BEARING GIFTS...

Saturday found me at the first of the Christmas parties for 2010...surrounded by the jewelry gals who have become such fast and wonderful friends.  My 'Secret Santa' this year was our ever entertaining, colorful, and much loved, Colleen Myler...Sassy Chica, or just plain Myler, as she is affectionately known in our circles.  Wanted to share the beautiful necklace and earring set she made for me - and how lucky I am to be able to count her as a close friend.  Jewelry Secret Santa parties have one rule - the gift must be made by your own little hands - whether it be jewelry or some other double secret talent you possess.

A beautifully beaded rivoli, in my beloved colors, setting atop a large brass flower; strung on brass chain with handmade components using Swarovski crystals and copper colored "disco ball" rondelles - so warm - SO beautiful!  This may have been a hard one for Myler, as she leans more towards the bold and BRIGHT colors in her always beautiful work (this is a woman who usually has large Fuschia chunks in her hair, among the blonde streaks on red - yes, she loves her color!), so the fact that she stayed within this more sedate color scheme makes this one even more special to me...sometimes you just have to work outside that box! 

Beautiful disco ball earrings, with tiny little brass sunflowers, to match - how lucky am I?!  I know!!!

This is our Myler...sporting one of her own beautiful creations, and 'showcasing her pair' of cleverly packaged earrings/bracelet she received Saturday.  Myler is the spice in our bead soup, for sure (did I mention she has a precious one-eyed dog, a three legged cat, and probably the tiniest little ankles I have ever seen on a grown human)!  I LOVE my gifts, Colleen - YOU ROCK!  Here's hoping everyone is lucky in the 'friend department' this holiday season!  I know I am...thanks for the gifts, and the friendship, Chica!

VEGAS CHRISTMAS HI-JINX...

Thought I'd send some holiday smiles your way with a photo of my folk's tree from my childhood...Dad said they were all "aunts", but I don't remember any of them at Christmas dinner - and we lived in Denver, where it snows in the winter, so yes, I am makin' it all up, but my folks would have totally ROCKED those two front row outfits!

Actually a vintage photo from the early days of Vegas, and the Copa showgirls...until I get my real tree photo up.  I was just feeling guilty because I am already seeing so many beautiful photos of Christmas on these blogs (even Jackie, who is apparently having a 'Blue' Christmas, already - snap out of it, girly!).  The 24th is closing fast, and I still have lots to accomplish - plus, I need a nap!  Happy Sunday...ho ho ho!

BARBS COUNTRY PRIMS...

Last in my post entries of snowmen, but certainly not in my heart, is this darling little snow fellow from Barb Ward.  Barb is a member of our eBay group, TLOFA (The Ladies of Folk Art), and sells under the eBay seller name of barbscountryprims, when she has the time.  She's a very busy lady, up in MI, holding down a household and helping out with some very loved grand babies.  Her beautiful little snowman looks so snug, with that scarf wrapped around his face, like I used to wear mine back home in CO.  Twig arms, clove buttons, and a wool felt coat - he will always have a special place on the tree, Barb - thanks a million and Merry Christmas to you and yours!

And, there you have it...a GRAND start to my holidays, thanks to some pretty special friends that I have.  A HUGE, heartfelt 'THANK YOU' for all the creativity - I love each and every piece that I have ever received from you - this year's just may be the best batch ever!  Yes, you ROCK!  Happy Holidays!

THE ANTIQUE PALLET...

Merry Winter...

The fourth featured treasure in the snowman exchange belongs to the talented paintbrush of Chris Schenewerk, of THE ANTIQUE PALLET.  Chris sent along a beautiful, hand painted antique book (Robert Louis Stevenson on the inside...Merry Winter on the out).  Chris has one of the most creative eyes for painting, that I've seen (not to mention hands, too) - the link will take you to her selling blog, where you can check out some of her other beautiful works of art.

And, as if the book weren't enough, Chris sews, too!  We each received a charming, roly poly snowman also, made from Warm and Natural batting, with a front pocket stuffed with handmade chenille candy canes and greenery.  And glitter - lots and lots of glitter on everything - books, snowmen, my floor, etc.  I do love glitter - good thing!

Thank you, Chris, my talented friend.  They're both pretty darned glitteringly wonderful (it's a technical term)!

AHL COOPED UP...

Starlight, starbright...

The third early day of Christmas brings this - another beautiful snowman, this one, a light!  Pat deWilde, of AHL COOPED UP made this wonderful 'snowman swap contribution' - everything Pat does is wonderful, quality work that she pours her heart into!  Make sure to check out her offerings at her blog link, above.

Constructed from Warm and Natural quilt batting, the snowman is holding the old childhood wish for stars, printed on parchment.  Standing on a wooden paddle/candle holder and next to a charming battery operated, wax dipped and 'antiqued' candle, which is sure to cast a warm glow this holiday season, and be a treasured heirloom for years to come - thank you, Pat!  He's front and center in my living room, wishing on those stars.

THE PRIMITIVE BUCKET...

Second installment of the snowman swap gifts brings this wee little snowgirl from my dear friend, Joleen Locke.  I LOVE this tiny little creation - she is 7-1/2" tall from head to toes; about 5-1/2" inches seated.  Her four-section head is PING PONG BALL size - believe me, the sectioned heads are a feat in and of themselves, let alone when they are that size!  Hand embroidered features, a polymer clay nose, vintage quilt dress, antique key and LOTS of glitter make for one happy snowgirl, and her pet crow.

 

As if the snowgirl wasn't enough, she included some prim 'gingers' in the package - they smell good enough to eat, and look like they just came off the cookie tray.  Joleen can be found at  THE PRIMITIVE BUCKET - she has had a very good year on the craft show circuit, and her work is exceptional...lots of loving attention paid to detail - she pours her heart into her work.

Thank you, 'Sis' - I love her SO much - HAPPY BIRTHDAY TODAY, TOO!  Hope it's wonderful.

FRIENDSHIP WARMS THE HEART, or...

The Five Days of Christmas, a little early...

My last post was a preview of what I knew would be wonderful things to come, and come they did!  I have the 'craftiest' friends in my life - in fact, I don't think I have one that doesn't have talent oozing from her fingertips.  I showed you what I had made for our little swap among friends (we were given a theme of snowmen, with instructions of 'anything goes') - now I get to show what I got in return (two among us have to wait a day more for the post office, so I will start with something I know everyone has received already - sorry girls, but I was chomping at the bit to show these yesterday and had to give in to my urges today!).  My dear friend, Jackie, will be happy to see that these are what she refers to as 'nice' snowmen.

"Friendship Warms the Heart"...it certainly does!  Suxie of YANKEE LANE PRIMITIVES (click on the link to go to her selling/happy place), sent a beautiful, large, Christmas card holder, made from a vintage quilt.  Suxie is actually Susie Hamill.  With a rather strong dislike of people who can't take the time to write out Christmas, but instead, opting for the shortened "X-Mas", Suxie took a stand a few years back and replaced the 's' in her signature, with an 'x'.  I had the pleasure of doing lunch with her and her Mom when they came through Vegas a few years back - I'm anxiously waiting for a return visit. 

With one of her printed labels (artwork downloads available in her store) serving as a pocket across the front, stuffed with handmade 'peppermint' sticks, cinnamon sticks, greenery, and a cotton 'marshmallow', it's pretty wonderful and will provide a warm home for incoming cards this CHRISTMAS!  Thank you, Susie (and your alter-ego, the ever lovable 'Woman of X'...when you come back out here, we might just have to take in the 'MEN of X' show - yes, it's what you are thinking it is!).