Wonderful FREE Christmas Tutorial ~

Miss Sandy of Quill Cottage has the BEST tutorial on her blog ~ I just had to share it with you!! Visit her blog HERE and look at all of the variations she has shown, just BEAUTIFUL!!!

xxoo, Dawn

Angels are among us ~

There truly are angels among us. Those whose thoughtfulness seems to arrive at a time when you need it most, how do they know these things? Those who know you and try to think of a way to bless you. One of my angels? Miss Sandy. Sandy of Quill Cottage was the first friend from this land of blog that sent me a random act of kindness gift.

As some of you know, that's not uncommon for this to happen here in blogland. But what Sandy sent me that day looked as if fairies had packed the box, it was absolutely precious!! A bird's nest filled with beautiful handmade acorns and vintage lace bird. There were many other wonderful goodies packed inside that parcel, but it touched me that she knew me so well as to send exactly what I would love!!

Well, this sweet friend has done it again! Look what arrived in the mail Monday....the. most. precious. grandmother's brag book EVER!!! Miss Sandy knows how much I love all things vintage baby but she even remembered that I love lambs as well!

Look at the precious French knots and blanket stitching...

Dear Miss Sandy, you have blessed me today with a wonderful gift from your heart and hands and I just LOVE IT!!! I will be proud to put our little granddaughter's photos inside ~ I will treasure it forever, thank you so very much!!!

A little Christmas cone in the making ~

Another in the series of Christmas card images for you!!

Click to enlarge and right click to save to your computer ~

Great gift giving is an art form. Being observant enough to notice what others love, what they mention, what they enjoy. Not running in the store and picking a random gift that will speed you up in being finishing with your shopping. To be thoughtful and not give a gift that we love but one the receiver would love, that is the art of wonderful gift giving ~

Wishing you a great Tuesday dear friends!

xxoo, Dawn

A sweet gift and a few found treasures ~

Miss Sandy of Quill Cottage sent me the most wonderful journal!!! I love these mini composition books and Sandy has given it the most beautiful transformation! And this was just because I entered her giveaway ~ what an angel! Thank you so much dear friend, it's absolutely beautiful and you know I just love it!!

Friday I had to run to the post office and mail out several artwork packages plus the giveaway package for Yvette, then headed to my favorite antique store, The Plum Tree! It was absolutely gorgeous....a holiday wonderland! Candles burning, soft lighting, Thanksgiving decor mingled with antiques and the most beautiful Christmas room filled to the brim!!!

I scratched around because, basically, that's what I do....dig for treasures at great prices. I found several stacks of Somerset magazines brought in by one of my most favorite dealers, The Tattered Cat, and had to buy a few ~ at 2.00 a pop I couldn't go wrong! As I'm thumbing through them, I discover an artist that I love, Sunny Koch, and several pages featuring her work....I knew it was a must-have.

Then as I'm looking through the store I discover a book that has my name written all over it!!! (Well, not really my name but you know what I mean) Bird Egg Feather Nest by Maryjo Koch! Do you think it was meant to be for me to find both of these artist's work today??? They are mother and daughter and I love them both. Their style, talent and taste is just beautiful to me.....so it was a good day!

They co-wrote a wonderful book, Vintage Collage Works that I have and now I need to pull it out and study it again. Does looking at other's artwork inspire you?? It definitely does me ~

I hope you have a great fall weekend. Relax and enjoy those you love ~

Happy Saturday,

xxoo, Dawn