I SIMPLY MUST STOP WHAT I'M DOING, JUST FOR A MINUTE...

Okay, y'all saw my crack house in the last post.

I'm trying to make it into a studio again - alone -

though my "little girl", Skyler, helped me last Saturday.

No one else has been knocking on my door...
(that was a HUGE hint).

Anyway, I must stop what I'm doing to share with you
 a gift I received in the mail today.

Now, I'm about 8 posts behind and have
my eldest son's Valentine's candy to mail,

an "I hope you're feeling better" box

that should have been mailed to my friend,
Molly Alexander, about 8 months ago

and a giveaway + many extras for her patience,

to the winner of that giveaway that probably thinks

 the Tank went ahead and put me in the home
 if she read my last post.

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BUT, all of that waits while I show you
 this most wonderful gift I received.

My friend, Jan Armentrout, ordered a nest for me

made by the amazingly talented (I could go on and on)
Victoria Boster.

She had sent me to her website to look at these nests
and when I did, I swooned.

So, what does my most gracious friend, 'the other Jan' do??

She orders me one.
I simply must show you pictures of it.

Now, if you have trouble understanding
what it looks like because my photos are, well, lacking,

you can go to Vicki's blog and see pictures.

She makes a lot of these and

sometimes when you order one
you have to wait MONTHS to get it -

that's how good she is,

how amazing the nests are,

and how much demand there is for them.

(I really think Where Women Create should do an article
on her studio - can someone pass that on??)

Okey dokey, I've got to get back to the crack house,

so here are the pictures that don't do the nest's beauty justice...
one side of the nest

another side of the nest - really, go look at them on Vicki's blog

I really love this side of the nest-it has some twigs w/ white glittery 'flowers'

Okay, now you're going to be totally confused-

this is the center of the nest.

You know, where the bird sits?

The sides of the nest are built up to surround the center

just like in real life.

Now I must get back to the studio crack house.

I will start posting all of those old posts on my next break.

One more little thing,

You know what?

I have found that my artist friends make the best friends.

Thanks again, Jan, I love my nest!

Until later,

thanks for reading,

      Jan

BUSY WORKER BEE GETTING READY FOR VENDOR'S NIGHT AT THE PAPER COWGIRL RETREAT

Meaning, I have no personal life, no time for telephone calls - 3 minute maximum, even my mother, cooking (oh, waaaa), cleaning (bigger waaaaaaaa), but I'm getting so much done.
Oh, wait, what I mean is that I'm getting so much done between telephone marathons with T-Moron (aka, T-Mobile), a laptop that is new but needs to be dumped in the trash. Instead, it's at the shop getting a new hard drive! This is after getting an external mouse because the mouse stopped working, and a CD drive that's never worked. All of that is going to be a future post - I have a lot to say......

Today??? I simply want to show you what I've been working on for vendor's night at Paper Cowgirl.......

These first three photos are pictures of lavender sachets I've made. Are these tags too cool? They are copies of hand-colored engravings, circa 1779, and the originals are the property of artist, Sandra Evertson. And, let's not forget the fabulous fabrics (toile and cottage roses), ribbon and the gold brad.

These photos are of wee bitty pots with precious little bird's nests, teeny eggs, mommy bird and a Paper Whimsy fairy to watch over the nest.

These following photos show you wonderful bird's nests, each seated on vintage lace or, as with the pink bling birdie, a vintage ladies glove. Each nest has ribbon, eggs, flowers, a gorgeous bird resting atop the nest and a tag. They're so wonderful! I simply love them!

I have so, so much more to do to get ready for not only vendor's night, but the class that I'm teaching that there's no time for chit-chat today. My three minutes are up - LOL.

Bless all of my readers - especially those that aren't too shy to leave a comment.

You know the comments make my day feel like my birthday....."show some love, leave a comment." (said with an Italian accent:)

xoxo, Jan

MAKE THAT THREE POSTS IN ONE DAY!

Oh, my gosh, here I am....back again.

But this time it's all about me:)

I got an award!! How about that!

I got the Kreativ Blogger award from my dear friend, Maisy from across the pond.

Thank you, Maisy! What an honor!!

With awards come responsibilities, right?

This award is no different.

The responsibilities, which I take seriously, of course, are:

1. Add the logo to your blog (check!)
2. Link to the person from whom you've received the award (check!)
3. Nominate 8 blogs of your choice (check! see below...)
4. Leave a message on the nominees' blogs (check!) (oh, alright, I'll probably email them - don't sue me!)

*My* choices for the Kreativ Blog Award go to:

1. http://www.a-rbnsnest.blogspot.com/

2. http://www.halohill.blogspot.com/

3. http://www.mypetitemaison.blogspot.com/

4. http://www.rockinm.blogspot.com/

5. http://www.whimandfancydesigns.blogspot.com/

6. http://www.mendytexas.blogspot.com/

7. http://www.dalemclain.blogspot.com/

8. http://www.thewildraspberrysisters.blogspot.com/

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Gosh, I hate to stop there but the rules.........................

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Have a blessed Easter tomorrow. Praise God for his son and his son's resurrection!

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And praise God for my wonderful readers!

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XOXO,

. . .Jan