Swap Over at Button Floozies!

Button Card Image from InspireCompany.Com
Pop on over to Button Floozies to join the fun!! I am in the process of figuring out a Vintage Button Card Swap! Doesn't it sound fun??

Apologies...

I'm sorry for not visiting you as often as I should. Time is so tight right now and although I visit and read so many blogs, I have little time to comment. Baby A is pluggin' through the Flu like a trooper! As of yet, no one else has gotten it. Lysol, you are my hero! Here are some pretty pics to brighten your day and mine. The flowers were a gift to my MIL from her daughter and the other is a package of goodies that is almost on it's way to my dear friend, Anke.

Wonderful packages and five things..

Oh! I had such a wonderful Valentine's Day! I hope everyone else did too. First, the mail came and I had two packages!! Yeay! Love getting mail, especially from fabulous friends! First, my package from Tara had a beautiful blue rose teacup, Sutton of London tea, and a cream puff recipe!! Oh, it was so lovely to open her box, and on top, lay a page from a 1930 Newspaper. The real deal! Thank you so much for sharing such a treasure from your home, Tara!

The next fabulous package to arrive was from Sherry. Another YEAY!! A tin heart box was beautifully decorated and filled with fabulous crafting goodness! (♥and a few chocolates!) Wonderful tags, paper blooms and gorgeous red 'bling' hearts. Thank you Dear Sherry!

some of the goodies in my jars..

Alright, time to get down to business.. Rhonda tagged me to share five things that you don't already know.. hhmm.. I have shared alot lately, so this might be tricky..

1.) I was called 'bug eyes' in elementary school.. that was rough.. also four eyes.. yep, I wore glasses. In high school the eye doctor finally told me it was a waste of money for glasses, they didn't improve my eye sight, and I could see perfectly well out of my right eye. (stagmatism in the left) I never have been able to see 3D movies or pics.

2.) I am a plant killer. Love house plants, but they die horrible deaths when in my care. I do have some succulents, don't ask me what kind, I just know they thrive on abuse and neglect. (one is peeking in the top pic.)

3.) Love blue jeans. They are my most favorite piece of clothing, but none of them fit right since my last child.

4.) Love to travel, have seen the world, but TERRIFIED to fly ever since my first child was born. The last time I was on a plane I nearly threw up and I had an anxiety attack before I even boarded. (that was on meds..) The poor Stewardess, she tried so hard to calm me down, but I cried the entire flight.

5.) I feel awfully guilty if my home isn't spotless and neat because I am home all day. I know I shouldn't, but I can't help it. I have the blessing of being a stay at home mom and I just want everything to be perfect. Needless to say, I have discovered over the past year I am NOT Martha. Not even close. lol!! Ugghh.. this was a devastating and painful realization for me.

Ok.. above is a sneak peek at tomorrows post.. I visited my aunt's 1810 NH home and I took some more pics for you!!

Precious Moments and Little Gifts..

A peekie at the goodies that are going out...

Lately I have been filling my time with little things.. I am working on a Grannie Square Blanket for my brother in Afghanistan. (or perhaps is it an afghan?) Not to sound cliche, but the days seem to go by so quickly. After he left, I found that the days blurred together and before I noticed, a week had gone by and I hadn't given him or his situation a thought. In the evenings, once the girls are tucked in bed and the house is quiet, I sit at the foot of T's bed (she won't fall asleep unless I am in the room) and crochet. Because the squares are easy, I don't need much light to work by. I found that my thoughts were drifting to my brother, so I decided the blanket should be for him. Now, no matter how crazy my days get, I stop, pause, and send thoughts and prayers his way every day. I don't know if he gets them, or will want the blanket when I am done, but that is not the point. It's my time to spend with him, even if he so very far away.

The colors are above, pale and almost faded. Not really masculine or what you might think of when you think of a Specialist Sergeant in the Army, but they were our grandmother's. When she passed away my mother got all of her yarns. There were 12 baby weight skeens, in these three colors, soft and wonderful to work with. I just love the grey, cream and salmon together. I was able to make 11 squares from one ball, so hopefully the finished piece will be big enough to really enjoy once its done.

Above, is my little bundle of love and good wishes for.... well, you'll just have to wait until she get it!

I truly enjoyed every minute that I worked on your swaps. I wasn't able to make them quite as large as I wanted, as I had 9 to do. 3 are shipping International and the other 6 are going Priority Mail today. Ouch! That 'll hurt the wallet, but it is so worth every penny! I hope you enjoy them! I am hoping to host an Easter Swap as well, but next time make it a 'Three for Three' swap... I'll let you know once I figure it out!

Have a fabulous day!

Sit and have a cup o' tea..

I drink tea. My husband is a coffee person, but I like tea. The smell of coffee is fabulous, but unless it is cream and sugar with a 'little bit of coffee' I just can't drink it. So, I thought I'd share my favorite tea and give you a sneak peek at the lovely pretties I have been packing up for my Valentine's Day Swap!

As you can tell from the pic, I use a mug. Not a dainty, pretty cup (I do have some) but a mug. My tea bag sits wrapped around the handle all day, and as my cup empties I just add more hot water. I know, I'm sure, that I am breaking all the rules of proper tea drinking that people are gasping all over the world. No sugar, no cream. Just a bag. The flavor of Pickwick Wild Raspberry Rose is just delightful! It reminds me of summer as it is filled with rosehips, hibiscus, rose leaves and raspberries. I had a hard time tfinding in any of my local shops, so my MIL ordered 6 boxes for me off the internet! Isn't she a sweetie? ♥

Below is the glimpse of goodies each of you will be receiving from me. I had so much fun putting these together! I can't wait for you to open them, I just wish I could be there! You'll have to let me know when you get them, they will be going out in the mail on Monday. Hopefully everyone will get them before Valentine's.. Sherry and Carolyn, I'll hope for speedy delivery for you!! :)

Everyone have a lovely weekend, I'm not sure if I'll be able to post, but I'll be visiting everyone's blog!

♥ Abbie

Kitch-y pics..and Valentine's..

The sinks in our kitchen are probably one of my most favorite things in the house. I just love the soapstone.. it develops a lovely patina over time. With each year we use them, the sinks just get better. Also, being a short person, it is very easy to get my hand in there to work. When we were working with the craftsman on the design of the kitchen I wanted to make sure the cabinets had 'feet'. I think it gives the appearance of furniture instead of cabinetry.

Below is a snapshot of the island and stove. (uh.. duh.) ;) You can see my loon decoy watching over everything. It's technically not mine, I bought it for my hubby. But what's his is mine and what's mine is mine, right? lol! ;)

I keep a stash of hidden goodies in the crystal bowl on the island.. can you tell what they are? Here's a hint..

Also, for those who are doing a swap with me.. yes, I still want to swap! :) First.. I need snail mail addresses.. (email me..) I thought since things are so crazy on my end, that I would put together some lovely little bundles (very inexpensively) and send them out to each of you. I am hoping to send out your packages this week. Once you receive them, then you can send something back in return if you wish. AND.. Carolyn created this lovely banner for your blog if you would like to grab it and post it! Thank you Carolyn!! It is just so cute, it makes me smile!

Swappin' Love Goodies..

I was peeking at some of my favorite blogs and I saw that Melissa had made an offer to do a Valentine's Day Swap with others.. I was too late to get in, so I thought I'd ask you, some of my blogger friends, if you are interested in a Valentine's Day Swap.. My birthday is also 20th, (as I mentioned in my last post) and it is always so much fun to get treasures in the mail. :) I can swap NH goodies (Maple candy appeal to anyone?), crafty supplies, pretty sparklies or it could be a surprise gift-ette. Whatever you would like. I could only do a few, perhaps two or three? OR.. if more people are interested then I might be able to figure out a 2 for 2 swap, (send in two bundles of love, get two bundles of love..) Just leave me a comment, or if you would like, you can email me at damseldesigns@hotmail.com.

Some ideas.. a handmade craft item from your local area.. (we have wonderful locals who make handmade soaps, chocolates (always a perfect choice!), etc..

Crafty art bits that you no longer use and would like to 'swap' them for someone else's goodies.. (such as paper, ephemera, trims, etc..)

Perhaps a 'Tea Party' idea.. maybe a small teacup from a secondhand store filled with tea, natural sugar, and/or a small hand towel..

Most of these ideas can be kept to a few dollars with a little creativity and you'd be getting a similiar 'gift' back from yours truely!

I'll work out the details if anyone is interested.. :) I do have lots goodies looking for wonderful homes, so please let me know!

I hope everyone is enjoying their January.. how are resolutions coming along? For me, I am trying to stretch every evening once the children are in bed to help me sleep better and release some of the tension of the day. I was able to get all of my business and craft supplies up to the bedroom on the third floor yesterday. It took atleast 25 trips of 'down a set of stairs from the garage' and 'up two flights' to the third floor.. but I did it! My legs are on fire today, but I guess I hit two birds with one stone. Moved everything and I got some great exercise at the same time. It also tuckered up my two year old, because she climbed those flights of stairs almost as many times as I did.

The sun is shining and if you have been watching the news, the NH Primary is today, so I am off to vote and take Baby A to the doctors for her 6 month checkup. Z is going to be NINE tomorrow!! My Baby Boy is NINE years old!! Good grief.. where in the !@!@*! did the last nine years go?