Humble Easter Display...

 Some of my favorite little Spring and Easter pieces displayed for my enjoyment. 

Easter Blessings and Bunny Hugs

to you and yours...

Generous Giving Friends...

 I realize I have introduced you before to Ana of Scrappy Pink Corner however this is worth repeating.
Ana and I decided to have a one on one swap.  We both love to create and surprise the other.  We both love to make beaded stickpins.  So that was sort of our theme.  I received this lovely package. She outdid herself to say the least.

 Here is a thread spool she altered into a memo holder with a clip.  I have her beautiful handmade card shown here.  I do love blue.

 Inside one of the packages was this key ring.  It is beautiful and I adore it. What really makes it extra special is the thoughtful sewing themed charms Ana added to the chain.  This is so me with the heart and bling.  I told her I will attach this to my very special Gingher fabric scissors my Grandma bought me decades ago.  NO one is allowed to touch those scissors but me.

 This is another super cute charm Ana put together.  I adore her attention to detail.

 Here is a sneak peek of the beaded stickpins she made just for me.  Ana is very proud to say that even though she makes hundreds of pins she only makes pins special for the person she is giving them to.  I feel very special.

 Here are the additional pins she created.  Each one a little work of art.  I truly appreciate all the beads and butterflies and angels and time she puts into these.

 And this is how super clever Ana is!  A bunny for display.  This is one side she decorated in all the Easter glory of flowers and colors.

This is the other side of Ms. Bunny with all her charm and decorative pins.  Ana cleverly used eggs to make a place for the pins to rest.  This beautiful bunny will be part of my Easter decor for many years to come.  But I must add...when Easter is gone and all the chocolate bunnies have been devoured this bunny will be displayed prominently in my sewing room to remind me of the generous gifts from a dear bloggy friend.   Thank you Ana.  You have once again overwhelmed me with your talent and generosity.  I will be happy to swap with you anytime.  In fact I have my thinking cap on as I type.
P.S.  If you hurry over to Ana's blog you will see her latest altered egg cartons.
We have had snow flurries again.  Mr. C was able to finish planting his new rose garden just before the snow began to fall.  I wasn't able to help him this time however I do think he got much more done with me not helping.  :o)  He now has twelve rose bushes in the rose garden and we will both enjoy them so very much.  I will share photos when they begin to grow.
May you enjoy this Good Friday and all of your Easter weekend.  Spending time making memories...

Blessed Beautiful Star...

When our time seems to be its busiest someone offers to make you something if you merely tell them what word you select and you wonder how can this be.  Reluctantly I gave my word selection to her and thought how can she possibly do such a generous thing for so many.  My desire to own something hand made by this  wonderful woman far out-weighed my thoughts of overloading her busy workload.  You probably recognize the signature style of Jillayne whose blog A Fine Seam is such a heartwarming place to visit.  

 My word was "blessed" and here is my hand made star with tiny little stitches spelling out blessed on one side.  This side has some more tiny stitches and a bead center.  The blue stitching and ribbon is my favorite color.  Actually I love all blues in all shades but this is so serene I extra love it.  The presentation on the tag is  wonderful and I shall display this on my inspiration board to see at all times.
I am blessed to be so fortunate to have friends like Jillayne in this creative blog community we enjoy.

Jillayne also made this lovely wool flower with the center being a vintage button.  More tiny stitches from Jillayne as she hand made this from her heart.  Sweet little card with adorable bird looks like Spring emerging from Winter...just like nature is doing right now.
Thank you dear friend.  I cherish these gifts hand made by you for me.
We had some more rain overnight...3/4 inch.  Today was fairly sunny yet cold.  Mr. C and I got two roses transplanted and two new David Austin bare root roses planted yesterday.  We were both pretty much covered in mud but glad we got so much done before more rain.  I must add we have planted new roses only because last year we put up a very tall deer fence and so far the deer have not eaten what roses we had left. I shall stay vigilant and watch to see that they don't get in to eat the new roses.  I can't even count the number of rose bushes they have eaten and killed in the past. I did see a family of four munching along the outside of the fence and practicing their running and circling and jumping.  They can really jump like a Pogo stick.  I tried to shoo them off but they just looked at me and stayed their ground.
As Easter approaches may you enjoy your candy or chocolate of choice as it is so available right now.  I know I am eating my share of all the bunny goodies.  Creative Bunny Hugs...

Celebrate Spring ATC Swap...

 Finally I was able to participate in an ATC swap with Kimberly of ArtJoyStuff blog. I have always wanted to join in on this fun as I always heard such raves from others who participated. I got my swap package.  Thank  you Kimberly for hostessing this and for doing such a wonderful job.  Everyone was so right!
This postcard was included in the package.  Kimberly took a tag she created and added a doily, buttons and  a ribbon bow to have the postcard reflect her style.

This beautiful butterfly tag was tied on the package.  I love butterflies and Celebrate Spring was the swap theme.  My six for six ATCs were wrapped in a lovely sheet of scrapbook paper...hmmm future projects.

 Here are the ATCs I received.  I adore them all.  Each one so unique and beautiful. The Celebrate Spring theme was definitely followed by these creative talented people.  Thank you to Sylvia, Lynn, Liz, Troy, Karen and Danielle.  I simply feel spoiled with these additions to my ATC collection.

Here is the next swap that Kimberly is hosting.  April in Paris.  Did you say that in your mind or did you sing that in your mind?  I always sing it.  Check out her blog for details as you still have time to enter.
I have loved ATCs since I discovered them.  The size of a standard playing card...2.5" x 3.5" is such a fun size to work with.  Other than size the possibilities are endless for artistic expression.
Now I must leave my computer and get outside for the limited non rainy snowy day we are having.  Mr. C and I will be planting a couple of new David Austin roses to enjoy.
Happy Spring and Birds that sing and all new growth and flowers and joyful play to each of you...

Lusted After Handmade...

 I admit I have lusted for material things.  I know I am weak however when it comes to something so beautiful and made by the hands of an extremely talented artist I am not ashamed to want.  I fell in love with Vicki's hand knit nests at least two years ago.  Please visit her blog to see much more.  She also travels to beautiful locations and then shares her photos with us.  You won't be disappointed.
As for her hand knit nests I really wanted one.  So I finally got up the courage to obtain one and missed the limited quantity opportunity.  So I emailed Vicki and got on her waiting list.  Alas my package arrived.  It was wrapped so beautifully with hand stamped nests on tissue and the gorgeous tag along with Vicki's Moo card attached.

 This is my gorgeous woodland nest.  You can only appreciate it in person as my photo does not begin to show the colors and yarns and work that Vicki puts into this unique creation.  Mr. C had been grumbling (about my needing more stuff) before he saw it and when it arrived...he completely changed his tune!  He was quite impressed and intrigued and immediately began reciting the types of yarns he saw.  He knows the yarns because he accompanied me on many travel quests for specialty yarns I put into my boas.  He also paid for those exotic yarns and therefore appreciates how costly yarns can be.

I placed my coveted nest on a pedestal so the yarns could properly fall around the nest.  It is truly amazing and I am entranced. Thank you so much Vicki for making me this beautiful and amazing piece of art.  

I have displayed it in my entry for all to see. It is accompanied by a wonderful tray of natural pieces and some of my favorite things such as beach glass, rocks and a real bird nest I found in my yard.
Somehow I am at peace now that I have my little nest close to me.
Yesterday we had more rain and snow all day.  Today I see blue sky and some sunshine and how beautiful it looks.  For outdoor activities it is far too cold for me so that is my reason for not being outside pulling weeds in the muddy slime.  I was able to spend time yesterday cleaning and organizing my studio.  Where do all the piles of stuff come from that end up on my worktable and floor?!?!?!  Today I am hoping to do some putting away and organizing in my sewing room.  I think some of the studio piles migrated into the sewing room!
Serene Sunday and wonderful week ahead to all...