{ My MiNuTia }

Postmark L.A., Hooray!

So, ohmygosh, the day is finally here. The day to announce the big news, the petite livre is finally done!

A few months ago, Rebecca Sower, Charlotte Lyons, Pam Garrison, Carolyn Peeler, Amy Hanna and I gathered for a fun trip in Los Angeles. It was the best time in so many ways. Well, we put our pointy little heads together and created this petite livre to share the adventures we had with everyone. It was a trip not to be forgotten! But we didn't stop there. We also packed this book with page after page of inspiration, projects and insights. Which was more fun I wonder? That trip we had, or creating this book? That's a hard one.

It's fresh, it's totally indie, it's 69 full color pages on thick glossy stock, it's intense and it was a blast to do together! It's not so petite after all. You can order a copy from the fulfillment center: RIGHT HERE! 

I invite you check the other gal's blogs for fun stuff like giveaways here: Charlotte, Rebecca, Pam, Carolyn.

Gotta tell you, I am truly honored to be a part of this book with these top notch girls. I keep pinching myself to make sure it's really happening. I love how we came together and did this our way and on our terms and pushed ourselves into making this pie in the sky notion of doing a book together...into the actual tangible book. And now to be able to share it with everyone? Well, that's just cool.

I'm pleased as punch to be able to present this book and would love nothing more to share a copy with you. Throw your name in the hat by leaving a comment to this post and you could be a winner of a copy of Postmark L.A. and surprise to go along with the book, too. :) Don't you love surprises? I do.

Chicken Wired Floral Cone

Happy new week! Recently, my sis and I created a floral cone and loved it. Thought I'd show you how we did it. Maybe you'd like to make one, too.

This chicken wire cone is like a blank canvas, and you can do so many things with it, once you make it. I made a big one, it measures about 8 wide and 18 long. I like to hang it on our back deck on a door, but brought it inside to show you. Here are some close ups:

To make one of your own, getcherself some chicken wire (hardware store), and a pair of clipping shears. Prepare a cone form from a piece of posterboard. You can try to make the cone without this posterboard form, but I don't recommend it. It's harder than it looks to get the shape just right without a form (experience talking there).

Wrap the chicken wire around the cone form and clip the wire excess. Twist the wires around each other where the ends meet, to form the cone.

To create the hanger, cut a piece of the wire from the leftovers, about 18" long or so. Wrap the ends around the cone and twist the wire around itself.

Fill the cone with paper of choice. I used 2 12x12 sheets by Prima. Love their papers. Now, as you are working with the cone, those edges may annoy you...and if they do, just stick the wire cone inside your posterboard cone and now it won't poke you anymore. :)

Gather some seam binding or ribbons and tie to the front of the cone.

If you like, add a little welcome tag to the cone as well. Here is one I made, and punched a hole in the top.

Okay so, after I added it to the cone, I thought maybe you'd like one for yourself. You can download this tag here: Download welcometag.pdf

Print in on your highest quality printer setting onto white card stock.

Lastly, add some flowers, right? Our backyard is blooming in all it's glory right now, so I used lilacs and small cherry blossom branches to fill the cone. Fill a plastic cup with water and tuck it into the inside of the cone. Fill it with flowers.

I tucked some tissue paper down into the cone before I added this cup, to raise the cup a little higher.

There ya go! Hope you try one! I wanted to show this tutorial before Mother's Day, thinking it'd be a fun home spiffer upper or a nice gift, but I didn't get the time to do that. With all the fresh flowers in bloom right now, it's a fun and interesting way to display them!

AND another thing.... Sandra Evertson recently posted a delightful and beautiful project on her blog that you can make for yourself. Check it out. AND, that sweet Charlotte Lyons posted the most darling Mother's Day gift on her blog this morning. Check that out, too! It gave me goosies! She's got some kinda cool daughters she does she does. File that one under Father's Day gifts I am thinking.

A Day Full o Surprises

"Sit down, Mom. Right here on the couch and let me read these with you." My little guy held a large envelope overstuffed with handmade cards.

For the past 7-8 weeks I've volunteered through Junior Achievement with my son's class, teaching them about cities, newspapers, restaurants, and so on. We even built a city with color cardboard boxes and studied zoning in cities and towns.

Anyway, as the school year comes to an end, so did my curriculum. It was great fun spending time with 28 very creative, energetic, and most always very disciplined 9 year olds. Many of our mornings together left ME quite energized and extra thankful for little people in this world.

Back to sitting on the couch. My son gave me this big stack of cards he and his classmates made. I had to read each one, out loud with him. I never knew you could spell my last name so many different ways!

When we'd finished reading all of them, he confessed that he has another something special to give to me on Sunday. "I'm just saying to you now, I'm sorry if it's broken by Sunday." His words with two sorrowful blue eyes on top of them. Awww. Wonder what it is and hope it's not something living in his backpack for 3 days, hmmm.

Now this little peach (the girl is from Paper Whimsy.com), is a peek at the last project for The Casa Bella E-Zine. I just added it. I've been waiting patiently all week to share it. My new favorite technique! Pretty proud of my newest concoction...all this cool layering. Love it. The photo above has a Photoshopped border on it, but the photo itself isn't Photoshopped....know what I mean? The texture you see is real...not digital. That's the "concoction" I've been playing with. Such fun to do.

Happy Mother's Day Weekend!

Cool pens, colorful cotton, hens in the post and a not so petite livre

You know who you are and I know you are out there. I can't be the only pen and ink fanatic in the universe! Well, I found a new favorite. Frixion by Pilot. It's a rollerball. Comes in a pack of 3 (two black & one red). I found them at Target. It's eraseable ink with a nice eraser on the top. Ima lefty so erasable ink always smears and ends up all over my hand. Disgust. This one doesn't.

I just love this pen. It doesn't have a lot of ink in it though, because I went through the whole pack (even the red) in a week. I journal every morning....so I do write a lot, but that's just odd that they'd be empty in like 2 1/2 days. Well, it's worth it. They write that good. For me anyway.

With this pen in my hand I could just write and write and write. The results are good, it helps my writing look good and that's a huge plus, right? Sometimes pens just work for you...and this is one that works for me.

So, the Casa Bella E-Zine ends on Friday. Well, the last project will be that day. Wot? Time flies. For those of you asking, the site will remain up through mid June to allow the late subscribers (still signing up this week even) to have ample time to enjoy the projects.  Here's a peek at what was featured in today's project.

I have a really cool new E-Zine is the making. Just want to get the dates right and everything. I am so excited about it! Perfect for summer. Per-fec-t.

And a big thanks to all who gave hens and chicks advice in the last post. Seriously. You gave me so much confidence...maybe just maybe I can add hens and chicks to my list of "I can grow this".

So I have little news to report on the petit livre, okay the book. Petit livre = a fancy and cute word for book the art pals (Rebecca, Charlotte, Pam, Carolyn, Amy and I) are doing. We've all been patiently waiting for everyone to get their advanced copies. Tick tick....that's a slow clock. After that...it'll all be ready and proper to give a more formal announcement and release date. And it's not petite in ideas, insight or inspiration. In fact I got the first copy last week and it's  I N T E N S E. In a really good way. But I know it's all just around the corner. Plan on that. 

Mom's Theory and Midwestern Gardeners

It's been really nice here the past few days. Really nice. Seems like everyone is working in their yards. Sprucing up. Me included. It's like we've all been so starved for good weather, we just don't know what to do with ourselves. It's here it's here! Finally! We are giddy and frolicing through the aisles and aisles of flowers in every shape and size.

Sorta like a Catholic school boy who's just been let out for the weekend....my Momma always said those Catholic boys only get "let out" once in a blue moon and when they do, they can't take it...they just go crazy with all of that freedom. Hey, that's my Mom's theory, not mine. I never forgot it. Sometimes I think she's right. Anyway....back to the good weather and flowers and la la la.

So, the nursery is filled with customers...everyone is planting around here. Been a long winter.

Martha Washington Geraniums....had to have them. Just might be able to keep them alive! Probably went overboard with flowers in containers this year. I am pretty much okay with it though. Just kept finding so many pretties. Totally been wanting to get hens and chicks. Finally spotted them! They must have just come in...

I planted them in a coconut fiber liner thinger...in a wire basket. I dunno if it's going to work. Money down the drain probably. 

I put the liner in a basket, then added the hens and chicks. Hens and chicks....how fun is that for a name?! I am really not good at growing plants, flowers or anything green. I can handle roses and geraniums. That's about it.

I think I need another alternative for the hens and chicks and am 100% ready to hear your ideas on what to do with them. I know lots of folks put hens and chicks in the ground, but it's not really an option in our yard.

Children would be why....boys to be specific. Get my drift? No inch of yard is ever really sacred. They chase balls, kick balls, throw balls, toss balls, run, leap, and carry on now that the weather allows...like those Catholic boys my Momma warned me about. Wait, these are Catholic boys. Well that explains everything, right Mom? And they aren't all mine, we live on a street filled with Catholic boys. I'm serious.

Where was I? Oh yeah, the yard isn't sacred....they'd certainly ruin the sweet hens and chicks I am growing to love. SO, what do I do with them? Any ideas out there? Gardeners...the comment section below is for you...

 

Don't mind me, I'm just graphix jonesin'

Okay so I haven't been working on the petite livre, for a couple of days now, and I'm so missing it! Creating page after page and editing page after page....what a rush. The beautiful photos, the fonts, the colors, the patterns....long sigh.

The banner here needed some changing...so I got my graphic fix after all. For today at least. And now that it's MAY, ok wow, I spent some time out back adding a spritz of color over there and over here.

Splurged on this urn at a store I have no bizness being in. Outta ma league...but I got it anyway. For shame! It was a spring treat, or a "hey good job, me" for finally finishing up the petite livre. The art pals and I are literally going to be nose pressed to the window waiting for that delivery man...err...person to bring those advanced copies! 

Being that we're talking graphics at the moment, if you are up for it, take a click at some Photoshop Disasters: HeRe. Wow, even the big time pros mess up, huh? And if you like vintage freebies, go HeRe. Fun stuff.

Silver Bella and other fine things

So hi ya! A couple of things to write about. First stuff is strictly biz related...

For the past few months there have been so many emails inquiring about Silver Bella 2008. When, where and is it sold out and even more questions than that. Now, a day doesn't go by without some sweet bella (old or new) emailing and asking for details. I wish I could write back to everyone, I try to but it doesn't always happen. I just thought I'd take a minute if you don't mind, to address that here and now. Truth be told, I have been extremely focused on the Paper Bella EZine's which is a non stop process for me. 3 days a week I feature a new in depth project. That takes time to do effectively. When I'm not doing that, I have been working on the new petite livre with my art pals; Pam, Charlotte, Rebecca, Carolyn and Amy (which is nearly complete, but that's a whole 'nother post).

My plans have been to proceed full speed ahead with Silver Bella 2008 details after the book is finished. So, I will definitely post concrete details on this blog as well as send out a Paper Bella Studio Newsletter with the nitty grity details when they are available. And believe me, I can't wait for that day! Or that glorious weekend in November for that matter! It's truly the highlight of my year!

I am not currently seeking Instructor positions, so no need to send those. But wow, thank you to those of you who have. Impressive.

Lastly, I appreciate all of the interest and inquiries about Silver Bella. It's a great feeling to know so many people are looking forward to it, too.

Okay so moving on... My sweet pal, Renee Camacho has a featured project on Casa Bella E-Zine today. Of course her project is adorable, cute and versatile. Thanks Renee! Just had to say that. :)

Must show off about my Son now. He recently wrote a screenplay at his middle school, as did many other students. His play was selected to be performed at the end of the year!

His school performs 3 plays each school year, and the last play is always one written by a student. We are looking forward to watching his vision come to life tomorrow nite!

Props to you, Drake!

We are so proud and haven't even seen the play yet!

Wishin...

This girl (who doesn't like me to post about her too much) wasn't 17 already. Wishing she wasn't so grown up. And perhaps, dare I say it, wishing that she was a little less determined than she is. So proud of her...all that she is and all that she dreams about.

Last night after dinner she said "Let's go shopping!" I reminded her all the stores were closed. She reminded me that Target was open. "But I just went to Target an hour ago!" I was seriously ready to settle in for the night. Then I reminded myself that it's such a treat to spend time together with her and that these days of hanging out with her are numbered. Next year she'll be a Senior. I put my shoes back on and off we went.

Just thinking about her this morning and loving her.  And loving all that lies behind those eyes and inside her heart. It's a big week for her this week. Love you peanut!

My nose has been in a book or 2 or 3

Hey, you like handmade books? While having a little shopping therapy recently, I found these books on an Etsy site. There's just something special about a handmade book. Ever since I took workshops on Japanese Stab Binding at Art Continuum (years ago), my appreciation for handmade books changed. Here's one with a coptic stitch and old reconstructed book covers:

I love to fan out books like this. Not sure why. :) This one has great w/c paper pages. Good and heavy.

This is a little cutie, 3x3 or so in size. The covers are from a really old and thick red vinyl record LP!

That coptic stitching rocks. I just slip though it and enjoy every aspect of them. Speaking of books, today's project for The Casa Bella E-Zine involved book making, too. I had to. When I had any quiet time to myself the last week or so, all I could do was think about handmade books.

Here's the back inside cover of today's Casa Bella E-Zine project...

A new favorite paper I've been hoarding. My nine year old's school papers. Specifically stories and spelling tests. He's been learning cursive and I can't stop looking at his writing! I know that soon, the writing will change and take on his own personality. Right now it's fundamental cursive...and I love that. Not bad for a lefty. I don't recall my older son's cursive looking so nice...but I'm going to go through his Rubbermaid containers of school papers to check and see! I only want a few of them....really.

Here's a bit of the cover of the book made in today's project. We're filling the book with quotes. As the weekend progresses, there will be hundreds of quotes in the comment section of this project. I'l lbe popping over there often to read them and jot them into my spiffy new book!

Although I'm such a mush ball today, maybe I need to stay away for a while. Quotes that pull at your heartstrings? Oh man, I dunno if my Kleenex box can take it!

Here's a quote on one of the pages from my book. Nice one.

Have a good weekend. Me...edit edit edit edit and then when I'm done with that, I think I'll do even more editing for the collaborative zine project with those great artists I've been telling you about!

Minutia Tuesday

Hay, Happy Earth Day! I spent a bit of time gathering these this morning...

Then I couldn't decide so I put most of them back. The nursery worker told me there were gorgeous planters at Costco and they were flying out the door and they were like 1/2 the price of what I had in my hand. Then I put them all back. I don't think she'll be working at this nursery for long with a sales pitch like that one. Worst part....as I drove away I remembered, uhm, yeah, I don't have a Costco membership. Isn't that one of those kinda places? Have to have a membership? I try and avoid them...I don't buy in bulk really, it's too pricey.

Even though I came home empty handed, I did notice this in our backyard...

Oh hello budding tree! So good to see you again. It's been so long! Everything is busting out...rose bushes, lilac bushes, our cherry tree will begin to blossom soon. Awesome.

And, even though I've been busier than a one legged man in an ass kicking contest lately, things are returning to normal. Whew! We had quite a week with all those celebrations.

For the past few days I have been bringing this book to car pool. I read most of the book on our Spring Break vacation. Was almost finished and it was killing me not to finish it! It was a good book. Glad I did. Love it when books take you to a whole 'nother place and it's like you are right there. Well, Peter Mayle took me to southern France. It was quite a trip. It wasn't AWESOME, like The Memory Keeper's Daughter, Eat Pray Love, or The Secret Life of Bees (the last 3 books I've read) but I recommend it.

Many people asked or emailed about when the book/zine/thang the "gals" and I are doing will be released. I wrote about it in my last post. Well, our target date is the end of April. We'll see!! I still can't even believe how great it is! It's almost finished!

Pull up a chair

I totally feel like I haven't posted a decent post in forever. Let's have a cup of coffee together and chat. So many things have been happening around here and I know I don't "owe" it to spill everything, but by the same token I owe it to myself to write about things going on. So that's what I'ma doing this morning. Even if it's a quick recap version. Isn't it silly that I think I need to write all my life updates here? It's like a diary and not posting updates as they come along leaves a little gap on a few pages -- so here we are...pen (or keyboard) in hand...

Yeah, so, earlier this week was my son's Confirmation. What a great evening that was! I know there is some Mcfamily out there looking forward to seeing a few pix so here are some. What an angle this is huh? Tilt your head to the right and it looks better. But I like it this way...not sure why.

My hubby's sister, The Sister, was his Sponsor. He's pretty lucky. She came to town for this special event in his life, and luckily gets to attend a McWedding tonight, too!

Last night we took my now 17 year old daughter shopping. 17!!! She's been so busy....we all have, so we got her big important gifts last night and she got to pick them out. She had a track meet scheduled but it was cancelled due to RAIN and ICK...so we got to go shopping.

This morning she was beaming and wore her Birthday smile well! Happy Birthday Peanut! We are all so busy-she working and track meets and all 3 kiddos practicing and us wedding-ing and so on...I hope we find time for her to blow out a candle (on a granola bar since she doesn't want a gooey cake) and open her other gifts. Sometime this weekend anyway. It'll happen. Maybe a midnight celebration. Ha!

And then this. Oh yes, this news. I've been busy with this project for quite a while now. Months. So have Pam, Amy, Charlotte, Carolyn and Rebecca.  I keep hestitating to say too much about the book we are doing, but I just can't help myself any more. A book? A really fat zine? It's all the verbage I suppose...and I don't care what it's called--book or 'zine. It's what is inside that counts, right? And I am telling ya this book has been the highlight of the long winter months and now early Spring!!

For serious! Just when I think it's done, we add more things. Like yesterday. We had all these ideas, and then no time we thought. We need to put a lid on this and be done with it I said to myself last night.

But this morning I woke up to 3 more pages in my inbox. Don't those gals sleep either? Man! Some one said we keep upping the bar. So true. I am thinking this sweet gem and keeper of a book is going to be ready and available in less than 2 weeks. We'll see! I just couldn't stand it anymore and had to share a lil photo from one my pages with you.

As I said earlier, tonight is a wedding. Yikes. I can't decide what to wear. I wanted to run out and get a new dress or something more festive....but it's rainy-windy-cold. I'm waiting and hoping the weather improves-really really soon! If not, it's the black polka dotted skirt from last Spring. But I broke up with polka dots, remember? Plus, I've already worn all my "good" dress outfits lately...Easter, funeral, Confirmation, and so on. I hope I can find something. So that's what going on around here lately. Chow for now and have a super weekend! 

I love it when house guests bring flowers

Especially big beautiful Springy and cheery colors like this one. That Sassy, what a sweetie she is.

So the past several days were long and hard but are behind us now. Thank you *everyone* for the thoughtful comments and emails about my Grandpa's passing. Very very kind of you and I read each one and thanked you in my heart. Many of you are right, too, in that having him a part of my life and my children's was such a blessing. So true.

Moving on...this week we are full of celebrations here. Confirmation, a Birthday and a wedding. More family coming, too. Yes, such fun occasions to witness and celebrate, but also lots of preparation involved. So I may not check in for a bit.

The new E-Zine, Casa Bella, kicked off this week! Hooray to artful and creative excursions! Keeps me sane, if that is at all possible. Loving it. Thanks to everyone who has subscribed. Folks are signing up all the time. Which reminds me, if you sign up and don't get your log in info right away, just be patient. I check orders hourly when I can, but it might be a couple hours before I send it to you. Thanks for that.

Enjoy your week and take time to look around you and see watch Spring unfold. It's finally here in the midwest!! If you can't take time out for a walk to take it all in, at least roll down the windows in the car pool line. I can't wait to go hit the nursery and pick up some flowers and do some planting in the yard. Soon.

One more day

Be a Grandpa for one more day.

Keep us strong today Grandpa while we lay you carefully to rest.

Keep your  wife strong. Your daughter and your sons and the family and friends that loved you.

I know that you will in whatever way you can. We will all miss you so much.

A big welcome home

Hey so we had the best time on our Spring Break! We spent some time at Universal Studios in Orlando and then saw my Mom-in-Law on the west coast and then ventured to the St. Pete and Tampa area and then back over to Disney for a day and then over to Cocoa Beach on the east coast and then and then...whew back home again. It sorta felt like that long run on sentence, go here go there and there...but that's cool. We certainly managed to wear those kiddos out and fill their minds with new sites and fun activities. It was really nice to get away but it's always good to get back home.

And I've got some exciting news! Gearing up for the next Paper Bella Studio E-Zine! I was so missing the creating time and routine I had gotten into and I know many of you were, too. I'm so ready to get to creating again...and this time with a theme in mind.

This fifth E-Zine is themed Casa Bella and will feature 12 great projects beginning Monday, April 14. We'll be creating all kinds of artful and shabbiful things for the rooms in your home. Several of the projects will feature supplies the intermediate art and craft girl already has in her home. Gotta love that. I sure do!

I've been waiting to do this theme for April...sorta like Spring cleaning and spiffing up your humble abode, ya know? I'm really excited about it! And I've got two great old friends as Guest Artists that'll be joining the fun, too. The always innovative and refreshing Renee Camacho and that oh so crafty Cari Kraft!

Renee and I go way way back to my early Foof a La days and still today she continues to amaze me with her talents. And Cari, well, she's my local pal who is always up to something wonderful. I've loved seeing what they've prepared for Casa Bella.

You can get all the details over on The Paper Bella Studio site. The new E-Zine starts up on Monday so don't be late!

How can you just walk away from this?

                                                  (Andrew meets the Ocean, Cocoa Beach 2008)

Can't do it. Nope. Nope. Nope. Please don't make me leave. Best part of our trip. Well, one of them. The sounds of the ocean waves. So calming. So centering as I sit beneath an umbrella and listen, watch and drink it in.

And the little guy who's feet are shown, well he just can't seem to sit still for one minute. Running into the waves, parting the water and waves just like Moses (maybe I'll show that photo later), throwing and catching the football, seashell hunting....he just doesn't stop. We had to make him sit down and rest every 15 minutes. That's when I found those toes. I love those toes.

Weather is here, wish you were beautiful

Be back very soon! At which time I'll probably need another vacation. You know, one where you actually rest. :)

This One is a Thinker

He's been formulating some declarations lately. With his arms crossed and a broad stance he recites them aloud.

"This sounds serious, shall I write them down you think?"

"Absolutely." He runs off to get paper and a pencil.

In no particular order here are his proclamations (trumpets trumping in unison) with much pomp and circumstance:

1. No more haircuts.
2. No more brushing of thy teeth.
3. No more spaghetti.  Seeeeya.
4. His broccoli days are over. Behind him now completely.
5. No more bedtime. Not needed anymore. He's passed it.

Oh, and while we've got the pencil and paper handy, we add that: free dress at school everyday has been officially declared in 9 year old land as well as unlimited PS3 time.

I thought you might like to know.

I really did write them down but I'm not sure why. You did want to know, right?

And so the plot thickens. I am a thinker, too.

As I reviewed his declarations, I tried to think like a 9 yr. old. It was nearly impossible at first. But in thinking back, waaay back to when I was a nine year old I am sure I would have liked to declare a few changes as well. Who wouldn't?

I mean we do have the paper and pencil handy, right?

So I began a list of my own in my head. It's a battle in itself thinking back that far. That was a long long time ago!

But henceforth and forthwith, I present my list of declarations as a nine year old. What I can recall that is.

I declare (trumpets trumping in unison):

1. More Beverly Cleary reading time afternoon. Bring it on Beezus and Ramona, too.
2. More "I Love Lucy" and "Bewitched" episodes on the TV even, when Dad is around.
3. Marathon candy bars every afternoon at 3:00.  They were only 15 cents! I can swing that.
4. I get my own room. No more sharing with that pesky sister. Doesn't she look pesky in that photo?
5. More Pepsi with peanuts dropped in the bottle. Funnest game ever trying to get that last peanut.
6. Big wheel races at 10:00 am, sharp.
7. No more quishy peas.
8. More secret hideouts to be built beneath the lilac bushes in the backyard.
9. No more tomato sandwiches. Ever.

I am quite pleased with the new law of the land. Mine anyway. What did you declare as a 9 year old? It's fun to pretend once in a while. I'd love to hear your declarations. I've got a pencil and paper handy...think away...

Hello Sunshine

Even though it's rainy and gray today, I love this recent shot of a pretty sunrise here.

"Hello sun. I've been waiting for you. It's so good to see you today." Looking forward to seeing you again soon. You know the old saying about where ever you go, always bring your own sunshine. Something like that. I like that quote, or that part of it I can recall easily. I wish more people did that.

These people brought a bit of sunshine my way recently. The recent Bellatoria E-Zine was so wonderful. Still is...folks keep signing up for it! Before I forget to mention, it will be accessible through the end of April-because folks are still signing up and they deserve to soak it all in. Okay, so, one of the extras in that

E-Zine was a Queen's Tea Swap. Over 110 women participated! Jeezy Pete! I have a cute swap to show you from Alice Del Rosario. I first met her in LA when I taught a workshop she attended. Then again at Sparkle Bella in Phoenix last summer.

She knows me well...look at the goodies. That sugar jar is so beautiful in person. So is the embroidered vintage tea towel. Wow. And I suppose my favorite package was that necklace. I wear it lots. It was the first gift I opened and my eyes welled up with tears because she knew me and I love old religious medals and blah blah blah...getting all sappy again. Thank you Alice, so much!

And yes, I'd love to have tea with you then next time I get to LA. She has a great place she'd love to go to.

I do have a beautiful handmade Queen's journal to share from a gal who sent it to me from far far away. I will soon. Waiting for some good light. I did 3 swaps actually, and am waiting on another one to arrive. It's also from a far away land!

This box's arrival caught me by surprise. But it shouldn't have. That sweet Jessi is well known for her generous heart and attention to every detail. She sent me these swap hostess thank you gifts. Awwww. She's a hoot and a half and if you've never visited her blog, you must.

I love it all and she knew I would! I think oddly enough my favorite thing is that cute little Barbie Jessi button she threw in. She's cute with a capital C, that Jessi is!

And a bit of housekeeping now, if you participated in The Queen's Tea Swap, I know a few gals have written saying they haven't received a swap in return from their partners. Please scoot them off at your earliest opportunity and drop them a line letting them know it's on their way!

Also, for those asking and emailing, there will be another Paper Bella EZine starting up soon. Can't jump into that quite yet, although I want to. I already miss it horribly. Too many other irons in the fire right now that need attention. But it's coming in about 10 days or so and there are 2 fabulous Guest Artists that'll be joining me. Holy moly....exciting stuff!

Off to slurp more coffee and find some sunshine on the computer screens. That bit of heaven I was eluding to in my last post is calling my name. I could just stare at the artwork all day. I do. It's my bit of sunshine for the day.