Lo, How A Rose E're Blooming...

Christmas gifts have been shipped to family and now I have time to create

 the gifts that are on my list for special friends and family here at home.

I'm not going to mention the names of anyone in particular (like maybe the one I
mentioned in my blog post yesterday. shhhh!), but I decided that project would be
the first one I'd work on in the afternoon after everything else was delivered to the
post office. I told you I already had fabrics and embellishments planned in my mind.

It wasn't long before I had all my supplies pulled and was busy at my
machine. I sewed the basic design, and then I sat down to do my handwork.
I used silk ribbons for a sweet feminine touch and after I added a few more
adornments, I sat back to assess my finished efforts. I was pleased.

These gifties are going to be wrapped this morning and then they'll be on

their way to a certain "sparkle-ing" friend. I had a ball making them and

I hope that she's as tickled with her gifts as I am with the ones she sent to me.

As soon as I know she's received them, I'll share photos of the whole project.

I don't want to give away any more than a peek - just in case she stops by for a visit.

One more thing today - I'm not of the mind that December 21st is the end of
the world. I'm looking at that Mayan calendar like the odometer on a car.
When it gets to "999,999.9 miles", it flips over to all zeroes and starts again.

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 Besides, I have way too many ideas for projects that I intend to finish before
all the lights go out. I'll be back tomorrow and hope you'll be here, too.
I'd love for you to see what I have planned next.

I've Been Blinged...

 My friend, Shelly from Bungalow Bling and I decided to do a swap

just between the two of us. I have loved her dreamy creations for a

long time, and she said she'd like to have one of my custom pincushions.

 Her gifts have arrived already!!

I was over the moon when I saw what she created for me.

 I love everything!!

A sweet little pine cone angel will be a wonderful addition

to our holiday tree, but will also grace the studio throughout the year.

 Shelly created my own little musical, sparkly Frosty!

Look at his adorable top hat. Isn't he just the most charming little guy?

 It most certainly is (the season)!

A musical dove with gold glitter trim. sigh

 When I opened the box, I found a glittery, shiny star.

A truly enchanted star to sparkle for my little snowman.

I neglected to mention it, but if you look closely at the first photograph,

you'll see a tiny clip sitting next to my snowman. It has a handmade

rosette on the clip and I can use it for many things...holding paper,

marking a favorite passage in a book, or even to adorn my (really short) hair!

Dearest friend, Shelly: I can't begin to tell you how much I love my gifts.

My snowman needs a name, so I'm going to call him "Sparkle" for all the

twinkle and light he brings into my studio. His name and his image will

forever be a reminder of your generous spirit and our friendship.

Thank you, sweet girl. Thanks and thanks again.

Now, Shelly and the rest of you may wonder about what I'm creating for

my part of our exchange. I'll just tell you that each image above contains a

clue to what her gift will look like. Soon, I'll be back to show you what I'll be

sending to the great state of Washington as my swap gift to the "Queen of Bling".

Soon.

Oh, and be sure to visit Shelly's blog to see her other beautiful, fairytale creations!