CHRISTMAS IN THE BATHROOM

This is the top of the cupboard in my half-bath!

I made these two deer crafts using an empty ribbon spool (2-1/2") as the stand. One for my sister and one for my neighbor!

PUMPKINS AND LOVEBIRDS

First, the birds! Mister picked up this ceramic box at the thrift store the other day, and I'm thrilled with it. It has been added to my ceramic bird collection which is now in my half-bath!

I'm sure many of you have seen white pumpkins blinged out. I love that look! While I was at Michael's craft store this past week they had some of the fake ones. Here's what I did with mine:

I love glue guns! :)

MY FALL COOKIE CUTTER SWAP GOODIES!

I participated in Sandy and Deb's HALLOWEEN/FALL COOKIE CUTTER SWAP. They were a bit strict, mind you. Things like, "Make the package fun to open" and "Manners count, saying Thank You is a must". I dunno . . . I did my best! 

My partner was Pam of Virginia Retro. She sent her package to me a bit early as she was going on vacation. I was dying to open it, but I hadn't finished up mine yet and didn't want to be influenced by what she sent. It was hard to wait, but I sent her box out this past Saturday and opened mine on Sunday. That worked out well because the New England Patriots weren't playing yesterday (they're Monday Night this week) and I needed something fun to occupy my afternoon (although it didn't take 3 hours to open the box!).

Everything was wrapped up so cute in pretty colored tissue papers and tags of all sorts.

Here's what she sent:

This is the cookie cutter decoration she made. It's so lively with all the little punkins and buttons. I love the color combination!

She made a few cute little magnets:

Aw heck! I was gonna photograph, then open, each little package but I just plumb ran out of patience! Here's all the rest of the goodies: Pam went tag-happy and I'm glad she did - they now decorate my house!

Look at all that fun stuff! Vintage playing cards, yo-yo's, Fall-themed ribbons around spools, buttons, CANDY, and more!! Isn't that pumpkin face the happiest looking little guy? Of course, my favorite is the fat quarter of cherry-printed fabric!

Thanks so much, Pam, you did a great job with what you sent me - I'm happy and content (especially after eating the candy bar!). :) SPOILER ALERT: Pam, don't go below this paragraph if you haven't opened your package yet!

This is the cookie cutter and large tag (along with other goodies) that I made for Pam. I didn't have, and couldn't find, a round vintage cutter so I used a leaf-shaped one that I had. I just love craft swaps!

A FEW EASTER PICS

I made this mini diorama using a small picture frame, buttons for the sun, a vintage bridge tally card, and a wee Easter tree decoration! It makes me happy to look at it!

Mister gave me this ceramic basket years ago. Last year I found these pink plastic eggs and they look so nice in the basket!

Hey, look! I snagged a fairy! And it's living quite happily in my bird cage.

Because I live in the Boston area, I leave you with this:

SOME VALENTINE DECORATIONS

We got another foot (30cm) of snow today, :( . I had to shovel a path from the house out to the road that our back driveway goes to, because it's a heck of a lot shorter than the 1/8 mile long "official" driveway - twice! I'll be sore tomorrow! I hired the two brothers next door to shovel a path down the long driveway to the bus stop.

I am joining up at Rednesday, hoping all those reds will warm me up!

I'm going to show you some of my Valentine decorations - some that I made. First is a beautiful accordion card that I picked up a year or so ago. It's so pretty!

Next is my what-not shelf.

I decorated the three little bottles for V-Day - stickers or double-sided tape so I can take them off easily.

Couldn't resist giving this forlorn angel a Valentine card. Hope she cheers up.

This is a candy box that I decorated for myself. I am absolutely in love with it!

Remember this guy? "Where's Steve?" (Steve Irwin, The Crocodile Hunter). He's looking to get lucky!

Last is a heart-shaped necklace that came from my aunt's estate.

THE AFTERMATH

My Christmas crafting is all over! My craft area has certainly seen better days.

 I'll show you the last two items I made, for my two sisters. First is this oval hanging plaque:

How many of you have seen this beautiful box in the Victorian Trading Company catalog?

Well, I decided to make a similar one. I used a Whitman candy box. Here's how it turned out:

 inside bottom

 inside lid

Now I had better get the room cleaned up so I can get going on Valentine's fun!

TEACHERS GIFTS/CRAFTS

I'm sitting here at the computer with my feet up on the desk, listening to Christmas music while waiting for the Patriots/Ravens game to come on in 45 minutes! Here's what I did for Becky's three special ed. teachers ( head of spec. ed, school psychologist, and job coach):

Every year I make them something. This year I made these little ornaments ~

I also gave them these ~

These cookie tins (full of cookies) are only 4 inches square! I got them at Big Lots. I made the calendars; a Yankee candle; and each gets a nail file with a charm that was only 25 cents a piece at a local Ocean State Job Lot store.

The also will get a mini loaf of triple berry "bread" and an Oreo cookie lollipop covered in mint-flavored white chocolate! I appreciate these ladies and all they do for the special ed. kids!

MY EASTER SWAP 2013

I decided that I, too, will have an Easter Swap! As the sign says, anything goes! You can make whatever you want for this swap - creativity is the only limit. (If you are not a crafter, just purchase items instead of making them.) Here are some ideas:

A small wreath

(no bigger than 6")

A decorated egg

(styrofoam, plastic, etc.)

A matchbox

A wood object

A small birdhouse

A little basket

A tag or banner

Sew a little something

There are so many other ideas, these are just the tip of the iceberg! Now for the details.

Sign up will end Thursday, February 28. Easter is Sunday, March 31.  The only restriction is that you must have a blog to join, so we can see what you received! International partners welcome! Mail your creations to your swap partner by Friday, March 22 at the latest. That will give you 2 - 3 weeks to work on it.

As usual, feel free to add other little goodies to the package (candy, decorations, ephemera, doo-dads) - that's part of the fun! Just don't go overboard with the spending.

SIGN UP ON THIS BLOG POST ONLY! If you do not want an international partner, please let me know. If I've left anything out, contact me.

3, 2, 1, sign up now!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

I hope you all have a happy day and if you don't have a valentine, remember that God loves you very much!

Pink pearl heart Nestabling from Want2Scrap. Hearts and squirrel embellishment - Martha Stewart/Michaels.