Sharing a little gift goodness with you!

I just love sharing gifts with you!

Mostly because you "get" me and love what I love

and then you can celebrate with me!!!

About a week or so ago a sweet friend on Facebook contacted me.

She sees all that I create because, believe me, I love using FB

as a marketing tool to sell my wares.

She knew how much I love old lace and how much I use in my sewing projects.

WELL.

She kindly asked for my address and told me that she had some old lace

that she wasn't going to do a thing with and would I want it?

OH YES I WOULD!!!

I gladly gave her my address and you have just got to see what she sent me!!

I have thanked her profusely and just can't believe it was a GIFT!

I truly am so very thankful to this sweet friend.

I can't imagine what it all would cost me at an antique store,

much more than I could ever, ever afford for sure!

Here it is all piled on top of each other...

you simply cannot see it all!!!

I can tell so much of it was handmade because there are pieces that are unfinished.

Beautiful though...

And what about the beautiful "E" ribbon??!

This large white linen piece is actually a pillowcase

with a flap on the end with lace trim and ties!!!

I had it folded in half for the photo but you get the idea ~

I want to wear it on my head it's so beautiful!!!!

GORGEOUS RIGHT??? Thank you so much dear friend...I will treasure it all!!!!

I can't remember if I've shared this recipe before but...

we've made it for years and our boys always LOVED it

and are now making it themselves!!!

Look below for the recipe ~

Gatlin Chicken

Ingredients:

1 cup cheddar cheese cracker crumbs (such as Cheez-its)
2 tbsp taco seasoning mix
8 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
2 cups whipping cream
1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1-4 oz can chopped green chilies, drained

Directions:

Combine cracker crumbs and seasoning mix in a large bowl, stir well.
Toss chicken pieces in crumb/seasoning mixture then place into a greased 9 x 13 casserole dish or pan. Mix together whipping cream and remaining ingredients in the same large bowl, then pour over chicken.

Bake uncovered 350 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes or until slightly brown on top and bubbly.

I only used four chicken breasts for us...it's just Noah, hubby and myself.

But I'm afraid I didn't cut any of the other ingredients in half!!!

HAHAHA!

Yes, it's so fattening, just don't make it very often, OK?

Happy Tuesday sweet friends!!!!

hugs and love,

Dawn

Sometimes I lose my way, but it's OK ~

I mean it.

I really do lose my way...my spirit...AND my inspiration!

I just don't know what to create next, what will someone really love?

I did have a teeny order for one more pumpkin of mine.

She wanted it very Halloweeny to give as a swap gift...

Here's what she purchased from me!!!!

I just love how it turned out!!!

Now. What to create next ~

First, I have to share a precious angel with you!

My sweet grandson Murray....

Here he is playing in the back yard..

in this most wonderful mild fall weather

 we are having in Georgia right now!

Our highs have been in the 70's....

I do believe fall has arrived in Georgia!!!

Wishing you a wonderful Thursday my dear friends ~

hugs and love,

Dawn

One precious little boy ~

Our sweet grandson Murray turned TWO Sept. 19th

and I just have to share a few birthday party photos
from this past weekend!!!

I had to use a flash as the room was dark but

you'll certainly see how very happy he was!

Here he is with his mama waiting to open gifts...

Murray loves cars, trains, trucks...all of them!!!

Clara had as much fun as he did!!!

Mama Emily is showing Murray how to operate the Thomas train ~

Murray loves trains so much...the Thomas cake was just perfect for his party!

I believe he's thinking to himself here..."man, I need a nap!!!"

Happy Birthday sweet grandbaby Murray!!! We love you so, so much ~

Plus, I found the most wonderful box to package my little art doll in!!!

She's heading to Texas tomorrow....

Happy Monday precious friends!!!

hugs and love,

Dawn

A sweet little labor of love ~

I can't believe it!!!

I finally finished my little art doll!!

I'm over the moon in love with how she turned out too...

Her dress came out just the way I had envisioned it ~

full of gathers and embellished with lace.

I loved using the large vintage doll dress to create it too...

The vintage lace was already applied and I simply made it work for her size.

I even made her a little crinoline slip...

She has a sweet headband that I made from the dress fabric as well.

I just love her!!!

She's listed HERE in my Etsy store!!

Wishing you a very happy and creative Thursday precious friends ~

hugs and love,

Dawn

Digging through my stash ~

I absolutely LOVE, love old doll clothes.

No, not those made overseas but those made by

mamas and grandmamas to please their little girls!!!

I have a teeny collection and thought I would go to it for inspiration

for a dress for my sweet art doll.

Guess what I found???

The tiniest pair of panties EVER!!! And they actually FIT

over the chubby belly that I gave my sweet girl dolly.

Then I went through all the doll dresses.

I wanted to find the perfect one that I could transform for her.

I found the most WONDERFUL antique pink one!!!

Now I have to try to make a dress for my small doll from this big dress...

but I think the color will be just beautiful on her!

Can you see it in your mind's eye? :)

Emily had a parent/teacher conference with Clara's kindergarten teacher and

brought our precious grandbabies by so she could go.

Murray and Clara BOTH flocked to Uncle Noah...and Murray just crashed!!!

Clara saw this and decided to lay down too!!

Uncle Noah?

He thinks he has the magic touch!!!!

Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday my sweet, sweet friends!!!

hugs and love,

Dawn

More progress on my little art doll!

My sweet art doll progress...

I'm using Suri Alpaca wool for her hair and have had to comb and clean it,

make little tufts and glue it to her head starting at the nape of her neck.

Yes, she's still a little bald on top in the photo below :)

I finally covered her entire head with a little bit of bangs in the front as well.

Here is a before and after photo after visiting "Dawn's Salon" ~

she's gone from Diana Ross....

to maybe a little Michelle Pfeiffer??? HAHAHA!

I love her so much already!!!

Now to make her a precious dress,

hair bow and maybe even some shoes to match ~

Happy Tuesday angels!!!

Hugs and love,

Dawn

Getting back to my little sweetie!

Yes, it's been awhile!

But I get sidetracked easily and plus I was a bit intimidated

about painting her face ~

But I did it!!!

This weekend I just decided to go for it and if I messed up,

I would just paint over it and start again.

Here's my first try and I'm so pleased...

yes, she's still naked and bald but I'm working on her hair right now.

I'm using suri alpaca wool for her hair.

Each piece has to thoroughly combed and cleaned then

I make tufts to glue around her head starting at the nape of her neck.

I'm going to cut it into a sweet bob I think, we'll see!

You can see in the photo below, on the right is how the hair starts off

and on the left after combing and cleaning....

you have to comb it with a large needle too!

I hope her hair turns out OK...but I guess you never learn until you try!!

And my last set of three pumpkins is finished!!

I just love this wonderful crinkly fabric...

perfect to take you through fall and even into Thanksgiving.

They would be beautiful piled into a wire basket!!!

Now listed in my Etsy shop too :)

Thank you always for stopping by to see what I'm up to ~

Happy Monday precious friends!!!

hugs and love,

Dawn