Phewey! Talk about celebrating my birthday way too much! It was great fun, and I brought you a piece of the most unreal outrageous cake (from Mom & Dad) I have ever tasted in my entire life. It was not too sweet, which I think made it extra amazing!
White chocolate curls...
Mascarpone Cheese, Real Raspberries -Moist cake. The most unreal (even for a salty savory girl) treat I have ever tasted, ever. Did I say that already? ;)
I also brought you something more tangible. 2 sets of printable gift tags. One includes my current obsession of pink and red & frilly & mushroomy love.
Print them on cardstock if you have it, punch a hole in a corner, add a ribbon, and voila... Or just slap them on your gift with tape ;) Whichever way you fancy will work out just fine ;)
Click Here for printable PDF (give them 30+ seconds to open)
And a second set, for any occassion really, where the gift is handmade. I was so inspired after listening to "Reconsidering Crafts" on NPR today. It really made me proud to be an artist and crafter and handmaker of fun, happy, and pretty things... I so dig Handmade Nation!!
Anyhow, here are those free "handmade inspired" gift tags I whipped up this afternoon...
I am working on cutting mine out. I find this part of gift wrapping to be so much fun.
Print as many as you'd like of which ever ones you'd like, they are free!! Also, they will be uploaded, into the Free Treats section in my right hand side bar. Where every free printable item I have ever shared can be found...
Next on the list are the names drawn from the Birthday Christmas giveaway. I have to tell you a little secret first. You see, I have this really serious idea about these giveaways. I believe that the name drawn is drawn because that is entirely who the item is meant to go to. Kind of like magic. Whoevers name is drawn is meant to have that giveaway item... I know it is a tad silly. But I do feel passionate about this sort of thing...
So, when Mr. Lovee drew names, I had to chuckle, and, my idea of giveaway magic was reinforced...
The first name drawn, for the dollhouse, was Miss Sarah Paperfoxling. It took every bone in my body not to tell her via e-mail before posting this!!!
Miss Sarah is a super sweet girl. I have never met her in person, but we have been blogging buddies for a very long time. And through getting to know her and reading her blog, I actually teared up when the Mister drew her name. Miss Sarah has had a bit of a tough year. She and her husband are trying to have a baby, without the success Sarah has longed for... She is loving and caring and sweet and crafty and artsy and would be an amazing Mama.
I took this quote from her blog...
"And then... well, I guess we'll see. It's really hard for me to think about all this. Having a baby is just something that I'm supposed to be able to do. I feel broken. Or like a failure or something... I look around me, at all these people who have children they pay little attention to, or treat poorly and I wonder why they get to have kids and I don't. I'd be a good mom, if someone would just let me have the chance."
So, you see, I think this little house, which I know will make her smile from ear to ear, was truly meant to bring some holiday cheer to sweet Miss Sarah... Yipppeee Yay Lil' Sarah!!!
The second Name drawn was Miss Geri. Who is a lovely lady! Her daughter and grandson have just moved in with her, and her grandson is tickling her no end!! She is loving and caring, and is a Christmas baby too!!
I think, Miss Crumpet Dilly Spoonface knew all along that she wanted to be best friends with Miss Geri, and keep her company while she plays with yarns and fabrics. And I bet they will even have some wild tea parties ;) ;) Yay Miss Geri!!! We want details ;)
The next name drawn for the ring was Miss Kristin Guillory.
Miss Kristin is a charming girl, who loves stories (about romance too)! She is busy studying for finals, and could use some ring magic me thinks!! Maybe the ring will help her ace her finals? Sadly, she just found out she lost a friend from highschool. Miss K, I am so sorry for the loss of your friend Collin. I am so glad the magic ring will make its way to your finger...
After I drew three names, I just couldn't help myself. I drew 2 more names, who I will send some fun prints and treats from my shop to.
So the fourth name drawn was Sweet Miss Erin Glee!! Yipppeee Miss Erin, a late birthday gift and you don't have to share it with you brother, hee hee ;) ;)
And the fifth name drawn was Miss Gina V!! And hey, maybe I will drop out of your ceiling? hahaha!! Such a fun gal!!
So, there you have it!! I will have more drawings as long as I keep finding treasures on my thriftventures ;) And if I find another dollhouse, I will share it in a giveaway ;)
Now, if you 5 girls could e-mail your mailing addresses, I will get your treats to you ASAP!!
THANK YOU all for sharing your kindness in my birthday week!!! I wish I had a giveaway for each and every one of you!! Maybe if I win the lottery?
(leaving my birthday party with lots of balloons and a full moon)
I have been to so many holiday parties in the last 2 weeks I can't even tell you. Getting dressed up for party events 3 times a week, is something I have not done since my discoteque days ;) Funny enough, at last night's event, I could not muster up the courage to boogie on the dance floor. I just couldn't do it...
I feel like I am always busy. So, I am still waiting for a sloth ladden day off to veg and relax. Just one day. Maybe I will get one this week ;) I also have not decorated for Christmas as I would have liked (yet). And look, it is like, what? A week and a half away???? How did this happen? Where did the time go? (although I like staying busy, it keeps me out of trouble ;)
Below are some birthday photos including, balloons and dinner, and dancing (not me), my beauteous brunette sister (at the bottom), some madness I have been conjuring up in following critters around the yard with my new INCREDIBLE zoom lense and my bored dog. Oh and lots of lemons gifted to us by our teeny tiny lemon tree. Love that!!
I even caught a mouse on camera!! The critters will never be safe from my lense...
So, I am going to bundle up at this late hour, and walk down the street to look at Christmas lights. I could be a lone caroler ;)
See you in a couple of days!!
♥ V ♥
PS: Goodness me, I keep forgetting that many of you asked for this!! The Cranberry Trifle Recipe from Thanksgiving!! Here is a photo of my Mammie's it was unreal!
And here is the link... I had not realized that it was a Martha Stewart recipe... Although my Mom made candied orange peels instead of just zest. That added such delicious freshness!
