One Moment Please....... A Giveaway!!!!!

"Ah-hmm, pardon me Madam."

"Yes, Sebastian, what is it?"

"Well Madam, I noticed it was time."

"Time for what, Sebastian?"

"Your Blog Madam, it is time to make an announcement on your Blog."

"Whatever do you mean by announcement Sebastian?"

"I believe it is regards to this being your 100th post, Madam."

"Has it been that many? Oh dear I suppose I should celebrate by giving something away."

"Might I make some suggestions Madam?"

"Why yes Sebastian, what do you think would do for such an occasion?"

"Well perhaps Madam would consider offering one of these fine archival prints she has of her paintings?"

"Hmmm, Do you really think they would like that?"

"Well Madam could always let them choose from the prints she has listed on her Artfire site. Then they could pick the one that suits them, like this lovely one here."

"Oh I think that's a splendid idea Sebastian. Any other thoughts?"

"If Madam is feeling particularly 'Saucy' she might be inclined to offer to make one of her fine little stuffed mice, like this example here."

"Yes I could make it in a color they prefer, on a little cushion too, like the one I made for Kana's May basket exchange."

"Yes and all they would need to do is leave a comment on this post to enter. If they would like to double their chance they could "follow" your blog, and to enter their name three times perhaps they post about your giveaway on their blog?"

"Don't you think that's asking a lot Sebastian?"

"Heavens no Madam, why posting takes but a minute, and with such lovely prizes I cannot help but think that everyone will want extra chances to win. Why I know Madam herself loves to win handmade lovelies." "Madam if I wasn't an employee I myself would start a blog, just so I could post about this fine giveaway (*wink*)."

"Thank You Sebastian, I will do that then. I will offer a choice of any print, or a handmade mouse. They just need leave a comment for a chance, double their chance for following my blog, and triple them if they mention this post on their blog, or link to it!"

"Very good Madam, now if that is all I will retire to my post, and Madam,"

"Yes Sebastian?"

"May I be the first to offer my Congratulations."

"Thank You Sebastian. I should mention here that I will draw the winner this Sunday evening. May 3rd."

Look at What Arrived today!!!

Kana has received her basket!!! So now I can show you the mouse i made for her.....

I have participated in the "Year of Color May Basket Swap". My "swap partner" Ms. Kana Conger in Tennessee was really on the ball. You see we were to have mailed out our baskets by today. I mailed hers early this morning. Well today while at work, Steven called to tell me I had received a box from Tennessee.

I did not think too much about initially, because my good friend Cathy lives in Tennessee, so I thought it must be from her. No, it was from Kana! Gosh she was early. I did not know if I was supposed to wait until May 1st, so I emailed her right away to let her know it had arrived.  Dare I ask, I couldn't wait... please don't ask me to wait.

Her response, "Yes, open it", so I decided to share this with all of you. I have to admit it was very hard making myself stop long enough to take photo's...... 

Here it is, waiting for me to open it......big box, but oddly very light....

I carefully opened it and brought out the sweetest basket, in two of my color favorites a light turquoise blue and Pink! Just look at all that yummy-ness! 

I started to take everything out ( for a while I thought the basket was bottomless) it was  loaded with goodies!!!!  Do your see the "vintage talc" tin and the pretty bird (I collect birds, and the tin is wonderful). There were pretty bits of bling in containers, ribbons, a buckle, and trim, and a little notebook decorated just for me! A matching pretty pale green vintage handkerchief and finger towel all wrapped with silk ribbon. Along with all these treasures a couple of surprise packages. Wow! Look at all that lovely trim wrapped on bingo cards, a picture frame made with music paper!

The second package contained this lovely bookmark she made, I love to read but this is way to pretty to hide in a book.....

Here it all is, carefully placed back into the basket. I will eventually put it all away, and I will definitely use all these lovely gifts. For now though, I want to savor all the beauty, and admire all the work put into this amazing swap!! Kana, thank you so much, I feel so lucky to have been matched with so generous and creative a partner. I hope you will like what I have sent... (I am feeling a little guilty here,  I just hope she likes what I have sent) .....I cannot thank you enough!

For those who would like to see where this creative lady blogs, well take a look here and enjoy 

www.kanacreates.blogspot.com

Glittery Fun.....

I decided to see what my "Queen Mouie" and Kim's "Lady Bun Bun" looked like all "blinged" out. I even added crowns. What do you think? I had fun adding all the sparkle to these little lovelies, now I want to hurry and finish "La Senorita" mouse and "Fairy Mouse" and play with them. Check out the post below, my friends and I had fun on Friday, then my daughter and I made a day of it Saturday.

Weekend Projects...

Here is what I did this weekend. I have been working on little mice. Aren't they cute? What started as a fun project with a couple of friends has become a bit of an obsession for me lately. Friday my friends Nancy (Her Art Nest) and Terri (Blooming Ideas) came over to play. Nancy made her little dressed up mouse, with a little help from me, and Terri made a "fairy" mouse. I had made one for an exchange earlier ( I cannot show her here, maybe after she arrives at her new home ) and she was too cute. I made her a ballerina but with all she needed was wings to be a fairy. Well I as usual got nothing done myself, but then on Saturday my daughter Kim, wanted to make one, oh, but not a mouse, she wanted to make a "Queen Bunny'. While I showed her how I had made the skirt and such for mine, she did all but a few steps herself. Now these babies range from 2.75" to Kim's 4" bunny. In the meantime I did these, and althought they are not done I wanted to share them with you..... My little cheetah "senorita" mouse (I need a red rose and the lace veil yet)

A soon to be finished "fairy mouse", she still needs "bling" and "wings".

Here is Kims finished "Queen Bunny" and her friend, my Mouie!

Boo is gonna hate me.....

This is Bailey (a.k.a.) "The Boo". He is sporting a raggedy belly band because it is "spring" and the hormones are a'flowing. This causes much distress to Mr. Boo. So we have finally made the choice to have the "surgery" done. Yes, Mr. Boo is going to give it up this Tuesday. 

Mr. Boo is a registered Yorkshire Terrier. He has fathered "three" litters,  so it isn't like he hasn't had a good time in his life. It's just he really, really gets way to worked up now when females go into heat, or gosh forbid another male (even a neutered one) stops by for a visit. Oh he is a sweetie, but he feels the need to mark. Hence the belly band (notice the wear and tear, and he has two that look like this). I have ordered a new one, but hope that the need for it will dissipate a few months after the surgery.

Here are his two daughters...... Nuala and Cookie (Cookie is the one with long hair, she is a daughter from the second mating with Bella, and Nuala is from his first mating with Butters). Nuala is shaved like her daddy for the summer because their fur is much thicker and their hair mattes' easily.  Cookies fur is much thinner and wiry so I leave it long, she is also Steve's girl and hangs by her "food" source whenever he is around. Nuala is the opportunist, be it food, a toy, or an open place to lie she will cozy up to almost anyone, provided they have one of the above.

These two are lounging on Steve's legs. Cookie is also going in to be spade. She is a year old and finished her first heat. Nuala was spade years ago (she is three and a half) so she is the only one not having to deal with the vet this week. I have just given all of them their distemper, parvo, and Lepto shots and they are feeling a bit punky today. Cookie needs her Rabies, but will get that when she goes in.

It is going to be an expensive week, as I am also letting them get the heart worm test done while they are under (except Nuala who will just have the heart worm). However since my two dogs, my daughters dog Trixie, and my other daughters rabbit, as well as my nieces two dachshund mixes are all going in for spade and neuters the vet is cutting us a discount.

Mr. Boo is my boy, and a real "Drama King" and I know when he comes home Wednesday it will be awhile before he comes to sit by me. It took a day before he would even look at me after he was shaved.  You notice in the picture above he was lounging not with the girls and Steve, or even with me as usual. No, he was upset with me, after the shot, and decided to just glare at me from the top of the sofa. I had to say "treat" to get him to even lift is head and make eye contact with the camera.

Of course if I really wanted to make amends I would offer him his drug of choice, the "ball", or as we call it here "Bailey Crack". There is nothing he cannot forgive for a half hour of chasing, and drooling over his beloved ball. So now  I am off to make it up to him for the shot, since he won't be able to run around like a crazy man after Tuesday for a while.

It's going to be a cold week here in Michigan, and I am not talking about the weather.

Announcing.........

ART FOR SALE!!!!

Yes, I have now posted some artwork for sale on "Artfire". It is just a humble beginning. Please take a moment to stop in and check it out. You can scroll down to the right and click on my Artfire logo. It is a "work in progress" as I am new to the whole internet store experience. 

I have been asked about some of my work in the past and decided to see how serious people are about purchasing some of my work. So take a moment to see and let me know what you think.

Sunny Day

What a nice sunny day out. Steve and I headed out to pick up some things at the store for dinner tomorrow. Even though my daughter Steph is in Ohio with her boyfriend,  Kim is house and pet sitting for her, and we haven't heard if our son John will be joining us, I am still making a ham. So I needed to buy a few things, then stop at the bead shop to buy a few blingy's for my project I am working on. I even stopped and bought a chocolate bunny (from Choo-choo Chocolates in Oxford) for each of them. I bought the smallest size this year, after all they are all grown, but my children are spoiled, and I would hear about it if I did nothing. I picked up "Peeps" for Steve (his favorite) and peanut butter eggs for John.  So I have to bag up their treats tonight.

While we were at the store I saw these pretty tulips. They were so pale and sweet I decided to treat myself and buy a bunch. I placed them in the turquoise vase Steph gave me. I set them on the counter in my kitchen to take a photo to share with you. I did paint the cups on the shelf above and the two crocks ( not the three stacked cups though).

Now back to my doll decision. I have been going back and forth all week. It has been hard because either the doll I wanted was out, or a pre-order. I really liked this doll his name is "Black Butler" I love his hair. He is my choice in the male dolls. You really can't tell on some of the male dolls if they are guy's or gals. Must be a Japanese/Anime thing? I have plastered his cute face to my wish list. I have thrown out the hint, we will see.

Here is what I finally "Pre-Ordered". Yep, I am getting "Mir". I just love her pale complexion and her beautiful garb. Now if I can just get my family to get me Butler?

I found her here and she is shipped from Chicago which is closer, also I found their shipping less and the dolls about $10.00 less on average :  http://www.pullipstyle.com