A Sneeky Peek ...

I'm two thirds the way thorough, making the goodies I want to send ..... Oh, and it's been such fun !!!
I thought I'd give you a little peek, at something I've made to include in my partners package .....

Until next time ..... Happy Creative Crafting :-)

My Needful Things Swap Package has Arrived!!!!

While I was in Las Vegas my box of goodies from the Needful Things swap arrived from Sarah Jonas of Firefly Hills Farm. Oh my, did she go all out! She sent me the most amazing package.

Something that I did not mention in my Needful Things post was that Old Bay seasoning is not only my favorite seasoning it always makes me think of my Poppop. My mom's father was one of my favorite people in the world. Even though he has been gone for almost 22 years, he is still one of my favorite people :)

He taught me to fish and to clean and filet the fish I caught - which I could do very well by the time I was 8, he taught me to drive and park a boat and is one of the reasons I love the ocean so much. He taught me the patience of crabbing with an old chicken leg and some string as well as the simple enjoyment of getting up at dawn to set the crab pots out in the bay so that we could head back out in the late afternoon to pick them up full of lovely blue crab which we would steam for dinner!

Growing up poor, as we did, my grandfather provided for our family by fishing, crabbing and selling fishing lures which he made in his little shop ( a converted garage). I ran wild in the reed covered sand dunes of lower Delaware, could swim before I could walk, drove a boat way before I could drive a car and loved the beach like it was home all because of him. Old Bay seasoning reminds me of those magical times and always makes me smile. Sarah, you have no idea how cool it was to see Old Bay seasoning in the package.

The Hershey's chocolate candle smells so yummy. I'll be taking that to the office so that I can smell chocolate all day. We used to visit Hershey Park every year or so when I was growing up. We loved going when the factory was running since the whole place smelled like chocolate.

Tea Forte

These little tea packets are another amazing gift. A while back my man and I went on a Caribbean Cruise with friends and during the High Tea that I attended with the girls they served Tea Forte Vanilla Orchid tea. This tea is amazing. I can't find it locally and am really excited to try these new flavors.

Sarah also sent me a huge variety of open pollinated heirloom seeds. I am so excited about these. Many of them are from her farm. That makes them even more special. I can't wait to plant them and I will definitely plant the Chuffa in a container :)

More fun things, the felted wool wrapped goats milk soap is amazing. Since my skin is so sensitive, goat's milk soap is one of the few that I can use on a regular basis! I can't wait to try this. The wool roving is going to have to be hair for a mermaid I think. Such a beautiful color and texture. My boys were really excited by the pancake mix and the preserves. I can't wait to try the watermelon jelly. That sounds so good. I've never had the wasabi sesame seeds but I am looking forward to trying them.

Sarah, you have totally spoiled me. Thank you! I love that you shop local and have sent me so many wonderful, thoughtful things!! I will keep you posted as I plant these wonderful seeds.

Sincerely,

Debbie

sneak peek

What could this be?  She'll just have to wonder........

Let's get ready!

Okay, I am emailing everyone their secret swap partner today!  Please go check out their blogs for their lists this week.  All questions need to go through ME!

Since I am a few days late in emailing everyone, I am moving the shipping deadline back to March 1st.

If you get done early, that is fine.  As usual, please let me know when you've shipped AND received.
Please remember to send thank you emails and/or posts.....we like to see what everyone gets!

Have fun!

Check your IN BOX!

My Needful things post is online HERE.  Please read it.  Everyone should read everyone else's!  You never know who you will be swapping around with......

In preparation of the swap, I've emailed a reply required to everyone playing along.  Please email me back asap.....let's get ready to CRAFT!!!!!!!!!!!

grab the badge and join the fun!/CLOSED!

A New Year calls for a New SWAP!  So I cordially invite you to: 

                            THE NEEDFUL THINGS SWAP!

Not to be confused with the scary novel (but TOTALLY inspired by it,) The Needful Things swap is all about those things you can't seem to live without.  Not BIG things...little things.  Things that make you smile. Things that make you squeal with glee.  Things that make you do a little happy dance.    

For example:
1.  Needful things can be frivolous but useful....like those funky little pincushions in my sewing room or the beautiful hank of yarn just waiting to be made into a scarf.  
2.  Needful things can be quirky...like the zombie dolls I love because they are the perfect combination of cute and creepy. 
3.  Needful things can be characteristic...like my need to move turtles out of the road so some jerk doesn't squash them. 

Read how it works to see if you want to play along:

First, you need to do a little post about yourself and schedule it for February 1st on your regular blog.

Instead of jotting down a list of stuff you like, you will write 20 sentences that start with "I Need" and then write what it is and why you need it or need to do it.    Add pictures if you'd like.  

This is a SECRET SWAP so the post encourages you to tell us a little bit about yourself.  This in turn, will help your partner create a great package that you will love.   You will be amazed how much you can tell someone about yourself in just 20 sentences.  

Use your post to tell us things you like to do, stores you frequent, colors you like, what hobbies you have, things you collect, treats you can't resist,  etc.  Remember, these are little things.  You may not even realize how essential these little things are to you, so take a good look at your post and edit it before scheduling. 

What we are swapping:
The package needs to be worth/valued at $30.00.
The package needs to have a minimum of 6 "needful things" and ONE of these things has to be handmade.  (It doesn't matter how you break down the cost.  Buy 1 nice thing and make everything else; make 1 nice thing and buy everything else; spend a few bucks per item; etc. )

Then, you need to wrap each item up individually and include a note to your partner.
This is supposed to be a pretty package, not a "thrown together, helter skelter, cram-it-in-a-box and forget-it" type of package.  

As always, my swaps are meant to challege your creativity, not bust your budget.  That being said, your package should be valued at $30 dollars BEFORE shipping.  If you regift, the item needs to be new, clean and worthy of regifting.  (I got something once that had a stain on it.  Gross.)  

Because shipping has gotten outrageously expensive, this is a USA only swap.  
The join by date is January 25th.  I will email your partner info the following week.
The blog post date is February 1st. 
The ship by date is February 22nd.  Please use delivery confirmation or priority mail so you can track your packages.

Okay, so if you want to join along, simply email me your name and address at valpowery(at)yahoo(dot)com.  I'll reply and then send an email confirming everyone right before the swap.  You'll need to reply to any emails I send during the course of the swap.  

2014 Owl Lover's Calender

             Once again, I'm posting about the wonderful calender offered here.

As always, they have some beautiful images to choose from.  Like this one.....

There are several images to choose from so you can customize your own!