guys are little, but I have a large one that I'm going to make for myself if I get around to it!

 And here is a tip. I don't have one of those little machines that make perfect paper medallions, but I knew that I would want that look for my Easter Swap spoolies. I remembered that our Goodwill always has these huge badge/ribbons for $1.00! And the two smaller pink and yellow ones were from Target's Valentine's section. They were 75% off, and I just had to remove the heart on the front.

And here's one of the spoolies that I made with the large medallion ribbon!

You may want to look for some of these because it worked really well.

I hope you're all doing well!

I mentioned that I had some exciting news to share, and here it is.

I'm moving!!!!! My (twin) sister ended her LTR with Mr. NOT Right. So that means that she's able to live with me! We got a very cute townhouse, and we move in on April 1st! I can't wait for this new chapter in my life. My parents are wonderful, but it's been quite difficult to live at "home" during my early 30's. I can't wait to show you all the new place, and to decorate it!

So, you know how I just got out of my cast a couple months ago? I still have lots of pain and limp quite a bit. Well the other day Angie (my sister) fell down the stairs and broke her foot. So she went to the ER and got her cast. Then she came home and stumbled down the stairs AGAIN with her crutches! This time she cracked a couple ribs!

We are quite the pair! It's pretty ridiculous! :)

Erica

Why Hens Really Do Rule!

I received the sweetest little package the other day. I knew it was going to be something special

as soon as I saw the return address.

Dorothy of Hen's Rule had sent it!

 Look at the cute candy box that she made for me! Well...cute is an understatement! The red ric-rac around the edge is super soft and velvety, and I love the expression on the little girl's face.

 The inside was full of treasures! I already have plans for the aqua foil trim and apple blossom petals.

You'll have to click to see this better, but this doxie card and doily were also included! Now, I'm a major hoarder of vintage cards and ephemera, but I have to say that this little card is now a favorite!

It's SO special to me!

Dorothy also has a little doxie named Ms.Wilma. If we lived close, Wellie and Wilma would surely be wienee friends! Luckily, Dorothy and I can be friends even across the miles!

Thank you so much Dorothy!  :)

Well, I did a little Valentine's Day decorating. And it was so much fun to use the things that were sent to me this year. I really didn't even need to get out my old box of things!

Puzzle valentine's from Maddie.

 

 Marlynne's red and white banner was so perfect for this! I'm going to use it for x-mas too!

Vintage valentine's from Deb (Garage Sale Gal) tucked here and there!

Wellie got a new wienee frame! LOL

Candy boxes from Marlynne and Deb. And I found a way to work a little Pyrex and some peppermint stripes in!

 Cupcake toppers and valentine's book (in background) from Maddie.

This Elephant valentine is one that I found at Annie's a few years ago and it's a favorite. It's HUGE!

OK Girls! That does it for Valentine's Day 2013! Didn't we really knock it out of the park this year? lol

How pathetic is it that tomorrow all I'm doing is going to the dentist?

Happy Valentine's Day!

Erica

and Wellie too! :)

What Miss Maddie Sent!

Yippee! We received our first ever "Wienie" Valentine!

 Wellie was sooo excited!

 Maddie of " The Thrifting Sister's " sent the most darling box ever, for my recent Valentine's Swap!

Look at all the details!

 I love the vintage lace and buttons plus sweet paper roses!

Of course she totally spoiled me with other things! I couldn't believe all the great things that she sent!

 Gourmet Chocolate Hearts, Vintage Cupcake Toppers, Mercury Glass Beads, and a Mother Goose Golden Book that I didn't have!

 The chocolate hearts came in both Milk and Dark! And see the vintage Squirrel Puzzle Valentine? There were three more to the set underneath! I'd never seen that style! So great for my collection!

 EOS lip balm and even washi tape!

 One of the best things was this large book of repro Valentines!

I HEART it so much! lol

And then this is the backside! Or it could be the front because it's decorated just as cute!

I love how she made flowers with the buttons!

Maddie you were such a great partner in this swap! I can't thank you enough for all the amazing things that you gave me!

OK, the sweetest little valentine showed up at my door the other day!

This came from Chris of (A Little Creation). Look at the thatched wood background and the palm print sides! It all fit's together so perfectly with the vintage hula girl image! Cutest ever!

Girls-If you visit Chris's page be sure to go to the bottom and FOLLOW her! She is so darn good at paper crafting...I'm hoping to pick up some techniques!  Thank You Chris!

Well I wanted to say THANK YOU to each of you that joined my

 "Valentine's Candy Box Swap"! Can you believe that there ended up being 30 of us? I thought I might get a couple takers! LOL  I hope you all had fun with it!

A few people have asked if I'll be hosting an Easter Swap. I won't be, but I hear rumors that there's going to be a great one to sign up for soon!

My next swap won't be for awhile, but here is what I'm thinking...

"VINTAGE CHRISTMAS IN JULY"!

Each girl will have a medium flat rate box to fill over the course of a couple months. So when you're out at those flea markets or estate sales and find a little ornament, bring it home and toss it in the box. Or if it's someday in May and you decide you feel like making a little Santa Tag, go for it, and toss it in the box! Cute snowman card at the thrift store for .25? Toss it in the box! :)

If you think this might be something you'd be interested in, you can say so in this post. But this is NOT THE SIGN UP for it. I won't do an official post until mid May.

Keep it in mind though! **I realize that vintage x-mas items aren't super easy to find. That's why I'm giving a few months notice. And some of your things can be handmade! You can also tuck in new x-masy crafting supplies. :)

This might be a lot smaller swap than the Valentine's one! We will see!

Thanks Girls!

Erica

What Swapping Is All About!

When I hosted my recent Valentine's Candy Box Swap, I wanted it to include non-bloggers as well. I paired Betty S. and Susan S. together, and connected them through email. The ladies' took full advantage of the opportunity to get to know each other across the miles.

 Each one sent special things. Things that had meaning, and came from the heart! Here is Susan's candy box for Betty. Isn't it picture perfect?

A vintage brooch adds a sparkly touch!

 The inside was packed with ribbons and trims!

 Who wouldn't want to receive this pretty box? Talk about fun!

 tinsel, lace, ric-rac, even tickets...

I think Betty will be all set for Valentine's crafting next year!

Betty's son Ford (who is legally blind) has an Etsy shop called GemTiques! He made Susan the garnet gemstone pendant because it's her birthstone!

 And here is the darling box that Betty sent to Susan! I must admit that I was the tiniest bit jealous of that lace bird!

What a pretty little rose tin!

 Until this swap, I never knew there were so many gorgeous vintage Valentine's Hankies!

Wouldn't they be fun to collect?

The vintage postcard with the typewriter is a special one for sure! And look at the beautiful necklace!

Betty and Susan, it was such a pleasure to have the two of you join this swap! You both did a wonderful job, and I sure hope you had fun. I hope you'll be back for another swap sometime in the future!

Friends, please visit Ford's Etsy Shop! He has such beautiful jewelry, including a sterling silver spoon rose ring that I think I need!

Erica :)

Generous Hearts:A Swappy Tale

One of my swap partners for the Candy Box Swap that I hosted was one Miss Marlynne Snare of Marlynne Creates Daily. When I discovered her blog a few months ago I simply fell in love with her talent and artistic style!

Marlynne is a true folk artist, with a love for the color red!

Just look at the heart box that she created for me! Marlynne chose fabric as her main medium!

Layers of fabric hearts, and the valentines themselves are hand stitched together! I love the cute little girl with her paint can, and the little birdie! She also sent me a huge red and white fabric banner! It's already hanging over my art area.

Tucked inside the box were these treasures!

There was more chocolate, but I ate it! lol

This handmade booklet of Marlynne's art is my favorite piece of all! 

Her paintings come from special things in her life, like her collection of sock monkeys, and the little blue chair that sits in front of the wood stove in her kitchen.

You must visit Marlynne's Blog to see more of her special art work.

Her "English Cottage Series" was inspired by staying in the Cotswold's while celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary! Thank you so very much Marlynne for everything! I feel so lucky to now have some of your art, and to have made a new friend! :)

And then a surprise package showed up! The very kind Deb (Garage Sale Gal) sent such sweet things! She made me a candy box, and filled it with all sorts of good things! Once again...there was more chocolate, but I ate it. lol

Deb and I live about 45 minutes apart. We met for the first time at an Estate Sale, (go figure) where I recognized her from the pic on her blog! Deb, thank you for being so generous and thoughtful!

Well, I'm excited to see pictures of what everyone else has been receiving for the swap. I sure hope you all had fun with it, and most importantly were able to connect with someone. Because that's what it's all about!

Love you all (in a bloggy sort of way)-

Erica :)

Wellie wanted to say Hi too...but I guess she fell asleep. :)