What I've Been Up To and Yummy Monday

Oh My.... Who was I kidding when I said things would calm down after Christmas????? February is quite the birthday month among my family and friends so I've got all sorts of plans afoot. And that's not even counting Valentine's Day which I regard more as a lovely time for giving really beautiful, feminine gifts to the women in my life than a "sweetheart" sort of holiday. So I've got some things up my sleeve for all "my girls"! Oh and my NEST....let's just say it's needing more feathers, Sweets. I seem to have lost steam in this department. The prospect of sewing yards and YARDS of drapes with fabric that was far too expensive and therefore CAN'T be messed up is a bit daunting, I must confess! Though the sewing itself will be simple it's the measuring and figuring that has me a bit overwhelmed. So in my typical fashion, instead of diving into something overwhelming, I have been just AVOIDING it! Instead I've been making tiny little pretties that I can finish in a day....but I'll show you those in a bit....

FIRST, I must talk about our Valentine's Swap that Jenn and I are co-hosting! For those of you who are participating, how are you doing? It's going to sneak up on us all of a sudden, isn't it? I am having such fun working on goodies for my Swap Partner. I can't tell you (or her!) who my partner is, of course, but I hope she will LOVE what I am making for her... But I CAN show you the FAB hostess gifts Miss Jessi Nagy sent me! I was so surprised to get this sweet gift! This is the first time I've hosted a swap so I didn't anticipate "hostess gifts"....what a lovely thought!

And here's what was inside the little wrapped up packages.... Thank you so much, Jessi!

And now....back to the stuff I've been doing INSTEAD OF the stuff I should be doing! :)

New Stuff I've Been Working On!

"Sweet Love" Treasure Box....

Kit version: SOLD

Already-Made version (with treasures inside!): find it HERE (EDITED: SOLD! THANK YOU!)

"My Heart Belongs to Daddy" Shadowbox....SOLD
"Dearest" Shadowbox....SOLD

"You're a Doll" Shadowbox....SOLD

"Dearest Sweetheart" Fabric Collage...Available HERE
Antique Glitter Station... Available HERE (Edited: SOLD....thank you!)

"Feathering Her Nest"... Available HERE (Edited: SOLD....thank you!)
And now....since it's Monday....of course we must take our YUMMY MONDAY TRIP!

What's that you say? Well of COURSE you're invited!

Hop into my little cyber car with me and off we go to see some of the yummiest things I've found of late!

YUMMY THING ONE: Our "New" Vintage Stroller from Summersdarling/Just Between Us Girls

This sweet little contraption is a vintage stroller called a Taylor Tot that my friend Pat's husband Casey restored! Isn't it darling? I think so! I bought it from Pat last year while we still lived in our little "cottage" and she's been keeping it for me until I had more space. Now that we're settled into our bigger nest, she sent it to us....and what a HIT it is! You can see by Andrew's face that he thinks this stroller is the best thing since Cheerios! And his sisters fight to ride on the back where there is a little ledge they can perch on. We went for a walk down the street and it worked wonderfully. When my MIL saw it she KNEW that it was called a Taylor Tot since she and her siblings had one just like it as children!

YUMMY THING TWO: Lavender Sachet Pillow by Summersdarling
Here's one of Pat's lovely sachet pillows, just in time for Valentine's Day. I love this dear little image of a little girl...reminds me of my second daughter. The box and doll are not for sale but aren't they adorable? Pat is so good at setting up pretty little vignettes.

YUMMY THING THREE: Vintage Valentines Shadowbox by Sweet Eye Candy Creations
OH MY GOSH....this is too darling for WORDS! You must go HERE and HERE to see it and all the close-ups! My good friend, Jenn, has done it again. She is quite the assemblage artist and I am just so in awe of everything she creates! This piece is just over-the-top sweet!

YUMMY THING FOUR: Dream Jar by Katie's Rose Cottage

I love Katie's Rose Cottage. I've purchased several items from her boutique and love every one! Isn't this little jar darling? I love the key strung on the ribbon. I think writing down dreams and putting them in a jar is a really lovely and sentimental idea, don't you?

YUMMY THING FIVE: Cupid Valentine Frame by GaudyisGreat

Gorgeous collaged frame covered in buttons, baubles and charms, both old and new. And what a sweet Cupid print inside, as well!

YUMMY THING SIX: Valentine Flashcard Garland by CariKraft

I love these garlands. She makes them for all occasions and they are just so sweet and simple.
This one reads, ""There is no better friend than you dear Valentine."

YUMMY THING SEVEN: Vintage Lefton Valentine Southern Belle Music Box

I am a little bit addicted to searching "Lefton figurines" on eBay! I'm not a "knick-knack" type of gal but I will make an exception for these sweeties. I drooled over the Christmas figurines before Christmas and I am really debating over whether to start a "Birthday Girl" collection for my girls....if you haven't seen the Lefton Birthday Girls, you must take a look. There are different styles from different decades but my favorite are the ones holding the number. For instance, there is a little girl holding a "4" that I'd love to give my almost-four daughter. But if I do that, then I will have to give my other daughter a "7" in August and then we'll have a big problem since I'm not all that good about dusting.....

Anyway, my dusting issues aside, isn't this gal sweet as can be????

YUMMY THING EIGHT: Cupcake Clips and Rubber Bands by Bobbleicious

Speaking of birthdays, I got these cuties for one of Rachel's birthday presents. As I mentioned last week, Miss Rachel got some of Gymboree's Cupcake line for Christmas so these will be perfect accessories for my sweet girl!

YUMMY THING NINE: Valentines' Cloche by LullabyLamb

And OH MY...what a precious little hat! So darling for V-Day and beyond!

YUMMY THING TEN: Bird Queen of Alcatraz Collage by Dollface Designs

She's done it again....I just love these Dollface collages.

YUMMY THING ELEVEN: "Sugar Kisses" Sign by Susie's Signs

This makes me think of my almost-neighbor, Analise Sledd, who has a blog and etsy shoppe she calls "Sugar Sugar." And speaking of Analise, have you seen the latest issue of Somerset Life??? I was so excited when I picked it up in the bookstore and I told the poor cashier ALL about it, even though she looked about 14 and seemed pretty much appalled that I was buying a MAGAZINE for $15. But it's not just any magazine, is it, ladies??? It's more like a book and I save each and every issue that I buy for future enjoyment. This is a particularly good issue and I am so very PROUD to "know" Analise!

Here's something YUMMY from Analise's store:

YUMMY THING TWELVE: Pink & Aqua Candy Cups Kit by Sugar Sugar

I could just slurp these sweeties right up! You get enough materials to make six of these and wouldn't they be perfect for our kids' teachers/Sunday School teachers, etc. for Valentine's Day or even Easter? Just darling.

Well that's it for today, Sweets! Hope you have a lovely, creative week. I'm sending big hugs to you! Thanks for stopping by for a visit. It's always nice to "see" you...