The cutest swap package

My package from the Crisp and Clean, White and Green swap arrived and I can not tell you how pleased I am with my gifts. Each and every item was selected with ME in mind. Look at those darling blocks that spell out CAKE GIRL, the great fabric pin in green and white stripes, the little white bird, and the fabulous B. Perfect, perfect, perfect. Many thanks to Lori for being so very thoughtful. She has restored my faith in swaps.

Yesterday was sunny and warm until about 5pm. That gave me enough time to get out in the garden for some clean up. Everything is green and starting to flower. Here in the midwest we have to be careful not to plant too early. Days like yesterday give the false impression that it is safe to put annuals in the ground. Not so - today it is in the low 40's. The heat is back on and I am still wearing gloves for my morning walk.
And to confuse one even more, it is predicted to be in the 80s on Wednesday.

My apron arrived today

My apron from the Vintage Linen Remix Apron Swap arrived to day and I would like to show it to you. Also in the package were 4 little napkins, 2 in a pea fabric and 2 in a carrot fabric and a recipe for snowy mashed potatoes ( mashed with cream cheese and sour cream). Many thanks to my craft partner, Caroline. Don't you love the name Caroline?!!!

Two issues

Recently I won this darling apron and matching gloves from Carolyn's Kitchen. Isn't it the cutest?!!! Receiving notification that you are a winner is as much fun as receiving the package.

My second issue is prom dresses. My daughter is looking for a long prom dress and what is on the racks is shocking. I do not consider myself prudish at all, but the backless, low-cut, plunging neckline, slinky dresses that are being offered are not at all appropriate for teenage girls. We are constantly being told that our daughters are given unrealistic images of size and shape and that sex is everywhere they look. We went to the BCBG store and the largest size they had was a 6!!! I don't care what size you are or how thin you are, it is not appropriate for a teenage girl to wear what is being offered by many manufacturers. We found a great dress by Jessica McClintock that is beautiful, flattering and modest while still being very stylish. I'm glad that's taken care of...until the next dance.

Another Easter Basket

Today I received my second swap basket. This one came from Andrea at Vintage Bella Studio. Lots and lots of craft supplies along with bubble gum! The cute little egg shaped pieces in miniature egg crates. Yum, yum. I took a few pictures in hopes of showing everything.

Signs of Spring are finally surfacing in the Midwest. We had a long, cold winter and everyone is anxious for some warmth and sun. This morning I saw buds on the trees and bushes, some bulbs in bloom and SUN!!! Everyday you can heard the landscapers doing the spring cleanup. My chives and lovage are up in the garden. It will be another 6 weeks before I can put any annuals in the ground.

MyVery Vintage Easter Basket Swap

My Easter Basket arrived from Alissa and here is a picture of what I received.
Candles, a bunny, candy, pencils, fabric, magnets, a hook, oh my! Such a thoughtful collection of items. Thank you so much, Alissa.
Now that I have a camera and can read the manual, I hope to be more diligent about posting pictures. I love looking at pics on other blogs and hope it makes my blog more interesting. And I will work on improving my photography skills.

Easter swaps

Much has been written about swap flakers and swap etiquette, but what about a hostess that disappears?!!! What can you do other than move on another project. Does her name get posted so that others can avoid her swaps? Things come up that prevent you from following through with your plans, but courtesy requires contacting those in your swap. No lengthy explanation, no details necessary, just a simple email or notice on your blog.

Heidi of Foxgloves, Fabric and Folly has paired up her participants for another wonderful "vintage" swap. This is the Very Vintage Easter Basket themed swap. My partner is Alissa and she sounds like a great match. I love looking at blogs to see what others send and receive. That should, and does, make me feel very guilty for not posting pictures. I just don't know how to do it.

We have a local television program called "Check, Please" that has ordinary people review their favorite restaurant. Last night I went to one that was reviewed by Illinois' favorite son, Barack Obama, prior to his election. It was Dixie Kitchen and the food was excellent. The waiters wore teeshirts that had a Barack quote about the restaurant. Very fun. It is Southern cooking and the portions are gigantic. So big that I had to pass on dessert. Today I am craving a piece of pecan pie. Next visit I will know enough to eat only half of what is on my plate.

birthday decorations

Next Sunday my youngest turns 18. Anyone reading this who has older children will agree when I ask, where did the time go? There is a book, "Five Minutes Peace", about a mother elephant trying to get just 5 minutes alone to relax. Of course, she is unsuccessful. I vividly remember those days. We have a boy and a girl and I tell each of them something special about how they transformed my life. I tell Claire that she made my life complete, the ideal family, a boy and a girl. Truth be told, if I was guaranteed another girl, I would have had a third child. I wish Claire had a sister. I just remembered, today is my sister's birthday.

So... all that said, my original thought for this post was the birthday banner I made.
I am pleased with the results and had a very fun time making it. As soon as I finish I will hang it to enjoy all week and take a picture to post. Finished!!! I took a full shot and a close up to highlight some of the details.

The past week was full of projects. I started the vintage apron and found all sorts of vintage linens that I forgot I had. Realizing that I did not know I had them made it even more fun to put them to good use. Apron is very cute. Also started on my Easter baskets for the 2 swaps, having a lot of fun finding things to fill them. Continuing to make felted wool mittens. Our recent snowfall and below freezing temperatures make mittens a must. And cute ones are more fun.